[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 200-201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-039]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Whiskey Campo Resource Management Project, Boise National Forest, 
Elmore County, ID

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Mountain Home Ranger District of the Boise National Forest 
will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a resource 
management project in the Whiskey Campo project area, located 
approximately 5 miles west of Featherville, Idaho, in the middle to 
upper elevation of the Trinity Creek watershed. The project area 
encompasses about 12,870 acres of National Forest System land. 
Approximately 5,550 acres of the project area are located within the 
Whiskey Jack Inventoried Roadless Area (RARE No. 02009) and about 900 
acres of the project area are located within the Rainbow Inventoried 
Roadless Area (RARE No. 02008). Access is via Forest Development Road 
(FDR) 172. The project area is located about 130 road miles east of 
Boise, Idaho.
    The agency invites written comments and suggestions on the scope of 
the analysis. The agency also hereby gives notice of the environmental 
analysis and decisionmaking 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.

Proposed Action

    Timber Stand Management Activities--Approximately 2,000 acres of 
forested land would be commercially thinned and underburned with low 
severity prescribed fire. Some salvage harvest of large diameter, 
beetle-infested Douglas-fir would occur in these stands. On 
approximately 5,000 acres of forested land, bark beetle infested and 
severely dwarf mistletoe infected trees would be salvage harvested.
    Helicopter yarding would be done on approximately 6,000 acres. 
Skyline yarding would be done on approximately 200 acres. A combination 
of tractor and offroad jammer (excavator) yarding would be done on 
approximately 800 acres.

[[Page 201]]

Approximately 2 miles of road would be constructed to access timber 
stands proposed for treatment. The newly constructed roads would be 
closed to all motorized use and revegetated following the project. Two 
helicopter landings would be constructed and revegetated. Six existing 
helicopter landings would be used and revegetated.
    Aspen Stand Rejuvenation--On approximately 400 acres of aspen 
stands dispersed throughout the project area, prescribed fire and/or 
harvest of invading conifer trees would be used to rejuvenate decadent 
stands or maintain vigorous, young stands. These activities would 
promote regeneration of aspen suckers and saplings and prevent 
conversion to conifer stands.
    Elk Habitat Improvement--Approximately 7 miles of the roads in the 
Spring Creek drainage would be obliterated and/or closed to all 
motorized vehicles with earthen barricades. Such closures would bring 
the elk habitat effectiveness of the Spring Creek drainage into 
compliance with the Forest Plan.
    Fish Habitat Improvements--Five existing culverts currently posing 
a barrier to upstream fish passage would be replaced with bottomless 
culverts or other suitable structures to allow fish passage upstream. 
Bottomless culverts provide for slower water velocity and more pools, 
which facilitate upstream fish passage.
    Approximately 13.7 miles of FDR 172 would be graveled. Graveling of 
the road surface would help retain the fine sediment particles on the 
road surface.
    Travel Safety Modifications to FDR 172--Approximately 25 ``blind'' 
curves and narrow road sections would be modified to improve sight 
distance and provide sufficient safe passing opportunities.

Preliminary Issues

    The potential development of the Whiskey Jack and Rainbow 
Inventoried Roadless Areas is an anticipated concern. Under the 
Proposed Action, approximately 1.9 miles of road construction, 150 
acres of ground-based yarding methods, and 1,750 of helicopter yarding 
would occur in the Whiskey Jack IRA. Approximately 250 acres of 
helicopter yarding would occur in the Rainbow IRA.
    The effects of road construction and timber stand management 
activities on wildlife and fisheries are also anticipated concerns. 
Trinity Creek is designated a high priority watershed (Forest Plan--
Inland Native Fish Strategy) because of its potential bull trout 
habitat. Habitat for some threatened, endangered or sensitive species 
exists in the project area. Proposed activities have the potential to 
have both beneficial and adverse effects to wildlife and fisheries 
habitat.

Possible Alternative to the Proposed Action

    One alternative to the Proposed Action has been identified. It is 
the No Action Alternative. Other alternatives may be developed as 
issues are raised and information is received

Decisions To Be Made

    The Boise National Forest Supervisor will decide whether or not to 
implement the project. If the project is to be implemented, the Forest 
Supervisor will decide which activities to include in the project, when 
the project should occur, and what mitigation and monitoring is needed 
to ensure the project is environmentally acceptable.

Schedule

    Draft EIS, May 1998. Final, July 1998.

Public Involvement

    Scoping is being initiated with this notice, a legal notice in the 
Idaho Statesman, and a letter to individuals, groups, organizations, 
and agencies who have expressed an interest in this type of project. 
Comments received from these public involvement efforts will be 
incorporated into the analysis process.

Comments

    Written comments concerning the proposed project and analysis are 
encouraged and should be postmarked within 30 days following 
publication of this announcement in the Federal Register. Comments 
received in response to this notice will be released in their entirety 
if requested pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Mail comments 
to Frank Marsh, Mountain Home Ranger District, 2180 American Legion 
Boulevard, Mountain Home, ID 83647; telephone 208-587-7961 or 208-373-
4310. Further information can be obtained at the same location.
    The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date 
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice availability 
in the Federal Register.
    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 EIS 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 EIS stage but that are not raised 
until after completion of the final EIS may be waived or dismissed by 
the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1002 (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 
for those interested in this Proposed Action participate by the close 
of the 45-day comment period so 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 EIS.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the Proposed Action, comments on the draft EIS 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 EIS 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. Comments received on the 
draft EIS will be released in their entirety if requested pursuant to 
the Freedom of Information Act.

Responsible Official

    David D. Rittenhouse, Forest Supervisor, Boise National Forest, 
1249 South Vinnell Way, Suite 200, Boise, ID 83709.

    Dated: December 22, 1997.
David D. Rittenhouse,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 98-039 Filed 1-2-98; 8:45 am]
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