[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 44 (Thursday, March 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 12686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04906]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 44 / Thursday, March 6, 2014 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12686]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Assessment Report of Ecological, Economic and Social Conditions, 
Trends and Sustainability for the Santa Fe National Forest

AGENCY: Santa Fe National Forest, Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Santa Fe National Forest (Forest), located in northern New 
Mexico, is initiating the first phase of the forest planning process 
pursuant to the 2012 National Forest System land management planning 
rule. This process will result in a revised forest land management plan 
(Forest Plan) which describes the strategic direction for management of 
forest resources on the Santa Fe National Forest for the next ten to 
fifteen years. The first phase of the process, the assessment phase, is 
beginning on the Santa Fe National Forest and interested parties are 
invited to contribute in the development of the assessment. The Forest 
will be hosting public forums throughout April and May 2014 where we 
will invite the public to share information relevant to the assessment 
including existing information, current trends, and local knowledge.

DATES: Public meetings associated with the development of the 
assessment are anticipated throughout April and May 2014 and will be 
announced on our Web site www.fs.usda.gov/goto/SantaFeForestPlan and to 
individuals and organizations on our mailing list. The assessment for 
the Santa Fe National Forest is anticipated to be completed in early 
2015. Following completion of the assessment, the Forest will initiate 
procedures pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to 
prepare and evaluate a revised forest plan.

ADDRESSES: Written correspondence can be sent to: Santa Fe National 
Forest, Attn: Forest Plan, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, NM 87508, or 
emailed to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Cramer, Forest Planner, Santa 
Fe National Forest, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508. More 
information on our plan revision process can be found on our Web site 
at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/SantaFeForestPlan. If you have questions or 
would like to sign-up for our mailing list, you can email 
[email protected] or call our Plan Revision number: 505-438-
5442. 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 National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 
1976 requires that every National Forest System (NFS) unit develop a 
land management plan (LMP). On April 9, 2012, the Forest Service 
finalized its land management planning rule (2012 Planning Rule, 36 CFR 
291), which describes requirements for the planning process and the 
content of the land management plans. Forest plans describe the 
strategic direction for management of forest resources for 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 conditions and trends is the first stage of the planning 
process (36 CFR 219.6). The second stage, formal plan revision, 
involves the development of our Forest Plan in conjunction with the 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement under the NEPA. The 
third stage of the process is monitoring and feedback, which is ongoing 
over the life of the revised forest plans.
    The Santa Fe National Forest is initiating its assessment pursuant 
to 2012 Forest Planning Rule. The assessment rapidly evaluates existing 
information about relevant ecological, economic, cultural and social 
conditions, trends, and sustainability and their relationship to land 
management plans within the context of the broader landscape. This 
information builds a common understanding prior to entering formal plan 
revision. The development of the assessment will include public 
engagement.
    With this notice, the Santa Fe National Forest invites other 
governments, non-governmental parties, and the public to contribute in 
assessment development. The intent of public engagement during 
development of the assessment is to identify as much relevant 
information as possible to inform the upcoming plan revision process. 
We encourage contributors to share material about existing conditions, 
trends, and perceptions of social, economic, and ecological systems 
relevant to the planning process. The assessment also supports the 
development of relationships with key stakeholders that will be used 
throughout the plan revision process.
    As we develop public engagement opportunities to assist with the 
assessment phase of forest plan revision, public announcements will be 
made and information will be posted on the Forest's Web site: 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/SantaFeForestPlan. If you would like to contribute 
to the process or for more information, please call 505-438-5442, email 
[email protected], or contact Jennifer Cramer, Forest 
Planner, Santa Fe National Forest, 505-438-5449.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for the revision of the land management 
plan for the Santa Fe National Forest is Maria T. Garcia, Forest 
Supervisor, Santa Fe National Forest, 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico 87508.

     Dated: February 21,2014.
Maria T. Garcia,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-04906 Filed 3-5-14; 8:45 am]
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