This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains documents other than rules or

proposed rules that are applicable to the

public. Notices of hearings and investigations,

committee meetings, agency decisions and

rulings, delegations of authority, filing of

petitions and applications and agency

statements of organization and functions are

examples of documents appearing in this

section.

Notices Federal Register

18997 

Vol. 77, No. 61 

Thursday, March 29, 2012 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Boundary Establishment for the 

Presque Isle National Wild and Scenic 

River, Ottawa National Forest; Gogebic 

County, MI 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of availability. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 

3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 

the USDA Forest Service, Washington 

Office, is transmitting the final 

boundary of the Presque Isle National 

Wild and Scenic River to Congress. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Information may be obtained by 

contacting Bill Baer, Recreation Program 

Manager, Ottawa National Forest, E6248 

US Hwy 2, Ironwood, MI 49938, (906) 

932–1330, ext. 342. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Presque Isle Wild and Scenic River 

boundary is available for review at the 

following offices: USDA Forest Service, 

Office of the Chief, 1400 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington DC 20024; 

USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region, 

Suite 400, 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, 

Milwaukee, WI 53202 and; Ottawa 

National Forest, E6248 US Hwy 2, 

Ironwood, MI 49938. A detailed legal 

description is available upon request. 

The Michigan Scenic River Act of 

1992 (Pub. L. 102–249–March 3, 1992) 

designated the Presque Isle River, 

Michigan, as a National Wild and 

Scenic River, to be administered by the 

Secretary of Agriculture. As specified by 

law, the boundary will not be effective 

until ninety days after Congress receives 

the transmittal. 

Dated: March 7, 2012. 

Anthony V. Scardina, 

Forest Supervisor. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7560 Filed 3–28–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Rim Lakes Forest Restoration Project; 

Apache-Sitgreavese National Forest, 

Black Mesa Ranger District, Coconino 

County, AZ 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an 

environmental impact statement. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Forest Service (FS) 

will prepare an environmental impact 

statement (EIS) on a proposed action to 

conduct selective cutting and prescribed 

burn in forest across approximately 

33,010 acres of National Forest System 

lands. The project intends to conserve 

and restore the Rim Lakes Project Area 

to make—over time—the forest 

ecosystem more sustainable and 

resilient to natural disturbances such as 

drought and climatic variability, insects, 

disease, fire, and wind. 

The purpose of the project is to 

restore forest health, move forests 

toward an uneven-aged forest structure 

with all age classes represented, and 

restore frequent, periodic surface fire as 

an ecological process, as well as reduce 

the risk of a stand-replacing fire. The 

project will also improve hydrologic 

function, improve wildlife habitat—in 

particular for Northern goshawk and 

Mexican spotted owl—and improve 

scenic quality, as well as move the 

project area towards forest plan old 

growth management allocation goals. 

In order to meet the purpose, this 

project includes a site-specific, forest 

plan amendment to the ApacheSitgreaves Land and Resource 

Management Plan. This amendment 

clarifies guidelines to assure the 

proposed action can meet its restoration 

objectives, and to assure consistency 

with the forest plan. Information about 

the project can be found at http:// 

www.fs.usda.gov/projects/asnf/ 

landmanagement/projects. 

DATES: Comments concerning the scope 

of the analysis must be received by 

April 30, 2012. The draft environmental 

impact statement is expected to be 

available in July 2012 and the final 

environmental impact statement is 

expected in October 2012, followed by 

a 30-day objection period pursuant to 36 

CFR part 218 subpart A. 

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to 

Dee Hines, District Ranger, Black Mesa 

Ranger District, P.O. Box 968, 

Overgaard, AZ 85933. Comments may 

also be sent via email to commentssouthwestern-apache-sitgreaves-blackmesa@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (520) 

535–5972. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sandy Hurlocker, project team leader. 

Phone: (505) 660–8715. 

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: This 

project is being authorized under the 

Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) 

of 2003, following regulations at 36 CFR 

part 218. To date, analysis for this 

proposed action was documented in an 

environmental assessment that 

underwent an objection period in 

September 2011. After reviewing 

objections, the Apache-Sitgreaves 

National Forest Supervisor elected to 

document the analsysis in an 

environmental impact statement (EIS). 

The Forest Supervisor also elected to 

include an amendment to the forest plan 

as part of the proposed action in order 

to achieve project restoration objectives 

and to assure consistency with the 

Apache-Sitgreaves Land and Resource 

Management Plan (forest plan). 

Purpose and Need for Action 

The underlying purpose and need for 

the project has been determined by 

comparing the desired conditions to the 

existing conditions within the planning 

area. Desired conditions relevant to this 

project relate to forest health and 

ecosystem function and resiliency, as 

defined in the forest plan. 

Currently, forested lands in the 

project area have departed from the 

structures and processes that 

historically kept them in a healthy, 

resilient condition. For example, 97 

percent of the forested lands reflect a 

high stand density that makes these 

forests susceptible to insects and 

disease. Forests are also at risk of 

uncharacteristicly high-severity wild 

fires, which can lead to loss of entire 

stands during one fire event. About 67 

precent of the project area has potential 

for either active crown fire or passive 

crown fire because of the amount of 

ladder fuels and the continuous and 

interlocking tree crowns. As 

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18998 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2012 / Notices 

demostrated by recent large fires in the 

lands adjacent to the project area (most 

recently the 2011 Wallow Fire), a crown 

fire would alter ecosystem functions, 

destroy much of the existing wildlife 

habitat, create sediment problems to the 

watersheds and decrease the desirablity 

of the area for recreation. 

Desired condtions call for uneven 

aged forests across the project area that 

exhibit a variety of forest densities, 

spatial arrangements, age/structure 

conditions, and interspaces between 

groups. 

The need for change derived from the 

difference between the existing 

condition and the desired condition, 

summarized as follows: 

• Move stand densities toward 

desired conditions that promote forest 

health, large tree growth, and increased 

herbacious understory species and 

composition. 

• Reduce the risk of a stand-replacing 

crown fire by reducing stand densities, 

reducing canopy bulk density/ 

continuity, increasing crown heights, 

and creating more stand openness. 

• Move goshawk habitat types 

towards desired conditions, for 

example, variable tree group sizes, age 

classes, and densities, as well as 

variable sized interspaces between 

groups. 

• Move Mexican spotted owl habitat 

types towards the desired condition of 

stand density and forest structure 

consistent with the forest plan and 

Mexican spotted owl recovery plan. 

• Reduce the basal area on most of 

the forest to reduce bark beetle hazard, 

and selectively reduce the level of dwarf 

mistletoe infection. 

• Be consistent with the 1996 

amendment forest plan amendment 

with respect to old growth management. 

• Amend the Apache-Sitgreaves Land 

and Resource Management Plan in order 

to achieve project restoration objectives 

and to assure consistency with the 

Apache-Sitgreaves Land and Resource 

Management Plan (forest plan). 

Proposed Action 

In response to the purpose and need, 

the forest proposes the following actions 

during the next 10 years or until 

objectives are met. 

• Selectively cut trees and broadcast 

burn after treatment on approximately 

23,615 acres: In ponderosa pine and 

pine-oak, maintenance burns would 

occur. In dry mixed conifer, no re-entry 

maintenance burns would occur as part 

of this proposal. 

• Broadcast burn without selectively 

cutting trees on approximately 9,339 

acres: In ponderosa pine and pine-oak, 

maintenance burns would occur. In dry 

mixed conifer, no re-entry maintenance 

burns would occur as part of this 

proposal. 

• Selectively cut trees with no follow 

up broadcast burn on approximately 56 

acres. 

• Open approximately 185 miles of 

existing closed roads to be used for 

treatment activity. Close roads when 

treatments are finished and rehabilitate 

as needed. 

• Construct 2.6 miles of temporary 

road for haul access and obliterate after 

use (seven short segments 

approximately one-quarter to one-third 

of a mile each). 

• Allocate approximately 6,900 acres 

of forest to be managed for old-growth 

characteristics. 

• Amend the Apache-Sitgreaves Land 

and Resource Management Plan pages 

56 and 57, to add clarifying language to 

(1) describe desired conditions for the 

project area managed for Northern 

goshawk, (2) express relative amounts of 

forest cover, as well as the distribution 

of that cover, including the interspaces 

between tree groups, (3) define the 

relationship between the interspaces 

and natural openings, such as meadows, 

and (4) clarify that canopy closure is 

measured at the tree group scale within 

Vegetation Structural Stages (VSS) 4, 5, 

and 6. 

Possible Alternatives 

In addition to the Proposed Action, an 

alternative was analyzed in the 

environmental assessment that limited 

the selective cutting of trees to less than 

16 inches in diameter (at breast height). 

Otherwise the alternative included the 

same mechanical equipment and 

prescribed burning to accomplish the 

treatments using the methods described 

in the proposed action. Because this 

alternative would result in even-aged 

management, it would not meet forest 

plan direction for uneven-aged 

management; therefore if selected it 

would require a forest plan amendment 

to allow for even-age management 

(forest plan, page 54). This alternative 

will be carried into the environmental 

impact statement. 

Responsible Official 

The responsible official is the Forest 

Supervisor, Apache-Sitgreaves National 

Forest. 

Nature of Decision To Make 

Given the purpose and need of the 

project, the Forest Supervisor will 

review the proposed action, other 

alternatives, and the environmental 

consequences in order to make the 

following decisions: (1) Whether to 

select the proposed action or an 

alternative; (2) the location, design, and 

scheduling of the proposed thinning, 

burning, and road maintenance; (3) 

mitigation measures and monitoring 

requirements; and (4) the significance of 

the proposed forest plan amendments. 

Preliminary Issues 

During development of the 

environmental assessment, comments 

received during scoping were examined 

for issues, or unresolved conflicts 

directly or indirectly caused by 

implementing the proposed action. 

Issues serve to highlight effects or 

unintended consequences that may 

occur from the proposed action and 

alternatives. The Forest Service 

identified the following issue: 

Issue 1: Thinning and burning 

activities may cause unforeseen 

mortality among larger-size classes of 

‘‘leave’’ trees. Removal of trees larger 

than 16 inches in diameter when 

combined with potential mortality, may 

place post-treatment large tree densities 

below target densities. This may 

negatively affect old growth quality and 

quantity and wildlife habitat quality, 

quantity and populations. The 

indicators used to evaluate this issue 

are: Total number of trees 16 inches and 

greater (pre- and post-treatment), and 

pre- and post-treatment three-level 

analysis of habitat structure for Mexican 

spotted owl, northern goshawk, and old 

growth and vegetation structural stage 

(VSS) for northern goshawk. 

Scoping Process 

This notice of intent initiates the 

scoping process, which guides the 

development of the environmental 

impact statement. An open house is 

scheduled for April 11, 2012, from 3 to 

6 p.m., in the Frontier Room of the 

Navajo County Public Health Building, 

600 North 9th Place in Show Low, 

Arizona. Because this project has 

undergone considerable public review 

during development of the 

environmental assessment, the 

responsible official is especially 

interested in comments regarding the 

new element of the proposed action: the 

site-specific forest plan amendment. 

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 proposed Rim Lakes Forest 

Restoration Project is subject to the 

HFRA pre-decisional objection process 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2012 / Notices 18999 

pursuant to 36 CFR part 218 Subpart A 

and is not subject to notice, comment 

and appeal procedures under 36 CFR 

part 215. The 36 CFR 218 pre-decisional 

objection process requires a 30-day 

notice and objection period for the final 

environmental impact statement before 

a decision can be made by the 

responsible official. Only those who 

commented during scoping and during 

the comment period for the draft 

environmental impact statement may 

file objections (36 CFR 218.7). 

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, anonymous 

comments will not provide the agency 

with the ability to provide the 

respondent with subsequent 

environmental documents. 

Dated: March 23, 2012. 

Christine Dawe, 

Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7527 Filed 3–28–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

New Mexico Collaborative Forest 

Restoration Program Technical 

Advisory Panel 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of meeting. 

SUMMARY: The New Mexico 

Collaborative Forest Restoration 

Program Technical Advisory Panel will 

meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 

Panel is meeting as authorized under 

the Community Forest Restoration Act 

(Title VI, Pub. L. 106–393) and in 

compliance with the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act. The purpose of the 

meeting is to provide recommendations 

to the Regional Forester, USDA Forest 

Service Southwestern Region, on which 

applications submitted in response to 

the Collaborative Forest Restoration 

Program Request For Applications best 

meet the program objectives. 

DATES: The meeting will be held April 

23–27, 2012, beginning at 10 a.m. on 

Monday, April 23 and ending at 

approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, April 

27. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at 

the Hyatt Place Albuquerque/Uptown, 

6901 Arvada Avenue NE., Albuquerque, 

NM 87110, (505) 872–9000. Written 

comments should be sent to Walter 

Dunn, Cooperative and International 

Forestry, USDA Forest Service, 333 

Broadway SE., Albuquerque, NM 87102. 

Comments may also be sent via email to 

wdunn@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 

Walter Dunn at (505) 842–3165. 

All comments, including names and 

addresses when provided, are placed in 

the record and are available for public 

inspection and copying. The public may 

inspect comments received at the 

Cooperative and International Forestry 

Staff, USDA Forest Service, 333 

Broadway SE., Albuquerque, NM. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Walter Dunn, Assistant Designated 

Federal Official, (505) 842–3425, 

Cooperative and International Forestry, 

USDA Forest Service, 333 Broadway 

SE., Albuquerque, NM 87102. 

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 

Standard Time, Monday through Friday. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

meeting is open to the public. Panel 

discussion is limited to Panel members 

and Forest Service staff. Project 

proponents may respond to questions of 

clarification from Panel members or 

Forest Service staff. Persons who wish 

to bring Collaborative Forest Restoration 

Program grant application review 

matters to the attention of the Panel may 

file written statements with the Panel 

staff before or after the meeting. Public 

input sessions will be provided and 

individuals who submitted written 

statements prior to the public input 

sessions will have the opportunity to 

address the Panel at those sessions. 

Dated: March 23, 2012. 

Corbin L. Newman, Jr., 

Regional Forester. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7529 Filed 3–28–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

National Agricultural Library 

Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To 

Collect Information 

AGENCY: National Agricultural Library, 

Agricultural Research Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 

L. 104–13) and Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR 

part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 

1995), this notice announces the 

National Agricultural Library’s intent to 

request approval for a new electronic 

mailing list subscription form from 

those working with water quality and 

water resources. This voluntary form 

gives individuals an opportunity to 

receive and post messages to an 

electronic discussion list maintained by 

the Water Quality Information Center 

(WQIC). 

DATES: Comments on this notice must be 

received by June 4, 2012 to be assured 

of consideration. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

by any of the following methods: 

• Agency Web site: http://www.nal.

usda.gov/wqic/askaquestion.php. 

Follow the instructions for submitting 

comments on the Water Quality 

Information Center Web site. 

• Fax: 301–504–6409 attention: Water 

Quality Information Center. 

• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier: Water 

Quality Information Center/National 

Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore 

Ave., Room 107, Beltsville, Maryland 

20705–2351. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Title: Electronic Mailing List 

Subscription Form. 

OMB Number: 0518–0045. 

Expiration Date: 3 years from date of 

approval. 

Type of Request: Renewal of existing 

data collection from Water Quality 

Information Center discussion list 

subscribers. 

Abstract: The National Agricultural 

Library’s Water Quality Information 

Center (WQIC) currently maintains an 

on-line announcement-only discussion 

list. The current voluntary ‘‘Electronic 

Mailing List Subscription Form’’ gives 

individuals interested in the subject 

area of water quality and agriculture an 

opportunity to receive and post 

messages to this list. The form includes 

the following items: This form contains 

five items and is used to collect 

information about participants who are 

interested in joining an electronic 

discussion group. The form collects data 

to see if a person is eligible to join the 

discussion group. Because these 

electronic discussion groups are only 

available to people who work in the 

areas of water quality and water 

resources, it is necessary to gather this 

information. The questionnaire asks for 

the person’s name, email address, job 

title, work affiliation, and topics of 

interest. The online submission form 

will continue to serve as an efficient 

vehicle that allows WQIC staff to 

communicate with researchers and 

practitioners working with water quality 

and water resources. 

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting 

burden for this collection of information 

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