[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45619-45620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22901]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


South Babione Project, Bighorn National Forest, Sheridan and 
Johnson Counties, Wyoming

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement to disclose the environmental impacts on a proposal to 
harvest timber in the South Babione area, located on the Bighorn 
National Forest within Sheridan and Johnson Counties, Wyoming.
    The proposal provides for: (1) timber harvest of approximately 350 
acres of forested land and would result in approximately 3 million 
board feet of sawlog and utility timber; (2) construction of 
approximately 8 miles of permanent and temporary road and 
reconstruction of approximately 2 miles of road; and (3) a change in 
travel management by closing the area to off-road motorized travel.
    The Forest Service invites comments and suggestions on the draft 
environmental impact statement (DEIS) from federal, state and local 
agencies, as well as individuals and organizations who may be 
interested in, or affected by the proposed action.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by September 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Craig Yancy, District Ranger, 
Tongue Ranger District, 1969 South Sheridan Avenue, Sheridan, Wyoming 
82801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Trish Clabaugh, Interdisciplinary team leader, (307) 674-2683.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In 1991, the Babione Timber Sale Environmental Assessment was 
signed which included the South Babione area currently proposed for 
study. Since that time, a different road location has been proposed and 
revised harvest methods have been proposed to better meet the 
management area objectives in the 4B wildlife area within the project 
area.
    The environmental impact statement for the South Babione Project 
will tier to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Bighorn 
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan of 1985. The project 
area is located south of Forest Development Road 299 and west of Antler 
Creek. The project area covers approximately 5,000 acres.

Purpose and Need

    The South Babione Project is being scheduled to provide 
supplemental environmental analysis for the South Babione area. The 
purpose and need for this project is: (1) to implement the direction 
contained in the Bighorn National Forest Land and Resource Management 
Plan of 1985, including goals, objectives, management prescriptions, 
and standards and guidelines; (2) to improve the overall diversity and 
wildlife habitat of management indicator species; (3) to maintain wood 
production from suitable timber lands; (4) to help provide a supply of 
timber from the Bighorn National Forest which meets existing and 
potential market demand and is consistent with sound multiple use and 
sustained yield objectives; and (5) to determine proper travel 
management in the area.

Public Comment

    Although scoping is reinitiated through this Notice of Intent, most 
comments received during earlier scoping efforts are considered 
applicable and will be retained. People who wish to update their 
earlier comments based on the revised purpose and need are encouraged 
to do so.
    Following the publication of this notice, a scoping letter will be 
mailed to interested people and organizations. The letter will briefly 
describe the project and area, purpose and need for the action and will 
invite public comment.
    Following scoping, the interdisciplinary team will review comments 
received during scoping to determine which issues are significant. The 
team will then develop a range of alternatives including the ``no 
action'' alternative, in which no timber harvest or road construction 
is proposed. Other alternatives will consider various levels and 
locations of timber harvest.
    The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be filed 
with

[[Page 45620]]

the Environmental Protection Agency in April 1998. The comment period 
on the draft is 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. 
Agencies and other interested persons or groups are invited to write or 
speak with Forest Service officials at any time during the planning 
process until the 45 day comment period on the draft ends. The final 
environmental impact statement and record of decision is expected to be 
completed in June 1998.
    The Forest Service believes it is important to give reviewers 
notice at this early stage of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements must structure their 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may 
be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 
1016, 1022 (9th Cir.1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980) Because of these court rulings, it 
is very important that those interested in this proposed action 
participate by the close of the 45 day comment period so that 
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest 
Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to 
them in the final environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. (Reviewers may wish to refer 
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.) Please note that comments 
you make on the draft environmental impact statement will be regarded 
as public information.

Decisions to be Made

    Abigail Kimbell, Forest Supervisor, is the Responsible Official and 
will decide whether or not to authorize timber harvest within the South 
Babione Project Area. The Responsible Official will make a decision 
regarding this proposal after considering public comments and the 
information in the final environmental impact statement, and applicable 
laws, regulations and policies. The decision and supporting reason will 
be documented in the Record of Decision.

    Dated: August 20, 1997.
Abigail R. Kimbell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 97-22901 Filed 8-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M