[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30879-30883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14182]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan EIS

AGENCY: USDA, Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is preparing an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to establish management direction 
for the land and resources within the Giant Sequoia National Monument 
(GSNM) created by Presidential Proclamation on April 15, 2000. The 
agency is to develop a management plan within three years of the 
signing of the Proclamation. The Forest Service, as the responsible 
agency, proposes to amend the Sequoia National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan (FLMP) to provide for the protection of the objects of 
interest identified in the Proclamation.

DATES: The public is asked to submit any issues (points of concern, 
debate, dispute, or disagreement) regarding potential effects of the 
proposed action by July 24, 2001. The draft EIS is expected to be 
available for public comment in February 2002 and the final EIS is 
expected to be published in September 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Jim Whitfield, EIS Team Leader, 
USDA Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, 900 W. Grand Avenue, 
Porterville, CA 93257.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Whitfield, EIS Team Leader, 
Sequoia National Forest, at the address listed above. The phone number 
is (559) 784-1500. Information regarding the monument and the planning 
process can also be found on the Giant Sequoia National Monument 
website located at www.r5.fs.fed.us/giant_sequoia. Public meetings will 
be held during the scoping period to allow the public to gather 
information prior to submitting comments. Information on the times, 
dates, locations, and agendas for these meetings will be provided in 
local newspapers, on the website, and by direct mailings.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 15, 2000, a Presidential Proclamation creating the Giant 
Sequoia National Monument was signed. The Proclamation designated 
327,769 acres within the boundary of the Sequoia National Forest as a 
National Monument to provide protection for a variety of objects of 
historic and scientific interest, including giant sequoia trees and 
their surrounding ecosystem. The President directed the Secretary of 
Agriculture to prepare a management plan within three years, and that 
the plan is to include a transportation plan. The plan will provide for 
and encourage continued public access and use consistent with the 
purposes of the Giant Sequoia National Monument. A range of 
alternatives will be analyzed, including the no-action alternative, 
which is the management direction provided by the current Forest Land 
and Resource Management Plan, as amended.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Presidential Proclamation identifies the need to take action 
regarding two critical problems facing giant sequoias and their 
ecosystems: (1) The heavy buildup of surface fuels and woody debris, 
leading to an increased hazard form wildfires, and (2) a lack of 
regeneration of young giant sequoias to ensure long-term sustainability 
of the species. The proclamation also clearly identifies opportunities 
for scientific research, interpretation, recreation, and the need for a 
transportation plan. We are committed to preparing a management plan 
that is responsive to these needs and opportunities and that provides 
proper care for the objects of interest as identified in the 
proclamation. These objects include:
    1. The naturally occurring groves of giant sequoia,
    2. The ecosystems within the GSNM that surround the groves and 
provide enriching recreational and social experiences, outstanding 
landscapes, and an array of rare and endemic species, such as the 
fisher, the great gray owl, the American marten, the northern goshawk, 
the peregrine falcon, the spotted owl, and the California condor,
    3. The historical landscape in and around the Hume Lake Basin 
associated with the Euro-American use of the giant sequoia since the 
late 1800's, and
    4. The limestone caverns and prehistoric archaeological sites that 
provide a paleontological record of the ecological changes that giant 
sequoias have undergone, as well as a prehistoric record of the 
relationship of the area to the native tribes.

Management Direction

    Current management direction for the Sequoia National Forest and 
the GSNM includes the Presidential Proclamation and the Forest Land and 
Resource Management Plan as amended by the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan 
Amendment. The Sierra Nevada Forest Plan

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Amendment provides management direction for many important concerns 
such as aquatic, riparian, and meadow management; fire and fuel 
management; and old forest ecosystem management. It provides 
strategies, as well as standards and guidelines, to address the risk of 
catastrophic fire, although it is not focused on the objects of 
interest within the monument. The Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment 
also provides some management direction to begin to address the 
restoration of giant sequoia ecosystems. More information on the Sierra 
Nevada Forest Plan Amendment is available at www.r5.fs.fed.us sncf or 
by calling (916) 492-7554.
    Current management direction does address some key concerns raised 
by the public during and immediately after the establishment of the 
monument. New direction is not proposed for activities such as: 
Accessing private lands and special use facilities, issuing special use 
permits (permits for three organizational camps have recently been 
renewed), hunting and fishing, and limiting off-highway vehicle use.

Proposed Action

    This plan amendment will provide new management direction for the 
proper care, management and enjoyment of the objects of interest in the 
monument, as well as highlight and emphasize the application of current 
direction specific to the objects of interest. The Proposed Action 
establishes or modifies desired conditions and management goals for key 
resources (giant sequoias, recreation, historic and prehistoric 
resources, transportation, caves, and scientific study).
    To realize the desired conditions and meet management goals, new 
management areas and their associated management emphases are being 
proposed. Examples are given of potential projects to maintain or 
achieve the desired condition in a manner consistent with the 
management emphases for a given management area. An initial set of 
standards and guidelines applying to all management areas is also 
included. These are in addition to current direction and do not replace 
existing direction.
    Management areas consist of areas within the monument with similar 
management emphases. Management emphasis is specific direction 
applicable to each management area. Standards and guidelines are the 
primary instructions for land managers, including required (standards) 
and recommended (guidelines) actions necessary for resource management 
activities.

Desired Condition for Giant Sequoias and the Surrounding Mixed-
Conifer Ecosystems

    The ecosystems that support giant sequoias will function much as 
they did prior to recent, but enduring human-induced environmental 
influences, such as fire suppression and timber harvesting. Indicators 
of key ecological elements will be within their historic ranges of 
variability when compared against an appropriate time frame. The 
genetic integrity of the giant sequoia population will be maintained.
    The giant sequoia groves and mixed-conifer forest will be returned 
to an historic fire regime and fuel loading. Fire will be reintroduced 
to the ecosystem and fuel loads that contribute to stand-replacing 
fires will be reduced.
    The overall stand conditions of the giant sequoia groves and their 
surrounding ecosystems will exhibit characteristics that are within 
natural ranges of variability, including, but not limited to, species 
composition, forest structure, and age class distribution.

Management Goals for Giant Sequoias and the Surrounding Mixed-
Conifer Ecosystems

    Protect giant sequoia groves and the surrounding ecosystems by 
ensuring that they are resilient to natural events (e.g. wildfire, 
epidemic outbreaks of insects and diseases) and other events that are 
contrary to, or disruptive of, ecological processes necessary to 
sustain a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. Preserve the genetic 
integrity of each separate giant sequoia grove. Protect the hydrologic 
functions and soil resources upon which the groves and surrounding 
ecosystems depend.
    Restore groves and their surrounding ecosystems to reflect historic 
conditions, which includes a fire regime of frequent and generally low-
intensity fires; a mosaic of different vegetative age and size classes; 
and a large amount of shade-intolerant species such as pines, giant 
sequoias, and hardwoods.
    Coordinate planning and implementation of protection and 
restoration projects with adjoining agencies and private landowners, 
which include the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Mountain 
Home State Forest, the Universities of California (Whitaker's Forest), 
and the Tule River Indian Tribe.

Desired Condition for Dispersed and Developed Recreation

    Visitors to the GSNM will find a rich and varied range of 
recreational and social opportunities enhanced by giant sequoias and 
their ecosystems, historic and prehistoric artifacts, and unique 
geological features. The GSNM will offer a range of experiences, from 
primitive settings to developed settings.
    To facilitate observation and interpretation of the objects of 
interest, landscapes will provide a high level of scenic integrity, 
helping visitors appreciate how healthy ecosystems function and how 
humans fit into them. Scenic opportunities will range from pristine 
landscapes to locations where management activities are apparent.
    Any new recreational or administrative facilities to be constructed 
will emulate the character of the surroundings, remaining in context 
with scientific, historical, ecological, cultural, and economic values. 
High quality interpretive and educational facilities and services will 
be available to promote visitor understanding and enjoyment of the 
giant sequoia ecosystem and the values within the monument.

Management Goals for Developed and Dispersed Recreation

    Provide visitors with a wide range of opportunities for recreation, 
interpretation, and education related to the objects of interest and 
the values of the monument.
    Improve visitor facilities, information, and services to meet 
projected demand for recreation and visitation in cooperation with 
permittees; cooperators; county, state, and federal agencies; tribal 
governments; recreational user groups; and the business community.

Desired Condition for Historic and Prehistoric Resources

    The historic and prehistoric resources of the GSNM will be 
protected, studied, interpreted, and managed to maintain their cultural 
and scientific integrity and to provide educational, cultural, and 
recreational opportunities to visitors.
    A wide range of opportunities will allow visitors to make a 
personal connection with the land and to reflect on the past and its 
relevance to their daily lives.
    The cultural and spiritual values of the monument will be 
protected, managed, and utilized for the benefit of local tribes, 
communities and visitors.

Management Goals for Historic and Prehistoric Resources

    Protect historic and prehistoric values from impacts that could 
destroy them or accelerate their natural rate of deterioration.
    Ensure that sites are interpreted for the education and enjoyment 
of visitors.

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    Local tribes will be consulted in the planning of projects in the 
monument. Ensure access to culturally important sites and resources for 
use by Native Americans.

Desired Condition for the Transportation System

    The transportation system (roads and trails) within the monument 
will provide public access to recreation opportunities, private 
property, lands under special use permit, and other activities 
compatible with enjoying, managing and protecting the objects of 
interest.
    Access will be adequate for management activities such as fire 
suppression, ecological restoration, research, fuels management, and 
maintenance of recreation facilities.
    The transportation system will include a wide range of experiences, 
from primitive trails to highly developed roads. It will consist of 
ecologically stable roads and trails and will contribute to the proper 
care and management of the objects of interest.
    Development, operation, maintenance, or decommissioning of roads 
and trails will be based on the need to provide proper care for the 
objects of interest, public access, or management access.

Management Goals for the Transportation System

    Provide well-maintained roads and trails for public access to all 
national forest system lands within the monument. Coordinate 
transportation planning with Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 
and state and county agencies, to reduce traffic congestion and safety 
hazards, especially along major travel ways such as the General's 
Highway, Highway 180, and Highway 190.
    Allow adequate access to private lands and facilities within the 
monument.
    Provide a wide range of trail opportunities, including accessible 
trails for persons with disabilities, for hiking, horseback riding, 
bicycling, and cross-country skiing.
    Provide a system of well-maintained roads to allow efficient and 
effective fire suppression, fuels treatment, restoration work, and 
other management use.
    Repair or decommission roads that are unstable or are causing 
unacceptable impacts to the objects of interest.
    Provide enjoyable and safe opportunities for riding off-highway 
vehicles, including snowmobiles, on designated roads within the 
monument.

Desired Condition for Caves

    The natural condition of caves within the monument will be 
preserved, to the extent possible, to maintain natural functions and 
protect the unique resources that depend on cave environments for 
existence.
    The caves will provide scientific knowledge, especially regarding 
the paleontological and archaeological artifacts that may shed light on 
thousands of years of change within the giant sequoia groves, their 
ecosystem, and the prehistoric people who helped shape the ecosystem.
    Some caves will provide educational and recreational opportunities 
for visitors.

Management Goals for Caves

    Protect caves and their associated resources from additional 
impacts that could damage or destroy them, including surface 
activities, activities within caves, and activities altering their 
sustaining groundwater conditions.
    Inventory and classify caves according to their most notable 
values.
    Provide for public use where appropriate including interpretation, 
education, and recreation.
    Work with scientific groups, volunteer organizations, and 
recreational clubs to help protect, preserve, and stud caves and their 
associated resources.

Desired Condition for Scientific Study

    Encourage scientific research in the monument that will explore a 
wide range of hypotheses designed to improve the care and management of 
the objects of interest. Cooperating partners may include Forest 
Service research stations, universities, and other interested 
scientific organizations or agencies, as well as tribes and interested 
members of the public.

Management Goals for Scientific Study

    Guide opportunities for scientific research and study of the giant 
sequoia groves, the mixed conifer ecosystems that surround them, the 
historical landscape of the Hume Lake Basin, the limestone caverns, and 
prehistoric archaeological sites.

Management Areas, Emphases, Potential Projects, Standards and 
Guidelines

    Designated Management Areas, the associated emphases for each 
management areas and examples of potential projects within the 
management areas are described below.
    Management Area #1, Zones of Ecological Influence, consists the 
giant sequoia groves and their mixed-conifer ecosystem. These 
boundaries are described in the Forest Service draft report entitled 
``Defining Ecological Zones of Influence for Giant Sequoia Groves of 
the Sequoia National Forest.'' The zones of influence are the areas 
within which management activities could both directly and indirectly 
affect grove ecology. Management Emphases: protect and restore the 
structure and functions of the giant sequoias and their associated 
ecosystems (both terrestrial and hydrologic); reduce fuel loads within 
the groves and their zones of influence and restore a more natural fire 
interval in the groves and surrounding areas; emphasize the 
recruitment, retention and long-term protection of young giant sequoia 
and pines; move the natural hydrologic and terrestrial functions and 
structure toward the desired conditions; encourage scientific research; 
encourage interpretation of and education about the objects of interest 
and provide access to and opportunities for dispersed and developed 
recreation. Examples of potential projects include:
    1. The Converse Grove is a largely second-growth stand of mixed-
conifer and giant sequoias that resulted from intensive logging prior 
to 1900. It is unique in its size and age classes of giant sequoias and 
associated mixed-conifer species. It offers a unique opportunity to 
study a range of protection and restoration measures, as well as 
interpret its logging history.
    2. The Redwood Mountain Grove is a very large grove that is unique 
in that portions of it are management by three separate entities--the 
Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the University of 
California at Berkeley. The ecological characteristics of the grove and 
its multiple ownerships offer a unique opportunity for collaborative 
research efforts.
    3. The Belknap Complex Grove provides a unique blend of known 
sightings of fisher, several giant sequoia groves, old forest 
characteristics, and urban intermix zones. This offers an outstanding 
opportunity to compare different management technique, such as 
prescribed fire and thinning, to meet the goals for the monument.
    4. The Freeman Grove, the Indian Basin Grove, the Converse grove, 
the Bearskin Grove, and the Belknap Complex Grove, offer opportunities 
to develop new and existing interpretive trails.
    5. The Packsaddle Grove offers the opportunity to develop an access 
trail signed with interpretive markers.
    6. The Freeman Grove approaches the desired conditions for 
composition and

[[Page 30882]]

structure. This grove presents the opportunity to use prescribed fire 
and/or mechanical treatments to maintain this condition and improve the 
grove's resiliency to disturbance.
    7. The Belknap Complex Grove is within the Urban Wildland Intermix 
Defense or Threat Zones and is highly susceptible to fire. There are 
communities situated within or adjacent to this grove. Using prescribed 
fire and/or mechanical treatments to remove surface and ladder fuels 
would help prevent the loss of life and property from wildland fire, as 
well as maintain the grove's resiliency to disturbance.
    8. Young seral stages were created in the giant sequoia groves by 
harvesting, fuel treatments, and planting in the 1970s and 1980s. The 
harvesting removed stands of white fire, incense cedar, and pines that 
were growing below the mature giant sequoias. Approximately 775 acres 
of openings were created. Conifer seedlings were planted and young 
sequoias reseeded naturally. These areas will be managed to meet the 
goals of providing young sequoia trees for long-term sustainability.
    Management Area #2, the Hume Lake Historic Area, is an area of 
extraordinary historical and cultural value and is the general site of 
the old logging operations of the late 1800s. Private logging companies 
harvested the sequoias from the surrounding areas and established a 
mill site, a dam, and a small town now known as Hume Lake. This 
management area will also include the Millwood, Abbott Mill, and Lower 
Abbott Mill sites.
    Management Emphases: preserve and interpret this historical 
landscape and its associated ecosystems; provide interpretive and 
educational materials emphasizing the relevance, fragility, and values 
of the area's heritage resources and ecology; and provide a wide range 
of recreational and interpretive opportunities. Examples of potential 
projects include:
    1. Through Indian Basin, develop interpretive trails that connect 
to Converse Basin Grove.
    2. Where the historic logging operations took place, conduct a 
coordinated study to complete the survey of those operations so 
appropriate protection measures can be applied.
    Management Area #3, General Monument Lands consists of the part of 
the monument not included in Management Area #1, Zones of Ecological 
Influence, or Management Area #2, the Hume Lake Basin. It includes a 
wide variety of vegetative types and ecological zones. Much of it is 
covered with mixed conifer stands but this management area also 
includes low elevation chaparral and lower Westside hardwood 
ecosystems. Management Emphases: maintain or restore the health of the 
varied ecological types; move the terrestrial and hydrologic functions 
toward the desired condition; reduce fuel loads, especially down slope 
of the groves, and return to a more natural fire interval; protect the 
objects of interests from unacceptable resource impacts such as 
catastrophic fire; provide access and opportunities for recreation, 
interpretation, and education focused on the objects of interest, 
especially the mixed conifer ecosystem, limestone caverns, and 
prehistoric and historic sites; and encourage scientific research and 
management to provide proper care for the objects of interest. Examples 
include:
    1. Along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway Corridor into Kings Canyon 
National Park, continue to coordinate Forest Service and National Park 
Service management.
    2. Along the Big Meadows Road (14S11), enhance developed and 
dispersed recreation facilities to provide access to interpretive and 
educational opportunities focused on the objects of interest.
    3. Within the Kings Wild and Scenic River Corridor, encourage and 
enhance day use opportunities, including interpretation, education, and 
scenic viewing.
    4. Around Speas Ridge, develop an interpretive trail that discusses 
the prehistoric and historic uses of the area.
    5. Along the Summit National Recreation Trail, add a loop accessing 
additional areas.
    6. The Windy Gap, Needles, and Dome Rock areas, provide additional 
trailhead opportunities, picnic areas, and improvements to existing 
recreational facilities. Within the caves and limestone caverns, 
encourage scientific study and protection.

Monument-Wide (All Management Areas)

    Management Emphasis in this management area (see above statements 
for individual management areas) include:
    1. Along such highways as Highway 190 and the Western Divide 
Highway, expand the scenic byway program to provide a range of scenic 
and recreational opportunities, including viewing areas for giant 
sequoia groves, extraordinary landscapes, wildlife, historical and 
heritage sites, and scientific research sites.
    2. Conduct historical and archeological research that contributes 
to a comprehensive knowledge of historical events and sites and how 
best to protect them.
    3. Develop interpretive opportunities at well protected historic 
and heritage sites.
    Standards and Guidelines proposed for implementation include:
    1. Evaluate land-disturbing activities in the vicinity of caves 
that may impact caves or their associated resources.
    2. Use fuel treatments to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire to 
giant sequoia trees and their surrounding ecosystems.

Decisions To Be Made and Responsible Official

    The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed 
action, as described above or to meet the Purpose and Need for action 
through some other combination of management actions or to defer any 
action at this time.
    The Responsible Official if Forest Supervisor Arthur L. Gaffrey, 
Sequoia National Forest, 900 West Grand Ave., Porterville, California 
93257.

Coordination With Other Agencies

    In preparation of the EIS, the Forest Service will consult with the 
Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Fish and 
Wildlife Service, the State Historic Preservation Office, and other 
federal and state agencies as appropriate, as well as Native American 
Tribes. Scientific guidance will also be sought from the Giant Sequoia 
National Monument Scientific Advisory Board, established as directed in 
the President's Proclamation.

Commenting

    Comments received in response to this invitation to participate in 
public scoping or any future solicitation for public comments on a 
draft EIS, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be 
considered part of the public record and will be available for public 
inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and 
considered. Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may 
request the agency to withhold a submission from the public record by 
showing how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such 
confidentiality. Persons requesting such confidentiality should be 
aware that under the FOIA confidentiality may be granted in only very 
limited circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest 
Service will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding 
the request for confidentiality, and where the request is denied, the

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agency will return the submission and notify the requester that the 
comments may be resubmitted with or without name and address.
    The comment period on the draft EIS will be 90 days from the date 
of Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability 
in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes that, at this early stage, it is very 
important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to 
public participation in the environmental review process. First, 
reviewers of a draft EIS must structure their participation in the 
environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and 
alerts the 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, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 
F. Supp. 1334 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is 
very important that persons 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 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 
environmental impact statement 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 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.

    Dated: May 31, 2001.
Arthur L. Gaffrey,
Forest Supervisor, Sequoia National Forest, USDA Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14182 Filed 6-7-01; 8:45 am]
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