[Federal Register: February 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 26)] [Notices] [Page 6325-6326] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr09fe99-41] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [I.D. 012599D] Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Regarding Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit to Simpson Timber Company, Northwest Operations, for Forest Management in Thurston, Mason, and Grays Harbor Counties, Washington AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce; Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Interior ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, NMFS and USFWS (the Services) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to the proposed issuance of an incidental take permit (Permit) to Simpson Timber Company, Northwest Operations (Simpson), for take of endangered and threatened species in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). As required by the act, the applicant is preparing a Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan). The Permit application is related to forest management and timber harvest on a portion of Simpson's fee-owned timberlands in Thurston, Mason, and Grays Harbor Counties, Washington. Simpson intends to request an Permit for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), and the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Simpson may also seek coverage for three fish species proposed for listing under the Act and approximately 60 currently unlisted fish and wildlife species under specific provisions of the Permit should these species be listed in the future. The Services are furnishing this notice in order to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions and to announce the initiation of a 30-day public scoping period during which other agencies and the public are invited to provide written comments on the scope of issues to be included in the EIS. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 11, 1999. ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for additional information should be sent to Kathy Cushman, Fish and Wildlife Service, 510 Desmond Drive, SE, Suite 102, Lacey, Washington 98503, telephone (360) 753-9000; or Mike Parton, National Marine Fisheries Service, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 103, Lacey, Washington 98503, telephone (360) 753-4650. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Simpson owns and manages approximately 267,000 acres of commercial timberland in Thurston, Mason, and Grays Harbor counties, Washington. Simpson proposes to manage, pursuant to the Plan, approximately 214,000 acres of its Washington properties located north of Highway 8 and west of Highway 101, and possible future inclusions of additional lands within 10 miles. The Plan area extends into the southern foothills of the Olympic Mountains and across the Wynoochee River Valley to the City of Aberdeen's Wishkah Watershed. Management activities include timber harvest and other forest management activities. Some of Simpson's management activities have the potential to impact species subject to protection under the Act. Section 10(a)(2)(B) of the Act contains provisions for the issuance of incidental take permits to non-Federal land owners for the take of endangered and threatened species, provided the take is incidental to otherwise lawful activities and will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of the species in the wild. An applicant for a Permit under section 10 of the Act must prepare and submit to the Services for approval a Plan containing a strategy for minimizing and mitigating all take associated with the proposed activities to the maximum extent practicable. The applicant must also ensure that adequate funding for the Plan will be provided. Simpson has initiated discussions with the Services regarding the possibility of a Permit and associated Plan for their activities on their land to be covered by a Permit. Activities proposed for Permit coverage include mechanized timber harvest; log transportation; road construction, maintenance, and abandonment; site preparation; tree planting; fertilization; silvicultural thinning; experimental silviculture; controlled burns; wildfire suppression; stream restoration; and the harvest and sale of minor forest products. The Plan and Permit would also cover certain monitoring activities and related scientific experiments in the Plan area. The Services will conduct an environmental review of the Plan and prepare an EIS. The environmental [[Page 6326]] review will analyze the proposal as well as a full range of reasonable alternatives and the associated impacts of each. The Services are currently in the process of developing alternatives for analysis. Under a No Action Alternative, incidental take permits would not be issued, and Simpson would continue a forest management program, which avoids take of federally listed species. The applicant's Plan alternative proposes that the Services issue incidental take permits and that Simpson would implement the Plan on 214,000 acres of Simpson's Washington timberlands. Another alternative proposes blending the standards and guidelines of the Northwest Forest Plan and the proposed Plan. Under this alternative, the Services would issue incidental take permits, and Simpson would manage their lands in accordance with standards and guidelines less restrictive than the Northwest Forest Plan but which exceed those of the proposed Plan. A fourth alternatives proposes that Simpson manage their lands in accordance with the standards and guidelines of the Northwest Forest Plan. Under this alternative, the Services would issue incidental take permits, and Simpson would manage their land accordingly. Comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties to ensure that the full range of issues related to these proposed actions are addressed and that all significant issues are identified. Comments or questions concerning this proposed action and the environmental review should be directed to the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service (see ADDRESSES). The environmental review of this project will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508) and of other appropriate Federal laws and regulations and policies and procedures of the Services for compliance with those regulations. It is estimated that the draft EIS will be available for public review during the second quarter of 1999. Dated: January 19, 1999. Thomas J. Dwyer, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. Dated: February 2, 1999. Kevin Collins, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-3130 Filed 2-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F, 4310-55-F