This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains documents other than rules or

proposed rules that are applicable to the

public. Notices of hearings and investigations,

committee meetings, agency decisions and

rulings, delegations of authority, filing of

petitions and applications and agency

statements of organization and functions are

examples of documents appearing in this

section.

Notices Federal Register

61244 

Vol. 70, No. 203 

Friday, October 21, 2005 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Submission for OMB Review; 

Comment Request 

October 17, 2005. 

The Department of Agriculture has 

submitted the following information 

collection requirement(s) to OMB for 

review and clearance under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 

Public Law 104–13. Comments 

regarding (a) whether the collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

agency, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate 

of burden including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used; (c) 

ways to enhance the quality, utility and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; (d) ways to minimize the 

burden of the collection of information 

on those who are to respond, including 

through the use of appropriate 

automated, electronic, mechanical, or 

other technological collection 

techniques or other forms of information 

technology should be addressed to: Desk 

Officer for Agriculture, Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs, 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB), 

OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or 

fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental 

Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail 

Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 

7602. Comments regarding these 

information collections are best assured 

of having their full effect if received 

within 30 days of this notification. 

Copies of the submission(s) may be 

obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. 

An agency may not conduct or 

sponsor a collection of information 

unless the collection of information 

displays a currently valid OMB control 

number and the agency informs 

potential persons who are to respond to 

the collection of information that such 

persons are not required to respond to 

the collection of information unless it 

displays a currently valid OMB control 

number. 

National Agricultural Statistics Service 

Title: Egg, Chicken, and Turkey 

Surveys. 

OMB Control Number: 0535–0004. 

Summary of Collection: The primary 

function of the National Agricultural 

Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare 

and issue current official State and 

national estimates of crop and livestock 

production. Thousands of farmers, 

ranchers, agribusinesses and others 

voluntarily respond to nationwide 

surveys about crops, livestock, prices, 

and other agricultural activities. 

Estimates of egg, chicken, and turkey 

production are in an integral part of this 

program. General authority for these 

data collection activities is granted 

under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. 

This statue specifies the ‘‘The Secretary 

of Agriculture shall procure and 

preserve all information concerning 

agriculture which she can obtain * * * 

by the collection of statistics * * * and 

shall distribute them among 

agriculturists’’. Information published 

from the surveys in this docket is 

needed by USDA economists and 

government policy makers to ensure the 

orderly marketing of broilers, turkeys 

and eggs. 

Need and Use of the Information: 

Statistics on these poultry products 

contribute to a comprehensive program 

of keeping the government and poultry 

industry abreast of anticipated changes. 

All of the poultry reports are used by 

producers, processors, feed dealers, and 

others in the marketing and supply 

channels as a basis for their production 

and marketing decisions. 

Description of Respondents: Farms; 

Business or other for profit. 

Number of Respondents: 3,714. 

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: 

Weekly; Monthly; Annually. 

Total Burden Hours: 4,013. 

Ruth Brown, 

Departmental Information Collection 

Clearance Officer. 

[FR Doc. 05–21080 Filed 10–20–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–20–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Forest Service 

Ochoco and Deschutes National 

Forests; OR; Invasive Plant Treatment 

Project. 

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Revised notice of intent to 

prepare an environmental impact 

statement. 

SUMMARY: On February 23, 2004 the 

original Notice of Intent to prepare an 

Environmental Impact Statement to 

‘‘* * * document and disclose the 

potential environmental effets of 

proposed invasive plant treatment 

activities on the Ochoco and Deshutes 

National Forests.’’ appear in the Federal 

Register. The original Notice Intent 

appeared in Federal Register Volume 

69, No. 35/February 23, 2004 on page 

8174. Due to the extensive length of 

time between that publication in the 

Federal Register and the initiation of 

the analysis for this project, a Revised 

Notice of Intent is being published. 

Comments need not be re-submitted if 

they were submitted in 2004 for this 

proposed action. 

The USDA Forest Service will prepare 

an Environmental Impact Statement 

(EIS) to document and disclose the 

potential environmental effects of 

proposed invasive plant treatment 

activities on the Deschutes National 

Forest, Ochoco National Forest and the 

Crooked River National Grassland. This 

project evaluates site-specific treatments 

of invasive plants; including manual, 

mechanical, cultural, biological and 

herbicide treatment methods as well as 

the use of prescribed fire. Forest Plan 

direction, including amendments 

identified in the Pacific Northwest 

Region Invasive Plant Program 

Environmental Imact Statement, will be 

incorporated into all alternatives, 

including the Proposed Action. 

DATES: A Draft EIS is expected to be 

available in January, 2005, and the final 

EIS in April, 2006. 

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments 

(i.e., letter or fax) to Lorri Health, 

Invasive Plant EIS Team Leader, 

Deschutes National Forest, SW., 1001 

Emkay Drive, Bend, OR. Fax number is 

541–383–5531. Submit email comments 

to: comments-pacificnorthwestdeschutes@fs.fed.us. 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 203 / Friday, October 21, 2005 / Notices 61245 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If 

you have questions or need more 

information about this project, contact 

Lorri Heath, Invasive Plant EIS Team 

Leader, Deschutes National Forest, 1001 

SW Emkay Drive, Bend, OR 97702 (541–

383–5738). Maps of the proposed 

treatment sites are available at the 

Deschutes NF Supervisor Office, 

Ochoco NF Supervisor Office, Bend/Ft. 

Rock Ranger District Office, Crescent 

Ranger District Office, Sisters Ranger 

District Office, Lookout Mountain 

Ranger District Office, Paulina Ranger 

District Office and the Crooked River 

National Grassland Office, Location and 

contact information for these offices can 

be obtained from Lorri Heath, Invasive 

Plant EIS Team Leader, Deschutes 

National Forest, 1001 SW., Emkay 

Drive, Bend, OR 97702 (541–383–5738). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Action 

Approximately 60,000 acres of the 

total 3 million acres of forest and 

grasslands on the Ochoco National 

Forest, Deschutes National Forests and 

Crooked River National Grassland are 

degraded by infestations of invasive, 

non-native plants. These infestations 

have been identified on approximately 

2,000 individual locations or sites. 

These infestations have a high potential 

to expand and further degrade forests 

and grasslands. Infested areas represent 

potential seed sources for further 

invasion onto neighboring lands. 

Invasive plants create a host of 

adverse environmental effects which are 

harmful to native ecosystem processes. 

Examples of these effects include: 

Displacement of native plants; reduction 

in functionality of habitat and forage for 

wildlife and livestock; loss of 

threatened, endangered, and sensitive 

species; increased soil erosion and 

reduced water quality; alteration of 

physical and biological properties of 

soil, including reduced soil 

productivity; changes to the intensity 

and frequently of wildfires; budget 

impacts that limit or reduce land 

management opportunities due to high 

costs or dollars spent for controlling 

invasive plants; and loss of recreational 

opportunities. Without action, invasive 

plant populations will continue to grow; 

compromising our ability to manage for 

healthy functioning ecosystems. 

Proposed Action 

The USDA Forest Service; Deschutes 

National Forest, Ochoco National 

Forest, and Crooked River National 

Grassland propose to treat areas 

currently identified with invasive plant 

infestations and to provide timely 

treatments for expanded and newly 

identified invasive plant sites. 

Treatments, depending upon the species 

of invasive plants and site 

characteristics, would include the use of 

prescribed fire; manual, and 

mechanical, cultural, chemical and 

biological control methods. The 

proposed treatments would enhance our 

ability to protect native ecosystems from 

invasive, non-native plants. Some of the 

infested areas are small in size, while 

others are extensive. 

Invasive plant treatments are 

proposed on approximately 12,000 acres 

that are known to be infested by 

invasive plants. The Proposed Action 

will also analyze treatments for the 

likely expansion of these existing sites, 

and for new (unidentified) invasive 

plant sites in areas most susceptible to 

new introductions. 

Treatment methods are based upon 

information such as the biology of a 

particular invasive plant species, 

invasive plant site location, site type, 

and size of the infestation. Long-term 

site goals would be established for 

infested areas. Site goals are based upon 

treatment options, monitoring and 

revegetation potential. Prescriptions are 

based upon Integrated Pest Management 

principles. Integrated Pest Management 

(IPM) is a process by which one selects 

and applies a combination of 

management techniques (Example: 

Prevention then manual or mechanical 

treatments, followed by biological 

treatments) that, together, control a 

particular invasive plant species or 

infestation efficiently and effectively. 

IPM seeks to combine two or more 

management techniques which interact 

to provide better control than any one 

of the actions might provide along. It is 

typically species-specific, site-specific 

and designed to be practical; with 

minimum risk to non-target species or 

the surrounding environment, including 

wildlife species and human health. 

Invasive plant treatments are 

proposed on approximately 12,000 acres 

that are known to be infested by 

invasive plants. The Proposed Action 

will also analyze treatments for the 

likely expansion of these existing sites, 

and for new (unidentified) invasive 

plant sites in areas most susceptible to 

new introductions. In addition to the 

known 12,000 acres of invasive plants, 

an estimated additional 960 acres (based 

on 8% rate of spread) of expanded and 

new sites will be treated per year for the 

life of this plan. Actual annual 

treatment acres associated with these 

future sites would likely vary because of 

variations in invasive plant spread and 

occurrence of new invasive plant 

introductions. Actual annual treatment 

will likely decline over the life of this 

plan because of the effectiveness of 

these treatment actions. 

Based upon currently known sites 

with weed infestations, the Proposed 

Action includes approximately 100 

acres of biological control treatment, 

approximately 500 acres of herbicide 

only treatment, approximately 6,000 

acres of herbicides plus manual 

treatments, approximately 1,000 acres of 

manual only treatment, approximately 

500 acres of cultural plus herbicide 

treatments, approximately 700 acres of 

manual plus mechanical treatments, 

approximately 100 acres of mechanical 

plus herbicide treatments and 

approximately 2,500 acres of prescribed 

fire treatments. 

Proposed Scoping 

Public participation is an important 

part of this analysis. The Forest Service 

is seeking information, comments, and 

assistance from Federal, State and local 

agencies; Native American Tribes; and 

other individuals or organizations who 

may be interested in or affected by the 

proposed action. Comments submitted 

during the scoping process should be in 

writing. They should be specified to the 

action being proposed and should 

describe as clearly and completely as 

possible any issues that commenter has 

with the proposal. This input will be 

used in preparation of the Draft EIS. 

In addition to inviting public 

comments, the public may visit Forest 

Service officials familiar with this 

project, at any time during the analysis 

and prior to the decision. To facilitate 

public participation, additional 

opportunities may include: a scoping 

letter, public meetings and/or field trips. 

Dates of meetings and field trips are yet 

to be determined. 

Comments 

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. First, 

reviewers of the draft EIS must structure 

their participation in the environmental 

review of the proposal so that it is 

meaningful, and alerts any agency to the 

reviewer’s position and contentions 

(Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. 

v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519.553 (1978)). 

Also, environmental objectives that 

could be raised at the draft EIS stage but 

that are not raised until after the 

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 

Heritage, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 

1334 (E.D.Wis. 1980)). Because of these 

court rulings, it is very important that 

61246 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 203 / Friday, October 21, 2005 / Notices 

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 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 EIS should be as 

specific as possible. It is also helpful if 

the comments refer to specific pages or 

chapters of the draft statement. 

Comments may also address the 

adequacy of the draft EIS or merits of 

alternatives formulated and discussed in 

the statement. Reviewers may wish to 

refer to the Council on Environmental 

Quality Regulations for implementing 

the procedural provision of the National 

Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 

1503.3) in addressing these points. 

Comments received in response to 

this solicitation, including names and 

addresses of those who comment, will 

be considered part of the public record 

on this proposed action and will be 

available for public inspection. 

Comments submitted anonymously will 

be accepted and considered; however, 

those who submit anonymous 

comments may not have standing to 

appeal the subsequent decision under 

36 CFR part 215. 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 award 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 

agency will return the submission and 

notify the requester that the comments 

may be resubmitted with or without 

name and address within a specified 

number of days. 

Comments on the draft EIS will be 

analyzed, considered, and responded to 

by the Forest Service in preparing the 

final EIS. The final EIS is scheduled to 

be completed in April 2006. There will 

be two responsible officials for this 

multi-Forest EIS. Duties of the 

Responsible Official will be shared 

between Leslie Weldon, Forest 

Supervisor of the Deschutes National 

Forest, and Larry Timchak, Forest 

Supervisor of the Ochoco National 

Forest. They will consider comments, 

responses, and environmental 

consequences discussed in the final EIS, 

and applicable laws, regulations, and 

policies in making a decision regarding 

this proposed action. The responsible 

officials will document the decision and 

rationale for the decision in the Record 

of Decision. It will be subject to Forest 

Service Appeal Regulations (36 CFR 

part 215). 

Dated: September 26, 2005. 

Leslie Weldon, 

Supervisor, Deschutes National Forest. 

Dated: September 27, 2005. 

K.J. Silverman, 

Acting Supervisor, Ochoco National Forest 

& Crooked River National Grasslands. 

[FR Doc. 05–20672 Filed 10–20–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–11–M 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Rural Utilities Service 

Georgia Transmission Corporation; 

Notice of Availability of an 

Environmental Assessment 

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. 

ACTION: Notice of availability of an 

Environmental Assessment for public 

review. 

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that 

the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 

proposes to prepare an Environmental 

Assessment related to possible financial 

assistance to Georgia Transmission 

Corporation (GTC) for the construction 

of approximately 4.4 miles of 230 

kilovolt transmission line, a 230/25 

kilovolt transmission substation, and a 

230 kilovolt switching station. The 

proposed 230-kilovolt transmission line 

and substation projects would be 

located in Gwinnett County, Georgia. 

GTC is requesting RUS provide 

financing for the proposed project. 

A less than 0.1 acre portion of the 

project will be located in a wetland. 

Alternatives, including no action, were 

considered; however, no practicable 

alternatives were identified that would 

avoid having an impact on the wetland. 

Comments or suggestions for mitigating 

impacts to the wetland are welcome. 

DATES: Written comments on this Notice 

must be received on or before November 

21, 2005. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be 

sent to: Stephanie Strength, 

Environmental Protection Specialist, 

USDA, Rural Development, Utilities 

Programs, Engineering and 

Environmental Staff, 1400 

Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, 

Washington, DC 20250–1571. 

Telephone: (202) 720–0468 or e-mail 

stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Stephanie Strength, Environmental 

Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural 

Development, Utilities Programs, 

Engineering and Environmental Staff, 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 

1571, Washington, DC 20250–1571. 

Telephone: (202) 720–0468 or e-mail 

stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Georgia 

Transmission Corporation proposes to 

construct a 230 kilovolt transmission 

line between the Jim Moore Substation 

(located on Auburn Road (SR324), 3.2 

miles north of Dacula, Georgia, and 14.3 

miles northwest of Auburn, Georgia) to 

the Old Freeman Mill Road Switching 

Station (located 2 miles northeast of 

Dacula, Georgia and 0.2 miles south of 

State Highway 29 (Winder Highway) on 

Old Freemans Mill Road. The 

transmission line connects the Old 

Freeman Mill switching station in-line 

with the existing Lawrenceville-Winder 

Primary 230 kilovolt Transmission Line 

to the proposed Jim Moore Road 230/25 

kilovolt transmission substation. 

Concrete or steel poles ranging in height 

from 85 to 115-feet would support the 

conductors and would require a right-ofway of 25 to 100 feet. The approximate 

length of the transmission line is 4.4 

miles. It is anticipated that the 

transmission line and substations would 

be in service by the summer of 2006. 

Alternatives considered by RUS and 

Georgia Transmission Corporation 

include: (a) No action, (b) alternative 

transmission improvements, and (c) 

alternative transmission line corridors. 

An environmental report, which 

describes the project further and 

discusses anticipated environmental 

impacts thereof has been prepared by 

Georgia Transmission Corporation. 

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has 

accepted the ER as its environmental 

assessment (EA) of the project and is 

available for public review. The Report 

is available for public review at RUS at 

the address provided in this notice, or 

at the Georgia Transmission 

Corporation, 2100 East Exchange Place, 

Tucker, Georgia 30084. 

Questions and comments should be 

sent to RUS at the address provided. 

RUS should receive comments on the 

EA in writing by November 21, 2005 to 

ensure that they are considered in the 

environmental impact determination. 

Should RUS determine, based on the 

Environmental Assessment of the 

project, that the impacts of the 

construction and operation of the 

transmission projects would not have a 

significant environmental impact, it will 

prepare a Finding of No Significant 

Impact. Public notification of a Finding