[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11508-11511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5101]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revision of Land Management Plan for the Uwharrie National Forest

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Revise the Land and Resource Management 
Plan and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: As directed by the National Forest Management Act, the USDA 
Forest Service is preparing the Uwharrie National Forest's revised land 
management plan (forest plan) and will also prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for this revised forest plan. This notice 
briefly describes the nature of the decision to be made, the need for 
change and proposed action, and information concerning public 
participation. It also provides estimated dates for filing the ElS and 
the name and address of the responsible agency official and the 
individuals who can provide additional information. Finally, this 
notice briefly describes the applicable planning rule and how plan 
revision work completed under the 2008 planning rule will be used or 
modified for completing this plan revision. The revised forest plan 
will supersede the current forest plan that was approved by the 
Regional Forester in May 1986. The current forest plan will remain in 
effect until the revised forest plan takes effect.

DATES: Comments concerning the need for change and proposed action 
provided in this notice will be most useful in the development of the 
draft revised forest plan and EIS if received by May 7, 2010. The 
agency expects to release a draft revised forest plan and draft EIS for 
formal comment by October, 2010 and a final revised forest plan and 
final EIS by September, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via e-mail: comments-southern-north 
carolina@/fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 828-257-4263. Send or deliver 
written comments to: National Forests in North Carolina, Attention: 
Uwharrie Plan Revision Team, 160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Berner, Forest Planner, National 
Forests in North Carolina, 160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC, (828) 
257-4862. Information regarding this revision is also available at the 
National Forests in North Carolina Web site: http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/uwliarrie_plan/index.htm. 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:

A. Name and Address of the Responsible Official

    The responsible official who will approve the Record of Decision is 
Elizabeth Agpaoa, Regional Forester, 1720 Peachtree Road NW., Atlanta, 
Georgia, 30309.

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B. Nature of the Decision To Be Made

    The Uwharrie National Forest is preparing an EIS to revise the 
current forest plan. The EIS process is meant to inform the Regional 
Forester so that she can decide which alternative best meets the 
diverse needs of people while protecting the forest's resources, as 
required by the National Forest Management Act and the Multiple Use 
Sustained Yield Act. The revised forest plan will describe the 
strategic intent of managing the Uwharrie National Forest into the next 
10 to 15 years and will address the need for change described below. 
The revised forest plan will provide management direction in the form 
of goals (desired conditions), objectives, suitability determinations, 
standards, guidelines, and a monitoring plan. It may also make new 
special interest area designations and recommendations.
    It is also important to identify the types of decisions that will 
not be made within the revised forest plan. The authorization of 
project-level activities on the forests is not a decision made in the 
forest plan but occurs through subsequent project specific decision 
making. The designation routes and trails for motorized vehicle travel, 
equestrian and mountain bike use are not considered during plan 
revision, but will be addressed through subsequent planning processes. 
Some issues (e.g., hunting regulations), although important, are beyond 
the authority or control of the Uwharrie National Forest and will not 
be considered.

C. Need for Change and Proposed Action

    According to the National Forest Management Act, forest plans are 
to be revised on a 10 to 15 year cycle. The purpose and need for 
revising the current forest plan are (1) the forest plan is over 20 
years old, and (2) since the forest 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. Extensive public and employee collaboration, along 
with science-based evaluations, identified the need for change in the 
current forest plan. This need for change has been organized into three 
revision themes that focus on the sustainability of ecological, social, 
and economic systems: (1) Restoring the forest to a more natural 
ecological condition, (2) better managing heritage resources, and (3) 
providing outstanding and environmentally friendly outdoor recreation 
opportunities, with excellent trails and facilities. The need for 
change is described fully in the Draft Analysis of the Management 
Situation document, which is available on the forests' Web site: http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/uwharrie_plan/index.htm.
    The Proposed Action is to revise the current forest plan to address 
the following three revision themes:

Revision Theme 1--Restoring Tile Forest to a More Natural Ecological 
Condition

Restoring Native Ecosystems

    Existing Forest ecosystems include native pine and hardwood 
communities, but also include loblolly pine communities on sites that 
once supported longleaf pine and oak hickory forests. The 1986 Plan 
emphasized timber production and one result was additional loblolly 
planting. By refocusing the emphasis onto restoration of native 
ecosystems, the proposed action includes re-introduction of longleaf 
pine and oak hickory forests on appropriate sites.
    Woodlands and open, prairie like conditions also existed in the 
Uwharrie area in the past and supported a variety of sun-loving species 
that are now rare in the current more closed-canopy conditions. The 
Endangered Schweinitz's sunflower is one such species. The proposed 
action includes creating more open woodland conditions to support these 
rare species, thus better contributing to native biological diversity.

Using Fire as a Tool

    Restoring natural fire regimes is important in sustaining some 
native ecosystems such as longleaf pine and the open woodland 
conditions utilized by other rare plants. The proposed action increases 
the use of prescribed fire for better maintenance of these native plant 
communities.

Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants

    The 1986 Plan did not emphasize controlling non-native invasive 
plant species. The proposed action sets objectives for addressing this 
issue.

Consistent Acorn Production

    There is a relatively limited supply of oaks in the age range when 
acorns are most abundantly produced. The proposed action includes 
periodic vegetation management to maintain a more consistent amount of 
oaks with prime acorn production capabilities.

Selective Stream Restoration

    Opportunities exist to improve stream channel stability and aquatic 
habitat. The proposed action emphasizes proactive restoration of 
streams and aquatic habitats.

Revision Theme 2--Better Managing Heritage Resources

Studying History

    There are more than 1,600 recorded heritage resources on the 
Uwharrie. These resources include artifacts and archeological sites 
that document human use of the area for more than 14,000 years. The 
Forest was home for people who extracted its resources and the Forest 
holds abundant evidence of their activities and habitations. Their 
effects on the landscape and the environment's effects on the people 
can only be understood with further study of these resources.

Protecting History

    Unauthorized disturbance and collection of artifacts is prohibited 
under the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, which 
protects all artifacts and sites over 100 years of age located on 
Federal lands. The proposed action includes direction to mitigate 
impacts to high priority sites.

Interpreting History

    Opportunities abound for historic interpretation (Thomburg 
property, Crump Farm, Arrowhead Trail, goldmines) and for scientific 
research (prehistoric quarries and bogs/upland swamps). Bogs and upland 
swamps are likely to contain well-preserved data to interpret past 
environments. The proposed action includes direction to create 
additional opportunities for heritage resource interpretation.

Revision Theme 3--Providing Outstanding and Environmentally Friendly 
Outdoor Recreation Opportunities, With Excellent Trails and Facilities

Growth as a Tourist Destination

    The Uwharrie is the top tourist destination in Montgomery County, 
and one of several popular tourist destinations in Randolph County. 
There may be tourism related opportunities to provide more economic 
benefits to local communities. The proposed action includes direction 
to provide well-maintained tourism-related infrastructure that would 
continue to attract visitors.

Nature Hikes and Day Use More Popular

    Many visitors to the Uwharrie seek a place to walk, view nature, 
and perhaps picnic, swim, or fish. The Forest, with its lake and river 
frontage, rolling topography, and facilities, is currently

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providing a variety of these desired opportunities. These opportunities 
can help support the health and well-being of the populations of forest 
visitors. The proposed action emphasizes the Uwharrie National 
Recreation Trail, Badin Lake Recreation Area, the many trail systems, 
and the Uwharrie River.

Forest Roads and Trails in Need of Improvement

    There may be opportunities to improve the existing Forest road and 
trail system, to enhance public access while minimizing visitor 
conflicts and resource damage. The proposed action focuses considerable 
attention on the trail systems, and includes a desire for moving 
equestrian and mountain bike use to a designated trail system. OHVs are 
already limited to a designated system.

Providing Visitor Information

    The proposed action places more emphasis on visitor information 
that could increase visitor enjoyment and be a useful tool in 
controlling visitor impacts.

D. Public Involvement on the Proposed Action

    Extensive public involvement and collaboration on revising the 
Uwharrie's Forest Plan has already occurred. Discussions with the 
public regarding needed changes to the current forest plan began with a 
series of public meetings in 2005 and 2006. This input, along with 
science-based evaluations, was used to determine a need for change and 
a proposed plan. Correspondence, news releases, comment periods, and 
other tools were used to gather feedback from the public, forest 
employees, tribal governments, federal and state agencies, and local 
governments. A Proposed Land Management Plan for the Uwharrie National 
Forest was issued for a 90-day public comment period beginning February 
15, 2007. Before the end of that comment period, the 2005 Forest 
Service planning rule was enjoined by federal court. Preparation of the 
revised plan was halted at that time. A new planning rule was 
implemented on April 21, 2008 allowing the planning process to be 
resumed. A second Proposed Land Management Plan for the Uwharrie 
National Forest was then issued for a 90-day comment period on February 
23, 2009, following the direction of the 2008 Planning Rule. The 2008 
planning rule was also enjoined by a federal court. The planning 
process for revising the Uwharrie's Forest Plan is now moving forward 
using the requirements of the 1982 planning rule (see the discussion 
below for more information on the sequence of events and the 
determination that the Uwharrie National Forest can continue the 
planning process using the provisions of the 1982 planning rule). The 
Forest Service is now soliciting comments on a new proposal to revise 
the Uwharrie National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. This 
proposal reflects the work that has previously been accomplished and 
adjusted to meet the requirements of the 1982 rule. A copy of the 
proposal can be found on the Web site described at the end of this 
notice.

E. Issues and Preliminary Alternatives

    Information gathered during this comment period, as well as other 
feedback, will be used to prepare the draft EIS. At this time, the 
Uwharrie National Forest is seeking input on the proposed action. From 
these comments the Forest Service will identify issues that will serve 
as a focus for developing alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS.

F. Scoping Process

    Comments on the need for change, issues, proposed action, and 
preliminary alternatives will be most valuable if received by May 7, 
2010 and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns. Comments 
received in response to this solicitation, including the names and 
addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record. The 
submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's 
ability to participate in any subsequent administrative or judicial 
review. At this time, we anticipate using a pre-decisional objection 
process for administrative review. Comments submitted anonymously will 
be accepted and considered.

G. Applicable Planning Rule

    Preparation of the revised forest plan for the Uwharrie National 
Forest originally began with the publication of a Notice of Initiation 
in the Federal Register on November 18, 2005 [70 FR 69931] and was 
initiated under the planning procedures contained in the 2005 Forest 
Service planning rule (36 CFR 219 (2005)). On March 30, 2007, the 
United States District Court for the Northern District of California 
enjoined the Forest Service from implementing the 2005 planning rule 
and the revision of the Uwharrie's Forest Plan under the 2005 rule was 
suspended in response to that injunction. On April 21, 2008, the Forest 
Service adopted a new planning rule that allowed resumption of the 
revision process if it conformed to the new planning rule (36 CFR 
219.14(b)(3)(ii) (2008)). On February 25, 2009, a Notice of Adjustment 
for Resuming the land management revision process and Notice of 
Commencement of a 90-day comment period for the Uwharrie National 
Forest Proposed Land Management Plan was published in the Federal 
Register [74 FR 8500]. Then on June 30, 2009, the 2008 planning rule 
was enjoined by the United States District Court for the Northern 
District of California (Citizens for Better Forestry v. United States 
Department of Agriculture, No. C 08-1927 CW (N.D. Cal. June 30, 2009)) 
and the revision of the Uwharrie's Forest Plan was again suspended. The 
Department of Agriculture has determined that the 2000 planning rule is 
now back in effect. The 2000 planning rule's transition provisions (36 
CFR 219.35), amended in 2002 and 2003, clarified by interpretative 
rules issued in 2001 and 2004, and reissued on December 18, 2009 [74 FR 
67059-67075], allow use of the provisions of the planning rule in 
effect prior to the effective date of the 2000 Rule (November 9, 2000), 
commonly called the 1982 planning rule, to amend or revise forest 
plans. The Uwharrie National Forest has elected to use the provisions 
of the 1982 planning rule, including the requirement to prepare an ElS, 
to complete its forest plan revision.

H. Other Prior Plan Revision Efforts

    Although the 2008 planning rule is no longer in effect, the 
information gathered from public collaboration efforts and most of the 
analysis conducted prior to the court's injunction in June 2009 is 
still useful for completing the plan revision using the provisions of 
the 1982 planning regulations.
    [cir] Under the 2005 and 2008 planning rules, a Comprehensive 
Evaluation Report (CER) was completed that formed the basis for the 
need to change and the proposed plan that was available for public 
comment in 2007 and 2009. This analysis has been updated with 
additional information to meet the requirements of the Analysis of 
Management Situation (AMS) provisions of the 1982 planning rule. The 
information from this Draft Analysis of the Management Situation report 
was then used to update the proposed action. As the planning process 
continues, comments received during the scoping process, plus any new 
information or areas identified as needing to be changed, will be used 
to supplement the AMS documents. Other AMS requirements will also 
continue to be worked on as the planning process proceeds.

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    [cir] Information on the life history, threats, habitat needs and 
population trends of a number of terrestrial and aquatic species 
contained in the forest planning records for ecosystem and species 
diversity assessments will continue to be used as a reference in the 
planning process as appropriate to meet the requirements of the 1982 
planning rule. This is scientific information and is not affected by 
the change of the planning rule. This information will be updated with 
any new available information.
    [cir] Public comments previously submitted in writing, or recorded 
at past public meetings, related to the revision of the Uwharrie's 
Forest Plan since 2005 will be used to help identify issues and 
concerns and to help develop alternatives to address these issues and 
concerns.

I. Documents Available for Review

    The proposed action, background reports, assessments, datasets, and 
public comments are posted on the Forest's Web site at: http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/uwharrie_plan/index.htm. As necessary or 
appropriate, this material will be further adjusted as part of the 
planning process using the provisions of the 1982 planning rule.

(Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1600-1614; 36 CFR 219.35 [74 FR 67073-67074]).

    Dated March 3, 2010.
Marisue Hilliard,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2010-5101 Filed 3-10-10; 8:45 am]
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