Notice of Correction to Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statements and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements To Incorporate Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Measures Into Land Use Plans and Land Management Plans, 7178-7179 [2012-3193]

Download as PDF 7178 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 28 / Friday, February 10, 2012 / Notices Great Bay NWR to address these issues and to achieve the refuge’s establishment purposes, and the vision and goals we developed. The full description of the alternatives is presented in the draft CCP/EA. The alternatives identify several actions in common. All alternatives include measures to protect the rocky shoreline habitat, control invasive species, protect cultural resources, monitor for climate change impacts, distribute refuge revenue sharing payments, and continue participation in conservation and education partnerships. There are also several actions that are common to both alternatives B and C. These include constructing a new joint administrative office and visitor contact station, and evaluating the need for additional land protection. There are other actions that differ among the alternatives. The draft CCP/ EA describes each alternative in detail and relates it to the issues and concerns that arose during the planning process. Below, we provide summaries for the three alternatives. Great Bay NWR Alternatives srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Alternative A (Current Management) This alternative is the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Alternative A defines our current management activities, including those planned, funded, or underway, and serves as the baseline against which to compare alternatives B and C. Under alternative A, Great Bay NWR would remain unstaffed, and we would not change our current visitor services facilities, including existing trails and viewing platforms. Our biological program priorities would continue to be managing impoundments for migratory birds, managing grasslands for upland sandpipers and other grasslanddependent species of concern, and inventorying and controlling invasive plants. We would continue to provide wildlife observation and photography opportunities on two trails, and implement a 2-day, fall deer hunt in partnership with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG). Management on the Karner blue butterfly easement would not change. We would continue to cooperate with NHFG to implement habitat management. One undeveloped trail would provide access, with limited information about the butterfly and management posted on a kiosk. VerDate Mar<15>2010 21:29 Feb 09, 2012 Jkt 226001 Alternative B (Habitat Diversity and Focal Species Emphasis; ServicePreferred Alternative) Alternative B is the Service-preferred alternative. It combines the actions we believe would best achieve the refuge’s purposes, vision, and goals and respond to public issues. Under alternative B, we would emphasize the management of specific refuge habitats to support focal species whose habitat needs would benefit other species of conservation concern that are found in the Great Bay region. Focal species include migrating and wintering waterfowl, migratory songbirds, breeding upland sandpiper, and rare and declining species, such as the New England cottontail and Karner blue butterfly. Habitat restoration work on refuge lands would also benefit forest-dwelling bats and migratory fish. We would also expand our conservation, research, and management partnerships to help restore and conserve the Great Bay estuarine ecosystem. This alternative would enhance our visitor services programs, which have been limited under current management due to lack of staff. On Great Bay NWR, our improvements would include new interpretive materials, more programs for visitors to learn about the refuge and the surrounding landscape, and an extension to an existing trail that provides opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. We would also evaluate opportunities to expand the hunting program to include turkey hunting and a bow season for deer. On the Karner blue butterfly easement, we propose to install new interpretive signs, offer guided interpretive walks, and enhance our Web site with updated information. Alternative C (Enhanced Public Use Management) Alternative C would rely primarily on ecosystem processes and natural disturbances to restore the biological integrity, diversity, and ecological health of the refuge. All grassland and shrubland habitat on Great Bay NWR would be allowed to naturally succeed to forest. All three refuge impoundments would be removed, restoring Peverly Brook to stream habitat and returning Stubbs Pond to salt marsh. We would also remove all remaining structures in the former weapons storage area. Under this alternative, we would expand the refuge visitor services program and public access. We would construct two new trails, and after shrubland and grassland habitats transition to forest, we would open up PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 larger portions of the refuge to public use. The management of the Karner blue butterfly easement would be the same as that proposed under alternative B. Public Availability of Documents In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain documents from the agency Web site at: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/planning/ Great%20bay/ccphome.html. Next Steps After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and address them in the form of a final CCP and finding of no significant impact. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, electronic mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, 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. Dated: January 20, 2012. Wendi Weber, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2012–3108 Filed 2–9–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO230.11100000.PH0000] Notice of Correction to Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statements and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements To Incorporate Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Measures Into Land Use Plans and Land Management Plans Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Correction. AGENCY: The BLM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) on December 9, 2011 [76 FR 77008]. This Notice of Correction changes/clarifies the names of the regions that are coordinating the Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and Supplemental EISs, extends the scoping period, and adds 11 Forest Service Land Management Plans (LMPs) to this process. The Eastern Region referred to in the previous NOI is now known as the Rocky Mountain Region; while the Western Region referred to in SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM 10FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 28 / Friday, February 10, 2012 / Notices the previous NOI is now known as the Great Basin Region. The added Forest Service LMPs include: • Rocky Mountain Region Æ Colorado—Routt National Forest Plan (1998) Æ Utah—Ashley National Forest Plan (1986) Æ Utah—Manti-Lasal National Forest Plan (1986) Æ Utah—Wasatch-Cache National Forest Plan (2003) Æ Wyoming—Bridger-Teton National Forest Plan (1990) Æ Wyoming—Medicine Bow National Forest Plan (2004) • Great Basin Region Æ Idaho—Boise National Forest Plan (2003) Æ Idaho—Challis National Forest Plan (1987) Æ Idaho—Salmon National Forest Plan (1988) Æ Idaho—Targhee National Forest Plan (1997) Æ Montana—Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Plan (2009) This notice extends the public scoping process for the EISs/ Supplemental EISs an additional 45 days. Comments on issues may now be submitted in writing until March 23, 2012. Although the majority of all scoping meetings have been completed the date(s) and location(s) of any additional scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site for the Rocky Mountain Region at https:// www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/ sagegrouse/eastern.html, and for the Great Basin Region at https:// www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/ sagegrouse/western.html. Comments that are specific to a particular area, Resource Management Plan, or LMP should be identified as such. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EISs/SEISs. DATES: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Johanna Munson, Rocky Mountain Region Project Manager, telephone 307– 775–6329; address 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, WY 82009; email jmunson@blm.gov, or: Lauren Mermejo, Great Basin Region Project Manager, telephone 775–861–6400; address 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89520; email lmermejo@blm.gov. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Mar<15>2010 21:29 Feb 09, 2012 Jkt 226001 Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2. Edwin Roberson, Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning. [FR Doc. 2012–3193 Filed 2–9–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CACA 53257, LLCAD06800 L17110000 FD0000] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Land Exchange Between the Bureau of Land Management and Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Riverside County, CA Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: 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) Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office intends to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed land exchange between the BLM and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (Tribe) in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument (Monument). This notice announces the beginning of the BLM scoping process, invites public participation, and describes how the time and place of public scoping meetings will be announced. DATES: One or more public scoping meetings will be held in Palm Springs, California, to solicit public input on the issues and impacts that will be addressed in the Draft EIS as well as the extent to which those issues and impacts will be analyzed. All public scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance of their occurrence through local news media and the BLM Web site at https:// www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ palmsprings.html. In order to be addressed in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received no later than 30 days after the last public scoping meeting. Additional opportunities for public participation and formal comment will occur upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments on issues and impacts to be SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7179 addressed in the Draft EIS by any of the following methods: • Email: AguaCalienteExchange@blm.gov. • Mail: Field Manager, Palm SpringsSouth Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262. Documents pertinent to this proposed land exchange will be available for public review at the BLM Palm SpringsSouth Coast Field Office located at 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, California, during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, and may be published as part of the EIS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Jim Foote, National Monument Manager, (760) 833–7136, or by email, jfoote@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 24, 2000, Public Law 106–351 established the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. In accordance with section 2(b) of the Monument’s enabling legislation, its purpose is to ‘‘preserve the nationally significant biological, cultural, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values found in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains and to secure now and for future generations the opportunity to experience and enjoy the magnificent vistas, wildlife, land forms, and natural and cultural resources in these mountains and to recreate therein.’’ On October 13, 1999, the BLM and the Tribe entered into an agreement to coordinate and cooperate in the management of Federal lands within and outside the boundaries of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation (Reservation) within the Monument. The BLM and the Tribe agreed to meet annually to identify specific resource management, land tenure adjustment, and joint management goals, including implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding for joint identification of opportunities for acquisition and exchange of lands within the Monument. On July 27, 2010, the BLM released Environmental Assessment (EA) No. CA–060–0010–0005 and Finding of No Significant Impact for public review and comment. This EA addressed the environmental effects of the proposed land exchange between the BLM and the Tribe. The public comment period for the EA concluded on November 19, 2010; 141 individuals, eight organizations, and three governmental entities submitted comments. E:\FR\FM\10FEN1.SGM 10FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7178-7179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3193]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWO230.11100000.PH0000]


Notice of Correction to Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental 
Impact Statements and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements To 
Incorporate Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Measures Into Land Use 
Plans and Land Management Plans

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Correction.

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

SUMMARY: The BLM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) on December 9, 2011 
[76 FR 77008]. This Notice of Correction changes/clarifies the names of 
the regions that are coordinating the Environmental Impact Statements 
(EISs) and Supplemental EISs, extends the scoping period, and adds 11 
Forest Service Land Management Plans (LMPs) to this process. The 
Eastern Region referred to in the previous NOI is now known as the 
Rocky Mountain Region; while the Western Region referred to in

[[Page 7179]]

the previous NOI is now known as the Great Basin Region. The added 
Forest Service LMPs include:
     Rocky Mountain Region
    [cir] Colorado--Routt National Forest Plan (1998)
    [cir] Utah--Ashley National Forest Plan (1986)
    [cir] Utah--Manti-Lasal National Forest Plan (1986)
    [cir] Utah--Wasatch-Cache National Forest Plan (2003)
    [cir] Wyoming--Bridger-Teton National Forest Plan (1990)
    [cir] Wyoming--Medicine Bow National Forest Plan (2004)
     Great Basin Region
    [cir] Idaho--Boise National Forest Plan (2003)
    [cir] Idaho--Challis National Forest Plan (1987)
    [cir] Idaho--Salmon National Forest Plan (1988)
    [cir] Idaho--Targhee National Forest Plan (1997)
    [cir] Montana--Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Plan (2009)

DATES: This notice extends the public scoping process for the EISs/
Supplemental EISs an additional 45 days. Comments on issues may now be 
submitted in writing until March 23, 2012. Although the majority of all 
scoping meetings have been completed the date(s) and location(s) of any 
additional scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in 
advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site for the 
Rocky Mountain Region at https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse/eastern.html, and for the Great Basin Region at https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse/western.html. Comments that 
are specific to a particular area, Resource Management Plan, or LMP 
should be identified as such. We will provide additional opportunities 
for public participation upon publication of the Draft EISs/SEISs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Johanna Munson, Rocky 
Mountain Region Project Manager, telephone 307-775-6329; address 5353 
Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, WY 82009; email jmunson@blm.gov, or: Lauren 
Mermejo, Great Basin Region Project Manager, telephone 775-861-6400; 
address 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89520; email 
lmermejo@blm.gov.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2.

Edwin Roberson,
Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning.
[FR Doc. 2012-3193 Filed 2-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.