[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30652-30653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13015]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin, Townsend Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental 
impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding 
alternatives within the Townsend Project. The purpose of the Townsend 
Project is to implement land management activities that are consistent 
with direction in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 2004 Land and 
Resources Management Plan (forest plan) and respond to the specific 
needs identified in the project area. The project-specific needs 
include: species diversity, wildlife habitat, stream bank improvement, 
forest age, forest composition, and stocking.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by June 29, 2015 in order to have standing for objection. The draft 
environmental impact statement is expected on January 2016 and the 
final environmental impact statement is expected on April 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Marilee Houtler, ATTN: Townsend 
Project, Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, 15085 State Road 32, Lakewood, 
WI 54138. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 715-276-
3594.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for the 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilee Houtler, NEPA Coordinator at 
the above address or by phone at 715-276-6333.
    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 infromation presented in this notice is 
included to help the reviewer determine if they are interested in or 
potentially affected by the proposed land management activities. The 
infromation presented in the notice is summarized. Those who wish to 
provide comments or are otherwise interested in or affected by the 
projects are encouraged to obtain additional infromation from the 
contact listed above.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The current conditions of many stands in the project area varies 
from desired conditions in the forest plan. Our information shows some 
of the more notable gaps between the existing and desired conditions by 
management area. Of primary importance is the need for change in: 
wildlife habitat, stream improvement, species age structure, species 
composition, and stocking densities.

Proposed Action

    Projected project implementation would be fall 2016. The Townsend 
Project is located on National Forest System lands, administered by the 
Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, west of Townsend. The legal description 
of the project is Townships 32-34 North and Ranges 14 and 15 East. The 
Forest Service proposes to improve wildlife habitat, remove short-lived 
species along streams, and use timber harvest (selection, thin, 
clearcut, and shelterwood) to move the area toward the desired 
conditions.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for this project is Lakewood-Laona Distict 
Ranger, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Decision making will be limited to specific activities relating to 
the proposed actions. The primary decision to be made will be whether 
or not to implement the proposed action, no action, another 
alternative, or parts of alternatives that respond to the projects 
purpose and need. This decision would be documented in a record of 
decision.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. The 45 day comment period will start after 
the publication in the Federal Register of the Notice of Availabilty 
for the Townsend Project Draft EIS.
    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

[[Page 30653]]

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. However, comments submitted anonymously will 
be accepted and considered.

    Dated: May 11, 2015.
Paul I. V. Strong,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-13015 Filed 5-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-11-P