Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 94 / Thursday, May 15, 2003 / Notices 26281

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE treatment for fruits and vegetables (2) Evaluate the accuracy of our imported into the , contact estimate of the burden of the proposed Animal and Plant Health Inspection Dr. Inder P. Gadh, Import Specialist, collection of information, including the Service Phytosanitary Issues Management Team, validity of the methodology and [Docket No. 03–042–1] PPQ, APHIS, 4700 Road Unit 140, assumptions used; Riverdale, MD 20737–1236; (301) 734– (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and Notice of Request for Extension of 5210. For copies of more detailed clarity of the information to be Approval of an Information Collection information on the information collected; and collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, (4) Minimize the burden of the AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health APHIS’ Information Collection collection of information on those who Inspection Service, USDA. Coordinator, at (301) 734–7477. are to respond, through use, as ACTION: Extension of approval of an SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: appropriate, of automated, electronic, information collection; comment Title: Irradiation Phytosanitary mechanical, and other collection request. Treatment for Fresh Fruits and technologies; e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Vegetables. Estimate of burden: The public Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this OMB Number: 0579–0155. reporting burden for this collection of notice announces the Animal and Plant Type of Request: Extension of information is estimated to average Health Inspection Service’s intention to approval of an information collection. 0.0825093 hours per response. request an extension of approval of an Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (7 Respondents: Foreign plant protection information collection in support of U.S.C. 7701–7772) authorizes the services, irradiation facility personnel, regulations for the use of irradiation as Secretary of Agriculture to regulate the importers. a phytosanitary treatment for fruits and importation of plants, plant products, Estimated annual number of vegetables imported into the United and other articles into the United States respondents: 125. States. to prevent the introduction of plant pests and noxious weeds. Estimated annual number of DATES: We will consider all comments The regulations in 7 CFR part 319 responses per respondent: 999.16. that we receive on or before July 14, include specific requirements for the Estimated annual number of 2003. importation of fruits and vegetables. For responses: 124,895. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments example, fruits and vegetables from Estimated total annual burden on by postal mail/commercial delivery or certain regions of the world must be respondents: 10,305 hours. (Due to by e-mail. If you use postal mail/ treated for insect pests in order to be averaging, the total annual burden hours commercial delivery, please send four eligible for entry into the United States. may not equal the product of the annual copies of your comment (an original and The regulations in 7 CFR part 305 number of responses multiplied by the three copies) to: Docket No. 03–042–1, provide for the use of irradiation as a reporting burden per response.) Regulatory Analysis and Development, phytosanitary treatment for certain All responses to this notice will be PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River fruits and vegetables imported into the summarized and included in the request Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737– United States. The irradiation treatment for OMB approval. All comments will 1238. Please state that your comment provides protection against 11 species of also become a matter of public record. refers to Docket No. 03–042–1. If you fruit flies and the mango seed weevil. It Done in Washington, DC, this 12th day of use e-mail, address your comment to may be used as an alternative to other May, 2003. [email protected]. Your approved treatments for these pests in Peter Fernandez, comment must be contained in the body fruits and vegetables, such as Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant of your message; do not send attached fumigation, cold treatment, heat Health Inspection Service. files. Please include your name and treatment, and other techniques. [FR Doc. 03–12166 Filed 5–14–03; 8:45 am] address in your message and ‘‘Docket This collection requires the BILLING CODE 3410–34–P No. 03–042–1’’ on the subject line. submission of a compliance agreement, You may read any comments that we 24-hour notification, labeling receive on this docket in our reading requirements, dosimetry recordings, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE room. The reading room is located in requests for dosimetry device approval, room 1141 of the USDA South Building, recordkeeping, requests for facility Forest Service 14th Street and Independence Avenue approval, trust fund agreement, and Region, (R–10), Chugach SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading annual work plan. National Forest, Glacier and Seward room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., We are asking the Office of Ranger Districts, Commercially Guided Monday through Friday, except Management and Budget (OMB) to Helicopter Skiing holidays. To be sure someone is there to approve our use of these information help you, please call (202) 690–2817 collection activities for an additional 3 AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. before coming. years. APHIS documents published in the ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an The purpose of this notice is to solicit environmental impact statement. Federal Register, and related comments from the public (as well as information, including the names of affected agencies) concerning our SUMMARY: The organizations and individuals who have information collection. These comments proposes to authorize a 5-year special commented on APHIS dockets, are will help us: use permit to Chugach Powder Guides, available on the Internet at http:// (1) Evaluate whether the proposed Inc. (CPG) for guided helicopter skiing www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/ collection of information is necessary on National Forest lands on the Kenai webrepor.html. for the proper performance of the Peninsula near Girdwood and Seward, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For functions of the Agency, including Alaska. Guided helicopter skiing would information regarding regulations for whether the information will have be permitted on 13 zones totaling the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary practical utility; 342,700 acres on the Glacier and Seward

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Ranger Districts. The season of use been used by CPG under temporary Moose Pass. 30 cycles per staging area would be from approximately December permits and five are additional per day. 15 through April 20. Three helicoptors exploratory zones. The eight core zones Alternative 6. Designed to minimize would be used and 2,400 client days are: Glacier-Winner, West Twentymile, noise and social impacts in Moose Pass. would be authorized. North Twentymile, East Twentymile, 1,800 core and 300 exploratory client DATES: Comments concerning the scope Placer-Skookum, Grandview, and Bench days. No use in Moose Creek, of the analysis must be received by June Peak. The five exploratory zones are Ptarmigan, Bench Peak West, Seattle 6, 2003. The draft environmental impact Seattle Creek, Moose Creek, Ptarmigan, Creek West, and Seattle Creek East. No statement is expected in July 2003 and Snow River and Mount Ascension. The staging area in Moose Pass. 30 cycles the final environmental impact project area is bordered on the west by per staging area per day, except statement is expected in September the Hope Highway, Seward Highway, Girdwood Airstrip which would have 2003. and the Forest boundary near 20 cycles per day. , on the north by the ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Responsible Officials Forest boundary, on the east by the Teresa Paquet, Interdisciplinary Team Michael R. Kania, District Ranger, Leader, Glacier Ranger District, P.O. Box divide between the and Prince William Sound and non-National Seward Ranger District, 334 Fourth 129, Girdwood, Alaska 99587–0129, or Ave., P.O. Box 390, Seward, Alaska FAX comments to 907–783–2094, or Forest land, and on the south by the 99664–0390; and James M. Fincher, send by e-mail to: [email protected]. For Forest boundary and non-National District Ranger, Glacier Ranger District, further information contact Teresa Forest land. Forest Station Road, PO Box 129, Paquet, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Proposed Action Girdwood, Alaska 99587–0129. Glacier Ranger District, P.O. Box 129, The Chugach National Forest Girdwood, Alaska 99587–0129. Nature of Decision To Be Made proposes to authorize a 5-year special FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: use permit to Chugach Powder Guides, The decision to be made from this Teresa Paquet, Interdisciplinary Team Inc. (CPG) for guided helicopter skiing analysis is whether or not to issue a 5- Leader, Glacier Ranger District, P.O. Box on National Forest lands on the Kenai year permit to Chugach Powder Guides 129, Girdwood, Alaska 99587–0129. Peninsula near Girdwood and Seward, for helicopter skiing on the Glacier and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alaska. Guided helicopter skiing would Seward Ranger Districts, and if so, for Purpose and Need for Action be permitted on 13 use areas totaling what areas, for what period of time and 342,700 acres on the Glacier and Seward with what restrictions. The Forest Service is responding to a Ranger Districts. The season of use Scoping Process request by a commercial guide service to would be from approximately December provide helicopter skiing on the Kenai 15 through April 20. Three helicopters Public Involvement was initiated in Peninsula. Chugach National Forest would be used and 2,400 client days per September 2002 with the Chugach lands on the Kenai Peninsula provide season (1,800 core and 600 exploratory) National Forest Schedule of Proposed many winter recreational opportunities would be authorized. Actions. On October 31, 2002, a letter including snowmobiling, cross-country describing the proposed action and skiing, ski touring, fixed-wing Possible Alternatives seeking public comment was mailed to supported skiing, and helicopter Alternative 1. No Action. over 800 interested individuals, supported skiing. Heli-skiing requires Alternative 2. Submitted by businesses and environmental groups. untracked powder snow, several vertical proponent. 1,800 core clients days 600 Public meetings, to share information runs per day and a backcountry exploratory client days. All use areas. and gather comments regarding the experience. Many areas on the Kenai All staging areas and 30 cycles (take off proposal, were held at Seward and have excellent physical characteristics and landing) per staging area per day. Moose Pass on November 22, 2002, and (terrain and snow conditions) for Timing restrictions in Bench Creek at Hope and Girdwood on December 12, helicopter skiing. There is not enough West. 2002. Additional public meetings, to suitable terrain on private lands to meet Alternative 3. Proponent’s proposal share information and gather comments this need. The proposed areas are near with design features to address noise regarding draft Alternatives were held at a major population center, Anchorage, and user conflicts. 1,800 core and 600 Moose Pass on April 29, 2003, Seward which is needed to support such an exploratory client days. No use in on April 30, 2003, and at Hope and operation. This proposal would help Seattle Creek West, Moose Creek West Girdwood on May 1, 2003. meet the public demand for quality, and Ptarmigan West. No staging area in safe, guided helicopter skiing. Guided Moose Pass. 30 cycles per staging area Preliminary Issues helicopter skiing would help meet the per day. Timing restriction in Seattle 1. Wildlife. Helicopter operations and Chugach National Forest Revised Land Creek East and Bench Peak West. skiing activities can disturb wildlife. and Resource Management Plan’s goals Alternative 4. Designed to maintain Factors include the distance to to (1) maintain quality settings for current helicopter activity. No use in disturbance, sensitivity of individual motorized recreation opportunities and Seattle Creek, Ptarmigan, Moose Creek, species to noise and level of (2) provide helicopter access for skiing Mount Ascension and Snow River. habituation. Excessive disturbance can at appropriate locations. 1,200 client days. No staging areas in cause harm to overall health, growth CPG has submitted an application for Moose Pass. 30 cycles per day per rates and reproductive success. Some of a 5-year special use permit for staging area. Timing restrictions in the species with the greatest potential to outfitting/guiding helicopter skiing on Bench Peak West. be impacted in the permit area are National Forest lands on the Kenai Alternative 5. Designed to minimize brown bear, wolverine, mountain goat, Peninsula, near Girdwood and Seward user conflicts. 1,800 core and 600 and Dall sheep. Alaska. The applicant requested the use exploratory client days. No use in 2. Impacts on communities. Lifestyles of 13 zones (342,700 acres) during the Seattle Creek West, Seattle Creek East, of rural community residents can be winter ski season (December 15, through Moose Creek West, Ptarmigan West, and negatively impacted by increases in April 20). Eight of these zones have Bench Peak West. No staging area in permitted recreation activities either

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incrementally over a number of years or Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Upper Columbia River Basin by sudden increases in the number of Wis. 1980)). Because of these court Assessment along with trends observed helicopter trips. The noise of helicopters rulings, it is very important that those by interdisciplinary specialists during flights could affect the quality of interested in this proposed action conducting on the ground assessments. life for residents in the following areas: participate by the close of the June 6, The proposal improves forest health, Girdwood, Sunrise, Moose Pass, and 2003, comment period so that wildlife and fisheries habitat, and Seward. substantive comments and objections watershed health. It reduces risks to 3. Impacts to recreationists. Heli- are made available to the Forest Service wildfire, and maintains a spectrum of skiing activities could negatively impact at a time when it can meaningfully access for public recreation. The project backcountry ground-based consider them and respond to them in is intended to move the landscape recreationists’ experience by helicopter the final environmental impact toward long-term ecologic, economic noise disturbance, increasing avalanche statement. and social sustainability. hazards and their sudden presence in To assist the Forest Service in DATES: Comments concerning the scope areas that ground-based recreationists identifying and considering issues and of the analysis must be received within have expended effort to reach. concerns on the proposed action, 30 days of publication of this notice in 4. Wilderness recommendations. comments on the draft environmental the Federal Register. The draft Permitted landings in roadless areas impact statement should be as specific environmental impact statement is could affect future Wilderness as possible. It is also helpful if expected to be available for public recommendations. comments refer to specific pages or review in July 2003 and the final 5. Wildlife cumulative effects. chapters of the draft statement. environmental impact statement is Cumulative effects of various recreation Comments may also address the expected November 2003. activities (motorized and non- adequacy of the draft environmental ADDRESSES: Send written comments to motorized) can have detrimental effects impact statement or the merits of the George Bain, District Ranger, St. Joe on wildlife use of habitat in alpine alternatives formulated and discussed in Ranger District, PO Box 407, St. Maries, areas. the statement. Reviewers may wish to Idaho 83861 or electronically to refer to the Council on Environmental Permits or Licenses Required [email protected]. For further information, Quality Regulations for implementing mail correspondence to Kimberly USDA Forest Service Special Use the procedural provisions of the Permit. Johnson, EIS Team Leader at the address National Environmental Policy Act at 40 listed above. Information on this project Comment Requested CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. can be found on the Internet by going Comments received, including the to http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/ and This notice of intent continues the names and addresses of those who looking under Ecosystems, scoping process which guides the comment, will be considered part of the Management, Index of NEPA Project development of the environmental public record on this proposal and will and St. Joe Ranger District. impact statement. Comments specific to be available for public inspection. the proposal and draft Alternatives are FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: being sought. (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Kimberly Johnson, Quartz Gold Project Early Notice of Importance of Public Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section Team Leader, 208–245–6072. 21) Participation in Subsequent SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Environmental Review: A draft Dated: May 5, 2003. environmental impact statement will be Gerald F. Xavier, Purpose and Need for Action prepared for comment. The comment Acting Forest Supervisor. The purpose of this proposal is to period on the draft environmental [FR Doc. 03–11871 Filed 5–14–03; 8:45 am] improve forest health by managing impact statement will be 45 days from BILLING CODE 3410–11–P vegetative conditions that in the long the date the Environmental Protection term encourage more resilient and Agency publishes the notice of sustainable forest conditions. It also availability in the Federal Register. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE improves and maintains winter range The Forest Service believes, at this conditions and white bark pine habitat, early stage, it is important to give Forest Service which are both declining. It will reduce reviewers notice of several court rulings the risk of resource loss through fuel related to public participation in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, management and improve growing environmental review process. First, Idaho—Quartz Gold Project EIS conditions for sapling/pole stands. The reviewers of draft environmental impact AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. proposal will contribute to watershed statements must structure their ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an recovery processes by correcting participation in the environmental environmental impact statement. sediment sources from the existing road review of the proposal so that it is system. Approximately 65% of stream- meaningful and alerts an agency to the SUMMARY: The Forest Service will crossing culverts surveyed are reviewer’s position and contentions, prepare an environmental impact undersized for a 100 year event (as (Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. statement on a proposal of ecosystem required by Infish). It will also improve v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978)). management in the Quartz Gold project instream habitat conditions as several Also, environmental objections that area, which is approximately 44,000 streams in the area are not meeting could be raised at the draft acres in size. Opportunities were Infish standards as directed in the environmental impact statement stage developed through a comparison of Forest Plan and provide fish passage on but that are not raised until after existing project area conditions with those road/stream crossing culverts. It completion of the final environmental desired future conditions for all the will increase wildlife security which is impact statement may be waived or resources in the project area. The currently below Forest Plan standards dismissed by the courts, (City of Angoon assessment utilized the Idaho and maintain a spectrum of access for v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. Panhandle Forest Plan and findings public recreation and provide 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. from the St. Joe Geographic Assessment, opportunities for disabled hunters,

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