Notice2023-00361
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands; Nebraska and South Dakota; Undesirable Plant Management EIS
Primary source
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Published
January 11, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The Forest Service, USDA, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address undesirable plant management for the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Forests). This environmental analysis is necessary to protect, maintain, or restore native plant communities from the negative effects of undesirable plants. The proposal will analyze an update of the Forests' guidance from the May 1993 Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Management of Undesirable Plant Species.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1556-1557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00361]
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Notices
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 11, 2023 /
Notices
[[Page 1556]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands; Nebraska and South
Dakota; Undesirable Plant Management EIS
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, USDA, will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) to address undesirable plant management for the
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands (Forests). This environmental
analysis is necessary to protect, maintain, or restore native plant
communities from the negative effects of undesirable plants. The
proposal will analyze an update of the Forests' guidance from the May
1993 Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Management of Undesirable
Plant Species.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by February 10, 2023. The draft environmental impact statement is
expected June 2023 and the final environmental impact statement is
expected March 2024.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Nebraska National Forests and
Grasslands, 125 North Main Street, Chadron, NE 69337. Comments may also
be sent electronically to <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500">https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500</a>, or via facsimile to 308-432-0309.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Dolatta at 308-432-0323 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d2624202f283f2134632922212c39392c0d383e292c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="761d1f1b1413041a0f5812191a17020217360305121758111900">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the
year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
Existing undesirable plant species management on the Forests is
based on environmental analyses that did not analyze management
strategies such as aerial application of herbicides, use of prescribed
fire, or the treatment of aquatic invasive species. Existing policies
for undesirable plant management on the Forests do not address new
undesirable plant species, nor do they provide modernized tools and
practices for swift management of infestations. Failure to control or
eradicate infestations of undesirable plants alters wildlife habitat,
decreases wildlife and livestock forage, reduces species diversity,
increases soil erosion due to a decrease in surface cover, promotes
undesirable monocultures, and potentially alters the fire return
interval. Additionally, some undesirable plants are known to be toxic
to animals and/or humans.
The Forest Service must update past enviromental analyses to
include guidance for management strategies on the Forests to protect,
maintain, or restore native plant communities from the negative effects
of undesirable plants. This will include consideration of practices to
support early detection, rapid assessment, and rapid response to new
infestations, new undesirable plant species, landscape-scale
disturbances, and the availability of new management tools.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposes to update the Forests' guidance for
plant management strategies through an environmental analysis for the
management of invasive, noxious, alien, non-native, and undesirable
native plant species. Section 2814 of title 7 of the United States Code
defines the term ``undesirable plants'' as plant species that are
classified as undesirable, noxious, harmful, exotic, injurious, or
poisonous, pursuant to State or Federal law. This definition does not
include the management of undesirable native plant species, but the
Forests intend to include the management of specific native plants for
the purpose of maintaining established desired conditions described in
the Forests' land and resource management plan. Early detection and
rapid response, control methods and preventative measures,
rehabilitation and restoration, and implementation and effectiveness
monitoring would be designed to allow prompt treatment of undesirable
plant infestations.
Proposed control methods would include, but are not limited to (1)
biological control, such as the release of host-specific natural
enemies or targeted grazing; (2) chemical control using agency approved
herbicides that target undesirable plant species; (3) mechanical
techniques, such as mowing, cutting, or pulling; and (4) prescribed
fire conducted in accordance with fire suppression and prescribed burn
management policy. Control methods would be employed alone or in
combination to achieve the most effective control. Treatment methods
would be based on the extent, location, type, and character of an
infestation and would be implemented using design criteria developed to
ensure ecosystem health. Treated acre totals could be those that are
treated a single time or multiple times annually using a combination of
methods. Rehabilitation and restoration actions would be designed and
implemented based on the conditions found in and around infested areas.
The Forest Service would like to schedule implementation to begin
in 2024. Forest-wide combined treatments of up to 100,000 acres
annually over a 15-year period would be expected. Further information
is available on the project website: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500">https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500</a>.
Expected Impacts
Preliminary issues being considered by the Forest Service include
the effects of undesirable plant management treatments on native
vegetation, biological diversity, natural productivity, and habitat
structure; threatened, endangered, or sensitive species and their
habitats; soils, water, and aquatic resources; and on human health.
Commenters are encouraged to identify additional issues.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official will be the Forest Supervisor for the
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.
[[Page 1557]]
Scoping Comments and the Objection Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the EIS. The agency is requesting comments on
potential alternatives and impacts, and identification of any relevant
information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts
affecting the quality of the human environment.
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, remedies for those concerns, other recommendations, general
support, and/or opportunities to further clarify information.
Commenting during scoping and any other designated opportunity to
comment provided by the Responsible Official will also establish
standing to object once the final EIS and Draft Record of Decision have
been published. This project is subject to the agency's Project Level
Predecisional Administrative Review Process (36 CFR part 218, subparts
A and B). 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, they will not be used to establish
standing for the objection process.
Permits, Licenses or Other Authorizations Required
Pesticide (herbicide) applicators must be certified and licensed by
the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (South
Dakota Codified Law Sec. 38-21). The Nebraska Department of
Agriculture is responsible for the certification and licensing of
pesticide applicators in Nebraska under the Nebraska Pesticide Act
(Nebraska Statute 2-2622).
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Given the purpose and need, the Responsible Official will review
the proposed action, the other alternatives (including the no-action
alternative), and the environmental consequences in order to determine
whether to expand current guidance to control and manage undesirable
plant species; what control methods or herbicides would be used; what
protection and monitoring measures would be required; and whether to
include an adaptive management approach to address future spread of
undesirable plant species.
The decision will consider the Forests' land and resource
management plan direction for achievement of desired conditions for
native vegetation and habitats. Reconsideration of other existing
project-level decisions, programmatic decisions, or additional guidance
for future forest management activities are beyond the scope of this
document.
Dated: January 5, 2023.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2023-00361 Filed 1-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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