[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 127 (Monday, July 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39208-39209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16199]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period for Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement: North Fork Eagle Creek Wells Special 
Use Authorization

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Extension to Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Lincoln National Forest, is extending 
the public comment period for a draft environmental impact statement 
(DEIS) that discloses the potential impacts of a proposed action to 
authorize, under a new special use permit, the operation of four 
municipal supply water wells located on National Forest System (NFS) 
land in the North Fork Eagle Creek drainage. The new permit would be 
authorized for up to 20 years, with stipulations for frequent review 
and verification of the permit terms and conditions. These could occur 
as often as every year but would occur at least every 5 to 10 years. 
The new authorization would add terms and conditions to the permit 
reflecting

[[Page 39209]]

current adaptive management strategies which both respond to the 
purpose and need for action, and mitigate potential adverse impacts to 
surface water and groundwater resources from well operations. The 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice of 
availability (NOA) of the DEIS in the Federal Register on May 25, 2012 
[77-31355; ER-FRL-9003-2]. The NOA provided for a public comment period 
ending on July 9, 2012.

DATES: Due to the extenuating circumstances caused by the Little Bear 
wildfire, several individuals and organizations have requested an 
extension of the comment period. The Forest Service has decided to 
accommodate these requests; therefore, comments will now be accepted 
through September 7, 2012. Comments received or postmarked after 
September 7, 2012 will be considered to the extent practicable. Those 
parties who submit comments on or before this date will be eligible 
appeal a decision on the project in accordance with 36 CFR part 215.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the DEIS are available for public review at the 
following locations:
     Lincoln National Forest Supervisor's Office: 3463 Las 
Palomas Road, Alamogordo, New Mexico.
     Smokey Bear Ranger District: 901 Mechem Drive, Ruidoso, 
New Mexico.
    Written comments on the DEIS are best submitted electronically by 
accessing http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php?project=9603. To 
electronically comment, select `Comment on Project' in the `Get 
Connected' box on the right side of Web page. Written comments may also 
be submitted to: Robert G. Trujillo, Forest Supervisor, Lincoln 
National Forest, 3463 Las Palomas Rd., Alamogordo, NM 88310, or 
facsimile 575-434-7218. Oral comments can be provided at the 
Responsible Official's office during normal business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 
p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays), via telephone 575-434-
7200, or in person.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debbie McGlothlin, Environmental 
Coordinator, TEAMS Enterprise Unit, at 559-920-4952.

    Dated: June 25, 2012.
Robert G. Trujillo,
 Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2012-16199 Filed 6-29-12; 8:45 am]
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