# Paradise Project, Boise National Forest, Idaho > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-24142 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** September 20, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 49433 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Paradise Project, Boise National Forest, Idaho AGENCY: Forest Services, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Mountain Home Ranger District of the Boise National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for an integrated resource management project in the Paradise project area, located immediately west of the South Fork Boise River and approximately 2 miles south of Featherville, Idaho. Access is via Forest Development Road (FDR) 183. The project area encompasses approximately 2,800 acres of National Forest System land and is located 60 road miles northeast of Mountain Home and about 100 road miles east of Boise, Idaho. The agency invites written comments and suggestions on the scope of the [[Page 49434]] analysis. The agency also hereby gives notice of the environmental analysis and decisionmaking 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. Proposed Action: The proposed action would commercial thin, salvage harvest, and use prescribed fire throughout most of the project area. Helicopter, skyline, and tractor/off-road jammer (excavator) yarding would be done. Approximately 4 miles of road would be constructed and 1 mile of existing road would be reconstructed. New and existing helicopter landings would be used. Bald eagle habitat would be protected and enhanced with buffer zones and thinning. The activities would occur from 1997 to 1998. Preliminary Issues: One significant issue with the proposed action has been identified so far. The issue is that timber harvest and associated road construction could impact the undeveloped characteristics and wilderness attributes of the Rainbow Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). Possible Alternatives to the Proposed Action: One alternative to the proposed action has been identified. It is the no action alternative. Other alternatives may be developed as issues are raised and information is received. Decisions to be Made: The Boise National Forest Supervisor will decide whether to implement the project. If the project is to be implemented, the Forest Supervisor will decide which activities to include in the project, when the project should occur, and what mitigation and monitoring is needed to ensure the project is environmentally acceptable. Schedule: Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), November 1996. Final, January 1997. Public Involvement: Scoping was initiated in October 1995. A legal notice appeared in the Idaho Statesman on October 2, 1995. A scoping letter was sent out to over 80 individuals, groups, organizations, and agencies. Comments receive from these public involvement efforts will be incorporated into the analysis process. Comments: Written comments concerning the proposed project and analysis are encouraged and should be postmarked within 30 days following publication of this announcement in the Federal Register. Mail comments to Frank Marsh, Mountain Home Ranger District, 2180 American Legion Boulevard, Mountain Home, ID 83647; telephone 208-587- 7961 or 208-364-4310. Further information can be obtained at the same location. The comment period on the DEIS will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register. 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 DEIS's 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 be raised at the DEIS stage but are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement, may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1002 (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 45-day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement. To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the DEIS should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the DEIS or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. 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. Responsible Official: David D. Rittenhouse, Forest Supervisor, Boise National Forest, 1750 Front Street, Boise, ID 83702. Dated: September 16, 1996. Cathy Barbouletos, Deputy Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 96-24142 Filed 9-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-11-M --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-24142. Public record. Not legal advice.