Federal Register/Vol. 71, No. 166/Monday, August 28, 2006/Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 166 / Monday, August 28, 2006 / Notices 50883

address listed under FOR FURTHER Tongass Land and Resource Bay, west of False Bay and Chatham INFORMATION CONTACT. You may also file Management Plan (Forest Plan) criteria Strait, and south of Icy Strait, along written comments at the time of the for old growth reserves, a non- National Forest System Road #8530; it meeting. Please refer to Docket No. significant Forest Plan amendment to lies within the Iyouktug and Suntaheen APHIS–2006–0136 when submitting change the boundaries of the small old- Creek valleys and includes Whitestone your comments. growth habitat reserves (OGRs) will be Harbor. The project area is in part of the Proposed Action. Townships 43–44 South, and Ranges Parking and Security Procedures DATES: Opportunities for comment are 62–64 East, Copper River Meridian. Please note that a fee of $2.25 is available throughout the analysis Purpose and Need required to enter the parking lot at the process. Those interested in receiving a USDA Center. The machine accepts $1 scoping package should contact us at The purpose and need for the bills and quarters. the address below. Comments Iyouktug Timber Sales project is to: (1) Upon entering the building, visitors concerning this stage of the project will Maintain and promote wood production should inform security personnel that be most helpful if received by October from suitable timber lands, providing a they are attending the Advisory 2, 2006. Additional opportunities for supply of wood to meet society’s needs; Committee Meeting on Foreign Animal comment will be provided after release (2) Seek to provide a stable supply of and Poultry Diseases, and contact the of the Draft EIS, which is expected to be timber from the Tongass National Forest APHIS Veterinary Services Emergency published September 2007. A 45-day which meets the annual planning-cycle Management office at (301) 734–8073 comment period will begin the date the market demand, while managing these from the lobby telephone to be ushered Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lands for sustained long-term yields, to the meeting. Photo identification is publishes the Notice of Availability in consistent with sound multiple-use and required. Visitor badges must be worn at the Federal Register. The final sustained-yield objectives; (3) Seek to all times while inside the building. environmental impact statement and provide a long-term, stable supply of decision are expected December 2007. timber for local sawmills and timber Done in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of operators; and (4) Provide a diversity of August 2006. ADDRESSES: Send or hand deliver opportunities for resource uses that written comments to: IDT Leader, Sitka Kevin Shea, contribute to the local and regional Ranger District, Tongass National Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant economies of Southeast Alaska to Forest, Attn: Iyouktug Timber Sales EIS, Health Inspection Service. support a wide range of natural resource 204 Siginaka Way, Sitka, AK 99835. [FR Doc. E6–14220 Filed 8–25–06; 8:45 am] employment opportunities within Send written e-mail comments to: BILLING CODE 3410–34–P Southeast Alaska’s communities. The comments-alaska-tongass- Iyouktug Timber Sales Proposed Action [email protected] with ‘‘Iyouktug EIS’’ is consistent with the 1997 Tongass in the subject line. In all DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Plan. correspondence, include your name, Forest Service address, and organization name if you Proposed Action are commenting as a representative of The Proposed Action for the Iyouktug Iyouktug Timber Sales, Hoonah Ranger an organization. District, Tongass National Forest project area is to harvest an estimated 57 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: million board feet (MMBF) of timber AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Chris Budke, Acting District Ranger, from approximately 4,430 acres of ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Hoonah Ranger District, P.O. Box 135, forested land while meeting Forest Plan Environmental Impact Statement. Hoonah, AK 99829, phone (907) 945– standards. The timber would be offered 3631 or Hans von Rekowski, Team through various small sales, and one or SUMMARY: The Department of Leader, Sitka Ranger District, 204 more large sales over a 10-year period Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare Siginaka Way, Sitka, AK 99835, phone following the Record of Decision (ROD). an Environmental Impact Statement (907) 747–4217. It is anticipated that 1 to 5 MMBF (EIS) on a proposal to harvest timber in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This EIS (averaging 3 MMBF) of timber harvested the Iyouktug valley on Chicagof Island, will tier to the EIS for the 1997 Tongass through ground-based logging systems Hoonah Ranger District of the Tongass Land and Resource Management Plan would be offered annually as small National Forest. The Proposed Action is (Forest Plan) that provides overall sales. The large sale(s) would be to harvest an estimated 57 million board guidance, goals, objectives, standards, composed primarily of units harvested feet (MMBF) of timber from guidelines, and management area through helicopter logging. The larger approximately 4,430 acres of forested direction to achieve the desired timber sale(s) would be offered land through various small sales, and condition for the project area. concurrently with the small sales. one or more larger sales, offered over a The project area is administered by Timber harvest would occur on an 10-year period. Approximately 5 miles the Hoonah Ranger District of the estimated 4,430 acres of the 9,290 acres of National Forest System road would Tongass National Forest, Hoonah, within the entire timber unit pool. Some be constructed, and 12 miles of Alaska and occurs in Value Comparison areas in the timber unit pool are not temporary road would be constructed; Units (VCU) 2080, 2090, and 2100 as being considered for timber harvest in temporary road would be closed after designated by the Forest Plan. The this Proposed Action; however, when timber management activities have been project area includes approximately other alternatives are developed, we completed. The Proposed Action would 40,650 acres. The Iyouktug project area may propose harvest in some of the include harvest of approximately 2,050 is located northwest of Iyoukeen other units in the pool. The Proposed acres and construction of approximately Peninsula on the northeastern part of Action includes approximately 2,680 3 miles of National Forest System road Chichagof Island about 12 air miles east- acres of helicopter and 1,750 acres of and 6 miles of temporary road in southeast of Hoonah, Alaska, 30 air ground-based shovel and cable yarding inventoried roadless areas. The existing miles west of Juneau, Alaska, and 15 air systems. Areas suitable for ground- Long Island log transfer facility will be miles northeast of Tenakee Springs. The based logging would be harvested either used as needed. In order to meet project area lies north of Freshwater even-aged (clearcut) or uneven-aged

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(group or single tree selection) harvest during the analysis. This Notice of on the Draft Environmental Impact prescriptions depending on terrain, tree intent (NOI) and the project scoping Statement. species, economics, or environmental letter initiate the scoping process that The Forest Service believes that at concerns. Helicopter would be uneven- guides the development of the this early scoping stage, it is important aged harvest with no more than 40% of Environmental Impact Statement. The to inform reviewers of several court the harvest-unit volume removed. All Forest Service will be seeking rulings related to public participation in timber harvest will use silvicultural information, comments and suggestions the environmental review process. First, prescriptions suited to meet the from Tribal Governments, Federal, reviewers of draft environmental impact standards and guidelines of the Tongass State, and local agencies, as well as statements must structure their Forest Plan. individuals and organizations that may participation in the environmental The Proposed Action includes be interested in, or affected by, the review of the proposal so that it is construction of approximately 5 miles of Proposed Action. This process will meaningful and alerts an agency to the National Forest System road and 12 determine the scope of the project and reviewer’s position and contentions. miles of temporary road; it would also significant issues to be analyzed in Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. include reconstruction of 3 miles of depth in the Environmental Impact NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, existing road. The existing Long Island Statement. A scoping letter has recently environmental objections that could be Log Transfer Facility (LTF) will be been mailed to interested people and raised at the Draft Environmental utilized for these sales, if needed. organizations; the scoping letter is Impact Statement stage but that are not Harvest activities are proposed to available upon request. The letter briefly raised until after completion of the Final occur only on land allocated to the describes the project and project area, Environmental Impact Statement may Timber Production Land Use the purpose and need for the project, the be waived or dismissed by the courts. Designation (LUD); the other LUDs in Proposed Action, and invites public City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F. 2d 1016, the project area are Scenic Viewshed comment. An open house meeting will 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin and Old-growth Habitat. be held in Hoonah, Alaska on Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. The Iyouktug project area includes September 6, 2006, at the Hoonah 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of two small old-growth habitat reserves Ranger District Office. The meeting will these court rulings, it is very important (OGRs) and a portion of a large OGR as be announced in local newspapers and that those interested in this Proposed designated in the Forest Plan. The small on local radio stations. Action participate by the close of the 45- OGRs are located in Value Comparison Through the scoping process the day comment period so that comments Units (VCUs) 2080, 2090, and 2100; the Interdisciplinary Planning Team will and objections are made available to the portion of the large OGR is a VCU 2100. review comments received during the Forest Service at a time during which To meet Forest Plan criteria for old- scoping period to determine which the agency can meaningfully consider growth reserves, changes to the small issues are significant and within the them and respond to them in the Final OGR boundaries will be proposed as scope of this project. The team will Environmental Impact Statement. part of this project. A non-significant develop a range of alternatives to To assist the Forest Service in Forest Plan amendment will be required address the significant issues. One of identifying and considering issues and to address these changes. these will be the ‘‘No Action’’ concerns on the Proposed Action, Harvest is proposed in unroaded areas alternative, in which no additional comments on the Draft Environmental including parts of three inventoried timber harvest or road construction is Impact Statement should be as specific roadless areas. Approximately 25,590 proposed. Other alternatives will as possible. It is also helpful if acres of the Iyouktug project area are in consider various levels and locations of comments refer to specific pages or three inventoried roadless areas; the timber harvest in response to issues and chapters of the draft statement. Proposed Action would include harvest non-timber objectives. The team will Comments may also address the of approximately 2,050 acres and then prepare a Draft Environmental adequacy of the DEIS or the merits of construction of approximately 3 miles of Impact Statement (DEIS) that will the alternatives formulated and National Forest System road and 6 miles display the alternatives and the direct, discussed in the statement. Reviewers of temporary road in inventoried indirect, and cumulative effects of each may wish to refer to the Council on roadless areas. alternative. Non-significant issues or Environmental Quality regulations for those issues that have been covered by implementing the procedural provisions Preliminary Issues a previous environmental review will be of the National Environmental Policy Tentative issues identified for discussed briefly and documented in Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing analysis in this EIS relate to the location the EIS or project planning record. these points. Comments received, and design of small Old-Growth Habitat The DEIS is expected to be filed with including the names and addresses of Reserves and connectivity, subsistence the Environmental Protection Agency those who comment, will be considered use, economics, and timber harvest in (EPA) by September 2007. The comment part of the public record on this roadless areas. Resource concerns that period on the DEIS will be 45 days from proposal and will be available for public will be considered and discussed in the the date the EPA publishes the Notice inspection. analysis include heritage resources, of Availability in the Federal Register. Comments submitted anonymously fisheries, karst features, steep slopes, In addition to commenting on the will be accepted and considered; threatened, endangered, and sensitive Proposed Action and the DEIS when it however, those who submit anonymous species, scenery, and the potential for is released, agencies and other comments will not have standing to cumulative watershed impacts in the interested persons or groups are invited appeal the subsequent decision under project area. to write to or speak with Forest Service 36 CFR part 215. Additionally, pursuant officials at any time during the planning to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may Public Participation process. Subsistence hearings, as request that the agency withhold a Public participation has been an provided for in Title VIII, section 810 of submission from the public record by integral component of the analysis the Alaska National Interest Lands showing how the Freedom of process and will continue to be Conservation Act (ANILCA), will be Information Act (FOIA) permits such especially important at several points conducted during the comment period confidentiality. Persons requesting such

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confidentiality should be aware that, Nature of the Decision To Be Made the Committee may file written under the FOIA, confidentiality may be The responsible official will decide statements with the Committee staff granted in only very limited whether or not to authorize timber before or after the meeting. Public input circumstances, such as to protect trade harvest within the Iyouktug project area, sessions will be provided and secrets. The Forest Service will inform and if so, how this timber would be individuals who made written requests persons requesting confidentiality of the harvested. The responsible official by September 6, 2006, will have the agency’s decision regarding their would also determine the location of opportunity to address the Committee at request, and where the request is OGR boundaries. The Responsible those sessions. denied, the agency will return the Official will consider the comments, Dated: August 19, 2006. submission and notify the requester that responses, and disclosure of Elaine J. Zieroth, the comments may be resubmitted with environmental consequences displayed Forest Supervisor, Apache-Sitgreaves or without the name and address within in the FEIS, and applicable laws, National Forests. seven days. regulations, and policies in making a [FR Doc. 06–7194 Filed 8–25–06; 8:45 am] Permits or Licenses Required decision. The Responsible Official will BILLING CODE 3410–11–M state the decision and the rationale for The permits listed below are required the decision in the Record of Decision to implement the project, if the Long (ROD). Island LTF is used. These permits are DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE current and are held by Huna Totem (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; International Trade Administration Corporation. The Forest Service has a Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) cost-share agreement with the Huna A–570–863 Totem Corporation to utilize the LTF Dated: August 21, 2006. under the following permits: Forrest Cole, Honey from the People’s Republic of Forest Supervisor. China: Notice of Extension of Time 1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [FR Doc. 06–7198 Filed 8–25–06; 8:45 am] Limit for Final Results of 2004/2005 —Approval of discharge of dredged or BILLING CODE 3410–11–M New Shipper Reviews fill material into the waters of the AGENCY: Import Administration, United States under Section 404 of International Trade Administration, the Clean Water Act; DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Department of Commerce. —Approval of the construction of structures or work in navigable waters Forest Service EFFECTIVE DATE: August 28, 2006. of the United States under section 10 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eastern Arizona Counties Resource of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899; Kristina Boughton or Bobby Wong, AD/ Advisory Committee CVD Operations, Office 9, Import 2. U.S. Environmental Protection AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Administration, International Trade Agency Administration, U.S. Department of ACTION: Notice of meeting. —Storm water discharge permit/ Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution National Pollutant Discharge SUMMARY: The Eastern Arizona Counties Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; Elimination System review under Resource Advisory Committee will meet telephone: (202) 482–8173 or (202) 482– section 402 of the Clean Water Act in Overgaard, Arizona. The purpose of 0409, respectively. (402); the meeting is to evaluate project SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: —Review Spill Prevention Control and proposals for possible funding in Background Countermeasure Plan; accordance with Pub. L. 106–393 (the Secure Rural Schools and Community On June 7, 2006, the Department of 3. State of Alaska, Department of Self-Determination Act). Commerce (the Department) published Environmental Conservation DATES: The meeting will be held in the Federal Register the preliminary —Certification of Compliance with September 22, 2006 starting at 11 a.m. results of these new shipper reviews. Alaska Water Quality Standards (401 ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Honey from the People’s Republic of Certification); the fellowship room at the First China: Intent to Rescind and —Solid Waste Disposal Permit; Southern Baptist Church, 2727 Church Preliminary Results of Antidumping Lane, Overgaard, Arizona 85933. Send Duty New Shipper Reviews, 71 FR 32923 4. State of Alaska, Department of (June 7, 2006). Natural Resources (DNR) written comments to Robert Dyson, Eastern Arizona Counties Resource —Authorization for occupancy and use Extension of Time Limits for Final Advisory Committee, c/o Forest Service, Results of tidelands and submerged lands. In USDA, P.O. Box 640, Springerville, addition to the above permits, the Section 751(a)(2)(B)(iv) of the Tariff Arizona 85938 or electronically to Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), and Forest Service is required to obtain [email protected]. concurrence from the State of Alaska, 19 CFR 351.214(i)(1) require the Office of Project Management & FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Department to issue the preliminary Permitting (in the Department of Robert Dyson, Public Affairs Officer, results of a new shipper review within Natural Resources) on a coastal zone Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 180 days after the date on which the consistency determination to proceed (928) 333–4301. new shipper review was initiated and with the Proposed Action. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final results of a review within 90 days meeting is open to the public. after the date on which the preliminary Responsible Official Committee discussion is limited to results were issued. The Department The Forest Supervisor, Tongass Forest Service staff, project proponents, may, however, extend the deadline for National Forest, Federal Building, 648 and Committee members. However, completion of the final results of a new Mission Street, Ketchikan, Alaska persons who wish to bring Pub. L. 106– shipper review to 150 days if it 99901, is the responsible official. 393 related matters to the attention of determines that the case is

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