Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Kemmerer Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, 30426-30427 [2010-12969]

Download as PDF 30426 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 104 / Tuesday, June 1, 2010 / Notices Permit TE–10808A Applicant: Sorola Natural Resources Consulting, LLC, Del Rio, Texas. Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys for golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), Tobusch fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus brevihaatus tobuschii), and Texas snowbells (Styrax platanifolius) within Texas. Permit TE–021340 Applicant: HDR Engineering, Phoenix, Arizona. Applicant requests an amendment to a current permit for research and recovery purposes to conduct presence/ absence surveys for southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax taillii extimus) within Texas. Permit TE–11152A Applicant: Fort Defiance Branch of Natural Resources, Fort Defiance, Arizona. Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys for southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax taillii extimus) within Arizona and New Mexico. Permit TE–212896 Applicant: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. Applicant requests an amendment to a current permit to allow lethal take of a limited number of humpback chub (Gila cypha) within Arizona. Permit TE–001623 Applicant: American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Applicant requests an amendment to their current permit to conduct population monitoring, spawning activities, and downstream transport studies for Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychochelius lucius) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) in the San Juan River Basin, New Mexico. erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Permit TE–13192A Applicant: AMEC Earth and Environmental, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico. Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes to monitor the Alamosa springsnail (Tryonia alamosae) in Socorro County, New Mexico. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:41 May 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 Dated: May 21, 2010. Thomas L. Bauer, Regional Director, Southwest Region, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2010–13013 Filed 5–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–930–1610–DR] Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Kemmerer Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Kemmerer Field Office planning area located in Lincoln, Sweetwater, and Uinta counties, Wyoming. The Wyoming State Director signed the ROD on May 24, 2010, which constitutes the final decision of the BLM and makes the Approved RMP effective immediately. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/ Approved RMP are available upon request from the Field Manager, Kemmerer Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 312 Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101; from the Wyoming State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003; or via the Internet at: https://www.blm.gov/rmp/ kemmerer/docs.htm. Copies of the ROD/ Approved RMP are available for public inspection at the addresses listed above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact John Christensen, Kemmerer Field Manager, or Michele Easley, Kemmerer Assistant Field Manager and RMP team leader, at the Kemmerer Field Office, 312 Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101; telephone at (307) 828–4500; or e-mail John_Christensen@blm.gov and Michelle_Easley@blm.gov, respectively. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The approved Kemmerer RMP was revised collaboratively with the State of Wyoming, county governments, other Federal agencies, and tribal governments. The Kemmerer RMP planning area includes approximately 1.4 million acres of BLM-administered public lands and 1.6 million acres of Federal mineral lands under Federal, state, and private surface ownership. PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Approved RMP establishes the goals, objectives, and management actions to meet desired resource conditions; identifies comprehensive management direction for all resources and uses; identifies lands that are open or available for certain uses along with associated surface restrictions; and identifies lands closed to certain uses. The Approved RMP makes broad-scale decisions to guide future site-specific project implementation for wind energy, fluid minerals, and coal resource development in the Kemmerer planning area. The agency preferred alternative (Alternative D, in the Proposed RMP/ Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), with modifications) is the selected alternative for the Approved RMP. After the publication of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS on August 22, 2008, the BLM received 10 protest letters. As a result of these protests, the BLM made modifications to the proposed plan that are reflected in the Approved RMP. The BLM eliminated Christy Canyon as a forage reserve allotment since a lack of available water and a short growing season preclude full-season emergency relief for livestock operations. The BLM also made other minor editorial modifications in preparing the Approved RMP. These modifications provided further clarification of some of the decisions. In addition, the BLM received protests asserting that the public was not provided adequate opportunity to comment on expanded sage-grouse restrictions in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. To resolve the issues raised in these protests, the Approved RMP adopts the sage-grouse restrictions originally presented in the Draft RMP/EIS (and reflected in the no action alternative in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS). The BLM Wyoming State Office, however, is also initiating the process to amend the Kemmerer, Casper, Pinedale, Rock Springs, Newcastle, and Rawlins RMPs. These RMP amendments will revise sage-grouse and sagebrush management direction to incorporate policies set forth in BLM Wyoming Instruction Memoranda (IM) WY–2010–012 and WY–2010–013. The IMs may be accessed at the following Web address: https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/ programs.wildlife.html. To ensure appropriate management of sage-grouse habitat during the amendment process (and associated NEPA analysis), the BLM will undertake the following actions: 1. The BLM will apply the direction provided in IM WY–2010–012 and IM WY–2010–013 to specific projects, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis. E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 104 / Tuesday, June 1, 2010 / Notices 2. As the BLM considers implementing decisions governed by the Approved Kemmerer RMP, the BLM will coordinate with Federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that the policies established by the Governor of Wyoming’s Executive Order on SageGrouse (E.O. 2008–2), including managing sage-grouse habitats in support of population objectives consistent with the Governor’s SageGrouse Core Population Area strategy, are considered and implemented, as appropriate. 3. The BLM will apply expanded sage-grouse restrictions when supported by site-specific environmental analysis. 4. The BLM will make use of statewide sage-grouse seasonal habitat models and sagebrush mapping as they are developed. 5. The BLM will provide for additional sage-grouse protections through a statewide oil and gas lease stipulation—Lease Notice No.3: ‘‘Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat: The lease may in part, or in total, contain important Greater sage-grouse habitats as identified by the BLM, either currently or prospectively. The operator may be required to implement specific measures to reduce impacts of oil and gas operations on the Greater sagegrouse populations and habitat quality. Such measures shall be developed during the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) on-site and environmental review process and will be consistent with the lease rights granted.’’ The Governor’s consistency review of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS identified a concern which prompted the BLM to clarify the definition of surfacedisturbing activity to maintain consistency with other BLM Wyoming Field Offices. The decisions identifying designated routes of travel and closures for motorized vehicles are implementation decisions and are appealable under 43 CFR part 4. These decisions are contained in Table 1–1 of the Approved RMP. Any party adversely affected by the proposed route identifications may appeal within 30 days of publication of this Notice of Availability pursuant to 43 CFR, part 4, subpart E. The appeal should state the specific route(s), as identified in Table 1–1 of the Approved RMP, on which the decision is being appealed. The appeal must be filed with the Kemmerer Field Manager at the above listed address. Please consult the appropriate regulations (43 CFR, part 4, VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:41 May 28, 2010 Jkt 220001 subpart E) for further appeal requirements. Donald A. Simpson State Director. [FR Doc. 2010–12969 Filed 5–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, Moscow, ID National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, Moscow, ID, that meet the definitions of ‘‘unassociated funerary objects’’ and ‘‘sacred object’’ under 25 U.S.C. 3001. This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. In 1963, five unassociated funerary objects were removed from the Whitebird Site, 10–IH–84. The five unassociated funerary objects are one square wood stick, one brass or copper button, one dentalium vulgare shell, one-end rounded cork, and one bone whistle. This site is located within the area ceded by the Nez Perce to the United States pursuant to the Nez Perce Treaty of June 9, 1863 (14 Stat. 647). The site is within the area recognized by a final judgment of the Indian Claims Commission as the aboriginal land of the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho (18 Ind. Cl. Comm. 1, 1967). Finally, the site is a known Nez Perce burial site. Currently, the Whitebird Site is federally-owned and administered by the National Park Service; however, at the time of excavation, Harry Hagen owned this property. The objects were removed during the survey and subsequent construction of an alternate road (Route (F–41/3(13)). Although the site did not yield human remains at the time of the excavation, it was noted that the site had been ‘‘almost completely PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 30427 potted by amateurs,’’ (Idaho Archaeological Site Survey, recorded by Perry Silver, Idaho State Archaeological Society). In addition to being a funerary object, the bone whistle has been described as possibly sacred. Bone whistles are used in special ceremonies, and may have been buried with the person who owned it. Based on consultation evidence with the Nez Perce Tribe, the bone whistle has been determined to be a sacred object. Officials from the University of Idaho Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the five cultural items described above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of a death rite or ceremony and are believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a burial site of Native American individuals. Officials of the University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the one cultural item described above is a specific ceremonial object needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents. Lastly, officials of the University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred object and unassociated funerary objects and the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the unassociated funerary objects and/or sacred object should contact Leah K. Evans-Janke, University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, Moscow, ID 83844– 1111, telephone (208) 885–3733, before July 1, 2010. Repatriation of the unassociated funerary objects and sacred object to the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho, may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The University of Idaho, Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology is responsible for notifying the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho, that this notice has been published. Dated: May 5, 2010 Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2010–13062 Filed 5–28–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–S E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30426-30427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12969]


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

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY-930-1610-DR]


Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Kemmerer 
Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
for the Kemmerer Field Office planning area located in Lincoln, 
Sweetwater, and Uinta counties, Wyoming. The Wyoming State Director 
signed the ROD on May 24, 2010, which constitutes the final decision of 
the BLM and makes the Approved RMP effective immediately.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/Approved RMP are available upon request 
from the Field Manager, Kemmerer Field Office, Bureau of Land 
Management, 312 Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101; from the 
Wyoming State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 5353 Yellowstone Road, 
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003; or via the Internet at: https://www.blm.gov/rmp/kemmerer/docs.htm. Copies of the ROD/Approved RMP are available for 
public inspection at the addresses listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact John 
Christensen, Kemmerer Field Manager, or Michele Easley, Kemmerer 
Assistant Field Manager and RMP team leader, at the Kemmerer Field 
Office, 312 Highway 189 North, Kemmerer, Wyoming 83101; telephone at 
(307) 828-4500; or e-mail John_Christensen@blm.gov and Michelle_Easley@blm.gov, respectively.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The approved Kemmerer RMP was revised 
collaboratively with the State of Wyoming, county governments, other 
Federal agencies, and tribal governments. The Kemmerer RMP planning 
area includes approximately 1.4 million acres of BLM-administered 
public lands and 1.6 million acres of Federal mineral lands under 
Federal, state, and private surface ownership.
    The Approved RMP establishes the goals, objectives, and management 
actions to meet desired resource conditions; identifies comprehensive 
management direction for all resources and uses; identifies lands that 
are open or available for certain uses along with associated surface 
restrictions; and identifies lands closed to certain uses. The Approved 
RMP makes broad-scale decisions to guide future site-specific project 
implementation for wind energy, fluid minerals, and coal resource 
development in the Kemmerer planning area. The agency preferred 
alternative (Alternative D, in the Proposed RMP/Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS), with modifications) is the selected alternative 
for the Approved RMP.
    After the publication of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS on August 22, 
2008, the BLM received 10 protest letters. As a result of these 
protests, the BLM made modifications to the proposed plan that are 
reflected in the Approved RMP. The BLM eliminated Christy Canyon as a 
forage reserve allotment since a lack of available water and a short 
growing season preclude full-season emergency relief for livestock 
operations. The BLM also made other minor editorial modifications in 
preparing the Approved RMP. These modifications provided further 
clarification of some of the decisions.
    In addition, the BLM received protests asserting that the public 
was not provided adequate opportunity to comment on expanded sage-
grouse restrictions in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. To resolve the 
issues raised in these protests, the Approved RMP adopts the sage-
grouse restrictions originally presented in the Draft RMP/EIS (and 
reflected in the no action alternative in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS). 
The BLM Wyoming State Office, however, is also initiating the process 
to amend the Kemmerer, Casper, Pinedale, Rock Springs, Newcastle, and 
Rawlins RMPs. These RMP amendments will revise sage-grouse and 
sagebrush management direction to incorporate policies set forth in BLM 
Wyoming Instruction Memoranda (IM) WY-2010-012 and WY-2010-013. The IMs 
may be accessed at the following Web address: https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs.wildlife.html.
    To ensure appropriate management of sage-grouse habitat during the 
amendment process (and associated NEPA analysis), the BLM will 
undertake the following actions:
    1. The BLM will apply the direction provided in IM WY-2010-012 and 
IM WY-2010-013 to specific projects, as appropriate, on a case-by-case 
basis.

[[Page 30427]]

    2. As the BLM considers implementing decisions governed by the 
Approved Kemmerer RMP, the BLM will coordinate with Federal, state, and 
local agencies to ensure that the policies established by the Governor 
of Wyoming's Executive Order on Sage-Grouse (E.O. 2008-2), including 
managing sage-grouse habitats in support of population objectives 
consistent with the Governor's Sage-Grouse Core Population Area 
strategy, are considered and implemented, as appropriate.
    3. The BLM will apply expanded sage-grouse restrictions when 
supported by site-specific environmental analysis.
    4. The BLM will make use of statewide sage-grouse seasonal habitat 
models and sagebrush mapping as they are developed.
    5. The BLM will provide for additional sage-grouse protections 
through a statewide oil and gas lease stipulation--Lease Notice No.3: 
``Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat: The lease may in part, or in total, 
contain important Greater sage-grouse habitats as identified by the 
BLM, either currently or prospectively. The operator may be required to 
implement specific measures to reduce impacts of oil and gas operations 
on the Greater sage-grouse populations and habitat quality. Such 
measures shall be developed during the Application for Permit to Drill 
(APD) on-site and environmental review process and will be consistent 
with the lease rights granted.''
    The Governor's consistency review of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS 
identified a concern which prompted the BLM to clarify the definition 
of surface-disturbing activity to maintain consistency with other BLM 
Wyoming Field Offices.
    The decisions identifying designated routes of travel and closures 
for motorized vehicles are implementation decisions and are appealable 
under 43 CFR part 4. These decisions are contained in Table 1-1 of the 
Approved RMP. Any party adversely affected by the proposed route 
identifications may appeal within 30 days of publication of this Notice 
of Availability pursuant to 43 CFR, part 4, subpart E. The appeal 
should state the specific route(s), as identified in Table 1-1 of the 
Approved RMP, on which the decision is being appealed. The appeal must 
be filed with the Kemmerer Field Manager at the above listed address. 
Please consult the appropriate regulations (43 CFR, part 4, subpart E) 
for further appeal requirements.

Donald A. Simpson
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-12969 Filed 5-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
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