Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed North Highway 20 Travel Management Plan and Possible Management Framework Plan Amendment, 74742 [2010-30188]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management
• Land Management Bureau

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 74742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30188]



[[Page 74742]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLIDT030000.L16510000.IU0000.241A.00]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the 
Proposed North Highway 20 Travel Management Plan and Possible 
Management Framework Plan Amendment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Shoshone Field 
Office, Shoshone, Idaho intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) which may include an amendment to the 1981 Sun Valley Management 
Framework Plan (MFP) and by this notice 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 MFP amendment. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing 
until January 3, 2011. 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/id/. In order to be 
included in the EA and draft plan amendment, all comments must be 
received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the 
last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional 
opportunities for public participation upon publication of the EA and 
draft plan amendment.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to the North Highway 20 Travel Management Plan by any of the 
following methods:
     E-mail: North_Highway20_Travel_Plan@blm.gov
     Fax: (208) 732-7317, Attention: John Kurtz; or
     Mail: North Highway 20 Travel Management Plan, 400 West 
``F'' Street, Shoshone, Idaho 83352
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the 
Shoshone Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To have your name added to our mailing 
list contact John Kurtz, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM Shoshone Field 
Office, 400 West F Street, Shoshone, Idaho 83352 or telephone: (208) 
732-7296.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The planning area consists of 239,145 acres 
of BLM-managed public land and approximately 660 miles of existing 
roads and trails lying north of Highway 20 within the BLM Shoshone 
Field Office. Boundaries include Chimney Creek on the west and Craters 
of the Moon National Monument and Preserve and Fish Creek on the east.
    The Sun Valley MFP designated the majority of the planning area as 
``Open'' to off-highway vehicles (OHV), meaning OHVs can travel cross-
country. The planning area will be evaluated using current policy and 
resource information to consider and identify as planning decisions 
areas ``Open,'' ``Limited to Designated Routes,'' or ``Closed'' to OHV 
use. A ``Limited to Designated Routes'' designation would result in 
motorized and possibly mechanized vehicles being limited to designated 
roads and trails, while a ``Closed'' designation precludes OHV travel 
altogether. The OHV designations in the Sun Valley MFP would be amended 
as a result of the travel management plan decision. In addition to the 
plan decisions described above, the travel management implementation 
plan will also make implementation decisions regarding designated 
routes and type of use. Future travel management development, such as 
parking areas and trailheads and future trail construction corridors on 
public land, may also be considered in order to facilitate travel 
through public lands and provide trail-based recreational 
opportunities. There is a need to be responsive to current and future 
demand for recreational opportunities and to provide access to support 
livestock operations, realty actions and private in-holdings.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the EA, including alternatives, 
and guide the process for developing the EA. At present, the BLM has 
identified the following preliminary issues: Demand for trail-based 
recreational opportunities; unauthorized trail construction; resource 
impacts resulting from vehicles traveling cross-country; conflicts 
between user groups (motorized and non-motorized); conflicts between 
recreationists and livestock operations; and legal access to public 
lands.
    Authorization of this proposal may require amendment of the 1981 
Sun Valley MFP. 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 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in 
accordance with policy and tribal concerns. Potential impacts on Indian 
trust assets will be given due consideration. Federal, state, and local 
agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested in 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 and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Ruth Miller,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2010-30188 Filed 11-30-10; 8:45 am]
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