[Federal Register: September 23, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 184)] [Notices] [Page 51516-51517] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23se99-48] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [I.D. 091799D] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement To Allow Incidental Take of Multiple Species by Non-industrial Private Forest Landowners in Lewis County, Washington AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Commerce; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct public scoping and prepare an environmental document. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively, the Services) are providing notice that they intend to gather information necessary [[Page 51517]] for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS will analyze options for issuing permits to numerous landowners to potentially take federally listed species, under the provisions of section 10(a)(1)(B) and/or 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The EIS will address the impacts associated with the proposed action, and other alternatives for forest management by nonindustrial private landowners. The Services are furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions and to announce the scheduling of public meetings for scoping. The public is encouraged to attend a public meeting or provide written comments on the scope of the issues and potential alternatives to be included in the EIS. DATES: Written comments regarding the scope of the EIS should be received on or before October 25, 1999. Public meetings will be held on September 22, and 23, 1999. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mark Ostwald, FWS Habitat Conservation Planning Program, 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 101, Lacey, Washington 98503. Comments received will be available for public inspection by appointment during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at the address above. Public meetings are scheduled to be held at the following locations and times: Lacey, Washington, on September 22, 1999, at the FWS/NMFS office on the St. Martins Campus at 510 Desmond Dr. SE (Sawyer Hall) from 3:00-5:00 pm and 6:30-8:30 pm; and in Chehalis, Washington on September 23, 1999, at Meeting Room #2, Lewis County Courthouse Annex, 345 West Main Street from 3:00-5:00 pm and 6:30-8:30 pm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Ostwald, FWS Habitat Conservation Planning Program, (360) 534-9330. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This multi-party planning effort would result in one Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) and an EIS that addresses effects of issuing numerous permits to landowners engaged in forest management activities. The Plan is expected to include several options available for landowners toward achieving a specified desired future condition in Lewis County. It is expected that the Plan and the EIS would address these actions within the constraints of: (1) A specified portion of Lewis County; (2) a restricted number of individual permits; (3) a limited amount of total acreage included under each permit; (4) a limited time frame; and (5) addressing a biologically based number of listed and unlisted species. The Plan will evaluate the potential incidental take of several listed species, such as the northern spotted owl (occidentalis caurina) and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which could occur as a result of timber harvest and related activities. The Plan will also likely address other unlisted fish and wildlife species. This effort is considered to be a pilot project to test the feasibility of addressing long term forest management practices and alternatives for many small landowners in Lewis County, relative to ESA regulations. The Services are considering the use of incidental take permits under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, as well as potential use of Safe Harbor and/or Candidate Conservation Agreements under section 10(a)(1)(A). Options to link the Federal permit to State forest practices permitting processes will be explored. It is also intended that this Plan could be used in association with other incentives to encourage and retain sound stewardship of forest land for the long term. This notice is provided pursuant to ESA and NEPA regulations. Through development of a joint EIS, this process would comply with the requirements of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act. The Services are soliciting public comments on this proposal and a full range of alternatives. As a further opportunity for interested persons to comment on these and other issues associated with this planning effort, scoping workshops have been scheduled (see DATES and ADDRESSES). Interested parties may contact FWS at the address listed to receive additional information, including maps for the workshop locations. The environmental review of this project will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S. C. 4321 et seq.), National Environmental Policy Act Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and policies and procedures of the Services for compliance with those regulations. Dated: August 27, 1999. Thomas Dwyer, Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. Dated: September 17, 1999. Wanda L. Cain, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-24737 Filed 9-17-99; 5:07 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P, 4310-55-P