Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project, 42091-42092 [05-14312]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 139 / Thursday, July 21, 2005 / Notices SUMMARY: The BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office is extending an emergency closure order which closes portions of public lands to recreational shooting in the South Coast Planning Area, in San Diego County, California [69 FR 65448, November 12, 2004]. The extension of the emergency closure is needed to continue providing public safety from the stray and ricocheting bullets produced by recreational shooting in this area. This extended emergency closure will be in effect immediately and remain in effect through March 31, 2006. DATES: Copies of the extended closure notice and a map of the closed area can be obtained at the BLM, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 690 West Garnet Avenue, North Palm Springs, CA 92258, telephone (760) 251–4800/ BLM, California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W–1834, Sacramento, CA 95825, telephone (916) 978–4600. BLM will also announce the extension of the closure through local media outlets, and by posting a notice with a map of the closed area at the primary access points into the closure. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janaye Byergo, Bureau of Land Management, phone (858) 451–1767 or by e-mail at Janaye_Byergo@ca.blm.gov. This order effects public lands in San Diego County, California, thus described: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: San Bernardino Meridian T. 9 S., R. 1 E. Section 2, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4, SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, NW1⁄4SW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4 T. 9 S., R. 1 E. Section 11, NE1⁄4 T. 9 S., R. 1 E. Section 12, W1⁄2NW1⁄4 Authority: This closure notice is issued under the authority of the 43 CFR 8364.1. Violations of this closure are punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months. Persons who are administratively exempt from the closure contained in this notice include: Any Federal, State or local officer or employee acting within the scope of their duties, members of any organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty, and any person holding written authorization from the BLM. Gail Acheson, Field Manager, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. [FR Doc. 05–14315 Filed 7–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P VerDate jul<14>2003 19:42 Jul 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [OR–027–1110–JM–H2KO; HAG–05–0096] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project Bureau of Land Management, Burns District, Andrews Resource Area, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 (Steens Act), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is initiating preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and undertake the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project (North Steens Project). Scoping comments will be accepted for 15 days following publication of this notice. The North Steens Project was initially proposed for a smaller geographic area; however, initial scoping with private landowners and interested publics expanded the scope to its current landscape scale. Comments received during this scoping extension will be added to those received during previous scoping (January 5 to February 22, 2005). The results of all scoping will be used as BLM prepares the Draft EIS. Public notice will be provided when the Draft EIS becomes available later this year. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact North Steens Project EIS Lead, Bureau of Land Management, Burns District Office, 28910, Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738; (541) 573–4543; fax (541) 573–4411; or e-mail (ORNSEIS@blm.gov). Documents pertinent to this project may be examined at the Burns District Office in Hines, Oregon, during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Steens Project is a landscape-level project proposing to utilize a combination of western juniper treatments (mechanical and nonmechanical methods) and wildland (prescribed and natural) fire to treat fuels and to restore habitat. Implementation of the project would reduce the increased influence of DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42091 western juniper in mountain big sagebrush, low sagebrush, quaking aspen, mountain mahogany, old growth juniper (over 120 years old), and riparian plant communities. The proposed project area lies within the Andrews Resource Area and the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA), designated October 30, 2000 by Act of Congress. The project is located in Harney County, Oregon, and affects approximately 336,000 acres of public and private land. Section 113(c) of the Steens Act states: ‘‘The Secretary shall emphasize the restoration of the historic fire regime in the Cooperative Management and Protection Area and the resulting native vegetation communities through active management of western juniper on a landscape level. Management measures shall include the use of natural and prescribed burning.’’ Management actions to be analyzed will include the following: Seeding of native species, reduction of western juniper (less than 120 yrs old), fencing, and management of wildland fire. Preliminary issues and management concerns were identified by BLM personnel and through the results of initial public scoping. Major issues to be addressed in the EIS include management of woodlands, vegetation, the Steens Mountain Wilderness area, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, wildlife habitat, special status species, fire/fuels, recreation, cultural resources, noxious weeds, water quality/aquatic resources/ fisheries, and social and economic values. The EIS will also consider American Indian traditional practices. An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop the EIS in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. Disciplines involved in the project will include (but not be limited to) those with expertise in management of the aforementioned resources. Public Participation Cooperating agencies having specific expertise or interests in the project will be invited to participate. The public and interest groups will have every opportunity to participate during formal comment periods and Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) meetings. The SMAC is an advisory group for actions affecting the CMPA, including this project. Every SMAC meeting provides an opportunity for public comments. In addition, public meetings will be held during the public comment period for the Draft EIS. Public meetings will be held in Burns, Oregon, and at E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1 42092 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 139 / Thursday, July 21, 2005 / Notices other communities if the level of interest warrants. Early participation is encouraged and will help determine the future management of the North Steens Project area. Meetings and comment deadlines will be announced through the local news media and the Burns BLM Web site (https://www.or.blm.gov/ Burns/). Written comments will be accepted throughout the planning process at the address above. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or street address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety. Background Information Prior to 1870, western juniper was limited generally to rocky ridgetops or shallow soil areas with sparse vegetation. Changes in the historic trends are readily apparent within the CMPA. Historically, virtually all plant communities in the Burns District were subjected to wildland fire occurring on a variety of frequencies. The resulting mosaic of plant communities enhanced the success and diversity of animal species and contributed to the ecological integrity of the entire region. In fire-dependent ecosystems, occasional fire is essential to the health and function of the natural system. The loss of natural disturbance events or at least the modification of those events in this area has greatly modified specific habitats affecting the sensitive species living within them. Dated: April 28, 2005. Dana R. Shuford, Burns District Manager. Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on July 15, 2005. [FR Doc. 05–14312 Filed 7–20–05; 8:45 am] ACTION: Bureau of Land Management SUMMARY: Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d), the lessee, NPC, Inc., timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease NDM 89629, Billings County, North Dakota. NPC, Inc. paid the required rental accruing from the date of termination, February 1, 2005. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The lessee agrees to new lease terms for rentals and royalties of $10 per acre and 162⁄3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate. The lessee paid the $500 administration fee for the reinstatement of the lease and $155 cost for publishing this notice. The lessee met the requirements for reinstatement of the lease per Sec. 31 (d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188). We are proposing to reinstate the lease, effective the date of termination subject to: • The original terms and conditions of the lease; • The increased rental of $10 per acre; • The increased royalty of 162⁄3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate; and • The $155 cost of publishing this Notice [NM–910–05–0777–XX] Notice of Public Meeting, New Mexico Resource Advisory Council Meeting Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below. DATES: The Meeting dates are September 22–23, 2005, at the Holiday Inn Express, 1100 California NE, Socorro, New Mexico. An optional field trip is planned for September 21, 2005. The public comment period is scheduled for September 21, 2005, from 6–7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express. The public may present written comments to the RAC. Depending on the number of individuals wishing to comment and time available, oral comments may be limited. The three established RAC working groups may have a late afternoon or an evening meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2005. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15member RAC advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with public land management in New Mexico. All Meetings are open to the public. At this Meeting, topics include issues on renewable and nonrenewable resources. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Herrera, New Mexico State Office, Office of External Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, P. O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502–0115, (505) 438–7517. Dated: July 14, 2005. Linda S.C. Rundell, State Director. [FR Doc. 05–14381 Filed 7–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P [MT–922–04–1310–FI–P; (NDM 89629)] Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease NDM 89629 AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. VerDate jul<14>2003 19:42 Jul 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 Notice. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen L. Johnson, Chief, Fluids Adjudication Section, BLM Montana State Office, P.O. Box 36800, Billings, Montana 59107, (406) 896–5098. Dated: June 23, 2005. Karen L. Johnson, Chief, Fluids Adjudication Section. [FR Doc. 05–14313 Filed 7–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–040–1430–ES; WYW–134092] Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act Classification, Sweetwater County, WY Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of realty action. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease or conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, approximately 5 acres of public lands in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The Ten Mile Water and Sewer District proposes to use the land for office and warehouse space for the District. E:\FR\FM\21JYN1.SGM 21JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42091-42092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14312]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-027-1110-JM-H2KO; HAG-05-0096]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Burns District, Andrews Resource 
Area, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and the 
Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 
(Steens Act), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is initiating 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and 
undertake the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project (North Steens 
Project).

DATES: Scoping comments will be accepted for 15 days following 
publication of this notice. The North Steens Project was initially 
proposed for a smaller geographic area; however, initial scoping with 
private landowners and interested publics expanded the scope to its 
current landscape scale. Comments received during this scoping 
extension will be added to those received during previous scoping 
(January 5 to February 22, 2005). The results of all scoping will be 
used as BLM prepares the Draft EIS. Public notice will be provided when 
the Draft EIS becomes available later this year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact North Steens Project EIS 
Lead, Bureau of Land Management, Burns District Office, 28910, Highway 
20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738; (541) 573-4543; fax (541) 573-4411; or e-
mail (ORNSEIS@blm.gov). Documents pertinent to this project may be 
examined at the Burns District Office in Hines, Oregon, during regular 
business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Steens Project is a landscape-
level project proposing to utilize a combination of western juniper 
treatments (mechanical and non-mechanical methods) and wildland 
(prescribed and natural) fire to treat fuels and to restore habitat. 
Implementation of the project would reduce the increased influence of 
western juniper in mountain big sagebrush, low sagebrush, quaking 
aspen, mountain mahogany, old growth juniper (over 120 years old), and 
riparian plant communities. The proposed project area lies within the 
Andrews Resource Area and the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management 
and Protection Area (CMPA), designated October 30, 2000 by Act of 
Congress. The project is located in Harney County, Oregon, and affects 
approximately 336,000 acres of public and private land.
    Section 113(c) of the Steens Act states: ``The Secretary shall 
emphasize the restoration of the historic fire regime in the 
Cooperative Management and Protection Area and the resulting native 
vegetation communities through active management of western juniper on 
a landscape level. Management measures shall include the use of natural 
and prescribed burning.''
    Management actions to be analyzed will include the following: 
Seeding of native species, reduction of western juniper (less than 120 
yrs old), fencing, and management of wildland fire. Preliminary issues 
and management concerns were identified by BLM personnel and through 
the results of initial public scoping. Major issues to be addressed in 
the EIS include management of woodlands, vegetation, the Steens 
Mountain Wilderness area, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic 
Rivers, wildlife habitat, special status species, fire/fuels, 
recreation, cultural resources, noxious weeds, water quality/aquatic 
resources/fisheries, and social and economic values. The EIS will also 
consider American Indian traditional practices.
    An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop the EIS in 
order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns 
identified. Disciplines involved in the project will include (but not 
be limited to) those with expertise in management of the aforementioned 
resources.

Public Participation

    Cooperating agencies having specific expertise or interests in the 
project will be invited to participate. The public and interest groups 
will have every opportunity to participate during formal comment 
periods and Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) meetings. The SMAC 
is an advisory group for actions affecting the CMPA, including this 
project. Every SMAC meeting provides an opportunity for public 
comments. In addition, public meetings will be held during the public 
comment period for the Draft EIS. Public meetings will be held in 
Burns, Oregon, and at

[[Page 42092]]

other communities if the level of interest warrants. Early 
participation is encouraged and will help determine the future 
management of the North Steens Project area. Meetings and comment 
deadlines will be announced through the local news media and the Burns 
BLM Web site (https://www.or.blm.gov/Burns/). Written comments will be 
accepted throughout the planning process at the address above. 
Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to 
withhold your name or street address from public review or from 
disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this 
prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests 
will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from 
organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety.

Background Information

    Prior to 1870, western juniper was limited generally to rocky 
ridgetops or shallow soil areas with sparse vegetation. Changes in the 
historic trends are readily apparent within the CMPA. Historically, 
virtually all plant communities in the Burns District were subjected to 
wildland fire occurring on a variety of frequencies. The resulting 
mosaic of plant communities enhanced the success and diversity of 
animal species and contributed to the ecological integrity of the 
entire region. In fire-dependent ecosystems, occasional fire is 
essential to the health and function of the natural system. The loss of 
natural disturbance events or at least the modification of those events 
in this area has greatly modified specific habitats affecting the 
sensitive species living within them.

    Dated: April 28, 2005.
Dana R. Shuford,
Burns District Manager.

    Editorial Note:
    This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register 
on July 15, 2005.
[FR Doc. 05-14312 Filed 7-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P

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