Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 175 / Friday, September 11, 2009 / Notices 46739 

acres within 98 treatment units. 

Harvesting would be accomplished by 

utilizing ground-based, skyline, and 

helicopter logging systems. Actions 

connected with commercial timber 

harvest include: 

a. Treating harvest activity generated 

fuel; 

b. Constructing approximately 1.9 

miles of new temporary road, and reopening/re-utilizing approximately 5.1 

miles of existing non-system roads; 

c. Constructing new landings and 

reutilization of existing landings; 

d. Hauling of commercial timber 

products on County Road 501 and 

Forest Service System roads within the 

planning area; 

e. Felling and removal, where 

appropriate, of hazard trees along haul 

routes; and 

f. Decommissioning, maintaining, and 

reconstructing roads as needed. 

2. Fuelbreaks or corridors would be 

strategically placed along 39 miles of 

road. 

Responsible Official 

The responsible official is the Forest 

Supervisor, Six Rivers National Forest. 

Nature of Decision To Be Made 

The responsible official will decide 

whether to implement the proposed 

action, no action or other alternatives 

considered under analysis. He will 

consider the comments, responses, 

disclosure of environmental 

consequences, and applicable laws, 

regulations, and policies in making the 

decision and stating the rationale in the 

Record of Decision. 

Scoping Process 

This Notice of Intent initiates the 

scoping process, which guides the 

development of the Environmental 

Impact Statement. Public scoping will 

include notices in the newspaper of 

record and mailings of the scoping 

package to interested and affected 

parties and posting of the project on the 

Six Rivers National Forest project 

planning web page and notice in the 

Quarterly Schedule of Proposed 

Actions. 

It is important that reviewers provide 

their comments at such times and in 

such manner that they are useful to the 

agency’s preparation of the 

Environmental Impact Statement. 

Therefore, comments should be 

provided prior to the close of the 

comment period and should clearly 

articulate the reviewer’s concerns and 

contentions. The submission of timely 

and specific comments can affect a 

reviewer’s ability to participate in 

subsequent administrative appeal or 

judicial review. 

Dated: September 2, 2009. 

Nancy J. Gibson, 

Acting Forest Supervisor, Six Rivers National 

Forest. 

[FR Doc. E9–21808 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Gila National Forest; New Mexico; Gila 

National Forest Travel Management 

Rule Implementation 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an 

Environmental Impact Statement. 

SUMMARY: The Gila National Forest will 

prepare an Environmental Impact 

Statement to evaluate a proposed action 

that would implement the agency’s 

Travel Management Rule (TMR). The 

proposed action would eliminate cross 

country travel by motorized vehicle and 

designate a system of roads, trails and 

areas open for motorized vehicle use. 

Motor vehicle access for purposes such 

as motor vehicle-based dispersed 

camping and big game retrieval of deer 

and elk are also described. The Rule 

provides for certain exemptions such as 

emergency use, law enforcement, those 

holding a specific written authorization, 

and limited Forest Service 

administrative use. 

The full text and maps of the 

proposed action will located on the 

Forest’s Web site at http://fs.usda.gov/ 

gila (Click on the link to Travel 

Management Rule). 

The designated routes and areas will 

be published on a Motor Vehicle Use 

Map (MVUM) available free of charge to 

the public in accordance with the Travel 

Management Rule. The MVUM will be 

the primary tool for compliance and 

enforcement. 

DATES: Comments concerning the scope 

of the analysis must be received by 

October 26, 2009. The Draft 

Environmental Impact Statement is 

expected in May 2010 and the Final 

Environmental Impact Statement is 

expected September 2010. 

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to 

Gila National Forest, Attn: Travel 

Management Coordinator, 3005 E. 

Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 

88061. Comments may also be sent via 

e-mail to r3_gila_travel@fs.fed.us, or via 

facsimile to (575) 388–8222. Electronic 

attachments must be in one of the 

following formats: .doc, .rtf, .txt, or .pdf. 

It is important that reviewers provide 

their comments at such times and in 

such a way that they are useful to the 

Agency’s preparation of the EIS. 

Therefore, comments should be 

provided prior to the close of the 

comment period and should clearly 

articulate the reviewer’s concerns and 

contentions. 

Comments received in response to 

this solicitation, including names and 

addresses of those who comment, will 

be part of the public record for this 

proposed action. Comments submitted 

anonymously will be accepted and 

considered, however. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa 

Mizuno, Travel Management 

Coordinator, at (575) 388–8267 or 

r3_gila_travel@fs.fed.us. The proposed 

action, maps, and other pertinent 

information about this project can be 

found on the Forest’s Web site: http:// 

fs.usda.gov/gila (click on link to Travel 

Management Rule). 

Individuals who use 

telecommunication devices for the deaf 

(TDD) may call the Federal Information 

Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 

Time, Monday through Friday. 

Purpose and Need for Action 

There is a need to comply with 36 

CFR 212.51(a) which requires the forest 

to designate a system of roads, trails and 

areas for vehicle use by vehicle class, 

and if appropriate by time of year. 

• There is a need to manage 

motorized vehicle use on NFS lands on 

the Gila National Forest in accordance 

with the provisions of the Travel 

Management Rule and 36 CFR parts 212, 

251, and 261. 

• There is a need to comply with 36 

CFR 261.13 which requires that forests 

prohibit motor vehicle use off the 

system of designated roads, trails and 

areas (close the forest to motorized 

cross-country travel). 

• There is a need to amend the Forest 

Plan to comply with the Travel 

Management Rule. 

Proposed Action 

During 2009–2010, the Gila National 

Forest will evaluate the proposed action 

and alternative(s), with a decision 

expected in September 2010. 

As required by TMR, the Forest 

utilized the following information in 

developing the proposed action: Public 

input on needs and desires; resource 

resilience and sensitive areas; 

traditional uses and forest access; and 

effects to natural resources. Maps and 

tables show the elements of the 

proposed action that is described below: 

Maps can be found at http://fs.usda.gov/ 


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46740 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 175 / Friday, September 11, 2009 / Notices 

gila (Click on link to Travel 

Management Rule). 

The Forest proposes to: 

• Close the Forest to motorized crosscountry travel. 

• Add 8.3 miles of unauthorized 

routes and designate as National Forest 

System (NFS) roads open to all vehicle 

types. 

• Re-open 3 miles of NFS closed 

roads to all vehicle types. 

• Change vehicle type on 31.5 miles 

of NFS roads to highway legal vehicles 

only. Highway legal vehicles are those 

motor vehicles licensed under State law 

for general operation on all public roads 

within the State. 

• Change time of year on 2.8 miles of 

NFS roads to be designated seasonally 

open, for all vehicle types, from April 1 

through September 1. 

• Change the use on 275 miles of 

existing NFS roads from open to all 

motorized traffic to open for periodic 

administrative use or specific permitted 

uses only. 

• Close 962 miles of open NFS roads 

to all motorized vehicle uses. 

• Add 55 miles of unauthorized 

routes and designate as National Forest 

System (NFS) trails for motorized 

vehicles less than 50 inches in width. 

• Convert 23 miles of NFS closed or 

decommissioned roads to NFS trails for 

motorized vehicles less than 50 inches 

in width. 

• Convert 97 miles of NFS roads to 

NFS trails for motorized vehicles less 

than 50 inches in width. 

• Convert 5 miles of NFS closed or 

decommissioned roads to NFS trails for 

foot/horse use. 

• Convert 24 miles of NFS roads to 

NFS trails for foot/horse use. 

• Change 1 mile of motorized NFS 

trail to foot/horse use. 

• For the purpose of motorized 

dispersed camping, designate a 

specified distance of 300 feet on each 

side of: 

Æ 1,513 miles of designated open 

forest roads, 

Æ 1 mile of unauthorized roads, and 

Æ 6 miles of county roads. 

• Designate a specified distance of 1 

mile on each side of open forest roads, 

county roads, and State and Federal 

highways on Gila National Forest 

system lands for the purpose of 

motorized big game retrieval. 

• Designate 113.5 acres open to all 

motorized vehicle use. 

Methods and Descriptions 

The above describes the elements of 

the proposed action. The following 

describes methods and definitions of 

components of the proposed action: 

Converting Roads to Motorized or NonMotorized Trails 

The conversion of roads to motorized 

or non-motorized trails would entail 

such things as signing, restricting access 

based on type of trail designation, and 

using mechanical equipment to define 

or establish applicable tread width over 

the length. 

Motorized Dispersed Camping 

In the Gila National Forest, motorized 

dispersed camping is mostly 

characterized as vehicles towing travel 

trailers or other types of trailers and 

driving off of roads some distance and 

setting up camp. Activities or the makeup of the camp often centers around the 

vehicle or trailers. The TMR allows for 

the designation of motor vehicle use 

within specified distances of certain 

designated routes, solely for the 

purposes of dispersed camping (36 CFR 

212.51(b)). 

To continue this type of camping 

opportunity in the Forest, motor 

vehicles may be driven 300 feet off of 

each side of certain designated roads for 

purposes of motorized dispersed 

camping and would be displayed on the 

Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). A 

total of 1,520 miles of Forest and County 

roads would be available for motorized 

dispersed camping. 

Dispersed camping such as tent 

camping may occur anywhere on the 

Forest. Parking for this type of dispersed 

camping may occur along any 

designated open road. Parking would be 

limited to one vehicle length, including 

any towed trailer, from the side of the 

road. Parking should occur where it is 

safe to park (e.g. traffic), does not cause 

resource damage (e.g. ruts), or not 

already restricted. 

Big Game Retrieval 

The Forest proposes to designate a 

specified distance of 1 mile from each 

side of designated open roads, county 

roads, and State and Federal highways 

for the purpose of retrieving a downed 

big game animal, specifically limited to 

deer and elk. Hunters must possess a 

valid deer or elk license for game 

management units (GMU) 15, 16A, 16B, 

16C, 16D, 21A, 22, 23, and 24. 

Motorized big game retrieval only 

applies to those portions of GMU 15, 

16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 21A, 22, 23, and 24 

that are within the Gila National Forest 

boundary. The use of motorized 

vehicles to retrieve a legally harvested 

and tagged deer or elk is limited to a 

distance of one mile either side of Forest 

open roads, county roads, and State and 

Federal highways. The distance of one 

mile applies only to Gila National Forest 

System lands. Motorized vehicles are 

prohibited where the one mile distance 

is within: 

• National Forest Wilderness areas 

(36 CFR 261.18); 

• National Forest Primitive areas (36 

CFR 261.21); 

• Restricted roads, trails, or areas 

specified in forest orders (36 CFR 

261.50). 

All applicable New Mexico big game 

hunting regulations must be followed. 

To protect forest resources on Forest 

designated open roads or off the 

designated road system (cross-country), 

applicable laws or regulations must be 

followed, such as: 

• Roads should not be damaged and 

left in a damaged condition (36 CFR 

261.12(c)). 

• Retrieval of big game should take a 

relatively direct and safe route (R3 TMR 

Guidelines, June 2008). 

• Motor vehicle use off road should 

not damage or unreasonably disturb the 

land, wildlife, or vegetative resources 

(36 CFR 261.15(h)). 

• Use the minimum number of trips 

to retrieve a downed animal (R3 TMR 

Guidelines, June 2008). 

• Only one vehicle would be allowed 

for game retrieval per harvested animal 

(R3 TMR Guidelines, June 2008). 

• Motor vehicle use should not 

damage any natural feature or other 

property of the United States (36 CFR 

261.9(a)). 

Forest Plan Amendments 

Two Forest Land Management Plan 

(LMP) amendments are needed to bring 

both the LMP up to date with current 

management of the Forest and to be in 

compliance with the Travel 

Management Rule and proposal. The 

following LMP amendments would be 

implemented: 

1. The following site specific language 

found in Management Area (MA) 4B 

(pg. 131 and 139) and MA 4C (page 129) 

would be removed. 

a. ‘‘Area above Mule Creek to remain 

open to all entry year-round.’’ 

b. ‘‘Hells Hole will remain open to 

vehicle use, but because of topography, 

vehicle use will not occur in most 

portions of the area.’’ 

Motorized vehicle designations would 

be detailed in the final TMR decision. 

In the proposed action, there is a 

proposed designated route above the 

Mule Creek area and no cross-country 

motor vehicle use is allowed. Hells Hole 

would be closed to cross-country motor 

vehicle use. 

1. Amend the Gila National Forest 

LMP to add or remove language from 

the Recreation Standards and 

Guidelines related to the ORV Policy to 


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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 175 / Friday, September 11, 2009 / Notices 46741 

be consistent with the Travel 

Management Rule. For more 

information on the full text, see the FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION section. 

Lead and Cooperating Agencies 

The U.S. Forest Service—Gila 

National Forest is the lead agency. 

Catron County, NM; Hidalgo County, 

NM; Grant County, NM; and Sierra 

County, NM are cooperating agencies. 

Responsible Official 

The Responsible Official is the Gila 

Forest Supervisor. 

Nature of Decision To Be Made 

The decision to be made is how to 

implement the Travel Management 

Rule. The responsible official will 

decide whether to implement the 

proposed action or an alternative to the 

proposed action. The decision to be 

made will also determine whether or 

not to implement two proposed Forest 

Plan amendments. 

Scoping Process 

This Notice of Intent initiates the 

scoping process, which guides the 

development of the Environmental 

Impact Statement. Ten open houses are 

planned for the purpose of providing 

information to the public regarding this 

proposed action and soliciting 

comments. Open houses are scheduled 

for September 19, 2009, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 

Las Cruces, NM, location TBA; 

September 22, 2009, 3–8 p.m., 

Glenwood, NM, Glenwood School; 

September 23, 2009, 3–8 p.m., Mimbres, 

NM, location TBA; September 24, 2009, 

3–8 p.m., Reserve, NM, Reserve Ranger 

District Office; September 25, 2009, 3– 

8 p.m., Cliff, NM, location TBA; 

September 26, 2009, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., 

Silver City, NM, County Convention 

Center; September 29, 2009, 3–8 p.m., 

Truth or Consequences, NM, Black 

Range District Office; October 1, 2009, 

3–8 p.m., Luna, NM, Luna Community 

Center; October 2, 2009, 3–8 p.m., 

Quemado, NM, Quemado High School; 

October 3, 2009, 10 a.m–12 noon, 

Lordsburg, NM, location TBA. 

Information can also be obtained at the 

following Web site: http://fs.usda.gov/ 

gila (Click on link to Travel 

Management Rule). 

It is important that reviewers provide 

their comments at such times and in 

such manner that they are useful to the 

agency’s preparation of the 

environmental impact statement. 

Therefore, comments should be 

provided prior to the close of the 

comment period and should clearly 

articulate the reviewer’s concerns and 

contentions. The submission of timely 

and specific comments can affect a 

reviewer’s ability to participate in 

subsequent administrative appeal or 

judicial review. 

Dated: September 2, 2009. 

Richard E. Markley, 

Forest Supervisor. 

[FR Doc. E9–21851 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Notice of Public Meeting, Davy 

Crockett National Forest Resource 

Advisory Committee 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Secure 

Rural Schools and Community Self 

Determination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 

393), [as reauthorized as part of Pub. L. 

110–343] and the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Davy Crockett National Forest 

Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) 

meeting will meet as indicated below. 

DATES: The Davy Crockett National 

Forest RAC meeting will be held on 

Tuesday, September 22, 2009. 

ADDRESSES: The Davy Crockett National 

Forest RAC meeting will be held at the 

Davy Crockett Ranger Station located on 

State Highway 7, approximately onequarter mile West of FM 227 in Houston 

County, Texas. The meeting will begin 

at 6 p.m. and adjourn at approximately 

8 p.m. A public comment period will 

begin at 7:45 p.m. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Gerald Lawrence, Jr., Designated Federal 

Officer, Davy Crockett National Forest, 

18551 State Hwy. 7 E., Kennard, TX 

75847: Telephone: 936–655–2299 ext. 

225 or e-mail at: glawrence@fs.fed.us. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Davy 

Crockett National Forest RAC proposes 

projects and funding to the Secretary of 

Agriculture under Section 203 of the 

Secure Rural Schools and Community 

Self Determination Act of 2000, (as 

reauthorized as part of Pub. L. 110–343). 

The purpose of the September 22, 2009 

meeting is to primarily discuss the 

Groveton-Phase I Projects proposed by 

the Forest Service, and new projects 

proposed by the RAC. These meetings 

are open to the public. The public may 

present written comments to the RAC. 

Each formal RAC meeting will also have 

time, as identified above, for persons 

wishing to comment. The time for 

individual oral comments may be 

limited. 

Gerald Lawrence, Jr., 

Designated Federal Officer, Davy Crockett 

National Forest RAC. 

[FR Doc. E9–21785 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

University of Oklahoma, et al., Notice 

of Consolidated Decision on 

Applications for Duty–Free Entry of 

Electron Microscopes 

This is a decision consolidated pursuant 

to Section 6(c) of the Educational, 

Scientific, and Cultural Materials 

Importation Act of 1966 (Pub. L. 89– 

651, as amended by Pub. L. 106–36; 80 

Stat. 897; 15 CFR part 301). Related 

records can be viewed between 8:30 

A.M. and 5:00 P.M. in Room 3705, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, 14th and 

Constitution Avenue., NW, Washington, 

D.C. 

Docket Number: 09–019. Applicant: 

University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 

73019. Instrument: Electron Microscope. 

Manufacturer: FEI Company, the 

Netherlands. Intended Use: See notice at 

74 FR 37979, July 30, 2009. 

Docket Number: 09–027. Applicant: 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 

Golden, CO 80401. Instrument: Electron 

Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI 

Company, Czech Republic. Intended 

Use: See notice at 74 FR 37979, July 30, 

2009. 

Docket Number: 09–042. Applicant: 

Temple University Hospital, 

Philadelphia, PA 19140. Instrument: 

Electron Microscope. Manufacturer: 

JEOL, Japan. Intended Use: See notice at 

74 FR 37979, July 30, 2009. 

Docket Number: 09–043. Applicant: 

University of Central Florida, Orlando, 

FL 32816. Instrument: Electron 

Microscope. Manufacturer: Tescan, 

s.r.o., Czech Republic. Intended Use: 

See notice at 74 FR 37979, July 30, 2009. 

Docket Number: 09–044. Applicant: 

Missouri State University, Springfield, 

MO 65897. Instrument: Electron 

Microscope. Manufacturer: FEI 

Company, Czech Republic. Intended 

Use: See notice at 74 FR 37979, July 30, 

2009. 

Comments: None received. Decision: 

Approved. No instrument of equivalent 

scientific value to the foreign 

instrument, for such purposes as these 

instruments are intended to be used, 

was being manufactured in the United 

States at the time the instruments were 

ordered. Reasons: Each foreign 


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