Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Domestic Sheep Grazing on the Dog Creek and Green Creek Allotments, Mono County, CA, and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment, 22617-22618 [2010-9992]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 82 / Thursday, April 29, 2010 / Notices 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. If the evidence is sufficient to find a determination of navigability for title purposes, and the records do not disclose a reason not to issue the disclaimer, and there is no valid objection by another Federal agency, then the application may be approved. Authority: 43 CFR subpart 1864. Michael H. Schoder, Deputy State Director, Division of Cadastral Survey. [FR Doc. 2010–10014 Filed 4–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCAC07000 L10200000 EE0000] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Domestic Sheep Grazing on the Dog Creek and Green Creek Allotments, Mono County, CA, and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field Office, Bishop, California intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA), which may include an amendment to the Bishop Resource Management Plan (RMP), dated March 25, 1993. By this notice the Bishop Field Office is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EA and possible plan amendment. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until June 1, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ bishop.html. In order to be considered VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 in the EA, all comments must be received before the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the EA. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria related to the EA and possible plan amendment by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/bishop.html. • E-mail: Jeffrey_Starosta@blm.gov. • Fax: (760) 872–5050. • Mail: BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, California 93514, Attn: Jeff Starosta, Rangeland Management Specialist. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Bishop Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Jeff Starosta, Rangeland Management Specialist, telephone (760) 872–5032; mail BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, California 93514; or e-mail Jeffrey_Starosta@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Bishop Field Office intends to prepare an EA that will evaluate a range of alternatives for grazing domestic sheep on the Dog Creek and Green Creek allotments in Mono County, California. The purpose of this action is to consider whether or not, or under what terms and conditions, to issue 10-year grazing permits for these two allotments. The selection of any alternative that would modify the mandatory terms and conditions of the allotments, or that would make all or portions of the allotments unavailable for grazing by domestic livestock, would not conform to the Bishop RMP, and would therefore require a plan amendment. The Dog Creek allotment consists of approximately 6,527 acres of public land and 1,148 acres of private land. The Green Creek allotment consists of approximately 3,861 acres of public land, 160 acres of state land, and 364 acres of private land. The Dog Creek allotment includes the majority of the Conway Summit Area of Critical Environmental Concern. No threatened or endangered species are known to occur in the allotments and there is no designated critical habitat for any listed species in either allotment. Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae), a federally listed endangered species, inhabit the Sierra Nevada Range south and west of the two allotments. In the final Recovery Plan PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22617 for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (SNBS Recovery Plan), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recommended that the Dog Creek and Green Creek allotments be closed to domestic sheep grazing due to the risk of disease transmission between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep. These two allotments were specifically identified by the FWS as posing a high risk for disease transmission because of their proximity to occupied Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep habitat. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EA. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: livestock management; specially designated areas; cultural resources; recreation; invasive, non-native species; social and economic values; wetlands and riparian habitats; and vegetation and wildlife, including threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. Preliminary planning criteria include: • Incorporating the Central California Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management; • Complying with Appendix C of the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H 1601–1) in making resource specific determinations; • Analyzing allotment closure recommendations provided by the FWS in the SNBS Recovery Plan; • Developing any required plan amendment in compliance with the FLPMA, all other applicable laws, regulations, executive orders, and BLM supplemental program guidance; • Considering the extent to which the action alternative and any required plan amendment supports the recovery goals outlined in the SNBS Recovery Plan; and • Assuring that any required plan amendment is compatible, to the extent possible, with existing plans and policies of adjacent local, state, Tribal, and Federal agencies. Authorization of any alternative analyzed in the EA may require amendment of the Bishop RMP, dated March 25, 1993. By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land use plans, predicated on the findings of the EA. If a land use plan amendment is necessary, the BLM will integrate the land use planning process with the NEPA process for this project. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section E:\FR\FM\29APN1.SGM 29APN1 22618 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 82 / Thursday, April 29, 2010 / Notices 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The BLM will conduct government-to government consultations with relevant Native American tribes in accordance with BLM policy, and will give tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets, due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM’s decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. 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. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 1610.2, 1610.5–5, and 1610.7–2. Bernadette Lovato, Bishop Field Manager. [FR Doc. 2010–9992 Filed 4–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R5–R–2009–N202; BAC–4311–K9–S3] Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, Kent County, MD mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of final comprehensive conservation plan and finding of no significant impact for environmental assessment. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years. ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD–ROM. Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at https://www.fws.gov/ VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:19 Apr 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 northeast/planning/Eastern%20Neck/ ccphome.html. Electronic mail: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Eastern Neck Final CCP’’ in the subject line of the message. U.S. Postal Service: Suzanne Baird, Project Leader, Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex, 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 410–228–2692 to make an appointment during regular business hours at refuge complex headquarters in Cambridge, Maryland. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Baird, Project Leader, Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex, 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613; phone: 410–228–2692 extension 101; electronic mail: suzanne_baird@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Eastern Neck NWR. We started this plan’s development through a notice in the Federal Register on June 11, 2002 (67 FR 40002). Because of changes in budget and staffing priorities, we put the project on hold in 2003. We restarted the process, publishing another notice in the Federal Register on January 22, 2007 (72 FR 2709). We released the draft CCP/EA to the public, announcing and requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register on September 9, 2009 (74 FR 46456). Eastern Neck NWR, a 2,286-acre island, was established in 1962 to protect and conserve migratory birds. The refuge lies at the confluence of the Chester River and Chesapeake Bay, and is regionally important as foraging and resting habitat for a wide variety of migratory birds and wintering waterfowl. Refuge habitats are highly diverse, and include tidal marsh, open water, and woodland. The refuge’s managed croplands specifically benefit waterfowl by providing a ready source of high-energy food during winter when their reserves are low, as well as a secure area to forage during hunting season. The moist soil units (MSU) and green tree reservoirs on the refuge are also managed to enhance habitats for waterfowl and other migratory birds. Thousands of Atlantic population Canada geese and black ducks winter here, as do large rafts of ruddy ducks, canvasbacks, and greater and lesser scaup. Of particular note are the wintering tundra swans that use the adjacent shallow waters. A small number of the Federally listed PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 endangered Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) occur on the refuge, as do nesting bald eagles and more than 60 migratory bird species of conservation concern. Although conserving wildlife and habitat is the refuge’s first priority, the public can observe and photograph wildlife, fish, hunt, or participate in environmental education and interpretation programs. To facilitate those activities, we maintain selfguiding trails, fishing and observation platforms, and photography blinds. School groups come throughout the year for our educational and interpretive programs. An annual deer hunt and youth turkey hunt are also very popular activities on the refuge. All programs benefit from the active involvement of the Friends of Eastern Neck and refuge volunteers. We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the final CCP for Eastern Neck NWR in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, which we included in the draft CCP/EA. The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Eastern Neck NWR for the next 15 years. Alternative B, as we described in the draft CCP/EA, is the foundation for the final CCP. Background The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving refuge purposes and goals and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act. E:\FR\FM\29APN1.SGM 29APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 82 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22617-22618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9992]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCAC07000 L10200000 EE0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for 
Domestic Sheep Grazing on the Dog Creek and Green Creek Allotments, 
Mono County, CA, and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Bishop Field Office, Bishop, California intends to prepare an 
Environmental Assessment (EA), which may include an amendment to the 
Bishop Resource Management Plan (RMP), dated March 25, 1993. By this 
notice the Bishop Field Office is announcing the beginning of the 
scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EA and 
possible plan amendment. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing 
until June 1, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings 
will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media and 
the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop.html. In 
order to be considered in the EA, all comments must be received before 
the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public 
meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional 
opportunities for public participation upon publication of the EA.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to the EA and possible plan amendment by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop.html.
     E-mail: Jeffrey_Starosta@blm.gov.
     Fax: (760) 872-5050.
     Mail: BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, 
Bishop, California 93514, Attn: Jeff Starosta, Rangeland Management 
Specialist.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Bishop 
Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Jeff Starosta, Rangeland 
Management Specialist, telephone (760) 872-5032; mail BLM Bishop Field 
Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, California 93514; or e-mail 
Jeffrey_Starosta@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Bishop Field Office intends to 
prepare an EA that will evaluate a range of alternatives for grazing 
domestic sheep on the Dog Creek and Green Creek allotments in Mono 
County, California. The purpose of this action is to consider whether 
or not, or under what terms and conditions, to issue 10-year grazing 
permits for these two allotments. The selection of any alternative that 
would modify the mandatory terms and conditions of the allotments, or 
that would make all or portions of the allotments unavailable for 
grazing by domestic livestock, would not conform to the Bishop RMP, and 
would therefore require a plan amendment.
    The Dog Creek allotment consists of approximately 6,527 acres of 
public land and 1,148 acres of private land. The Green Creek allotment 
consists of approximately 3,861 acres of public land, 160 acres of 
state land, and 364 acres of private land. The Dog Creek allotment 
includes the majority of the Conway Summit Area of Critical 
Environmental Concern. No threatened or endangered species are known to 
occur in the allotments and there is no designated critical habitat for 
any listed species in either allotment.
    Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae), a federally 
listed endangered species, inhabit the Sierra Nevada Range south and 
west of the two allotments. In the final Recovery Plan for the Sierra 
Nevada Bighorn Sheep (SNBS Recovery Plan), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS) recommended that the Dog Creek and Green Creek allotments 
be closed to domestic sheep grazing due to the risk of disease 
transmission between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep. These two 
allotments were specifically identified by the FWS as posing a high 
risk for disease transmission because of their proximity to occupied 
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep habitat.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EA. At 
present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: 
livestock management; specially designated areas; cultural resources; 
recreation; invasive, non-native species; social and economic values; 
wetlands and riparian habitats; and vegetation and wildlife, including 
threatened, endangered, and sensitive species.
    Preliminary planning criteria include:
     Incorporating the Central California Standards for 
Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management;
     Complying with Appendix C of the BLM Land Use Planning 
Handbook (H 1601-1) in making resource specific determinations;
     Analyzing allotment closure recommendations provided by 
the FWS in the SNBS Recovery Plan;
     Developing any required plan amendment in compliance with 
the FLPMA, all other applicable laws, regulations, executive orders, 
and BLM supplemental program guidance;
     Considering the extent to which the action alternative and 
any required plan amendment supports the recovery goals outlined in the 
SNBS Recovery Plan; and
     Assuring that any required plan amendment is compatible, 
to the extent possible, with existing plans and policies of adjacent 
local, state, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
    Authorization of any alternative analyzed in the EA may require 
amendment of the Bishop RMP, dated March 25, 1993. By this notice, the 
BLM is complying with requirements in 43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the 
public of potential amendments to land use plans, predicated on the 
findings of the EA. If a land use plan amendment is necessary, the BLM 
will integrate the land use planning process with the NEPA process for 
this project. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting 
process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section

[[Page 22618]]

106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as 
provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The BLM will conduct government-to 
government consultations with relevant Native American tribes in 
accordance with BLM policy, and will give tribal concerns, including 
impacts on Indian trust assets, due consideration. Federal, State, and 
local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or 
affected by the BLM's decision on this project are invited to 
participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be 
requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency.
    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.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 1610.2, 1610.5-5, and 1610.7-
2.

Bernadette Lovato,
Bishop Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2010-9992 Filed 4-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P

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