Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2001 / Notices 17137
Roads and trails created by wheeled a complete analysis of reasonable and the merits of the alternatives discussed OHVs are proliferating on all national feasible strategies for providing (see Council of Environmental Quality forests in several regions. Agency recreation for OHV recreationists. Regulations for implementing the personnel and the public note new user The preliminary alternatives include: procedural provisions of the National created trails on many national forests ‘‘No Action’’ which would keep the Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR and roads almost every week. These existing forest plan direction on all five 1503.3). trails arise from repetitive use of areas forests. Another alternative would In addition, Federal court decisions strictly prohibit all cross-country travel. with fragile soils. have established that reviewers of draft National forests in Arizona are Under this alternative only officially environmental impact statements must experiencing noticeable impacts. sanctioned government created roads structure their participation in the Communities adjacent to national and trails would be available for OHV environmental review of the proposal so forests have become focal points for a use. These roads would be a portion of that it is meaningful and alerts an large amount of unapproved roads and roads within national forests that are not agency to the reviewers; position and trails created by OHV users. These trails state, county or city highways or roads. contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear lack engineering and environmental A pair of alternatives would close Power Corp. v. NRDC 435 US 519, 553 elements of design and many forests to cross country travel with (1978). Environmental objections that contributed disproportionate certain exceptions. These would include environmental impact. Away from travel to a camping spot within 300 feet could have been raised at the draft stage communities, similar impacts occur of a road or trail, retrieving previously may be waived if not raised until after near popular recreation destinations. tagged big game, disabled access,and completion of the final environmental The EIS will deal with alternative permitted forest products. In one of the impact statement. City of Angoon v. strategies for OHV’s cross country travel alternatives, the trails and roads within Hodel 9th Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin and how to develop a standardized the forest would be open if they had a Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490F. Supp. signing convention for open roads, trails sign designating them open and the 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). The reason and user created travelways. other alternative would only sign roads for this is to ensure that substantive Additional concerns occur in and trails that are closed to OHV traffic. comments and objections are made environmentally sensitive areas. One other alternative under available to the Forest Service at a time Specially designated wildlife protection consideration is designating areas open when it can meaningfully consider them areas are becoming crisscrossed with to OHV use. in the final environmental impact OHV tracts. Wilderness areas have Significant information has been statement. frequently been impacted by OHV obtained from ‘‘Arizona Trails 2000, Dated: March 22, 2001. tracks; often immediately adjacent to State Motorized and Non-motorized John C. Bedell, closure signs. Riparian areas also attract Trails Plan’’ in determining preliminary Forest Supervisor, Apache-Sitgreaves a large number of people and provide issues and possible alternatives. National Forest. key habitat elements to wildlife. OHV Cooperation with Arizona State agencies [FR Doc. 01–7742 Filed 3–28–01; 8:45 am] tracks and use areas have strongly who have OHV management roles has BILLING CODE 3410–11–M impacted many of these ecological been excellant. communities. A preliminary scoping and public Off highway vehicles allow many involvement plan has been developed. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE people to enjoy the national forests and Comments on the nature and timing of contribute significantly to the economy scoping and public participation Forest Service of communities. They have become very activities would be helpful to the team. popular because of high quality Additional public notice will be given Monticello and Blanding Municipal recreational experiences they provide of specific planned activities when the Watershed Improvement Projects and the amount of land they open up to scoping and public involvement plan is Manti-La Sal National Forest, San Juan persons who formerly saw little of developed. County, UT national forests. It is anticipated that environmental Preliminary issues include: Confusion analysis and preparation of the draft and AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. of OHV users over road and trail sign final environmental impact statements ACTION: conventions, confusion over availability will take about one year. The Draft Notice of intent to prepare of areas open to OHVs, effects of OHV environmental Impact statement can be Environmental Impact Statement. use on the environment, effects on jobs, expected in the summer of 2001 and the effects on cultural resources, effects on Final EIS in the early winter. A 90-day SUMMARY: The Forest Service will species protected under the Endangered comment period pursuant to 36 CFR prepare an Environmental Impact Species Act. Access to resource and 219.10b will be provided following the Statement (EIS) to document the access by mobility-limited persons Notice of Availability for the public to analysis and disclose the environmental seeking recreation opportunities are also make comments on the Draft impacts of proposed actions to: preliminary issues. Environmental Impact statement. (1) Amend existing special use An interdisciplinary team has been The Forest Service believes, at this permits for the Monticello City appointed by the Responsible Officials. early stage, it is important to give Secondary and Culinary Water Systems They have examined documents of reviewers notice of several court rulings to allow reconstruction of the collection other agencies and Forest Service related to public participation in the and conveyance (pipeline) system Regions to develop preliminary environmental review process. To be the (including clearing of vegetation and alternatives for analysis in an most helpful, comments on the draft ground disturbance for construction environmental impact statement. environmental review process. To be the equipment access along the pipeline Comment on these preliminary most helpful, comments on the draft and collection areas) to allow them to alternatives during scoping could help environmental impact statement should repair, replace, and relocate the system the team analyze the alternatives and be as specific as possible and may to correct sources of water loss and might suggest others that would ensure address the adequacy of the statement or quality degradation in the system.
VerDate 11
(Authority: Federal Land Policy and The City of Monticello’s water Manti-La Sal National Forest Internet Management Act (FLMP) of 1976 (P.L. 94– collection and pipeline system is in site 579).) need of extensive repair and (http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/mantilasal/). (2) In cooperation with San Juan replacement due to leakage, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This EIS County, improve approximately 16 contamination areas, and poor will tier to the final EIS for the Manti- miles of Forest Road (FR) 50079 to placement in relation to the road. La Sal National Forest Land and provide improved and safer access for An outbreak of spruce bark beetle Resource Management Plan (Forest public use and management of the area (Dendroctonus rufipennis) has recently Plan). The Manti-La Sal Forest Plan and to provide a passable road for occurred in and around the area. High provides the overall guidance (Goals, equipment needed for the levels of Engelmann spruce mortality Objectives, Standards, and Management reconstruction, care, and maintenance within the area are imminent. Spruce Area Direction) to achieve the Desired of municipal water systems and for beetle populations are expected to Future Condition for the area being implementation of proposed vegetation expand and may reach epidemic levels. analyzed, and contains specific treatments. If this occurs, most of the larger spruce management area prescriptions for the (3) Implement harvest treatments on component on the Abajo Mountains entire Forest. approximately 2,000 acres of spruce, could be lost. Tentative or preliminary issues that spruce-fir, and aspen forest to develop Because of the dependence of the have been identified include: Water a more diverse, open ecosystem. local communities on this area and the resources; Visuals; Vegetation resources; Proposed harvest methods are importance of its resources, Monticello Transportation; Recreation; approximately 65% helicopter, 32% City, Blanding City, and San Juan Undeveloped Charter; Wildlife and tractor and tractor-forwarder, and 3% County government officials have Fisheries resources, Fuels and Fire Risk; cable. Allow construction and use of requested that we begin efforts to Steep slopes; Economics; Cultural approximately 1⁄2 mile of temporary address the concerns identified. This resources; and Air quality. road and clearing of two miles of proposal has been developed through Other tentative or preliminary forwarder skid trail needed to consultation with them, Forest Service alternatives that have been identified implement proposed vegetation specialists, and other individuals and include: (1) Implementation of only the treatments. agencies with interest in the resources water system construction/ The Monticello and Blanding of the area. The Purpose and Need of the reconstruction portion of the proposed Municipal Watershed Improvement Proposed Action is as follows: action; (2) Implementation of only the Projects area includes portions of the • Purpose #1: Cooperate with local road improvement portion of the North Creek, Bankhead Creek, Pole government agencies to permit them to proposed action; (3) Implementation of Creek, South Creek, Indian Creek, and provide continued and more efficient the water system construction/ Johnson Creek drainages in the Abajo collection and removal of water to the reconstruction in conjunction with the Mountains and some adjacent area Monticello and Blanding municipal road improvement portion of the (Spring Creek) that has moderate levels water systems for public uses. proposed action; (4) Continuation of of spruce beetle infestation with • Purpose #2: Improve the trapping and baiting treatments (timber potential to contribute to insect transportation system to provide harvest); and (5) No Action. population within the watersheds. dependable public access on FR 50079, The Forest Service is seeking These areas are managed as municipal and to reduce sedimentation/erosion information and comments from watershed (MWS) under the Manti-La occurring on portions of FR 50079. Federal, State, and local agencies as Sal National Forest Land and Resource • Purpose #3: Move towards well as individuals and organizations Management Plan (USDA, 1986). They restoration of the ecological structure, that may be interested in, or affected by are the primary water source for the function, processes, and composition of the proposed action. The Forest Service communities of Monticello, Blanding, the spruce and aspen component of the invites written comments and and their surrounding area. It is a scenic landscape. suggestions on the issues related to the area that includes the Horsehead (an proposal and the area being analyzed. DATES: Written comments concerning Engelmann spruce and aspen stand in Information received will be used in the scope of the analysis described in the form of a horse head that overlooks preparation of the Draft EIS and Final this notice should be received on or Monticello), which has special scenic, EIS. For most effective use, comments before April 30, 2001. The date planned historic, and cultural significance to the should be submitted to the Forest for release of the final EIS is November individuals that live in the area. Service within 30 days from the data of 2001. Forest Road (FR) 50079 provides publication of this Notice in the Federal access through the area. It is the only ADDRESSES: Questions or written Register. Comments should include direct mountain access between comments concerning the proposed your name, address, telephone number, Monticello and Blanding and is action or requests for copies of the organization represented (if any), title of important for tourism and day proposal should be addressed to Glenn the proposal, and specific facts and recreation use. It also provides access to P. Casamassa or Greg Montgomery at the supporting reasons for us to consider in private property within the Forest following address: Moab/Monticello the analysis. Names and comments boundary. Much of the road is Ranger District, Manti-La Sal National received are public information and will inadequate for use by larger vehicles, Forest, P.O. Box 820, Monticello, Utah be released to those who request them. pickups with trailers, and some 84535, phone: 435–587–2041. This will include names, addresses, and passenger cars due to tight curves/ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An any other personal information switchbacks and lack of turnouts. San Internet site is available that provides a provided with the comments. Juan County has proposed that the road detailed description of the purpose and The proposed management activities be improved to remove hazards, make need and proposed action. It includes would be administered by the Moab/ public use easier, improve safety, maps and pictures of the area showing Monticello Ranger District, Manti-La Sal reduce maintenance costs, and improve existing conditions, and copies of National Forest, San Juan County, Utah. access for management of water information available by mail. This Agency representatives and other systems. information can be accessed on the interested people are invited to visit
VerDate 11
with Forest Service officials at any time make a decision regarding this proposal, ADDRESSES: Written comments and during the EIS process. Two specific after considering the comments, suggestions concerning the analysis time periods are identified for the responses, and environmental should be sent to Eric Ouderkirk, receipt of formal comments on the consequences discussed in the Final Landscape Architect, Juneau Ranger analysis. The two comment periods are: Environmental Impact Statement, and District, 8465 Old Dairy Road, Juneau, (1) During the scoping process, the next applicable laws, regulations, and Alaska; 99801 or e-mail to 30 days following publication of this policies. The reasons for the decision [email protected]. notice in the Federal Register, and (2) will be documented in a Record of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric During the formal review period of the Decision. The Forest Supervisor’s office Ouderkirk, Landscape Architect,Juneau Draft EIS. of the Manti-La Sal National Forest is Ranger District, 8465 Old Dairy Road, The comment period on the draft located at 599 West Price River Drive, Juneau, Alaska 99801; phone (907) 586– environmental impact statement will be Price, Utah 84501, phone: 435–637– 8800; fax (907) 586–8808 or e-mail to 45 days from the date the 2817. [email protected] Environmental Protection Agency Authority: The National Environmental publishes the notice of availability in Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The the Federal Register. U.S.C. 4321–4346); Council on proposed operations are subject to The Forest Service believes, at this Environmental Quality of Regulations, Title approval of a Plan of Operations under early stage, it is important to give 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1500– 36 CFR, Part 228, which is intended to reviewers notice of several court rulings 1508 (40 CFR 1500–1508); and U.S. ensure that adverse environmental related to public participation in the Department of Agriculture NEPA effects on National Forest System lands environmental review process. First, Regulations, Title 7, Code of Federal and resources are minimized. The reviewers of draft environmental impact Regulations, Part 1b (7 CFR 1b). United States Department of statements must structure their Dated: March 23, 2001. Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) participation in the environmental Elaine J. Zieroth, proposes to approve an amendment to review of the proposal so that it is Forest Supervisor, Manti-La Sal National the Kennecott Greens Mining meaningful and alerts an agency to the Forest. Company’s (KGCMC) General Plan of reviewer’s position and contentions. [FR Doc. 01–7728 Filed 3–28–01; 8:45 am] Operations to authorize the construction Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp v. BILLING CODE 3410–11–M of additional dry tailings storage NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, beginning in the late spring of 2002. The environmental objections that could be additional disposal area would be raised at the draft environmental impact DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE designed to provide tailings storage for statement stage but that are not raised the remaining life of the mine until after completion of the final Forest Service (approximately 14 years), including environmental impact statement may be Notice of Intent To Prepare an development of potential new reserves. waived or dismissed by the courts. City Environmental Impact Statement To Permitting this expansion will require of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, Disclose the Environmental Impacts of modifying the existing lease. 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Proposed Changes to the Kennecott The proposed action would include Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. Greens Creek Mine Tailings Disposal an 84.5 acre expansion of the 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of Site; Tongass National Forest, boundaries of the existing tailings these court rulings, it is very important Admiralty National Monument, Juneau, facility to the west/southwest, including that those interested in this proposed AK additional area for rock quarries, water action participate by the close of the 45– management pond, and a storage area day comment period so that substantive AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. for reclamation materials. The actual comments and objections are made ACTION: Notice, intent to prepare an tailings placement area, as proposed, available to the Forest Service at a time environmental impact statement. would occupy approximately 40 acres, when it can meaningfully consider them with the remaining 44.5 acres used for and respond to them in the final SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) infrastructure, quarry and borrow environmental impact statement. of the National Environmental Policy sources and potential long-term tailings To assist the Forest Service in Act of 1969, the USDA Forest Service, disposal needs. identifying and considering issues and Tongass National Forest, under the In general, the proposed action would concerns on the proposed action, direction of the Juneau Ranger District, authorize the following: comments on the draft environmental will prepare a environmental impact 1. Expansion of the existing Pit 5 impact statement should be as specific statement (EIS) to analyze and display quarry to provide within the tailings as possible. It is also helpful if the effects of proposed changes to the disposal area. comments refer to specific pages or Kennecott Greens Creek Mine, located 2. Development of two new quarries chapters of the draft statement. on public and private lands in within bedrock ridges at the south end Comments may also address the southeastern Alaska. The Mine is of the proposed lease boundary. These adequacy of the draft environmental operated by Kennecott Greens Mining two quarries would be used as a source impact statement or the merits of the Company and is located approximately of construction materials for alternatives formulated and discussed in 40 miles southwest of downtown infrastructure development, and for the statement. Reviewers may wish to Juneau. An Environmental Impact road construction as needed. refer to the Council on Environmental Statement was completed and a Record 3. Construction of a new water Quality Regulations for implementing of Decision signed on January 21, 1983 management pond system for storm the procedural provisions of the for operation of the Greens Creek Mine. water storage and treatment/ National Environmental Policy Act at 40 DATES: Comments will be accepted 4. Installation of surface water and CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. throughout the EIS process but, to be groundwater controls and diversions, The Forest Supervisor for the Manti- most useful during the analysis they for expansion of the tailings pile. La Sal National Forest, who is the should be received in writing by April 5. Placement of tailings in a ‘‘de- responsible official for the EIS, will then 30, 2001. watered’’ state to the maximum
VerDate 11