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South Babione Project, Bighorn National Forest, Sheridan and Johnson Counties, Wyoming

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: August 28, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 167)]
[Notices]
[Page 45619-45620]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au97-28]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


South Babione Project, Bighorn National Forest, Sheridan and
Johnson Counties, Wyoming

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact
statement to disclose the environmental impacts on a proposal to
harvest timber in the South Babione area, located on the Bighorn
National Forest within Sheridan and Johnson Counties, Wyoming.
    The proposal provides for: (1) timber harvest of approximately 350
acres of forested land and would result in approximately 3 million
board feet of sawlog and utility timber; (2) construction of
approximately 8 miles of permanent and temporary road and
reconstruction of approximately 2 miles of road; and (3) a change in
travel management by closing the area to off-road motorized travel.
    The Forest Service invites comments and suggestions on the draft
environmental impact statement (DEIS) from federal, state and local
agencies, as well as individuals and organizations who may be
interested in, or affected by the proposed action.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received
in writing by September 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Craig Yancy, District Ranger,
Tongue Ranger District, 1969 South Sheridan Avenue, Sheridan, Wyoming
82801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Trish Clabaugh, Interdisciplinary team leader, (307) 674-2683.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In 1991, the Babione Timber Sale Environmental Assessment was
signed which included the South Babione area currently proposed for
study. Since that time, a different road location has been proposed and
revised harvest methods have been proposed to better meet the
management area objectives in the 4B wildlife area within the project
area.
    The environmental impact statement for the South Babione Project
will tier to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Bighorn
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan of 1985. The project
area is located south of Forest Development Road 299 and west of Antler
Creek. The project area covers approximately 5,000 acres.

Purpose and Need

    The South Babione Project is being scheduled to provide
supplemental environmental analysis for the South Babione area. The
purpose and need for this project is: (1) to implement the direction
contained in the Bighorn National Forest Land and Resource Management
Plan of 1985, including goals, objectives, management prescriptions,
and standards and guidelines; (2) to improve the overall diversity and
wildlife habitat of management indicator species; (3) to maintain wood
production from suitable timber lands; (4) to help provide a supply of
timber from the Bighorn National Forest which meets existing and
potential market demand and is consistent with sound multiple use and
sustained yield objectives; and (5) to determine proper travel
management in the area.

Public Comment

    Although scoping is reinitiated through this Notice of Intent, most
comments received during earlier scoping efforts are considered
applicable and will be retained. People who wish to update their
earlier comments based on the revised purpose and need are encouraged
to do so.
    Following the publication of this notice, a scoping letter will be
mailed to interested people and organizations. The letter will briefly
describe the project and area, purpose and need for the action and will
invite public comment.
    Following scoping, the interdisciplinary team will review comments
received during scoping to determine which issues are significant. The
team will then develop a range of alternatives including the ``no
action'' alternative, in which no timber harvest or road construction
is proposed. Other alternatives will consider various levels and
locations of timber harvest.
    The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be filed
with

[[Page 45620]]

the Environmental Protection Agency in April 1998. The comment period
on the draft is 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection
Agency publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
Agencies and other interested persons or groups are invited to write or
speak with Forest Service officials at any time during the planning
process until the 45 day comment period on the draft ends. The final
environmental impact statement and record of decision is expected to be
completed in June 1998.
    The Forest Service believes it is important to give reviewers
notice at this early stage of several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of
draft 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). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised
until after completion of the final environmental impact statement 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, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980) Because of these court rulings, it
is very important that 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 environmental impact statement.
    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 of the draft
environmental impact statement 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.) Please note that comments
you make on the draft environmental impact statement will be regarded
as public information.

Decisions to be Made

    Abigail Kimbell, Forest Supervisor, is the Responsible Official and
will decide whether or not to authorize timber harvest within the South
Babione Project Area. The Responsible Official will make a decision
regarding this proposal after considering public comments and the
information in the final environmental impact statement, and applicable
laws, regulations and policies. The decision and supporting reason will
be documented in the Record of Decision.

    Dated: August 20, 1997.
Abigail R. Kimbell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 97-22901 Filed 8-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M

 
 

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