Winschell Dugway Motorized Trail Project; Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho

Garth Smelser
Department of Agriculture
17 February 2016

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 8038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03250]



[[Page 8038]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Winschell Dugway Motorized Trail Project; Caribou-Targhee 
National Forest, Idaho

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service intends to prepare an environmental impact 
statement to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of 
constructing a motorized trail from Morgan Meadows to Caribou City on 
the Soda Springs Ranger District of the Caribou-Targhee National 
Forest.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by March 18, 2016. The draft environmental impact statement is expected 
June, 2016 and the final environmental impact statement is expected 
October, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Garth Smelser, Forest Supervisor, 
Caribou-Targhee National Forest, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 
83402. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-intermtn-caribou-targhee@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 208-557-5827.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Taylor, Forest NEPA 
Coordinator at 208-557-5837.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose for this project is to respond to outside public 
interest to provide a motorized trail opportunity from Morgan Meadows 
to Caribou City allowing forest visitors to experience the historic 
mining history of the area.

Proposed Action

    The proposed action would establish a motorized ATV trail from 
Morgan Meadows to Caribou City. The proposed action comes from planning 
efforts that have occurred since 2007. This alternative includes 
constructing approximately 2.2 miles of new trail and managing the new 
trail as a motorized ATV trail. Further, the proposed action calls for 
reconstructing approximately 4.85 miles of existing trails, exploratory 
mining roads and abandoned roads (see Alternative 2 Map) to implement 
the Winschell Dugway Motorized Trail project.
    The proposed action addresses the trail corridor in the following 
specific segments:
    1. Use .75 mile of ATV Trail #449, from Morgan Meadows to Tincup 
Creek.
    2. Reconstruction of 1.5 miles of trail from Tincup Creek to the 
saddle west of Jackknife Basin.
    3. Construct 1.5 miles along the ridgeline west of Jackknife Basin 
to an old reclaimed gold exploratory road.
    4. Use of old reclaimed gold exploratory road for approximately .6 
mile.
    5. Construction of .1 mile down into the Bilk Creek drainage.
    6. Use of abandoned mining road that crosses Bilk Creek and 
continues to ridgeline between Anderson and Bilk Creeks.
    7. Construction of .5 mile on ridgeline in the Anderson Creek 
drainage back into Bilk Creek.
    8. Use of old roadbed for .2 mile in Bilk Creek.
    9. Construction of .1 mile of route that would tie into a well-used 
road that takes the trail to Caribou City.
    The route would require the installation of ATV bridges at four 
stream crossings; on Bilk Creek (2), Tincup Creek (1) and on an unnamed 
tributary to Tincup Creek (1). A cooperative agreement with Bonneville 
County Parks and Recreation and Idaho Department of Parks and 
Recreation would be created, specifying management and maintenance 
responsibilities of all parties.

Possible Alternatives

    Alternatives currently being considered for the Winschell Dugway 
Motorized Trail project include: (a) No action, and (b) proposed action 
as outlined above.

Responsible Official

    Forest Supervisor, Garth Smelser, is the responsible official.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The decision to be made is whether to implement the proposed action 
as described above, or to meet the purpose and need for action through 
some other combination of activities as a result of the scoping 
process, or to take no action at this time.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement.
    The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for 
the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed 
action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. Per 
36 CFR 218, only those who provide specific, written comments regarding 
the proposed project or activity will be eligible to file an objection.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered, however.

    Dated: February 10, 2016.
Garth Smelser,
Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2016-03250 Filed 2-16-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P