[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58462-58464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24644]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 188 / Tuesday, September 29, 2015 / 
Notices  

[[Page 58462]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Plumas National Forest; California; Plumas National Forest Over-
Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture will 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to 
designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on National Forest System roads, 
National Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System 
lands within the Plumas National Forest; and to identify snow trails 
for grooming within the Plumas National Forest. In addition, the Forest 
Service proposes to:
    1. Formally adopt California State Parks' OSV snow grooming 
standards requiring a minimum of 12 inches of snow depth before 
grooming can occur;
    2. Implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use that 
would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource 
protection by allowing OSV use, both on-trail and off-trail in 
designated Areas, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 inches. 
Exceptions would be allowed in order for OSVs to access higher terrain 
and deeper snow when snow depths are less than 12 inches, as long as 
this use does not cause visible damage to the underlying surface. Most 
groomed snow trails are co-located on underlying paved, dirt, and 
gravel National Forest System roads and trails;
    3. Identify snow trails for grooming on the Plumas National Forest 
for OSV use;
    4. Restrict OSV use to designated snow trails in specified areas;
    5. Enact OSV prohibitions in certain areas.

This proposal would be implemented on all of the Plumas National 
Forest.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by October 29, 2015. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected in February 2017 and the final environmental impact statement 
is expected in August 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to David C. Wood, on behalf of Daniel 
A. Lovato, Acting Forest Supervisor, Plumas National Forest, 159 
Lawrence Street, Quincy, CA 95971. Comments may also be sent via 
facsimile to (530) 283-7746. Comments may also be submitted on the 
Plumas National Forest OSV Designation Web page: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=47124.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TTY) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 
TTY, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David C. Wood, Acting Public Services 
and Engineering Staff Officer, Plumas National Forest, 159 Lawrence 
Street, Quincy, CA 95971, (530) 283-2050; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    The following summarizes how the Forest Service currently manages 
OSV use on the approximately 1,197,900-acre Plumas National Forest:
    1. Approximately 160 miles of National Forest System OSV trails 
exist on the Plumas National Forest;
    2. Of the 160 miles of National Forest System OSV trails, 
approximately 136 are groomed for OSV use;
    3. Approximately 85 miles of National Forest System trails are 
closed to OSV use, but accessible from Areas otherwise open to off-
trail, cross-country OSV use;
    4. Approximately 1,163,550 acres of National Forest System land are 
open to off-trail, cross-country OSV use; and
    5. Approximately 34,850 acres of National Forest System land are 
closed to OSV use.
    Travel Management Rule Subpart C: The Forest Service issued a final 
rule governing OSV management (Subpart C of the Travel Management Rule, 
36 CFR part 212) in the Federal Register on January 28, 2015, and this 
rule went into effect on February 27, 2015 (80 FR 4500, Jan. 28, 2015). 
Subpart C of the Travel Management Rule states,
    ``Over-snow vehicle use on National Forest System roads, on 
National Forest System trails, and in areas on National Forest System 
lands shall be designated by the Responsible Official on administrative 
units or Ranger Districts, or parts of administrative units or Ranger 
Districts, of the National Forest System where snowfall is adequate for 
that use to occur, and, if appropriate, shall be designated by class of 
vehicle and time of year, provided that the following uses are exempted 
from these decisions:
    1. Limited administrative use by the Forest Service;
    2. Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle 
for emergency purposes;
    3. Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for 
national defense purposes;
    4. Law enforcement response to violations of law, including 
pursuit; and
    5. Over-snow vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a 
written authorization issued under Federal law or regulations'' (36 CFR 
212.81(a)).
    The designations resulting from this analysis would only apply to 
the use of OSVs. An OSV is defined in the Forest Service's Travel 
Management Rule as ``a motor vehicle that is designed for use over snow 
and that runs on a track or tracks and/or a ski or skis, while in use 
over snow'' (36 CFR 212.1). OSV use designations made as a result of 
the analysis in this environmental impact statement would conform to 
subpart C of the Travel Management Rule. OSV use that is inconsistent 
with the OSV use designations made under this decision would be 
prohibited under 36 CFR 261.14.
    These designations would not affect valid existing rights held by 
federally recognized tribes, counties, or private individuals, 
including treaty rights, other statutory rights, or private rights-of-
way.
    Snow Trail Grooming Program: For over 30 years, the Forest Service, 
Pacific Southwest Region, in cooperation with the California Department 
of Parks and Recreation (California State Parks) Off-highway Motor 
Vehicle Division (OHMVR), has enhanced winter recreation, and more 
specifically, snowmobiling recreation, by maintaining National Forest 
System trails (snow trails) by grooming snow for snowmobile use. Most 
groomed snow

[[Page 58463]]

trails are co-located on underlying National Forest System roads and 
trails. Some grooming occurs on County roads and closed snow-covered 
highways, and some routes proceed cross-country over snow. Grooming 
activities are funded by the state off-highway vehicle trust fund.
    In 2013, the Forest Service entered into a Settlement Agreement 
with Snowlands Network et al., to ``complete appropriate NEPA [National 
Environmental Policy Act] analysis(es) to identify snow trails for 
grooming'' on the Plumas National Forest and four other national 
forests in California. The Forest Service will comply with the terms of 
the Settlement Agreement for the Plumas National Forest by completing 
this analysis. Other requirements of the Settlement Agreement are 
listed in the ``Need for Analysis'' section, below.

Purpose and Need for Action

    One purpose of this project is to effectively manage OSV use on the 
Plumas National Forest to provide access, ensure that OSV use occurs 
when there is adequate snow, promote the safety of all users, enhance 
public enjoyment, minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources, 
and minimize conflicts among the various uses.
    There is a need to provide a manageable, designated OSV system of 
trails and Areas within the Plumas National Forest, that is consistent 
with and achieves the purposes of the Forest Service Travel Management 
Rule at 36 CFR part 212. This action responds to direction provided by 
the Forest Service's Travel Management Rule.
    The existing system of available OSV trails and Areas on the Plumas 
National Forest is the culmination of multiple agency decisions over 
recent decades. Public OSV use of the majority of this available system 
continues to be manageable and consistent with current travel 
management regulations. Exceptions have been identified, based on 
internal and public input and the criteria listed at 36 CFR 212.55. 
These include needs to provide improved access for OSV users and 
formalize prohibitions required by Forest Plan and other management 
direction. These exceptions represent additional needs for change, and 
in these cases, changes are proposed to meet the overall objectives.
    A second purpose of this project is to identify OSV trails where 
the Forest Service or its contractors would conduct grooming for OSV 
use. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement between the Forest 
Service and Snowlands Network et al., the Forest Service is required to 
complete the appropriate NEPA analysis to identify snow trails for 
grooming on the Plumas National Forest.
    The snow trail grooming analysis would also address the need to 
provide a high-quality snowmobile trail system on the Plumas National 
Forest that is smooth and stable for the rider. Groomed trails are 
designed so that the novice rider can use them without difficulty.

Need for Analysis

    Subpart C of the Forest Service Travel Management Regulation 
requires the Forest Service to designate over-snow vehicle (OSV) use on 
National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and Areas 
on National Forest System lands. Both decisions will be informed by an 
analysis as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
    Subpart C of the Travel Management Regulation specifies that all 
requirements of subpart B of the Travel Management Regulations will 
continue to apply to the designation decision, including:
    1. Public involvement as required by the National Environmental 
Policy Act (36 CFR 212.52);
    2. Coordination with Federal, State, county, and other local 
governmental entities and tribal governments (36 CFR 212.53);
    3. Revision of designations (36 CFR 212.54);
    4. Consideration of the criteria for designation of roads, trails, 
and Areas (36 CFR 212.55);
    5. Identification of designated uses on a publicly available use 
map of roads, trails, and Areas (36 CFR 212.56); and
    6. Monitoring of effects (36 CFR 212.57).
    Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Forest Service is 
required to complete an appropriate NEPA analysis to identify snow 
trails for grooming. Furthermore, additional terms of the Settlement 
Agreement require the Forest Service to:
    1. Analyze ancillary activities such as the plowing of related 
parking lots and trailheads as part of the effects analysis;
    2. Consider a range of alternative actions that would result in 
varying levels of snowmobile use; and
    3. Consider an alternative submitted by Plaintiffs and/or 
Intervenors during the scoping period in the NEPA analysis so long as 
the alternative meets the purpose and need, and is feasible and within 
the scope of the NEPA analysis.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service proposes several actions on the Plumas National 
Forest to be analyzed as required by the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA). The actions proposed are as follows:
    1. To designate OSV use on National Forest System roads, National 
Forest System trails, and Areas on National Forest System lands within 
the Plumas National Forest where snowfall depth is adequate for that 
use to occur. All existing OSV prohibitions applying to areas or trails 
would continue. OSV use that is inconsistent with the designations made 
under this project would be prohibited under 36 CFR 261.14. This 
proposal would designate approximately 215 miles of snow trail for OSV 
use. It would designate approximately 1,155,460 acres for cross-country 
OSV use. Existing ungroomed snow trails for OSV use under National 
Forest System jurisdiction that are located within Areas that would be 
designated for cross-country OSV use would not be designated separately 
as snow trails for OSV use, since OSV use here would be permitted under 
the ``Area'' designation.
    2. To identify approximately 208 miles of snow trails for grooming 
on the Plumas National Forest for OSV use. This includes 72 miles which 
are not currently groomed. Grooming these additional miles would 
require increased funding from the California OHMVR Division, which is 
not currently available, but these trails would be eligible for 
grooming should funding become available. Trail mileages are estimates 
only and we are currently reviewing the status of trails where there is 
uncertainty regarding Forest Service jurisdiction or grooming 
authorization, such as trails located on private property, or county 
roads that groomed trails have historically passed through.
    3. To allow grooming of snow trails, consistent with historical 
grooming practices, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 
inches, and formally adopt California State Parks' OSV snow grooming 
standards requiring a minimum of 12 inches of snow depth before 
grooming can occur.
    4. To implement a forest-wide snow depth requirement for OSV use 
that would provide for public safety and natural and cultural resource 
protection by allowing OSV use, both on-trail and off-trail in 
designated Areas, when unpacked snow depths equal or exceed 12 inches. 
Exceptions would be allowed in order for OSVs to access higher terrain 
and deeper snow when snow depths are less than 12 inches, as long as 
this use does not cause visible damage to the underlying surface. Most 
groomed snow trails are co-located on

[[Page 58464]]

underlying paved, dirt, and gravel National Forest System roads and 
trails.
    5. To restrict OSV use on approximately 2,015 acres, limiting OHV 
travel to existing routes, to improve consistency with national 
guidelines for bald eagle management. Within these restricted Areas, 
existing route segments totaling approximately 7 miles would be 
designated for OSV use.
    6. To enact new OSV prohibitions on approximately 5,940 acres in a 
portion of the Lakes Basin Management Area and a portion of the Black 
Gulch/Clear Creek Area.
    7. To designate 21 locations where OSVs would be allowed to cross 
the Pacific Crest Trail.
    These actions would begin immediately upon the issuance of the 
record of decision, which is expected in December of 2017. The Forest 
Service would produce an OSV use map (OSVUM) that would look like the 
existing motor vehicle use map (MVUM) for the Plumas National Forest. 
Such a map would allow OSV enthusiasts to identify the routes and Areas 
where OSV use would be allowed on the Plumas National Forest.

Responsible Official

    The Plumas National Forest Supervisor will issue the decision.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    This decision will designate OSV use on National Forest System 
roads, on National Forest System trails, and in Areas on National 
Forest System lands on the Plumas National Forest where snowfall is 
adequate for that use to occur. It will also identify the snow trails 
where grooming for OSV use would occur. The decision would only apply 
to the use of over-snow vehicles as defined in the Forest Service's 
Travel Management Regulations (36 CFR 212.1). The Forest Supervisor 
will consider all reasonable alternatives and decide whether to 
continue current management of OSV uses on the Plumas National Forest, 
implement the proposed action, or select an alternative for the 
management of OSV uses.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement.
    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. Written comments should be within 
the scope of the proposed action, have a direct relationship to the 
proposed action, and must include supporting reasons for the 
responsible official to consider. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. The preferred 
format for attachments to electronically submitted comments would be as 
an MS Word document. Attachments in portable document format (pdf) are 
not preferred, but are acceptable.
    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.
    The Plumas National Forest Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Use Designation 
is an activity implementing a land management plan. It is not an 
activity authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(Pub. L. 108-148). Therefore, this activity is subject to pre-
decisional administrative review consistent with the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-74) as implemented by subparts 
A and B of 36 CFR part 218.

    Dated: September 23, 2015.
Daniel A. Lovato,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2015-24644 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-11-P