HomeMy WebLinkAboutSouth Bridger Interface Project Notice of draft decision and objection period USDA United States Forest Custer Gallatin National Forests Bozeman Ranger District
Department of Service 3710 Fallon St.,Ste C
Agriculture Bozeman,MT 59718
406-522-2520
File Code: 1950
Date: May 15, 2014
Notice of Draft Decision and Objection Period for the South Bridger Interface Project
Dear Interested Party:
The Bozeman District, Custer Gallatin National Forest has prepared an Environmental Assessment
(EA)and Draft Decision Notice(DN) and Finding of No Significant Impact(FONSI)for the South
Bridger Interface Project.The approximately 1847-acre South Bridger project area is located
approximately 15 miles northeast of Bozeman in Gallatin County, and is located within and
immediately south of Bridger Bowl ski area in the vicinity of Slushman Creek. The responsible
official is Mary Erickson,Forest Supervisor, Custer Gallatin National Forests.
The EA and draft DN/FONSI are available on-line at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rI/gallatin/. These
documents are also available for review at the Bozeman District(3710 Fallon Street,Bozeman,MT;
406-522-2520). Additional information can be obtained from: Amy Waring,Interdisciplinary Team
Leader, 1310 Main Street,Billings,MT,406-255-1451 and/or e-mail alwaring@fs.fed.us.
The draft decision would implement the proposed action,authorizing the Forest Service to thin up to
250 acres of forest vegetation on National Forest System lands adjacent to Bridger Bowl to reduce
tree mortality from ongoing insect infestations, and improve the overall health,productivity and
resiliency of forest vegetation within and adjacent to Bridger Bowl and adjacent to private land.
Approximately 2,500 feet of temporary road construction may be required to reduce long skids. The
decision would include a non-significant,site specific Forest Plan Amendment that exempts the
project from a reentry standard in Management Area 11,which states that re-entry should not occur
unless 40 percent or more of the drainage can be maintained in cover...distributed throughout the
drainage. Neither the existing condition,nor the proposed action meets the cover requirement for this
standard as the Upper Bridger Creek drainage includes large proportions of naturally non-forested
(e.g. rocky terrain, natural meadows)and converted lands (e.g. residential and/or agricultural).
The enclosed errata describes the changes made to the EA between February 2014 when the EA was
released for public comment and May 2014 when the EA was updated to clarify some of the
information contained in the analysis. It also adds a Chapter 4 that summarizes coordination efforts,
and includes a Response to Public Comments as Appendix G.
How to file an Objection and Timeframe
The South Bridger Interface Project is subject to the objection process pursuant to 36 CFR 218,
subparts A and B.
Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written
comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public
comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously
submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project,unless based on new
information arising after the designated comment opportunities.
Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail, express delivery, or messenger service: (to
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper
Objection Reviewing Officer, USDA Forest Service,Northern Region,P.O.Box 7669, Missoula,
MT 59807); FAX to(406) 329-3411;email to appeals-northern-regional-office@fs.fed.us; or by
hand-delivery(Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.,excluding holidays at USDA Forest
Service,200 East Broadway,Missoula, MT 59807).
Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of this notice in the
Bozeman Daily Chronicle. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means
for calculating the time to file an objection.Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or
timeframe information provided by any other source.The regulations prohibit extending the time to
file an objection.
The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in §218.8(d)and
incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the
objector's responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer
pursuant to §218.9.All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection
process.
At a minimum an objection must include the following(36 CFR 218.8(d)):
1. The objector's name and address,with a telephone number, if available;
2. A signature or other verification of authorship upon request(a scanned signature for Email
may be Fled with the objection);
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection,identification of the lead objector
(verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request);
4. The name of the proposed project,the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the
name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s)on which the proposed project
will be implemented; and
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including
specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable, how the objector believes the
environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law,regulation, or policy;
suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing
officer to consider; and
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the
particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection.
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Stoeffler
District Ranger
2
ERRATA
Changes Made to the South Bridger Interface EA between
February 2014 and May 2014 Versions.
CHAPTER 1
No changes were made.
CHAPTER 2
Page No. Change
2.1 Proposed Action: Clarified 3` paragraph to note that debris pile burning would be used to
reduce fuels and recycle,nutrients instead of the less descriptive word prescribed burning).
2.1 Proposed Action:Added page number reference to forest plan consistency in the 4`
paragraph about a non-significant forest plan amendment.
2.2 Design/Mitigation: Clarified#4 Burning to note:All burning of machine or hand piled
material will comply with regulations and reporting requirements set_forth by the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ). Clarified#6 BMPS to reference Appendix C
instead of B.
2.6 Added monitoring item #12 that was in Chapter 3: The fuel management specialist or fire
management personnel will be on-site to assist in determining the placement of machine
andlor hand piles within treatment units for efficiency of burning. The fuel management
specialist or fire management personnel will monitor the curing(drying out) of the piles and
recommend when they should be burned. The fuel treatment specialist will monitor smoke
during pile burning.Areas that have been burned will be monitored and treated if noxious
weed growth is discovered.
2.13-14 Clarified Table 2.1,Comparison of Alternatives for fire-fuels
2.14 Clarified Table 2.1,Comparison of Alternatives for sediment yield
2.14 Clarified Table 2.1,Comparison of Alternatives for stream channel stability
2.18 Clarified Table 2.1,Comparison of Alternatives for sensitive species
2.19-20 Clarified Table 2.1,Comparison of Alternatives for Summary of effects to MIS and MA 11
focal species
2.20 Clarified Table 2.1,Comparison of Alternatives for Migratory Birds
CHAPTER 3
Page No. Change
3.17 Forest Vegetation: Corrected error in Table 3.8. Noted regeneration harvest acres on
rivate land totals 761 acres,not 7,761 acres.
3.32-40 Fire—Fuels: This section was revised to simplify and clarify the information presented,as
it relates to an insect/disease project.The following changes were made:
• Issues: Clarified issues and removed impacts to air quality as an indicator. Only
pile burning of activity fuels is proposed.
0 Methods: Shortened methods section. Removed Figure 3.8 and Table 3.11
regarding fire behavior and suppression responses.
• Affected Environment: Information was revised for clarity. Added a heading for
Fire Behavior and Fire Regimes(added a new Table 3.11 displaying Fire Regime
Groups),and a heading for Fuel Condition.
• Environmental Consequences: Design/Mitigation Measures(reference to the 15
tons per acre)was moved to a discussion under Consistency with the Gallatin Forest
Plan. Information was rewritten for clarity.
• Monitoring: This information was added to the list of monitoring items in Chapter
2.
• Cumulative Effects: Information was revised for clarity.
• Regulatory Framework and Consistency: Information was revised for clarity.
Deleted information that is not relative to an insect/disease project under Other Fire
& Fuels Policy.
Note,the original version of the fire-fuels analysis in the February 2014 EA is retained in
the project record as the fire-fuels specialist report.
3.180 Wildlife: Corrected error to note: There is potential nesting and foraging habitat for the
northern goshawk in the analysis area, but goshawks have not recently(i.e. within 20 years)
been documented within the project area.
CHAPTER 4
Page No. Change
4.1-2 List of Preparers was moved from Appendix E to Chapter 4, and information describing
consultation/coordination with Forest Service partners was summarized from various places
in the EA and record.
APPENDIX E
Page No. I Change
E.14 LThe List of Preparers was moved to Chapter 4.
APPENDIX F
Page No. I Change
Added citations used in response to comments
APPENDIX G
Page No. Change
AppG A Response to Comments on the EA was added as Appendix G