Sporting Conservation Council

I wonder who will be participating in this conference. bpb[Federal Register: October 15, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 200)][Notices][Page 61159-61160]From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov][DOCID:fr15oc08-121]-----------------------------------------------------------------------DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife ServiceSporting Conservation CouncilAGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.ACTION: Notice of teleconference.-----------------------------------------------------------------------SUMMARY: This notice announces a public teleconference of the SportingConservation Council (Council).DATES:We will hold the teleconference on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 1-2:30 p.m. (Eastern time). If you wish to listen to the teleconferenceproceedings, submit written material for the Council to consider, orgive a 2-minute presentation during the teleconference, notify PhyllisSeitts by Monday, October 20, 2008. If you wish to submit a writtenstatement for Council consideration during the teleconference, it mustbe received no later than October 23, 2008.See instructions underSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Phyllis T. Seitts, 9828 North 31stAvenue, Phoenix, AZ 85051-2517; 602-906-5603 (phone);orTwinkle Thompson-Seitts@blm.gov (e-mail).SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:The Secretary of the Interior establishedthe Council in February 2006 (71 FR 11220, March 6, 2006). TheCouncil's mission is to provide advice and guidance to the FederalGovernment through the Department of the Interior on how to increasepublic awareness of: (1) The importance of wildlife resources, (2) thesocial and economic benefits of recreational hunting, and (3) wildlifeconservation efforts that benefit recreational hunting and wildliferesources.The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculturesigned an amended charter for the Council in June 2006 and July 2006,respectively. The revised charter states that the Council will provideadvice and guidance to the Federal Government through the Department ofthe Interior and the Department of Agriculture.The Council will convene to receive updates on the revised draftNorth American Model Technical White Paper, on the Preface andConclusion of the collection of the Technical White Papers, and on thesynthesis of breakout session comments from the White House Conferenceon North American Wildlife Policy held in Reno, Nevada, on October 1-3,2008.Procedures for Public InputFormat Requirement for Oral and Written CommentsWhether you wish to comment orally or in written form, you mustprovide written copies of your comments. All written statements must besupplied to the Council's Designated Federal Officer in both of thefollowing formats:One hard copy with original signature, andOne electronic copy via e-mail (acceptable file format: MSWord, MS Powerpoint, or WordPerfect).Giving a 2-Minute Oral PresentationIndividuals or groups may request to give an oral presentationduring the Council teleconference. Oral presentations will be limitedto 2 minutes per speaker, with no more than half an hour total for allspeakers. Interested parties must contactPhyllis Seitts, CouncilDesignated Federal Officer, in writing (preferably via e-mail; see FORFURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), by Monday, October 20, 2008, to be placed on the public speaker list for this teleconference. In addition, if youare selected to make a 2-minute presentation, you must provide hard andelectronic copies of your presentation to the Council DesignatedFederal Officer by Thursday, October 23, 2008. Additional livequestions from the public will not be considered during theteleconference.Submitting Written Information for the Council To ConsiderSpeakers who wish to expand upon their oral statements or those whohad wished to speak but could not be accommodated on the agenda areinvited to submit written statements to the Council. Interested membersof the public may submit relevant written information for the Councilto consider during the public teleconference. We must receive allwritten statements by Thursday, October 23, 2008, so that we can makethe information available to the Council for their consideration priorto the teleconference.Dated: October 8, 2008.Phyllis T. Seitts,Designated Federal Officer, Sporting Conservation Council.[FR Doc. E8-24466 Filed 10-14-08; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service36 CFR Part 294RIN 0596-AC62 Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation; Applicability to the National Forests in Idaho AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.ACTION: Final rule and record of decision.

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SUMMARY:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA or Department) is adopting a state-specific, final rule establishing management direction for designated roadless areas in the State of Idaho. The final rule designates 250 Idaho Roadless Areas (IRAs) and establishes five management themes that provide prohibitions with exceptions or conditioned permissions governing road construction, timber cutting, and discretionary mineral development.

The final rule takes a balanced approach recognizing both local and national interests for the management of these lands. The Department and Forest Service are committed to the important challenge of protecting roadless areas and their important characteristics. The final rule achieves this through five land classifications that assign various permissions and prohibitions regarding road building, timber cutting, and discretionary mineral activities. The final rule also allows the Forest Service to continue to be a good neighbor and reduce the risk of wild land fires to at-risk communities and municipal water supply systems. The rule does not authorize the building of a single road or the cutting of a single tree; instead it establishes permissions and prohibitions that will govern what types of activities may occur in IRAs.

Any decision to build a road, allow mineral activities, harvest a tree, or conduct any other activity permissible under this final rule will require appropriate site-specific analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable laws. Projects will also be consistent with the applicable land management plan (LMP) components.

This final rule supersedes the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (2001 roadless rule) for National Forest System (NFS) lands in the State of Idaho. DATES:
Effective Date:
This rule is effective October 16, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Idaho Roadless Rule Team Leader Brad Gilbert at (208) 765-7438.

Individuals using 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 Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document serves as both notice of final rule and record of decision.