[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26642-26643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12313]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District; Deschutes National Forest; 
Deschutes County Oregon; Twin Vegetation Management and Restoration 
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

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

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

SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) on a proposed action to promote more resilient forest 
conditions closer to their historic range of variability, which would 
contribute to desirable recreation experiences, conserve and enhance 
wildlife habitat, and reduce impacts to streams and aquatic habitat 
within the 40,000 acres Twin project area. The project area is located 
south and southwest of Bend, Oregon and includes the areas surrounding 
Wickiup and Crane Prairie Reservoirs, North and South Twin Lakes, 
Browns Mountain and Round Mountain Late Successional Reserves. An 
analysis has been initiated that takes a landscape approach to managing 
the vegetation to meet objectives for resilient forests.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by July 9, 2018. The draft EIS is expected September 2019 and the final 
EIS is expected August 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Kevin Larkin, District Ranger, 
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, 63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR 
97701. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected], or via facsimile to 
541-383-4700, or submitted in person during regular business hours, 
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alicia Underhill, Environmental 
Coordinator, Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District, 63095 Deschutes Market 
Road, Bend, OR 97701, phone 541-383-4012, between the hours of 8:00 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday or by email at 
[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

    There is a need to manage stand structure and composition to 
tolerate primary disturbance agents (i.e. fire, insect and disease) on 
a landscape scale and to improve fire management opportunities in 
anticipation of future wildfire events. There is a need to address 
impacts to shorelines, streambanks, and riparian vegetation due to 
recreational use. There is a need to restore wetland and stream 
function. There is a need to manage recreation impacts and a need to 
address trees showing signs of future failure within developed 
recreation sites. There is a need to establish an appropriate buffer 
between developed and dispersed campsites to minimize conflicts. There 
is a need to manage system and non-system roads to reduce negative 
impacts to natural resources.
    In summary, the Twin project intends to create more resilient 
forest conditions closer to their historic range of variability, which 
would contribute to desirable recreation experiences, conserve and 
enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce impacts to streams and aquatic 
habitat from high severity fires.

Proposed Action

    The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District proposes the following actions 
to meet the purpose and need of the project area. Silviculture 
treatments (e.g. thinning) will focus on restoration treatments in 
ponderosa and dry mixed conifer plant association groups and stand 
healthy and age class diversity in lodgepole pine plant association 
groups. Commercial treatments on 4,894 acres will focus on reducing 
stocking levels and re-establishing stand structure and species 
composition to reflect historic stand conditions found in fire adapted 
ecosystems. Commercial treatments on 2,855 acres focus on improving 
overall strand health and diversity of age

[[Page 26643]]

classes across the landscape which would decrease the susceptibility of 
large scale mountain pine beetle outbreaks. Treatments proposed within 
the Browns Mountain Late Successional Reserve (LSR) are designed to 
accelerate the development of large trees and reduce stand densities 
which would reduce the risk of a stand to fire, insects and disease. No 
commercial treatments are proposed in Northern spotted owl (NSO) high 
quality habitat nor within activity centers or within high value 
habitat within LSR. Ladder fuel reduction treatments proposed in high 
value NSO habitat (approximately 920 acres) would affect the lowest 
canopy layer and stands would remain overstocked and above the upper 
management zone density.
    To meet the need to improve fire management opportunities and 
provide for public and firefighter safety, this project proposes to 
treat approximately 16,800 acres of treatment to meet hazardous fuels 
reduction objectives.
    The Twin projects also proposes to: (a) Rehab dispersed sites that 
are causing resource damage; (b) enhance spawning gravel, address boat 
ramp erosion and improve accessible trails; (c) establish a buffer 
between developed and dispersed campsites; (d) remove trees showing 
signs of future failure within developed sites; and (e) close and 
decommissioning system roads and decommission user-created roads.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official will be Kevin Larkin, District Ranger, 
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The responsible official will consider how the proposed action 
meets the project's purpose and need, how public comments have been 
considered, and what the short and long term effects and benefits are 
to other resource areas.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. Public comments regading this proposal are 
requested in order to assist in identifying issues and opportunities 
associated with the proposal, how to best manage resources, and to 
focus the analysis. Those wishing to object must meet the requirements 
at 36 CFR 218.
    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 EIS. 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.

    Dated: May 9, 2018.
Chris French,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-12313 Filed 6-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P