Notice2024-08951
Kootenai National Forest; Montana; Kootenai National Forest Over-Snow Motorized Use Travel Plan
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
April 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The Forest Service (Forest Service), United States Department of Agriculture, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to inform a decision about the designation of trails and areas of the Kootenai National Forest which would be open to motorized over-snow use. The environmental impact statement will also inform a decision about the classes of vehicles and times of year for which motorized over-snow use will be allowed on designated trails and areas. Trails and areas designated for motorized over-snow vehicle use will be identified on an Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map which will specify the classes of vehicles and the time of year for which use is designated on the Kootenai National Forest.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 82 (Friday, April 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 82 (Friday, April 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32394-32395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08951]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Kootenai National Forest; Montana; Kootenai National Forest Over-
Snow Motorized Use Travel Plan
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service (Forest Service), United States Department
of Agriculture, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to
inform a decision about the designation of trails and areas of the
Kootenai National Forest which would be open to motorized over-snow
use. The environmental impact statement will also inform a decision
about the classes of vehicles and times of year for which motorized
over-snow use will be allowed on designated trails and areas. Trails
and areas designated for motorized over-snow vehicle use will be
identified on an Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map which will specify the
classes of vehicles and the time of year for which use is designated on
the Kootenai National Forest.
DATES: The draft environmental impact statement is expected early in
2025, with a 45-day public comment period immediately following
publication of this project's Notice of Availability of Draft
Environmental Impact Statement in the Federal Register. The final
environmental impact statement is expected by summer of 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kootenai National Forest,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0a5947244c592461646c6965647e6b697e7f794a7f796e6b246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="20736d0e66730e4b4e46434f4e54414354555360555344410e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>, 406-283-7740, or Stephani Rust,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7a090e1f0a121b141354080f090e3a0f091e1b541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2919687928a838c8bcc90979196a297918683cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals may also visit the project's web
page at <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/kootenai/?project=64358">https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/kootenai/?project=64358</a>.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf and hard of
hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339, 24
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
Pursuant to the Travel Management Rule at 36 CFR 212 subpart C, the
Forest Service must designate trails and areas to be open for motorized
over-snow vehicle use. Once designated, trails and areas open to
motorized over-snow vehicle use need to be identified on an Over-Snow
Vehicle Use Map (36 CFR 212.81). Over-Snow Vehicle Use Maps must
specify the classes of vehicles and the time of year for which use is
[[Page 32395]]
designated (36 CFR 212.81(c)). The public shall be allowed to
participate in the designation of National Forest System roads, trails,
and areas, consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (36
CFR 212.52).
On the 2.2-million-acre Kootenai National Forest, there is a need
to designate trails and areas which would be open to motorized over-
snow vehicle use. There is also a need to designate trails and areas
open to motorized over-snow vehicle use within the Ten Lakes Wilderness
Study Area of the Kootenai National Forest.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service proposes to designate approximately 1,302,000
acres of the Kootenai National Forest, including the Ten Lakes
Wilderness Study Area, as areas open to cross-country motorized over-
snow vehicle use. Approximately 987,000 acres are proposed as areas
open for all classes of cross-country motorized over-snow travel from
December 1 to May 31 each year. Approximately 315,000 acres are
proposed as areas open for all classes of cross-country motorized over-
snow travel from December 1 to March 31 and would be closed to
motorized over-snow vehicle use on March 31 each year to accommodate
grizzly bear den emergence. Areas designated for over-snow vehicle use
would be identified on an Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map, in accordance with
36 CFR 212.81. Over-Snow Vehicle Use Maps would specify the classes of
vehicles and the time of year for which use is designated (36 CFR
212.81(c)).
Additionally, the Forest Service proposes to designate
approximately 380 miles of trails in the Kootenai National Forest,
including in the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area, as open to motorized
over-snow vehicle use. Approximately 285 miles of groomed over-snow
trails and approximately 49 miles of ungroomed over-snow trails are
proposed to be open to any over-snow vehicle class between December 1
and March 31 each year. Approximately 16 miles of groomed over-snow
trails and 30 miles of ungroomed over-snow trails are proposed to be
open to any over-snow vehicle class between December 1 and March 31
each year. Trails designated for over-snow vehicle use would be
identified with the publication of an Over-Snow Vehicle Use Map, in
accordance with 36 CFR 212.81.
An amendment to the Kootenai National Forest 2015 Land Management
Plan may be considered to modify the boundaries of management area 5a
(Backcountry-Non-motorized Year-round).
Expected Impacts
The minimization criteria were applied to the identification of the
National Forest System areas and trails. Impacts to wolverine, grizzly
bear, Canada lynx, and whitebark pine will be assessed in a biological
assessment, and consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
expected to occur. An amendment to the Kootenai National Forest 2015
Land Management Plan may be considered to modify the boundaries of
management area 5a (Backcountry-Non-motorized Year-round) as it
currently is mapped in the 2015 Land Management Plan. The following
substantive requirements are likely to apply (219.13(b)(2)) to the
potential amendment: 36 CFR 219.8(b) to guide the plan area's
contribution to social and economic sustainability, taking into
account: (1) social, cultural, and economic conditions relevant to the
area influenced by the plan; (2) sustainable recreation; (3) multiple
uses that contribute to local, regional, and national economies in a
sustainable manner; and 36 CFR 219.9(a)(2) the plan must include plan
components that maintain or restore the diversity of ecosystems and
habitat types throughout the plan area.
Responsible Official
Kootenai National Forest Supervisor.
Scoping Comments and the Objection Process
Public scoping of this project occurred in April 2015 and July
through September 2023; those scoping efforts have informed this
proposed action. Public scoping will not be repeated; however,
additional opportunities for public comment will be provided when the
Draft EIS is available.
Any decision about this project may be subject to 36 CFR 218 and/or
36 CFR 219 pre-decisional review (objection). Unless received
anonymously, public comments received during the scoping period from
July 13, 2023 through September 29, 2023 or other designated
opportunities for public comment may establish eligibility for
participation in pre-decisional administrative review. Issues raised in
an objection must be based on previously submitted comments, unless
based on new information arising after designated opportunities.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decision will determine the designation of trails and areas of
the Kootenai National Forest which will be open to motorized over-snow
use, as well as determining the classes of vehicles and times of year
for which motorized over-snow use will be allowed on designated trails
and areas.
Substantive Provisions
An amendment to the Kootenai National Forest 2015 Land Management
Plan may be considered to modify the boundaries of management area 5a
(Backcountry-Non-motorized Year-round) as it currently is mapped in the
2015 Land Management Plan. The following substantive requirements are
likely to apply (219.13(b)(2)) to the potential amendment: 36 CFR
219.8(b) to guide the plan area's contribution to social and economic
sustainability, taking into account: (1) social, cultural, and economic
conditions relevant to the area influenced by the plan; (2) sustainable
recreation; (3) multiple uses that contribute to local, regional, and
national economies in a sustainable manner; and 36 CFR 219.9(a)(2) the
plan must include plan components that maintain or restore the
diversity of ecosystems and habitat types throughout the plan area.
Dated: April 22, 2024.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-08951 Filed 4-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 26, 2024.
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