[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 236 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88657-88658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29188]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 
Amendment

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Forest Plan Amendment approval.

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SUMMARY: M. Earl Stewart, the Forest Supervisor for the Tongass 
National Forest, Alaska Region, signed the final Record of Decision 
(ROD) for the Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan 
Amendment (Forest Plan Amendment). The Final ROD documents the 
rationale for approving the Forest Plan Amendment and is consistent 
with the Reviewing Officer's response to objections and instructions.

DATES: The effective date of the Forest Plan Amendment is 30 days after 
publication of notice of Forest Plan Amendment approval in the 
newspaper of record, the Ketchikan Daily News. A supplemental notice 
will also be published in the Juneau Empire. To view the final ROD, 
final environmental impact statement (FEIS), FEIS errata, amended 
Forest Plan, and other related documents please visit the Tongass 
National Forest Plan Amendment Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/R10/Tongass/PlanAmend.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Further information about the Tongass 
National Forest Plan can be obtained from Earl Stewart during normal 
office hours (weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Alaska Time) at the 
Tongass National Forest Supervisor's Office (Address: Tongass National 
Forest, 648 Mission Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6591); Phone/voicemail: 
(907) 228-6200.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf

[[Page 88658]]

(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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Plan Amendment lays the 
foundation to address and balance the need for more stable 
contributions to the economic and social sustainability of Southeast 
Alaska. It supports both transitioning to a more economically, socially 
and ecologically sustainable timber program on the Tongass and 
promoting more sustainable and diverse local economies by encouraging 
renewable energy production.
    The Forest Plan Amendment amends the 2008 Tongass Land and Resource 
Management Plan (2008 Forest Plan) and describes resource management 
practices, levels of resource production and management, and the 
availability and suitability of lands for different kinds of resource 
management. The Forest Plan Amendment guides all natural resource 
management projects and activities and establishes management direction 
for the Tongass National Forest. The Forest Plan Amendment was 
developed using the current Planning Rule, issued in 2012 and embodies 
the provisions of the National Forest Management Act, the implementing 
regulations, and other guiding documents.
    The Forest Plan Amendment was shaped by best available science, 
current laws, and public participation including participation of a 
cooperating agency (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); consultation with 
Alaska Native tribes and Alaska Native Corporations; advice and 
recommendations from the Tongass Advisory Committee, a Federal Advisory 
Committee established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and 
significant public contributions from nine open house meetings, nine 
subsistence hearings, and the receipt of over 165,000 public comments.

    Dated: November 30, 2016.
M. Earl Stewart,
Forest Supervisor, Tongass National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2016-29188 Filed 12-7-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P