Notice of Availability of Draft Monument Management Plan Amendment and Draft Rangeland Health Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Planning Area in Kane and Garfield Counties, UT and Coconino County, AZ, 60320-60321 [E8-23958]

Download as PDF 60320 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 198 / Friday, October 10, 2008 / Notices week, to contact the Bureau of Land Management. Robert Childers, Land Law Examiner, Land Transfer Adjudication II. [FR Doc. E8–24133 Filed 10–9–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [UT030–4310–DS] Notice of Availability of Draft Monument Management Plan Amendment and Draft Rangeland Health Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument Planning Area in Kane and Garfield Counties, UT and Coconino County, AZ Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 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 Draft Monument Management Plan Amendment and Draft Rangeland Health Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) (hereafter referred to as the ‘Draft Rangeland Health Amendment’) and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft Rangeland Health Amendment within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media news releases, and/or mailings. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • E-mail: UT_GSENM_NEPA@ blm.gov. • Fax: (435) 644–4350. • Mail: Draft Rangeland Health Amendment Comments—Attention Paul Chapman, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bureau of Land Management, 190 East Center Street, Kanab, Utah 84741. Copies of the Draft Rangeland Health Amendment are available in the BLM VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:11 Oct 09, 2008 Jkt 217001 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument main office at the above address; the BLM Utah State Office in Salt Lake City; and may be viewed and downloaded in PDF format at https:// www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/prog/planning/ existing_plans.html. Please note that public comments and information submitted including names, street addresses, and email addresses of respondents will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to the planning project mailing list, contact Paul Chapman, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bureau of Land Management, 190 East Center Street, Kanab, Utah 84741, telephone: (435) 644–4309, or e-mail: UT_GSENM_NEPA@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Escalante, Paria, Vermilion and Zion Management Framework Plans (MFPs) provided the planning analysis baseline for this Draft EIS. This baseline will be carried forward as the Rangeland Health Amendment into the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument Management Plan (MMP) through a Plan Amendment. Once approved, the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Rangeland Health Amendment will modify or replace all existing livestock management determinations for the planning area. The planning area includes all of the public land grazing allotments managed or administered by the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument in Kane and Garfield Counties, Utah and Coconino County, Arizona. The planning area encompasses public lands currently managed under the Grand Staircase-Escalante National MMP, and portions of lands managed or administered under the Escalante, Paria, Vermilion, and Zion MFPs. Under Public Law 92–593, the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument administers grazing on a portion of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 which is managed by the National Park Service under the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area General Management Plan. The planning area includes approximately 2.2 million acres of lands on which BLM administers livestock grazing in the three county areas, including approximately 250,000 acres in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Draft Rangeland Health Amendment analyzes five alternatives. The alternatives present differing management balances between the various resources and uses, and vary in both context and intensity. The alternatives are: Alternative A (No Action): The current level of resource use and protection would be maintained. Grazing permits would be renewed with existing Terms and Conditions. Alternative B: Rangeland Health Standards, with minimal stocking adjustments and improved livestock distribution and management, would be emphasized. Rangeland restoration and the future installation of structural improvements would be assessed. Grazing permits would be renewed with modified Terms and Conditions consistent with the actions proposed in this alternative. Alternative C (Preferred Alternative): Rangeland Health Standards would be achieved over the life of the MMP by making allotment specific modifications to grazing management. These management changes would include distribution of adjustments, stocking adjustments, and temporary suspensions on less than 10% of allotments when Rangeland Health Standards assessments and monitoring indicate such actions are needed to meet resource objectives. This alternative includes the range restoration and future structural improvements assessed under Alternative B. Grazing permits would be renewed with modified Terms and Conditions consistent with the actions proposed in this alternative. Alternative D: Rangeland Health Standards would be achieved over the life of the MMP by making modifications to grazing management including temporary grazing suspensions on allotments which fail to meet Utah BLM’s Rangeland Health Standards for upland soils or desired specifics. Range restoration and the installation of structural range improvements would be assessed under this alternative, but to a lesser degree than in Alternatives B and C. Grazing permits would be renewed with modified Terms and Conditions consistent with the actions proposed in this alternative. E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM 10OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 198 / Friday, October 10, 2008 / Notices Alternative E: Rangeland Health Standards would be achieved over the life of the MMP by making modifications to grazing management including temporary grazing suspensions on allotments which fail Utah BLM’s Rangeland Health Standards for upland soils, desired species, and riparian/wetland functionality. This alternative proposes an emphasis on vegetation restoration activity without structural range improvements. Grazing permits would be renewed with modified Terms and Conditions consistent with the actions proposed in this alternative. Potentially impacted resources and conditions include: Livestock management, compliance with Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health, socio-economics, cultural resources, and recreation. Jeff Rawson, Associate Utah State Director. [FR Doc. E8–23958 Filed 10–9–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO–100–1610–DP] Notice of Availability of the Additional Air Quality Impact Assessment To Support the Little Snake Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/ EIS), Moffat and Routt Counties, CO Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 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 an Additional Air Quality Impact Assessment to Support the Draft Resource Management Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DRMP/DEIS) for the Little Snake Field Office and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. DATES: To assure that they will be considered, BLM must receive written comments on the Additional Air Quality Impact Assessment within 45 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes their Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register. Additional announcements are being made through local media by news releases and VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:11 Oct 09, 2008 Jkt 217001 information will be posted on the Little Snake RMP Web site: https:// www.co.blm.gov/lsra/rmp. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • E-mail: colsrmp@blm.gov. • Fax: (970) 826–5002. • Mail: Jeremy Casterson,BLM—Little Snake Field Office,455 Emerson St.,Craig, CO 81625. Copies of the Additional Air Quality Impact Assessment are available at the Little Snake Field Office at the above address. Copies will also be posted on the Internet at https://www.blm.gov/co/ st/en/fo/lsfo/plans/rmp_revision/ rmp_docs.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremy Casterson, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, BLM— Little Snake Field Office, 455 Emerson St., Craig, CO 81625. Phone: (970) 826– 5071. E-mail: Jeremy_Casterson@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The planning area is located in Northwest Colorado in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties. The plan will provide a framework to guide subsequent management decisions on approximately 1.3 million acres of BLMadministered public lands and 1.1 million acres of subsurface mineral estate administered by the BLM. The Little Snake Field Office is currently being managing under its 1989 RMP, which has been amended for Oil and Gas Leasing (1991), Black-Footed Ferret Reintroduction (1996) and Land Health Standards (1997). On May 16, 2007, the public comment period on the Little Snake DRMP/DEIS ended. During the public comment period, the EPA, in consultation with BLM, identified areas where additional air quality information would improve the existing analysis in the DEIS. As a result, the BLM has prepared an additional air quality analysis to inform the public and allow public comment on the data and conclusions. BLM will only accept comments from the public pertaining to the new air quality information. Comments that are substantive and in relation to the material contained in the Additional Air Quality Impact Assessment will be responded to in the Final EIS if received within the 45 days after the NOA is published in the Federal Register. Please note that public comments and information submitted regarding the Additional Air Quality Impact Assessment, including names, street addresses, and e-mail addresses of the respondents, will be available for public review and disclosure at the above address during regular business hours PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60321 (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Sally Wisely, State Director, Colorado. [FR Doc. E8–23952 Filed 10–9–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of a Meeting for Gates of the Arctic National Park Subsistence Resource Commission National Park Service, Interior. Notice of a meeting for Gates of the Arctic National Park Subsistence Resource Commission. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Gates of the Arctic National Park Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) will meet to develop and continue work on National Park Service (NPS) subsistence hunting program recommendations and other related subsistence management issues. This meeting is open to the public and will have time allocated for public testimony. The public is welcomed to present written or oral comments to the SRC. This meeting will be recorded and meeting minutes will be available upon request from the park superintendent for public inspection approximately six weeks after each meeting. The NPS subsistence resource commission program is authorized under Title VIII, Section 808 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Public Law 96–487, to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Krupa, Subsistence Manager, Tel. (907) 455–0631, Address: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 4175 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 or Clarence Summers, Subsistence Coordinator, Tel. (907) 644–3603. Proposed Meeting Date: The SRC meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Anaktuvuk Pass Community Hall, Anaktuvuk Pass, AK. The meeting E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM 10OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 198 (Friday, October 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60320-60321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23958]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT030-4310-DS]


Notice of Availability of Draft Monument Management Plan 
Amendment and Draft Rangeland Health Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Planning Area in Kane 
and Garfield Counties, UT and Coconino County, AZ

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 Draft Monument Management Plan 
Amendment and Draft Rangeland Health Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) (hereafter referred to as the `Draft Rangeland Health 
Amendment') and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment 
period.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft Rangeland Health Amendment within 90 days 
following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce 
future meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities 
at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media news 
releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: UT_GSENM_NEPA@blm.gov.
     Fax: (435) 644-4350.
     Mail: Draft Rangeland Health Amendment Comments--Attention 
Paul Chapman, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bureau of 
Land Management, 190 East Center Street, Kanab, Utah 84741.
    Copies of the Draft Rangeland Health Amendment are available in the 
BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument main office at the 
above address; the BLM Utah State Office in Salt Lake City; and may be 
viewed and downloaded in PDF format at https://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/
prog/planning/existing_plans.html. Please note that public comments 
and information submitted including names, street addresses, and email 
addresses of respondents will be available for public review and 
disclosure at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to the planning project mailing list, contact Paul 
Chapman, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bureau of Land 
Management, 190 East Center Street, Kanab, Utah 84741, telephone: (435) 
644-4309, or e-mail: UT_GSENM_NEPA@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Escalante, Paria, Vermilion and Zion 
Management Framework Plans (MFPs) provided the planning analysis 
baseline for this Draft EIS. This baseline will be carried forward as 
the Rangeland Health Amendment into the Grand Staircase-Escalante 
National Monument Management Plan (MMP) through a Plan Amendment. Once 
approved, the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Rangeland Health 
Amendment will modify or replace all existing livestock management 
determinations for the planning area.
    The planning area includes all of the public land grazing 
allotments managed or administered by the Grand Staircase-Escalante 
National Monument in Kane and Garfield Counties, Utah and Coconino 
County, Arizona. The planning area encompasses public lands currently 
managed under the Grand Staircase-Escalante National MMP, and portions 
of lands managed or administered under the Escalante, Paria, Vermilion, 
and Zion MFPs. Under Public Law 92-593, the Grand Staircase-Escalante 
National Monument administers grazing on a portion of the Glen Canyon 
National Recreation Area, which is managed by the National Park Service 
under the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area General Management Plan. 
The planning area includes approximately 2.2 million acres of lands on 
which BLM administers livestock grazing in the three county areas, 
including approximately 250,000 acres in the Glen Canyon National 
Recreation Area.
    The Draft Rangeland Health Amendment analyzes five alternatives. 
The alternatives present differing management balances between the 
various resources and uses, and vary in both context and intensity. The 
alternatives are:
    Alternative A (No Action): The current level of resource use and 
protection would be maintained. Grazing permits would be renewed with 
existing Terms and Conditions.
    Alternative B: Rangeland Health Standards, with minimal stocking 
adjustments and improved livestock distribution and management, would 
be emphasized. Rangeland restoration and the future installation of 
structural improvements would be assessed. Grazing permits would be 
renewed with modified Terms and Conditions consistent with the actions 
proposed in this alternative.
    Alternative C (Preferred Alternative): Rangeland Health Standards 
would be achieved over the life of the MMP by making allotment specific 
modifications to grazing management. These management changes would 
include distribution of adjustments, stocking adjustments, and 
temporary suspensions on less than 10% of allotments when Rangeland 
Health Standards assessments and monitoring indicate such actions are 
needed to meet resource objectives. This alternative includes the range 
restoration and future structural improvements assessed under 
Alternative B. Grazing permits would be renewed with modified Terms and 
Conditions consistent with the actions proposed in this alternative.
    Alternative D: Rangeland Health Standards would be achieved over 
the life of the MMP by making modifications to grazing management 
including temporary grazing suspensions on allotments which fail to 
meet Utah BLM's Rangeland Health Standards for upland soils or desired 
specifics. Range restoration and the installation of structural range 
improvements would be assessed under this alternative, but to a lesser 
degree than in Alternatives B and C. Grazing permits would be renewed 
with modified Terms and Conditions consistent with the actions proposed 
in this alternative.

[[Page 60321]]

    Alternative E: Rangeland Health Standards would be achieved over 
the life of the MMP by making modifications to grazing management 
including temporary grazing suspensions on allotments which fail Utah 
BLM's Rangeland Health Standards for upland soils, desired species, and 
riparian/wetland functionality. This alternative proposes an emphasis 
on vegetation restoration activity without structural range 
improvements. Grazing permits would be renewed with modified Terms and 
Conditions consistent with the actions proposed in this alternative.
    Potentially impacted resources and conditions include: Livestock 
management, compliance with Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland 
Health, socio-economics, cultural resources, and recreation.

Jeff Rawson,
Associate Utah State Director.
 [FR Doc. E8-23958 Filed 10-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P
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