[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 84 (Tuesday, April 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34197-34199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08932]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Rio Grande National Forest Over Snow Travel Management Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

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

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, will 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to inform a decision 
about the designation of roads, trails, and areas of the Rio Grande 
National Forest (RGNF) which would be open to motorized over-snow use. 
The environmental impact statement will inform a decision about the 
classes of vehicles and times of year for which motorized over-snow use 
will be allowed on designated roads, trails, and areas. Roads, trails, 
and areas designated for motorized over-snow vehicle (OSV) use will be 
identified on an Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map which will specify the 
classes of vehicles and time of year for which use is designated on the 
Rio Grande National Forest. An additional map displaying the Desired 
Winter Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) settings will also be 
produced. The RGNF anticipates this travel management analysis based on 
the proposed action as presently described and the resulting decision 
may require an amendment to the Land Management Plan for the Forest.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by June 14, 2024. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
in the fall of 2025, and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected in the fall of 2026.

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ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Rio Grande National Forest, 
1055 9th Street, Del Norte, Colorado 81132. Comments may also be sent 
electronically to https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=65529 or via facsimile to 719-657-5280.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judi Perez, Forest Planner, by phone 
at 719-872-4008 or by email at [email protected]. Individuals who 
use telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired may call 711 to 
reach the Telecommunications Relay Service, 24 hours a day, every day 
of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    There is a need to provide a manageable, designated system of 
National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails, and areas 
for OSV use across the Rio Grande National Forest that is consistent 
with and achieves the purposes of the Forest Service Travel Management 
Rule at 36 CFR part 212.
    The purpose of this project is to effectively manage OSV use on the 
Rio Grande National Forest to:
     Provide high quality over-snow access and experiences.
     Ensure that OSV use occurs when there is adequate snow to 
protect underlying resources.
     Promote the safety of all Forest visitors and users.
     Enhance public enjoyment.
     Minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources.
     Minimize conflicts among the various uses.
     Identify roads and trails where the Forest Service or its 
contractors would conduct snow grooming for OSV use.

Proposed Action

    The Rio Grande National Forest proposes to designate roads, trails, 
and areas on National Forest System land for public OSV use. These 
designations would be consistent with the requirements of the Travel 
Management Rule at 36 CFR 212 and will specifically address the 
requirements of Subpart C of those regulations.
    The proposed action includes the following:
     Approximately 1,342,162 acres (73 percent) of the Rio 
Grande National Forest lands are proposed to be designated for public 
cross-country over-snow vehicle use.
     Approximately 260 miles of currently permitted groomed 
motorized routes are proposed for designation.
     Approximately 23 miles of non-motorized trail groomed for 
Nordic skiing using motorized equipment are proposed for designation.
     To reduce potential damage to resources, an unpacked 
minimum snow depth of 12 inches is required for OSV use on designated 
roads, trail,s and areas.
     Grooming on permitted routes may occur on unpacked snow 
depths equal to or greater than 18 inches.
     Grooming designated roads and trails will occur using a 
variety of methods including but not limited to special use permits, 
partnerships, and/or grants and agreements.
     Public OSV use in Special Designation Management Areas 
(MA) is restricted. This includes MA 4.1--Special Designation-Special 
Interest Areas, MA 4.2--Special Designation-Research Natural Areas, and 
MA 4.8--Ski-Based Areas. Some of these areas are currently permitted 
for over-snow use. Depending on the project decision, existing permits 
could be adjusted following completion of this analysis.
     Existing Forest Closure Orders in or around Wolf Creek 
Pass and Cumbres Pass are incorporated into the proposed action, as is 
the restriction of motorized use in congressionally designated 
wilderness.
    A more detailed version of the proposed action and draft ROS maps 
are available on the RNGF website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/riogrande/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1154726.

Minimization Criteria

    Travel Management Regulations (36 CFR 212.55(b)) require the 
development of project specific minimization criteria. These 
minimization criteria will be developed and applied to each National 
Forest System Road, trail, and area designated for OSV use.

Desired Recreational Opportunity Spectrum

    Recreation on national forests encompasses more than just the 
activities. The range of opportunities, access, use, and setting is the 
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS). Recreation Opportunity Spectrum 
describes the settings available across a landscape and the attributes 
associated with those settings. Initial winter ROS maps were developed 
as part of the proposal and are available on the Rio Grande National 
Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/riogrande/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1154726.

Expected Impacts

    Anticipated impacts could include the following:
    (1) Reduce adverse resource impacts caused by unauthorized vehicle 
use and illegal travel off designated routes and areas.
    (2) Reduce disturbance to wildlife caused by OSV use in important 
or critical wildlife habitat and disturbance during critical lifecycle 
period.
    (3) Potential loss of recreational opportunity should existing 
routes be closed to motorized travel.
    (4) Potential conflicts in accommodating increasing numbers and 
types of motorized users.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official is Andrew Kelher, Deputy Forest Supervisor 
of the Rio Grande National Forest.

Scoping Comments and the Objection Process

    This Notice of Intent initiates the formal scoping process that 
guides the development of the environmental impact statement. In this 
process the Forest Service 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. Additional public 
engagement opportunities will be held and will be announced on the RGNF 
website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/riogrande/landmanagement/planning/?cid=fseprd1154726.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such manner that they are useful to the Forest Service's 
preparation of the final EIS; therefore, comments should be provided 
prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate 
the reviewer's concerns and contentions.Commenting during scoping and 
any other designated opportunity to comment provided by the Responsible 
Official as prescribed by the applicable regulations will also govern 
eligibility to object once the final EIS and draft Record of Decision 
have been published.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 eligibility for the objection process.
    Any decision about this project may be subject to 36 CFR 218 and/or 
36 CFR 219 pre-decisional review (objection).

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Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted 
timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless 
based on new information arising after designated opportunities.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The project will designate National Forest System roads, trails, 
and areas where OSV use is permitted; these will be documented on an 
Over-snow Vehicle Use Map. This map will also specify the classes of 
vehicles and the time of year for which the use is designated. A map 
displaying the Desired Winter ROS settings will also be produced.

    Dated: April 22, 2024.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-08932 Filed 4-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P