Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Comprehensive Management Plan Amendment, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Baker and Wallowa Countries in Oregon and Adams, Idaho, and Nez Perce Counties in Idaho

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Comprehensive Management

Plan Amendment, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Baker and Wallowa

Countries in Oregon and Adams, Idaho, and Nez Perce Counties in Idaho

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the USDA, Forest Service will

prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to amend the Land and

Resource Management Plan to incorporate new and modified management

direction in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA)

Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). The EIS will tier to the Wallowa-

Whitman Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) & Final EIS for

the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The HCNRA CMP is incorporated into

the Forest Plan.

The need for action is based on: Forest Service monitoring and

evaluation reports indicating a need for change in programmatic

direction to ensure resource protection pursuant to the HCNRA Act;

alignment of programmatic direction with new private and public land

use regulations (36 CFR part 292); revised Forest Service directives;

changed social values; and agency emphasis on ecosystem sustainability.

The purpose of the action is to amend existing programmatic

direction within the Forest Plan and CMP to align management goals,

objectives, standards and guidelines, management area direction, and

monitoring and evaluation with the intent of the Act establishing the

Hells Canyon NRA (Pub. L. 94-199).

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest invites written comments and

suggestions on the scope of the analysis in addition to comments

already received as a result of local and regional public participation

activities (meetings, newsletters, surveys) in the past.

The agency also gives notice of the full environmental analysis and

decision-making process that will occur on the proposal so that

interested and affected people are aware of how they may participate

and contribute to the final decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope and implementation of this

proposal must be received by December 16, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments and suggestions concerning this

proposal to Kurt Wiedenmann, Planning Team Leader, Wallowa-Whitman

National Forest, P.O. Box 907, Baker City, Oregon 97814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Direct questions about the proposed action and EIS to Kurt Wiedenmann,

Planning Team Leader, telephone (503)-523-1296.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest proposes

to amend the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) to

modify management direction for the Hells Canyon National Recreation

Area (HCNRA) and affirm continuation of other existing management

direction. The planning process will be guided by the National

Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) with implementation scheduled for

January 1, 1996.

This modified or affirmed management direction will provide

programmatic management direction for the next 10 to 15 years. The

changes will reflect the intent of the Hells Canyon National Recreation

Area Act (HCNRA Act) (Pub. L. 94-199), public and private land use

regulations (LUR) (36 CFR part 292), Forest Service directives,

changing social values, agency emphasis on ecosystem sustainability,

new information and research findings, and results from the monitoring

and evaluation process.

The Eastside Ecosystem Management Project, (EEMP) headquartered in

Walla Walla, Washington, is expected to produce management direction on

a large landscape scale based upon ecosystem management concepts. The

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest expects to coordinate with the EEMP

project managers to ensure that those concepts are brought forward for

analysis in this NEPA process.

The scope of the proposed action focuses on only those specific

items identified for needing change through the monitoring and

evaluation process. Reviewers are encouraged to review the CMP

Monitoring and Evaluating Report (on file at the Forest Supervisors

Headquarters) for a complete understanding of the existing CMP

management direction that is affirmed or proposed for change or

deletion.

The proposed action recognizes the resolution of issues through

recent NEPA decisions for the Wild and Scenic Snake River Recreation

Management Plan, Imnaha Wild and Scenic River Management Plan, Noxious

Weed Management, Prescribed Natural Fire Program, and Outfitting and

Guiding for Cougar and Bear that provide improved management direction

for the HCNRA. The issues surrounding these previous decision will not

be considered in this EIS unless specifically addressed in the proposed

action or the scoping or analysis process identifies new issues not

resolved in those previous NEPA analyses.

The proposed action would integrate management direction for the

HCNRA within the framework of Forest Plan decisions and would

establish:

Management Goals

Goals are a concise statement that describe a desired condition to

be achieved sometime in the future (36 CFR 219.3). Goal statements form

the principal basis from which objectives are developed. Goal

statements are intended to implement and perpetuate the intent of the

HCNRA Act and LUR.

Management Objectives

HCNRA management objectives would be established to describe the

incremental progress that is expected to be made over a ten-year period

toward the management goals/desired conditions listed above. These

objectives would provide a basis to estimate quantities of services and

accomplished acres that are expected during the Forest and Rangeland

Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) ten-year planning periods (36

CFR 219.11 (b)) to achieve the desired conditions.

Standards and Guidelines

Standards and guidelines (S&Gs) are principles that specify desired

conditions or levels of environmental quality that facilitate the

achievement of management goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and

LUR.

Specific management goals, management objectives, and standards and

guidelines are presented as follows in relationship to the objectives

set forth in Section 7 of the HCNRA Act:

HCNRA Act Section 7. * * * the Secretary shall administer the

recreation area in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations

applicable to the national forests for public outdoor recreation in a

manner compatible with the objectives set forth in Section 7 of the

HCNRA Act.

Recreation

Goals

Manage for a broad range of high-quality recreation settings and

opportunities in a manner compatible with the primary objectives set

forth in the HCNRA Act.

Manage outdoor recreation to ensure that recreational and

ecological values and public enjoyment of the area are enhanced and

compatible with the objectives of the HCNRA Act.

Provide for a broad range of education and resource interpretation

opportunities for visitors to learn about HCNRA resources, protection,

and management.

Objectives

Develop a recreation-related capital investment project schedule

which includes campground rehabilitation, and compliance with health

and safety requirements and the American with Disabilities Act.

Standards and Guidelines

Modify S&Gs to refine recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS)

classifications that emphasize maintaining the level of available

recreation opportunities and focus on more refined standards for:

--Motorized/non-motorized use,

--Limits of acceptable change for recreational capacities within the

HCNRA,

--And administrative and recreation facilities development and

maintenance, including site furniture, information boards, and

interpretation.

Develop S&Gs that establish a minimum and maximum number of special

use permits for outfitting and guiding (including, but not limited to:

aviation, horsepacking, backpacking, auto tours, hunting, and fishing),

within the HCNRA that are compatible with the limits of acceptable

change listed under Recreation and the primary objectives of the HCNRA

Act.

Develop S&Gs to evaluate new recreation activities to ensure

compatibility with the primary objectives of the HCNRA Act.

Access and Facilities

Goals

Manage the transportation system (roads, trails, airstrips, and

waterways) to meet the primary objectives for which the HCNRA was

established and to provide a wide range of experiences.

Manage the transportation system to provide safe and efficient

access for the movement of people and materials involved in the use and

protection of the HCNRA. Right-of-way acquisition will continue to be

actively pursued.

Provide and manage facilities that permit access to a variety of

HCNRA settings, opportunities, and experiences, regardless of visitor's

physical abilities.

Manage recreation facilities so they are in compliance with health

and safety regulations and meet regional ROS standards.

Manage water developments and water rights in compliance with

applicable laws to meet resource objectives of the HCNRA.

Objectives

Develop a right-of-way acquisition plan.

Develop a road-related capital investment schedule.

Develop a trail-related capital investment needs.

Develop a water use/water rights plan.

Develop a facilities capital investment schedule.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop S&Gs that emphasize maintaining the level of available

access/transportation opportunities, including over-snow travel, and

provide for the long-term management of the transportation system

(roads, trails, air-strips, airspace, and waterways) to meet management

goals and objectives.

Develop S&Gs that implement the LURs prohibiting motorized and

mechanical equipment from using designated roads, trails and airstrips.

Modify S&Gs to establish construction and maintenance standards for

the transportation system.

Develop S&Gs for selection, placement, and management of electronic

transmission sites.

HCNRA Act Section 7(1) the maintenance and protection of the free-

flowing nature of the rivers within the recreation area.

Wild and Scenic Rivers

Goals

Manage wild and scenic rivers within the HCNRA in a manner

compatible with protecting and enhancing the values for which the river

was designated.

Manage use of motorized and mechanical equipment to be compatible

with the outstandingly remarkable values of each river designated

recreation, scenic, and wild.

Manage use of motorized and non-motorized rivercraft on the Wild

and Scenic Snake River in a manner compatible with the protection and

enhancement of the river's outstanding remarkable values.

Perpetuate forested stands within wild and scenic rivers in

``scenic'' and ``recreational'' designations to protect and enhance the

river's outstandingly remarkable values and compatibility with the

primary objectives of the HCNRA Act. Forested areas within ``wild''

designations would only be treated to provide for recreational

facilities, such as trails, to reduce the risk of hazard trees, or to

provide for the desired ecosystem function as a result of natural

events provided the activity is consistent with the Wild and Scenic

Rivers Act.

Manage recreation and administrative facilities in a manner

compatible with protecting and enhancing the values for which the river

was designated.

Objectives

No proposed changes.

Standards and Guidelines

No proposed changes.

HCNRA Act Section 7(2) conservation of scenic, wilderness,

cultural, scientific, and other values contributing to the public

benefit.

Scenery

Goals

Manage the scenery resources for which the HCNRA was created to

ensure their conservation and preservation.

Objectives

Develop a scenery management plan.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop S&Gs for sight sensory objectives and acceptable management

techniques based on the new scenery management system (Agriculture

Handbook 701).

Wilderness

Goals

Preserve the Hells Canyon Wilderness for the use and enjoyment of

the American people in such a manner as will leave it unimpaired for

future use and enjoyment as a wilderness, and so as to provide for its

protection and preservation of its natural conditions and unique

character.

Manage those historic sites that typify the economic and social

history of the region and the American West for preservation and/or

restoration.

Objectives

Development a wilderness management plan.

Standards and Guidelines

Reference proposed changes under Management Area Direction.

Heritage Resources

Goals

Manage heritage resources on the HCNRA for their protection from

damage or destruction. Manager heritage resources for scientific

research, public education, and enjoyment to the extent consistent with

protection.

Consult with the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho to ensure tribal concerns

are addressed and treaty rights are protected.

Objectives

Establish management direction for the various categories of

heritage resources, i.e. pre-historic and historic.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop S&Gs to establish heritage resource limits of acceptable

change for facilities development and management.

Develop S&Gs to establish limits of acceptable change for

recreational impacts, defining when impacting activity must be

mitigated and/or be curtailed.

Scientific

Goals

Provide research opportunities designed to optimize the discovery

of useful information for management and for the advancement of

scientific knowledge.

Manage research natural areas (RNA) to preserve the significant

natural ecosystems for comparison with those influenced by man; for

provision of ecological and environmental studies; and preservation of

gene pools for threatened and endangered plants and animals.

Objectives

Develop a schedule for research natural area establishment reports.

Standards and Guidelines

Refine existing S&Gs for scientific research to meet HCNRA-wide

management goals and objectives.

HCRNA Act Section 7 (3) preservation, especially in the area

generally known as Hells Canyon, of all features and peculiarities

believed to be biologically unique including, but not limited to rare

and endemic plant species, rare combinations of aquatic, terrestrial,

and atmospheric habitats, and the rare combinations of outstanding and

diverse ecosystems and parts of ecosystems associated therewith.

On a landscape scale ensure the sustainability of ecosystem

function. Manage the HCNRA ecosystem to ensure that: (1) Living

organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment

are well represented: (2) population viability is maintained; (3)

ecosystem processes are sustained; and (4) the system displays

resilience to short and long term disturbance effects.

Vegetation

Goals

Manage forest and rangeland vegetation to maintain viable and

healthy ecosystems that: Ensure the protection and enhancement of fish

and wildlife habitats; conservation of scenic, wilderness, and

scientific values; preservation of biologically unique habitats and

rare combinations of outstanding ecosystems; protection and enhancement

of a wild and scenic river's outstandingly remarkable values; and

compatible public outdoor recreation.

Provide for restoration of ecosystem function in a manner

compatible with the primary objectives of the HCNRA Act.

Manage insects and diseases to function in a natural healthy

ecosystem. Maintain insect and disease levels within a range of

historic variability, consistent with the Section 7 objectives of the

HCNRA Act.

Objectives

Identify vegetation patterns, fish and wildlife habitat and

function outside the natural range of variability.

Develop vegetation restoration/improvement needs.

Develop an allotment management planning schedule.

Adjust allotment boundaries in corporating vacant allotments.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop S&Gs that define vegetation desired conditions (rangeland

and forested) and appropriate vegetation management techniques for the

use of forested stand manipulation by commercial or non-commercial

practices, grazing (domestic and big game), and fire (prescribed fire

and prescribed natural fire) to maintain a viable and healthy

ecosystem.

Develop S&Gs to protect the integrity of the natural processes and

function inherent in old-growth associated stands and other unique

habitat areas.

Develop S&Gs to ensure vegetation management proposals would be

designed to maintain components of late-successional conditions (i.e.,

snags, downed large woody material, large trees, canopy gaps, multiple

tree layers, and diverse species composition). Silvicultural tools

available to achieve these desired conditions include: prescribed fire

and selection timber harvest methods. Stand density management options

would be limited to the application of uneven-aged management

principles (single tree and group selection), sanitation, intermediate

and salvage prescriptions.

Develop S&Gs for vegetation management proposals designed to

improve the health and vigor of sapling to pole-sized stands, to

eliminate the ``regimented spacing'' concerns and ensure compatibility

with the primary objectives of the HGNRA Act.

Develop S&Gs for vegetation management proposals to ensure

consistency with PACFISH interim strategies for managing anadromous

fisheries (anticipated to be finalized during this planning process)

and the Wallowa County Salmon Recovery Plan.

Develop S&Gs that establish an acceptable range of variability for

insects and diseases to ensure sustainability of ecosystem process,

function, and health.

Refine S&Gs to define compatibility for the biological and social

thresholds of domestic livestock and wild ungulate grazing.

Develop S&Gs that allow for adjustment of domestic grazing

allotment boundaries to incorporate and/or delete current vacant

allotments.

Develop S&Gs for managing plant resources of cultural significance

to the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho within the overall objectives of

ecosystem management.

Biologically Unique Habitat

Goals

Within the HCNRA lands ensure the preservation of rare and endemic

plant species, rare combinations of aquatic, terrestrial, and

atmospheric habitats, and the rare combinations of outstanding and

diverse ecosystems and parts of ecosystems. Protect and manage habitat

for the perpetuation and recovery of plants which are listed as

threatened or endangered, and prevent sensitive species from reaching a

point where they will become listed.

Objectives

Develop an action plan for threatened, endangered, and sensitive

plant species.

Develop an action plan to identify biologically unique species and

habitat.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop S&Gs to provide for the identification and protection of

biologically unique species and habitat.

Develop and/or refine S&Gs for threatened and endangered species to

meet recovery plan objectives and assist in recovering classified

species to a point where they can be delisted.

Develop S&Gs for sensitive, rare and endemic species to meet

conservation agreement goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and/or

prevent sensitive species from reaching a point where they will become

listed.

Soil

Goals

Manage soil resources in a manner compatible with the conservation,

preservation, and protection of those values for which the HCNRA was

established.

Objectives

No proposed changes.

Standards and Guidelines

Modify S&Gs to establish allowable detrimental soil disturbance

(now at 20%) and distribution for recreation and vegetation management

activities to ensure accordance with HCNRA goals and objectives.

Develop S&Gs for the long-term management of down woody material to

meet soil productivity objectives.

Air

Goals

Preserve the atmospheric habitats in a manner compatible with the

preservation of rare combinations of outstanding and diverse ecosystems

and parts of ecosystems associated within the HCNRA. Manage the Hells

Canyon Wilderness Class I airshed to meet the requirements of the Clean

Air Act.

Objectives

No proposed changes.

Standards and Guidelines

Establish as S&Gs, limits of acceptable change for the following

Hells Canyon Wilderness air quality related values (AQRV): scenery,

water quality, fauna, flora, and heritage resources.

Fire

Goals

Within the Hells Canyon Wilderness, as nearly as possible, ensure

that fire plays its natural role. In other parts of the HCNRA, manage

natural and prescribed fire to emulate historic function of fire, where

compatible with the Section 7 objectives of the HCNRA Act. Provide

basic protection to human life and property.

Objectives

Develop a fire-related improvement project schedule.

Standards and Guidelines

Modify S&Gs to implement the prescribed natural fire program across

the entire HCNRA in a manner compatible with the objectives of the

HCNRA Act.

HCNRA Act Section 7 (4) protection and maintenance of fish and

wildlife habitat.

Fish Habitat

Goals

Protect and maintain watersheds to be dynamic, resilient, and

consistent with local climate, geology, land-forming processes, and

potential natural vegetation. To ensure quality fish habitat, maintain

excellent water quality and physical attributes which are complex, well

distributed, and similar to those in healthy, unimpacted watershed

ecosystems. Manage subwatersheds as interconnecting units, providing a

diverse network of riparian and aquatic habitats throughout the overall

watershed.

Protect and manage fish habitat for the perpetuation and recovery

of fish which are listed as threatened, endangered, or sensitive.

Manage aquatic and riparian habitats so that fisheries may naturally

produce at levels reflecting the potential productive capability.

Objectives

Develop fisheries habitat restoration/improvement needs.

Develop an action plan for threatened, endangered, and sensitive

fish species.

Standards and Guidelines

Modify S&Gs to provide higher levels of protection to reflect new

management emphasis/direction, and to ensure consistency with the

interim management direction establishing riparian, ecosystem, and

wildlife standards for timber sales (Regional Forester's Forest Plan

Amendment 1), and PACFISH Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous

Fisheries (anticipated to be finalized during this planning process).

Develop and/or modify S&Gs for threatened and endangered species

and their habitat to meet additional direction for listed anadromous

species that may be a part of PACFISH and/or to meet recovery plan

objectives and assist in recovering classified species to a point where

they can be delisted.

Develop S&Gs for sensitive, rare, and endemic species to meet

conservation agreement goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and/or to

prevent sensitive species from reaching a point where they will become

listed.

Wildlife Habitat

Goals

Ensure the protection and maintenance of wildlife habitat in a

manner compatible with the other primary objectives for which the HCNRA

was established.

Provide habitat for viable and functioning populations of all

existing native and desired non-native vertebrate wildlife species and

invertebrate organisms to maintain or enhance the overall quality of

wildlife habitat.

Protect and manage wildlife habitat for the perpetuation and

recovery of animals and invertebrates which are listed as threatened,

endangered, or sensitive.

Objectives

Develop wildlife habitat restoration/improvement needs.

Develop an action plan for threatened, endangered, and sensitive

wildlife species.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop and/or modify S&Gs that provide refined management

direction to incorporate new information and research concerning late

and old forest structure, snag habitat, and the species associated with

that habitat.

Modify S&Gs to reflect new management emphasis/direction to

incorporate ecosystem management concepts and to allow for functioning

levels of wildlife and other living organisms.

Develop and/or refine S&Gs for threatened and endangered species

and their habitat to meet recovery plan objectives and assist in

recovering classified species to a point where they can be delisted.

Develop S&Gs for sensitive, rare, and endemic species to meet

conservation agreement goals and objectives of the HCNRA Act and/or to

prevent sensitive species from reaching a point where they will become

listed.

HCNRA Act Section 7 (5) protection of archeological and

paleontologic sites and interpretation of these sites for the public

benefit and knowledge insofar as it is compatible with protection.

Heritage Resources/Pre-Historic Sites

Goals

Provide for the protection of the pre-historic sites from damage or

destruction. Manage pre-historic sites for scientific research, public

interpretation, education, and enjoyment to the extent consistent with

protection.

Objectives

Reference Heritage Resources in this section.

Standards and Guidelines

Reference Heritage Resources in this section.

Geologic

Goals

Provide for the protection of paleontological and unique geologic

resources from damage or destruction. Manage paleontological resources

for scientific research to the extent consistent with protection.

Provide for interpretation and education of unique geologic events.

Objectives

Develop a paleontological/geologic management plan that stresses

protection of those sites with greatest sensitivity and scientific

value.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop S&Gs for scientific research consistent with their

protection.

Develop S&Gs for the management and interpretation that ensure the

protection of paleontological and unique geologic resources.

HCNRA Act Section 7 (6) preservation and restoration of historic

sites associated with and typifying the economic and social history of

the region and the American West.

Heritage Resources/Historic-Sites

Goals

Evaluate historic sites for preservation and restoration that

typify the economic and social history of the region and the American

West. Preserve and restore selected sites which typify the economic and

social history of the region and the American West.

Objectives

Reference Heritage Resources in this section.

Standards and Guidelines

Reference Heritage Resources in this section.

HCNRA Act Section 7 (7) such management, utilization, and disposal

of natural resources on federally owned lands, including, but not

limited to, timber harvesting by selective cutting, mining, and grazing

and the continuation of such existing uses and developments as are

compatible with the provisions of the Act.

Minerals

Goals

Prohibit all mining activities with the exception of valid existing

mineral rights as of December 31, 1975. Mining and its associated

activities of valid existing mineral rights will emphasize meeting the

objectives for which the HCNRA was established.

Manage common mineral materials for the sole purpose of

construction and maintenance of facilities, emphasizing common mineral

material sources outside of the HCNRA.

Objectives

No proposed changes.

Standards and Guidelines

Develop S&Gs for the use of common variety mineral materials in the

construction and maintenance of facilities, pursuant to the LURs.

Develop S&Gs for site reclamation upon termination of the

extraction of common variety mineral materials.

Landownership

Goals

Manage landownership patterns to best meet the objectives for which

the HCNRA was established and by implementing the standards established

for the use and development of private lands within the HCNRA.

Coordinate with affected county governments in the implementation

of private LURs.

Objectives

Modify the land and scenic easement acquisition plan.

Standards and Guidelines

There would be no changes in S&Gs for landownership. Implementation

would be based on the land and scenic easement acquisition plan

addressed in Objectives.

Management Area Direction

Management area descriptions provide the multiple-use direction for

managing specific areas to facilitate achieving management goals and

objectives. Each existing management area would be described in terms

of (1) a description which defines specific managment area goals,

objectives and resources priorities, and (2) direction.

The following are proposed changes to management areas within the

HCNRA:

Management Area 4--Wilderness

Develop S&Gs that establish specific management requirements for

the Hells Canyon Wilderness, pursuant to Forest Service Manual 2320.

Modify S&Gs for interface areas between the Hells Canyon Wilderness

and the Wild and Scenic Snake River.

Modify S&Gs for management and maintenance of administrative

facilities and range improvements.

Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization

standards to ensure achievement of the wilderness goals and objectives.

Management Area 7--Wild and Scenic Rivers

Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization

standards to ensure the protection and enhancement of the outstandingly

remarkable values for which the river was designated.

Modify vegetation S&Gs to reflect the scenic and recreational

portions of these management areas would no longer be a component of

the Forest allowable timber sale quantity.

Management Area 8--Wild and Scenic Snake River

No proposed changes to recreational based activities. Management

direction would follow the record of decision and recreation management

plan, issued in November 1994.

Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization

standards to ensure the proection and enhancement of the outstandingly

remarkable values for which the river was designated.

Management Area 9--Dispersed Recreation/Native Vegetation

Modify the title of this management area to ``Dispersed Recreation/

Primitive/Semi-Primitive.''

Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization

standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.

Modify access S&Gs for over-snow travel to ensure achievement of

the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.

Management Area 10--Dispersed Recreation/Forage

Modify the title and management area description to reflect the

changes embodied in the public LURs. The title of this management area

would be changed to ``Dispensed Recreation/Semi-Primitive.''

Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization

standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.

Modify access S&Gs to establish road densities to ensure

achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.

Management Area 11--Dispersed Recreation/Timber Management

Modify the title and management area description to reflect the

changes embodied in the public LURs. The title of this management area

would be changed to ``Dispersed Recreation/Roaded Natural-Roaded.''

Modify the management area description to reflect the intent of the

public LURs.

Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization

standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.

Modify access S&Gs to establish road densities to ensure

achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.

Management Area 12--Research Natural Areas

Modify vegetation S&Gs for forage allocation and utilization

standards to ensure achievement of the HCNRA-wide goals and objectives.

Develop S&Gs for scientific research consistent with the objectives

for these areas.

Management Area 16--Administrative and Recreation Site Retention

Identify sites for allocation to administrative and recreation site

retention compatible primary objectives of the HCNRA Act and compatible

with management area objectives.

Develop S&Gs for management, development, and maintenance of

administrative and recreation sites, including ROS classes.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The monitoring and evaluation program for the HCNRA would be

refined to be compatible with the above changes in management direction

to ensure that the goals and objectives for the HCNRA are achieved;

assess the effectiveness of achieving desired conditions and results;

ensure quality consistency and cost effectiveness of monitoring data

and information in order to support maintenance of changes in

management direction; and maintain viable Forest Plans.

The existing Forest Plan Monitoring and Implementation Plan and CMP

Monitoring Plan would serve as the foundation in which to develop a

refined monitoring plan that would best monitor the implemented

management plan. The format for each monitoring element, whether it is

implementation, effectiveness, or validation monitoring would address

the following:

--Monitoring Goal

--Purpose of Monitoring

--Unit of Measure

--Threshold of Variability

--Frequency of Monitoring

--Costs

--Responsibilities

This EIS will tier to the Final EIS and Forest Plan. The CMP is

incorporated into the Forest Plan. The CMP provides the programmatic

management direction for the HCNRA. The Forest Plan provides goals and

objectives, standards and guidelines, management area direction, and

monitoring and evaluation for the various lands on the Forest and

HCNRA. Both the Forest Plan and CMP provide programmatic management

direction for site-specific management practices that will be utilized

during the implementation of the Forest Plan and CMP.

The HCNRA consists of an estimated 652,488 acres. The HCNRA is

comprised of the following management areas: wilderness, wild and

scenic rivers, dispersed recreation/native vegetation, forage,

dispersed recreation/timber management, research natural areas, and

developed recreation and administrative facilities.

The analysis will consider a range of alternatives, including no-

action.

Public participation will be especially important at several points

during the analysis, beginning with the scoping process (40 CFR

1501.7). The Forest Service will be seeking information, comments, and

assistance from Federal, State, local agencies and other individuals,

organizations, or governments who may be interested in or affected by

the proposed project. This input will be used in preparation of the

draft EIS. The scoping process includes:

1. Identifying potential issues.

2. Identifying major issues to be analyzed in depth.

3. Identifying issues which have been covered by a relevant

previous environmental analysis.

4. Exploring additional alternatives based on themes which will be

derived from issues recognized during scoping activities.

5. Identifying potential environmental effects of this project and

alternatives (i.e., direct, indirect, and cumulative effects and

connected actions).

6. Determining potential cooperating agencies and task assignments.

7. Notifying interested publics of opportunities to participate

through meetings, personal contacts, or written comment. Keeping the

public informed through the media and/or written material (i.e.,

newsletters, correspondence, etc.).

The draft EIS will be filed with the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) and is expected to be available for public review by

April, 1995. The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from

the date the EPA publishes the notice of availability in the Federal

Register. The final EIS is expected to be available for public review

by September, 1995.

The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important

to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public

participation in the environmental review process.

First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must

structure their participation in the environmental review of the

proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the

reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp.

v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that

could have been raised at the draft stage may be waived or dismissed by

the court if not raised until after completion of the final EIS. City

of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d. 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin

Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980).

Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those

interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 30-

day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made

available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully be

considered and responded to in the final EIS.

To be most helpful, comments on the draft EIS should be as specific

as possible and may address the adequacy of the statement or the merit

of the alternatives discussed. Reviewers may wish to refer to the

Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the

procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40

CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.

Public workshops are scheduled in Boise and Grangeville, Idaho and

Enterprise and Portland, Oregon on November 28 through December 1.

Please contact Kurt Wiedenmann, Planning Team Leader, at (503) 523-1296

for additional information.

The final EIS is scheduled to be completed by September, 1995. In

the final EIS, the Forest Service is required to respond to comments

and responses received during the comment period that pertain to the

environmental consequences discussed in the draft EIS and applicable

laws, regulations, and policies considered in making the decision

regarding the proposal. R.M. Richmond, Forest Supervisor, is the

Responsible Official. As the Responsible Official, he will decide

whether to implement the proposal or a different alternative. The

Responsible Official will document the decision and reasons for the

decision in the Record of Decision. That decision will be subject to

Forest Service Appeal Regulations (36 CFR part 217).

Dated: November 7, 1994.

R.M. Richmond,

Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 94-28236 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]

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