Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit to the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for

Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit to the Louisiana-Pacific

Corporation

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior and National Marine

Fisheries Service, NOAA, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine

Fisheries Service (collectively ``the Services'') intend to prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement addressing approval and implementation

of a Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) submitted by the Louisiana-

Pacific Corporation as part of an application for an incidental take

permit, pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act of

1973, as amended. The Plan will cover forest management activities on

Louisiana-Pacific's lands within Mendocino, Sonoma, and Humboldt

counties in northern California. Louisiana-Pacific intends to request

an incidental take permit for the northern spotted owl (Strix

occidentalis caurina), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), American

peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum), and marbled murrelet

(Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus). It is anticipated the applicant

may also seek coverage for approximately 50-60 unlisted species of

concern (anadromous and resident fish, wildlife, and plants) under

specific provisions of the permit, should these species be listed in

the future.

Public Involvement

This notice is being furnished pursuant to the Council on

Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the Procedural

Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act Regulations (40 CFR

sections 1501.7 and 1508.22) to obtain suggestions and information from

other agencies and the public on the scope of issues and alternatives

to be considered in preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 30, 1997.

Public scoping meetings, at which oral and written comments can be

submitted, are scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 1997, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

& 6:30-9:30 p.m., at Ukiah Valley Conference Center, 200 South School

Street, Ukiah, California 95482, and on Thursday, September 11, 1997,

6:30-9:30 p.m., at Samoa Fire Hall, Samoa, California 95564.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the scope of the Environmental Impact

Statement should be addressed to Mr. Bruce Halstead, Project Leader,

Coastal California Fish and Wildlife Office, Fish and Wildlife Service,

1125 16th Street, Room 209, Arcata, California 95521-5582. Written

comments may also be sent by facsimile to (707) 822-8411. Comments

received will be available for public inspection, by appointment,

during normal business hours (Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00

p.m.) at the above address. All comments received, including names and

addresses, will become part of the official administrative record and

may be made available to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Amedee Brickey, at the above

address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a forest

products company, owns and manages approximately 305,000 acres of

commercial forest lands in northern California that will be considered

for inclusion in a Plan. Approximately 230,000 acres of the land is

located in coastal Mendocino and Sonoma counties, and approximately

75,000 acres in coastal Humboldt County. The Plan will evaluate various

forest management alternatives for the planning area, including an

alternative similar to Louisiana-Pacific's Sustained Yield Plan for

Coastal Mendocino County. This Sustained Yield Plan is currently under

review by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Louisiana-Pacific's multi-species planning approach is anticipated

to include the northern spotted owl, coho salmon, marbled murrelet,

American peregrine falcon, and other threatened/endangered species. In

addition, about 50-60 unlisted species of concern (anadromous and

resident fish, wildlife, and plants) are being considered for inclusion

in the Plan.

Once completed, it is expected that Louisiana-Pacific Corporation

will submit the Plan as part of the incidental take permit application

process, as required under the provisions of section 10(a)(2)(A) of the

Endangered Species Act. The Services will evaluate the incidental take

permit application and associated Plan in accordance with section 10(a)

of the Endangered Species Act and its implementing regulations. The

environmental review of the permit application and the Plan will be

conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National

Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations. A No Action

alternative will be considered consistent with the requirements of the

National Environmental Policy Act.

Several streams in watersheds in which the Louisiana-Pacific

Corporation owns land are listed as water quality limited under Section

303(d) of the Clean Water Act. If feasible, the Environmental

Protection Agency will work with the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation,

other Federal agencies, the State of California, and the public to

address water quality issues associated with these waterbodies at the

same time the Plan is developed. It is expected that a water quality

planning and management framework will be developed to establish total

maximum daily loads for streams listed under section 303(d) of the

Clean Water Act.

Dated: August 21, 1997.

Don Weathers,

Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.

[FR Doc. 97-22898 Filed 8-27-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P