[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1556-1557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00361]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 11, 2023 / 
Notices  

[[Page 1556]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands; Nebraska and South 
Dakota; Undesirable Plant Management EIS

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, USDA, will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) to address undesirable plant management for the 
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Forests). This environmental 
analysis is necessary to protect, maintain, or restore native plant 
communities from the negative effects of undesirable plants. The 
proposal will analyze an update of the Forests' guidance from the May 
1993 Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Management of Undesirable 
Plant Species.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by February 10, 2023. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected June 2023 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected March 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Nebraska National Forests and 
Grasslands, 125 North Main Street, Chadron, NE 69337. Comments may also 
be sent electronically to https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500, or via facsimile to 308-432-0309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Dolatta at 308-432-0323 or 
[email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication 
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the 
year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action

    Existing undesirable plant species management on the Forests is 
based on environmental analyses that did not analyze management 
strategies such as aerial application of herbicides, use of prescribed 
fire, or the treatment of aquatic invasive species. Existing policies 
for undesirable plant management on the Forests do not address new 
undesirable plant species, nor do they provide modernized tools and 
practices for swift management of infestations. Failure to control or 
eradicate infestations of undesirable plants alters wildlife habitat, 
decreases wildlife and livestock forage, reduces species diversity, 
increases soil erosion due to a decrease in surface cover, promotes 
undesirable monocultures, and potentially alters the fire return 
interval. Additionally, some undesirable plants are known to be toxic 
to animals and/or humans.
    The Forest Service must update past enviromental analyses to 
include guidance for management strategies on the Forests to protect, 
maintain, or restore native plant communities from the negative effects 
of undesirable plants. This will include consideration of practices to 
support early detection, rapid assessment, and rapid response to new 
infestations, new undesirable plant species, landscape-scale 
disturbances, and the availability of new management tools.

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service proposes to update the Forests' guidance for 
plant management strategies through an environmental analysis for the 
management of invasive, noxious, alien, non-native, and undesirable 
native plant species. Section 2814 of title 7 of the United States Code 
defines the term ``undesirable plants'' as plant species that are 
classified as undesirable, noxious, harmful, exotic, injurious, or 
poisonous, pursuant to State or Federal law. This definition does not 
include the management of undesirable native plant species, but the 
Forests intend to include the management of specific native plants for 
the purpose of maintaining established desired conditions described in 
the Forests' land and resource management plan. Early detection and 
rapid response, control methods and preventative measures, 
rehabilitation and restoration, and implementation and effectiveness 
monitoring would be designed to allow prompt treatment of undesirable 
plant infestations.
    Proposed control methods would include, but are not limited to (1) 
biological control, such as the release of host-specific natural 
enemies or targeted grazing; (2) chemical control using agency approved 
herbicides that target undesirable plant species; (3) mechanical 
techniques, such as mowing, cutting, or pulling; and (4) prescribed 
fire conducted in accordance with fire suppression and prescribed burn 
management policy. Control methods would be employed alone or in 
combination to achieve the most effective control. Treatment methods 
would be based on the extent, location, type, and character of an 
infestation and would be implemented using design criteria developed to 
ensure ecosystem health. Treated acre totals could be those that are 
treated a single time or multiple times annually using a combination of 
methods. Rehabilitation and restoration actions would be designed and 
implemented based on the conditions found in and around infested areas.
    The Forest Service would like to schedule implementation to begin 
in 2024. Forest-wide combined treatments of up to 100,000 acres 
annually over a 15-year period would be expected. Further information 
is available on the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500.

Expected Impacts

    Preliminary issues being considered by the Forest Service include 
the effects of undesirable plant management treatments on native 
vegetation, biological diversity, natural productivity, and habitat 
structure; threatened, endangered, or sensitive species and their 
habitats; soils, water, and aquatic resources; and on human health. 
Commenters are encouraged to identify additional issues.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official will be the Forest Supervisor for the 
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

[[Page 1557]]

Scoping Comments and the Objection Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS. The agency is requesting comments on 
potential alternatives and impacts, and identification of any relevant 
information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts 
affecting the quality of the human environment.
    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, remedies for those concerns, other recommendations, general 
support, and/or opportunities to further clarify information. 
Commenting during scoping and any other designated opportunity to 
comment provided by the Responsible Official will also establish 
standing to object once the final EIS and Draft Record of Decision have 
been published. This project is subject to the agency's Project Level 
Predecisional Administrative Review Process (36 CFR part 218, subparts 
A and B). 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, they will not be used to establish 
standing for the objection process.

Permits, Licenses or Other Authorizations Required

    Pesticide (herbicide) applicators must be certified and licensed by 
the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (South 
Dakota Codified Law Sec.  38-21). The Nebraska Department of 
Agriculture is responsible for the certification and licensing of 
pesticide applicators in Nebraska under the Nebraska Pesticide Act 
(Nebraska Statute 2-2622).

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    Given the purpose and need, the Responsible Official will review 
the proposed action, the other alternatives (including the no-action 
alternative), and the environmental consequences in order to determine 
whether to expand current guidance to control and manage undesirable 
plant species; what control methods or herbicides would be used; what 
protection and monitoring measures would be required; and whether to 
include an adaptive management approach to address future spread of 
undesirable plant species.
    The decision will consider the Forests' land and resource 
management plan direction for achievement of desired conditions for 
native vegetation and habitats. Reconsideration of other existing 
project-level decisions, programmatic decisions, or additional guidance 
for future forest management activities are beyond the scope of this 
document.

    Dated: January 5, 2023.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2023-00361 Filed 1-10-23; 8:45 am]
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