![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Sheep Creek Range Analysis EIS--Lewis and Clark National Forest
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: February 19, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 33)]
[Notices]
[Page 7346-7347]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe02-34]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Sheep Creek Range Analysis EIS--Lewis and Clark National Forest
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact
statement on a proposal to implement
[[Page 7347]]
the direction and objectives of the Forest Plan (in compliance with
applicable laws, regulations and policies) in authorizing livestock
grazing in the Sheep Creek area of the White Sulphur Springs Ranger
District on the Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis and issues were
received during a comment period in June 2001. Although the formal
scoping period is completed for this EIS, comments will be accepted and
an opportunity to comment on the draft EIS will be provided.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Timothy J. Benedict, White Sulphur
Springs District Ranger, Lewis and Clark National Forest, PO. Box A,
Great Falls, MT 59645. Electronic mail may be sent to comment/
1_lewisclark@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eldon Rash, EIS Team Leader, (406)
791-7700.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The schedule developed by the Lewis and
Clark National Forest, as outlined by the 1995 Rescission Bill,
requires adequate National Environmental Policy Act planning be
completed on the Sheep Creek allotments by 2001. The Forest Plan
prescribes allotment planning on intervals of 10 to 20 years. Of the
cattle and horse allotments being analyzed, 23 would have out-dated
plans by end of 2001. None of the 5 special use pastures, 2 agriculture
special uses or 2 administrative pastures have current plans. Eleven
parcels of National Forest System lands are fenced with private land,
but are not currently authorized for use under a permit. The proposed
actions assume that the proposed land exchange between the Forest
Service and the Bair Foundation in the Tenderfoot area will be
completed as proposed. If the exchange does not occur, allocation of
livestock between private and forest permits in the Bald Hills and
Tenderfoot allotments will be revised based on forage capacity of each
ownership. The proposed actions are expected to be implemented over a
four-year period after the decision is made.
Decisions To Be Made: The District Ranger will decide whether to
(a) authorize grazing on reorganized allotments, (b) establish maximum
allowable use standards for each pasture, (c) establish seasonal
rotation of grazing, (d) reduce length of season of grazing, (e) issue
special use permits and/or relocate fences to eliminate unauthorized
livestock grazing, (f) construct range improvement and implement
ecosystem prescribed burning, and (g) monitor allotments on a schedule.
Responsible Official: Timothy J. Benedict, White Sulphur Spring
District Ranger, is the Responsible Official for making the decision to
implement any of the alternatives evaluated. He will document his
decision and rationale in a Record of Decision.
Preliminary Issues: Issues associated with allotment management
planning include upland vegetation, riparian area function, and
economics.
Public Involvement, Rationale, and Public Meetings: Scoping for
this project began in September 2001. A letter was sent to 109
individuals requesting comment on the proposed action. Scoping comments
were received from seventeen individuals or interest groups and will be
considered for alternative development, however, public participation
in this analysis is welcome at any time. A 45-day review period for
comments on the Draft EIS will be provided. Comments received will be
considered and included in documentation of the Final EIS. The public
is encouraged to take part in the process and to visit with Forest
Service officials at any time during the analysis and prior to the
decision. The Forest Service has sought and will continue to seek
information, comments and assistance from Federal, State and local
agencies and other individuals or organizations who may be interested
in, or affected by, the proposed action.
Electronic Access and Filing Addresses: Comments may be sent by
electronic mail (e-mail) to comment/r1_lewisclark@fs.fed.us. Please
reference the Sheep Creek Range Analysis EIS on the subject line. Also,
include your name and mailing address with your comments so documents
pertaining to this project may be mailed to you.
Estimated Dates for Filing: The Draft EIS is expected to be filed
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for
public review by June, 2002. At that time EPA will publish a Notice of
Availability of the draft EIS in the Federal Register. The comment
period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date the EPA publishes
the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. It is very
important that those interested in the management of this area
participate at that time.
The final EIS is scheduled to be completed by September, 2002. In
the final EIS, the Forest Service is required to respond to comments
received during the comment period that pertain to the environmental
consequences of the action, as well as those pertaining to applicable
laws, regulations, and policies. These will be considered in making a
decision regarding the proposal.
The Reviewers Obligation To Comment: 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. 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.
Dated: February 11, 2002.
Rick Prausa,
Lewis and Clark Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 02-3879 Filed 2-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M