[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 118 (Monday, June 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29466-29467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14417]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Plan Revision for the Kooentai National Forest, Montana and the
Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Idaho
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of adjustment for resuming the land management plan
revision process.
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SUMMARY: The USDA, Forest Service is resuming preparation of the
Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests revised land management
plans as directed by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA). The
Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests comprise the Kootenai and
Idaho Panhandle Planning Zone (KIPZ). Preparation of the revised plan
was halted when the 2005 Forest Service planning rule was enjoined. A
new planning rule (36 CFR part 219) took effect on April 21, 2008,
allowing the planning process to be resumed. This notice marks the
resumption of the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests plan
revision process under the new planning rule.
ADDRESSES: Information on this revision is available at Kootenai and
Idaho Panhandle National Forests revision Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/kipz.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Clark, Interdisciplinary Team
Leader, Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle Planning Zone (KIPZ), 83815
Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815, (208) 765-7417 or
[email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at
1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through
Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notification of adjustment of plan revision
process for the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests planning
zone (KIPZ) land management plan was provided in the Federal Register,
70 FR 28901, May 19, 2005. The plan revision was initiated under the
planning procedures contained in the 2005 Forest Service planning rule
(36 CFR part 219 (2005)). On March 30, 2007, the Federal district court
for the Northern District of California enjoined the Department from
implementing and using the 2005 planning rule until the Agency complied
with the court's order regarding the National Environmental Policy Act,
the Endangered Species Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act
(Citizens for Better Forestry v. USDA,
[[Page 29467]]
481 F. Supp 2d 1059 (N.D. Cal. 2007)). Revision of the Kootenai and
Idaho Panhandle National Forests land management plans under the (36
CFR part 219 (2005)) rule was suspended in response to the injunction.
On April 21, 2008, following a notice and comment opportunity,
completion of an environmental impact statement and consultation under
the Endangered Species Act, the Department of Agriculture promulgated a
new planning rule (36 CFR part 219 (2008)). This new planning rule
explicitly allows the resumption of plan revisions started under the
2005 rule based on a finding that the revision process conforms to the
new planning rule (36 CFR 219.14(b)(3)(ii)).
In May 2006, the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests
prepared and released a Proposed Land Management Plan with maps for a
90-day comment period (extended to 120 days). Supporting documentation
such as a draft Comprehensive Evaluation Report and Analysis of
Management Situation were also made available to the public. The
development and content of those documents and plan components are
consistent with the 2008 planning rule. Beginning in May 2005, and
prior to injunction of the 2005 planning rule, the Kootenai and Idaho
Panhandle National Forests implemented four major phases of public
involvement: (1) Scoping; (2) collaborative workgroup meetings to
develop desired conditions and other components of the Plan; (3)
collaborative workgroup meetings to discuss Starting Option maps; and
(4) the release of the Proposed Plan maps. Since release of the
Proposed Land Management Plan and the conclusion of the public comment
period, the Analysis of Public Comment report was produced in March
2007, and posted on the KIPZ Web site. This report is a synthesis and
summary of the comments and concerns that were brought up during the
comment period on the Proposed Land Management Plans. Results from
collaboration will be used as the revision process resumes. The
remainder of the revision process will be conducted in accordance with
all Forest Service directives applicable to the 2008 planning rule.
Based on the discussions above, we find that the planning actions
taken prior to April 21, 2008, the effective date of the new planning
rule, conform to the planning process of the 2008 planning rule and for
that reason the plan revision process does not need to be restarted.
Therefore, the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests are
resuming their plan revision process where we left off in March 2007,
by using information received during the public comment period and
collaborative efforts on the Proposed Land Management Plan to develop
our final plans.
Dated: June 11, 2009.
Paul Bradford,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-14417 Filed 6-19-09; 8:45 am]
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