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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 6 (Friday, January 10, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1945-1946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30342]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Final Record of Decision for the Revised Land Management Plan for 
the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of approval of the Revised Land Management Plan for the 
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

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SUMMARY: Heath Perrine, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Nez Perce-
Clearwater National Forests, Northern Region, signed the final Record 
of Decision (ROD) for the Revised Land Management Plan (LMP) for the 
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The final ROD documents the 
rationale for approving the Revised LMP and is consistent with the 
Reviewing Officers' responses to objections and instructions.

DATES: The Revised LMP for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests 
will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice of 
approval in the Federal Register (36 CFR 219.17(a)(1)).

ADDRESSES: To view the final ROD, Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS), Revised LMP, and other related documents, please visit the Nez 
Perce-Clearwater National Forests website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nezperceclearwater/landmanagement/planning/?cid=FSEPRD1206684. 
The Forest Service will also publish a legal notice of approval in the 
newspaper of record, Lewiston Morning Tribune, and post a copy of this 
legal notice on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' website 
listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Daugherty, Forest Planner, Nez 
Perce-Clearwater National Forests, by email at [email protected] 
or by phone at (208) 963-4206.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-
8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in 
the Northern Region spans six ranger districts and covers approximately 
four million acres across seven counties in north central Idaho, 
stretching from the Bitterroot Mountains on the Idaho and Montana 
border to the east, Salmon River to the south, Hells Canyon to the 
west, and the Palouse Prairie and North Fork Clearwater River basin to 
the north. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests range in elevation 
from 1,000 to over 8,900 feet and support diverse ecosystems and uses. 
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests contain habitats essential 
for a wide variety of species and serves critical headwaters of the 
Clearwater River. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests also 
provide opportunities for recreation, timber harvesting, livestock 
grazing, and mineral development that contribute to the quality of life 
and economies of the surrounding communities.
    The Revised LMP was shaped by the best available scientific 
information, current laws, and public, governmental, and tribal input. 
It was developed pursuant to the 2012 Forest Service Planning Rule (36 
CFR 219) and will replace the current Forest Plans that were released 
in 1987. The Revised LMP includes desired conditions, objectives, 
standards, guidelines, management approaches, management area 
allocations, and land suitability for project and activity decision-
making, which will guide resource management activities on the Nez 
Perce-Clearwater National Forests. It also includes wilderness 
recommendations and identifies eligible and suitable wild and scenic 
river segments.
    The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests initiated LMP revision in 
2013 and engaged with the public and tribal, federal, state, and local 
governments. The Forests consulted with the Nez Perce Tribe during the 
planning process, ensuring tribal-related plan direction accurately 
reflects the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests' tribal trust 
relationship and ensures that the Treaty with the Nez Perce of 1855 is 
honored. Between 2012 and 2020, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National 
Forests conducted 26 formal public comment and informal public feedback 
opportunities. The Forests received and analyzed more than 33,000 
public comments. Hundreds of people attended 45 in-person and virtual 
public meetings, open houses, and webinars.
    A 90-day public comment period on the draft LMP and associated 
draft EIS was initiated on December 20, 2019, and subsequently extended 
30 days. The Forests used these comments to inform and the preferred 
alternative for the FEIS and Revised Plan. A draft ROD, Revised LMP, 
and FEIS were released on November 28, 2023, initiating a 60-day 
objection filing period that closed January 29, 2024. The Forest 
Service received approximately 275 eligible objections to the draft ROD 
and 5 objections filed by 13 individuals and organizations to the list 
of species of conservation concern. The Reviewing

[[Page 1946]]

Officers held objection resolution meetings with objectors and 
interested persons in May 2024. Based on these meetings and a review of 
the objections, the Reviewing Officer for the list of species of 
conservation concern issued a written response to objectors on 
September 26, 2024. The Reviewing Officer for the LMP issued a written 
response to objectors on September 27, 2024. The instructions from the 
Reviewing Officers were addressed in the ROD, Revised LMP, and FEIS.

Cooperating Agencies

    The following entities have participated in the planning process as 
cooperating agencies: State of Idaho (Office of Species Conservation), 
Clearwater County, and Idaho County.

Government to Government Consulting Agency

    The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests consulted with the Nez 
Perce Tribe throughout the planning process of the revised Plan.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official for approving the Revised LMP is Heath 
Perrine, Acting Forest Supervisor, Nez Perce-Clearwater National 
Forests. The Responsible Official for approving the list of species of 
conservation concern is Leanne Marten, Regional Forester, Northern 
Region.

Jacqueline Emanuel,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-30342 Filed 1-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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