[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19313-19314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8270]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin, Lakewood
Southeast Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental
impacts of proposed land management activities and corresponding
alternatives within the Lakewood Southeast Project. The purpose of the
Lakewood Southeast Project is to implement land management activities
that are consistent with direction in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National
Forest 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan and respond to the
specific needs identified in the project area. The project-specific
needs include: Reintroduction of natural regimes, wildlife habitat and
stream bank improvement, forest age, forest composition, and stocking.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by May 9, 2011 in order to be useful in preparation of the draft
statement. The draft environmental impact statement is expected in May
2011 and the final environmental impact statement is expected August
2011.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning this proposal to Marilee
Houtler, Attn: Lakewood Southeast Project, Lakewood-Laona Ranger
District, 15085 State Road 32, Lakewood, WI 54138. Comments may also be
sent via e-mail to [email protected], or via facsimile to 715-276-3594. Comments received
in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of
those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed
action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered;
however, anonymous comments will not provide the Agency with the
ability to provide the respondent with subsequent environmental
documents.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilee Houtler, NEPA Coordinator at
the above address or by phone at 715-276-6333.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information presented in this notice is
included to help the reviewer determine if they are interested in or
potentially affected by the proposed land management activities. The
information presented in this notice is summarized. Those who wish to
provide comments, or are otherwise interested in or affected by the
project, are encouraged to obtain additional information from the
contact listed above.
Purpose and Need for Action
The current conditions of many forest stands in the project area
vary from desired conditions in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
2004 Land and Resource Management Plan (forest plan). Our information
shows some of the more notable gaps between the existing and desired
future conditions by management area. Of primary importance is the need
for change in: (1) Loss of natural regimes (2) wildlife habitat (3)
stream improvement (4) species age structure (5) species composition
and (6) stocking densities. The dominant habitat in the Lakewood
Southeast Project area is upland conifer forests mixed with other
forest communities.
Preliminary analysis of the project area indicates that there are
certain conditions that warrant action to accomplish the direction and
desired conditions identified in the forest plan.
Proposed Action
Projected project implementation would be spring of 2012. Lakewood
Southeast Project is located on National Forest System lands,
administered by the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, east of Mountain,
WI. The legal description of the project is Township 31-32 North, Range
17 East. The Forest Service proposes to reintroduce natural regimes in
the Northern dry forests and Pine Barrens (mainly fire), improve
wildlife habitat (manage openings, improve habitat for Regional
Forester Sensitive Species) and stream corridors (adding long lived
species), and use timber harvest (selection, clearcut, shelterwood, and
thinning) to move toward desired conditions in the forest plan.
Responsible Official
The responsible official for this project is Lakewood-Laona
District Ranger, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
[[Page 19314]]
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Decision making will be limited to specific activities relating to
the proposed actions. The primary decision to be made will be whether
or not to implement the proposed action, no action, another action
alternative, or parts of alternatives that respond to the project's
purpose and need. This decision would be documented in a record of
decision.
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. The 45-day comment period will start after
the publication in the Federal Register of the Notice of Availability
for the Lakewood Southeast Project Draft EIS. It is important that
reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that
they are useful to the Agency's preparation of the EIS. Therefore,
comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period
and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions.
The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's
ability to participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial
review.
March 21, 2011.
Paul I.V. Strong,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-8270 Filed 4-6-11; 8:45 am]
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