Notice of Availability of Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Report for Vegetation Treatments on Public Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the Western United States, Including Alaska, 68474-68475 [05-22343]

Download as PDF 68474 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 217 / Thursday, November 10, 2005 / Notices Susanville Indian Rancheria; California Department of Water Resources; California Department of Fish and Game; Lassen County, CA; Washoe County, NV; City of Reno; City of Sparks; Airport Authority of Washoe County; and Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency. Public participation has occurred throughout the EIS process. A Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2003 and the public comment period was initiated. A public scoping open house was held in Reno, NV in October 2003 and eight additional presentations were conducted between October 2003 and April 2004. A Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on May 20, 2005 and a 60-day comment period was initiated. Two public open houses and three local government presentations were conducted in Reno, NV and one community public meeting was conducted in Susanville, CA. A total of 26 comment letters were received on the Draft EIS and the letters and responses to comments are included in the Final EIS. Comments on the Final EIS should be as specific as possible and should refer to specific pages or chapters in the document. After the comment period ends, all comments will be considered by the BLM in preparing the Record of Decision (ROD). Dated: September 27, 2005. Donald T. Hicks, Manager, Carson City Field Office. [FR Doc. 05–22345 Filed 11–9–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WO–220–05–1020–JA–VEIS] Notice of Availability of Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Report for Vegetation Treatments on Public Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the Western United States, Including Alaska AGENCY: Notice of availability for public review and comment. ACTION: SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the BLM is making available for public review and comment a draft national programmatic EIS and environmental report on vegetation treatments involving the use of chemical herbicides and other methods on the public lands administered by BLM in 17 western states, including Alaska. Written or e-mailed comments for the review of the EIS and environmental report may be submitted through January 9, 2006. BLM will hold public meetings to solicit written and oral comments on the proposed action during the 60-day public review period. Dates and time locations for the public meetings are as follows: DATES: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Date & time Locations November 28, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. November 29, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. November 30, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. December 1, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. December 5, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. December 6, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. December 7, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. December 8, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. December 13, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. December 13, 2005: 6 p.m. Open House, 7 p.m. Public Meeting. BLM Office, 333 SW 1st Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Portland, Oregon 97204. Clarion Hotel, 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA. Little America Hotel, 500 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM. Grand Vista Hotel, 2790 Crossroads Blvd., Grand Junction, CO. Holiday Inn—Airport Hotel, 3300 S. Vista, Boise, ID. BLM Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT. Holiday Inn—Yellowstone, Room 204 West Fox Farm Road, Cheyenne, WY. BLM Office, 4701 N Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV. Courtyard by Marriott—Embassy Row, 1600 Rhode Island Avenue, NW., Washington DC. Written comments should be sent to: Project Manager, National Vegetation EIS, BLM Nevada State Office, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, NV 89520–0006. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to vegeis@nv.blm.gov. 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 ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:02 Nov 09, 2005 Jkt 208001 BLM contact law. The BLM will not consider anonymous comments. 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. The Draft EIS and associated documents will be available for review in either hard copy or on compact disks (CDs) at all BLM State, District, and Field Office public rooms. The entire document can also be reviewed or PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Michael Campbell, PH: (503) 808–6031. Dianna Brink, PH: (916) 978–4645. Laura J. Williams, PH: (801) 539–4027. Bernie Chavez, PH: (505) 438–7668. Melodie Lloyd, PH: (970) 244–3097. Sharon Paris, PH: (208) 373–4028. Theresa Hanley, PH: (406) 896–5068. Ken Henke, PH: (307) 775–6041. Kirsten Cannon, PH: (702) 515–5057. Sharon Wilson, PH: (202) 425–5130. downloaded at the BLM National Web site https://www.blm.gov/. This national, draft programmatic EIS will provide a comprehensive analysis of BLM’s use of chemical herbicides in its various vegetation treatment programs related to hazardous fuels reduction, noxious weed and invasive terrestrial plant species management, resource rehabilitation following catastrophic fires and other disturbances. In addition, an accompanying environmental report will provide an SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 217 / Thursday, November 10, 2005 / Notices assessment of the expected impacts of the use of herbicides, in addition to other vegetation treatment methods (fire, mechanical, manual, and biological) on up to approximately 5,030,000 acres of public lands per year. Together, these documents will: • Consider reasonably foreseeable activities, particularly hazardous fuels reduction treatments, emergency stabilization and rehabilitation efforts, noxious weed, and invasive terrestrial plant species management. • Address human health and ecological risk for proposed use of chemical herbicides on public lands. • Provide a cumulative impact analysis of the use of chemical herbicides in conjunction with other treatment methods. The EIS is neither a land-use plan nor a land-use plan amendment. The EIS and ER will provide a comprehensive programmatic NEPA document and environmental report to allow effective tiering and incorporation by reference of baseline cumulative impact assessment to be used for other new, revised or existing land use and activity level plans that involve vegetation modification or maintenance. This EIS does not affect the status of the herbicide court injunction in Oregon. The analysis area includes only surface estate public lands administered by 11 BLM state offices: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana (Dakotas), New Mexico (Oklahoma/Texas/Nebraska), Nevada, Oregon (Washington), Utah and Wyoming. Ed Shepard, Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning. [FR Doc. 05–22343 Filed 11–9–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation South Delta Improvements Program, Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta, California Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) and notice of public workshops and hearings. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) have made available for public review and comment the Draft EIS/EIR for the VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:02 Nov 09, 2005 Jkt 208001 South Delta Improvements Program (SDIP). The proposed SDIP would (1) construct and operate a fish control gate at the Head of Old River; (2) construct and operate up to 3 flow control gates (one each in Middle River, Grant Line Canal, and Old River, near the Tracy Pumping Plant) to maintain adequate water quality and water levels available for agricultural diversions in the south Delta, downstream of the Head of Old River; (3) dredge various channels within the south Delta to improve conveyance; (4) construct extensions of up to 24 shallow agricultural diversions; (5) increase water deliveries by increasing the maximum diversion through the existing intake gates at Clifton Court Forebay to 8,500 cubic feet per second; and (6) implement an interim operations regime between December 15 and March 15 until the permanent gates are fully operable. DATES: Submit written comments on the Draft EIS/EIR on or before February 7, 2006 to the address provided below. Public meetings will be held to discuss the purpose and content of the Draft EIS/EIR. The public meetings will be held as follows: • December 6, 2005, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Sacramento, CA. • December 7, 2005, 7 to 9 p.m., Stockton, CA. • December 8, 2005, 7 to 9 p.m., Oakland, CA. • December 13, 2005, 7 to 9 p.m., Visalia, CA. • December 14, 2005, 1 to 3 p.m., Los Angeles, CA. Three public hearings have been scheduled to receive oral or written comments regarding the project’s environmental effects: • January 18, 2005, 1 to 4 p.m., Sacramento CA. • January 24, 2005, 1 to 3 p.m., Los Angeles, CA. • January 25, 2005, 1 to 4 p.m., Stockton, CA. ADDRESSES: The locations of the public meetings are: • Resources Auditorium, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA. • American Legion Post 803, 3110 West Lane, Stockton, CA. • CSU East Bay Oakland Conference Room, 1000 Broadway, Oakland, CA. • Mill Creek Auditorium, 3100 West Main, Visalia, CA. • Junipero Serra State Building, Carmel Room 225, 320 West Fourth Street, Los Angeles, CA. The locations of the public hearings are: • CALFED, Bay Delta Room, 5th Floor, 650 Capitol Mall, Sacramento CA PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68475 (need driver’s license to enter the building; no picture phones allowed). • Junipero Serra State Building, Carmel Room 225, 320 West Fourth Street, Los Angeles, CA. • Department of General Services Auditorium, 31 East Channel Street, Stockton, CA. Hardcopy comments may be mailed to Mr. Paul Marshall, SDIP EIS/EIR Comments, State of California Department of Resources, Bay Delta Office, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California, 95814. Electronic comments may be emailed to sdip comments@water.ca.gov, or posted on the SDIP Web site at https:// sdip.water.ca.gov. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for locations where copies of the Draft EIS/EIR are available for public review. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sharon McHale, Reclamation Program Manager, at 916–978–5086, or e-mail: smchale@mp.usbr.gov; or Mr. Paul A. Marshall, DWR Program Manager at 916–653–2118, or e-mail at marshall@water.ca.gov. The Draft EIS/ EIR may be viewed at https:// sdip.water.ca.gov or at Reclamation’s Web site at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ nepa/nepa_projdetails. cfm?Project_ID=316. To request a copy of the Draft EIS/EIR, please contact Ms. McHale as indicated above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS/EIR addresses facilities-related impacts including the effects of project construction and operation on hydrology, water quality, fish resources, recreation, vegetation and wildlife, visual resources, cultural resources, land use, geology, soils, seismicity, groundwater, traffic and circulation, air quality, noise, and public health and safety. Diversion-related impacts include the effects of increased diversions from the Bay Delta and associated changes in Reclamation’s operation of Central Valley Project (CVP) facilities and DWR’s operation of State Water Project (SWP) facilities. Project diversions therefore may directly or indirectly affect the Sacramento River, its tributaries, San Joaquin River, its tributaries, and Delta resources including water supply, fish and aquatic habitat, riparian vegetation and habitat, water quality, recreation, visual and cultural resources. The Draft EIS/EIR also evaluates potential growthinducing impacts for the CVP and SWP water service areas. An evaluation of cumulative hydrologic and water service area impacts associated with reasonably foreseeable actions is also included. E:\FR\FM\10NON1.SGM 10NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68474-68475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22343]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WO-220-05-1020-JA-VEIS]


Notice of Availability of Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement and Environmental Report for Vegetation Treatments on Public 
Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the Western 
United States, Including Alaska

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public review and comment.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the BLM is making available for public 
review and comment a draft national programmatic EIS and environmental 
report on vegetation treatments involving the use of chemical 
herbicides and other methods on the public lands administered by BLM in 
17 western states, including Alaska.

DATES: Written or e-mailed comments for the review of the EIS and 
environmental report may be submitted through January 9, 2006. BLM will 
hold public meetings to solicit written and oral comments on the 
proposed action during the 60-day public review period.
    Dates and time locations for the public meetings are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Date & time                Locations            BLM contact
------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 28, 2005: 6 p.m.     BLM Office, 333 SW    Michael Campbell,
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     1st Avenue, 3rd       PH: (503) 808-6031.
 Meeting.                      Floor Conference
                               Room, Portland,
                               Oregon 97204.
November 29, 2005: 6 p.m.     Clarion Hotel, 2600   Dianna Brink, PH:
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     Auburn Blvd.,         (916) 978-4645.
 Meeting.                      Sacramento, CA.
November 30, 2005: 6 p.m.     Little America        Laura J. Williams,
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     Hotel, 500 South      PH: (801) 539-4027.
 Meeting.                      Main Street, Salt
                               Lake City, Utah
                               84101.
December 1, 2005: 6 p.m.      Marriott Pyramid      Bernie Chavez, PH:
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     North, 5151 San       (505) 438-7668.
 Meeting.                      Francisco Rd. NE,
                               Albuquerque, NM.
December 5, 2005: 6 p.m.      Grand Vista Hotel,    Melodie Lloyd, PH:
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     2790 Crossroads       (970) 244-3097.
 Meeting.                      Blvd., Grand
                               Junction, CO.
December 6, 2005: 6 p.m.      Holiday Inn--Airport  Sharon Paris, PH:
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     Hotel, 3300 S.        (208) 373-4028.
 Meeting.                      Vista, Boise, ID.
December 7, 2005: 6 p.m.      BLM Office, 5001      Theresa Hanley, PH:
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     Southgate Drive,      (406) 896-5068.
 Meeting.                      Billings, MT.
December 8, 2005: 6 p.m.      Holiday Inn--         Ken Henke, PH: (307)
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     Yellowstone, Room     775-6041.
 Meeting.                      204 West Fox Farm
                               Road, Cheyenne, WY.
December 13, 2005: 6 p.m.     BLM Office, 4701 N    Kirsten Cannon, PH:
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     Torrey Pines Dr.,     (702) 515-5057.
 Meeting.                      Las Vegas, NV.
December 13, 2005: 6 p.m.     Courtyard by          Sharon Wilson, PH:
 Open House, 7 p.m. Public     Marriott--Embassy     (202) 425-5130.
 Meeting.                      Row, 1600 Rhode
                               Island Avenue, NW.,
                               Washington DC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Project Manager, 
National Vegetation EIS, BLM Nevada State Office, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, 
NV 89520-0006. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to 
vegeis@nv.blm.gov. 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. The BLM will not 
consider anonymous comments. 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. The Draft EIS and 
associated documents will be available for review in either hard copy 
or on compact disks (CDs) at all BLM State, District, and Field Office 
public rooms. The entire document can also be reviewed or downloaded at 
the BLM National Web site https://www.blm.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This national, draft programmatic EIS will 
provide a comprehensive analysis of BLM's use of chemical herbicides in 
its various vegetation treatment programs related to hazardous fuels 
reduction, noxious weed and invasive terrestrial plant species 
management, resource rehabilitation following catastrophic fires and 
other disturbances. In addition, an accompanying environmental report 
will provide an

[[Page 68475]]

assessment of the expected impacts of the use of herbicides, in 
addition to other vegetation treatment methods (fire, mechanical, 
manual, and biological) on up to approximately 5,030,000 acres of 
public lands per year. Together, these documents will:
     Consider reasonably foreseeable activities, particularly 
hazardous fuels reduction treatments, emergency stabilization and 
rehabilitation efforts, noxious weed, and invasive terrestrial plant 
species management.
     Address human health and ecological risk for proposed use 
of chemical herbicides on public lands.
     Provide a cumulative impact analysis of the use of 
chemical herbicides in conjunction with other treatment methods.
    The EIS is neither a land-use plan nor a land-use plan amendment. 
The EIS and ER will provide a comprehensive programmatic NEPA document 
and environmental report to allow effective tiering and incorporation 
by reference of baseline cumulative impact assessment to be used for 
other new, revised or existing land use and activity level plans that 
involve vegetation modification or maintenance. This EIS does not 
affect the status of the herbicide court injunction in Oregon.
    The analysis area includes only surface estate public lands 
administered by 11 BLM state offices: Alaska, Arizona, California, 
Colorado, Idaho, Montana (Dakotas), New Mexico (Oklahoma/Texas/
Nebraska), Nevada, Oregon (Washington), Utah and Wyoming.

Ed Shepard,
Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning.
[FR Doc. 05-22343 Filed 11-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P
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