[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45495-45496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17968]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Conejos Peak Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest; 
Colorado; Cumbres Vegetation Management Project

    AGENCY : Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Conejos Peak Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest, 
proposes to salvage timber stands killed or infested by spruce beetles; 
reduce fuel loading, particularly adjacent to private lands; cut 
potential hazard trees along private property, roads, and other 
infrastructure; and regenerate forested acres, as needed, to move 
toward the long-term desired conditions described in the Forest Plan.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by August 28, 2013. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected in September 2013 and the final environmental impact statemen 
t is expected in November 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Diana McGinn, Team Leader, San Luis 
Valley Publ ic Land Center, 1803 W. Hwy 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144. 
Commen ts may also be sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to 719-852-6250, with 
subject Cumbres Vegetation Management Project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana McGinn at 719-852-6241 or visit 
the Forest Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/riogrande/landmanagement/projects.
    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:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose an d need for the Cumbres Vegeta tion Management 
Project is move toward achieving long-term desired conditions described 
in the Forest Plan for this area following extensive tree mortality 
caused by epidemic levels of spruce beetles. Actions taken to meet 
these goals would include: (1) Harvesting dead and dying trees to 
provide wood products, while reducing the continuous extent of large 
fuels, particularly around private lands; (2) removing trees that 
create a potential safety hazard in areas of concentrated public use or 
that have the potential to damage public or private propert y as they 
fall; (3) Re-plant portions of harvested s t ands to speed ecological 
recovery.

Proposed Action

    The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to harvest and regenerate 
timber stands killed by or infested with spruce beetles in an area 
located approximately 23 miles west of Antonito. Colorado. The project 
would use the existing transportation system except for the 
construction or re-use of approximately 8.3 miles of temporary road 
segments. All temporary roads would be rehabilitated and closed 
following use. Tree planting would follow harvest operations in areas 
with inadequate existing regeneration and where aspen sprouting is 
unlikely, in order to maintain diverse forest cover over the long-term.

Responsible Official

    Conejos Peak District Ranger at 15571 County Road T5, La J ara, CO, 
81140.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    An environmental impact statement (EIS) that discloses the 
environmental consequences of implementing the proposed action and 
alternatives to the proposed action, including No Action, will be 
prepared. A separate Record of Decision (ROD) wlll explain the 
Responsible Official's decision

[[Page 45496]]

regarding whether or not to implement some level of timber harvest and 
other proposed activities on alL part. cr none cf the area analyzed, 
given the consideration of multiple- use goals and objectives.

Preliminary Issues

    The effect of proposed activities on soil and watershed condition 
and on the habitat structural needs of the local populati on of Canada 
Lynx, a Threatened species, and their primary prey, the snowshoe hare.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement . The Forest 
invites public comment and participation for this project by 
publication of this notice. Comments are also invited by: publication 
in the quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA): public notice 
regarding this project i n the newspaper of record, the Valley Courier: 
letters to potentially interested individuals, tribal governments, 
elected officials, and State and other Federal Agencies. Information 
will also be posted on the Rio Grande National Forest project Web site 
as this project progresses. Comments received during these and other 
scopin g efforts will be considered in this EIS.
    It is the responsibility of persons providing comments to submit 
them by the close of the conunent period. Only those who submit timely 
and specific written comments will have eligibility (36 CFR 218.5) to 
file an objection under 36 CFR 218.8. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the scoping period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Conunents received in response to this solicitation, including 
names and addresses of those who comment will be part of the public 
record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered; however anonymous comments will not provide 
the Agency with the ability to provide the respondent with subsequent 
environmental documents.

    Dated: July 17, 2013.
Andrea Jones,
District Ranger.
    [FR Doc. 2013-17968 Filed 07/26/2013 at 8:45 a.m.; Publication 
Date: 07/29/2
[FR Doc. 2013-17968 Filed 7-26-13; 8:45 am]
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