Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the Headwaters Forest Reserve, California, and Prepare an Associated Environmental Assessment, 51301-51302 [2015-20711]
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tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 163 / Monday, August 24, 2015 / Notices
constitutes the final decision of the BLM
and makes the Approved RMP
Amendment effective immediately.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/
Approved RMP Amendment are
available upon request from the Field
Manager, White River Field Office,
Bureau of Land Management, 220 East
Market Street, Meeker, CO 81641 or via
the Internet at https://www.blm.gov/co/
st/en/fo/wrfo.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Heather Sauls, Planning and
Environmental Coordinator; telephone
970–878–3855; White River Field
Office, 220 East Market Street, Meeker,
CO 81641; email hsauls@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, seven 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
WRFO has worked with the public,
interest groups, stakeholders,
cooperating agencies, tribes, the
Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory
Council, and neighboring BLM offices
for the past nine years through the oil
and gas amendment development
process. The result is an Approved RMP
Amendment for oil and gas
development that seeks to provide for a
level of oil and gas development that is
appropriate to the Nation’s energy needs
in a responsible manner of multiple use
that maintains the ecological integrity of
the area and important natural, cultural,
social and historical values.
Included as part of the RMP
Amendment is the Dinosaur Trail
Master Leasing Plan (MLP), which will
minimize the impacts from oil and gas
exploration and development to
important natural resources and areas in
that portion of the planning area,
including the Dinosaur National
Monument, Areas of Critical
Environmental Concern (ACECs), and
Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), .
Impacts will be minimized by managing
leasing opportunities in a phased
approach and imposing controlled
surface use stipulations for visual
resources, night skies, and soundscapes.
While the WRFO Approved RMP
Amendment for Oil and Gas
Development contains some
conservation management measures for
Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, the
Northwest Colorado BLM Greater SageGrouse Plan Amendment and
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:48 Aug 21, 2015
Jkt 235001
fully analyzed applicable Greater SageGrouse conservation measures,
including measures effecting lands
within the WFRO. The BLM expects to
make a comprehensive set of decisions
for managing Greater Sage-Grouse on
lands administered by the WRFO in the
Record of Decision for the Northwest
Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Plan
Amendment. That decision will amend
the 1997 WRFO RMP, as needed,
including any of the changes made to
the 1997 WRFO as part of this Approved
RMP Amendment for Oil and Gas
Development. In the interim, leasing in
Greater Sage-Grouse habitat will
continue to be deferred until a final
decision has been made on the
Northwest Colorado Greater SageGrouse Plan Amendment. The BLM
initiated scoping for the RMP
Amendment in 2006 and collected
information and public input via public
meetings in order to develop the Draft
RMP Amendment/Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) in August 2012.
Based on public and agency comments,
the BLM developed the Proposed RMP
Amendment by combining various
elements of all the alternatives
considered in the Draft RMP
Amendment/EIS. The BLM published
the Proposed RMP Amendment/Final
EIS on March 27, 2015 (80 FR 16424),
and made it available for a 30-day
public protest period. During the protest
period for the Proposed RMP
Amendment/Final EIS, the BLM
received 11 protest letters on a variety
of issues. From those protest letters, the
BLM granted in part one protest
regarding the requirement in BLM’s
ACEC Manual that the BLM conduct a
timely evaluation of ACEC nominations.
As explained in the ROD, the BLM will
evaluate these nominated areas to
determine whether they satisfy the
relevance and importance criteria
consistent with BLM’s planning
regulations and provide temporary
(interim) management for those areas
found to meet the criteria. The BLM
included a timeline for conducting these
evaluations in the ROD. The BLM also
made minor editorial modifications to
the Approved RMP Amendment to
provide further clarification of some of
the decisions.
BLM regulations also require a 60-day
Governor’s Consistency Review period
for the Proposed RMP Amendment/
Final EIS to review consistency with
approved state or local plans, policies,
or programs. The Governor did not
identify any inconsistencies with
approved state or local plans, policies,
or programs.
Management decisions outlined in the
Approved RMP Amendment apply only
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51301
to oil and gas exploration and
development activities on BLMadministered lands in the WRFO
Planning Area and do not address other
resources or resource allocations, or
authorize development of those
resources. Approximately 1.7 million
acres of Federal oil and gas mineral
estate is open to leasing and would be
subject to lease stipulations and other
management actions developed during
this planning effort (i.e., BLM-leasable
acres not associated with WSAs or
surface estate managed by the National
Park Service or U.S. Forest Service).
Major decisions include adopting the
Dinosaur Trail MLP; using thresholds to
promote clustered development to allow
for year-round drilling while reducing
habitat loss due to behavioral avoidance
by big game; using a tiered approach to
managing lands with wilderness
characteristics and identifying specific
success criteria for reclamation.
The Approved RMP Amendment does
not include implementation decisions
that would be appealable to the Interior
Board of Land Appeals under 43 CFR
part 4, subpart E.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6.
Ruth Welch,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015–20882 Filed 8–21–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCAN03900 L17110000.DU0000.15X]
Notice of Intent To Amend the
Resource Management Plan for the
Headwaters Forest Reserve, California,
and Prepare an Associated
Environmental Assessment
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) Arcata Field
Office, Arcata, California, intends to
prepare a Resource Management Plan
(RMP) amendment with an associated
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
Headwaters Forest Reserve and by this
notice is announcing the beginning of
the scoping process to solicit public
comments and identify issues. As the
Headwaters Forest Reserve is jointly
managed by the BLM and the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM
24AUN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
51302
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 163 / Monday, August 24, 2015 / Notices
(CDFW), the BLM and CDFW intend to
concurrently prepare a negative
declaration under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
DATES: This notice initiates the public
scoping process for the RMP
amendment with an associated EA.
Comments on issues may be submitted
in writing until September 23, 2015.
The date(s) and location(s) of any
scoping meetings will be announced at
least 15 days in advance through local
news media, newspapers and the BLM
Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/
en/fo/arcata/headwaters.html. In order
to be included in the analysis, all
comments must be received prior to the
close of the 30-day scoping period or 15
days after the last public meeting,
whichever is later. We will provide
additional opportunities for public
participation as appropriate.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on issues and planning criteria related
to the Headwaters Forest Reserve
Resource Management Plan
Amendment/EA by any of the following
methods:
• Email: headwaters@blm.gov.
• Fax: 707–825–2301.
• Mail: 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata,
CA 95521.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined at the Arcata Field
Office, 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Benjamin Blom, Headwaters Manager,
707–825–2300; 1695 Heindon Road,
Arcata, CA 95521, bblom@blm.gov.
Contact Mr. Blom to have your name
added to our mailing list. Persons who
use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at
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: This
document provides notice that the BLM
Arcata Field Office, Arcata, California,
intends to prepare an RMP amendment
with an associated EA for the
Headwaters Forest Reserve, announces
the beginning of the scoping process,
and seeks public input on issues and
planning criteria. As the Headwaters
Forest Reserve is jointly managed by the
BLM and the CDFW, the BLM and
CDFW intend to concurrently prepare
an EA under NEPA and a negative
declaration under CEQA. The planning
area is located in Humboldt County,
California, and encompasses
approximately 7,500 acres of public
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:48 Aug 21, 2015
Jkt 235001
land. The purpose of the public scoping
process is to determine relevant issues
that will influence the scope of the
environmental analysis, including
alternatives, and guide the planning
process. Preliminary issues for the plan
amendment area have been identified by
BLM personnel; Federal, State, and local
agencies; and other stakeholders. The
issues include forest ecology, fuels, and
wildlife habitat. Preliminary planning
criteria are that: The plan amendment
will focus exclusively on forest
restoration and related programs in the
Headwaters Forest Reserve; the plan
amendment will be compatible with the
existing plans and policies of local,
State, and Federal agencies with an
interest in the Headwaters Forest
Reserve; the plan amendment will be
consistent with the State of California
Ecological Reserve Regulations; and that
all proposed management actions and
alternatives will consider current
scientific information, research and
technology, and inventory and
monitoring information. You may
submit comments on issues and
planning criteria in writing to the BLM
at any public scoping meeting, or you
may submit them to the BLM using one
of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES
section above. To be most helpful, you
should submit comments by the close of
the 30-day scoping period or within 15
days after the last public meeting,
whichever is later.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate
the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill
the public involvement process under
the National Historic Preservation Act
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36
CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about
historic and cultural resources within
the area potentially affected by the
proposed action will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to
such resources.
The BLM will consult with Indian
tribes on a government-to-government
basis in accordance with Executive
Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal
concerns, including impacts on Indian
trust assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local
agencies, along with tribes and other
stakeholders that may be interested in or
affected by the proposed action that the
BLM is evaluating are invited to
participate in the scoping process and,
if eligible, may request or be asked by
the BLM to participate in the
development of the environmental
analysis as a cooperating agency. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
PO 00000
Frm 00107
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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. The minutes and list of attendees
for each scoping meeting will be
available to the public and open for 30
days after the meeting to any participant
who wishes to clarify the views he or
she expressed. The BLM will evaluate
identified issues to be addressed in the
plan, and will place them into one of
three categories:
1. Issues to be resolved in the plan
amendment;
2. Issues to be resolved through policy
or administrative action; or
3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan
amendment.
The BLM will provide an explanation
in the Draft Plan Amendment/EA as to
why an issue was placed in category
two or three. The public is also
encouraged to help identify any
management questions and concerns
that should be addressed in the plan.
The BLM will work collaboratively with
interested parties to identify the
management decisions that are best
suited to local, regional, and national
needs and concerns.
The BLM will use an interdisciplinary
approach to develop the plan
amendment in order to consider the
variety of resource issues and concerns
identified. Specialists with expertise in
the following disciplines will be
involved in the planning process: forest
ecology, wildlife biology, fire and fuels
management, fish biology, geology,
botany, and hydrology.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR
1610.2.
Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015–20711 Filed 8–21–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLMTC 00900.L16100000.DP0000,
MO#4500082592]
Notice of Public Meeting, Dakotas
Resource Advisory Council Meeting
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM
24AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 163 (Monday, August 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51301-51302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20711]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCAN03900 L17110000.DU0000.15X]
Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the
Headwaters Forest Reserve, California, and Prepare an Associated
Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arcata Field
Office, Arcata, California, intends to prepare a Resource Management
Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA)
for the Headwaters Forest Reserve and by this notice is announcing the
beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and
identify issues. As the Headwaters Forest Reserve is jointly managed by
the BLM and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
[[Page 51302]]
(CDFW), the BLM and CDFW intend to concurrently prepare a negative
declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP
amendment with an associated EA. Comments on issues may be submitted in
writing until September 23, 2015. The date(s) and location(s) of any
scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through
local news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/arcata/headwaters.html. In order to be included
in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of
the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting,
whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public
participation as appropriate.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria
related to the Headwaters Forest Reserve Resource Management Plan
Amendment/EA by any of the following methods:
Email: headwaters@blm.gov.
Fax: 707-825-2301.
Mail: 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Arcata
Field Office, 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Benjamin Blom, Headwaters Manager,
707-825-2300; 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521, bblom@blm.gov.
Contact Mr. Blom to have your name added to our mailing list. Persons
who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 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: This document provides notice that the BLM
Arcata Field Office, Arcata, California, intends to prepare an RMP
amendment with an associated EA for the Headwaters Forest Reserve,
announces the beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input
on issues and planning criteria. As the Headwaters Forest Reserve is
jointly managed by the BLM and the CDFW, the BLM and CDFW intend to
concurrently prepare an EA under NEPA and a negative declaration under
CEQA. The planning area is located in Humboldt County, California, and
encompasses approximately 7,500 acres of public land. The purpose of
the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will
influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including
alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary issues for
the plan amendment area have been identified by BLM personnel; Federal,
State, and local agencies; and other stakeholders. The issues include
forest ecology, fuels, and wildlife habitat. Preliminary planning
criteria are that: The plan amendment will focus exclusively on forest
restoration and related programs in the Headwaters Forest Reserve; the
plan amendment will be compatible with the existing plans and policies
of local, State, and Federal agencies with an interest in the
Headwaters Forest Reserve; the plan amendment will be consistent with
the State of California Ecological Reserve Regulations; and that all
proposed management actions and alternatives will consider current
scientific information, research and technology, and inventory and
monitoring information. You may submit comments on issues and planning
criteria in writing to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you
may submit them to the BLM using one of the methods listed in the
ADDRESSES section above. To be most helpful, you should submit comments
by the close of the 30-day scoping period or within 15 days after the
last public meeting, whichever is later.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to
help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic
Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3).
The information about historic and cultural resources within the area
potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the
proposed action that the BLM is evaluating are invited to participate
in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be asked by the
BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as
a cooperating agency. 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. The minutes and list of attendees for each
scoping meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days
after the meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he
or she expressed. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be
addressed in the plan, and will place them into one of three
categories:
1. Issues to be resolved in the plan amendment;
2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action;
or
3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan amendment.
The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft Plan Amendment/EA
as to why an issue was placed in category two or three. The public is
also encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns
that should be addressed in the plan. The BLM will work collaboratively
with interested parties to identify the management decisions that are
best suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns.
The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan
amendment in order to consider the variety of resource issues and
concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following
disciplines will be involved in the planning process: forest ecology,
wildlife biology, fire and fuels management, fish biology, geology,
botany, and hydrology.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2.
Thomas Pogacnik,
Deputy State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-20711 Filed 8-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
