[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60617-60620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25519]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revision of Land Management Plan for Carson National Forest; 
Counties of Colfax, Mora, Rio Arriba, and Taos, New Mexico

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to revise the Carson National Forest Land 
Management Plan and prepare an associated Environmental Impact 
Statement.

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SUMMARY: As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the USDA 
Forest Service is revising the existing Carson National Forest's Land 
Management Plan (hereafter referred to as forest plan) through 
development of an associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This Notice describes the 
documents (Assessment Report of Ecological, Social, and Economic 
Conditions, Trends, and Sustainability for the Carson NF; Summaries of 
Public Meetings; and Carson NF's Needs to Change Management Direction 
of Its Existing 1986 Forest Plan) available for review and how to 
obtain them; summarizes the needs to change the existing forest plan; 
provides information concerning public participation and engagement, 
including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated 
schedule for the planning process, including the time available for 
comments, and includes the names and addresses of agency contacts who 
can provide additional information.

DATES: Comments concerning the Needs to Change and Proposed Action 
provided in this Notice will be most useful in the development of the 
draft revised plan and draft EIS if received by November 20, 2015. The 
agency expects to release a draft revised plan and draft EIS, developed 
through a collaborative public engagement process, by late Fall/Winter 
2016 and a final revised plan and final EIS by Spring 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments 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's Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Name and Address of the Responsible Official

    James Duran, Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest, 208 Cruz 
Alta, Taos, New Mexico 87571.

Nature of the Decision To Be Made

    The Carson National Forest (NF) is preparing an EIS to revise the 
existing forest plan. The EIS process is meant to inform the Forest 
Supervisor so he can

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decide which alternative best maintains and restores National Forest 
System terrestrial and aquatic resources, while providing ecosystem 
services and multiple uses, as required by the National Forest 
Management Act and the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act.
    The revised forest plan will describe the strategic intent of 
managing the Carson NF for the next 15 years and will address the needs 
to change the existing forest plan. The revised forest plan will 
provide management direction in the form of desired conditions, 
objectives, standards, guidelines, and suitability of lands. It will 
identify delineation of new management areas and geographic areas 
across the Forest; identify the timber sale program quantity; 
potentially make recommendations to Congress for Wilderness 
designation; and list rivers and streams eligible for inclusion in the 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The revised forest plan will 
also provide a description of the plan area's distinctive roles and 
contributions within the broader landscape, identify watersheds that 
are a priority for maintenance or restoration, include a monitoring 
program, and contain information reflecting expected possible actions 
over the life of the plan.
    The revised forest plan will provide strategic direction and a 
framework for decision making during the life of the plan, but it will 
not make site-specific project decisions and will not dictate day-to-
day administrative activities needed to carry on the Forest Service's 
internal operations. The authorization of project level activities will 
be based on the guidance/direction contained in the revised plan, but 
will occur through subsequent project specific decision-making, 
including NEPA.
    The revised forest plan will provide broad, strategic guidance that 
is consistent with other laws and regulations. Though strategic 
guidance will be provided, no decisions will be made regarding the 
management of individual roads or trails, such as those might be 
associated with a Travel Management plan under 36 CFR part 212. Some 
issues (e.g., hunting regulations), although important, are beyond the 
authority or control of the National Forest System and cannot be 
considered. No decision regarding oil and gas leasing availability will 
be made, though plan components may be brought forward or developed 
that will help guide oil and gas leasing availability decisions that 
may be necessary in the future.

Purpose and Need and Proposed Action

    According to the National Forest Management Act and 2012 Planning 
Rule (36 CFR 219), forest plans are to be revised at least every 15 
years. The Proposed Action is to revise the forest plan in order to 
address the needs to change that were identified through public 
involvement and the assessment process. Alternatives to the Proposed 
Action will be developed to address the significant issues that are 
identified through scoping.
    The purpose and need for revising the current Carson NF forest plan 
are: (1) To update the forest plan, which was approved in 1986 and is 
29 years old; (2) to reflect changes in economic, social, and 
ecological conditions, new policies and priorities, and new information 
based on monitoring and scientific research; and (3) to address the 
needs to change the existing forest plan, that are summarized below. 
Extensive public and employee involvement, along with science-based 
evaluations, have helped to identify these needs to change to the 
existing forest plan.
    What follows is a summary of the identified needs to change. A more 
fully developed description of the needs to change statements, which 
has been organized into several resource and management topic sections, 
is available for review on the plan revision Web site at: 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan.

Throughout the Plan

    There is a need for the revised plan to better recognize and 
enhance the Carson NF's role in contributing to local economies, 
including service-based sectors, such as recreation and tourism, timber 
and forest products, livestock grazing, and other multiple-use related 
activities and products.
    There is a need to reevaluate management areas in the current plan, 
to minimize complexity and allow more flexibility for restoration and 
habitat treatments, as well as update plan content regarding the 
resources, goods, and services provided by the Carson NF.
    There is a need to include plan direction that allows for adaptive 
management, to address potential climate change effects.
    There is a need to develop plan direction related to Forest Service 
land acquisitions, disposals, and exchanges that are not covered by the 
existing forest plan.
    There is a need to include other plan content or management 
approaches that: (1) Consider the capacity of local infrastructure, 
contractors, and markets in moving toward achieving desired conditions; 
(2) utilize partnership and volunteer opportunities as a management 
option, to promote movement toward desired conditions; and (3) allow 
for adapting to fluctuations in forest budgets over the life of the 
plan, in moving toward achieving desired conditions.

Ecological Integrity

    There is a need to develop desired conditions regarding forest and 
woodland structure, composition, and function, as well as objectives, 
standards, and guidelines that will promote restoration and achievement 
of desired conditions; support resiliency and sustainability; and 
minimize risks to ecosystem integrity.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the restoration 
and maintenance of grass productivity, particularly native bunchgrass 
species, and to limit woody species encroachment and invasive plant 
establishment, both in grasslands and non-grasslands.
    There is a need to update plan direction that supports integrated 
pest (weed) management.
    There is a need to update plan direction which allows for an 
integrated resource approach to prescribed fire activity, as well as 
flexibility for restoration and maintenance of ecosystems.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the use of 
wildland fire (management of wildfire and prescribed fire) in fire 
adapted ecosystems, while addressing public safety and health concerns.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote aspen health 
and resilience through managing regeneration and existing stands.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the maintenance 
and restoration of soil condition and function (i.e., soil hydrology, 
soil stability, nutrient cycling), particularly in lower elevation 
systems.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that promotes the 
protection, restoration and maintenance of appropriate composition and 
amount of riparian vegetation.
    There is a need to provide plan direction regarding management of 
riparian areas around all lakes, perennial and intermittent streams, 
and wetlands.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that promotes the 
protection, restoration, and maintenance of wetland condition and 
function.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for the restoration of 
watersheds.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for the sustainable 
management of water resources (e.g.,

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groundwater, springs, wetlands, riparian areas, perennial waters) and 
their interconnections.
    There is a need to update plan direction on managing for 
sustainable watersheds for multiple uses (e.g., wildlife, livestock, 
recreation, and mining) and public water supplies.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote desired 
watershed conditions that maintain water quality and quantity, as well 
as enhance retention.

Wildlife, Fish, and Plants

    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the recovery 
and conservation of federally recognized species, the maintenance of 
viable populations of the species of conservation concern, and the 
maintenance of common and abundant species within the plan area.
    There is a need to provide plan direction to address sustainability 
of habitat(s) for plant and animal species important to tribes and 
traditional communities.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for managing towards 
terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic habitat connectivity for species 
movement across the landscape.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that allows for improving 
aquatic passage in streams where it has been compromised. Plan 
direction should promote the restoration and expansion of the range of 
native aquatic species and connectivity of fragmented populations.
    There is a need to provide plan direction that allows for an 
assortment of management approaches, including timber harvest, 
thinning, prescribed burning, and other vegetation management methods, 
to provide wildlife habitat for species that need a variety of forest 
habitats, such as interior, edge, young, and old forest.

Cultural and Historic Resources and Uses

    There is a need to update plan direction for Native American 
traditional cultural properties and sacred sites and places, and non-
Native American traditional cultural properties.
    There is a need to provide plan direction addressing management of 
historic and contemporary cultural and traditional uses, including both 
economic and non-economic uses for tribes, and for traditional 
communities not considered under tribal relations (i.e., traditional 
Hispanic and Anglo communities).

Areas of Tribal Importance

    There is a need to update plan direction addressing consistency of 
activities with legally mandated trust responsibilities to tribes.
    There is a need to update plan direction orders, to ensure privacy 
for tribes engaged in cultural and ceremonial activities.
    There is a need to update plan direction on design, location, 
installation, maintenance, and abandonment of towers, facilities, and 
alternative infrastructure within electronic communication sites, while 
giving due consideration to the value and importance of areas that may 
be identified as a sacred site or part of an important cultural 
landscape by tribes.

Multiple Uses

    There is a need to provide plan direction for the management of 
commercial and noncommercial use of forest products.
    There is a need to provide plan direction for the livestock grazing 
program that incorporates adaptive management, to move towards 
ecosystem-based desired conditions.
    There is a need to update plan direction to promote the sustainable 
management of wild horses.

Recreation

    There is a need to provide plan direction that promotes sustainable 
recreation management and to include management approaches within the 
revised plan to address user conflicts and demands in moving toward 
achieving recreation desired conditions.
    There is a need to provide guidance for recreation activities that 
occur in areas sensitive to resource degradation or at risk, due to 
high visitation.
    There is a need to update plan direction for the Continental Divide 
National Scenic Trail.
    There is a need to update plan direction and guidance for 
incorporating the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum classifications the 
Scenery Management System integrity objectives across all programs 
areas.
    There is a need to update plan direction for over-snow vehicle use 
and the recreation special uses program.

Designated Areas

    There is a need to update plan direction for managing existing 
designated areas, including designated wilderness, research natural 
areas, and designated and eligible wild and scenic rivers, that promote 
the maintenance of desired values and characteristics unique to each 
area, as well as newly designated or potential designated areas.

Infrastructure

    There is a need to provide plan direction for maintenance of 
transportation systems in watersheds identified as impaired or at-risk 
and for the reclamation of non-system roads.

Land Status and Ownership, Use, and Access

    There is a need to update plan direction to address legal access 
for public, private landowner, and tribal needs and management, to 
promote contiguity of the land base and for reducing small unmanageable 
tracts of National Forest System lands.

Energy and Minerals

    There is a need to update plan direction for recreational mining-
related activities and the permitted use of common mineral materials.
    There is a need to update plan direction for existing or proposed 
transmission corridors and renewable energy generation, including 
solar, biomass, and geothermal, while protecting natural resources, 
heritage and sacred sites, tribal traditional activities, and scenery.

Public Involvement

    A Notice of initiating the assessment phase of forest plan revision 
for the Carson NF was published in the Federal Register on February 27, 
2014 (79 FR 11074). Subsequently, the Carson NF held or participated in 
32 public meetings and collaborative work sessions in communities 
around the forest, to explain the plan revision process and solicit 
comments, opinions, data, and ideas from members of the public, 
governmental entities, tribes, land grants, and nongovernmental 
organizations. Fifteen meetings were held in June 2014 providing an 
opportunity for people to express how they value and use the forest and 
asking what they want the forest to look like in the future. This 
information was used to inform the assessment for the Carson NF. The 
Carson and Santa Fe NFs jointly held 3 meetings in April/May of 2015 
with members of local land grants, to present and discuss the plan 
revision process. In June of 2015, the forest held 14 community public 
meetings to present the key findings of the assessment and to have 
participants come up with management solutions to address these key 
findings or other issues of concern. The input from these meetings was 
used to inform and update both the assessment and needs-to-change 
statements. Approximately 556 people attended the 32 meetings and 
nearly 1,800 comment letters or forms were received, either at the 
meetings or

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by email, postal mail, or web-form. Public Information to the public 
was provided by a dedicated forest plan revision Web page and through 
mailings, flyers, news releases, Twitter, and radio interviews. Any 
comments related to the Carson NF's assessment report that are received 
following the publication of this Notice may be considered in the draft 
and final environmental impact statements.

Scoping Process

    Written comments received in response to this Notice will be 
analyzed to complete the identification of the needs for change to the 
existing plan, further develop the proposed action, and identify 
potential significant issues. Significant issues will, in turn, form 
the basis for developing alternatives to the proposed action. Comments 
on the Needs to Change the Forest Plan and Proposed Action will be most 
valuable if received by November 20, 2015, and should clearly 
articulate the reviewer's issues and concerns. Comments received in 
response to this Notice, including the names and addresses of those who 
comment, will be part of the public record. Comments submitted 
anonymously will be accepted and considered in the NEPA process; 
however, anonymous comments will not provide the Agency with the 
ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental 
documents. See the below Objection Process description, particularly 
the requirements for filing an objection, on how anonymous comments are 
handled during the objection process. Refer to the Carson NF's Web site 
at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan for information on when public 
meetings will be scheduled for refining the Proposed Action and 
identifying possible alternatives to the Proposed Action.

Applicable Planning Rule

    Preparation of the revised forest plan for the Carson NF began with 
the assessment of the conditions and trends of the Forest's ecological, 
social, and economic resources, initiated under the planning procedures 
contained in the 2012 Forest Service planning rule (36 CFR 219 (2012)).

Permits or Licenses Required To Implement the Proposed Action

    No permits or licenses are needed for the development or revision 
of a forest plan.

Proposed Decisions Are Subject To Objection

    The proposed decision to approve the revised forest plan for the 
Carson NF will be subject to the objection process identified in 36 CFR 
part 219 Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According to 36 CFR 219.53(a), 
those who may file an objection are individuals and entities who have 
submitted substantive formal comments related to plan revision, during 
the opportunities provided for public comment throughout the planning 
process.

Documents Available for Review

    The (1) Assessment Report of Ecological, Social, and Economic 
Conditions, Trends, and Sustainability for the Carson National Forest 
and (2) Carson National Forest's Needs to Change Management Direction 
of Its Existing 1986 Forest Plan, as well as summaries of the public 
meetings and public meeting materials, and public comments are posted 
on the Carson NF's Web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/carsonforestplan. As necessary or appropriate, the material available 
on this site will be further adjusted as part of the planning process 
using the provisions of the 2012 planning rule.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1600-1614; 36 CFR part 219 [77 FR 21260-
21273].

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for revision of the Carson NF's forest 
plan is Forest Supervisor James Duran, Carson National Forest, 208 Cruz 
Alta Road, Taos, New Mexico 87571.

    Dated: September 29, 2015.
James Duran,
Forest Supervisor, Carson National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2015-25519 Filed 10-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-11-P