Notice2024-01896
Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Lolo National Forest
Primary source
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Published
January 31, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is revising the land management plan for the Lolo National Forest and preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). This notice announces the Forest Service's intent to prepare an EIS and initiates the scoping period on the proposed action. This notice describes the documents available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the need for change to the existing land management plan; provides information concerning public participation and collaboration, including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated schedule for the planning process, including the time available for comments; and how to obtain additional information.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6088-6089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01896]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 21 / Wednesday, January 31, 2024 /
Notices
[[Page 6088]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Lolo National Forest
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is
revising the land management plan for the Lolo National Forest and
preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). This notice
announces the Forest Service's intent to prepare an EIS and initiates
the scoping period on the proposed action. This notice describes the
documents available for review and how to obtain them; summarizes the
need for change to the existing land management plan; provides
information concerning public participation and collaboration,
including the process for submitting comments; provides an estimated
schedule for the planning process, including the time available for
comments; and how to obtain additional information.
DATES: Comments concerning the preliminary need for change and the
proposed action must be received by April 1, 2024. The draft EIS and
draft revised land management plan are expected in December 2024. The
final EIS, final revised land management plan, and draft record of
decision (ROD) are expected in 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments or inquiries to: Lolo National Forest
Supervisor's Office, Attn: Amanda Milburn--Lolo Plan Revision, 24 Fort
Missoula Rd, Missoula, MT 59804. Commenters are encouraged to submit
comments electronically on the Lolo Plan Revision website: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision">https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision</a>; or via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#41120c6f07126f0d0f07133324372832282e2f01343225206f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="76253b583025583a3830240413001f051f1918360305121758111900">[email protected]</span></a>. All correspondence, including names and
addresses, will be part of the public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Milburn, Plan Revision Team
Leader, 406-438-6640; email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9888488878d88c78480858b9c9b87a99c9a8d88c78e869f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b1a161a151f1a55161217190e09153b0e081f1a551c140d">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who
use telecommunication devices for the deaf and hard of hearing (TDD)
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a
day, every day of the year, including holidays. If members of the
public are interested in learning more, please visit the website listed
above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires that the
Forest Service develop a land management plan, often called a forest
plan, for every National Forest. Land management plans provide the
strategic direction for management of forest resources. The current
Lolo land management plan was adopted in 1986. The purpose and need for
revising the current land management plan are (1) the land management
plan is 38 years old, (2) since the land management plan was approved
in 1986, there have been changes in economic, social, and ecological
conditions, new policies and priorities, and new information based on
monitoring and scientific research, and (3) to address the preliminary
identified need for change to the existing land management plan. The
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Assessment and Initiate the Plan
Revision Process pursuant to the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) was
published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2023. A Draft Assessment
was posted for comment on June 9, 2023, and based on public comments
received, the assessment was revised and posted on September 8, 2023,
along with a Draft Preliminary Need to Change (<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision">https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision</a>). Overall, there is a need for land management
plan direction that is strategic and identifies desired conditions with
objectives for how resources should be managed; that eliminates
redundancies with existing laws, regulations, and policy; and that
incorporates the best available scientific information.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is to revise the 1986 Lolo National Forest land
management plan to address the identified need for change. In response
to the preliminary need for change, a preliminary Draft Land Management
Plan has been developed that includes desired conditions, goals,
objectives, standards, guidelines, suitability of lands for specific
multiple uses, lands that could be recommended to Congress for
inclusion into the National Wilderness Preservation System, and the
identification of rivers eligible for inclusion into the National Wild
and Scenic Rivers system. It can be found on the Lolo National Forest
Plan Revision website along with the Preliminary Need to Change
(<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision">https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision</a>).
Expected Impacts
The revised land management plan will not authorize any projects or
actions but will guide future decision-making on the Lolo National
Forest. In accordance with the 2012 Planning Rule, the revised land
management plan will provide for sustainability, diversity of plant and
animal communities, and multiple uses. It will inform the purpose and
need for future actions, guide the design of projects, and will also
include a plan monitoring program that will guide the development of
biennial land management plan monitoring reports.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The Forest Service is the lead agency for this proposed action.
Cooperating agencies thus far include the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribes, Mineral County, Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation, and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife,
and Parks.
Responsible Official
The responsible official is Carolyn Upton, Forest Supervisor, Lolo
National Forest Supervisor's Office, 24 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula,
MT 59804, 406-329-3750.
Scoping Comments and the Objection Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which will
guide the development of the EIS. Written comments received in response
to this notice will be analyzed to complete the
[[Page 6089]]
identification of the Need to Change the existing land management plan,
further develop the proposed action (Preliminary Draft Land Management
Plan) and identify potential significant issues. Significant issues
will, in turn, form the basis for developing alternatives to the
proposed action. The Forest Service will host public forums during the
scoping period. Engagement opportunities will be posted on the Lolo
National Forest Plan Revision website: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision">https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/lolo/planrevision</a>. Information will also be shared through electronic
mailing lists, social media, and local media outlets.
It is important that reviewers provide comments at such times and
in such a manner that they are useful to the Forest Service'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. 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. 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 establish standing for the objection process.
The decision to approve the revised land management plan for the
Lolo National Forest will be subject to the objection process
identified in 36 CFR part 219 Subpart B (219.50 to 219.62). According
to 36 CFR 219.53(a), those who may file an objection are individuals
and entities who have submitted substantive formal comments related to
land management plan revision during the opportunities provided for
public comment. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance
with requirements for objections (36 CFR 219.53).
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Lolo National Forest is preparing an EIS to revise its land
management plan. The EIS process is meant to inform the Forest
Supervisor so they can decide which alternative best maintains and
restores National Forest System terrestrial and aquatic resources while
providing ecosystem services and multiple uses, as required by the
National Forest Management Act and the Multiple Use Sustained Yield
Act. The revised land management plan will describe the strategic
intent of managing the Forest for the next 10 to 15 years and will
address the identified need for change to the existing land management
plan.
The revised land management plan will supplement, not replace,
overarching laws and regulations. The authorization of project level
activities will be based on the guidance and direction contained in the
revised land management plan but will occur through subsequent project-
specific National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and
decision-making. No decisions will be made regarding the management of
individual roads or trails such as those that might be associated with
a Travel Management plan under 36 CFR part 212. No decision regarding
oil and gas leasing availability will be made.
Dated: December 5, 2023.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-01896 Filed 1-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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