[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 56 (Friday, March 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17632-17633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06616]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Caribou-Targhee National Forest; Idaho and Wyoming; Amendment to 
the Targhee Revised Forest Plan--Canada Lynx Habitat

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Caribou-Targhee National Forest proposes to amend the 
Targhee Revised Forest Plan (1997) to include a map identifying 
specific areas where the Northern Rockies Lynx Management Direction 
(NRLMD, 2007) applies.
    Pre-Decisional Administrative Review Process: The decision on this 
proposed plan amendment will be subject to the objection process for 
the planning process (36 CFR part 219, subpart B). Only those 
individuals and entities who submit substantive formal comments related 
to this proposed plan amendment during the opportunities for public 
comment as provided in 36 CFR part 219, Subpart A may file an 
objection. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with 
requirements for objection (36 CFR 219.53).

[[Page 17633]]

    Public Participation: The Agency invites interested parties to 
participate and collaborate on this proposal and analysis. Publication 
of this Notice initiates the 30-day scoping process. Comments received 
concerning this proposed plan amendment will be used to develop the 
proposal and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
    Once the Draft EIS is prepared, publication of its Notice of 
Availability in the Federal Register will begin a formal 90-day 
opportunity to provide written comments. Comments on the Draft EIS will 
be used to prepare the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision. Notice 
of Availability of the Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision will be 
made in the Federal Register. Public notice to begin the 60-day 
opportunity to file an objection will be published in the newspaper of 
record. Public notice of all objections will be published in the 
newspaper of record and begin the 10 day period for an interested 
person to request participation in meetings between the reviewing 
officer and objector(s) to discuss issues raised in the objection and 
potential resolution. All meetings are open to observation by the 
public. After the reviewing officer responds in writing to objections, 
the responsible official will issue the Final Record of Decision, 
consistent with responses to objections, and issue a public notice of 
the decision and, if applicable, the approved amendment.
    The newspaper of record is the Post Register. The Draft EIS, Final 
EIS, Draft Record of Decision, responses to objections, Final Record of 
Decision, approved amendment, and all public notices and Federal 
Register notices will be made available online. Additional 
opportunities for public involvement will be offered prior to the Final 
EIS if determined necessary by the responsible official.

DATES: The Draft EIS for the Amendment is expected in July 2013. The 
Final EIS and Draft Record of Decision are expected in December 2013. 
The Final Record of Decision is expected in 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments in response to this Notice to: Targhee 
Lynx Analysis, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, 
Idaho Falls, ID 83401. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected] or via facsimile to 208/557-5826.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan Bogle, Forest Planner (208)354-
6613 or [email protected]. Additional information about this analysis 
will be posted at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=40275. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-
800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Canada lynx was listed as a Threatened 
species under the Endangered Species Act in 2000. The 1997 Targhee 
Revised Forest Plan did not identify lynx habitat. The NRLMD ROD 
established programmatic management direction for lynx habitat on the 
Targhee but did not make a decision about what lynx habitat is, where 
linkage area boundaries are, or how they are identified.
    This analysis has been initiated in response to a June 6, 2012, 
District of Idaho Court Order. In that order, the Court determined that 
the Agency may not rely upon its 2005 Lynx Analysis Unit Map which 
delineates the areas subject to the NRLMD until it is analyzed in an 
EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
    The project area is located in the Idaho counties of Bonneville, 
Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Teton; and the 
Wyoming counties of Lincoln and Teton.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to amend the 1997 Targhee Revised Forest 
Plan to incorporate a map that will identify lynx habitat, lynx 
analysis units, and linkage areas. The map will incorporate the finest-
scale vegetation information and best data available. The analysis will 
be completed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 
the NRLMD and other applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies. 
The effects of such an amendment will be analyzed and disclosed in the 
EIS. Consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service will occur to 
ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

Responsible Official

    The Caribou-Targhee National Forest Supervisor is the responsible 
official and will make the decision.

Nature of Decision to Be Made

    In the decision, the responsible official will decide whether or 
not to amend the 1997 Targhee Revised Forest Plan.

Preliminary Issues

    1. Disagreement regarding the extent and distribution of lynx 
habitat across the Targhee portion of the Caribou-Targhee National 
Forest.

 Possible Alternatives

    At a minimum, the proposed action and a no action alternative will 
be analyzed. The no action alternative would not incorporate the lynx 
habitat, LAU, and linkage area map as an amendment to the 1997 Targhee 
Revised Forest Plan.

Scoping Process

    This Notice initiates the public involvement process, which guides 
the development of the alternatives and the analysis. It is important 
that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner 
that they are useful to the agency's preparation of the Draft EIS. 
Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the 
comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns.
    Comments received in response to this scoping notice, including 
names and addresses of those who comment, will become part of the 
public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously 
will be accepted and considered.

    Dated: March 15, 2013.
Brent Larson,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2013-06616 Filed 3-21-13; 8:45 am]
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