Notice2023-03353
Final Record of Decision for the National Forests in North Carolina
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 17, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
James Melonas, the Forest Supervisor for the National Forests in North Carolina, Southern Region, signed the Final Record of Decision (ROD) for the revised Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land Management Plan (LMP). The final ROD documents the rationale for approving the revised LMP and is consistent with the Reviewing Officer's responses to objections and instructions.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 33 (Friday, February 17, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 33 (Friday, February 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10283-10284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03353]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Final Record of Decision for the National Forests in North
Carolina
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of approval of the revised Land Management Plan for the
Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.
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SUMMARY: James Melonas, the Forest Supervisor for the National Forests
in North Carolina, Southern Region, signed the Final Record of Decision
(ROD) for the revised Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land
Management Plan (LMP). The final ROD documents the rationale for
approving the revised LMP and is consistent with the Reviewing
Officer's responses to objections and instructions.
DATES: The revised LMP for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests
will become effective 30 days after the publication of this notice of
approval in the Federal Register (36 CFR 219.17(a)(1)).
ADDRESSES: To view the final ROD, Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS), the revised LMP, and other related documents, please visit the
National Forests in North Carolina website at: <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision">www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nfsnc/nprevision</a>. A legal notice of approval is also being published in
the newspaper of record, Asheville Citizen Times. A copy of this legal
notice will be posted on the National Forests in North Carolina website
as listed in ADDRESSES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Aldridge, Forest Planner,
Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests, by telephone 828-257-4200, or
via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e5888c868d80898980cb848981978c818280a590968184cb828a93"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b262228232e27272e652a272f39222f2c2e0b3e382f2a652c243d">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf or hard
of hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800-877-
8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
Written requests for information may be sent to National Forests in
North Carolina, Attn: Forest Plan Revision, 160 Zillicoa Street, Ste.
A; Asheville, NC 28801.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests
span six ranger districts and
[[Page 10284]]
approximately 1.04 million acres across 18 counties in Western North
Carolina. The Forests have a combined LMP. The LMP was developed
pursuant to the 2012 Forest Service Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) and will
replace the current LMP, which was significantly amended in 1994
following its 1987 release. The revised LMP describes desired
conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, and land suitability for
project and activity decision-making and will guide all resource
management activities on the Forests.
The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests lie within one of the
oldest mountain ranges in the world and are a global hotspot for
biodiversity, with a rich diversity of ecosystems, unique habitats, and
rare species. The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are among the
most visited in the National Forest System with nationally recognized
scenic and recreation destinations that are among the region's greatest
economic assets. The Pisgah Forest is also home to the birthplace of
scientific forestry in America.
The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests initiated LMP revision in
2013. During revision, the Forests engaged with federal, state, and
local governments; 18 counties; three regional councils of government;
local congressional staff; scientists; numerous interest and industry
groups; individuals; and three collaborative groups that serve as
liaisons to broader communities of interests. The design of public and
government involvement was dynamic, allowing opportunities to both
inform and accept feedback on the planning process as well as specific
elements of the LMP. Public participants had opportunities to engage
through more than 49 traditional public meetings, as well as through
virtual meetings, facilitated phone calls, social media, email, and
postal mail. The Forests engaged in government-to-government
consultation with 12 federally recognized tribes. The revised LMP
honors and redeems the Forests' trust responsibility to tribes,
recognizes tribes and tribal members as partners in stewarding the
national forests, and values traditional ecological knowledge and
places of tribal significance. The development of the LMP was shaped by
the best available scientific information, current laws, and public and
government input.
A 135-day public comment period on the draft LMP and associated
Draft EIS was initiated on February 14, 2020. Comments were used to
refine the preferred alternative and augment LMP. A draft ROD, LMP, and
FEIS were released in January 2022, initiating a 60-day objection
filing period that closed March 22, 2022. The Forest Service received
825 eligible objections. Following the objection review, the Reviewing
Officer held objection resolution meetings with objectors and
interested persons. Based on these meetings, the Reviewing Officer
issued a written response on January 19, 2023. The instructions from
the Reviewing Officer were addressed in the ROD, LMP, and FEIS.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The Bureau of Land Management is a cooperating agency per their
legal jurisdiction over the federal mineral estate underlying the
Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests and provides information and
special expertise related to subsurface mineral resources.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for approving the revised LMP is James E.
Melonas, Forest Supervisor, National Forests in North Carolina. The
Responsible Official approving the list of species of conservation
concern is Ken Arney, Regional Forester, Southern Region.
Dated: February 9, 2023.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2023-03353 Filed 2-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 17, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.