Notice of Availability of Proposed East Alaska Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement, 38893-38895 [E6-10785]
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 131 / Monday, July 10, 2006 / Notices
woodland. It serves as an important
migratory bird production area and
migrational area.
Long Lake WMD was started as part
of the Small Wetlands Acquisition
Program in the 1950s to save wetlands
from various threats, particularly
draining. The passage of Public Law 85–
585, in August of 1958, amended the
Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp Act (Duck Stamp
Act) of 1934, allowing for acquisition of
Waterfowl Production Areas and
Easements for Waterfowl Management
Rights. This WMD was established with
the purpose ‘‘* * * to assure the longterm viability of the breeding waterfowl
population and production through the
acquisition and management of
Waterfowl Production Areas, while
considering the needs of other migratory
birds, threatened and endangered
species and other wildlife.’’ Other
purposes for this WMD include those
under the Migratory Bird Hunting
Stamp Act ‘‘* * * as Waterfowl
Production Areas subject to all
provisions of the Migratory Bird
Conservation Act * * * except the
inviolate sanctuary provisions * * *’’;
the Migratory Bird Conservation Act
‘‘* * * for any other management
purposes, for migratory birds’’; and the
Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act ‘‘* * * for
conservation purposes.’’
This Draft CCP/EA identifies and
evaluates four alternatives for managing
the NWRs and WMD for the next 15
years. Alternative A, the No Action
alternative, would have management
activities conducted by the Service
remaining at current levels. The Service
would not develop any new
management, restoration, or education
programs at the Complex. Current
habitat and wildlife practices benefitting
migratory species and other wildlife
would not be expanded or changed. The
staff would perform limited, issuedriven research and only monitor longterm vegetation change. No new funding
or staff levels would occur, and
programs would follow the same
direction, emphasis and intensity as
they presently do. The staff would
continue to manage the WMD through
monitoring and enforcing easements.
Alternative B seeks to return to a more
natural hydrology by removing water
control structures as well as returning
all upland habitats to native vegetation.
Alternative B restricts public uses and
associated infrastructure (e.g., trails,
roads, signs) to a ‘‘primitive type’’ of
experience. This alternative seeks to
protect and/or restore additional native
habitats and to develop partnerships
while encouraging research that
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17:10 Jul 07, 2006
Jkt 208001
provides the necessary knowledge and
data to guide habitat management
decisions and activities.
Alternative C seeks to maintain
existing and develop new water control
structures. This alternative targets
habitat development to specific resource
needs, and it maximizes the expansion
and development of public use
programs and facilities, and the stocking
of game fish in feasible locations. This
alternative emphasizes protection and/
or restoration of additional wildlife
habitats and the development of
partnerships as well as encourages
research that provides the necessary
knowledge and data to guide habitat
management decisions and activities.
Alternative D, the Proposed Action,
seeks to expand the scope and level of
efforts of the current management of
habitats by incorporating adaptive
resource management. The Proposed
Action seeks to improve and develop
public use facilities to maximize
existing and potential wildlifedependent priority public use
opportunities when they are compatible
with refuge purposes. This alternative
calls for the development of
partnerships and the encouragement of
research that provides the necessary
knowledge and data to guide habitat
management decisions and activities,
and to protect and/or restore additional
wildlife habitats.
All four alternatives would continue
to protect federally listed species at
current levels.
The proposed action was selected
because it best meets the purposes and
goals of the Complex, as well as the
goals of the National Wildlife Refuge
System. The proposed action will also
benefit federally listed species, shore
birds, migrating and nesting waterfowl,
and neotropical migrants, as well as
enhanced capabilities to deal with
botulism episodes. Environmental
education and partnerships will result
in improved wildlife-dependent
recreational opportunities. Cultural and
historical resources as well as federally
listed species will be protected.
Opportunities for public input will
also be provided at a public meeting to
be scheduled soon. Exact dates and
times for these public meetings are yet
to be determined, but will be announced
via local media and a newsletter. All
information provided voluntarily by
mail, phone, or at public meetings (e.g.,
names, addresses, letters of comment,
input recorded during meetings)
becomes part of the official public
record. If requested under the Freedom
of Information Act by a private citizen
or organization, the Service may provide
copies of such information. The
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38893
environmental review of this project
will be conducted in accordance with
the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR 1500–1508); other
appropriate Federal laws and
regulations; Executive Order 12996; the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997; and Service
policies and procedures for compliance
with those laws and regulations.
Dated: May 23, 2006.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver,
CO.
[FR Doc. E6–10705 Filed 7–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AK–910–02–1410–PG]
Notice of Availability of Proposed East
Alaska Resource Management Plan
and Final Environmental Impact
Statement
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and
the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) has prepared a
proposed Resource Management Plan/
Final Environmental Impact Statement
(PRMP/FEIS) for the East Alaska
Planning Area.
DATES: The BLM Planning Regulations
(43 CFR 1610.5–2) state that any person
who participated in the planning
process, and has an interest which is or
may be adversely affected, may protest
BLM’s approval or amendment of a
RMP. You must file a protest within 30
days of the date that the Environmental
Protection Agency publishes their
Notice of Availability in the Federal
Register. Instructions for filing of
protests are described in the Dear
Reader letter of the Proposed East
Alaska RMP/Final EIS and in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bruce Rogers, BLM Glennallen Field
Office, P.O. Box 147 Glennallen, AK
99588, (907) 822–3217,
brogers@ak.blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The East
Alaska RMP planning area covers 7.1
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
38894
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 131 / Monday, July 10, 2006 / Notices
million acres of BLM-administered
lands. The Proposed East Alaska RMP/
Final EIS focuses on the principles of
multiple use and sustained yield as
prescribed by Section 202 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (FLPMA). The Proposed East
Alaska RMP/Final EIS considers and
analyzes four alternatives, including a
No Action and a Preferred Alternative.
The alternatives provide for an array of
variable levels of commodity production
and resource protection and restoration.
The alternatives were developed based
on extensive public scoping and
involvement.
There are seven main issues
addressed through this planning
process.
Issue 1, Travel Management,
addresses management of access, roads,
and the use of off-highway vehicles
(OHV) for various purposes, including
recreation, commercial uses, subsistence
activities, and the general enjoyment of
public lands while protecting natural
and cultural resources.
Issue 2, Recreation, examines how
recreation should be managed to
provide a diversity of experiences on
BLM-managed lands. The document
analyzes what measures are necessary to
ensure that a diversity of recreational
opportunities is maintained and what
level of commercial recreational use is
appropriate to maintain a diversity of
recreational opportunities.
Issue 3, Special Resource Values,
focuses on those unique, special values
located within the planning area that
were identified by resource specialists
and the public, and includes
discussions on wildlife, fisheries, soil,
water, air, vegetation, and consideration
of Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern (ACECs) to protect special
resource values.
Issue 4, Lands and Realty, addresses
the need to determine the appropriate
mix of lands and realty actions needed
to provide a balance between land use
and resource protection. Special
attention is paid to the Slana settlement
area, and the establishment of
conditions that would make the area
available for disposal while considering
the effects of disposal on the social and
environmental conditions of the area.
Issue 5, Vegetation Management,
examines management to provide for
forest health, personal and commercial
wood products, fish and wildlife
habitat, and the role of fire.
Issue 6, Leasable and Locatable
Minerals, addresses the need to
determine which areas should be made
available for mineral exploration and
development.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:10 Jul 07, 2006
Jkt 208001
Issue 7, Subsistence/Social and
Economic Conditions, examines the
need to maintain and protect
subsistence opportunities and resources,
as well as how the management actions,
guidelines, and allowable uses
described under the other issues will
affect subsistence opportunities and
resources. This discussion also
addresses social and economic effects.
The public involvement and
collaboration process included 30
public scoping meetings, 17 alternative
development meetings, 7 public
meetings on the Draft, and meetings
with Native and Village Corporations.
The State of Alaska is participating in
the planning effort as an informal
cooperator.
Public Land Order 5150 withdrew
land within the planning area to
establish the Trans-Alaska Pipeline
Utility Corridor. The BLM’s preferred
alternative is to maintain most of this
corridor in Federal ownership, with the
exception of 82,500 acres north of
Paxson. These 82,500 acres provide less
than ten percent of the average annual
subsistence harvest taken off of Federal
lands.
Alternative B of the Proposed RMP/
Final EIS proposes the revocation of
Public Land Order 5150. This
revocation would allow the conveyance
of these lands to the State of Alaska.
This possibility raised much
controversy with the local community
and Native groups as it would eliminate
63% of the land area available for
federal subsistence hunting in Game
Management Unit 13. Approximately
80% of the harvest in Unit 13 is taken
from lands within PLO 5150 because of
its location within the migration
corridor of the Nelchina Caribou Herd
and the ease with which it can be
accessed from the Richardson Highway.
The Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (ANILCA) section 810
analysis, included as an appendix in the
Proposed RMP/Final EIS, concludes that
Alternative B has the clear potential to
significantly restrict subsistence uses.
Seven subsistence hearings were held
throughout the planning area to gather
public testimony on the impacts of
Alternative B on subsistence. BLM
hosted a special session of the
Southcentral Subsistence Advisory
Committee to facilitate the committee
hearing testimony and submitting
formal comment on the issue before the
deadline for public comment.
The Draft RMP/EIS considered four
ACECs. A significant percentage of the
total comments submitted during the
90-day comment period pertained to
ACECs. The Proposed RMP/Final EIS
identifies one ACEC for designation, the
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Bering Glacier Research Natural Area
(RNA) which contains 827,000 acres of
land. This area encompasses the Bering
Glacier and the surrounding glacially
influenced landscape. Measures to
protect unique ecological values
associated with the glacier and glacier
forelands include: (1) OHVs limited to
designated trails; (2) new road and
airstrip construction would be
permitted only if consistent with the
protection of the values identified; (3)
withdrawals prohibiting mineral entry
or leasing would be maintained in the
western two-thirds of the area; (4) no
FLPMA 302 leases or permits unless
associated with research activities; (5)
visitor use limits developed for Special
Recreation Permits; and (6) no helirecreation activities would be permitted.
All comments received on the plan
were systematically analyzed and
evaluated. Appendix J of the Proposed
RMP/Final EIS outlines all substantive
comments received and BLM’s
responses to those comments.
Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS
received from the public and internal
BLM review comments were
incorporated into the proposed plan.
Public comments resulted in several
changes to the preferred alternative and
in the addition of clarifying text. A
summary of these changes is included at
the beginning of the Proposed RMP/
Final EIS.
The Proposed Plan will help BLM
meet its mandate of multiple use and
sustained yield and recommends the
designation of four new Special
Recreation Management Areas (SMRAs)
and one Research Natural Area (RNA).
Restrictions on uses or activities within
the SRMAs and RNA will be limited to
those necessary to prevent degradation
of the relevant and important values for
which an area is designated.
Copies of the Proposed East Alaska
RMP/Final EIS have been sent to
affected Federal, State, and Local
Government agencies and to interested
parties. Copies of the Proposed RMP/
Final EIS are available for public
inspection at the BLM Glennallen Field
Office located at Mile 186.5 Glenn
Highway, Glennallen, Alaska during
normal business hours from 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
except holidays. Copies of the Proposed
RMP/Final EIS have been sent to
individuals, agencies, and groups as
requested or as required by regulation or
policy. Interested persons may also
review the proposed RMP/Final EIS on
the Internet at www.ak.blm.gov/gdo/
landplan/ or at one of the
following locations in and around the
planning area:
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 131 / Monday, July 10, 2006 / Notices
BLM Anchorage Field Office,
Anchorage.
BLM Northern District Office,
Fairbanks.
BLM Alaska State Office, Public Room,
Anchorage.
Chugach National Forest Service,
Cordova.
Copper Valley Community Library,
Glennallen.
Delta Junction Community Library,
Delta Junction.
Denali Borough Office, Healy.
Kenny Lake Community Library, Kenny
Lake.
Loussac Library, Anchorage.
Mat-Su Borough Office, Palmer.
National Park Service, Wrangell-St.
Elias, Copper Center.
National Park Service, Denali, McKinley
Village.
Noel Wien Library, Fairbanks.
North Pole Library, North Pole.
Valdez Public Library, Valdez.
Yakutat Borough Office, Yakutat.
Instructions for filing a protest with
the Director of the BLM regarding the
Proposed Plan/Final EIS may be found
at 43 CFR 1610.5–2. A protest may only
raise those issues which were submitted
for the record during the planning
process. E-mail and faxed protests will
not be accepted as valid protests unless
the protesting party also provides the
original letter by either regular or
overnight mail postmarked by the close
of the protest period. Under these
conditions, BLM will consider the email or faxed protest as an advance copy
and it will receive full consideration. If
you wish to provide BLM with such
advance notification, please direct faxed
protests to the attention of the BLM
protest coordinator at 202–452–5112,
and e-mails to Brenda_HudgensWilliams@blm.gov.
Please direct the follow-up letter to
the appropriate address provided below.
The protest must contain:
a. The name, mailing address,
telephone number, and interest of the
person filing the protest.
b. A statement of the part or parts of
the plan and the issue or issues being
protested.
c. A copy of all documents addressing
the issue(s) that the protesting party
submitted during the planning process
or a statement of the date they were
discussed for the record.
d. A concise statement explaining
why the protestor believes the State
Director’s decision is wrong.
All protests must be in writing and
mailed to one of the following
addresses:
Regular Mail: Director (210),
Attention: Brenda Williams, P.O. Box
66538, Washington, DC 20035.
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17:10 Jul 07, 2006
Jkt 208001
Overnight Mail: Director (210),
Attention: Brenda Williams, 1620 L
Street, NW., Suite 1075, Washington,
DC 20036.
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 protest. 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.
The Director will promptly render a
decision on the protest. The decision
will be in writing and will be sent to the
protesting party by certified mail, return
receipt requested. The decision of the
Director is the final decision of the
Department of the Interior.
Dated: April 6, 2006.
Henri Bisson,
Alaska State Director.
[FR Doc. E6–10785 Filed 7–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
60-Day Notice of Intention To Request
Clearance of Collection of Information;
Opportunity for Public Comment
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice and request for comment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Under provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5
CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record
Keeping Requirements, the National
park Service (NPS) invites public
comments on an extension of a
currently approved information
collection (OMB #1024–0125).
DATES: Public comments will be
accepted on or before September 8,
2006.
Send comments to Jo A.
Pendry, Concession Program Manager,
National Park Service, 1849 C Street,
NW., (2410), Washington, DC 20240; email jo_pendry@nps.gov; Phone: 202/
513–7144; Fax: 202/371–2090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Submission of Offers in
Response to Concession Opportunities.
Bureau Form Number: None.
OMB Control Number: 1024–0125.
Expiration Date of Approval:
December 31, 2006.
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
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38895
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved information
collection.
Description of Need: The regulations
at 36 CFR part 51 primarily implement
Title IV of the National Parks Omnibus
Management Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105–
391 or the Act), which provides new
legislative authority, policies and
requirements for the solicitation, award
and administration of NPS concession
contracts. The regulations require the
submission of offers by parties
interested in applying for a NPS
concession contract.
The NPS specifically requests
comments on: (1) The need for the
collection of information for the
performance of the functions of the
agency; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s
burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the
information collection; and (4) ways to
minimize the information collection
burden on respondents, such as use of
automated means of collection of the
information.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Description of Respondents: Persons
or entities seeking a National Park
Service concession contract.
Total Annual Responses: 240.
Estimate of Burden: Approximately 56
hours per response.
Total Annual Burden Hours: 76,800.
Total Non-hour Cost Burden:
$1,120,000.
Specific requirements regarding the
information that must be submitted by
offerors in response to a prospectus
issued by NPS are contained in sections
403(4), (5), (7), and (8) of the Act. Send
comments regarding the accuracy of the
burden estimate, ways to minimize the
burden, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology, or any other
aspect of this collection to Jo A. Pendry,
Concession Program Manager, National
Park Service, Department of the Interior,
1849 C Street, NW., (2410) Washington,
DC 20240. All responses to this notice
will be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All
comments will also become a matter of
public record.
Dated: June 27, 2006.
Leonard E. Stowe,
NPS, Information Collection Clearance
Officer.
[FR Doc. 06–6069 Filed 7–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–53–M
E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM
10JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 131 (Monday, July 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38893-38895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10785]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AK-910-02-1410-PG]
Notice of Availability of Proposed East Alaska Resource
Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) has prepared a proposed Resource Management Plan/
Final Environmental Impact Statement (PRMP/FEIS) for the East Alaska
Planning Area.
DATES: The BLM Planning Regulations (43 CFR 1610.5-2) state that any
person who participated in the planning process, and has an interest
which is or may be adversely affected, may protest BLM's approval or
amendment of a RMP. You must file a protest within 30 days of the date
that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes their Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register. Instructions for filing of
protests are described in the Dear Reader letter of the Proposed East
Alaska RMP/Final EIS and in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Rogers, BLM Glennallen Field
Office, P.O. Box 147 Glennallen, AK 99588, (907) 822-3217,
brogers@ak.blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The East Alaska RMP planning area covers 7.1
[[Page 38894]]
million acres of BLM-administered lands. The Proposed East Alaska RMP/
Final EIS focuses on the principles of multiple use and sustained yield
as prescribed by Section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (FLPMA). The Proposed East Alaska RMP/Final EIS considers
and analyzes four alternatives, including a No Action and a Preferred
Alternative. The alternatives provide for an array of variable levels
of commodity production and resource protection and restoration. The
alternatives were developed based on extensive public scoping and
involvement.
There are seven main issues addressed through this planning
process.
Issue 1, Travel Management, addresses management of access, roads,
and the use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) for various purposes,
including recreation, commercial uses, subsistence activities, and the
general enjoyment of public lands while protecting natural and cultural
resources.
Issue 2, Recreation, examines how recreation should be managed to
provide a diversity of experiences on BLM-managed lands. The document
analyzes what measures are necessary to ensure that a diversity of
recreational opportunities is maintained and what level of commercial
recreational use is appropriate to maintain a diversity of recreational
opportunities.
Issue 3, Special Resource Values, focuses on those unique, special
values located within the planning area that were identified by
resource specialists and the public, and includes discussions on
wildlife, fisheries, soil, water, air, vegetation, and consideration of
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) to protect special
resource values.
Issue 4, Lands and Realty, addresses the need to determine the
appropriate mix of lands and realty actions needed to provide a balance
between land use and resource protection. Special attention is paid to
the Slana settlement area, and the establishment of conditions that
would make the area available for disposal while considering the
effects of disposal on the social and environmental conditions of the
area.
Issue 5, Vegetation Management, examines management to provide for
forest health, personal and commercial wood products, fish and wildlife
habitat, and the role of fire.
Issue 6, Leasable and Locatable Minerals, addresses the need to
determine which areas should be made available for mineral exploration
and development.
Issue 7, Subsistence/Social and Economic Conditions, examines the
need to maintain and protect subsistence opportunities and resources,
as well as how the management actions, guidelines, and allowable uses
described under the other issues will affect subsistence opportunities
and resources. This discussion also addresses social and economic
effects.
The public involvement and collaboration process included 30 public
scoping meetings, 17 alternative development meetings, 7 public
meetings on the Draft, and meetings with Native and Village
Corporations. The State of Alaska is participating in the planning
effort as an informal cooperator.
Public Land Order 5150 withdrew land within the planning area to
establish the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Utility Corridor. The BLM's
preferred alternative is to maintain most of this corridor in Federal
ownership, with the exception of 82,500 acres north of Paxson. These
82,500 acres provide less than ten percent of the average annual
subsistence harvest taken off of Federal lands.
Alternative B of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS proposes the revocation
of Public Land Order 5150. This revocation would allow the conveyance
of these lands to the State of Alaska. This possibility raised much
controversy with the local community and Native groups as it would
eliminate 63% of the land area available for federal subsistence
hunting in Game Management Unit 13. Approximately 80% of the harvest in
Unit 13 is taken from lands within PLO 5150 because of its location
within the migration corridor of the Nelchina Caribou Herd and the ease
with which it can be accessed from the Richardson Highway. The Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) section 810 analysis,
included as an appendix in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS, concludes that
Alternative B has the clear potential to significantly restrict
subsistence uses. Seven subsistence hearings were held throughout the
planning area to gather public testimony on the impacts of Alternative
B on subsistence. BLM hosted a special session of the Southcentral
Subsistence Advisory Committee to facilitate the committee hearing
testimony and submitting formal comment on the issue before the
deadline for public comment.
The Draft RMP/EIS considered four ACECs. A significant percentage
of the total comments submitted during the 90-day comment period
pertained to ACECs. The Proposed RMP/Final EIS identifies one ACEC for
designation, the Bering Glacier Research Natural Area (RNA) which
contains 827,000 acres of land. This area encompasses the Bering
Glacier and the surrounding glacially influenced landscape. Measures to
protect unique ecological values associated with the glacier and
glacier forelands include: (1) OHVs limited to designated trails; (2)
new road and airstrip construction would be permitted only if
consistent with the protection of the values identified; (3)
withdrawals prohibiting mineral entry or leasing would be maintained in
the western two-thirds of the area; (4) no FLPMA 302 leases or permits
unless associated with research activities; (5) visitor use limits
developed for Special Recreation Permits; and (6) no heli-recreation
activities would be permitted.
All comments received on the plan were systematically analyzed and
evaluated. Appendix J of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS outlines all
substantive comments received and BLM's responses to those comments.
Comments on the Draft RMP/EIS received from the public and internal BLM
review comments were incorporated into the proposed plan. Public
comments resulted in several changes to the preferred alternative and
in the addition of clarifying text. A summary of these changes is
included at the beginning of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS.
The Proposed Plan will help BLM meet its mandate of multiple use
and sustained yield and recommends the designation of four new Special
Recreation Management Areas (SMRAs) and one Research Natural Area
(RNA). Restrictions on uses or activities within the SRMAs and RNA will
be limited to those necessary to prevent degradation of the relevant
and important values for which an area is designated.
Copies of the Proposed East Alaska RMP/Final EIS have been sent to
affected Federal, State, and Local Government agencies and to
interested parties. Copies of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS are available
for public inspection at the BLM Glennallen Field Office located at
Mile 186.5 Glenn Highway, Glennallen, Alaska during normal business
hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except holidays.
Copies of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS have been sent to individuals,
agencies, and groups as requested or as required by regulation or
policy. Interested persons may also review the proposed RMP/Final EIS
on the Internet at www.ak.blm.gov/gdo/landplan/ or at one of
the following locations in and around the planning area:
[[Page 38895]]
BLM Anchorage Field Office, Anchorage.
BLM Northern District Office, Fairbanks.
BLM Alaska State Office, Public Room, Anchorage.
Chugach National Forest Service, Cordova.
Copper Valley Community Library, Glennallen.
Delta Junction Community Library, Delta Junction.
Denali Borough Office, Healy.
Kenny Lake Community Library, Kenny Lake.
Loussac Library, Anchorage.
Mat-Su Borough Office, Palmer.
National Park Service, Wrangell-St. Elias, Copper Center.
National Park Service, Denali, McKinley Village.
Noel Wien Library, Fairbanks.
North Pole Library, North Pole.
Valdez Public Library, Valdez.
Yakutat Borough Office, Yakutat.
Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM
regarding the Proposed Plan/Final EIS may be found at 43 CFR 1610.5-2.
A protest may only raise those issues which were submitted for the
record during the planning process. E-mail and faxed protests will not
be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides
the original letter by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by
the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, BLM will
consider the e-mail or faxed protest as an advance copy and it will
receive full consideration. If you wish to provide BLM with such
advance notification, please direct faxed protests to the attention of
the BLM protest coordinator at 202-452-5112, and e-mails to Brenda--
Hudgens-Williams@blm.gov.
Please direct the follow-up letter to the appropriate address
provided below.
The protest must contain:
a. The name, mailing address, telephone number, and interest of the
person filing the protest.
b. A statement of the part or parts of the plan and the issue or
issues being protested.
c. A copy of all documents addressing the issue(s) that the
protesting party submitted during the planning process or a statement
of the date they were discussed for the record.
d. A concise statement explaining why the protestor believes the
State Director's decision is wrong.
All protests must be in writing and mailed to one of the following
addresses:
Regular Mail: Director (210), Attention: Brenda Williams, P.O. Box
66538, Washington, DC 20035.
Overnight Mail: Director (210), Attention: Brenda Williams, 1620 L
Street, NW., Suite 1075, Washington, DC 20036.
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 protest. 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.
The Director will promptly render a decision on the protest. The
decision will be in writing and will be sent to the protesting party by
certified mail, return receipt requested. The decision of the Director
is the final decision of the Department of the Interior.
Dated: April 6, 2006.
Henri Bisson,
Alaska State Director.
[FR Doc. E6-10785 Filed 7-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P
