Forestwide Noxious Weed Control, EIS, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson, Silver Bow, Granite, and Powell Counties, MT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Forestwide Noxious Weed Control, EIS, Beaverhead-Deerlodge

National Forest, Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson, Silver Bow, Granite,

and Powell Counties, MT

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact

statement to document the analysis and disclose the environmental

impacts of mechanical, manual, biological, ground-based chemical, and

aerial chemical noxious weed control methods across the Beaverhead-

Deerlodge National Forest.

The proposed action authorizes treatment of 37,762 acres; 15,082

acres by aerial application of chemicals, 22,640 acres by ground-based

application of chemicals, 34 acres by biological methods, and 6.6 acres

by mechanical methods. The objectives of the proposal are to: Protect

the biodiversity of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest by

preventing or limiting the spread of noxious weeds; eliminate new

invaders before they become established; reduce known and potential

weed seed sources; prevent or limit the spread of established weeds

into areas containing little or no infestation; and protect sensitive

and unique habitats.

DATES: Initial comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be

received in writing no later than September 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The responsible official is Mike Paterni, acting Forest

Supervisor, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, 420 Barrett Street,

Dillon, MT 59725. Send written comments to the responsible official.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Diane Petroni, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, also at the Supervisor's

Office in Dillon, or phone: (406) 683-3900.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aerial application of herbicides would be

authorized to treat about 40% of the identified infestations. An

integration approach would be used to treat all infestations, including

biological, mechanical, and ground-based chemical control methods. New

infestations would be evaluated to determine if the site fits within

the scope of the EIS and then prioritized for treatment. Sites selected

for control would be treated using the parameters established and the

analysis conducted in this EIS. Treatment of additional sites would be

based on a site type stratification process which defined each site by

landscape position, soil type and depth, habitat type or community,

slope, and aspect. Pretreatment surveys would be conducted to determine

management objectives for the site, special considerations (sensitive

plants, presence of live water, threatened and sensitive fish, etc.),

recommended treatment methods, and other site-specific information.

The project areas are located throughout the Beaverhead-Deerlodge

National Forest. The scope of this proposal is limited to noxious weed

control measures on known infestations and new infestations as they are

identified, and related mitigation requirements within the Beaverhead-

Deerlodge National Forest.

Public participation is important to this analysis. Part of the

goal of public involvement is to identify additional issues and to

refine the general, tentative issues. A scoping notice describing the

project was mailed to those who requested information about noxious

weed control on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Coordination

with Montana Department of Environmental Quality/Water Quality Division

will occur regarding effects to water quality. The United States Fish

and Wildlife Service will be consulted concerning effects to threatened

and endangered species.

Preliminary issues identified by Forest Service specialists include

effects to soils, water quality, and potential public concerns about

aerial application of herbicides. The analysis will consider all

reasonably foreseeable activities, including actions on lands adjacent

to the National Forest.

People may visit with Forest Service officials at any time during

the analysis and prior to the decision. Two periods are specifically

designated for comments on the analysis: (1) During the scoping process

and (2) during the draft EIS period.

During the scoping process, the Forest Service is seeking

additional information and comments from Federal, State and local

agencies and other individuals or organizations who may be interested

in or affected by the proposed action. The agency invites written

comments and suggestions on this action, particularly in terms of

identification of issues and alternative development.

The draft EIS should be available for review in May, 2000. The

final EIS is scheduled for completion in September, 2000.

The comment period on the draft EIS will be 45 days from the date

the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of

availability in the Federal Register.

To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues

and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft

environmental impact statement 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 draft

environmental impact statement 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

CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.

The responsible official will make the decision on this proposal

after considering comments and responses, environmental consequences

discussed in the final EIS, and applicable laws, regulations, and

policies. The decision and reasons for the decision will be document in

a Record of Decision.

Dated: July 30, 1999.

Mike Paterni,

Acting Forest Supervisor.

[FR Doc. 99-20438 Filed 8-6-99; 8:45 am]

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