[Federal Register: March 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 56)] [Notices] [Page 14066] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr24mr98-30] ======================================================================== Notices Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. ======================================================================== [[Page 14066]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Open Road and Open Motorized Trail Analysis, Targhee National Forest, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton Counties, Idaho; Lincoln and Teton Counties, Wyoming AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Targhee National Forest will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to document the Analysis and disclose the environmental impacts of a open motorized road and trail network for the Targhee National Forest. In this decision, the Targhee National Forest would designate which roads and trails are open for motorized use. COMMENTS: Written scoping comments concerning the proposed project and analysis are encouraged and should be postmarked on or before April 23, 1998. Mail comments to Alan Silker, Targhee National Forest, 420 N. Bridge Street, St. Anthony, ID 83445; telephone, (208) 624-3151. Further information can be obtained at the same location. No scoping meetings are planned at this time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Revised Targhee National Forest Land Management and Resource Plan (Revised Plan) was approved in April, 1997. The management prescriptions adopted in the Revised Plan include standards for the miles of open roads and motorized trails allowed per square mile. Standards are also established for cross country motorized use by prescription area. In August of 1997, the Targhee National Forest issued a Record of Decision for the Open Road and Open Motorized Trail Travel Plan. Over 1200 appeals were filed on this decision. On January 14, 1998, the Appeal Deciding Officer from the Intermountain Regional Office reversed the Responsible Official's August 1997 decision. In order to assure compliance with the Biological Opinion and the Revised Forest Plan, interim direction was issued. The Forest Service is seeking information and scoping comments from Federal. State and local agencies as well as individuals and organizations who may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed action. The Forest Service invites written comments and suggestions related to the proposal. Information received will be used in preparation of the draft Supplemental EIS and final Supplemental EIS. For the most effective use, comments should be submitted to the Forest Service within 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice in the Federal Register. The comment period on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protecting 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 Supplemental 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 Supplemental 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, 1002 (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 Supplemental 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 Supplemental 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. Responsible Official: Jerry Reese, Forest Supervisor, Targhee National Forest, 420 N. Bridge Street, St. Anthony, ID 83445. Jerry B. Reese, Targhee Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 98-7519 Filed 3-23-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M