Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 195 / Friday, October 9, 2009 / Notices 52175 

November 9, 2009. The draft 

environmental impact statement is 

expected February 2010 and the final 

environmental impact statement is 

expected June 2010. 

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to 

Liz VanGenderen, Helena National 

Forest, 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, MT 

59602. Comments may also be sent via 

e-mail to comments-northernHelena@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 

406–449–5436. 

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: Liz 

VanGenderen at 406–449–5201. 

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. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action 

A variety of factors have influenced 

the need for treatment in this area. The 

project area represents the only place in 

the Elkhorn Mountains with a 

substantial component of ponderosa 

pine and aspen groves. Due to wildfire 

suppression and the lack of frequent, 

low-intensity fires, the ponderosa pine 

forests have filled in with younger 

conifers and are currently experiencing 

high levels of mortality associated with 

mountain pine beetles. The fuels 

available for supporting a large wildfire 

are extensive and becoming more 

continuous. 

Aspen stands have declined due to 

the lack of natural fire which aspen 

clones need to survive and thrive. Fire 

suppression has also allowed the growth 

of conifers in areas which compete with 

aspen. 

The project is also part of the Birds 

and Burns Network, a research study led 

by the Rocky Mountain Research Station 

to examine fire effects on populations 

and habitats of wildlife in ponderosa 

pine forests in eight states across the 

western United States. The goal of this 

research in the project area has now 

expanded to include consequences of 

mountain pine beetle for wildlife in 

ponderosa pine. 

Proposed Action 

The types of treatments being 

proposed include intermediate harvest, 

regeneration harvest, and prescribed 

fire. Approximately 3,770 acres of 

ponderosa pine would be enhanced by 

a combination of regeneration and 

intermediate harvests, and prescribed 

fire. Aspen that occur in these acres 

would also be enhanced. Approximately 

170 acres of aspen and grassland would 

also be enhanced by using prescribed 

fire following the use of a masticator or 

chainsaw. Approximately 260 acres of 

Douglas-fir enhancement would be 

achieved by a combination of 

regeneration and intermediate harvest, 

and prescribed fire. Aspen occurring in 

these acres would also be enhanced. Up 

to 11.4 miles of new temporary road 

construction and reconstruction of 

approximately 10.2 miles would be 

necessary to implement the proposed 

action. The temporary roads would be 

fully recontoured following the project. 

Responsible Official 

Helena National Forest Supervisor. 

Nature of Decision To Be Made 

The decision to be made includes: 

whether to implement the proposed 

action or an alternative to the proposed 

action, what monitoring requirements 

would be appropriate to evaluate the 

implementation of this project, and 

whether a forest plan amendment would 

be necessary as a result of the decision 

for this project. 

Scoping Process 

This notice of intent initiates the 

scoping process, which guides the 

development of the environmental 

impact statement. In October 2009, a 

scoping package will be mailed, an open 

house will be scheduled, and Web site 

information will be posted. 

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: October 2, 2009. 

Kevin T. Riordan, 

Forest Supervisor. 

[FR Doc. E9–24344 Filed 10–8–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Meeting of the Land Between the 

Lakes Advisory Board 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Land Between the Lakes 

Advisory Board will hold a meeting on 

Thursday, October 29, 2009. Notice of 

this meeting is given under the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. 

App.2. 

The meeting agenda includes the 

following: 

(1) Welcome/Introductions; 

(2) LBL Web Site Updates; 

(3) Environmental Education Updates 

and Discussion; 

(4) LBL General Updates; 

(5) Board Discussion of Comments 

Received. 

The meeting is open to the public. 

Written comments are invited and may 

be mailed to: William P. Lisowsky, Area 

Supervisor, Land Between the Lakes, 

100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, 

Kentucky 42211. Written comments 

must be received at Land Between The 

Lakes by October 22, 2009, in order for 

copies to be provided to the members at 

the meeting. Board members will review 

written comments received, and at their 

request, oral clarification may be 

requested at a future meeting. 

DATES: The meeting will be held on 

October 29, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., CST. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at 

the Kenlake State Resort Park, Hardin, 

Kentucky, and will be open to the 

public. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sharon Byers, Advisory Board Liaison, 

Land Between the Lakes, 100 Van 

Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, Kentucky 

42211, 270–924–2002. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: None. 

William P. Lisowsky, 

Area Supervisor, Land Between the Lakes. 

[FR Doc. E9–24449 Filed 10–8–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 

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