Notice of Availability of the Draft Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, MT, 19291-19294 [2013-07196]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 61 / Friday, March 29, 2013 / Notices
Eastern Montana RAC
Mark Jacobsen, Miles City Field Office, BLM,
111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, Montana
59301, 406–233–2800.
Western Montana RAC
David Abrams, Butte Field Office, BLM, 106
North Parkmont, Butte, Montana 59701,
406–533–7617.
Nevada
Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC;
Northeastern Great Basin RAC; Sierra FrontNortheastern Great Basin RAC
Christopher Rose, Nevada State Office, BLM,
1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada
89502, 775–861–6480.
New Mexico
Albuquerque District RAC
Chip Kimball, Albuquerque District Office,
BLM, 435 Montano NE., Albuquerque, New
Mexico 87107, 505–761–8734.
Farmington District RAC
Bill Papich, Farmington District Office, BLM,
6251 College Boulevard, Farmington, New
Mexico 87402, 505–564–7620
Oregon/Washington
Eastern Washington RAC
Robert St. Clair, Spokane District Office,
BLM, 1103 N. Fancher Road Spokane
Valley, Washington 99212, 509–536–1200
Southeast Oregon RAC; Steens Mountain
Advisory Council
Tara Martinak, Burns District Office, BLM,
28910 Hwy 20, West Hines, Oregon 97738,
541–573–4519
Certification Statement: I hereby
certify that the BLM Advisory
Committees are necessary and in the
public interest in connection with the
Secretary’s responsibilities to manage
the lands, resources, and facilities
administered by the BLM.
Neil Kornze,
Principal Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 2013–07311 Filed 3–28–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–84–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
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Notice of Availability of the Draft
Billings and Pompeys Pillar National
Monument Resource Management Plan
and Environmental Impact Statement,
MT
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
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(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
prepared a combined Draft Resource
Management Plan (RMP) and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for Billings and Pompeys Pillar National
Monument within the Billings Field
Office of the BLM Montana/Dakotas
State 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 the draft RMP/
EIS 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 Billings and Pompeys
Pillar National Monument draft RMP/
EIS by any of the following methods:
• Web site: https://www.blm.gov/mt/
st/en/fo/billings_field_office/rmp.html
• Email: BLM_MT_Billings_Pompeys
Pillar_RMP@blm.gov
• Fax: 406–896–5281
• Mail: Bureau of Land Management,
Billings Field Office, 5001 Southgate
Drive, Billings, MT 59101
Copies of the Billings and Pompeys
Pillar National Monument draft RMP/
EIS are available in the Billings Field
Office at the above address or may be
viewed at: https://www.blm.gov/mt/st/
en/fo/billings_field_office/rmp.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carolyn Sherve-Bybee, RMP Team Lead,
406–896–5234 or Jim Sparks, Billings
Field Manager, 406–896–5241; at the
above mailing address or via email at:
BLM_MT_Billings_PompeysPillar_RMP
@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: The
planning area is located in Big Horn,
Carbon, Golden Valley, Musselshell,
Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, and
Yellowstone Counties in Montana, and
a portion of Big Horn County in
Wyoming. This planning area
encompasses approximately 434,154
acres of BLM-managed public lands.
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The RMP will fulfill the needs and
obligations set forth by NEPA, FLPMA,
and BLM management policies. The
planning effort of the Billings and
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
RMP/EIS will revise the existing
Billings RMP of 1984, as amended, and
provide the Billings Field Office with an
updated framework in which to
administer BLM public lands. This draft
RMP/EIS addresses new issues, changes
in resource conditions, and changes in
resource management practices since
adoption of the Billings RMP in 1984
and was developed through a
collaborative planning process. Formal
public scoping began with the
publication of the Notice of Intent in the
Federal Register on May 15, 2008 (73
FR 28150), a legal document notifying
the public and any affected agencies of
the intent to revise the 1984 RMP and
prepare an EIS, including draft planning
criteria for review. The formal public
scoping period ended on August 22,
2008; however, scoping comments were
received through September 19, 2008.
Public scoping opportunities included
seven open houses in communities
within the planning area, a mailing of
1,200 scoping packages describing the
area and process as well as soliciting
written comments, a Web site, and
outreach with various Federal and State
government agencies. Outreach efforts
were also made to tribes and
consultation with the tribal
governments is ongoing.
The information obtained from the
scoping process was used to define the
relevant issues that are addressed in a
range of alternative management
actions, the environmental impacts of
which are analyzed in the draft EIS.
Based on the scoping comments
received and their subsequent analysis
and evaluation, the following major
planning issues were identified as being
within the scope of the BLM Billings
and Pompeys Pillar National Monument
draft RMP/EIS.
Issue: Vegetation Communities—How
can the public lands be managed to
provide desired plant communities?
Issue: Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat
and Invasive Species—How can public
lands be managed to maintain or
improve wildlife and fisheries habitats
and control invasive species?
Issue: Special Status Species,
including Threatened and Endangered
Species—How can public lands be
managed to conserve and recover
threatened, endangered, proposed, and
BLM-sensitive species, including
Greater Sage-Grouse?
Issue: Commercial Activities—What
public lands will be available for
commercial activities and how will
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those activities be managed while
protecting the integrity of other
resources?
Issue: Recreation Activities—How
should recreation activities be managed
to satisfy public demand while
protecting natural and cultural resource
values and provide for visitor safety?
Issue: Motorized and Non-Motorized
Uses—How will conflicts between
motorized and non-motorized uses be
resolved and how will effects to
resources from motorized uses be
addressed?
Issue: Special Designations—What
areas should be designated for special
management (e.g., areas of critical
environmental concern (ACEC), Wild
and Scenic Rivers, etc.) and how should
these areas be managed?
Issue: Social and Economic
Conditions—How will local social and
economic conditions be addressed?
Issue: Pompeys Pillar National
Monument—How will the cultural and
historic values at Pompeys Pillar
National Monument be protected and
how will recreation and visitor services
at Pompeys Pillar National Monument
be managed?
In addition to the no-action
alternative, three action alternatives
were developed to respond to these key
issues:
• Alternative A: Continues existing
management practices (no action
alternative);
• Alternative B: Emphasizes
conservation of natural and cultural
resources while providing for
compatible development and use;
• Alternative C: Emphasizes resource
development and use while protecting
natural and cultural resources; and
• Alternative D: Provides
development opportunities while
protecting sensitive resources (preferred
alternative).
Special management areas in the area
analyzed by the RMP/EIS include wild
and scenic rivers, wilderness study
areas, ACECs, research natural areas
(RNAs), national historic trails, the
Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, and
Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
The BLM Billings Field Office is
concerned with applying the
appropriate management of these areas
to protect the values and resources for
which they were designated. The BLM
Billings Field Office considered carrying
forward or removing current
administrative designations (i.e.,
ACECs), depending on whether they
still met the criteria for which they were
originally designated. Additional areas
were nominated for designation as
ACECs and those that met relevance and
importance criteria and required special
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management are proposed in the draft
RMP/EIS.
In accordance with 43 CFR 1610.7–
2(b) and BLM Manual 1613.32 regarding
ACECs, this Notice of Availability
announces a concurrent public
comment period on proposed ACECs.
Alternative B proposes to retain nine
ACECs and designate three new ACECs
and under this alternative the proposed
management is the most restrictive.
Alternative B would manage all ACECs
as closed to all mineral activity
including solid and fluid mineral
leasing and would recommend
withdrawal of all ACECs from locatable
mineral entry. Alternative C proposes to
retain nine ACECs and designate two
new ACECs and the proposed
management is less restrictive than
Alternative B. All proposed
management in the ACECs is subject to
valid existing rights. The proposed
ACECs and the most restrictive
management (Alternative B) are:
• Pompeys Pillar National Monument
and ACEC (432 acres), designated in the
1996 RMP amendment. Values of
concern include historical, cultural,
biological, geologic, outstanding
viewsheds, and unique resources.
Proposed use limitations(s): Right-ofway exclusion area (83 acres) and rightof-way avoidance area (349 acres);
closed to all mineral leases; closed to
geophysical exploration; closed to
mineral material disposals and related
exploration and development activities;
withdrawal from locatable mineral entry
all closures are subject to valid existing
rights. This ACEC would also be closed
to renewable energy development,
closed to fuelwood cutting/wood
product sales, closed to cremains
scattering, and closed to land disposals.
• Bridger Fossil Area ACEC (577
acres), designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern include
paleontological values and Bridger
Fossil Area National Natural Landmark.
Proposed use limitation(s): Right-of-way
exclusion area; travel is limited to
designated roads and trails; closed to all
mineral leases, closed to geophysical
exploration; closed to mineral material
disposals and related exploration and
development activities; recommended
for withdrawal from locatable mineral
entry; closed to renewable energy
development; closed to fuel wood
cutting/wood product sales, closed to
animal trapping/traplines; closed to
recreational target shooting; closed to
cremains scattering; closed to special
recreation permits; and closed to other
activities normally requiring a BLM
permit.
• Castle Butte ACEC (184 acres),
designated in the 1998 RMP
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amendment. Values of concern—unique
cultural values. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion
area, no land disposals, travel limited to
designated routes, closed to renewable
energy development, closed to
geophysical exploration, closed to use of
explosives for geophysical exploration
for oil and gas, closed to fuel wood
cutting/wood product sales, closed to
animal trapping/traplines, closed to
recreational target shooting, closed to
cremains scattering, closed to special
recreation use permits, and closed to
range improvements.
• East Pryor ACEC (8,301 acres),
designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern—wild
horse and wildlife habitat, unique
cultural/historical resources, special
status plant species, and paleontological
values including values for the Crooked
Creek Natural Area and the Crooked
Creek National Natural Landmark.
Proposed use limitation(s): Right-of-way
exclusion area (except valid existing
rights), no land disposals, travel limited
to designated routes, closed to oil and
gas leasing and development,
recommended for withdrawal from
locatable mineral entry (subject to valid
existing rights), closed to solid leasable
minerals (subject to valid existing
rights), mineral material sales not
permitted, closed to renewable energy
development, closed to geophysical
exploration for oil and gas, use of
explosives for geophysical exploration
for oil and gas not allowed, fuel wood
cutting/wood product sales, closed to
livestock grazing within the Pryor
Mountain Wild Horse Range boundary
except livestock trailing allowed
through Bad Pass only, animal trapping/
traplines, closed to recreational target
shooting, and cremains scattering not
allowed.
• Four Dances Natural Area ACEC
(784 acres), designated in the 2001 RMP
amendment. Values of concern—
significant cultural and scenic values,
peregrine falcon nesting habitat, and
managed for the natural hazards of the
cliffs. Proposed use limitation(s): Rightof-way avoidance area; no land
disposals; off-highway vehicle use
(including bicycles) limited to
administrative or authorized use only,
no snowmobiles or off-road use, closed
to oil and gas leasing, exploration, and
development, closed and continued
withdrawal from locatable mineral
entry, closed and continued withdrawal
from solid leasable mineral entry,
mineral material sales not allowed,
closed to renewable energy
development, geophysical exploration
for oil and gas not allowed, use of
explosives for geophysical exploration
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for oil and gas not allowed, fuel wood
cutting/wood product sales not allowed,
buffalo grazing not permitted, range
improvements not allowed, animal
trapping/traplines not allowed, no
discharging of firearms, archery hunting
may be allowed if deemed necessary by
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
(authorization from BLM required),
cremains scattering not allowed, special
recreation use permits not allowed,
other activities normally requiring a
BLM permit not allowed, day use area
only, closed to horseback riding, closed
to use of fireworks, closed to hang
gliding, closed to paint ball activities,
closed to exercising pets off leash, and
special management/priority would be
given to protecting falcon eyries by
restricting human activity along the
rims that might adversely affect the
nesting birds.
• Grove Creek ACEC (8,251 acres),
proposed ACEC/not designated in
previous RMP or amendments. Values
of concern—significant archaeological
and traditional cultural values and
special status plants. Proposed use
limitations(s): Right-of-way exclusion
area, no land disposals, travel limited to
designated routes, closed to oil and gas
leasing, exploration, and development,
closed and recommended for
withdrawal from locatable mineral
entry, closed and recommended for
withdrawal from solid leasable mineral
entry, mineral materials sales not
allowed, geophysical exploration for oil
and gas not allowed, use of explosives
for geophysical exploration for oil and
gas not allowed, fuel wood cutting/
wood product sales not allowed, range
improvements not allowed, animal
trapping/traplines not allowed, closed
to recreational target shooting, cremains
scattering not allowed, special
recreation use permits not allowed,
closed to renewable energy
development, and other activities
normally requiring a BLM permit not
allowed.
• Meeteetse Spires ACEC (1,523
acres), designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern—protect
and enhance unique vegetation (rare
plants) and conserve scenic values.
Proposed use limitation(s): Right-of-way
exclusion area, no land disposals, travel
limited to designated routes, plant
collecting allowed for scientific use or
range/forestry studies only, no
collection of special status species
plants without a permit, fluid mineral
leasing closed (956 acres), no surface
occupancy for fluid mineral leasing (567
acres), recommended for withdrawal
from locatable mineral entry (956 acres),
mineral material sales not allowed,
closed to renewable energy
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development, use of explosives for
geophysical exploration for oil and gas
not allowed, fuel wood cutting/wood
product sales not allowed, closed to
livestock grazing, range improvements
not allowed, cremains scattering not
allowed, special recreation permits not
allowed, and other activities normally
requiring a BLM permit not allowed.
• Petroglyph Canyon (240 acres),
designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern—unique
cultural values. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion
area, no land disposals, travel limited to
designated routes only, plant collecting
not allowed, closed and continued
withdrawal from locatable mineral
entry, closed to solid leasable minerals,
mineral materials sales/permits not
allowed, closed to renewable energy,
geophysical exploration for oil and gas
not allowed, use of explosives for
geophysical exploration for oil and gas
not allowed, no heavy equipment/no
retardant/no foam use for fire
suppression, fuelwood cutting/wood
product sales not allowed, no range
improvements allowed, no animal
trapping/traplines allowed, closed to
recreational target shooting, no cremains
scattering allowed, no special recreation
permits allowed, and other activities
normally requiring a BLM permit not
allowed.
• Pryor Foothills RNA ACEC (958
acres), proposed ACEC/not designated
in previous RMP or amendments.
Values of concern—protect unique
vegetation (a large concentration of BLM
special status plant species and rare
plant communities) and to protect
significant historic and cultural values
in the Gyp Springs area. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion
area, no land disposals, travel limited to
designated routes, plant collecting not
allowed, closed to fluid mineral leasing,
closed and recommended for
withdrawal from locatable mineral
entry, closed to solid leasable mineral
development, mineral materials sales
not allowed, closed to renewable energy
development, geophysical exploration
not allowed, fuelwood cutting/wood
product sales not allowed, no range
improvements would be allowed that
would result in a net increase of
livestock use in this ACEC, closed to
recreational target shooting, cremains
scattering not permitted, special
recreation permits not allowed, and
other activities normally requiring a
BLM permit not allowed.
• Stark Site ACEC (799 acres),
designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern—protect
unique cultural values. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion
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19293
area, no land disposals, travel limited to
designated routes, no surface occupancy
for fluid mineral leasing, recommended
for withdrawal from locatable mineral
entry, mineral material sales not
allowed, closed to renewable energy
development, geophysical exploration
for oil and gas not allowed, use of
explosives for geophysical exploration
for oil and gas not allowed, no heavy
equipment/no retardant/no foam use
during fire suppression, fuelwood
cutting/wood product sales not allowed,
range improvements not allowed,
animal trapping/traplines not allowed,
closed to recreational target shooting,
cremains scattering not allowed, special
recreation use permits not allowed, and
other activities normally requiring a
BLM permit not allowed.
• Weatherman Draw ACEC (4,986
acres), designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern—protect
unique cultural values. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion
area (subject to valid existing rights), no
land disposals, travel limited to
designated routes, plant collecting not
allowed, closed to fluid mineral leasing,
600 acres closed and recommended for
continued withdrawal from locatable
mineral entry, 4,386 acres closed and
recommended for withdrawal from
locatable mineral entry, closed to solid
leasable mineral entry, mineral material
sales not allowed, closed to renewable
energy development, geophysical
exploration for oil and gas not allowed,
fuelwood cutting/wood product sales
not allowed, range improvements not
allowed, animal trapping/traplines not
allowed, closed to recreational target
shooting, cremains scattering not
allowed, special recreation use permits
not allowed, and other activities
normally requiring a BLM permit not
allowed.
• Greater Sage-Grouse ACEC (154,140
acres), proposed ACEC/not designated
in previous RMP or amendments.
Values of concern—protect priority
habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse.
Proposed use limitation(s): Right-of-way
exclusion area, no land disposals,
closed to fluid mineral leasing,
recommended for withdrawal from
locatable mineral entry, mineral
materials sales not allowed, closed to
renewable energy development,
geophysical exploration not allowed,
special recreation permits allowed only
if consistent with goals and objectives
for habitat and/or species, prescribed
fire not allowed, heavy equipment used
for fire suppression not allowed within
four miles of sage-grouse nesting habitat
(leks), grazing allotments within or
containing portions of the ACEC would
be designated as management Category
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I, and other permitted activities
considered after site specific analysis
that considered values for which the
ACEC is designated.
Alternative A proposes to maintain
the nine existing ACECs for a total of
37,896 acres. Under Alternative A, 1,675
acres are recommended withdrawn from
mineral entry and 32,158 acres are not
available for fluid mineral leasing.
Alternative B proposes to retain nine
ACECs and establish three additional
ACECs for a total of 181,175 acres
(management listed above). Alternative
B would continue to withdraw 1,675
acres from locatable mineral entry,
recommend withdrawals from locatable
mineral entry for 178,749 acres, and
make 179,244 acres unavailable for fluid
mineral leasing. Alternative C proposes
to retain nine ACECs and establish two
additional ACECs for a total of 67,079
acres. Alternative C would continue to
withdraw 1,675 acres from locatable
mineral entry, recommend withdrawals
from locatable mineral entry for 1,914
acres, and make 34,558 acres
unavailable for fluid mineral leasing.
Alternative D proposes to retain nine
ACECs and establish two additional
ACECs for a total of 38,786 acres.
Alternative D would continue to
withdraw 1,675 acres from locatable
mineral entry, recommend withdrawals
from locatable mineral entry for 20,827
acres, and make 18,716 acres
unavailable for fluid mineral leasing.
The preferred alternative (Alternative
D) proposes retaining ACEC designation
for the following ACECs that are the
same acreages as designated in the 1996,
1998, and 2001 RMP amendments:
Pompeys Pillar National Monument and
ACEC (432 acres), Bridger Fossil Area
ACEC (577 acres), Castle Butte ACEC
(184 acres), Four Dances Natural Area
ACEC (784 acres), Petroglyph Canyon
ACEC (240 acres), and Stark Site ACEC
(799 acres). The following ACECs were
designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment, but ACEC boundaries
expanded or changed in the preferred
alternative:
• East Pryor ACEC (11,122 acres):
This acreage is smaller than the 29,550
acres originally designated in 1998 RMP
amendment, as the preferred alternative
removes overlapping/conflicting
management layers. The East Pryor
ACEC is located in the same area as
three wilderness study areas (WSAs)
and the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse
Range. In the preferred alternative, the
boundaries of the ACEC were changed
to exclude the WSAs, as WSAs have the
most restrictive management, and the
management of the WSAs would
provide special management needed for
the resource values of concern
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identified in the East Pryor ACEC. The
1998 boundary of the East Pryor ACEC
included only a portion of the DemiJohn Flat National Register District. The
boundary has been expanded in the
preferred alternative to include all of
Demi-John Flat National Register
District.
• Meeteetse Spires ACEC (956 acres
plus 567 acres): The additional 576
acres were acquired from The
Conservation Fund by the BLM in 2009
using money received from the Land
and Water Conservation Fund. The
private land was surrounded on three
sides by the Meeteetse Spires ACEC and
on one side by the U.S. Forest Service
Custer National Forest (Line Creek
Plateau RNA). The 567 acres of private
land had been subdivided and further
development would have threatened the
adjoining ACEC.
• Weatherman Draw ACEC (4,365
acres plus 7,912 acres): The proposed
7,912 acre expansion of the ACEC
includes the 2009 donation of 621 acres
of private land to the BLM.
The preferred alternative (Alternative
D) proposes two additional ACECs:
Grove Creek ACEC (8,251 acres) and
Pryor Foothills RNA ACEC (2,606
acres).
The BLM Billings Field Office
conducted an inventory of certain
waterways to determine eligibility and
suitability for inclusion into the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
for designation by Congress and drafted
interim management prescriptions for
those waterway segments determined
‘‘suitable’’ in the planning process.
Following the close of the public
review and comment period on this
draft RMP/EIS, public comments will be
used to revise the BLM Billings and
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
draft RMP/EIS in preparation for its
release to the public as the BLM Billings
and Pompeys Pillar Proposed RMP and
Final EIS. While one combined RMP/
EIS has been prepared, two separate
Records of Decision (RODS) will be
issued for the Billings Field Office and
for Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
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
persons who submit comments will be
available for public review and
disclosure at the above address during
regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.),
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Monday through Friday, except
holidays.
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.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR
1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2.
Theresa M. Hanley,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013–07196 Filed 3–28–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[L1610000.PQ0000/LLCAC09000]
Notice of Availability of the Clear Creek
Management Area Proposed Resource
Management Plan and Final
Environmental Impact Statement,
California
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
AGENCY:
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
Proposed Resource Management Plan
(RMP)/Final Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Clear Creek
Management Area (CCMA) and by this
notice is announcing its availability.
DATES: BLM planning regulations (43
CFR 1610) state that any person who
meets the conditions as described in the
regulations may protest the BLM’s
Proposed RMP and Final EIS. A person
who meets the conditions and files a
protest, must file the protest within 30
days of the date that the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its
notice in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCMA
Proposed RMP and Final EIS have been
sent to affected Federal, State, and local
government agencies and to other
stakeholders. Copies of the CCMA
Proposed RMP and Final EIS are
available for public inspection at the
Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton
Court, Hollister, California 95023.
Interested persons may also review the
E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM
29MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 61 (Friday, March 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19291-19294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07196]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLMT001900 L16100000.DP0000 LXSS00065E]
Notice of Availability of the Draft Billings and Pompeys Pillar
National Monument Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact
Statement, MT
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
has prepared a combined Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Billings and Pompeys Pillar
National Monument within the Billings Field Office of the BLM Montana/
Dakotas State 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 the draft
RMP/EIS 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 Billings and Pompeys
Pillar National Monument draft RMP/EIS by any of the following methods:
Web site: https://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/billings_field_office/rmp.html
Email: BLM_MT_Billings_PompeysPillar_RMP@blm.gov
Fax: 406-896-5281
Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Billings Field Office,
5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101
Copies of the Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument draft
RMP/EIS are available in the Billings Field Office at the above address
or may be viewed at: https://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/billings_field_office/rmp.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Sherve-Bybee, RMP Team Lead,
406-896-5234 or Jim Sparks, Billings Field Manager, 406-896-5241; at
the above mailing address or via email at: BLM_MT_Billings_PompeysPillar_RMP@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: The planning area is located in Big Horn,
Carbon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland,
and Yellowstone Counties in Montana, and a portion of Big Horn County
in Wyoming. This planning area encompasses approximately 434,154 acres
of BLM-managed public lands. The RMP will fulfill the needs and
obligations set forth by NEPA, FLPMA, and BLM management policies. The
planning effort of the Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument
RMP/EIS will revise the existing Billings RMP of 1984, as amended, and
provide the Billings Field Office with an updated framework in which to
administer BLM public lands. This draft RMP/EIS addresses new issues,
changes in resource conditions, and changes in resource management
practices since adoption of the Billings RMP in 1984 and was developed
through a collaborative planning process. Formal public scoping began
with the publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register on
May 15, 2008 (73 FR 28150), a legal document notifying the public and
any affected agencies of the intent to revise the 1984 RMP and prepare
an EIS, including draft planning criteria for review. The formal public
scoping period ended on August 22, 2008; however, scoping comments were
received through September 19, 2008.
Public scoping opportunities included seven open houses in
communities within the planning area, a mailing of 1,200 scoping
packages describing the area and process as well as soliciting written
comments, a Web site, and outreach with various Federal and State
government agencies. Outreach efforts were also made to tribes and
consultation with the tribal governments is ongoing.
The information obtained from the scoping process was used to
define the relevant issues that are addressed in a range of alternative
management actions, the environmental impacts of which are analyzed in
the draft EIS. Based on the scoping comments received and their
subsequent analysis and evaluation, the following major planning issues
were identified as being within the scope of the BLM Billings and
Pompeys Pillar National Monument draft RMP/EIS.
Issue: Vegetation Communities--How can the public lands be managed
to provide desired plant communities?
Issue: Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat and Invasive Species--How can
public lands be managed to maintain or improve wildlife and fisheries
habitats and control invasive species?
Issue: Special Status Species, including Threatened and Endangered
Species--How can public lands be managed to conserve and recover
threatened, endangered, proposed, and BLM-sensitive species, including
Greater Sage-Grouse?
Issue: Commercial Activities--What public lands will be available
for commercial activities and how will
[[Page 19292]]
those activities be managed while protecting the integrity of other
resources?
Issue: Recreation Activities--How should recreation activities be
managed to satisfy public demand while protecting natural and cultural
resource values and provide for visitor safety?
Issue: Motorized and Non-Motorized Uses--How will conflicts between
motorized and non-motorized uses be resolved and how will effects to
resources from motorized uses be addressed?
Issue: Special Designations--What areas should be designated for
special management (e.g., areas of critical environmental concern
(ACEC), Wild and Scenic Rivers, etc.) and how should these areas be
managed?
Issue: Social and Economic Conditions--How will local social and
economic conditions be addressed?
Issue: Pompeys Pillar National Monument--How will the cultural and
historic values at Pompeys Pillar National Monument be protected and
how will recreation and visitor services at Pompeys Pillar National
Monument be managed?
In addition to the no-action alternative, three action alternatives
were developed to respond to these key issues:
Alternative A: Continues existing management practices (no
action alternative);
Alternative B: Emphasizes conservation of natural and
cultural resources while providing for compatible development and use;
Alternative C: Emphasizes resource development and use
while protecting natural and cultural resources; and
Alternative D: Provides development opportunities while
protecting sensitive resources (preferred alternative).
Special management areas in the area analyzed by the RMP/EIS
include wild and scenic rivers, wilderness study areas, ACECs, research
natural areas (RNAs), national historic trails, the Pryor Mountain Wild
Horse Range, and Pompeys Pillar National Monument. The BLM Billings
Field Office is concerned with applying the appropriate management of
these areas to protect the values and resources for which they were
designated. The BLM Billings Field Office considered carrying forward
or removing current administrative designations (i.e., ACECs),
depending on whether they still met the criteria for which they were
originally designated. Additional areas were nominated for designation
as ACECs and those that met relevance and importance criteria and
required special management are proposed in the draft RMP/EIS.
In accordance with 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b) and BLM Manual 1613.32
regarding ACECs, this Notice of Availability announces a concurrent
public comment period on proposed ACECs. Alternative B proposes to
retain nine ACECs and designate three new ACECs and under this
alternative the proposed management is the most restrictive.
Alternative B would manage all ACECs as closed to all mineral activity
including solid and fluid mineral leasing and would recommend
withdrawal of all ACECs from locatable mineral entry. Alternative C
proposes to retain nine ACECs and designate two new ACECs and the
proposed management is less restrictive than Alternative B. All
proposed management in the ACECs is subject to valid existing rights.
The proposed ACECs and the most restrictive management (Alternative B)
are:
Pompeys Pillar National Monument and ACEC (432 acres),
designated in the 1996 RMP amendment. Values of concern include
historical, cultural, biological, geologic, outstanding viewsheds, and
unique resources. Proposed use limitations(s): Right-of-way exclusion
area (83 acres) and right-of-way avoidance area (349 acres); closed to
all mineral leases; closed to geophysical exploration; closed to
mineral material disposals and related exploration and development
activities; withdrawal from locatable mineral entry all closures are
subject to valid existing rights. This ACEC would also be closed to
renewable energy development, closed to fuelwood cutting/wood product
sales, closed to cremains scattering, and closed to land disposals.
Bridger Fossil Area ACEC (577 acres), designated in the
1998 RMP amendment. Values of concern include paleontological values
and Bridger Fossil Area National Natural Landmark. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area; travel is limited to
designated roads and trails; closed to all mineral leases, closed to
geophysical exploration; closed to mineral material disposals and
related exploration and development activities; recommended for
withdrawal from locatable mineral entry; closed to renewable energy
development; closed to fuel wood cutting/wood product sales, closed to
animal trapping/traplines; closed to recreational target shooting;
closed to cremains scattering; closed to special recreation permits;
and closed to other activities normally requiring a BLM permit.
Castle Butte ACEC (184 acres), designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern--unique cultural values. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area, no land disposals, travel
limited to designated routes, closed to renewable energy development,
closed to geophysical exploration, closed to use of explosives for
geophysical exploration for oil and gas, closed to fuel wood cutting/
wood product sales, closed to animal trapping/traplines, closed to
recreational target shooting, closed to cremains scattering, closed to
special recreation use permits, and closed to range improvements.
East Pryor ACEC (8,301 acres), designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern--wild horse and wildlife habitat, unique
cultural/historical resources, special status plant species, and
paleontological values including values for the Crooked Creek Natural
Area and the Crooked Creek National Natural Landmark. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area (except valid existing
rights), no land disposals, travel limited to designated routes, closed
to oil and gas leasing and development, recommended for withdrawal from
locatable mineral entry (subject to valid existing rights), closed to
solid leasable minerals (subject to valid existing rights), mineral
material sales not permitted, closed to renewable energy development,
closed to geophysical exploration for oil and gas, use of explosives
for geophysical exploration for oil and gas not allowed, fuel wood
cutting/wood product sales, closed to livestock grazing within the
Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range boundary except livestock trailing
allowed through Bad Pass only, animal trapping/traplines, closed to
recreational target shooting, and cremains scattering not allowed.
Four Dances Natural Area ACEC (784 acres), designated in
the 2001 RMP amendment. Values of concern--significant cultural and
scenic values, peregrine falcon nesting habitat, and managed for the
natural hazards of the cliffs. Proposed use limitation(s): Right-of-way
avoidance area; no land disposals; off-highway vehicle use (including
bicycles) limited to administrative or authorized use only, no
snowmobiles or off-road use, closed to oil and gas leasing,
exploration, and development, closed and continued withdrawal from
locatable mineral entry, closed and continued withdrawal from solid
leasable mineral entry, mineral material sales not allowed, closed to
renewable energy development, geophysical exploration for oil and gas
not allowed, use of explosives for geophysical exploration
[[Page 19293]]
for oil and gas not allowed, fuel wood cutting/wood product sales not
allowed, buffalo grazing not permitted, range improvements not allowed,
animal trapping/traplines not allowed, no discharging of firearms,
archery hunting may be allowed if deemed necessary by Montana Fish,
Wildlife, and Parks (authorization from BLM required), cremains
scattering not allowed, special recreation use permits not allowed,
other activities normally requiring a BLM permit not allowed, day use
area only, closed to horseback riding, closed to use of fireworks,
closed to hang gliding, closed to paint ball activities, closed to
exercising pets off leash, and special management/priority would be
given to protecting falcon eyries by restricting human activity along
the rims that might adversely affect the nesting birds.
Grove Creek ACEC (8,251 acres), proposed ACEC/not
designated in previous RMP or amendments. Values of concern--
significant archaeological and traditional cultural values and special
status plants. Proposed use limitations(s): Right-of-way exclusion
area, no land disposals, travel limited to designated routes, closed to
oil and gas leasing, exploration, and development, closed and
recommended for withdrawal from locatable mineral entry, closed and
recommended for withdrawal from solid leasable mineral entry, mineral
materials sales not allowed, geophysical exploration for oil and gas
not allowed, use of explosives for geophysical exploration for oil and
gas not allowed, fuel wood cutting/wood product sales not allowed,
range improvements not allowed, animal trapping/traplines not allowed,
closed to recreational target shooting, cremains scattering not
allowed, special recreation use permits not allowed, closed to
renewable energy development, and other activities normally requiring a
BLM permit not allowed.
Meeteetse Spires ACEC (1,523 acres), designated in the
1998 RMP amendment. Values of concern--protect and enhance unique
vegetation (rare plants) and conserve scenic values. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area, no land disposals, travel
limited to designated routes, plant collecting allowed for scientific
use or range/forestry studies only, no collection of special status
species plants without a permit, fluid mineral leasing closed (956
acres), no surface occupancy for fluid mineral leasing (567 acres),
recommended for withdrawal from locatable mineral entry (956 acres),
mineral material sales not allowed, closed to renewable energy
development, use of explosives for geophysical exploration for oil and
gas not allowed, fuel wood cutting/wood product sales not allowed,
closed to livestock grazing, range improvements not allowed, cremains
scattering not allowed, special recreation permits not allowed, and
other activities normally requiring a BLM permit not allowed.
Petroglyph Canyon (240 acres), designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern--unique cultural values. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area, no land disposals, travel
limited to designated routes only, plant collecting not allowed, closed
and continued withdrawal from locatable mineral entry, closed to solid
leasable minerals, mineral materials sales/permits not allowed, closed
to renewable energy, geophysical exploration for oil and gas not
allowed, use of explosives for geophysical exploration for oil and gas
not allowed, no heavy equipment/no retardant/no foam use for fire
suppression, fuelwood cutting/wood product sales not allowed, no range
improvements allowed, no animal trapping/traplines allowed, closed to
recreational target shooting, no cremains scattering allowed, no
special recreation permits allowed, and other activities normally
requiring a BLM permit not allowed.
Pryor Foothills RNA ACEC (958 acres), proposed ACEC/not
designated in previous RMP or amendments. Values of concern--protect
unique vegetation (a large concentration of BLM special status plant
species and rare plant communities) and to protect significant historic
and cultural values in the Gyp Springs area. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area, no land disposals, travel
limited to designated routes, plant collecting not allowed, closed to
fluid mineral leasing, closed and recommended for withdrawal from
locatable mineral entry, closed to solid leasable mineral development,
mineral materials sales not allowed, closed to renewable energy
development, geophysical exploration not allowed, fuelwood cutting/wood
product sales not allowed, no range improvements would be allowed that
would result in a net increase of livestock use in this ACEC, closed to
recreational target shooting, cremains scattering not permitted,
special recreation permits not allowed, and other activities normally
requiring a BLM permit not allowed.
Stark Site ACEC (799 acres), designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment. Values of concern--protect unique cultural values. Proposed
use limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area, no land disposals,
travel limited to designated routes, no surface occupancy for fluid
mineral leasing, recommended for withdrawal from locatable mineral
entry, mineral material sales not allowed, closed to renewable energy
development, geophysical exploration for oil and gas not allowed, use
of explosives for geophysical exploration for oil and gas not allowed,
no heavy equipment/no retardant/no foam use during fire suppression,
fuelwood cutting/wood product sales not allowed, range improvements not
allowed, animal trapping/traplines not allowed, closed to recreational
target shooting, cremains scattering not allowed, special recreation
use permits not allowed, and other activities normally requiring a BLM
permit not allowed.
Weatherman Draw ACEC (4,986 acres), designated in the 1998
RMP amendment. Values of concern--protect unique cultural values.
Proposed use limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area (subject to
valid existing rights), no land disposals, travel limited to designated
routes, plant collecting not allowed, closed to fluid mineral leasing,
600 acres closed and recommended for continued withdrawal from
locatable mineral entry, 4,386 acres closed and recommended for
withdrawal from locatable mineral entry, closed to solid leasable
mineral entry, mineral material sales not allowed, closed to renewable
energy development, geophysical exploration for oil and gas not
allowed, fuelwood cutting/wood product sales not allowed, range
improvements not allowed, animal trapping/traplines not allowed, closed
to recreational target shooting, cremains scattering not allowed,
special recreation use permits not allowed, and other activities
normally requiring a BLM permit not allowed.
Greater Sage-Grouse ACEC (154,140 acres), proposed ACEC/
not designated in previous RMP or amendments. Values of concern--
protect priority habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse. Proposed use
limitation(s): Right-of-way exclusion area, no land disposals, closed
to fluid mineral leasing, recommended for withdrawal from locatable
mineral entry, mineral materials sales not allowed, closed to renewable
energy development, geophysical exploration not allowed, special
recreation permits allowed only if consistent with goals and objectives
for habitat and/or species, prescribed fire not allowed, heavy
equipment used for fire suppression not allowed within four miles of
sage-grouse nesting habitat (leks), grazing allotments within or
containing portions of the ACEC would be designated as management
Category
[[Page 19294]]
I, and other permitted activities considered after site specific
analysis that considered values for which the ACEC is designated.
Alternative A proposes to maintain the nine existing ACECs for a
total of 37,896 acres. Under Alternative A, 1,675 acres are recommended
withdrawn from mineral entry and 32,158 acres are not available for
fluid mineral leasing. Alternative B proposes to retain nine ACECs and
establish three additional ACECs for a total of 181,175 acres
(management listed above). Alternative B would continue to withdraw
1,675 acres from locatable mineral entry, recommend withdrawals from
locatable mineral entry for 178,749 acres, and make 179,244 acres
unavailable for fluid mineral leasing. Alternative C proposes to retain
nine ACECs and establish two additional ACECs for a total of 67,079
acres. Alternative C would continue to withdraw 1,675 acres from
locatable mineral entry, recommend withdrawals from locatable mineral
entry for 1,914 acres, and make 34,558 acres unavailable for fluid
mineral leasing. Alternative D proposes to retain nine ACECs and
establish two additional ACECs for a total of 38,786 acres. Alternative
D would continue to withdraw 1,675 acres from locatable mineral entry,
recommend withdrawals from locatable mineral entry for 20,827 acres,
and make 18,716 acres unavailable for fluid mineral leasing.
The preferred alternative (Alternative D) proposes retaining ACEC
designation for the following ACECs that are the same acreages as
designated in the 1996, 1998, and 2001 RMP amendments: Pompeys Pillar
National Monument and ACEC (432 acres), Bridger Fossil Area ACEC (577
acres), Castle Butte ACEC (184 acres), Four Dances Natural Area ACEC
(784 acres), Petroglyph Canyon ACEC (240 acres), and Stark Site ACEC
(799 acres). The following ACECs were designated in the 1998 RMP
amendment, but ACEC boundaries expanded or changed in the preferred
alternative:
East Pryor ACEC (11,122 acres): This acreage is smaller
than the 29,550 acres originally designated in 1998 RMP amendment, as
the preferred alternative removes overlapping/conflicting management
layers. The East Pryor ACEC is located in the same area as three
wilderness study areas (WSAs) and the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range.
In the preferred alternative, the boundaries of the ACEC were changed
to exclude the WSAs, as WSAs have the most restrictive management, and
the management of the WSAs would provide special management needed for
the resource values of concern identified in the East Pryor ACEC. The
1998 boundary of the East Pryor ACEC included only a portion of the
Demi-John Flat National Register District. The boundary has been
expanded in the preferred alternative to include all of Demi-John Flat
National Register District.
Meeteetse Spires ACEC (956 acres plus 567 acres): The
additional 576 acres were acquired from The Conservation Fund by the
BLM in 2009 using money received from the Land and Water Conservation
Fund. The private land was surrounded on three sides by the Meeteetse
Spires ACEC and on one side by the U.S. Forest Service Custer National
Forest (Line Creek Plateau RNA). The 567 acres of private land had been
subdivided and further development would have threatened the adjoining
ACEC.
Weatherman Draw ACEC (4,365 acres plus 7,912 acres): The
proposed 7,912 acre expansion of the ACEC includes the 2009 donation of
621 acres of private land to the BLM.
The preferred alternative (Alternative D) proposes two additional
ACECs: Grove Creek ACEC (8,251 acres) and Pryor Foothills RNA ACEC
(2,606 acres).
The BLM Billings Field Office conducted an inventory of certain
waterways to determine eligibility and suitability for inclusion into
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System for designation by Congress
and drafted interim management prescriptions for those waterway
segments determined ``suitable'' in the planning process.
Following the close of the public review and comment period on this
draft RMP/EIS, public comments will be used to revise the BLM Billings
and Pompeys Pillar National Monument draft RMP/EIS in preparation for
its release to the public as the BLM Billings and Pompeys Pillar
Proposed RMP and Final EIS. While one combined RMP/EIS has been
prepared, two separate Records of Decision (RODS) will be issued for
the Billings Field Office and for Pompeys Pillar National Monument. 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 persons who
submit comments will be available for public review and disclosure at
the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.),
Monday through Friday, except holidays.
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.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2.
Theresa M. Hanley,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-07196 Filed 3-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P
