Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 48 / Thursday, March 11, 2004 / Notices 11589

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will Allotments include water bodies that NRDC, 435 U.S. 5129,553 (1978). Also prepare an environmental impact are impaired or are tributary to streams environmental objections that could be statement (EIS) to disclose the that are impaired, but they do not raised at the draft environmental impact environmental effects of reissuing 10- exceed the State standard for total statement stage but that are not raised year term grazing permits to continue maximum daily load (TMDL) of until after completion of the final authorizing cattle grazing on eight pollutants, so the streams and lakes on environmental impact statement may be grazing allotments (North-Indian Creek, these allotments are not included on the waived or dismissed by the courts. City Circleville, South Beaver, Marysvale, State’s 303(d) list of waters not meeting of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, Pine Creek/Sulphurdale, Cottonwood, water quality standards. The Circleville 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Ten Mile, Junction) within the Beaver Allotment includes streams that flow to Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F.Supp. Ranger District and located on the a segment of the Sevier River that is 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). because of Tushar Mountain Range near the city of water quality limited, but no 303(d) these court rulings, it is very important Beaver in Beaver and Piute Counties, streams are located in the Circleville that those interested in this proposed Utah. The permit reissuance would Allotment. action participate by the close of the 45 authorize the continued use of current Proposed Action: Reissuing 10-year day comment period so that substantive grazing systems with presently term grazing permits to continue comments and objections are made permitted cattle numbers and seasons of authorizing cattle grazing, on eight available to the Forest Service at a time use. allotments on the Tushar Mountain when it can meaningfully consider them DATES: Comments in response to this Range within the Beaver Ranger District, and respond to them in the final Notice of Intent concerning the scope of is proposed. Implementation of existing environmental impact statement. the analysis should be received in Allotment Management Plans (AMPs) To assist the Forest Service in writing on or before April 5, 2004. would prescribe the manner and extent identifying and considering issues and ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: to which livestock operations would be concerns on the proposed action, Tushar Mountain Range EIS, Attn: Dave conducted and would: (1) Develop comments on the draft environmental Grider, Dixie National Forest, 1785 allotment specific objectives which impact statement should be as specific North Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, UT would direct livestock management to as possible. It is also helpful if 84720. Additional information can be either maintain desired conditions or comments refer to specific pages or obtained from Dave Grider, improve rangelands to desired chapters of the draft statement. Interdisciplinary Team Leader, by conditions, (2) authorize management of Comments may also address the phone: 435–865–3731 or by e-mail: livestock and construction or adequacy of the draft environmental [email protected]. maintenance of improvements which impact statement or the merits of the RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: Dayle Flanigan, would result in meeting objectives, (3) alternatives formulated and discussed in develop action plans to meet resource the statement. Reviewers may wish to District Ranger, is the responsible official for this environmental impact goals, objectives, and management refer to the Council on Environmental requirements for a wide array of Quality Regulations for implementing statement. His address is: U.S. Forest Service, Beaver Ranger District, 575 rangeland resources and uses the procedural provisions of the concurrent with livestock grazing, (4) National Environmental Policy Act at 40 South Main, P.O. Box E, Beaver, UT, 84713. incorporate Land and Resource CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Management Plan (Forest Plan) Comments received, including the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: standards and guidelines (as amended) names and addresses of those who Dave Grider, Interdisciplinary Team for forage utilization and riparian area comment, will be considered part of the Leader, Dixie National Forest, 1789 N. management, and (5) develop a public record on this proposal and will Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, UT monitoring plan that describes a be available to public inspection. 84720, (435) 865–3731. A Scoping measurable means of determining (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 1508.22; Forest Document has been prepared to provide whether goals and objectives are being Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21) project information and request public met. This proposed action does not Dated: March 4, 2004. review and comment. This Scoping intend to address livestock capacity and Jerry B. Reese, Document can be accessed stocking rates. The number and class of electronically at http://www.fs.fed.us/ Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National livestock, season of use, and grazing Forest. r4/fishlake/projects/index.shtml. system required to meet desired [FR Doc. 04–5469 Filed 3–10–04; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These conditions is a permit administration BILLING CODE 3410–11–M eight allotments comprise 173,000 acres decision, not a NEPA decision. Changes (two-thirds) of the 260,000-acre District in numbers and seasons would not be on the eastern edge of the Basin and adressed by the proposed action or DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Range province. Elevations range from alternative(s). The proposal does not 5,200′ in Sevier Valley to over 12,000′ intend to change the grazing systems Forest Service on Mount Belknap in the Tushar Range. currently in use. None of the project Vegetation types range from sagebrush- allotments require new structural range Reissuance of 10-Year Term Grazing grass and pinion-juniper in the valley improvements (fences or water Permits and Authorization To Graze floors to mountain brush, aspen, mixed developments) for cattle management. Cattle in the Tushar Mountain Range, conifer, and alpine-forb communities. The proposed action does include Beaver Ranger District, Fishlake Riparian ecosystems occur within many provision for maintenance of existing National Forest in Iron and Piute of these communities. Alpine riparian structural and non-structural range Counties, UT areas occur on Lake Peak and in the improvements. Vegetation type- AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. heads of North Creek. The major river conversions (sagebrush and pinion- drainage is Beaver River, which flows juniper to grass/forb types) would be ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an into the closed Great Basin. The South subject to periodic maintenance on the Environmental Impact Statement. Beaver and North-Indian Creek North-Indian Creek, Marysvale,

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Circleville, Ten Mile, Cottonwood, considered. The EIS will disclose the individuals or organizations that may be South Beaver, and Pine Creek/ analysis of site-specific mitigation interested in or affected by the proposed Sulphurdale Allotments. Maintenance measures and their effectiveness. action. No public meetings are of existing structural range Scoping Process: Public participation scheduled at this time. Comments will improvements would include 113 miles is an important part of the analysis, be used to identify any additional issues of fences, 27 cattle guards, 48 developed commencing with the initial scoping that should be addressed in the springs, 48 stock ponds, 29 miles of process (40 CFR 1501.7), which began in environmental impact statement. The pipeline, and 60 watering troughs. February 1998. At that time, an analysis is being conducted in Noxious weed infestations would Interdisciplinary Team of Forest Service compliance with the National require treatment on all of the resource specialists conducted an in- Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and is allotments except Ten Mile, Junction, depth analysis of 36 cattle allotments designed to inform the Responsible and Cottonwood. (including the 8 allotments in this Official of the potential environmental Purpose and Need for Action: The proposed action) and 6 sheep allotments consequences of continued livestock purpose of the proposed action is to in a Forest-wide multi-allotment level grazing on these eight allotments and to authorize and conduct cattle grazing, on environmental assessment. A final identify any changes in grazing allotments included in this analysis, decision was made, which was practices that should be considered. The according to direction and objectives of subsequently appealed, pursuant to 36 Draft EIS is expected to be filed with the the Forest Plan and in compliance with CFR 215.17, and Fishlake National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applicable laws, regulations, and Forest Supervisor Rob Mwroka and available for public review by or policies. Term grazing permits and withdrew the decision in June 2000. prior to June of 2004. At that time, the associated AMPs currently authorize Based on the complexities of the EPA will publish a Notice of cattle grazing on the Beaver Ranger original EA, the Forest Supervisor Availability of the Draft EIS in the District. The proposed action is needed decided to complete an environmental Federal Register. The comment period to address significant grazing issues, analysis that only addressed forage on the Draft EIS will be 45 days from the relate existing conditions to desired utilization criteria, and to incorporate date the EPA’s notice of availability conditions, and to conduct analysis in new use criteria through an amendment appears in the Federal Register. It is accordance with Section 504 of Pub. L. to the Forest Plan. This EA was very important that those interested in 104–19 (Rescission Bill, Signed 7/27/95) completed during 2001 and the Decision management of the eight project which directed the Forest Service to Notice was signed in February 2002 allotments on the Beaver Ranger District complete NEPA analysis on all grazing directing incorporation of the revised participate at that time. To be most allotments. The Forest Plan provides the criteria into Part 3 of the Term Grazing helpful, comments on the Draft EIS overall guidance for management Permits. Concurrently, and upon review should be as site-specific as possible. activities in the potentially affected area of the environmental analysis process The Final EIS is scheduled to be through its goals, objectives, standards and varying public interests, the Forest completed by September 2004. and guidelines, and management area Supervisor decided that separate direction. Environmental Impact Statements Early Notice of Importance of Public Nature of Decision To Be Made: The (EISs), for each group of allotments on Participation in Subsequent decision to be made is ‘‘should 10-year each of the Forest’s four mountain Environmental Review: A draft term grazing permits be reissued to ranges and respective ranger districts, environmental impact statement (DEIS) authorize continued cattle grazing on would be prepared to assess the effects will be prepared for comment. The the eight allotments within the Tushar of authorizing and permitting livestock comment period on the DEIS will be 45 Mountain Range on the Beaver Ranger grazing. Public comments received days from the date the Environmental District.’’ If the decision is to reissue during the completion of the original Protection Agency publishes the notice term grazing permits to continue cattle multi-allotment Forest-wide EA of availability in the Federal Register. grazing, then management prescriptions, referenced above will be incorporated The Forest Service believes, at this early detailed in AMPs, will be implemented into this EIS analysis process. A stage, it is important to give reviewers to outline how livestock will be grazed disclosure of the effects of livestock notice of several court rulings related to and to ensure compliance with Forest grazing on the following resources and public participation in the Plan direction. activities will be provided: riparian environmental review process. First, Possible Alternatives: The Forest areas, endangered and sensitive plant reviewers of draft environmental impact Service will consider a range of and wildlife species habitats, soil and statements must structure their alternatives. One of these will be the water quality within the allotments, participation in the environmental ‘‘no grazing’’ alternative, in which no forage competition between elk and review of the proposal so that it is grazing by domestic livestock would be livestock, conflicts with recreational meaningful and alerts an agency to the allowed and all structural range activities, potential spread of noxious reviewer’s position and contentions. improvements currently in place for weeds, effect of livestock and their Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp v. control or management of livestock management on cultural resources, and NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, would be removed. New term grazing economic stability of the local and environmental objections that could be permits would not be issued as current regional agricultural communities. This raised at the draft environmental impact permits expire. In ten years, this area list will be verified, expanded, refined, statement stage but that are not raised would not provide any grazing for or modified based on public scoping for until after completion of the final domestic livestock. Additional grazing this proposal. environmental impact statement may be alternatives will be considered in Comments Requested: In addition to waived or dismissed by the courts. City response to issues and other resource this scoping, the public may visit Forest of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, values. The EIS will analyze the direct, Service officials at any time during the 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin indirect, and cumulative environmental analysis and prior to the decision. The Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. effects of the alternatives. Past, present, Forest Service is seeking information, 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of and projected activities on both private comments, and assistance from Federal, these court rulings, it is very important and National Forest lands will be State, and local agencies and other that those interested in this proposed

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action participate by the close of the 30- the meeting. Board members will review provided and individuals will have the day scoping comment period (April 1, written comments received, and at their opportunity to address the Committee at 2004) so that substantive comments and request, oral clarification may be that time. objections are made available to the requested at a future meeting. Dated: March 4, 2004. Forest Service at a time when it can DATES: The meeting will be held on Blaine P. Baker, meaningfully consider them and Friday, April 2, 2004, 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 Designated Federal Officer. respond to them in the Final p.m., c.s.t. [FR Doc. 04–5468 Filed 3–10–04; 8:45 am] Environmental Impact Statement. To ADDRESSES : The meeting will be held at BILLING CODE 3410–11–M assist the Forest Service in identifying Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land and considering issues on the proposed Between the Lakes, and will be open to action, comments should be as specific the public. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE as possible. It is also helpful if FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: comments refer to specific pages or Sharon Byers, Advisory Board Liaison, Forest Service chapters of the draft statement. Land Between the Lakes, 100 Van Comments may also address the Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, Kentucky Revisions of the Land and Resource adequacy of the Draft Environmental 42211, 270–924–2002. Management Plan for the Malheur, Impact Statement or the merits of the Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman alternatives formulated and discussed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: None. National Forests, Land and Resource the statement. Reviewers may wish to Dated: March 5, 2004. Management Plans, Pacific Northwest refer to the Council on Environmental William P. Lisowsky, Region, OR, WA, and ID Quality Regulations for implementing Area Supervisor, Land Between the Lakes. AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. the procedural provisions of the [FR Doc. 04–5442 Filed 3–10–04; 8:45 am] ACTION: Notice of intent to revise the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 BILLING CODE 3410–11–P CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points. Land and Resource Management Plans Dated: March 1, 2004. (Forest Plans) for the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Mary Erickson, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forests. Forest Supervisor, Fishlake National Forest. Forest Service [FR Doc. 04–5463 Filed 3–10–04; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: This notice announces the BILLING CODE 3410–11–P Lake County Resource Advisory intent of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Committee Wallowa-Whitman National Forests to revise their respective Land and DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. Resource Management Plans (Forest ACTION: Notice of meeting. Plans) under the 1982 planning Forest Service regulations (36 CFR part 219). Initial SUMMARY: The Lake County Resource steps of the revision process will focus Meeting of the Land Between the Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a on information needs, resource Lakes Advisory Board meeting. inventory reviews, establishing a public AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. DATES: The meeting will be held on collaboration process, and identifying ACTION: Notice of meeting. April 29, 2004, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. needed changes. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at ADDRESSES: Send written comments SUMMARY: The Land Between the Lakes the Lake County Board of Supervisor’s concerning this notice to Dave Schmitt, Advisory Board will hold a meeting on Chambers at 255 North Forbes Street, Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision Friday, April 2, 2004. Notice of this Lakeport. Team Leader, 1550 Dewey Avenue, P.O. meeting is given under the Federal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Box 907, Baker City, OR 97814. Send Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. Debbie McIntosh, Committee electronic correspondence on the forest 2. Coordinator, USDA, Mendocino plan revision to [email protected]. The meeting agenda includes the National Forest, Upper Lake Ranger FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: following: (1) Welcome/introductions/agenda; District, 10025 Elk Mountain Road, Tami Paulsen, Public Affairs Specialist, (2) LBL Land and Resource Upper Lake, CA 95485. (707) 275–2361; Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision Management Plan (LRMP) process E-mail [email protected]. Team (541) 523–1332. update; SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest (3) Information session presentation & items to be covered include: (1) Roll Plans for the Malheur, Umatilla, and critique for the LRMP; Call/Establish Quorum; (2) Review and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests (4) Summary of changes, preferences, Approval of the Minutes of the January were completed in May, June, and April and discussion; 15, 2004 Meeting; (3) Finalize business of 1990 (respectively) and will remain (5) Planning schedule; for 2003; (4) Reevaluate Previously in effect and continue to be (6) Board discussion of comments Submitted Projects Not Approved; (5) implemented until the Plans are revised. received. Discuss and Set Field Trip Dates; (6) This notice addresses initiation of The meeting is open to the public. RAC New Letter; (7) Discuss revision. Once the scope of the revision Written comments are invited and may Appointments to RAC for Second is better understood the Forests will be mailed to: William P. Lisowsky, Area Terms; (8) Review New Project for 2004; issue a Notice of Intent to prepare an Supervisor, Land Between the Lakes, (9) Recommend Projects for 2004; (10) Environmental Impact Statement, which 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, Discuss Project Cost Accounting USFS/ will initiate the Analysis process Kentucky 42211. Written comments County of Lake; (11) Set next Meeting outlined in the National Environmental must be received at Land Between the Date and; (12) Public Comment Period. Policy Act. Lakes by March 25, 2004, in order for The meeting is open to the public. The Forest Service is preparing new copies to be provided to the members at Public input opportunity will be planning regulations, which may be

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