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

[Federal Register: December 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 244)]

[Notices]

[Page 71406]

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

[DOCID:fr21de99-42]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Bark Beetle Analysis Environmental Impact Statement Medicine Bow- Routt National Forests, Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt County, CO

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will assess and disclose the environmental effects of an imminent bark beetle analysis. The area of the analysis is the Hahns Peak/Bears Ranger District and the portion of the Parks Ranger District East of the Continental Divide to the boundary of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.

Over the next few months the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests will be developing a proposed action and making decisions on how to respond to a bark beetle epidemic. The public is strongly encouraged to participate in this process.

An epidemic will cause significant changes to the forest landscape, recreation experience, watershed conditions, and wildlife habitat-- changes that many people will not consider positive. Spruce and pine trees on private lands throughout Routt, Moffatt, and Grand counties will be at risk, including trees in urban areas.

The Forest Service has been working since late spring to define the problems an epidemic will present. Along with key members of the community, Forest Service officials visited the Dixie National Forest in Utah to see how they were managing their current bark beetle epidemic. A community task force was developing that continues to meet regulatory. Field surveys have been conducted on National Forest System lands to estimate the potential effects of bark beetles on various resources. Extensive beetle population surveys have also been completed.

The U.S. Forest Service has a responsibility to manage National Forests for the public good. Various laws, regulations and policies frame the purpose of National Forests and provide reasons for the Forest Service to manage a bark beetle epidemic. The guiding legal framework compels the Forest Service to:

‹bullet› Prevent an epidemic from spreading to adjacent lands where possible,

‹bullet› Maintain healthy and aesthetically pleasing stands of trees in the ski area,

‹bullet› Restrict insect outbreaks in timber management, recreation, and scenic areas,

‹bullet› Sustain the growing stock of timber,

‹bullet› Protect the wildlife and plant species that depend on mature spruce forest, and

‹bullet› Maintain watershed health.

DATES: Public Scoping began with a mailing to people who expressed an interest in the Routt Divide Blowdown. South Fork Salvage Analysis, and Upper Elk River Access Analyses, land owners within the Forest Service boundaries adjacent to the analysis area, and State, County, and local officials. There will be a 45-day public comment period following the publication of this notice.

On January 6, 1999, Forest Service specialists will host an open house for the public to discuss the Bark Beetle Analysis from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Forest Service Office, 925 Weiss Dr., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487.

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be prepared and available after the scoping comment period. After a 45-day comment period from the date of this notice, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will be prepared and available for the Bark Beetle Analysis.

ADDRESSES: Mail comment letters to and request further information from: Andy Cadenhead, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, 925 Weiss Dr., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, (970) 870- 2220.

Responsible official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, 2468 Jackson Street, Laramie, WY 82070. Jerry Schmidt, Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 99-32980Filed12-20-99; 8:45 am]

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