Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 149 /Tuesday, August 4, 1998 / Notices 41541

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Dan Vitiello, Domestic Program

Manager, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection

Service, Room 0002 South Building,

1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20250–3700.

Telephone: (202) 690–2683.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSIS and

the CSREES are cosponsoring a series of

one-day workshops with the Livestock

Conservation Institute’s Education Fund

for Animal Agriculture (LCI), entitled

‘‘Surviving in a HACCP World.’’ These

workshops will assist those involved in

livestock production to better

understand the complex issues

associated with the implementation of

the FSIS Hazard Analysis and Critical

Control Point Systems (HACCP)/

Pathogen Reduction final rule in

slaughter establishments and its

potential effects on the animal

production community. The intended

audience includes animal producers

and those who communicate regularly

with producers, especially small

producers, to provide information

regarding the potential effects of the

FSIS HACCP/Pathogen Reduction rule

on the marketing of livestock.

The one-day workshops will include

discussions on: the Advent of HACCP

and its Impact on Food Animal

Production; an Overview of HACCP

Implementation; Interpreting the

Consumer Response to Food Safety;

Achieving Buyer Expectation; Creating

State-Level Partnerships for Producer

Food Safety Programs; and Applying

Good Management Practices in Food

Animal Production. A registration fee

will be charged—$125.00 preregistration and $150.00 on site.

To pre-register contact the LCI at: LCI

Food Safety Workshops, 1910 Lyda

Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42104,

Telephone: (502) 782–9798, FAX: (502)

782–0188, E-mail: lci@premiernet.net.

The one-day workshops will be held

as follows:

August 25, 1998

Columbus, Ohio, Radisson Airport

Hotel & Conference Center, 1375 N.

Cassady Avenue, Phone (614) 475–

7551.

August 26, 1998

Omaha, Nebraska, Embassy Suites

Downtown/Old Market, 555 10th

Street, (402) 346–9000.

August 27, 1998

Denver, Colorado, Doubletree Hotel

Denver, 3203 Quebec Street, (303)

321–3333.

LCI has reserved rooms for the

workshop. The cutoff for room

reservations is August 10, 1998 in

Columbus and Omaha and August 12,

1998 in Denver.

Done in Washington, DC on: July 28, 1998.

Thomas J. Billy,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 98–20695 Filed 8–4–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Loon Mountain Ski Area Improvements

and Expansion

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a

Supplement to the Loon Mountain Ski

Area South Mountain Expansion Project

Final Environmental Impact Statement.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare

a Supplement to the Loon Mountain Ski

Area South Mountain Expansion Project

Final Environmental Impact Statement

(FEIS) for Loon Mountain Recreation

Corporation’s proposal to improve and

expand recreational facilities at Loon

Mountain Ski Area. The project area is

located on the Pemigewasset Ranger

District of the White Mountain National

Forest, Grafton County, New

Hampshire. The agency invites written

comments that are specific to new

information or changed conditions that

pertain to the proposed action in respect

to the issues, affected environment, and

environmental effects as they were

disclosed in the original FEIS.

DATES: Written comments concerning

the scope of the analysis should be

received on or before September 15,

1998.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to

Beth LeClair, Eastern Region Winter

Sports Team Leader, U.S. Forest

Service, RR 2, Box 35, Rochester,

Vermont 05767. Donna Hepp, Forest

Supervisor, White Mountain National

Forest, Federal Building, 719 Main

Street, Laconia, New Hampshire 03246

is the Responsible Official for this

Supplement to the FEIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jay Strand, Project Coordinator, U.S.

Forest Service, RR 2, Box 35, Rochester,

Vermont 05767; voice and TTY phone

(802) 767–4261; FAX (802) 767–4777; Email, jstrand/r9lgmfl@fs.fed.us.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Loon

Mountain Recreation Corporation

(LMRC) operates Loon Mountain Ski

Area, a portion of which is under a

special use permit on the White

Mountain National Forest (WMNF). The

total acres under the existing 1976

special use permit on National Forest

lands is 785 acres. In 1986, LMRC

submitted a proposal to develop and

expand the existing ski area to meet the

demand for additional skiing on the

WMNF, and meet the demand for more

capacity at Loon Mountain Ski Area.

The environmental effects on the

proposal and five alternatives were

disclosed and documented in the Loon

Mountain Ski Area South Mountain

Expansion Project FEIS which was

completed in late 1992. The Record of

Decision (ROD) was issued on March 1,

1993 and authorized the

implementation of Alternative 6 to meet

the stated purpose and need.

The 1993 ROD was litigated and the

subsequent court ruling found that parts

of the FEIS analysis were inadequate.

Specifically, the court found that: (1)

The public did not have an opportunity

to review and comment on Alternative

6 before its selection in the ROD; and (2)

the FEIS did not include a reasonable

range of alternatives in the analysis, in

particular the alternative that water

storage ponds be used for snowmaking

needs. A court order dated May 5, 1997

invalidated the 1993 ROD and

prohibited any further activities related

to Alternative 6 pending the outcome of

a new analysis and ROD that addresses

the identified FEIS inadequacies. The

No Action Alternative for this analysis

would include the removal of all

approved and constructed

improvements related to the 1993 ROD.

The purpose and need for LMRC’s

current proposal is essentially the same

as the original purpose and need for the

expansion activities disclosed in the

1992 FEIS. However, the original

preferred alternative (Alternative 6) has

been modified in order for the proposal

to: (1) Meet the intentions of the May 5,

1997 Court Order; (2) respond to current

conditions at Loon Mountain Ski Area;

(3) reflect changed ski market demands;

(4) reflect changed ski industry

technology; and (5) include new

information that is available for this

analysis.

Change ski market expectations and

new ski industry technology have

created market conditions that are

different than those existing when the

1993 ROD was released. Destination ski

resorts such as Loom Mountain Ski Area

compete in a skier market that expects

a quality skiing experience. Ski resorts

need a proper mixture and variety of ski

terrain that caters to all ability levels

with support facilities (i.e. lifts, lodges

and parking) that provides a multiple

day destination resort opportunity.

Additionally, the amount of snow

coverage and depth needed on ski

terrain has changed to meet today’s

desired skier demands necessitated by

developments such as snowboards and

shaped skis. New England area
41542 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 149 /Tuesday, August 4, 1998 / Notices

destination ski resorts need the ability

to make machine-made snow that

ensures an initial coverage of ski trails

before the December holiday season,

and additional coverage to respond to

thawing and trail wear. Currently, Loon

Mountain Ski Area is not able to

provide the skiing product necessary

that will secure the market share needed

to remain an economically viable

destination ski resort. The proposal as

modified from the original Alternative 6

provides the complete development and

expansion activities needed to improve

the efficiency and function of the

existing resort facilities. This will

provide the quality winter recreation

experience visitors have grown to

expect at Loon Mountain Ski and on

National Forest lands, while meeting

both the original and current purpose

and need.

On January 26, 1998, LMRC submitted

a proposal to improve and expand the

Loon Mountain Ski Area, and on May

14, 1998 amended to proposal. The

scope of their proposal includes ten

categories: (1) Expansion of the existing

special use permit (SUP) area by 581

acres of a total of 1,366 acres; (2)

construction of six new ski trails and a

free style jump (30.9 acres), widening of

many existing ski trails (20.1 acres), and

reconfiguration of the Lower Speakeasy

Trail system within the existing SUP

area, and construction of six new trails

(73.2 acres) within the expanded SUP

area; (3) construction of one new J-bar

lift on private land, realignment of two

existing lifts, and upgrade of all existing

lifts within the existing SUP area, and

the construction of two new chairlifts

within the expanded SUP area; (4)

expansion of existing buildings on

private land and within the existing

SUP area, and construction of a base

area and lodge for the expanded SUP

area on private land; (5) expansion of

existing parking lots and construction of

new parking facilities on private land;

(6) provision to meet a snowmaking

water demand target of 435 million

gallons in 85% of the years for complete

coverage for 382.3 acres of ski terrain on

both the existing and expanded SUP

areas; (7) provision to continue water

withdrawals within levels currently

authorized from the East Branch of the

Pemigewasset River, Boyle Brook, and

Loon Pond for snowmaking needs; (8)

installation of a 20-inch diameter

pipeline, pumps and facilities to serve

the expanded SUP area, and expansion

of the existing pipelines and facilities

on private land and the existing SUP

area for complete snowmaking coverage

of the entire Loon Mountain ski terrain;

(9) construction of multiple water

storage ponds with a total capacity of

220 million gallons on private land to

supplement snowmaking water needs;

and (10) increasing the existing skier

comfortable carrying capacity from

5,800 to 9,000. The Forest Service

assumes that category nine may

necessitate a provision to authorize the

withdrawal of water from the Main

Stem of the Pemigewassset River, if

certain pond sites are included in this

analysis.

The proposal is needed to achieve the

following objectives: (1) Meet the

intention of the May 5, 1997 Court

Order; (2) provide the proper mixture of

ski terrain, support facilities, and

snowmaking coverage that meets

current and anticipated skier market

demands; (3) ensure Loon Mountain Ski

Area remains a viable destination ski

resort; and (4) achieve Forest Service

goals by providing a unique and quality

recreation experience for National

Forest visitors. The site-specific

environmental analysis provided by the

Supplement to the FEIS will assist the

Responsible Official in determining

whether the proposal, or alternatives to

the proposals, best meet the objectives

of the proposal while addressing public

concerns and issues.

The proposed actions within the

existing SUP area are within

Management Area (MA) 7.1 as described

in the WMNF Land and Resource

Management Plan (Forest Plan). Actions

within the proposed expanded SUP area

are within MA 9.2. All actions meet the

objectives for these MA’s, and are fully

consistent with Forest Plan standards

and guidelines. The lands within the

expanded SUP area would be

redesignated as MA 7.1 if this proposal

is implemented.

Potential permits and licenses

required to implement the proposal may

include the following: (1) Special Use

Permit from the Forest Service; (2)

Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers; (3) National

Pollution Discharge Elimination System

permit and Stormwater Permit from the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;

and (4) Significant Alteration of Terrain

Permit, Section 401 Permit, Dam Permit,

and Stormwater Permit from the New

Hampshire Department of

Environmental Services. Any additional

permits needed from other Local, State,

or Federal agencies will be identified

during the analysis process. In addition,

consultation with the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service for compliance with

Section 7 of the Endangered Species

Act, and any assistance and cooperation

from other agencies will be conducted if

necessary.

Tentative issues related to the

proposal which have been identified

are: (1) Water demand target for

snowmaking needs; (2) configuration

and options of water sources for

snowmaking; (3) wetland impacts from

water storage pond construction; (4)

impacts to various resources (i.e. soils,

water quality, wildlife and aquatic

habitat, threatened, endangered, and

sensitive plants and animals, visual, and

cultural sites); and (5) socioeconomic

impacts to the local community (i.e.

dependent businesses, traffic

congestion, infrastructure demands). In

preparing the Supplement to the FEIS,

the Forest Service will consider the

proposal against a range of feasible and

practicable alternatives including the

No Action Alternative. Alternatives to

the proposal may be developed to

address issues based on public

comments.

Public participation will be

incorporated into the preparation of the

Supplement to the FEIS under the

provisions of NEPA. Although scoping

is not required in the preparation of a

supplement to an EIS, the Forest Service

will be seeking new or additional

information, comments, and assistance

from Federal, State, and Local agencies,

as well as other individuals or groups

who may be interested or affected by the

proposed action. Comments will be

invited that are specific to new

information or changed conditions that

pertain to the proposed action in respect

to the issues, affected environment, and

environmental effects as they were

disclosed in the original FEIS. This

information will be used to help further

define the limits of the analysis of the

proposal while preparing the

Supplement to the FEIS. Public

meetings will be held to assist the

public involvement process. The exact

locations and dates of these meetings

will be published in the local

newspapers at least two weeks in

advance.

The State of New Hampshire

Department of Environmental Services,

New Hampshire Fish and Game

Department, U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, and U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) have been

invited to be cooperating agencies. The

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been

invited to be a participating agency. The

New Hampshire Department of

Resources and Economic Development,

and the Towns of Lincoln and

Woodstock, New Hampshire have been

invited to assist in the analysis process.

The Draft Supplement to the FEIS is

expected to be filed with the EPA in the

Winter of 1998–1999. The Forest

Service will seek comments on the Draft
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 149 /Tuesday, August 4, 1998 / Notices 41543

Supplement to the FEIS for a period of

at least 45 days from the date the EPA

publishes the Notice of Availability in

the Federal Register. Public meeting

dates during the public comment period

will be advertised in the media. Please

note that comments in response to this

NOI and in response to the draft

supplement will be regarded as public

information.

The Forest Service believes, at this

early stage, it is important to give

reviewers notice of court rulings related

to public participation in the

environmental review process. First,

reviewers of draft environmental impact

statements (in this case a draft

supplement to the environmental

impact statement) 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 supplement

stage but that are not raised until after

completion of the final supplement 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 they can meaningfully consider

them and respond to them in the final

supplement.

To assist the Forest Service in

identifying and considering issues and

concerns on the proposed action and

alternatives, comments on the draft

supplement should be as specific as

possible. It is also helpful if comments

refer to specific pages or chapters of the

draft supplement. Comments may also

address the adequacy of the draft

supplement 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.

After the comment period ends on the

Draft Supplement to the FEIS, the

comments will be analyzed and

considered by the Forest Service in

preparing the Final Supplement to the

FEIS. The Final Supplement to the FEIS

is scheduled to be completed by the

Spring of 1999. The Forest Service is

required to respond to the comments

received in the Final Supplement to the

FEIS (40 CFR 1503.4).

The Responsible Official will consider

the comments, responses, and

environmental consequences discussed

in the Final Supplement to the FEIS,

and applicable laws, regulations, and

policies when making a decision

regarding this proposal. The

Responsible Official will document the

decision and reasons for the decision in

the Record of Decision. The decision

will be subject to appeal under 36 CFR

217 and 36 CFR 251.

Dated: July 28, 1998.

Donna Hepp,

Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 98–20744 Filed 8–3–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Intergovernmental Advisory

Committee Subcommittee Meeting

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Intergovernmental

Advisory Committee will meet on

August 6, 1998, at the Double Tree

Hotel, Columbia River, Portland,

Oregon. The purpose of the meeting is

to continue discussions on the

implementation of the Northwest Forest

Plan. The meeting will begin at 9:15

a.m. and continue until 3:00 p.m.

Agenda items to be discussed include,

but are not limited to: continued

discussion of future agenda topics;

review ongoing and potential activities

for the coming year; and progress

reports on effectiveness monitoring and

information issues. The IAC meeting

will be open to the public and is fully

accessible for people with disabilities.

Interpreters are available upon request

in advance. Written comments may be

submitted for the record at the meeting.

Time will also be scheduled for oral

public comments. Interested persons are

encouraged to attend.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Questions regarding this meeting may

be directed to Don Knowles, Executive

Director, Regional Ecosystem Office, 333

SW 1st Avenue, P.O. Box 3623,

Portland, OR 97208 (Phone: 503–808–

2180).

Dated: July 29, 1998.

Donald R. Knowles,

Designated Federal Official.

[FR Doc. 98–20718 Filed 8–3–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.;

Notice of Intent

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to hold scoping

meeting and prepare an Environmental

Assessment and/or Environmental

Impact Statement.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that

the Rural Utilities Service (RUS),

pursuant to the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.

4321 et seq.), the Council on

Environmental Quality (CEQ)

Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40

CFR Parts 1500–1508), and RUS

Environmental Policies and Procedures

(7 CFR Part 1794) proposes to prepare

an Environmental Assessment and/or an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

for its Federal action related to a

proposal by Associated Electric

Cooperative, Inc., to construct two, 100

megawatt simple cycle electric turbines

in Northwest Missouri.

MEETING INFORMATION: RUS will conduct

a scoping meeting in an open house

forum on Tuesday, September 8, 1998,

from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m at the

headquarters of United Electric

Cooperative in Maryville, Missouri. The

headquarters is located on Highway 136

East approximately 2.5 miles east of

Maryville.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Quigel,

Engineering and Environmental Staff,

Rural Utility Service, Stop 1571, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW,

Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone

(202) 720–0468. Bob’s E-mail address is

bquigel@rus.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.,

proposes to construct the plant at one of

two potential sites. These sites are in the

Nodaway County, Missouri. One site is

approximately 5.5 miles southeast of

Maryville about 0.5 miles south of the

intersection of County Highways N and

F along County Highway N. The other

site is located approximately 1.5 miles

east of Graham along County Highway

A then 1 mile north up a gravel road.

The proposed project will be

composed of two nominal 100 megawatt

simple cycle combustion turbines. They

will be primarily gas-fired combustion

turbines with the option to burn fuel oil.

The combustion turbines will be used

for peaking capacity. The hours of

operation of the combustion turbines

will be limited. The number of

operating hours will depend on the

emission rates ultimately guaranteed by