[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11074-11075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04270]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Assessment Report of Ecological/Social/Economic Sustainability, 
Conditions, and Trends for the Carson National Forest

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of initiating the assessment phase of the forest plan 
revision for the Carson National Forest.

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SUMMARY: The Carson National Forest, located in northern New Mexico, is 
initiating the forest plan revision process pursuant to the 2012 
National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule (36 CFR Part 219). 
This process results in a revised forest land management plan (forest 
plan), which describes the strategic direction for management of forest 
resources on the Carson National Forest over the next ten to fifteen 
years. The first phase of the process, the assessment phase, is just 
beginning. The public is invited to contribute information that can be 
used in the development of the assessment (36 CFR Sec.  219.6). To 
gather relevant information about conditions and trends in and around 
the Carson National Forest, the Forest Service will be hosting a series 
of public forums in late spring/early summer of 2014. Information about 
public engagement opportunities during the assessment phase and the 
entire plan revision process will be posted on the Carson National 
Forest's Web site, which will be continuously updated as the planning 
process progresses.

DATES: A draft of the assessment report for the revision of the Carson 
National Forest's forest plan is anticipated to be posted on the 
following Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan in the 
fall/early winter 2014. The final assessment is projected to be 
completed in late winter 2014/2015.
    Public forums and meetings associated with the development of the 
assessment will be announced on the Web site cited above.
    It is expected the notice of intent to initiate the forest plan 
revision for the Carson National Forest will be published in the 
Federal Register in spring 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or questions concerning this notice should 
be addressed to Carson National Forest, Attn: Plan Revision, 208 Cruz 
Alta Road, Taos, New Mexico, 87571. Comments may also be sent via email 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Naranjo, Forest Planner, 575-
758-6221. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday 
through Friday.
    More information on the planning process can also be found on the 
Carson National Forest Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 
1976 requires every National Forest System (NFS) unit to develop a 
forest plan. On April 9, 2012, the Forest Service finalized its land 
management planning rule (2012 Planning Rule), which describes 
requirements for the planning process and the content of forest plans. 
Forest plans describe the strategic direction for managing forest 
resources over ten to fifteen years, and are adaptive and amendable as 
conditions change over time.
    Under the 2012 Planning Rule, the assessment of ecological, social, 
and economic trends and conditions is the first phase of the planning 
framework or process. The second phase is guided, in part, by the 
National Environment Policy Act (NEPA). It includes the preparation of 
a draft environmental impact statement and revised forest plan for 
public review and comment, followed by a final environmental impact 
statement and revised forest plan. The third phase of the process is 
monitoring and feedback, which is ongoing over the life of the revised 
forest plan.
    This notice announces the start of the first phase of the planning 
process, which is an assessment to rapidly evaluate existing 
information about relevant ecological, economic, cultural, and social 
conditions, trends, and sustainability and their relationship to the 
Carson National Forest's current forest plan, within the context of the 
broader landscape.
    With this notice, the agency invites other governments, non-
governmental parties, and the public to contribute to the development 
of the assessment. The intent of public participation in the

[[Page 11075]]

assessment phase is to gather as much relevant information as possible 
to inform the plan revision process. Public involvement during this 
point in the process can also provide opportunities for people to share 
their concerns about existing conditions and trends and perceptions of 
risks to social, economic, and ecological systems related to the 
forest.
    As public meetings, forums, and other opportunities for public 
engagement are scheduled, public notifications will be made and posted 
on the forest's Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan and 
information will be sent out to the forest's mailing list. If anyone is 
interested in being on the forest's mailing list to receive these 
notifications, please contact Kevin Naranjo, Forest Planner, at the 
mailing address identified above, by sending an email to 
[email protected], or by telephone 575-758-6221.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for revision of the Carson National 
Forest's land management plan is Forest Supervisor Juan (Buck) Sanchez, 
Carson National Forest, 208 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, New Mexico, 87571.

    Dated: February 21, 2014.
Juan E. (Buck) Sanchez,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-04270 Filed 2-26-14; 8:45 am]
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