[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5203-5204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01573]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Final Record of Decision for the Ashley National Forest Land 
Management Plan

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of approval of the revised land management plan for the 
Ashley National Forest.

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SUMMARY: Susan Eickhoff, the Forest Supervisor for the Ashley National 
Forest, Intermountain Region, signed the final record of decision (ROD) 
for the Ashley National Forest revised Land Management Plan (LMP). The 
final ROD documents the rationale for approving the revised LMP and is 
consistent with the Reviewing Officer's responses to objections and 
instructions.

DATES: The revised LMP for the Ashley National Forest will become 
effective 30 days after the publication of this notice of approval in 
the Federal Register (36 CFR 219.17(a)(1)).

ADDRESSES: To view the final ROD, final environmental impact statement 
(FEIS), revised LMP, and other related documents, please visit the 
Ashley National Forest project page at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49606, or visit the Forest's planning website at: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ashley/landmanagement/planning.
    A legal notice of approval is also being published in the newspaper 
of record, The Vernal Express (Vernal, Utah). A copy of this legal 
notice will be posted on the Ashley National Forest's website described 
above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lars Christensen, Collaboration 
Specialist, Ashley National Forest; email [email protected] or 
call 435-781-5126.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf or hard 
of hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, 
24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays. Written 
requests for information may be sent to Ashley National Forest, Attn: 
Ashley National Forest Plan Revision, 355 North Vernal Ave., Vernal, UT 
84078.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Ashley National Forest covers more than 
1.4 million acres across seven counties in northeastern Utah and 
southwestern Wyoming. The LMP was developed pursuant to the 2012 Forest 
Service Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) and will replace the 1986 LMP. The 
LMP describes desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, 
and land suitability for project and activity decision-making and will 
guide all resource management activities on the Forest. The Ashley 
National Forest plays an important role supporting and partnering with 
communities in northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming by providing 
economic benefits including fuelwood gathering, livestock grazing, and 
abundant recreational opportunities. The development of the LMP was 
shaped by the best available scientific information, current laws, and 
public input.
    The Ashley National Forest initiated plan revision in 2016 and 
engaged the public frequently throughout the process. This engagement 
effort has included conventional public meetings, collaborative work 
sessions and technical meetings, information sharing via social media, 
and working with cooperating agencies. The Forest invited State, local, 
and Tribal governments, and other Federal agencies from around the 
region to participate in the process to revise the LMP. The Forest 
engaged in government-to-government consultation with two Tribes during 
LMP revision, ensuring tribal-related plan direction accurately 
reflects the Ashley National Forest's trust responsibilities and 
government-to-government relationship with tribes. An Ashley National 
Forest-Ute Indian Tribal Task Force met regularly throughout the plan 
revision effort. During the 90-day comment period November 2021 through 
February 2022 for the draft LMP and draft EIS, the Ashley National 
Forest received 191

[[Page 5204]]

comment letters which helped refine the preferred alternative and 
augment plan content based on response to comments.
    A draft ROD, LMP, and FEIS were released on April 19, 2023, 
initiating a 60-day objection filing period that closed June 20, 2023. 
The Ashley received 15 eligible objections, two of which were for 
species of conservation concern. Through a comprehensive review of each 
objection, a variety of issues were identified. Following the objection 
review, the Reviewing Officer held an objection resolution meeting with 
objectors and interested persons. Based on these meetings, the 
Reviewing Officer for the LMP issued a written response on November 14, 
2023, and the Reviewing Officer for species of conservation concern 
issued a written response on November 17, 2023. The instructions from 
the Reviewing Officer were addressed in the ROD, LMP, and FEIS.

Responsible Officials

    The Responsible Official for approving the revised LMP is Susan 
Eickhoff, Forest Supervisor, Ashley National Forest. The Responsible 
Official approving the list of species of conservation concern is Mary 
Farnsworth, Regional Forester, Intermountain Region.

    Dated: January 19, 2024.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-01573 Filed 1-25-24; 8:45 am]
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