[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11149-11150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5920]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Canyons Forest Health Project, Tahoe National Forest, Sierra and 
Nevada Counties, CA

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement for harvesting in densely stocked timber stands exhibiting 
insect-related mortality and reduced health. The harvesting is proposed 
on approximately 2,500 acres within an 8,000-acre analysis area. The 
salvage, sanitation, and thinning of the stands is proposed to improve 
the forest health and remove some of the dead material contributing to 
the fuel loading in the area. Also being proposed are fuels treatments, 
site preparation, reforestation, timber stand improvement, and road 
construction, reconstruction, and decommissioning.
    These actions were recently analyzed and decided within a larger 
project analysis area called the Worn Mill Environmental Assessment/
Biological Evaluation (EA/BE) (September, 1996). Only about half of the 
area analyzed under the Worn Mill EA/BE document was put under contract 
(Toucan Timber Sale) in December 1996 prior to expiration of the 
Rescissions Act, Pub. L. 104-19. Since the decision on the Worn Mill 
EA/BE has also subsequently expired, the second half of the Worn Mill 
analysis area that was identified as needing forest health treatment 
will now be re-analyzed under the Canyons Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS).
    The agency invites comments and suggestions on the scope of the 
analysis. In addition, the agency gives notice of the full 
environmental analysis and decision-making process that will occur on 
the proposal so that interested and affected people are aware of how 
they may participate and contribute to the final decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the analysis should be received in writing 
by April 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Caryn Huntt, Project Leader, 
Truckee Ranger District, 10342 Highway 89 N, Truckee, CA 96161.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caryn Huntt, Project Leader, Natural 
Resources Department, Truckee Ranger District, (916) 587-3558.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A draft environmental impact statement is 
expected to be available for agency and public review by April, 1997. A 
45-day comment period will follow the publication of the notice of 
availability of the draft EIS in the Federal Register. Al comments will 
be analyzed and a final EIS and accompanying record of decision (ROD) 
will be issued. The final EIS should be available by June, 1997.
    Written comments from the public should be submitted as indicated 
at the beginning of this notice. Comments would be most useful if sent 
by the date specified and if they clearly address the issues and 
alternatives related to the proposed action.
    The proposed action being considered includes salvage, sanitation, 
and thinning of the timber stands to address forest health concerns 
east of Boca and Stampede reservoirs and on the adjacent flats and 
slopes near Truckee, California.
    Preliminary issues connected with the proposal include forest 
health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and wildfire/fuels concerns.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice 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. The responsible official for 
this environmental impact statement and decision is John H. Skinner, 
Forest Supervisor, Tahoe National Forest, 631

[[Page 11150]]

Coyote Street, P.O. Box 6003, Nevada City, CA 95959.

    Dated: March 3, 1997.
John H. Skinner,
Forest Supervisor, Tahoe National Forest.
[FR Doc. 97-5920 Filed 3-10-97; 8:45 am]
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