Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Domestic Sheep Grazing Allotments for Term Grazing Permit Renewals in the Southern San Luis Valley, CO, 31977 [2011-13718]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 31977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13718]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCOF03000 L16100000.DU0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Domestic Sheep Grazing Allotments for Term Grazing Permit Renewals in 
the Southern San Luis Valley, CO

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 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), La 
Jara Field Office, La Jara, Colorado, intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to the potential renewal 
of domestic sheep grazing permits on 12 allotments and 1 cattle grazing 
allotment in the southern San Luis Valley. This notice initiates the 
scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues relevant 
to the EIS.

DATES: Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until July 5, 
2011. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be 
announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, 
and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/slvplc.html. In 
order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received 
prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 30 days after the 
last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide 
additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of 
the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to the project by any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/slvplc.html.
     E-mail: slvplc_comments@blm.gov.
     Fax: 719-655-2502.
     Mail: Saguache Public Lands Office, 46525 Highway 114, 
Saguache, Colorado 81149, Attention Mark Swinney.

    Documents pertinent to this proposal are available at the BLM 
Saguache Public Lands Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Swinney, Project Manager, 
telephone 719-655-6105; address 46525 Highway 114, Saguache, Colorado 
81149; e-mail mswinney@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during 
normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a 
week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You 
will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Term permits on 12 sheep grazing and 1 
cattle grazing allotments located in Conejos and Rio Grande Contus 
either are or will be expiring in the future. Existing permits allow 
grazing in or adjacent to Rocky Mountain big horn sheep habitat. In 
connection with the potential renewal of these permits, the BLM is 
initiating an EIS. The EIS will analyze domestic sheep grazing in or 
adjacent to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep habitat and will consider 
potential mitigation measures that can be implemented in permit 
renewals for these 13 allotments. The purpose of the public scoping 
process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope 
of the environmental analysis in the EIS, including alternatives, and 
guide the process. Preliminary issues identified by BLM personnel; 
Federal, state, and local agencies; and other stakeholders, include:
     Potential disease transmission from the interaction 
between Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and domestic sheep;
     History, distribution, location, and population trends of 
bighorn sheep herds in the project area;
     Protection of Threatened and Endangered and Special Status 
Species;
     Maintaining land health standards;
     Desired future conditions of aquatic, riparian, and 
terrestrial species and communities; and
     Protection of cultural resources and archaeological values 
(prehistoric and historic) of the area.

    The BLM will utilize 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. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in 
accordance with policy, and Tribal concerns will be given due 
consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets.
    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 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Helen M. Hankins,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2011-13718 Filed 6-1-11; 8:45 am]
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