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Coconino and Tonto National Forests, AZ; Fossil Creek Area Planning EIS
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: June 16, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 115)]
[Notices]
[Page 35620-35622]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jn03-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Coconino and Tonto National Forests, AZ; Fossil Creek Area Planning EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
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SUMMARY: The Coconino and Tonto National Forests are developing an EIS
to analyze the effects of proposed management changes within the Fossil
Creek area. This EIS and planning process would result in the
development and implementation of new management areas, standards, and
guidelines within both forests' management plans.
The Fossil Creek planning area lies within the administrative
boundaries of the Coconino and Tonto National Forests (NFs) in
Coconino, Gila, and Yavapai Counties in central Arizona. On the
Coconino NF, the planning area includes the Fossil Springs Wilderness,
Fossil Creek Botanical area and portions of the Hackberry and Boulder
Canyon Inventoried Roadless Areas. The Tonto NF portion contains the
proposed Fossil Creek State Natural area and a segment of the Mazatzal
Wilderness.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by July 8, 2003. The Forest Service expects to complete the draft
environmental impact statement by late summer 2003, and the final
environmental impact statement by February 2004.
ADDRESSES: To provide comments or to obtain further information please
contact: Judy Adams, Red Rock Ranger District, P.O. Box 300, Sedona, AZ
86339, or e-mail comments to jadams05@fs.fed.us. Comments or
information requests can also be made by fax at 928.203.7539.
Information on this project may be obtained on the Coconino National
Forest Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/. 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy Adams, Coconino National Forest
(see contact information above).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fossil Creek is one of Arizona's rare
perennial streams, flowing from Fossil Springs southwest to the Verde
River. The neighboring landscape is rich in unique resources, including
native fish and wildlife, cultural resources, designated wilderness
areas, abundant riparian vegetation, and crystal clear spring waters.
With the anticipated decommissioning of the Childs/Irving power plants
and the restoration of full flows to Fossil Creek, travertine mineral
deposits are expected to recreate a unique system of pools and
waterfalls, resulting in new and varied fish and wildlife habitat, more
diverse vegetation and increased scenic quality. These travertine
forming mineral deposits occur in only two other locations in Arizona,
making this a rare and important resource.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this planning effort is to initiate management
changes within the Fossil Creek area. These changes will be designed to
address several issues, including the need for additional protection of
Fossil Creek's uncommon resources, an increasing public demand for high
quality water based recreation and the anticipated decommissioning of
the Childs/Irving power plant facilities. The decommissioning of the
power plants will return full, natural flows to the entire length of
Fossil Creek.
Recent Forest Service inventories of conditions along Fossil Creek
show high recreation pressures affecting streamside soils, plants, and
archaeological resources. An important purpose of management changes is
to restore and protect these sensitive and unique areas, while
continuing to offer access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
The Coconino and Tonto National Forest Land and Resource Management
Plans (Forest Plans) provide general goals, objectives, standards, and
guidelines for various management areas, land allocations, and
activities designated in the planning area. This planning effort is
expected to result in an amendment to both Forest Plans, creating
congruity in management direction and incorporating appropriate new
direction.
Proposed Action
The action proposed by the Coconino and Tonto National Forests
consists of making management changes within the Fossil Creek area.
These changes would result in amendments to both Forest Plans, and
would establish new standards and guidelines and new and/or modified
management areas. Meeting these goals would facilitate the recovery and
protection of riparian vegetation, stream channel characteristics,
wildlife and fish habitat, soils, and cultural values, while still
providing a variety of recreational experiences.
Possible Alternatives
The following are preliminary management alternatives that have
been developed in response to preliminary significant issues derived
from both the public and the agency. These preliminary alternatives
will be further refined as the analysis process progresses. Additional
alternatives may be developed if necessary to respond to new
information.
Several management actions are similar for all alternatives,
excluding the no action alternative. In all instances, the majority of
Forest Road (FR) 708 would remain open to public vehicle
[[Page 35621]]
access at the current level of maintenance. FR's 9206W and 9248C would
be closed and restored (decommissioned). Camping and campfires would be
permitted downstream of the existing Irving power plant facility in
locations consistent with resource needs. Sanitation facilities would
be installed in the Middle Fossil and/or Irving areas. Most
alternatives would include creation of a creek side trail linking the
Middle Fossil area with the FR 708 bridge. The Recreation Opportunity
Spectrum (ROS) would attempt to preserve a semi-primitive character
along Fossil Creek, with as few signs of development and management
presence as possible. In the Middle Fossil Creek area, the ROS would
allow for developments such as vault toilets, information signs,
trails, and traffic barriers, with frequent management presence.
The following preliminary alternatives are currently under
consideration:
1. Alternative A (Proposed Action)--Alternative A would attempt to
strike a balance between recreational needs and resource protection. A
road access system would be created in the Middle Fossil Creek area to
help facilitate parking and creek access in some locations. The Flume
Road and trail would be closed, and the footbridge removed. Camping and
campfires would be prohibited from Fossil Springs to Irving. A portion
of Management Area (MA) 11 (Verde Valley) on the Coconino NF would be
identified as MA 12 (Riparian).
2. Alternative B--Under this alternative, management within the
Fossil Creek area would continue under existing direction and
regulation. No new actions would be taken, and no changes to existing
Forest Plan direction would be made.
3. Alternative C--Alternative C would emphasize the needs and
desires of camping and recreation. The Flume trail would be maintained,
with the footbridge removed. Dispersed camping and campfires would be
permitted in the Middle Fossil area. Designated dispersed camping would
be permitted at Irving, along the Flume trail and at Fossil Springs,
although no campfires would be allowed. Management area changes would
be as in the Proposed Action (Alternative A).
4. Alternative D--Management direction in Alternative D would be
more restrictive than other alternatives in terms of access for
recreation. FR 708 would not remain open in its entirety--the portion
of the road between the Deadmans Mesa Road and the parking area just
north of Irving (Flume trail parking area) would be closed. This
stretch (approximately 3 miles) would be converted to a non-motorized
trail. A creekside trail linking the Middle Fossil area with the FR 708
bridge would not be created. The Flume Road and trail would be closed
and revegetated (decommissioned). No camping or campfires would be
permitted from Fossil Springs down to and including Irving. Camping and
campfires would be allowed in designated areas downstreams of Irving,
with parking limited to along FR 708. A special closure area would be
established between Irving and the Fossil Springs dam for wildlife and
riparian protection. A new Fossil Creek Conservation MA would be
created, and a recommendation made to Congress for a minor expansion of
the Fossil Springs Wilderness.
5. Alternative E--Management directives in this alternative would
emphasize day use of the Fossil Creek area. FR 502E would be narrowed
and converted to a motorized trail. The Flume Road and trail would
remain in use. The footbridge would remain. Camping and campfires would
not be allowed from and including Fossil Springs, downstream to and
including the Irving housing area. A new Fossil Creek Conservation MA
would be created, incorporating the Fossil Springs Botanical area
(Coconino NF) and the proposed State Natural Area (Tonto NF).
Responsible Official
The Coconino and Tonto National Forest Supervisors will be the
officials responsible for making management decisions, non-significant
Forest Plan Amendments, and recommendations to Congress via the Forest
Plan Amendments for special designations if needed.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Within this analysis and planning process, programmatic decisions
will be made for the Fossil Creek Planning Area. The scope of these
decisions includes the development of Forest Plan desired conditions,
standards and guidelines that would provide for the protection and
enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, riparian values, scenic
values, and historic and cultural values. These conditions, standards,
and guidelines will also determine the character, type, and location of
recreation opportunities, roads, trails, and facilities. Site-specific
decisions will be made concerning road and trail management.
There will be one environmental analysis documented in an EIS.
These amendments are considered to be non-significant Forest Plan
Amendments, affecting only a minor portion of either involved national
forest.
Scoping Process
In October 2002, the Forest Service sent out a scoping letter and a
description of the proposed action for the Fossil Creek planning
process. This letter was followed by a public open house in Pine,
Arizona in December 2002, and a question and answer session with
interested groups in Phoenix, Arizona in January 2003. News releases
and articles requesting comments have been published as well. In
response to these efforts and the information provided, the Forest
Service has thus far received approximately 57 letters and over 330
substantive comments concerning this analysis.
Preliminary Issues
The issues and concerns voiced in comment letters and other
communications, along with those expressed at public meetings, have
been taken into consideration in the identification of significant
issues and in the development of the preliminary alternatives described
above.
Primary Issue
Despite the considerable amount of agreement regarding protection
of the natural and cultural values associated with Fossil Creek, there
remains disagreement as to the amount, type, and location of recreation
access and restrictions needed. Some believe that current levels and
locations of access should be left unchanged, including all roads and
trails, and that there should be no camping or campfire restrictions.
Others believe that access should be substantially reduced to best meet
resource protection goals, specifically suggesting a reduction in
access along the riparian corridor.
Sub-Issues
? Proposed camping and campfire restrictions and trail/road
closures limit the public's use of the area more than necessary to
protect resources.
? Camping, trails, and vehicle access could result in impacts
to soil, water, cultural resources, wildlife, vegetation, and
travertine.
? Location of access and use, including roads and trails,
could impact natural and cultural values and recreation opportunities.
Comments Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process that guides the
development of the environmental impact statement. Please provide
[[Page 35622]]
additional comment on the proposed action or any of the possible
alternatives so that any revisions or additions to these alternatives
may be considered.
Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent
Environmental Review
A draft environmental impact statement will be prepared for
comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement
will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency
publishes the notice of availability 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. 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.
Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who
comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal,
and will be available for public inspection.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook
1909.15, section 21)
Dated: June 10, 2003.
Nora B. Rasure,
Forest Supervisor, Coconino National Forest.
[FR Doc. 03-15092 Filed 6-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M