Environmental Impact Statement for a Management Plan for Yellowstone-Area Bison, 13603-13604 [2015-05962]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2015 / Notices
• According to final judgments of the
Indian Claims Commission or the Court
of Federal Claims, the land from which
the Native American human remains
were removed is the aboriginal land of
The Tribes.
• Treaties, Acts of Congress, or
Executive Orders, indicate that the land
from which the Native American human
remains were removed is the aboriginal
land of The Tribes.
• Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the
disposition of the human remains may
be to The Tribes.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any Indian tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not
identified in this notice that wish to
request transfer of control of these
human remains should submit a written
request with information in support of
the request to Dr. Nan Rothschild,
Department of Anthropology, Columbia
University, 1200 Amsterdam Ave., New
York, NY 10027, telephone (212) 854–
4977, email roth@columbia.edu, by
April 15, 2015. After that date, if no
additional requestors have come
forward, transfer of control of the
human remains to The Tribes may
proceed.
The Columbia University, Department
of Anthropology, is responsible for The
Tribes that this notice has been
published.
Dated: February 23, 2015.
Melanie O’Brien,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015–05981 Filed 3–13–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–IMR–YELL–17104; PPWONRADE2,
PMP00EI05.YP0000, 15XP103905]
Environmental Impact Statement for a
Management Plan for YellowstoneArea Bison
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The National Park Service
(NPS) and the State of Montana (State)
are serving as joint lead agencies in the
preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for a plan to manage a
wild and migratory population of
Yellowstone-area bison, while
minimizing brucellosis transmission
between these wild bison and livestock
to the extent practicable.
DATES: Interested individuals,
organizations, and agencies are
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:09 Mar 13, 2015
Jkt 235001
encouraged to provide written
comments regarding the scope of issues
and alternatives to be addressed in the
EIS. The NPS and the State request that
comments be submitted within the 90day comment period, which begins on
the date this Notice of Intent is
published in the Federal Register. A 90day comment period has been
established to maximize the opportunity
for agencies, members of the public and
stakeholders to submit comments for
consideration in this planning effort.
The NPS and State intend to hold public
scoping meetings on the EIS within the
90-day comment period. Specific dates,
times and locations of the public
scoping meetings will be made available
via a joint press release to local media,
a public scoping brochure to be mailed
or emailed to interested parties and on
the NPS’s Planning, Environment and
Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/
YellBisonPlan. The NPS and State will
provide additional opportunities for the
public to offer written comments upon
publication of the draft plan/EIS.
ADDRESSES: Information, including a
copy of the public scoping brochure,
will be available for public review
online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/
YellBisonPlan. Limited copies of the
brochure will also be available in the
Mailroom at the park’s Administration
Building in Mammoth Hot Springs,
Yellowstone National Park, WY and by
request.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Bison are
currently managed under the 2000
Interagency Bison Management Plan
(IBMP) and subsequent adaptive
management adjustments (Information
available at www.ibmp.info). Because of
new information and changed
conditions since the 2000 IBMP, a new
plan is being prepared, along with an
environmental impact statement (EIS),
pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C).
The purpose of the new plan/EIS is to
conserve a wild and migratory
population of Yellowstone-area bison,
while minimizing brucellosis
transmission between these wild bison
and livestock to the extent practicable.
The NPS will exercise decisionmaking authority on the EIS and its
associated Record of Decision (ROD) for
NPS actions within the boundary of
Yellowstone National Park, and the
State will exercise decision-making
authority on the EIS and its associated
ROD for actions on lands in Montana
outside the park’s boundary for which
the State has jurisdiction. The NPS and
State will continue to implement the
2000 IBMP, as adjusted, within and
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
13603
outside Yellowstone National Park
through coordination with the other
IBMP partners until a new decision is
made through this planning process.
The following range of preliminary
draft alternative concepts has been
developed for review and comment. The
alternative concepts and management
tools under consideration may change
based upon input received during
public scoping and throughout the
development of the plan/EIS.
• Alternative 1 (No-Action
Alternative) would continue
implementation of the 2000 IBMP, as
adjusted. As part of the existing IBMP,
this alternative focuses on reducing the
risk of brucellosis transmission from
bison to cattle by managing bison that
leave Yellowstone National Park and
enter the State of Montana. It also seeks
to maintain Montana’s brucellosis-free
status for domestic livestock. The
population guideline for Yellowstonearea bison in the 2000 IBMP and under
this alternative is 3,000 animals.
• Alternative 2 (Minimize Human
Intervention) would prioritize bison
conservation and minimize human
intervention in the management of
Yellowstone-area bison. Bison
abundance would primarily be
regulated through public and treaty
hunting on lands outside of the park in
Montana, and natural processes. The
maximum population limit of bison
under this alternative would be based
on estimates of food-limited carrying
capacity (∼7,500 bison). Other wildlife
management tools, such as habitat
enhancement, could also be
implemented. The risk of brucellosis
transmission from bison to cattle would
be managed through physical separation
and limited hazing of bison back into
the park. However, there would be no
spring haze-back date for bison to be
returned to the park. There would be no
disease suppression efforts or research
to improve suppression techniques in
wildlife.
• Alternative 3 (Limit Bison
Migration into Montana) would focus on
maintaining bison numbers below 3,000
animals, the level at which large
migrations would likely occur during
winter months, thus limiting the
number of bison that migrate out of the
park and into the State of Montana.
Brucellosis transmission would be
minimized through population control,
separation of bison and cattle and
hazing of bison back into the park. In
spring, bison would be hazed back into
the park by May 1 along the northern
park boundary and May 15 along the
western park boundary. Public and
treaty hunting would occur outside of
the park. No brucellosis disease
E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM
16MRN1
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
13604
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 50 / Monday, March 16, 2015 / Notices
suppression actions for wildlife would
be implemented, but research would be
conducted to investigate future disease
suppression tools for cattle and wildlife.
• Alternative 4 (Suppress Brucellosis
Transmission) would prioritize the
prevention of brucellosis transmission
between bison and livestock through a
variety of tools, including disease
suppression techniques, as practicable.
Suppression tools may include
capturing bison at facilities inside or
outside Yellowstone National Park,
culling of likely infectious bison,
vaccination of bison at capture facilities,
sterilization of bison before shipment to
terminal pastures and adjusting land use
by cattle. The population guideline for
Yellowstone-area bison under this
alternative would be 3,000 animals and
would include specific tolerance
thresholds north and west of the park in
the State of Montana. Bison outside of
the park on adjacent lands in Montana
would be managed within an
established boundary to minimize
disease transmission, while also
considering private property and public
safety concerns. Public and treaty
hunting would occur outside of the
park.
• Alternative 5 (Tolerance in
Montana Linked to Overall Bison
Abundance) would seek to expand
bison tolerance north and west of the
park year-round within specific
geographic boundaries (e.g. within the
Gardiner Basin and up to the Taylor
Fork drainage). The current interagency
bison population management guideline
of 3,000 bison would be maintained.
Tolerance thresholds for bison outside
of the park in the State of Montana
would depend on the overall number of
bison in the population, with tolerance
for bison in Montana increasing as the
population approaches the population
guideline. There would be no haze-back
dates, but the agencies would adhere to
all other existing procedures in the 2000
IBMP, as adjusted. Other wildlife
management tools, such as those used to
manage other wildlife species (e.g.,
habitat enhancement), could be
implemented. Public and treaty hunting
would occur outside of the park. No
brucellosis disease suppression actions
for wildlife would be implemented, but
research would be conducted to
investigate future disease suppression
tools for cattle and wildlife.
• Alternative 6 (Balance Bison
Conservation and Brucellosis
Transmission Risk) would allow for the
total bison population to vary over time
within a defined range (Objective =
2,500–4,500 bison) and would also
establish specific tolerance thresholds
north and west of the park in the State
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:09 Mar 13, 2015
Jkt 235001
of Montana. Habitat enhancement,
longer tolerance in spring, or year-round
tolerance for some bison in Montana
could be implemented under this
alternative. Tools such as hazing, public
and treaty hunting and culling near the
park boundary would be used to
regulate population size and
distribution, minimize brucellosis
transmission from bison to cattle and
protect property and human safety. No
brucellosis disease suppression actions
for wildlife would be implemented, but
research would be conducted to
investigate future disease suppression
tools for cattle and wildlife.
Under any proposed action
alternative, the following would be
implemented: (1) Yellowstone bison
would be managed as wildlife in the
park and within defined management
areas in Montana, (2) public and treaty
hunting of bison would occur outside of
the park in Montana, (3) bison
management actions would be
implemented to protect private property
and human safety, (4) a public
engagement program would be
implemented to facilitate the exchange
of information between bison managers,
scientists, and the public.
If you wish to comment during the 90day public comment period, you may
use any one of several methods. The
preferred method for submitting
comments to the NPS and State of
Montana is on the NPS PEPC Web site
at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/
YellBisonPlan. You may also mail or
hand-deliver your comments to the
Superintendent, Yellowstone National
Park, Bison Management Plan, P.O. Box
168, Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming 82190. Comments will also be
accepted during public meetings.
Comments will not be accepted by fax,
email, or any other way than those
specified above. Bulk comments in any
format (hard copy or electronic)
submitted on behalf of others will not be
accepted. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al
Nash, Chief of Public Affairs,
Yellowstone National Park, Bison
Management Plan, P.O. Box 168,
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
PO 00000
Frm 00091
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
82190, or by telephone at (307) 344–
2015.
Dated: January 22, 2015.
Sue E. Masica,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region,
National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–05962 Filed 3–13–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–CB–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–WASO–NAGPRA–17723;
PPWOCRADN0–PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural
Items: Minnesota Historical Society, St.
Paul, MN
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Minnesota Historical
Society, in consultation with the
appropriate Indian tribes or Native
Hawaiian organizations, has determined
that the cultural items listed in this
notice meet the definition of sacred
objects. Lineal descendants or
representatives of any Indian tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not
identified in this notice that wish to
claim these cultural items should
submit a written request to the
Minnesota Historical Society. If no
additional claimants come forward,
transfer of control of the cultural items
to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes,
or Native Hawaiian organizations stated
in this notice may proceed.
DATES: Lineal descendants or
representatives of any Indian tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not
identified in this notice that wish to
claim these cultural items should
submit a written request with
information in support of the claim to
the Minnesota Historical Society at the
address in this notice by April 15, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Leah Bowe, Minnesota
Historical Society, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd.,
St. Paul, MN 55102, telephone (651)
259–3255, email leah.bowe@mnhs.org.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is
here given in accordance with the
Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C.
3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural
items under the control of the
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul,
MN, that meet the definition of sacred
objects under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service’s administrative
responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25
U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in
this notice are the sole responsibility of
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM
16MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13603-13604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05962]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-IMR-YELL-17104; PPWONRADE2, PMP00EI05.YP0000, 15XP103905]
Environmental Impact Statement for a Management Plan for
Yellowstone-Area Bison
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) and the State of Montana
(State) are serving as joint lead agencies in the preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a plan to manage a wild and
migratory population of Yellowstone-area bison, while minimizing
brucellosis transmission between these wild bison and livestock to the
extent practicable.
DATES: Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are
encouraged to provide written comments regarding the scope of issues
and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS. The NPS and the State
request that comments be submitted within the 90-day comment period,
which begins on the date this Notice of Intent is published in the
Federal Register. A 90-day comment period has been established to
maximize the opportunity for agencies, members of the public and
stakeholders to submit comments for consideration in this planning
effort. The NPS and State intend to hold public scoping meetings on the
EIS within the 90-day comment period. Specific dates, times and
locations of the public scoping meetings will be made available via a
joint press release to local media, a public scoping brochure to be
mailed or emailed to interested parties and on the NPS's Planning,
Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/YellBisonPlan. The NPS and State will provide
additional opportunities for the public to offer written comments upon
publication of the draft plan/EIS.
ADDRESSES: Information, including a copy of the public scoping
brochure, will be available for public review online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/YellBisonPlan. Limited copies of the brochure will
also be available in the Mailroom at the park's Administration Building
in Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY and by request.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Bison are currently managed under the 2000
Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) and subsequent adaptive
management adjustments (Information available at www.ibmp.info).
Because of new information and changed conditions since the 2000 IBMP,
a new plan is being prepared, along with an environmental impact
statement (EIS), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C). The purpose of the new plan/EIS is to
conserve a wild and migratory population of Yellowstone-area bison,
while minimizing brucellosis transmission between these wild bison and
livestock to the extent practicable.
The NPS will exercise decision-making authority on the EIS and its
associated Record of Decision (ROD) for NPS actions within the boundary
of Yellowstone National Park, and the State will exercise decision-
making authority on the EIS and its associated ROD for actions on lands
in Montana outside the park's boundary for which the State has
jurisdiction. The NPS and State will continue to implement the 2000
IBMP, as adjusted, within and outside Yellowstone National Park through
coordination with the other IBMP partners until a new decision is made
through this planning process.
The following range of preliminary draft alternative concepts has
been developed for review and comment. The alternative concepts and
management tools under consideration may change based upon input
received during public scoping and throughout the development of the
plan/EIS.
Alternative 1 (No-Action Alternative) would continue
implementation of the 2000 IBMP, as adjusted. As part of the existing
IBMP, this alternative focuses on reducing the risk of brucellosis
transmission from bison to cattle by managing bison that leave
Yellowstone National Park and enter the State of Montana. It also seeks
to maintain Montana's brucellosis-free status for domestic livestock.
The population guideline for Yellowstone-area bison in the 2000 IBMP
and under this alternative is 3,000 animals.
Alternative 2 (Minimize Human Intervention) would
prioritize bison conservation and minimize human intervention in the
management of Yellowstone-area bison. Bison abundance would primarily
be regulated through public and treaty hunting on lands outside of the
park in Montana, and natural processes. The maximum population limit of
bison under this alternative would be based on estimates of food-
limited carrying capacity (~7,500 bison). Other wildlife management
tools, such as habitat enhancement, could also be implemented. The risk
of brucellosis transmission from bison to cattle would be managed
through physical separation and limited hazing of bison back into the
park. However, there would be no spring haze-back date for bison to be
returned to the park. There would be no disease suppression efforts or
research to improve suppression techniques in wildlife.
Alternative 3 (Limit Bison Migration into Montana) would
focus on maintaining bison numbers below 3,000 animals, the level at
which large migrations would likely occur during winter months, thus
limiting the number of bison that migrate out of the park and into the
State of Montana. Brucellosis transmission would be minimized through
population control, separation of bison and cattle and hazing of bison
back into the park. In spring, bison would be hazed back into the park
by May 1 along the northern park boundary and May 15 along the western
park boundary. Public and treaty hunting would occur outside of the
park. No brucellosis disease
[[Page 13604]]
suppression actions for wildlife would be implemented, but research
would be conducted to investigate future disease suppression tools for
cattle and wildlife.
Alternative 4 (Suppress Brucellosis Transmission) would
prioritize the prevention of brucellosis transmission between bison and
livestock through a variety of tools, including disease suppression
techniques, as practicable. Suppression tools may include capturing
bison at facilities inside or outside Yellowstone National Park,
culling of likely infectious bison, vaccination of bison at capture
facilities, sterilization of bison before shipment to terminal pastures
and adjusting land use by cattle. The population guideline for
Yellowstone-area bison under this alternative would be 3,000 animals
and would include specific tolerance thresholds north and west of the
park in the State of Montana. Bison outside of the park on adjacent
lands in Montana would be managed within an established boundary to
minimize disease transmission, while also considering private property
and public safety concerns. Public and treaty hunting would occur
outside of the park.
Alternative 5 (Tolerance in Montana Linked to Overall
Bison Abundance) would seek to expand bison tolerance north and west of
the park year-round within specific geographic boundaries (e.g. within
the Gardiner Basin and up to the Taylor Fork drainage). The current
interagency bison population management guideline of 3,000 bison would
be maintained. Tolerance thresholds for bison outside of the park in
the State of Montana would depend on the overall number of bison in the
population, with tolerance for bison in Montana increasing as the
population approaches the population guideline. There would be no haze-
back dates, but the agencies would adhere to all other existing
procedures in the 2000 IBMP, as adjusted. Other wildlife management
tools, such as those used to manage other wildlife species (e.g.,
habitat enhancement), could be implemented. Public and treaty hunting
would occur outside of the park. No brucellosis disease suppression
actions for wildlife would be implemented, but research would be
conducted to investigate future disease suppression tools for cattle
and wildlife.
Alternative 6 (Balance Bison Conservation and Brucellosis
Transmission Risk) would allow for the total bison population to vary
over time within a defined range (Objective = 2,500-4,500 bison) and
would also establish specific tolerance thresholds north and west of
the park in the State of Montana. Habitat enhancement, longer tolerance
in spring, or year-round tolerance for some bison in Montana could be
implemented under this alternative. Tools such as hazing, public and
treaty hunting and culling near the park boundary would be used to
regulate population size and distribution, minimize brucellosis
transmission from bison to cattle and protect property and human
safety. No brucellosis disease suppression actions for wildlife would
be implemented, but research would be conducted to investigate future
disease suppression tools for cattle and wildlife.
Under any proposed action alternative, the following would be
implemented: (1) Yellowstone bison would be managed as wildlife in the
park and within defined management areas in Montana, (2) public and
treaty hunting of bison would occur outside of the park in Montana, (3)
bison management actions would be implemented to protect private
property and human safety, (4) a public engagement program would be
implemented to facilitate the exchange of information between bison
managers, scientists, and the public.
If you wish to comment during the 90-day public comment period, you
may use any one of several methods. The preferred method for submitting
comments to the NPS and State of Montana is on the NPS PEPC Web site at
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/YellBisonPlan. You may also mail or hand-
deliver your comments to the Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park,
Bison Management Plan, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
82190. Comments will also be accepted during public meetings. Comments
will not be accepted by fax, email, or any other way than those
specified above. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic)
submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Nash, Chief of Public Affairs,
Yellowstone National Park, Bison Management Plan, P.O. Box 168,
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190, or by telephone at (307) 344-
2015.
Dated: January 22, 2015.
Sue E. Masica,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-05962 Filed 3-13-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-CB-P
