Environmental statements; notice of intent: Routt National Forest, CO,

[Federal Register: September 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 185)]

[Notices]

[Page 51053-51054]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr24se98-24]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Routt Divide Blowdown Analysis; Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt County, Colorado

September 16, 1998. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess and disclose the environmental effects the South Fork Salvage Analysis of a portion of the Routt Divide Blowdown outside the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area on the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District.

The purpose of this action is to implement the Land and Resource Management Plan 1997 Revision for the Routt National Forest in the South Fork Analysis Area, considering the effects, both short and expected long term, resulting from the Routt Divide Blowdown. Actions proposed by the Forest Service include (1) commercial salvage of the windthrown trees in Management Areas 5.11 and 5.13. Associated with this action will be road construction and reconstruction. (2) Silvicultural treatments of timber stands in Management Areas 5.11, 5.13, and 7.1 designed to increase the resistance of these stands to attack by spruce bark beetle. Associated with this action will be road construction and reconstruction.

Additionally, we are attempting to determine the levels of spruce bark beetle infestation and tree mortality that would threaten the wild river, recreational or winter range values in Management areas 1.5, 4.3, 5.41, and whether or not management actions might be effective in protecting those values. If potential spruce beetle attack would threaten those values, then we will determine the actions that would be appropriate to prevent or respond to a beetle epidemic.

There is a need to contribute toward meeting the needs of the nation for timber products in Management Areas 5.11 General Forest and Rangelands--Forest Vegetation Emphasis and 5.13 Forest Products. Within Management Area 1.5 there is a need to protect the Wild River characteristics. Within Management Area 4.3 there is a need to protect recreational opportunities. Within Management Areas 5.11 and 5.13 there is a need to restrict the outbreak of spruce bark beetles. Within Management Area 7.1 there is a need to reduce the risk of spruce bark beetle from spreading into the management area.

DATES: Public Scoping will begin with a mailing to people who expressed an interest in the North Fork Salvage Analysis, land owners within the Forest Service boundaries adjacent to the analysis area, and State, County, and local officials.

[[Page 51054]]

On October 7th and 19th, 1998 Forest Service specialists will host open houses for the public to discuss the South Fork Analysis at the Steamboat Springs, Colorado Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Dr. from 2 pm until 6 pm.

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be completed by December, 1998. After a 45 day comment period, a Final Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for South Fork Analysis.

ADDRESSES: Public meetings on South Fork Analysis are scheduled for:

October 15, 1998, 5 pm at the Steamboat Springs USDA Forest Service Office; October 21, 1998, 5 pm at the Saratoga, Wyoming USDA Forest Service Office; October 27, 1998, 5 pm at the Clark, Colorado Moon Hill School House; October 28, 1998, 5 pm at the USDA Forest Service Office in Walden, Colorado. Responsible Official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Cadenhead, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest, 925 Weiss Dr, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, (970) 870-2220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The analysis area location is approximately 12 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in portions of the following sections:

T9N,R83W; Sections 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 T8N,R85W; Sections 1, 2, 3 T9N,R84W; Sections 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

There are several management area prescriptions within the South Fork Analysis Area. These include: 1.32 Backcountry Non-Motorized Recreation With Winter Limited Motorized; 1.5 National River System-- Wild Rivers, Designated and Eligible; 4.3 Dispersed Recreation; 5.11 General Forest and Rangelands--Forest Vegetation Emphasis; 5.13 Forest Products; 5.41 Deer and Elk Winter Range; and 7.1 Residential/Forest Interface.

Forest Service Mission; As set forth in law, the mission of the Forest Service is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple use management concept. This concept is to meet the diverse needs of people. It includes advocating a conservation ethic in promoting the health, productivity, diversity and beauty of forests. It also includes listening to people and responding to their diverse needs in resource decisions. Another part of our job is to help communities and states wisely use the forests to promote rural economic development and a quality rural environment. Also included in the mission is developing and providing scientific and technical knowledge aimed at improving our capability to protect, manage, and use forests and rangelands. Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow--Routt National Forest.

[FR Doc. 98-25540Filed9-23-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-11-M