Hoosier National Forest, Indiana; German Ridge Restoration Project
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[Federal Register: February 2, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 22)]
[Notices]
[Page 5639-5640]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02fe06-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Hoosier National Forest, Indiana; German Ridge Restoration Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Availability; FEIS available.
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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest has made a
decision on a final environmental impact statement for German Ridge
Restoration project. The Acting Forest Supervisor has selected
Alternative A for implementation. The DEIS discloses the environmental
consequences of replacing nonnative pine plantations in the German
Ridge area of Perry County, Indiana with native hardwood communities.
The DEIS was available for comment during two comment periods. A
previous decision was withdrawn so that a second comment period could
be provided in case someone had not been aware of the original
opportunity to comment. No additional substantive comments were
received during the additional comment period.
DATES: The Forest Supervisor signed the Record of Decision on January
24, 2006.
Copies: To receive a CD or a hard copy of the FEIS or the Record of
Decision, request it from Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator; Hoosier National
Forest; 811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, IN 47421. To request a CD
electronically, send a message with your request to
r9_hoosier_website@fs.fed.us.
Appeal Opportunities: Only those who submitted substantive comments
during one of the two comments periods are eligible to appeal this
decision.
ADDRESSES: Send any appeal to the Appeal Deciding Officer: Regional
Forester Randy Moore, 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202;
fax: 414-944-3963. Send electronic appeals to:
appeals-eastern-hoosier@fs.fed.us. When submitting electronic comments,
please reference the German Ridge Restoration Project on the subject line.
In addition, include your name and mailing address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Ellis, NEPA Coordinator, Hoosier
National Forest, USDA Forest Service; telephone: 812 275-5987. See
address above under Copies (under SUMMARY). Another means of obtaining
information on the project is to visit the Forest Web page at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier
click on ``Forest Projects,''
then ``Scoping Packages,'' and then ``German Ridge Restoration.''
Selected Alternative
The selected alternative is to implement the proposed action, which
would fulfill the goals and objectives of the Forest Plan involving the
restoration of native communities; replace pine plantations with native
hardwood communities that include a strong component of oaks,
hickories, and other fire-adapted plants; and restore natural
vegetative conditions to a set of barrens within the project area. To
accomplish those goals, the Forest would during the next six or seven
years; (1) Apply prescribed fire on approximately 2,170 acres, (2) thin
approximately 215 acres, (3) implement pine removal on approximately
355 acres, and (4) complete shelterwood harvest on approximately 120
acres. Additional activities would also be pursued.
Responsible Official
James L. Lowe, Acting Forest Supervisor; Hoosier National Forest;
811 Constitution Avenue; Bedford, Indiana 47421.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook
1909.15, Section 21)
[[Page 5640]]
Dated: January 24, 2006.
James L. Lowe,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 06-975 Filed 2-1-06; 8:45 am]
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