Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Taos Field Office, New Mexico, 32963-32968 [2010-13959]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 111 / Thursday, June 10, 2010 / Notices
management plan for closure and
reclamation?
3. How should the BLM facilitate
energy development, both renewable
and non-renewable, while allowing for
multiple uses and appropriate
protection of public lands and
resources?
4. How should the RMP facilitate
rights-of-ways within the planning area
through designation of exclusion and
avoidance areas, stipulations, BMPs,
and mitigation measures while
balancing the need to protect sensitive
resources?
5. How should the RMP address new
technologies such as potash solution
mining?
6. What public lands should be
identified for retention, withdrawal,
disposal (e.g., parcels, historic landfill
sites) or acquisition?
7. What management actions, BMPs,
and mitigation measures will be
necessary to reduce impacts to
reclaimed and restored lands?
Preliminary Planning Criteria Include:
1. The RMP will be in compliance
with FLPMA, NEPA, and all other
applicable laws and regulations;
2. Land use decisions in the RMP will
apply to the surface and subsurface
estate managed by the BLM;
3. The RMP process will follow BLM
policies in the Land Use Planning
Handbook, H–1601–1;
4. Public participation and
collaboration will be an integral part of
the planning process;
5. The BLM will strive to make
decisions in the plan compatible with
the existing plans and policies of
adjacent local, state, and Federal
agencies and local American Indian
tribes, as long as the decisions are
consistent with the purposes of the
Federal laws, policies, and programs
applicable to public lands;
6. The RMP will recognize valid
existing rights;
7. The RMP will incorporate, where
applicable, management decisions
brought forward from existing planning
documents;
8. The BLM will work cooperatively
and collaboratively with cooperating
agencies and all other interested groups,
agencies, and individuals;
9. The planning process will provide
for ongoing consultation with American
Indian tribes and strategies for
protecting recognized traditional uses;
10. Where practicable and timely for
the planning effort, the best available
scientific information, research, and
new technologies will be used; and
11. Planning decisions must comply
with all applicable regulations and must
be reasonably achievable, and allow for
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flexibility while supporting adaptive
management principles.
The Preparation Plan developed for
the RMP Revision is available on the
Carlsbad Field Office Web site. This
document contains pertinent and
descriptive information regarding
planning issues, management concerns,
planning criteria and scheduling. Please
refer to this document for the detailed
list of planning issues and criteria.
You may submit comments on issues
and planning criteria in writing to the
BLM at any public scoping meeting, or
you may submit them to the BLM using
one of the methods listed in the
ADDRESSES section above. To be most
helpful, you should submit comments
by the close of the 30-day scoping
period or within 30 days after the last
public meeting, whichever is later.
Before including your address, phone
number, email 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. The minutes and list of attendees
for each scoping meeting will be
available to the public and open for 30
days after the meeting to any participant
who wishes to clarify the views he or
she expressed. The BLM will evaluate
identified issues to be addressed in the
plan, and will place them into one of
three categories:
1. Issues to be resolved in the plan;
2. Issues to be resolved through policy
or administrative action; or
3. Issues beyond the scope of this
plan.
The BLM will provide an explanation
in the Draft RMP/EIS as to why an issue
was placed in category two or three. The
public is also encouraged to help
identify any management questions and
concerns that should be addressed in
the plan. The BLM will work
collaboratively with interested parties to
identify the management decisions that
are best suited to local, regional, and
national needs and concerns.
The BLM will use an interdisciplinary
approach to develop the plan in order
to consider the variety of resource issues
and concerns identified. Specialists
with expertise in the following
disciplines will be involved in the
planning process: Wildlife and fisheries,
threatened and endangered species,
vegetation and native plants, riparian
and wetlands, invasive and noxious
weeds, rangeland management, fire and
fuels management, cultural resources
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32963
and Native American concerns,
paleontology, geology and fluid
minerals, lands and realty, outdoor
recreation, hydrology, soils, visual
resource management, wilderness, wild
and scenic rivers, sociology and
economics, and forest management.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 1610.2
Linda S.C. Rundell,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2010–13949 Filed 6–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–OX–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNMF02000 L16100000.DP0000
LXSS026G0000]
Notice of Availability of the Draft
Resource Management Plan and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Taos Field Office, New Mexico
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976, as
amended, the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft
Resource Management Plan (RMP) and
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the Taos Field Office 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 RMP/EIS
within 90 days following the date the
Environmental Protection Agency
publishes this Notice of Availability in
the Federal Register. The BLM will
announce future meetings or hearings
and any other public participation
activities at least 15 days in advance
through public notices, media releases,
and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
related to the Taos Draft RMP/EIS by
any of the following methods:
• Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nm/
st/en/fo/Taos_Field_Office/
taos_rmpr.html.
• E-mail:
NM_TAFO_Comment@blm.gov.
• Mail: Bureau of Land Management,
Attention: Brad Higdon, 226 Cruz Alta,
Taos, New Mexico 87571.
Copies of the Taos Draft RMP and EIS
are available at the Taos Field Office at
the above address and at the New
Mexico State Office at 301 Dinosaur
Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 111 / Thursday, June 10, 2010 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information contact Brad
Higdon, Planning and Environmental
Coordinator, Taos Field Office,
telephone (575) 751–4725; address 226
Cruz Alta, Taos, New Mexico 87571; email NM_TAFO_Comment@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Taos
Draft RMP/EIS analyzes the
environmental consequences of four
alternative land use plans under
consideration by the BLM for managing
approximately 595,100 acres of surface
estate and 1.5 million acres of mineral
estate administered by the Taos Field
Office within Colfax, Harding, Los
Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe,
Taos, and Union counties in northern
New Mexico. This land use plan would
replace the current Taos RMP approved
in 1988 and is needed to provide
updated management decisions
including, but not limited to, land
tenure adjustments, land use
authorizations, mineral resources,
recreation, renewable energy, special
designations, transportation and access,
and visiual resources. Upon approval,
the Taos RMP will apply only to BLMadministered public lands and Federal
mineral estate.
The four alternatives analyzed in
detail in the Draft RMP/EIS include the
No Action Alternative, or a continuation
of the existing management decisions;
Alternative A, the BLM’s preferred
alternative, which provides for a
balance of resource uses with
protections; Alternative B, which
emphasizes resource conservation and
protection; and Alternative C, which
allows for a greater opportunity for
resource use and development. Among
the special designations under
consideration within the range of
alternatives, Areas of Critical
Environmental Concern (ACECs) are
proposed to protect certain natural
resource values. Pertinent information
regarding these ACECs, including
proposed designation acreages and
resource use limitations per alternative,
are sumarized in the table below.
PROPOSED ACEC DESIGNATION SUMMARY
Summary of proposed resource use limitations
Variance by alternative
Black Mesa
Cultural
Vegetation
• Rights-of-way would be excluded.
• Livestock grazing would be excluded from pueblo sites and
areas where other conflicts with cultural resources are apparent, as well as the 325-acre Ojo Caliente Demonstration
Area.
• Closed to fluid mineral leasing.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
• Closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind and solar energy.
• Portions would be closed to motorized travel, while the remaining area would be limited to designated roads.
• A portion would be managed to protect its wilderness characteristics.
No Action: 1,430 acres.
Alternative A: ACEC rescinded; area
would be incorporated into Ojo
Caliente ACEC with the identified
resource use limitations.
Alternative B: Same as Alternative A.
Alternative C: ACEC would be rescinded.
Chama Canyons
Riparian
Scenic
Water quality
Wildlife
• Rights-of-way would be excluded.
• Livestock grazing would not be available along the Rio
Cebolla. The availability of grazing within the wilderness
study area would be subject to the Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (H–8550–1). Lands
within the Chama Wild and Scenic River corridor and acquired lands would not be unavailable under the no action alternative.
• Closed to fluid mineral leasing.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
• Closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind and solar energy.
• Closed to motorized travel.
• Visual Resource Management (VRM) Class I would apply.
• A portion outside of the wilderness study area would be
managed to protect its wilderness characteristics (Alternatives A and B only).
• No surface disturbing activities would be permitted.
No Action: 6,140 acres would continue to be managed as a Special
Management Area (SMA).
Alternative A: 7,680 acres.
Alternative B: Same as Alternative A.
Alternative C: ACEC would not be
designated and SMA would be rescinded.
La Cienega
Cultural
Riparian
Scenic
Wildlife habitat
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ACEC & values
• Livestock grazing would be excluded from pueblo ruins and
other areas where substantial conflicts with cultural resources are apparent to protect these resources, as well as
from Santa Fe River canyon (Alternatives A and B only) to
protect riparian vegetation.
• A no surface occupancy stipulation would be applied to fluid
mineral leasing under the no action alternative and Alternative C. Most of the area would be subject no surface occupancy under Alternatives A and B, while control surface use
would be applied within the remainder of the area.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
• Closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind energy development (Alternatives A and B
only).
• VRM Class I would apply to a portion of the area (Alternatives A and B only).
No Action: 3,730 acres.
Alternative A: 13,390 acres.
Alternative B: Same as Alternative A.
Alternative C: Same as the no action
alternative.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 111 / Thursday, June 10, 2010 / Notices
32965
PROPOSED ACEC DESIGNATION SUMMARY—Continued
ACEC & values
Summary of proposed resource use limitations
Variance by alternative
• Portions would be closed to motorized travel, while the remaining area would be limited to designated roads (Alternatives A and B only).
• No tree removal in a portion of the area.
• Santa Fe River canyon would be closed to target shooting
(Alternatives A, B, and C only).
• No tree removal in T. 16 N., R. & E., Sec. 7 to protect Gray
Vireo habitat.
• Livestock grazing would be excluded from lands within allotments 518, 519, and 520, while grazing would become excluded on allotment 521 when the permit is no longer used.
• Rights-of-way would be excluded from Agua Caliente, Rio
Embudo, and Lower Embudo zones.
• Closed to fluid mineral leasing under Alternative B, while
only certain zones would be closed and/or subject to no surface occupancy under the other alternatives.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
• Closed to mineral material sales except at Piedra Lumbre
and Hilltop.
• Closed to wind and solar energy.
• Visual Resource Management Class I would apply to a portion of the area under the no action alternative and Alternatives A and B.
• Fire suppression methods causing surface disturbance would
not be allowed in the Lower Embudo zone.
• Soil and vegetation disturbing activities would be prohibited
within 100-year floodplains.
• Vehicle access to pueblo ruins in Lower Embudo zone by
permit only.
All alternatives: 177,200 acres.
Galisteo Basin
Cultural
• 450 acres of public lands would be managed according to
the provisions of the Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites
Protection Act of 2004 under all alternatives.
• Livestock grazing would be excluded from cultural sites (i.e.,
pueblo ruins).
• Rights-of-way would be excluded.
• Closed to fluid mineral leasing.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
• Closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind and solar energy.
• Closed to target shooting.
No Action: 80 acres would continue to
be managed as an SMA.
Alternative A: 450 acres.
Alternative B: 450 acres.
Alternative C: ACEC would not be
designated.
Lower Gorge
Cultural
Riparian
Special Status Species
Wildlife habitat
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Copper Hill
Cultural
Fish habitat
Riparian
Scenic
Watershed
Wildlife habitat
• Withdrawn from public land laws.
• Rights-of-way would be excluded except for road upgrades
to improve safety or to provide access or utility service to
non-federal lands where no practicable alternative exists.
• Livestock grazing would be excluded from riparian and wetland areas.
• Closed to fluid mineral leasing.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
• Closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind and solar energy.
• A portion of the area would be managed as VRM Class I (Alternatives A and B only).
• Soil- and vegetation-disturbing activities would be prohibited
within 100-year floodplains to prevent the degradation of
aquatic habitat.
• Southwestern willow flycatcher habitat would be protected.
No Action: 16,510 acres (includes
designated Wild and Scenic River
corridor).
Alternative A: 21,150 acres.
Alternative B: Same as Alternative A.
Alternative C: 14,490 acres (does not
include designated Wild and Scenic
River corridor).
Ojo Caliente
Cultural
Ecological Processes
Riparian
Scenic
Special Status Species
Wildlife habitat
• Rights-of-way would be excluded from the Rincon del
Cuervo area under Alternatives A and B, as well as the
Cerro Colorado area under Alternative B.
• Livestock grazing would be excluded from pueblo ruins and
other areas where substantial conflicts with cultural resources are apparent, as well as from the 325-acre Ojo
Caliente Demonstration Area.
• Closed to fluid mineral leasing under Alternatives A and B,
while nearly a third of the area would be closed under the no
action alternative and Alternative C.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry (Alternatives A and B
only).
No Action: 13,370 acres.
Alternative A: 66,150 acres.
Alternative B: 66,150 acres.
Alternative C: 13,370 acres.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 111 / Thursday, June 10, 2010 / Notices
PROPOSED ACEC DESIGNATION SUMMARY—Continued
ACEC & values
Summary of proposed resource use limitations
Variance by alternative
• Mostly closed to mineral material sales (Alternative A and B
only).
• Closed to wind and solar energy.
• A portion would be closed to motorized travel, while the remaining area would be limited to designated roads (Alternatives A, B, and C only).
• VRM Class I would apply to the Rincon del Cuervo under Alternatives A and B, as well as Cerro Colorado under Alternative B.
• Rincon del Cuervo would be managed to protect its wilderness characteristics under Alternatives A and B, as well as
the Cerro Colorado area under Alternative B.
• Soil- and vegetation-disturbing activities would be prohibited
within 100-year floodplains to prevent the degradation of
aquatic habitat.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rights-of-way would be excluded.
Livestock grazing would be excluded from pueblo ruin sites.
Closed to fluid mineral leasing.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
Mostly closed to mineral material sales.
Closed to wind and solar energy (Alternatives A and B).
Other resource uses, except for site recordation or research,
would not be allowed at the pueblo ruin sites.
No Action: Six pueblos on 315 acres
would continue to be managed as
an SMA.
Alternative A: 240 aces (two sites included in the SMA under the no action alternative are incorporated
into other ACECs).
Alternative B: Same as Alternative A.
Alternative C: 335 acres (includes six
sites included in the SMA under the
no action alternative plus two additional sites).
Riparian/Aquatic
Riparian
Aquatic
• Rights-of-way would be excluded unless impacts can be mitigated, based on site-specific analysis.
• Livestock grazing would be excluded from select riparian
areas or where livestock grazing is determined to degrade
the resource and cannot be mitigated otherwise.
• Portions would be closed to fluid mineral leasing, while others would have no surface occupancy or controlled surface
use stipulations attached to leases.
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
• Mostly closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind and solar energy under Alternative B.
• Much of the area would be closed to motorized travel under
the no action alternative.
No Action: 2,250 acres.
Alternative A: ACEC would be rescinded.
Alternative B: 1,275 acres (limited to
riparian areas not within other
ACECs or along designated Wild
and Scenic Rivers).
Alternative C: ACEC would be rescinded.
Sabinoso
Riparian
Scenic
Wildlife habitat
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Pueblos
Cultural
• Rights-of-way would be excluded.
• Livestock grazing would be excluded in riparian areas.
• Closed to fluid mineral leasing (within designated wilderness
only under the no action alternative).
• Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry (within designated
wilderness only under the no action alternative).
• Closed to mineral material sales (within designated wilderness only under the no action alternative).
• Closed to wind and solar energy (within designated wilderness only under the no action alternative).
• The designated wilderness would be closed to motorized
travel.
• VRM Class I would apply.
• A portion of the area adjacent to Sabinoso Wilderness would
be managed to protect its wilderness characteristics (Alternatives A and B only).
• Soil- and vegetation-disturbing activities would be restricted
in order to reduce soil loss and degradation to water quality.
No Action: 19,570 acres would continue to be managed as an SMA.
Alternative A: 19,780 acres.
Alternative B: Same as Alternative A.
Alternative C: ACEC would be rescinded.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 111 / Thursday, June 10, 2010 / Notices
32967
PROPOSED ACEC DESIGNATION SUMMARY—Continued
Summary of proposed resource use limitations
Variance by alternative
San Antonio (includes the San Antonio
Gorge and Winter Range ACEC
units)
Ecological Processes
Riparian
Scenic
Wildlife habitat
• Livestock grazing would be unavailable within the Rio San
Antonio corridor.
• The San Antonio Wilderness Study Area (WSA), Rio San
Antonio corridor, and Warm Springs area would be closed to
fluid mineral leasing, while the remaining area would be subject to controlled surface use, including timing limitations.
• Withdraw the San Antonio Gorge and Los Cerritos de la
Cruz areas from locatable mineral entry.
• Close the San Antonio WSA, San Antonio Gorge, and Los
Cerritos de Taos to mineral material sales.
• The San Antonio WSA and Rio San Antonio corridor would
be closed to motorized travel (Alternative C only).
• Visual Resource Management Class I would apply to San
Antonio WSA and the Rio San Antonio corridor (Alternative
C only).
• Soil- and vegetation-disturbing activities would be prohibited
within 100-year floodplains to prevent the degradation of
aquatic habitat.
No Action: 57,750 acres would continue to be managed as an SMA
and include smaller ACEC units.
Alternative A: ACEC rescinded, but
area would be incorporate into
Taos Plateau ACEC.
Alternative B: ACEC rescinded, but
area would be incorporate into
Taos Plateau ACEC.
Alternative C: The SMA and its ACEC
units would be rescinded, but the
whole area would be designated a
single ACEC.
Santa Fe Ranch
Cultural
Geological Scenic
Special Status Species
Wildlife habitat
• Rights-of-way would be excluded with certain exceptions.
• A portion would be closed to fluid mineral leasing while the
majority would have controlled surface use stipulations attached to leases.
• The Buckman-Diablo Canyon area would be withdrawn from
locatable mineral entry.
• Closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind energy.
• A portion would be closed to motorized travel. Vehicular use
of the arroyo in Diablo Canyon would be allowed by permit
only.
• Visual Resource Management Class I would apply to a portion on the area, but to a larger portion under Alternative B.
• Ephemeral stream channels would be protected to maintain
stable hydrological processes and appropriate vegetative
communities as measured by diversity and cover density.
No Action: No existing ACEC.
Alternative A: 21,032 acres.
Alternative B: 21,032 acres.
Alternative C: ACEC would not be
designated.
Sombrillo
Cultural
Paleontological
Scenic
• A 115-acre Off-Highway Vehicle staging area would be unavailable to livestock grazing (Alternative A only).
• Controlled surface use stipulations would be applied to fluid
mineral leases under the no action alternative and Alternative C, while no surface occupancy would be applied
under Alternatives A and B.
• The 60-acre traditional cultural property would be withdrawn
from locatable mineral entry (Alternatives A and B only).
• Closed to mineral material sales (Alternatives A and B only).
• Ephemeral stream channels would be protected to maintain
stable hydrological processes and appropriate vegetative
communities as measured by diversity and cover density.
• Soil- and vegetation-disturbing activities would be restricted
in order to reduce soil loss and degradation to water quality.
No Action: 8,600 acres.
Alternative A: 17,440 acres.
Alternative B: 17,440 acres.
Alternative C: 8,600 acres.
Taos Plateau
Scenic
Special Status Species
Water quality and quantity
Wetlands
Wildlife habitat
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ACEC & values
• Rights-of-way would be excluded from the Wild Rivers, Ute
Mountain, and San Antonio areas.
• Livestock grazing would be limited and managed to ensure
enhancement of critical elk and pronghorn winter range. No
increase in grazing preference would be permitted.
• The Ute Mountain, San Antonio, and Wild Rivers areas
would be closed to fluid mineral leasing under Alternative A,
while the entire ACEC would be closed under Alternative B.
• The North Unit, Ute Mountain, and Wild Rivers areas would
be withdrawn from locatable mineral entry under Alternatives
A and B, while the San Antonio area would also be withdrawn under Alternative B.
• Closed to mineral material sales.
• Closed to wind and solar energy.
• Cerro de la Olla, the San Antonio area, and Ute Mountain
would be closed to motorized travel.
• Visual Resource Management Class I would apply to the Ute
Mountain and San Antonio areas.
• Cerro de la Olla, the San Antonio area, and Ute Mountain
would be managed to protect their wilderness characteristics.
No Action: No existing ACEC.
Alternative A: 222,500 acres.
Alternative B: 222,500 acres.
Alternative C: ACEC not designated.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 111 / Thursday, June 10, 2010 / Notices
PROPOSED ACEC DESIGNATION SUMMARY—Continued
ACEC & values
Summary of proposed resource use limitations
Variance by alternative
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• Modification of playa surface and adjacent uplands would be
prohibited.
• Coordinate with U.S. Forest Service to close Forest Road
1016 on a seasonal basis.
The land use planning process was
initiated on May 26, 2006, through a
Notice of Intent published in the
Federal Register (Volume 71, Number
102, Page 30446), notifying the public of
a formal scoping period and soliciting
public participation in the planning
process. Four scoping meetings were
held in June 2006 in Taos, Las Vegas,
Espanola, and Santa Fe. A scoping
presentation was also made at an Eight
Northern Pueblos Council meeting to
engage the Governors of the eight
Northern Pueblos. In addition, two
Economic Profile System workshops
were held in July 2006 to work with
local citizens and community leaders to
develop a common understanding of the
local economies and the ways in which
land use planning decisions might affect
them. During the scoping period, which
ended August 31, 2006, the public
provided the Taos Field Office with
input on relevant issues to consider in
the planning process. Based on this
public input and the BLM’s goals and
objectives, the Taos Field Office was
able to formulate the four alternatives
for consideration and analysis in the
Draft RMP/EIS. Following the close of
the public review and comment period,
public comments will be used to revise
the Draft RMP/EIS in preparation for its
release to the public as the Taos
Proposed Resource Management Plan
and Final Environmental Impact
Statement. The BLM will respond to
each substantive comment by making
appropriate revisions to the document
or by explaining why a comment did
not warrant a change. Notice of the
availability of the Proposed RMP and
Final EIS will be posted in the Federal
Register.
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 4:30
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
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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.
Jesse Juen,
Acting State Director.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6; 40 CFR
1506.10; 43 CFR 1610.2.
[FR Doc. 2010–13959 Filed 6–9–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–OW–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCO910000, L71220000.PN0000,
LVTFC002CO00]
Final Supplementary Rules for Public
Land Administered by the Bureau of
Land Management in Colorado
Relating to Camping and Occupancy of
Public Lands
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Final supplementary rules for
public lands in Colorado.
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) is amending
supplementary rules relating to camping
on public lands in Colorado. These rules
extend the time the public must remain
absent from a site once the current 14day camping stay limit is reached. They
also require that once campers have
camped for 14 days, they must move
away from that particular location for 30
days, rather than seven days, before
returning. These rules are needed to
further protect natural resources and
provide for public health and safety.
These supplementary rules will be more
consistent with camping and occupancy
regulations on public lands in other
western states.
DATES: Effective Date: These rules are
effective July 12, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send inquiries by
mail to the Office of Law Enforcement,
BLM, Colorado State Office, 2850
Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado
80215, or by e-mail to
John_Bierk@blm.gov.
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Bierk, Colorado State Office, 2850
Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215,
telephone (303) 239–3893. Persons who
use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) may contact this individual
by calling the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339, 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Authority
II. Background
III. Discussion of Public Comments
IV. Discussion of Final Rule
V. Procedural Matters
I. Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1740, 43 U.S.C.
315a, and 43 CFR 8365.1–6
II. Background
The BLM proposed these
supplementary rules in the Federal
Register (73 FR 6999) on Feb. 6, 2008,
to update supplementary rules
published in 1990 that were no longer
effective in managing camping and
occupancy on public land. In addition,
the 1990 supplementary regulations
were inconsistent with the camping and
occupancy regulations on public land in
other western states.
III. Discussion of Public Comments
The BLM received no comments on
the proposed rules.
IV. Discussion of Final Rule
The BLM revised the final rule to
clarify the description of locations to
include campgrounds, clarify the 14-day
stay limit, and clarify penalties under
the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934. The
BLM revised the final rule to change the
amount of time unattended property
could be left on public land from 24
hours to 48 hours. This change was
made so that legitimate and authorized
recreational use was not adversely
affected. In the final rule, unattended
property in day use areas was excluded
so the final rule would remain
consistent with time limits found in 43
CFR 8365.2–3(c). Prohibited acts 6, 7,
and 9 in the proposed supplemental
rules were removed because similar
regulations already exist in Title 43
CFR. The BLM also revised the final
rule to change the time when fees need
to be paid upon entering a fee site from
30 minutes after occupying any camp
E:\FR\FM\10JNN1.SGM
10JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32963-32968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13959]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNMF02000 L16100000.DP0000 LXSS026G0000]
Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Taos Field Office, New
Mexico
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a
Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Taos Field Office 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 RMP/EIS within 90 days following the date
the Environmental Protection Agency publishes this Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future
meetings or hearings and any other public participation activities at
least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or
mailings.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Taos Draft RMP/EIS by
any of the following methods:
Web site: https://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Taos_Field_Office/taos_rmpr.html.
E-mail: NM_TAFO_Comment@blm.gov.
Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Attention: Brad Higdon,
226 Cruz Alta, Taos, New Mexico 87571.
Copies of the Taos Draft RMP and EIS are available at the Taos
Field Office at the above address and at the New Mexico State Office at
301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508.
[[Page 32964]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Brad
Higdon, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, Taos Field Office,
telephone (575) 751-4725; address 226 Cruz Alta, Taos, New Mexico
87571; e-mail NM_TAFO_Comment@blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Taos Draft RMP/EIS analyzes the
environmental consequences of four alternative land use plans under
consideration by the BLM for managing approximately 595,100 acres of
surface estate and 1.5 million acres of mineral estate administered by
the Taos Field Office within Colfax, Harding, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio
Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos, and Union counties in northern New Mexico. This
land use plan would replace the current Taos RMP approved in 1988 and
is needed to provide updated management decisions including, but not
limited to, land tenure adjustments, land use authorizations, mineral
resources, recreation, renewable energy, special designations,
transportation and access, and visiual resources. Upon approval, the
Taos RMP will apply only to BLM-administered public lands and Federal
mineral estate.
The four alternatives analyzed in detail in the Draft RMP/EIS
include the No Action Alternative, or a continuation of the existing
management decisions; Alternative A, the BLM's preferred alternative,
which provides for a balance of resource uses with protections;
Alternative B, which emphasizes resource conservation and protection;
and Alternative C, which allows for a greater opportunity for resource
use and development. Among the special designations under consideration
within the range of alternatives, Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern (ACECs) are proposed to protect certain natural resource
values. Pertinent information regarding these ACECs, including proposed
designation acreages and resource use limitations per alternative, are
sumarized in the table below.
Proposed ACEC Designation Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACEC & values Summary of proposed resource use limitations Variance by alternative
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Mesa Rights-of-way would be excluded. No Action: 1,430 acres.
Cultural Livestock grazing would be excluded from Alternative A: ACEC
Vegetation pueblo sites and areas where other conflicts with rescinded; area would
cultural resources are apparent, as well as the be incorporated into
325-acre Ojo Caliente Demonstration Area. Ojo Caliente ACEC with
Closed to fluid mineral leasing. the identified resource
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. use limitations.
Closed to mineral material sales. Alternative B: Same as
Alternative A.
Alternative C: ACEC
would be rescinded.
Closed to wind and solar energy.
Portions would be closed to motorized
travel, while the remaining area would be limited
to designated roads.
A portion would be managed to protect its
wilderness characteristics.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chama Canyons Rights-of-way would be excluded. No Action: 6,140 acres
Riparian Livestock grazing would not be available would continue to be
Scenic along the Rio Cebolla. The availability of managed as a Special
Water quality grazing within the wilderness study area would be Management Area (SMA).
Wildlife subject to the Interim Management Policy for Alternative A: 7,680
Lands Under Wilderness Review (H-8550-1). Lands acres.
within the Chama Wild and Scenic River corridor Alternative B: Same as
and acquired lands would not be unavailable under Alternative A.
the no action alternative. Alternative C: ACEC
Closed to fluid mineral leasing. would not be designated
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. and SMA would be
rescinded.
Closed to mineral material sales.
Closed to wind and solar energy.
Closed to motorized travel.
Visual Resource Management (VRM) Class I
would apply.
A portion outside of the wilderness study
area would be managed to protect its wilderness
characteristics (Alternatives A and B only).
No surface disturbing activities would be
permitted.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
La Cienega Livestock grazing would be excluded from No Action: 3,730 acres.
Cultural pueblo ruins and other areas where substantial Alternative A: 13,390
Riparian conflicts with cultural resources are apparent to acres.
Scenic protect these resources, as well as from Santa Fe Alternative B: Same as
Wildlife habitat River canyon (Alternatives A and B only) to Alternative A.
protect riparian vegetation. Alternative C: Same as
A no surface occupancy stipulation would the no action
be applied to fluid mineral leasing under the no alternative.
action alternative and Alternative C. Most of the
area would be subject no surface occupancy under
Alternatives A and B, while control surface use
would be applied within the remainder of the
area.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
Closed to mineral material sales.
Closed to wind energy development
(Alternatives A and B only).
VRM Class I would apply to a portion of
the area (Alternatives A and B only).
[[Page 32965]]
Portions would be closed to motorized
travel, while the remaining area would be limited
to designated roads (Alternatives A and B only).
No tree removal in a portion of the area.
Santa Fe River canyon would be closed to
target shooting (Alternatives A, B, and C only).
No tree removal in T. 16 N., R. & E.,
Sec. 7 to protect Gray Vireo habitat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copper Hill Livestock grazing would be excluded from All alternatives:
Cultural lands within allotments 518, 519, and 520, while 177,200 acres.
Fish habitat grazing would become excluded on allotment 521
Riparian when the permit is no longer used.
Scenic Rights-of-way would be excluded from Agua
Watershed Caliente, Rio Embudo, and Lower Embudo zones.
Wildlife habitat Closed to fluid mineral leasing under
Alternative B, while only certain zones would be
closed and/or subject to no surface occupancy
under the other alternatives.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
Closed to mineral material sales except
at Piedra Lumbre and Hilltop.
Closed to wind and solar energy.
Visual Resource Management Class I would
apply to a portion of the area under the no
action alternative and Alternatives A and B.
Fire suppression methods causing surface
disturbance would not be allowed in the Lower
Embudo zone.
Soil and vegetation disturbing activities
would be prohibited within 100-year floodplains.
Vehicle access to pueblo ruins in Lower
Embudo zone by permit only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Galisteo Basin 450 acres of public lands would be No Action: 80 acres
Cultural managed according to the provisions of the would continue to be
Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites Protection managed as an SMA.
Act of 2004 under all alternatives. Alternative A: 450
Livestock grazing would be excluded from acres.
cultural sites (i.e., pueblo ruins). Alternative B: 450
Rights-of-way would be excluded. acres.
Closed to fluid mineral leasing. Alternative C: ACEC
would not be
designated.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
Closed to mineral material sales.
Closed to wind and solar energy.
Closed to target shooting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower Gorge Withdrawn from public land laws. No Action: 16,510 acres
Cultural Rights-of-way would be excluded except (includes designated
Riparian for road upgrades to improve safety or to provide Wild and Scenic River
Special Status Species access or utility service to non-federal lands corridor).
Wildlife habitat where no practicable alternative exists. Alternative A: 21,150
Livestock grazing would be excluded from acres.
riparian and wetland areas. Alternative B: Same as
Closed to fluid mineral leasing. Alternative A.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. Alternative C: 14,490
acres (does not include
designated Wild and
Scenic River corridor).
Closed to mineral material sales.
Closed to wind and solar energy.
A portion of the area would be managed as
VRM Class I (Alternatives A and B only).
Soil- and vegetation-disturbing
activities would be prohibited within 100-year
floodplains to prevent the degradation of aquatic
habitat.
Southwestern willow flycatcher habitat
would be protected.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ojo Caliente Rights-of-way would be excluded from the No Action: 13,370 acres.
Cultural Rincon del Cuervo area under Alternatives A and Alternative A: 66,150
Ecological Processes B, as well as the Cerro Colorado area under acres.
Riparian Alternative B. Alternative B: 66,150
Scenic Livestock grazing would be excluded from acres.
Special Status Species pueblo ruins and other areas where substantial Alternative C: 13,370
Wildlife habitat conflicts with cultural resources are apparent, acres.
as well as from the 325-acre Ojo Caliente
Demonstration Area.
Closed to fluid mineral leasing under
Alternatives A and B, while nearly a third of the
area would be closed under the no action
alternative and Alternative C.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry
(Alternatives A and B only).
[[Page 32966]]
Mostly closed to mineral material sales
(Alternative A and B only).
Closed to wind and solar energy.
A portion would be closed to motorized
travel, while the remaining area would be limited
to designated roads (Alternatives A, B, and C
only).
VRM Class I would apply to the Rincon del
Cuervo under Alternatives A and B, as well as
Cerro Colorado under Alternative B.
Rincon del Cuervo would be managed to
protect its wilderness characteristics under
Alternatives A and B, as well as the Cerro
Colorado area under Alternative B.
Soil- and vegetation-disturbing
activities would be prohibited within 100-year
floodplains to prevent the degradation of aquatic
habitat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pueblos Rights-of-way would be excluded. No Action: Six pueblos
Cultural Livestock grazing would be excluded from on 315 acres would
pueblo ruin sites. continue to be managed
Closed to fluid mineral leasing. as an SMA.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. Alternative A: 240 aces
Mostly closed to mineral material sales. (two sites included in
Closed to wind and solar energy the SMA under the no
(Alternatives A and B). action alternative are
Other resource uses, except for site incorporated into other
recordation or research, would not be allowed at ACECs).
the pueblo ruin sites. Alternative B: Same as
Alternative A.
Alternative C: 335 acres
(includes six sites
included in the SMA
under the no action
alternative plus two
additional sites).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riparian/Aquatic Rights-of-way would be excluded unless No Action: 2,250 acres.
Riparian impacts can be mitigated, based on site-specific Alternative A: ACEC
Aquatic analysis. would be rescinded.
Livestock grazing would be excluded from Alternative B: 1,275
select riparian areas or where livestock grazing acres (limited to
is determined to degrade the resource and cannot riparian areas not
be mitigated otherwise. within other ACECs or
Portions would be closed to fluid mineral along designated Wild
leasing, while others would have no surface and Scenic Rivers).
occupancy or controlled surface use stipulations Alternative C: ACEC
attached to leases. would be rescinded.
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry.
Mostly closed to mineral material sales.
Closed to wind and solar energy under
Alternative B.
Much of the area would be closed to
motorized travel under the no action alternative.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sabinoso Rights-of-way would be excluded. No Action: 19,570 acres
Riparian Livestock grazing would be excluded in would continue to be
Scenic riparian areas. managed as an SMA.
Wildlife habitat Closed to fluid mineral leasing (within Alternative A: 19,780
designated wilderness only under the no action acres.
alternative). Alternative B: Same as
Withdrawn from locatable mineral entry Alternative A.
(within designated wilderness only under the no Alternative C: ACEC
action alternative). would be rescinded.
Closed to mineral material sales (within
designated wilderness only under the no action
alternative).
Closed to wind and solar energy (within
designated wilderness only under the no action
alternative).
The designated wilderness would be closed
to motorized travel.
VRM Class I would apply.
A portion of the area adjacent to
Sabinoso Wilderness would be managed to protect
its wilderness characteristics (Alternatives A
and B only).
Soil- and vegetation-disturbing
activities would be restricted in order to reduce
soil loss and degradation to water quality.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 32967]]
San Antonio (includes the San Livestock grazing would be unavailable No Action: 57,750 acres
Antonio Gorge and Winter Range within the Rio San Antonio corridor. would continue to be
ACEC units) The San Antonio Wilderness Study Area managed as an SMA and
Ecological Processes (WSA), Rio San Antonio corridor, and Warm Springs include smaller ACEC
Riparian area would be closed to fluid mineral leasing, units.
Scenic while the remaining area would be subject to Alternative A: ACEC
Wildlife habitat controlled surface use, including timing rescinded, but area
limitations. would be incorporate
Withdraw the San Antonio Gorge and Los into Taos Plateau ACEC.
Cerritos de la Cruz areas from locatable mineral Alternative B: ACEC
entry. rescinded, but area
Close the San Antonio WSA, San Antonio would be incorporate
Gorge, and Los Cerritos de Taos to mineral into Taos Plateau ACEC.
material sales. Alternative C: The SMA
The San Antonio WSA and Rio San Antonio and its ACEC units
corridor would be closed to motorized travel would be rescinded, but
(Alternative C only). the whole area would be
Visual Resource Management Class I would designated a single
apply to San Antonio WSA and the Rio San Antonio ACEC.
corridor (Alternative C only).
Soil- and vegetation-disturbing
activities would be prohibited within 100-year
floodplains to prevent the degradation of aquatic
habitat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Santa Fe Ranch Rights-of-way would be excluded with No Action: No existing
Cultural certain exceptions. ACEC.
Geological Scenic A portion would be closed to fluid Alternative A: 21,032
Special Status Species mineral leasing while the majority would have acres.
Wildlife habitat controlled surface use stipulations attached to Alternative B: 21,032
leases. acres.
The Buckman-Diablo Canyon area would be Alternative C: ACEC
withdrawn from locatable mineral entry. would not be
Closed to mineral material sales. designated.
Closed to wind energy.
A portion would be closed to motorized
travel. Vehicular use of the arroyo in Diablo
Canyon would be allowed by permit only.
Visual Resource Management Class I would
apply to a portion on the area, but to a larger
portion under Alternative B.
Ephemeral stream channels would be
protected to maintain stable hydrological
processes and appropriate vegetative communities
as measured by diversity and cover density.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sombrillo A 115-acre Off-Highway Vehicle staging No Action: 8,600 acres.
Cultural area would be unavailable to livestock grazing Alternative A: 17,440
Paleontological (Alternative A only). acres.
Scenic Controlled surface use stipulations would Alternative B: 17,440
be applied to fluid mineral leases under the no acres.
action alternative and Alternative C, while no Alternative C: 8,600
surface occupancy would be applied under acres.
Alternatives A and B.
The 60-acre traditional cultural property
would be withdrawn from locatable mineral entry
(Alternatives A and B only).
Closed to mineral material sales
(Alternatives A and B only).
Ephemeral stream channels would be
protected to maintain stable hydrological
processes and appropriate vegetative communities
as measured by diversity and cover density.
Soil- and vegetation-disturbing
activities would be restricted in order to reduce
soil loss and degradation to water quality.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taos Plateau Rights-of-way would be excluded from the No Action: No existing
Scenic Wild Rivers, Ute Mountain, and San Antonio areas. ACEC.
Special Status Species Livestock grazing would be limited and Alternative A: 222,500
Water quality and quantity managed to ensure enhancement of critical elk and acres.
Wetlands pronghorn winter range. No increase in grazing Alternative B: 222,500
Wildlife habitat preference would be permitted. acres.
The Ute Mountain, San Antonio, and Wild Alternative C: ACEC not
Rivers areas would be closed to fluid mineral designated.
leasing under Alternative A, while the entire
ACEC would be closed under Alternative B.
The North Unit, Ute Mountain, and Wild
Rivers areas would be withdrawn from locatable
mineral entry under Alternatives A and B, while
the San Antonio area would also be withdrawn
under Alternative B.
Closed to mineral material sales.
Closed to wind and solar energy.
Cerro de la Olla, the San Antonio area,
and Ute Mountain would be closed to motorized
travel.
Visual Resource Management Class I would
apply to the Ute Mountain and San Antonio areas.
Cerro de la Olla, the San Antonio area,
and Ute Mountain would be managed to protect
their wilderness characteristics.
[[Page 32968]]
Modification of playa surface and
adjacent uplands would be prohibited.
Coordinate with U.S. Forest Service to
close Forest Road 1016 on a seasonal basis.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The land use planning process was initiated on May 26, 2006,
through a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register (Volume
71, Number 102, Page 30446), notifying the public of a formal scoping
period and soliciting public participation in the planning process.
Four scoping meetings were held in June 2006 in Taos, Las Vegas,
Espanola, and Santa Fe. A scoping presentation was also made at an
Eight Northern Pueblos Council meeting to engage the Governors of the
eight Northern Pueblos. In addition, two Economic Profile System
workshops were held in July 2006 to work with local citizens and
community leaders to develop a common understanding of the local
economies and the ways in which land use planning decisions might
affect them. During the scoping period, which ended August 31, 2006,
the public provided the Taos Field Office with input on relevant issues
to consider in the planning process. Based on this public input and the
BLM's goals and objectives, the Taos Field Office was able to formulate
the four alternatives for consideration and analysis in the Draft RMP/
EIS. Following the close of the public review and comment period,
public comments will be used to revise the Draft RMP/EIS in preparation
for its release to the public as the Taos Proposed Resource Management
Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement. The BLM will respond to
each substantive comment by making appropriate revisions to the
document or by explaining why a comment did not warrant a change.
Notice of the availability of the Proposed RMP and Final EIS will be
posted in the Federal Register.
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 4:30 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.
Jesse Juen,
Acting State Director.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6; 40 CFR 1506.10; 43 CFR 1610.2.
[FR Doc. 2010-13959 Filed 6-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-OW-P
