[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 239 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73880-73881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29162]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Northern Research Station, Timber & Watershed Laboratory, RWU 
NRS-01, West Virginia, Fernow Experimental Forest 2016 to 2020

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS9) to document the analysis and disclose environmental 
impacts of proposed actions needed to continue long-term research on 
the Fernow Experimental Forest. To continue long-term research on the 
Fernow Experimental Forest, the USDA Forest Service proposes to harvest 
timber, use prescribed fire, and apply fertilizer to specific areas of 
the experimental forest. Also, to maintain the integrity of the 
experimental forest for long-term research we will continue the 
following management activities: Applying gravel to road surfaces as 
needed; replacing culverts on skid roads and haul roads as needed; 
maintaining water bars on skid roads; maintaining ditches and culverts; 
seeding decks and landings; using herbicides to control the spread of 
Japanese stiltgrass and other invasive species such as tree-of-heaven 
as needed; removing hazard trees from along the roads; and maintaining 
openings used for weather stations. The purpose of the research is to 
evaluate the effectiveness of silvicultural tools on central 
Appalachian forests, to better understand ecological dynamics within 
these forest ecosystems, and to develop management tools, practices, 
and guidelines for central Appalachian forests.
    The 4,700-acre Fernow Experimental Forest is situated with the 
boundary of eth Monongahela National Forest in Tucker County, West 
Virginia and is managed by the Northern Research Station of eth USDA 
Forest Service. These proposed research activities are in compliance 
with the 2006 revised in 2011 Monongahela National Forest Plan, which 
provides overall guidance for management of the area, including 
direction for management of the Fernow Experimental Forest.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by January 26, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected September 2015 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected November 2015.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to USDA Forest Service, Northern 
Research Station, Timber & Watershed Laboratory, Attn: Fernow EIS, P.O. 
Box 404, Parsons, WV 26287. Comments may also be sent via email to 
mailto:[email protected], or via facsimile to 304-478-8692.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Schuler, Northern Research 
Station, Timber & Watershed Laboratory, P.O. Box 404, Parsons, WV 
26287, 304-478-2000, [email protected].
    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 of the proposed actions is to continue ongoing research 
studies on the FEF and to maintain the integrity of the FEF for long-
term research. The need for these specific proposed actions is found in 
the various study plans that set up the harvest methods and timing for 
harvests. Some studies include experiments that were designed to last 
80 years or more. These data represent some of the most complete, 
continuous long-term records on ecosystem processes in the world. We 
want to continue these experiments as designed, and continue to gather 
information about the effects of various silvicultural practices on 
forest ecosystems in the central Appalachians. We will use these data 
to provide information on basic ecosystem processes in unmanaged and 
managed forests, on species diversity of plants and animals, and on 
other ecological parameters. Research results from the FEF are used to 
guide management on private and public lands in the central Appalachian 
region.
    The FEF has many partners and collaborators who rely on the 
existing studies as a framework for basic research, and for innovative 
studies. Therefore, it is important that we manage the FEF to ensure 
availability for collaborative research, and to ensure safety for all 
visitors to the FEF. Management activities include: Applying gravel to 
road surfaces as needed; replacing culverts on skid roads and haul 
roads as needed; maintaining water bars on skid roads; maintaining

[[Page 73881]]

ditches and culverts; seeding decks and landings; using herbicides to 
control the spread of Japanese stiltgrass and other invasive species 
such as tree-of-heaven as needed; removing hazard trees from along the 
roads; and maintaining openings used for weather stations.

Proposed Action

    The proposed activities planned for 2015 through 2020 include the 
following silvicultural treatments in existing research studies: 
Diameter-limit harvest on 173 acres; single-tree selection on 150 
acres; 24 acres of patch clearcuts (each patch is 0.4 acre) within 169 
acres; and prescribed fire treatment on 391 acres. Other treatments 
include annual fertilization of 89 acres with ammonium sulfate 
fertilizer (and additions of dolomitic lime to 2 of those acres), 
treatments of invasive non-native plants, and maintenance of roads, 
decks, and other infrastructure.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for the decision will be the Project 
Leader or Acting Project Leader for RWU NRS-01, ``Ecological and 
Economic Sustainability of the Appalachian Forest in an Era of 
Globalization''.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The responsible official will decide if the proposed action will be 
implmented as described, as modified by an alternative, or not at all. 
If the proposed actiion is implemented, what mitigation measures and 
monitoring requirements will the Forest Service implement.

Preliminary Issues

    Preliminary issues to address in the EIS include:

 Adverse effects of logging and prescribed fire to habitat and 
individuals listed as federally endangered or threatened
 a decrease in soil productivity from erosion following timber 
harvests and prescribed fires
 increased sediment input to streams from timber harvests and 
prescribed fires
 increases in stream acidity and adverse effects to trout 
populations from the addition of ammonium sulfate fertilizer to a 
watershed

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement. Letters 
describing the proposed action were sent to interested people and 
agencies on December 5, 2014. The project is listed on the Monongahela 
National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=45791.
    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 environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
    Comments 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.

    Dated: December 8, 2014.
Thomas M. Schuler,
Project Leader, NRS-01.
[FR Doc. 2014-29162 Filed 12-11-14; 8:45 am]
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