The Federal Register

Wed, Mar 27 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The United States Department of Agriculture (the Department) is issuing this final rule to establish the
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sole process by which the public may file objections seeking predecisional administrative review for proposed projects and activities implementing land management plans and documented with a Record of Decision (ROD) or Decision Notice (DN). The final rule carries out the direction in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, section 428, which directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to apply section 105(a) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA) to provide for a predecisional objection process. Section 428 further directs the Secretary to apply these procedures in lieu of the procedures required by the Appeal Reform Act (ARA) sections that provided for a postdecisional administrative appeal process for project decisions. This rule revises Forest Service regulations to implement the direction of section 428 and also

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Fri, Mar 22 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest proposes to amend the Targhee Revised Forest Plan (1997) to include a map identifying specific areas where the Northern Rockies Lynx Management Direction (NRLMD, 2007) applies.

PreDecisional Administrative Review Process: The decision on this proposed plan amendment will be subject to the objection process for the planning process (36 CFR part 219, subpart B). Only those individuals and entities who submit substantive formal comments related to this proposed plan amendment during the opportunities for public comment as provided in 36 CFR part 219, Subpart A may file an objection. The burden is on the objector to demonstrate compliance with requirements for objection (36 CFR 219.53).

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Public Participation: The Agency invites interested parties to participate and collaborate on this proposal and analysis. Publication of this Notice initiates the 30day scoping process. Comments received concerning this proposed plan amendment will be used to

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and

Wed, Mar 20 2013 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Forest Service's intent to request: (1) An extension from the Office of Management and Budget; and (2) to merge the currently approved information collection 0596 0222, ``Grey Towers Visitor Comment Card'' with 05960226, ``Forest Service Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.''

Tue, Mar 19 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Rio Grande National Forest is proposing to add a cabin for rent to the public for a $50 fee for the overnight rental. It was recently renovated and has public interest in utilizing the facility. Rentals of other cabins on the Rio Grande National Forest have shown that people appreciate and enjoy the availability of historic rental cabins. Funds from the rental will be used to continued operations and maintenance of Duncan Cabin. People are invited to comment on this proposal.

Meetings:

Thu, Mar 14 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The New Mexico Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel will meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Panel is meeting as authorized under the Community Forest Restoration Act (Title VI, Pub. L. 106393) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the meeting is to provide recommendations to the Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region, on which applications submitted in response to the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Request For Applications best meet the program objectives.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Tue, Mar 12 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Birch, Willow, Lost Project proposes to treat vegetation communities in the four subwatersheds that cover the project area. The scope of the project is limited to those portions of the four sub watersheds covered by the project area boundary. This project is not a general management plan for the watersheds, nor is it a programmatic environmental analysis for vegetation communities.

New Fee Sites:

Fri, Mar 8 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Kaibab National Forest is proposing to charge fees for the overnight rental of three historic facilities on the North Kaibab Ranger District. Jumpup cabin is the oldest Ranger Station on the North Kaibab Ranger District. The cabin was recently rehabilitated with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Forest Service funds and is a popular overnight stop for hikers in the Kanab Creek Wilderness Area. The new fee is proposed at $60.00 per night for Jumpup Cabin with a maximum capacity of eight people. Pleasant Valley Cabin is located on Highway 67, a few miles north of the Grand Canyon National Park. The cabin will require substantial rehabilitation work over the next two years to prepare it for public use. The new fee is proposed at $140.00 per night for Pleasant Valley Cabin with a maximum capacity of four people. Big Springs Administrative Center is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been used by homesteaders, and later the Forest Service, since the 1800's. The c

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Mon, Mar 4 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The USDA Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal to modify vegetation on approximately 7,000 acres of National Forest System land. The purpose of the project is to modify the forest vegetation in order to put it on a trajectory toward the desired conditions for: (1) Reduced tree density; (2) sustained old forest conditions; (3) enhanced wildlife habitat; (4) reduced wildfire risk; (5) improved longterm scenic sustainability; (6) increased recreational opportunities; (7) enhanced riparian conservation areas; and, (8) maximized revenue derived from commercial products to perform essential and costly biomass removal, and to support the retention of local industrial infrastructure. The project area is located southeast of the community of Grizzly Flat, including the area surrounding Leoni Meadows, west of Caldor, and north of Big Mountain. The project is located entirely in El Dorado County, California in T.8N., R.13 E., in all or

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Thu, Feb 28 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate and disclose the predicted effects of the Elk LateSuccessional Reserve Enhancement project, which would treat natural
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stands and plantations on approximately 2,930 acres to reduce the current and future risk of largescale disturbance events within early, mid and latesuccessional habitat within the Elk Flat LateSuccessional Reserve and nearby stands. Additional benefits from risk reduction treatments include increasing the resilience and promoting continued development and connectivity of latesuccessional forest habitat within the Elk Flat LateSuccessional Reserve. Objectives include improving forest health; increasing resiliency to natural events such as drought, insect and disease infestations and high severity wildfire; and restoring unique habitats. Forest stand treatments would be completed using commercial and noncommercial thinning and regeneration prescriptions. Fuels reduction would be com

Wed, Feb 27 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Service has issued proposed directives to Forest Service Handbook (FSH 1909.12) and Manual (FSM 1920) establishing procedures and responsibilities for implementing the
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National Forest System (NFS) land management planning regulation. Issuance of these proposed directives will provide consistent overall guidance to Forest Service Line Officers and Agency employees in developing, amending, or revising land management plans for units of the NFS. Public comment is invited and will be considered in developing the final directives.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Wed, Feb 27 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Service is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the potential effects of the Teton to Snake Fuels Management Project. The analysis will evaluate and disclose the effects of treating National Forest land to reduce the potential fire behavior within the wildlandurban interface to better protect threatened values, to improve firefighter safety, and to allow fire to play a more natural role in the ecosystem. Treatments include understory thinning and prescribed fire some of which are located within the Palisades Wilderness Study Area (WSA) and Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs). Connected actions necessary to implement the proposed treatments include road maintenance, reconstruction, temporary road and landing construction and obliteration, and construction of fire control lines where needed to contain prescribed fire treatments. No road work or commercial vegetation treatments would occur within the WSA. Road maintenance would occur in a small portion of the Phil

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Mon, Feb 25 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The New Meadows Ranger District of the Payette National Forest will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Lost CreekBoulder Creek Landscape Restoration Project. The Lost Creek Boulder Creek Landscape Restoration Project area is located approximately 10 miles north and west of New Meadows, Idaho in in Boulder Creek, a tributary to the Little Salmon, and in the headwaters of the Weiser River and the West Fork of the Weiser River. It comprises approximately 80,000 acres and is within the boundaries of the New Meadows District of the Payette National Forest, in Adams County Idaho. The project is designed to improve wildlife habitat, reduce forest fuels, and improve watershed conditions through a variety of activities including commercial and noncommercial vegetation management and road system modifications and maintenance.

Annual List of Newspapers Used for Publication of Legal Notice of

Fri, Feb 22 2013 11:00:00 GMT

This notice lists the newspapers that Ranger Districts, Forests, and the Regional Office of the Rocky Mountain Region will use to publish notices for pubic comments on actions subject to the provisions of 36 CFR part 215 or 218. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers will be used to publish legal notices of actions subject to public comment and decisions subject to appeal under 36 CFR part 215 or objection under 36 CFR part 218.

Responsible Officials in the Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service will publish notices of availability for comment and notices of decisions that may be subject to administrative appeal under 36 CFR part 215. These notices will be published in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the Supplementary Information section of this notice. As provided in 36 CFR 215.5, 215.6, and 215.7, such notice shall constitute legal evidence that the agency has given timely and constructive notice for

Request for Proposals:

Tue, Feb 19 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State and Private Forestry (S&PF), Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for wood energy projects that require engineering services. These projects will use woody biomass, such as material removed from forest restoration activities, wildfire hazardous fuel treatments, insect and disease mitigation, forest management due to catastrophic weather events, and/or thinning overstocked stands. The woody biomass shall be used in a bioenergy facility that uses commercially proven technologies to produce thermal, electrical or liquid/gaseous bioenergy. The funds from the Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grant program (WBU) must be used to further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering services necessary for final design and cost analysis. Examples of projects might include engineering design of a woody biomass boiler for steam at a sawmill, hospital or school; nonpressuriz

Annual List of Newspapers Used for Publication of Legal Notice of

Fri, Feb 15 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Responsible Officials in the Rocky Mountain Region of the USDA Forest Service will publish notices of availability for comment and notices of decisions that may be subject to administrative appeal under 36 CFR Part 215. These notices will be published in the legal notice section of the newspapers listed in the Supplementary Information section of this notice. As provided in 36 CFR 215.5, 215.6, and 215.7, such notice shall constitute legal evidence that the agency has given timely and constructive notice for comment a

Outreach for New Resource Advisory Committee Replacement Members:

Thu, Feb 14 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Interested citizens are invited to serve on the Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC). The RAC will be responsible for reviewing and recommending land management projects to be funded under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act, should the act be reauthorized this year.

RAC members represent a wide range of interests. The committee consists of 15 members and each member is assigned to one of three categories. A replacement member is also assigned to each category. The replacement member becomes a full time member when and if an assigned member can not complete his or her fouryear term. The Olympic Peninsula RAC has vacancies for replacement members in Categories A, B, and C.

Category A represents organized labor, developed outdoor recreation, offhighway vehicle use, commercial recreation activities, energy development interests, the commercial timber industry, and Federal grazing or other land use permits.

Category B represents n

Meetings:

Tue, Feb 12 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule will meet in Albuquerque, NM. The committee operates in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the committee is to provide advice and recommendations on the implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Rule. The meeting is also open to the public. The purpose of the meeting is to advance the
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dialogue from the first meeting and build a broader understanding of issues associated with implementation of the new planning rule. Another objective of the meeting is to continue to define areas where the committee can provide the most valuable input and recommendations for implementation of the new rule.

Thu, Feb 7 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Bighorn National Forest is proposing to charge new fees at two recreation rental sites under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, (Title VIII, Pub. L. 108447). Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, costs of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment. Funds from the fees will be retained locally and used for the operation and maintenance of these recreation sites.

The Sheep Mountain Fire Lookout on the Powder River Ranger District will be available for overnight rental. The facility is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Buffalo, Wyoming, at the end of Forest Road 28. The lookout offers an extraordinary experience in a historical structure. Renting a historical lookout is widely popular on national forests. The fee proposed for this facility is $50 per night. The lookout can accommodate two to four people. A single vault toilet will be available nearby; water and electricity are not available. This facility will be

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Thu, Feb 7 2013 11:00:00 GMT

This is a corrected notice. This notice updates information about proposed actions in the Clear Creek Integrated Restoration Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS will include two site specific, nonsignificant amendments of the Nez Perce Forest Plan (1987). The proposed amendments would clarify the Forest's interpretation of old growth standards found in the Nez Perce Forest Plan, and would adopt the Regional soils standard for the Clear Creek Integrated Restoration project area. The original notice was published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2012, pages 775 and 776. The Forest Service gives notice of its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Clear Creek Integrated Restoration Project. The Proposed action would use a combination of timber harvest, pre commercial thinning, prescribed fire and reforestation to achieve the desired range of age classes, size classes, vegetative species distributions, habitat complexity (diversity) and landscape patterns

Tue, Feb 5 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, published a notice in the Federal Register of January 24, 2013, (78 FR 5165) which concerned initiating a forest planning process under the new planning rule entitled First Phase of the Forest Planning Process for the BioRegion. The document contained incorrect wording describing the Notice as a Notice of Intent and introducing terms associated with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and extraneous material not associated with the forest planning revision process.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Tue, Feb 5 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of commercial and noncommercial vegetation management activities, prescribed burning, and watershed improvement activities. Access management changes and other design features are included to protect resources and facilitate management activities. The project is located in the Buckhorn Planning Subunit on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana, and north of Troy, Montana.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Fri, Feb 1 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Tonto National Forest will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to disclose the effects of designating a system of roads, trails, and areas for motorized vehicle use, thereby developing a motorized travel management plan. Such a plan is needed to meet National travel management regulations and to improve the management and enforcement of motor vehicle use on National Forest Service lands. This notice describes the components to be included in the motorized travel plan, proposed forest plan amendment, decisions to be made, estimated dates pertaining to the project, information concerning public participation, and the responsible agency official. The project area is defined by the boundaries of the Tonto National Forest, and includes the Cave Creek, Globe, Mesa, Payson, Pleasant Valley, and Tonto Basin ranger districts.

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and

Thu, Jan 31 2013 11:00:00 GMT

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the new information collection, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Visitor Study2013.

Meetings:

Thu, Jan 31 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Resource Committee Meeting will meet in Arlington, Va. The committee is authorized under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110246). The purpose of the committee is to provide direction and coordination of actions within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and coordination with State agencies and the private sector, to effectively address the national priorities for non industrial private forest land. The purpose of the meeting is discuss operational procedures for the committee and develop a workplan of projects for the committee to complete within the year.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Wed, Jan 30 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The USDA Forest Service will prepare a Supplement to the WallowaWhitman National Forest Invasive Plants Treatment Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address deficiencies identified by Judge Simon, United States District Court, District of Oregon, in League of Wilderness Defenders/Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project v. United States Forest Service & Connaughton (Case 3:10cv01397SI). Specifically, the court found the March 2010 Final EIS to be deficient regarding analysis of cumulative impacts of the proposed action.

Thu, Jan 24 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Come gather 'round people

Wherever you roam

And admit that the waters

Around you have grown

And accept it that soon

You'll be drenched to the bone

If your time to you is worth savin'

Then you better start swimmin' or you'll sink like a stone

For the times, they are achangin'.
Bob Dylan, The Times They Are Achangin' ^(copyright) 1963, 1964, 1991, 1992.

The Pacific Southwest Region is initiating the first phase of the forest planning process pursuant to the 2012 Forest Planning Rule which will describe the strategic direction for management of forest resources for the next ten to fifteen years. This notice communicates that the informal phase of the BioRegional Assessment has begun.

Meetings:

Thu, Jan 24 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Ashley Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Vernal, Utah. The committee is meeting
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as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (Pub. L. 110343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the meeting is conduct introductions, approve meeting minutes, review available completed and approved project status, set the next meeting date, time and location and receive public comment on the meeting subjects and proceedings.

Tue, Jan 22 2013 11:00:00 GMT

This notice lists the newspapers that Ranger Districts, Forests, and the Regional Office of the Alaska Region will use to publish legal
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notice of all decisions subject to appeal under 36 CFR Part 215 and to publish legal notices for public comment on actions subject to the notice and comment provisions of 36 CFR Part 215, as updated on June 4, 2003. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers will be used to publish legal notice of actions subject to public comment and decisions subject to appeal under 36 CFR Part 215, thereby allowing them to receive constructive notice of a decision or proposed action, to provide clear evidence of timely notice, and to achieve consistency in administering the appeals process.

Annual List of Newspapers:

Tue, Jan 22 2013 11:00:00 GMT

This notice lists the newspapers that Ranger Districts, Forests, and the Regional Office of the Alaska Region will use to publish legal notices of the opportunity to object to proposed hazardous fuel reduction projects authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers will be used to publish legal notice of actions subject to the predecisional administrative review process at 36 CFR 218, thereby allowing them to receive constructive notice of the proposed actions, to provide clear evidence of timely notice, and to achieve consistency in administering the predecisional review process.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Tue, Jan 22 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to accomplish vegetation management in the Beaver Creek Resource Area, which is located on National Forest System lands administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests in Shoshone County, Idaho.

The proposed action would include timber harvest (commercial thin, shelterwood, improvement cut, and seed tree treatments); hazardous fuels treatment (underburning, jackpot burning, mastication, grapple piling and yarding tops associated with the timber harvest); prescribed burning not associated with timber harvest; and watershed restoration (decommissioning roads currently not open to motorized use, upgrading aquatic organism passage barriers; and road construction (both permanent and temporary). Other activities included in the proposed action are road storage, road reconstruction and maintenance, site preparation, reforestation, and fuel break development.

This project is designed to achieve the goals o

Meetings:

Fri, Jan 18 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Hamilton, Montana. The purpose of the meeting is project discussion and presentations.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Thu, Jan 17 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Ochoco National Forest is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the effects of changing grazing management in four allotments on the Paulina Ranger District. The Fox Canyon Cluster project area is located approximately 35 miles east of Prineville, south of Big Summit Prairie. The four allotments are Antler, Brush Creek, Fox Canyon, and Gray Prairie. The Proposed Action would reauthorize term grazing permits, construct rangeland improvements, manage livestock use and distribution, and conduct riparian restoration activities to facilitate the improvement of riparian conditions for streambank stability, riparian vegetation, and water temperature. These actions are needed to achieve and maintain consistency with the Ochoco National Forest Land and Resource Plan, as amended.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Tue, Jan 15 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to document the analysis and disclose the environmental impacts of the Maverick Point Forest Health Project. This project is designed to achieve goals of increasing aspen and ponderosa pine forest stand resilience and resistance to insects, disease, drought, and wildfire by altering stand density, species composition, and age class structure via use of timber harvesting and prescribed fire. Project activities also seek to maintain or improve the productivity and diversity of wildlife habitat and improve watershed health through restoring or protecting selected springs or active head cuts, closing unauthorized roads, and reclaiming abandoned uranium mine adits and waste rock. The project is also designed to provide for a sustainable and manageable system of roads and trails to meet public and administrative needs in the project area.

Meetings:

Tue, Jan 15 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Forestry Research Advisory Council will meet in Washington, DC February 78, 2013. The Council is required by Section 1441 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to provide advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on accomplishing efficiently the purposes of the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 U.S.C. 582a, et seq.), commonly known as the McIntireStennis Act of 1962. The Council also provides advice relative to the Forest Service research program, authorized by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95307, 92 Stat. 353, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1600 (note)). The meeting is open to the public.

Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.:

Mon, Jan 14 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Ogden Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest announces its intent to prepare a supplement to the Ogden Travel Plan Revision Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS). The Ogden Travel Plan Revision FSEIS evaluated six alternatives for possible travel management of motorized trails and roads.

New Fee Site:

Fri, Jan 11 2013 11:00:00 GMT

The Coronado National Forest is proposing to charge a fee for the overnight rental of the Palisades Ranger Residence, located on the Santa Catalina Ranger District approximately 20 miles north of Tucson, Arizona. The building was constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed fee will be $125.00 per night, to accommodate up to four people. Other cabin rentals on National Forests in Arizona have shown that the public appreciates the enhanced recreational opportunity afforded by these rehabilitated historic structures. Revenues from the rentals will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of this facility and other properties in the Arizona ``Rooms with a View'' Cabin Rental Program.

Wed, Jan 9 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Correction

In notice document 201229836 appearing on pages 7397673978 in the issue of Wednesday, December 12, 2012, make the following corrections:

1. On page 73977, in the first column, on the ninth and tenth lines, ``commentsnorthernnezperceredriver@fsled.us'' should read ``commentsnorthernnezperceredriver@fs.fed.us''.

2. On the same page, in the same column, in the thirtyfourth through thirtysixth lines, ``http://www.fs.fed.usinepa/fsusdapop.php/?project=40648'' should read ``http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fsusdapop.php/?project=40648''. [FR Doc. C1201229836 Filed 1813; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 150501D