[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 217 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60526-60527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29588]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Public Scoping Meetings for Issuance of an Incidental 
Take Permit to the Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Mendocino County, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior; National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, Commerce; California Department of Forestry and Fire 
Protection.

ACTION: Notice of public scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (collectively ``the Services''), and California 
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection intend to prepare a joint 
National Environmental Policy Act document/Environmental Impact Report 
for: (1) Approval of a Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan), and issuance 
of an incidental take permit to Georgia-Pacific Corporation, pursuant 
to section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act), and (2) approval of Georgia-Pacific's Sustained Yield Plan by 
the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including 
consideration of conservation measures or plans addressing State-listed 
species. The Plan will cover forest management activities on Georgia-
Pacific's properties in Mendocino County, California. Georgia-Pacific 
intends to request an incidental take permit for the northern spotted 
owl (Strix occidentalis caurina), marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus 
marmoratus marmoratus), American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus 
anatum), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), and possibly other 
Federally-listed species. It is anticipated that Georgia-Pacific may 
also seek coverage for approximately 40-50 currently unlisted species 
of concern under specific provisions of the permit, should these 
species be listed in the future.

Public Involvement

    This notice is being furnished pursuant to the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR sections 
1501.7 and 1508.22) to obtain suggestions and information from other 
agencies and the public on what alternatives should be considered and 
what environmental impacts issues should be addressed in preparation of 
the National Environmental Policy Act document. To satisfy both Federal 
and State environmental policy act requirements, the above Federal and 
California agencies are conducting a joint scoping process for the 
preparation of environmental documents.

DATES: In order to expedite the planning process, the above agencies 
request all scoping comments to this notice be received by December 20, 
1997. As an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the scope 
of the National Environmental Policy Act document, two public scoping 
meetings have been scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 1997, from 2 
p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Town Hall, 363 North 
Main Street, Fort Bragg, California.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the scope of the National Environmental 
Policy Act document should be addressed to Mr. Bruce Halstead, Project 
Leader, Coastal California Fish and Wildlife Office, 1125 16th Street, 
Room 209, Arcata, California 95521-5582. Written comments may also be 
sent by facsimile to (707) 822-8411. Comments received will be 
available for public inspection by appointment during normal business 
hours (Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at the above 
office. All comments received, including names and addresses, will 
become part of the administrative record and may be made available to 
the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Mr. Ken Hoffman at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Georgia-Pacific Corporation, a forest 
products company, owns and manages approximately 192,952 acres of 
commercial forest lands in Mendocino County, California, that will be 
considered for inclusion in the Plan. Georgia-Pacific's multi-species 
Plan is anticipated to include the northern spotted owl, marbled 
murrelet, American peregrine falcon, coho salmon, and possibly other 
threatened/endangered species as part of their application for the 
incidental take permit. In addition, approximately 40-50 unlisted 
species of concern (anadromous and resident fish, wildlife, and plants) 
are being considered for inclusion in the Plan and provisions under the 
permit. The National Environmental Policy Act document will evaluate 
various forest management alternatives for the planning area.
    Once completed, it is expected that Georgia-Pacific Corporation 
will submit the Plan as part of their incidental take permit 
application, as required under section 10(a) of the Act. The Services 
will evaluate the incidental take permit application, and associated 
Plan, in accordance with section 10(a) of the Act, and its implementing 
regulations.
    Environmental review of the permit application, including the Plan, 
will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations. A No Action/
No Project alternative will be considered consistent with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the 
California Environmental Quality Act.
    Georgia-Pacific will also be preparing a Sustained Yield Plan 
pursuant to the provisions under Article 6.75 of the

[[Page 60527]]

California Forest Practice Rules, including consideration of 
conservation measures or plans addressing State-listed species under 
the California Endangered Species Act. It is expected that a section 
2090 or 2081 agreement will be issued by the California Department of 
Fish and Game under state Fish and Game code for selected State-listed 
species that potentially occur on Georgia-Pacific's California 
timberlands.

    Dated: November 4, 1997.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-29588 Filed 11-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-U