27270 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 23, 1995 / Notices

Item and subject matter Document

15. Other business

16. Adoption of Report

[FR Doc. 95–12570 Filed 5–22–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–DM–M

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.

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
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 23, 1995 / Notices 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]

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M

Committee of State Foresters

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: The Committee of State

Foresters will meet in Flatwoods, West

Virginia, on June 19–20, 1995. The

meeting will begin at 1 p.m. on June 19

and end at noon on June 20. The

Committee is comprised of 7 members

of the Executive Committee of the

National Association of State Foresters.

The meeting provides an opportunity

for committee members to consult with

the Secretary of Agriculture regarding

the administration and application of

various parts of the Cooperative Forestry

Assistance Act of 1978. The Under

Secretary for Natural Resources and

Environment will chair this meeting.

The meeting is open to public

attendance; however, participation is

limited to Forest Service personnel and

Committee members. Persons who wish

to bring cooperative forestry matters to

the attention of the Committee may file

written statements with the Executive

Secretary of the Committee before or

after the meeting.

DATES: The meeting will be held from

June 19–20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in

the conference room at the Days Inn (I–

79, Exit 67), 2000 Sutton Lane, Sutton,

West Virginia. Members of the public

who wish to attend must register in

advance with Marlene Edwards, Office

of the Deputy Chief for State and Private

Forestry.

Send written comments to Joan M.

Comanor, Executive Secretary,

Committee of State Foresters, c/o Forest

Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090,

Washington, DC 20090–6090, (202) 205–

1657.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marlene Edwards, Office of the Deputy

Chief for State and Private Forestry,

Forest Service, (202) 205–1657.

Dated: May 18, 1995.

Joan M. Comanor,

Deputy Chief, S&PF.

[FR Doc. 95–12578 Filed 5–22–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M

Western Washington Cascades

Provincial Interagency Executive

Committee (PIEC) Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Meeting.

SUMMARY: The Western Washington

Cascades PIEC Advisory Committee will

meet on June 14, 1995 at the Mount

Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Headquarters, 21905 64th Avenue West,

in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. The

meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and

continue until 4:30 p.m. Agenda items

to be covered include: (1) Discussion of

federal and state watershed analysis

processes; (2) discussion of agency

criteria for setting watershed analysis

priorities in fiscal year 1996; (3) discuss

tribal activities and processes related to

federal and state watershed analysis; (4)

discussion of fiscal year 1995 watershed

analysis opportunities; (5) other topics

as appropriate; and (6) open public

forum. An informational workshop on

the federal watershed analysis process

will precede the June 14th meeting. The

workshop will be held on June 13, 1995,

at Edmonds Community College, Room

202, Mountlake Terrace Hall, 20000

68th Avenue West, Lynnwood,

Washington. The workshop will

commence at 1:00 p.m. and continue

until 4:00 p.m. that day. All Western

Washington Cascades Province

Advisory Committee meetings are open

to the public. Interested citizens are

encouraged to attend.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct questions regarding this meeting

to Bob Dunblazier, Province Liaison,

USDA, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie

National Forest, 21905 64th Avenue

West, Mountlake Terrace, Washington

98043, 206–744–3270.

Dated: May 17, 1995.

Dennis E. Bschor,

Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 95–12543 Filed 5–22–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M

COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting

of the Wyoming Advisory Committee

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to

the provisions of the rules and

regulations of the U.S. Commission on

Civil Rights, that a meeting of the

Wyoming Advisory Committee to the

Commission will convene at 10:00 a.m.

and adjourn at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday,

June 17, 1995, at the Little America,

2800 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne,

Wyoming 82003. The purpose of the

meeting is to brief Committee members

on Commission and regional activities,

discuss current civil rights issues in the

State, and approve plans for future

activities.

Persons desiring additional

information, or planning a presentation

to the Committee, should contact

Committee Chairperson Oralia G.

Mercado, 307–472–2105 or Ki-Taek

Chun, Acting Director of the Rocky

Mountain Regional Office, 303–866–

1040 (TDD 303–866–1049). Hearingimpaired persons who will attend the

meeting and require the services of a

sign language interpreter should contact

the Regional Office at least five (5)

working days before the scheduled date

of the meeting.

The meeting will be conducted

pursuant to the provisions of the rules

and regulations of the Commission.

Dated at Washington, DC, May 16, 1995.

Carol-Lee Hurley,

Chief, Regional Programs Coordination Unit.

[FR Doc. 95–12557 Filed 5–22–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6335–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Export Administration

Regulations and Procedures Technical

Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting

Change

Federal Register citation of previous

announcement: p. 21792, May 3, 1995.

Previously announced time of

meeting: 9:00 a.m., May 23, 1995. New

time of meeting: 9:00 a.m., June 15,

1995, Room 3884.