15718 Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 62 / Thursday, April 1, 1999 / Notices agency’s estimate of burden including DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE of the eligibility and suitability of the the validity of the methodology and Glover and Mountain Fork Rivers for assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance Forest Service possible Congressional designation the quality, utility and clarity of the under the National Wild and Scenic Significant Amendment of the Land information to be collected; or (4) ways River System (NWSRS). and Resource Management Plan of the to minimize the burden of collection on Significant amendments to Forest Ouachita National Forest for Managing Plans follow the same procedures those who are to respond, including the Approximately 111,580 Acres of use of appropriate automated, required for the development and Acquired Lands in McCurtain County, approval of forest plans (36 CFR part electronic, mechanical, or other OK technological collection techniques or 219.10(f)), including completion of an other forms of informational technology. AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. EIS. The Forest Service determined that Comments regarding this information ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an the amendment discussed in this notice will be significant because (a) it will collection requirement should be environmental impact statement. establish goals, objectives, management directed to the Office of Information and SUMMARY: Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. areas, standards, and guidelines for a Regulatory Affairs, Office of 1604(f)(4), the Forest Service will block of approximately 111,580 acres of Management and Budget, Attention: prepare an environmental impact acquired lands newly added to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, statement (EIS) for the decision to National Forest System (the ‘‘Broken Washington, DC 20503, and to Diane amend the Land and Resource Bow unit’’) and (b) as a result of Sharp, Director, Production, Management Plan (Forest Plan) for the allocating these lands to management Emergencies, and Compliance Division, Ouachita National Forest. Comments areas, this amendment may change the Farm Service Agency, United States should focus specifically on the overall desired future condition of the Department of Agriculture, STOP 0517, preliminary proposal described below Ouachita National Forest. An EIS is also Room 4754-South Building, 1400 and on possible alternatives. needed because the analysis conducted Independence Avenue, SW, The current Forest Plan, which during the amendment process may Washington, DC 20250–0517. provides programmatic guidance for result in a recommendation to Congress All responses to this notice will be management of the Ouachita National concerning possible additions to the summarized and included in the request Forest, was implemented in 1986 and NWSRS. for OMB approval. All comments also subsequently has been amended 30 As part of the overall effort to ensure will become a matter of public record. times (including a significant that treaty rights are honored and amendment in 1990 that resulted in the responsibilities to American Indian Signed at Washington, D.C., on March 24, publication of a new Forest Plan.) As Tribes are met, the Forest Service will 1999. many as six primary decisions may be consult and exchange information Parks Shackelford, made in the amendment described in routinely with affected and interested Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency, this notice: (a) Modification of forest- Tribes on a government-to-government and Acting Executive Vice President, wide goals, objectives, standards, and/or basis throughout this amendment Commodity Credit Corporation. guidelines (if needed); (b) allocation of process. The Forest Service will also [FR Doc. 99–7873 Filed 3–31–99; 8:45 am] lands and waters to management areas; work closely with local governments, BILLING CODE 3410±05±P (c) identification of lands suitable for State and Federal agencies, and elected timber production; (d) re-determination officials. of forest-wide allowable sale quantity The environmental analysis and (ASQ) (if needed); (e) identification of decision-making process will include lands suitable and potentially available the following opportunities for public for cattle grazing; and (f) determination participation and comment:
Estimated date Step Public involvement
Late March 1999 ...... Publish formal Notice of Intent (with preliminary pro- 30-day formal comment period; Newsletter; press re- posal). leases, Web site. Mid-May 1999 ...... Summarize issues in response to the proposal and Workshop Newsletter, Web page update. amendment. By mid-June 1999 ...... Develop alternatives ...... Mailing, Web page update; Workshop and informal meetings, if needed. July 1999 ...... Issue draft EIS ...... Invite public comment; 90-day formal review; Workshop and informal meetings; Newsletter, press releases, Web site update. December 1999 ...... Issue amendment and EIS ...... Newsletter, press releases, Web site update.
The Forest Service will meet with amending the Forest Plan. The Forest alternative will be developed based on interested groups, organizations, and Service will also consider comments issues that are raised in response to the individuals to discuss the proposed received at any time during the preliminary proposal presented in this amendment. The agency will also host amendment process. NOI. The Forest Service will then again at least one workshop in McCurtain Following the publication of this actively seek information, comments, County, Oklahoma, to present and Notice of Intent (NOI), a draft EIS will and assistance from Federal, State and clarify the preliminary proposal, be prepared and published. The draft local agencies and from individuals and describe ways the public can participate EIS will include a preferred alternative organizations that may be interested in in the process, and accept comments with specific language to amendment or affected by the preferred alternative from the public on the proposal for the Forest Plan. This preferred in the draft EIS. It is very important that
VerDate 23-MAR-99 10:58 Mar 31, 1999 Jkt 183247 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\A01AP3.002 pfrm03 PsN: 01APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 62 / Thursday, April 1, 1999 / Notices 15719 those interested in this proposal are now included in the Broken Bow Suitability and Allowable Sale Quantity; participate at that time. unit.) Wild and Scenic Rivers; Range (cattle DATES: Comments responding to this The Federal legislation that grazing) and Vegetation Patterns. Notice of Intent (NOI) should be authorized the land exchange (Omnibus The Forest Service has prepared a received in writing (electronic mail Parks and Public Lands Management brief discussion paper for each acceptable) by April 30, 1999. The draft Act of 1996) specified that the Forest amendment topic. These papers EIS should be available for public Service would manage these acquired (available at www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ review in July 1999. The comment lands and waters (here and in other mccurtain/papers2.htm) define topics in period for the draft EIS will commence counties) under the forestwide the context of related Forest Plan on the day the Environmental Protection standards and guidelines in the existing decisions to be made, the existing Agency publishes the Notice of Forest Plan until the acquired lands situation on the Broken bow unit, and Availability in the Federal Register. were incorporated in the Plan through a current Forest Plan direction. The After a comment period of 90 days, the formal amendment process. The proposal described later in this Notice is Final EIS and Forest Plan Amendment legislation further stipulated that the an attempt to integrate the concerns and should be completed by December 1999. Forest Service would initiate the opportunities presented by each of the process to incorporate these lands and broad topics summarized below. ADDRESSES: Send written comments waters in the Forest Plan within 12 Recreation: Public interest in concerning this Notice to: Plan months after the exchange was enhancing recreation and tourism Amendment, Ouachita National Forest, completed. (An interdisciplinary team opportunities in southeastern Oklahoma P.O. Box 1270, Hot Springs, AR 71902, was formed and work began within the was a strong factor in local and State for send electronic mail to:
VerDate 23-MAR-99 10:58 Mar 31, 1999 Jkt 183247 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\A01AP3.176 pfrm03 PsN: 01APN1 15720 Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 62 / Thursday, April 1, 1999 / Notices the lower Mountain Fork River provides has been observed foraging on adjacent and gas rights until the year 2041 on the an additional draw. Facilities at these National Forest land but is not known Ashford Peak area and on a small State and Federal recreation areas to nest there. The Nature Conservancy portion of the Bee Mountain area; all include 8 campgrounds with nearly 400 found four sites showing evidence of minerals are outstanding on the bulk of campsites, the 40-room Lakeview Lodge, occupation or offering prime habitat for Bee Mountain. Reserved or outstanding a nature/education center, 47 cabins, red-cockaded woodpeckers during a mineral rights do not necessarily picnic and swimming areas, a marina, 1995 ecological assessment of what are disqualify an area from being numerous boat launching ramps, a now national forest lands: Locust ‘‘roadless,’’ especially if mineral rights system of hiking trails, and a golf Mountain, Hee Mountain, Little White are obtainable and/or there is no surface course. Oak Mountain, and Five Mile Hollow. occupancy or development. Currently Broken Bow Lake is a major attraction The endangered peregrine falcon no development exists in either area. for fishing and boating enthusiasts. The (Falco peregrinus anatum) has been The State-owned McCurtain County lower part of the Mountain Fork is a observed near Brokem Bow Lake as a Wilderness Area lies in the northern stocked trout fishery, and the Glover transient during migration. There is a part of the block of National Forest River is considered the finest high probability that this species roosts lands under consideration here. smallmouth bass fishery in Oklahoma. on National Forest land near the lake. Vegetation Patterns: Based on Both the Glover and Mountain Fork The threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus analysis of satellite imagery from May Rivers receive considerable use by leucocephalus) uses habitat along the 1998, the team estimated that there are anglers and floaters. Mountain Fork River in the vicinity of about 61,600 acres where pines Off-road Vehicles: ORV use is a Broken Bow Lake in the winter, roosting predominate the forest canopy and at popular activity on the acquired lands, on the National Forest. Based on recent lest 46,000 where hardwoods which have a high density of low summer observations, biologists suspect predominate. Roads and other standard roads that provide access to that bald eagles may also nest in the nonforested conditions occupy about thousands of acres of pine plantations. vicinity. 4,000 acres. More than half of the pine- These roads have traditionally been Another federally listed species that dominated acreage consists of loblolly open to ORV riding (when they were in may occur in the Broken Bow unit is the pine plantations less than 30 years old; private ownership). However, current endangered American burying beetle the remainder consists of more natural Oklahoma State law prohibits ORV (Nicrophorus americanus). Due to the forest cover in which shortleaf pines riding on public roads, including similarity of habitat types present on predominate. The pine plantations National Forest roads. Because of the these lands to occupied habitats average 110 acres in size, but several rugged terrain north and east of the lake elsewhere on the National Forest, there exceed 200 acres. As more detailed, and low road density, ORV use there is is potential for this species to occur in ground-based forest inventories are probably restricted to the road system the Broken Bow unit. Several other completed, these estimates will be and lake access points. Little is known sensitive species occur within the unit. refined. The team recognizes that many about the extent or nature of any See the topic paper concerning members of the public are concerned resource damage due to ORV use in the Terrestrial Threatened, Endangered, and about conserving hardwood trees and area. Some members of the public Sensitive Species for further conserving or restoring older forests and support allowing continued ORV use in information. woodlands of all kinds. the area; others would like to see some Transportation System: The acquired Timber Suitability and Allowable Sale restrictions, such as limiting cross- lands include an extensive road network Quantity (ASQ): Timber management on country travel to that necessary to that was developed by Weyerhaeuser the Ouachita National Forest is designed transport game. Company for intensive timber to perpetuate native forests, sustain Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive management. The roads and associated habitat for viable populations of native Species: Another selling point for the drainage structures vary considerably in plants and animals (including sensitive land exchange was that it would offer width, design standards, and general species), protect water quality and enhanced opportunities for conservation condition. An inventory of the existing aesthetic values, yield valuable timber of threatened, endangered, and sensitive roads on the Broken Bow unit identified products, and support local economic species on public lands, particularly in about 566 miles on National Forest land activity. National Forest lands McCurtain County, Oklahoma. For (a road density of 3.26 miles per square ‘‘suitable’’ for timber production (as one starters, the sections of the Mountain mile). element of their management) are those Fork and Glover Rivers and their Roadless Areas: The Forest Service that are physically and legally capable tributaries within the Broken Bow unit maintains inventories of land areas that of supporting timber harvests and contain some of the richest aquatic have few or no permanent roads. During timber regeneration activities on a faunas in Oklahoma, including Forest Plan revision, the agency regulated and sustained basis. The ASQ populations of the threatened leopard conducts a public review of options for is the volume of timber that may be sold darter (Percina pantherina), several all ‘‘roadless areas,’’ and one or more of annually from the ‘‘suitable’’ lands species the Forest Service lists as these areas could eventually be covered by the Forest Plan. Prior to the ‘‘sensitive’’ or as candidates for listing recommended to Congress for exchange, the suitable land base was as sensitive, and important sport fishes. wilderness designation. It is important approximately 994,000 acres, and the The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has to note that no wilderness ASQ was 29.2 million cubic feet (144 designated portions of the two rivers as determination will be made during the million board feet). Critical Habitat for the leopard darter. Forest Plan amendment process. The Broken Bow unit includes a mix The red-cockaded woodpecker Areas of National Forest land that of cutover lands, loblolly pine (Picoides borealis) occurs in the appear to fit current Forest Service plantations, and mixed pine-hardwood McCurtain County Wilderness Area, criteria for roadless character are the stands of varying densities and age which is owned by the state of 7,356-acre Ashford Peak area on the east classes, while the portions of the Tiak Oklahoma and managed by the side of Broken Bow Lake and the 7,285- tract traded to Weyerhaeuser consisted Oklahoma Department of Wildlife acre Bee Mountain area on the west side mainly of well-stocked sawtimber Conservation. This endangered species of the lake. Weyerhaeuser reserved oil stands on highly productive coastal
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This area Guidelines for Eligibility, Classification, (Restoration will be the subject of includes lands of moderate to low and Management of River Areas another Forest Plan amendment.) productivity (e.g., site indices are at (Federal Register 9/7/82) of the U.S. 5. Relationships with neighboring least 50 for shortleaf pine and 60 for Department of the Interior and the U.S. landowners (including road hardwoods) that have not been Department of Agriculture. To be easements and property lines). assigned to more restrictive eligible for inclusion in the National 6. Community development. (The Forest Management Areas. Much of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, a river Service supports community timber produced on the Ouachita must be free flowing and have one or development activities and recognizes National Forest comes from more outstanding remarkable scenic, that Forest Plan decisions may Management Area 14, but these recreational, geological, fish and influence development opportunities lands also help meet vital wildlife wildlife, archeological/historical, or and quality of life in local habitat, watershed protection, and other features. The planning team has communities. The draft EIS will recreation needs. conducted eligibility studies for examine possible economic and social (b) Management Area 20—Wild and portions of the Glover and Mountain impacts to local communities and at Scenic River Corridors: Fork Rivers. a broader regional level.) approximately 6,735 acres (all Range (cattle grazing): Cattle grazing Preliminary Proposal unsuitable for timber production). Management Area 20 consists of is a traditional use of the acquired lands The Forest Service has prepared a that developed over many years when corridors of rivers eligible or preliminary proposal to address the six potentially eligible for inclusion in the lands were in private ownership. primary decisions and now seeks This activity and land use is a source of the National Wild and Scenic comments on this proposal. Comments Rivers System. Within the Broken income for some local cattle owners. received will be used to develop Cattle grazing has long been recognized Bow unit, segments of the Mountain alternatives to the preliminary proposal. Fork and Glover Rivers would be as one of the important multiple uses of (1) Modification of forest-wide goals, National Forest land when managed in included in this Management Area. objectives, standards, and/or (c) Management Area 22-Shortleaf a way that ensures protection of guidelines (if needed): The Forest Pine-Bluestem Renewal and Red- ecological values. Service does not believe that such Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Curently 19 individuals have modifications are warranted at this Management Area: approximately temporary permits to use portions of the time. In other words, the 51,110 acres (including lands acquired lands to graze about 1,000 preliminary proposal is to manage suitable and unsuitable for timber head of cattle. (These permittees had the acquired lands in the Broken production). Management Area 22 grazing permits with Weyerhaeuser for Bow unit under the current forest- includes National Forest lands that these lands prior to the exchange.) Many wide goals and objectives of the historically provided or currently of these are ‘‘on/off’’ permits, with the Forest Plan. provide nesting and/or foraging cattle grazing freely between private (2) Allocation of lands and waters to habitat for the red-cockaded lands and National Forest lands. The management areas: Allocate the woodpecker and that are dedicated majority of National Forest lands are approximately 111,580 acres of the to renewal of the shortleaf pine- included in the permit areas, but most Broken Bow unit as described bluestem grass ecosystem. Forest of the grazing occurs on roadsides and below. (Unless noted otherwise, management activities include in young plantations that have not Management Area numbers refer to periodic thinning, prescribed fire, reached crown closure. There are few those in the current Forest Plan.). and regeneration by the two-aged fences on the property lines. All acreage estimates are subject to shelterwood method. No actions While some of the following change on the basis of future site- would be taken that would additional topics will be discussed in specific analysis and planning. diminish the roadless the draft EIS, no specific decisions Items (a) through (d) describe the characteristics of inventoried concerning them will be made in this Management Area allocations that roadless areas within this amendment: can be readily displayed at the scale Management Area. 1. Location of grazing allotments, of a Forest map. Items (e) through (d) Management Area 23 (new to the identification of individual grazing (j) describe those Management Forest Plan)—Broken Bow Lake permittees, or specific conditions for Areas that cannot be displayed on (area): approximately 23,850 acres grazing (such as number of animals a Forest map scale. A map (including lands suitable and allowed, permitted use periods, range displaying the four allocations unsuitable for timber production). improvements). (Management Areas 20, 22, and 23 Management Area 23 would 2. Project-level decisions such as and ‘‘General Forest’’) is available include lands that can be seen from construction of recreation facilities for public review at 100 Reserve the main part of the lake and most (e.g., trails or campgrounds) and Street, Federal Building, Second other National Forest lands east of identification of individual timber Floor, Hot Springs, Arkansas and on Highway 259 and south of the sales or road closures. the Internet at: www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ proposed boundary of Management 3. Level of funding the county will mccurtain/. Area 22. The emphasis would be on receive in any given year from ‘‘25 (a) General Forest (typically a conserving and enhancing the area’s percent returns.’’ (The Forest Service combination of Management Areas unique combination of recreational,
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aesthetic, wildlife habitat, and the Broken Bow unit may be qualifies for classification as water quality values and benefits. suitable for timber production. Of ‘‘scenic’’ because it is free of The following Management Areas these lands, at least 32,000 acres impoundments, has shorelines or cannot be displayed at the fairly coarse consist of loblolly pine plantations. watersheds still largely primitive scale of a Forest map. Some of the ones The disposal of 28,093 acres of and shorelines largely undeveloped, likely to be applied to the Broken Bow coastal plain lands (former portions and has several access points and Unit by the Forest Plan amendment of the Tiak Ranger District) and the road crossings. The Forest Service include: addition of approximately 111,580 will complete a report to determine (e) Management Area 9—Water and acres in the mountainous part of if this segment of the Glover River Riparian Areas (ponds, lakes, McCurtain County has resulted in is suitable for inclusion in the streamside zones, and riparian an estimated net increase of about NWSR System. Segment II—12.5 25,750 acres of National Forest land areas; streamside zones have stream miles, beginning at the suitable for timber production. minimum widths of 100 feet to both southern limit of the Forest Further analysis of timber sides of perennial streams and 30 proclamation boundary south to the suitability will be included in the feet both sides of all other streams), confluence with Little River. draft EIS. Because this segment of the Glover all considered unsuitable for timber (4) Re-determination of forest-wide production: approximately 12,600 River is in private ownership and allowable sale quantity (ASQ) (if outside the National Forest acres plus approximately 11,550 needed): The land base suitable for acres of equivalent streamside proclamation boundary, the Forest timber production for the Ouachita Service will not conduct an management zones in Management National Forest has increased as a Area 22 for a total of approximately eligibility and suitability study. result of the land exchange, but the Such a study would be more 24,150 acres in streamside average timber productivity of the management zones. appropriately conducted by a State acquired lands in Oklahoma is less agency. (f) Management Area 10—Nonforest than that of the former National Mountain Fork River: Segment I—15.9 (consists of roads, rights-of-ways, Forest lands that are now in private stream miles, including that part of and special uses located within ownership. The interdisciplinary the river from the Oklahoma- other Management Areas): team will conduct analyses to Arkansas State line, T1S, R27E, Sec. estimated acres will be supplied in determine the net change, if any, in the draft EIS. ASQ. 3, downstream to the Forest (g) Management Area 11—Not (5) Identification of lands suitable and proclamation boundary at the Appropriate for Timber Production potentially available for cattle Oklahoma Highway 4 bridge, T1S, (lands of low productivity, i.e., 20 grazing: Most of the acquired lands R25E, Sec. 24. This segment of the to 49 cubic feet of tree growth per appear to be suitable for controlled Mountain Fork is entirely in private acre per year; site index for grazing. The capability of these ownership and outside the National hardwood generally less than 60 lands for producing forage for Forest proclamation boundary. The and for pine, less than 50): grazing animals will be analyzed Forest Service will not conduct an estimated acres will be supplied in and reported in the draft EIS. eligibility or suitability study of this the draft EIS. (6) Determination of the eligibility and stretch of river. Such a study would (h) Management Area 12— suitability of the Glover and be more appropriately conducted by Nonproductive (areas of rock Mountain Fork Rivers for possible a State agency. Segment II—9.1 outcrops or shallow soils on which congressional designation as Wild miles, including that part of the tree growth is less than 20 cubic and Scenic Rivers: The river from the Forest proclamation feet per year): estimated acres will interdisciplinary team has made a boundary at the Oklahoma Highway be supplied in the draft EIS. preliminary determination that the 4 bridge downstream to the upper (i) Management Area 13—Unsuitable portion of the Glover River within end of Broken Bow Lake (600-foot Lands Based on Other Resource National Forest boundaries should elevation level). This segment is Coordination (lands unsuitable for be recommended for inclusion in eligible for designation under the timber production that are not the National Wild and Scenic Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because included in other Management Rivers System; the team will not it is free flowing and has Areas): estimated acres will be recommend the portions of the outstandingly remarkable scenic, supplied in the draft EIS. Mountain Fork River within recreational, fish and wildlife, (j) Management Area 18—Visually National Forest boundaries for such geological, and archaeological/ Sensitive Foreground Areas, Roads inclusion at this time. historical values. It qualifies as and Trails (foreground area along Glover River: Segment I—19.5 stream ‘‘scenic’’ because it is free of sensitivity level 1 and 2 roads, e.g., miles, beginning at the confluence impoundments, has shorelines or major highways and major forest of East and West Forks, T3S, R23E, watersheds still largely primitive roads, and trails): estimated acres Sec. 7, and extending south to the and shorelines largely undeveloped, will be supplied in the draft EIS. Forest proclamation boundary, T5S, and has several access points and (3) Identification of lands suitable for R23E, Sec. 9 (about 0.8 mile road crossings. Because of limited timber production: Based upon an downstream from the bridge on National Forest ownership in this analysis of satellite imagery, slope road 50000). This segment (and segment (2.3 miles), it would be and soils data, the preliminary possibly lower portions of Cedar more appropriate for a State agency assignment of lands and waters to and Carter Creeks) is eligible to complete any further studies. four major Management Areas because the stream is free flowing Segment III—11.1 stream miles, (described above), and estimates of and has outstandingly remarkable beginning at the Broken Bow dam streamside management zones, the scenic, recreational, fish and and extending downstream to the interdisciplinary team estimates wildlife, geological and National Forest proclamation that approximately 54,000 acres of archaeological/historic values. It boundary at U.S. Highway 70, T6S,
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R26E, Sec. 7. Although containing available to the Forest Service at a time In the October 1, 1998, Federal outstandingly remarkable scenic when it can meaningfully consider them Register (63 FR 52678), GIPSA asked and recreational values, this and respond to them in the final persons interested in providing official segment of river is not considered environmental impact statement. services in the geographic area assigned free flowing and, therefore, is not To assist the Forest Service in to Central Illinois to submit an eligible for inclusion in the identifying and considering issues and application for designation. NWSRS. concerns on the proposed action, Applications were due by October 30, comments on the draft environmental 1998. There were two applicants: Possible Alternatives impact statement should be as specific Central Illinois and Turner Grain The alternatives briefly summarized as possible. It is also helpful if Services, Inc. (Turner). Central Illinois below have been discussed by the comments refer to specific pages or interdisciplinary team; others will be chapters of the draft statement. applied for designation to provide developed in response to public issues. Comments may also address the official services in the entire area (1) Increase extent of Management Area adequacy of the draft environmental currently assigned to them. Turner, 22. Increase Management Area 22 impact statement or the merits of the currently operating an unofficial grain (renewal of the shortleaf pine- alternatives formulated and discussed in inspection business not designated by bluestem ecosystem) to encompass the statement. Reviewers may wish to GIPSA under the authority of the Act, more acreage, including most of the refer to the Council on Environmental applied for designation to provide land tentatively proposed for Quality Regulations for implementing official services in a portion of the allocation to Management Areas 14 the procedural provisions of the Central Illinois area. Turner applied for and 23. National Environmental Policy Act at 40 the area bounded on the North by (2) Establish a single Management Area CFR part 1503.3 in addressing these Interstate 74; bounded on the East by 23 (Broken Bow Lake Management points. Interstate 155; bounded on the South by Area) east of Highway 259, divided Responsible Official: The Responsible Illinois Route 136; and bounded on the into 23a (Habitat Management Area Official is Elizabeth Estill, Regional West by the western Tazewell County for Red-cockaded Woodpecker) and Forester, Southern Region of the USDA line, and the western Peoria County line 23b [lower Lake area] instead of 22 Forest Service, located at 1720 north to Interstate 74. and 23). This alternative would be Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, GA developed to show a more integrated 30367. The October 1, 1998, Federal Register also asked for comments on the services picture of management direction Dated: March 24, 1999. provided by Central Illinois. GIPSA did within the Broken Bow Lake/ George Wayne Kelley, Mountain Fork River area. Standards not receive any comments. Deputy Regional Forester. and guidelines would change little. In the December 1, 1998, Federal (3) Increase the extent of Management [FR Doc. 99–8010 Filed 3–31–99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410±11±M Register (63 FR 66118), GIPSA asked for Area 14. Allocate more land to the comments on the applicants for the Management Area that yields most of Central Illinois area. GIPSA received the wood products from the Ouachita DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE two comments by the deadline: both National Forest. were from grain companies that said Further Information Concerning Public Grain Inspection, Packers and they were familiar with the services Comments on the Draft EIS Stockyards Administration provided by Central Illinois and Turner, The Forest Service believes, at this Designation for the Central Illinois (IL) and both supported designation of both early stage, that it is important to give Area organizations. reviewers notice of several court rulings GIPSA evaluated all available AGENCY: related to public participation in the Grain Inspection, Packers and information regarding the designation Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). environmental review process. First, criteria in Section 7(f)(1)(A) of the Act reviewers of draft environmental impact ACTION: Notice. and, according to Section 7(f)(1)(B), statements must structure their SUMMARY: GIPSA announces designation determined that Central Illinois is better participation in the environmental able to provide official services in the review of the proposal so that it is of Central Illinois Grain Inspection, Inc. geographic area for which they applied. meaningful and alerts an agency to the (Central Illinois) to provide official reviewer’s position and contentions. services under the United States Grain Effective June 1, 1999, and ending Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. Standards Act, as amended (Act). May 31, 2002, Central Illinois is NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, EFFECTIVE DATE: June 1, 1999. designated to provide official services in environmental objections that could be ADDRESSES: USDA, GIPSA, Janet M. the Central Illinois geographic area raised at the draft environmental impact Hart, Chief, Review Branch, Compliance specified in the October 1, 1998, statement stage but that are not raised Division, STOP 3604, Room 1647–S, Federal Register. until after completion of the final 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–3604. Interested persons may obtain official environmental impact statement may be services by contacting Central Illinois at FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: waived or dismissed by the courts. City 309–827–7121. of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, Janet M. Hart, at 202–720–8525. 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Authority: Pub. L. 94–582, 90 Stat. 2867, Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. action has been reviewed and as amended (7 U.S.C. 71 et seq.). 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of determined not to be a rule or regulation Dated: March 17, 1999. these court rulings, it is very important as defined in Executive Order 12866 Neil E. Porter, that those interested in this proposed and Departmental Regulation 1512–1; Director, Compliance Division. action participate by the close of the therefore, the Executive Order and [FR Doc. 99–7995 Filed 3–31–99; 8:45 am] comment period so that substantive Departmental Regulation do not apply comments and objections are made to this action. BILLING CODE 3410±EN±P
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