[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27270-27271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12537]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service


Coconino National Forest, Arizona; Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for Pocket/Baker Ecosystem

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Long Valley Ranger District of the Coconino National 
Forest is planning to prepare an environmental impact statement on a 
proposal to manage lands within the Pocket/Baker Ecosystem. Some of the 
projects to be considered include thinning the understory in ponderosa 
pine stands to reduce the high levels of dwarf mistletoe infection; 
prescribing controlled fire for the reduction of forest fuels, nutrient 
cycling, and stimulation of fire dependent grasses and forbes; 
reconfiguring the grazing patterns of cattle to improve the range 
vegetation and the watershed condition; thinning of trees along state 
highways 87 and 260 to feature the more prominent large trees and for 
the reduction of shade that causes ice hazards on the roadway; reducing 
the use and/or improving the dispersed recreation sites for sustainable 
future use; reversing the declining health and vigor of remnant quaking 
aspen stands; restoring and protecting historic drainage structures; 
and closing and/or rehabilitating roads located within stream courses 
or their associated filter strips.

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: The District Ranger, Bruce C. Greco, will be the 
responsible official and will select one of the alternatives presented 
in the environmental impact statement.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Greco, Long Valley District 
Ranger or John Gerritsma, Planning Team Leader at (602) 354-2216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Analysis work began on the Pocket portion of 
the Pocket/Baker 20K in 1991. In 1993 the scope of the project was 
broadened to include the Baker portion to create a more logical 
ecosystem for analysis. The interdisciplinary planning team followed a 
formal NEPA evaluation process with active, detailed scoping and 
involvement for a wide range of interests. Because of the complexity 
and diversity of this ecosystem, and the potential significance of 
several resource issues, we are evaluating completion of the analysis 
through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The issues include:
    (1) Sustaining vegetative conditions for threatened, endangered, 
and sensitive species (TE&S). Many of the ponderosa pine sites are 
heavily infected with Southwestern dwarf mistletoe, a parasitic disease 
common throughout the Forest. Current tree densities needed for the 
Mexican spotted owl (MSO) cannot be sustained due to mortality induced 
by dwarf mistletoe. Harvesting trees now to reduce dwarf mistletoe 
infection will decrease tree crown densities, modify MSO habitat, and 
result in adverse effects to the proposed critical habitat of the MSO. 
The consequences of no treatment is also declining canopy closures as 
trees die, that after 30-60 years will result in the same impacts as 
reducing dwarf mistletoe now. In addition, delaying these treatments 
now will increase the costs (in dollars and environmental impacts) and 
reduce future options for maintaining desired conditions.
    (2) Absence of fire in the ecosystem. Past aggressive fire 
suppression, limited prescribed burning, and incomplete treatment of 
forest litter has resulted in heavy forest fuels along the Mogollan 
Rim. Potentially catastrophic fire could occur in this area given the 
proximity to the communities of Pine and Strawberry, fuel loading, 
prevailing winds, topography, and heavy public recreation use.
    (3) Treatment of small diameter ponderosa pine trees. Dense 
ponderosa pine sites are at a higher risk of catastrophic events such 
as fire and disease than less dense sites. Also, without natural or 
management thinning actions, trees on these sites will not grow into 
the desired mature yellow pines within a reasonable amount of time.
    (4) Demand for recreation opportunities on the Mogollon Rim. The 
expressed need for an increased variety and amount of yearlong 
recreational activities is increasing faster than the ecosystem can 
handle. This situation is evident by the increasing number of people 
trying to play in the snow along Highway 87 each winter, almost 
continuous summer camping and vehicle use within meadows and the more 
popular camping areas, and increasing firewood cutting (both legal and 
illegal).
    (5) Decline of aspen in the ecosystem. Aspen is declining in this 
ecosystem for several reasons. Lack of fire is retarding aspen 
sprouting and increasing competition from both grasses and other tree 
species. Also, the large elk populations seek out young aspen shoots, 
thereby limiting reproduction success. Options to reverse the declining 
presence of aspen are limited by environmental and social concerns.
    Preparing an EIS will allow us to fully evaluate the significance 
of the environmental effects of these resource components and issues. 
Scoping for comments and field trips were previously accomplished prior 
to this analysis becoming an EIS. However, comments on the issues and 
suggestions for additional issues are welcome in response to the draft 
environmental impact statement which will follow this Notice of Intent, 
shortly. The Interdisciplinary Team will reconvene to consider new 
comments.
    The draft environmental impact statement can be expected in June 
1995. A forty-five-day comment period pursuant to 36 CFR 219.10(b) will 
be provided for the public to make comments on the draft environmental 
impact statement. A record of decision will be prepared and filed with 
the final environmental impact statement. A forty-five-day appeal 
period pursuant to 36 CFR 217.8(a) will be applicable.
    The forty-five day comment period on the draft environmental impact 
statement will begin when the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice 
of Availability appears 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. To be most helpful, 
comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as 
specific as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or 
the merits of the alternatives discussed (see Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the 
National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3).
    In addition, Federal court decisions have established that 
reviewers of draft [[Page 27271]] 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). Environmental objections that could 
have been raised at the draft stage may be waived if not raised until 
after completion of the final environmental impact statement. City of 
Angoon v. Hodel, (9th Circuit, 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. 
Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). The reason for this 
is to ensure 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.

    Dated: May 15, 1995.
Bruce C. Greco,
District Ranger, Long Valley Ranger District, Coconino National Forest.
[FR Doc. 95-12537 Filed 5-22-95; 8:45 am]
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