Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, 57635-57637 [2015-24212]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Notices issues raised during the protest period and how they were addressed, please refer to the Director’s Protest Resolution Reports for all four ARMPAs, which are available at the following Web site: https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/ planning/planning_overview/protest_ resolution/protestreports.html. The BLM received notifications of inconsistencies and recommendations as to how to resolve them during the Governor’s consistency review period from the States of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. The BLM also received a concurrence letter of consistency from the State of California. On August 6, 2015, the BLM State Directors for Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah sent notification letters to their respective States as to whether they accepted or rejected their recommendations for consistency. The States were then given thirty days to appeal the State Directors’ decisions. The States of Idaho, Nevada, and Utah appealed the BLM State Directors’ decisions. The BLM Director affirmed the State Directors’ decisions on these recommendations as the recommendations did not provide the balance required by 43 CFR 1610.3–2(e). The Director communicated his decisions on the appeals in writing to the Governors concurrently with the release of the RODS. The Proposed LUPAs/Final EISs were selected in the ROD as the ARMPAs, with some minor modifications and clarifications based on protests received, the Governors’ consistency reviews, and internal agency deliberations. Copies of the Idaho and Southwestern Montana GRSG ROD and ARMPA are available upon request and are available for public inspection at: • BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise ID 83709; • BLM Boise District Office, 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705; • BLM Owyhee Field Office, 20 First Avenue West, Marsing, ID 83639; • BLM Idaho Falls District Office, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401; • BLM Salmon Field Office, 1206 South Challis Street, Salmon, ID 83467; • BLM Challis Field Office, 1151 Blue Mountain Road, Challis, ID 83226; • BLM Pocatello Field Office, 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204; • BLM Twin Falls District Office, 2536 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301; • BLM Shoshone Field Office, 400 West F Street, Shoshone, ID 83352; • BLM Burley Field Office, 15 East 200 South, Burley, ID 83318; VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:45 Sep 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 • BLM Coeur d’Alene District Office, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815; • BLM Cottonwood Field Office, 1 Butte Drive, Cottonwood, ID 83522; • BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101; • BLM Butte District Office, 106 North Parkmont, Butte, MT 59701; and • BLM Dillon Field Office, 1005 Selway Drive, Dillon, MT 59725–9431. Copies of the Nevada and Northeastern California GRSG ROD and ARMPA are available upon request and are available for public inspection at: • BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV, 89502; • BLM Winnemucca District Office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Boulevard, Winnemucca, NV, 89445; • BLM Ely District Office, 702 North Industrial Way, Ely, NV, 89301; • BLM Elko District Office, 3900 E. Idaho Street, Elko, NV, 89801; • BLM Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV, 89701; • BLM Battle Mountain District Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV, 89820; • BLM California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W–1623, Sacramento, CA, 95825; • BLM Alturas Field Office, 708 W. 12th Street, Alturas, CA, 96101; • BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 2950 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA, 96130; and • BLM Surprise Field Office, 602 Cressler Street, Cedarville, CA, 96104. Copies of the Oregon GRSG ROD and ARMPA are available upon request and are available for public inspection at: • BLM Oregon State Office, 1220 SW. 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204; • BLM Baker Resource Area Office, 3100 H Street, Baker City, OR 97814; • BLM Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, OR 97738; • BLM Lakeview District Office, 1301 S. G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630; • BLM Prineville District Office, 3050 NE. 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754; and • BLM Vale District Office, 100 Oregon Street, Vale, OR 97918. Copies of the Utah GRSG ROD and ARMPA are available upon request and are available for public inspection at: • BLM Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101; • BLM Cedar City Field Office, 176 East D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, UT 84721; • BLM Fillmore Field Office, 95 East 500 North, Fillmore, UT 84631; PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57635 • BLM Kanab Field Office and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, 669 South Highway 89A, Kanab, UT 84741; • BLM Price Field Office, 125 South 600 West, Price, UT 84501; • BLM Richfield Field Office, 150 East 900 North, Richfield, UT 84701; • BLM Salt Lake Field Office, 2370 S. Decker Lake Boulevard, West Valley City, UT 84119; and • BLM Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, UT 84078. Authority: 36 CFR 219.59, 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2; 43 CFR 1610.5. Amy Lueders, Acting Assistant Director, Renewable Resources & Planning. [FR Doc. 2015–24213 Filed 9–22–15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4310–22–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO210000.15X.L11100000.PH0000 LXSISGST0000] Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management has approved an application to withdraw approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest System lands identified as Sagebrush Focal Areas in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming from location and entry under the United States mining laws to protect the Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat from adverse effects of locatable mineral exploration and mining, subject to valid existing rights. This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years while the application is processed. This notice also provides the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed withdrawal application. In addition, this notice initiates the public scoping process for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and disclose impacts of the proposed withdrawal. SUMMARY: Comments on the proposed withdrawal application or scoping comments on issues to be analyzed in the EIS must be received by December DATES: E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 57636 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Notices 23, 2015. Please clearly indicate whether comments are in regard to the withdrawal application or scoping comments on the EIS. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/ more/sagegrouse.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 90-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public participation will be available upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the BLM Director, 1849 C Street NW., (WO–200), Washington, DC 20240 or electronically to sagebrush_ withdrawals@blm.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark A. Mackiewicz, PMP, Senior National Project Manager BLM, by telephone at 435–636–3616, or by email at mmackiew@blm.gov; or one of the BLM state offices listed below. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to reach the BLM contact person. 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 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) filed an application requesting the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management to withdraw, subject to valid existing rights, approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest System lands located in the States of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming from location and entry under the United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing or mineral materials laws. Copies of the map entitled ‘‘BLM Petition/Application for Sagebrush Focal Areas Withdrawal’’ depicting the lands proposed for withdrawal are posted on our Web site at https:// www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/ sagegrouse.html and are also available from the BLM offices listed below: Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, Idaho 83709. Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101– 4669. Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada 89502. Oregon State Office, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:45 Sep 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009. The Sagebrush Focal Areas include all public and National Forest System lands identified in the townships below: Idaho Boise Meridian T. 1 N., Rs. 17 and 29 E., Tps. 1 and 10 N., R. 18 E., Tps. 1 and 9 to 12 N., R. 19 E., Tps. 1, 2, and 8 to 12 N., R. 20 E., Tps. 1, 2, and 5 to 12 N., R. 21 E., Tps. 1, 2, and 4 to 11 N., R. 22 E., Tps. 1 to 13 N., Rs. 23 and 24 E., Tps. 9, 10, and 12 N., R. 241⁄2 E., Tps. 2 to 12, 15 and 16 N., R. 25 E., Tps. 2 to 5, 8 to 11, and 13 to 16 N., R. 26 E., Tps. 1, 2, 4 to 11, and 13 to 16 N., R. 27 E., Tps. 1, 4 to 9, and 13 to 15 N., R. 28 E., Tps. 1 and 6 to 9 N., R. 30 E., Tps. 8 and 9 N., Rs. 31 and 32 E., Tps. 7 to 9 N., Rs. 34 and 35 E., Tps. 9 to 12 N., R. 36 E., Tps. 10 to 12 N., R. 37 E., Tps. 10 and 11 N., R. 38 E., Tps. 9 to 11 N., R. 39 E., Tps. 8 to 11 N., R. 40 E., Tps. 8 to 10 N., R. 41 E., Tps. 8 to 16 S., R. 1 W., Tps. 9 to 16 S., R. 2 W., Tps. 10 to 16 S., R. 3 W., Tps. 11 to 16 S., R. 4 W., Tps. 12 to 16 S., R. 5 W., Tps. 13 to 16 S., R. 6 W., Tps. 8 to 14, and 16 S., R. 1 E., Tps. 7 to 14 S., R. 2 E., Tps. 8 to 14 S., R. 3 E., Tps. 8 to 16 S., R. 4 E., Tps. 9, and 11 to 16 S., R. 5 E., Tps. 11 to 16 S., R. 6 E., Tps. 13 to 16 S., Rs. 7 and 8 E., Tps. 14 to 16 S., Rs. 9 and 10 E., Tps. 3 and 4 and 14 to 16 S., Rs. 11E., Tps. 2 to 4 and 13 to 16 S., R. 12 E., Tps. 2 to 4 and 12 to 16 S., Rs. 13 and 14 E., Tps. 1 to 4 and 12 to 16 S., Rs. 15 and 17 E., Tps. 1 to 4, and 13 to 16 S., R. 16 and 18 E., Tps. 1 to 3 S., R. 19 E., Tps. 1 to 4 S., Rs. 20 and 24 E., Tps. 1 to 4, and 14 S., R. 21 E., Tps. 1 to 5, and 14 S., R. 22 E., Tps. 1 to 6 S., R. 23 E., Tps. 1 to 3 S., Rs. 25, and 27 to 29 E., T. 1 S., R. 30 E. The areas described contain approximately 3,854,622 acres in Bingham, Blaine, Butte, Camas, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gooding, Jefferson, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Power, and Twin Falls Counties. PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Montana Principal Meridian Tps. 21 to 23 N., R. 20 E., Tps. 20 to 23 N., R. 21 E., Tps. 20 N., R. 22 E., Tps. 19 to 21, 23 and 24 N., R. 23 E., Tps. 18 to 21, 23 and 24 N., Rs. 24 and 25 E., Tps. 18 to 20, 22 to 25, 27 and 28 N., R. 26 E., T. 24 N., R. 261⁄2 E., Tps. 19 to 29 N., R. 27 E., Tps. 20, 22 to 24 and 26 to 29 N., R. 28 E., Tps. 22 to 27 N., R. 29 E., Tps. 22 to 26 N., R. 30 E., Tps. 23 to 26 N., Rs. 31 and 32 E., Tps. 23 to 29 N., Rs. 33, 35 and 36 E., Tps. 24 to 29 N., Rs. 34 and 37 E., Tps. 26 and 27 N., R. 361⁄2 E., Tps. 24 to 28 N., R. 38 E., Tps. 24 to 27 N., R. 39 E., T. 26 N., R. 40 E. The areas described contain approximately 983,156 acres in Fergus, Garfield, Petroleum, Phillips, and Valley Counties. Nevada Mount Diablo Meridian Tps. 44, 46, and 47 N., R. 20 E., Tps. 43 to 47 N., Rs. 21, 40, 45, 53, 54, 55, 69, and 70 E., Tps. 43, 44, and 47 N., R. 22 E., T. 47 N., R. 23 and 231⁄2 E., T. 45 N., R. 31 E., Tps. 44 to 47 N., Rs. 32, 33, 41 and 42 E., Tps. 44 to 48 N., Rs. 34 to 36 E., Tps. 45 to 47 N., R. 37 E., Tps. 42 to 44 N., R. 38 E., Tps. 42 to 47 N., Rs. 39, 46, 49, 50, 57, 58, 60 to 62, 67 and 68 E., Tps. 44 to 46 N., R. 43 E., Tps. 40 to 47 N., R. 47 E., Tps. 41 to 47 N., Rs. 48, and 63 to 66 E., T. 44 N., R. 52 E., Tps. 46 and 47 N., R. 541⁄2 E., Tps. 42 to 45, and 47 N., R. 56 E., Tps. 42 to 44, 46 and 47 N., R. 59 E., The areas described contain approximately 2,797,399 acres in Elko, Humboldt, and Washoe Counties. Oregon Willamette Meridian Tps. 35 and 36 S., R. 21 E., Tps. 32 to 40 S., R. 22 E., Tps. 31 to 40 S., Rs. 23 and 24 E., Tps. 34 to 41 S., Rs. 25, 29, and 46 E., Tps. 33 and 34, 38 to 41 S., R. 26 E., Tps. 32 to 41 S., R. 27 and 28 E., Tps. 35 to 41 S., R. 30 E., Tps. 36 to 41 S., Rs. 31, 40 to 43, 47 and 48 E., Tps. 37 to 40 S., R. 32 E., T. 37 S., R. 321⁄2 E., Tps. 38 to 40 S., R. 33 E., Tps. 40 and 41 S., R. 36 E., Tps. 36 and 37, 39 to 41 S., R. 37 E., Tps. 38 to 41 S., Rs. 38 and 39 E., Tps. 33 to 41 S., Rs. 44 and 45 E., Tps. 37 to 41 S., R. 49 E. E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Notices The areas described contain approximately 1,929,580 acres in Harney, Lake, and Malheur Counties. Utah Salt Lake Meridian Tps. 9 and 10 N., R. 3 E., Tps. 9, 10, 101⁄2, and 11 N., R. 4 E., Tps. 9 to 12 N., R. 5 E., Tps. 9 to 13 N., Rs. 6 to 8 E., Tps. 12, 14, and 15 N., R. 17 W., Tps. 11 to 15 N., R. 18 W., Tps. 10 to 15 N., R. 19 W. The areas described contain approximately 230,808 acres in Box Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties. Wyoming 6th Principal Meridian tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Tps. 27 and 28 N., R. 99 W., Tps. 27 to 29 N., R. 100 W., Tps. 25, 28, and 29 N., R. 101 W., Tps. 28 N., R. 102 W., Tps. 22 N., Rs. 104 and 120 W., Tps. 22, and 25 to 27 N., R. 105 W., Tps. 26 and 27 N., Rs. 106 to 108 W., T. 24 N., R. 112 W., Tps. 23 and 24 N., Rs. 113 and 115 W., Tps. 22 to 24 N., Rs. 114 and 119 W., Tps. 20 to 24 N., R. 117 W., Tps. 21 to 24 N., R. 118 W., Tps. 19 and 20 N., R. 121 W. The areas described contain approximately 252,162 acres in Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, and Uinta Counties. The total areas described aggregate approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest System lands in the six states and counties listed above. The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management has approved the BLM’s application. Therefore, this document constitutes a withdrawal proposal of the Secretary of the Interior (43 CFR 2310.1–3(e)). The purpose of the proposed withdrawal of the Sagebrush Focal Areas in Priority Habitat Management Areas is to protect the Greater SageGrouse and its habitat from adverse effects of locatable mineral exploration and mining subject to valid existing rights. The use of a right-of-way, interagency or cooperative agreement, or surface management by the BLM under 43 CFR part 3715 or 43 CFR part 3809 regulations or by the Forest Service under 36 CFR part 228 would not adequately constrain nondiscretionary uses, which could result in loss of critical sage-grouse habitat. There are no suitable alternative sites for the withdrawal. No water rights would be needed to fulfill the purpose of the requested withdrawal. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:45 Sep 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 Records relating to the application may be examined by contacting the BLM offices listed above. For a period until December 23, 2015, all persons who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the proposed withdrawal may present their views in writing to the BLM Director, 1849 C Street NW., (WO–210), Washington, DC 20240, or electronically to sagebrush_ withdrawals@blm.gov. All comments received will be considered before any final action is taken on the proposed withdrawal. 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 process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: Air quality/climate, American Indian resources, cultural resources, wilderness, mineral resources, public health and safety, recreation, socioeconomic conditions, soil resources, soundscapes, special status species, vegetation resources, visual resources, water resources, and fish and wildlife resources. Because of the nature of a withdrawal of public lands from operation of the mining law, mitigation of its effects is not likely to be an issue requiring detailed analysis. However, consistent with Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1502.14), the BLM will consider whether and what kind of mitigation measures may be appropriate to address the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the approval of this proposed withdrawal. 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 to 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 withdrawal that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57637 requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. Comments including names and street addresses of respondents will be available for public review at the BLM Washington Office at the address noted above, during regular business hours Monday through Friday, except Federal 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. For a period until September 24, 2017, subject to valid existing rights, the lands described in this notice will be segregated from location and entry under the United States mining laws, unless the application/proposal is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, or discretionary land use authorizations may be allowed during the temporary segregative period, but only with approval of the authorized officer of the BLM or the USFS. The application will be processed in accordance with the regulations set forth in 43 CFR part 2300. Neil Kornze, Director, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 2015–24212 Filed 9–22–15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO350000.L14400000.PN0000] Renewal of Approved Information Collection Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: 30-day notice and request for comments. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue the collection of information from owners of surface estates who apply for title to underlying Federally-owned mineral estates. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) previously approved this information collection activity, and assigned it control number 1004–0153. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57635-57637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24212]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWO210000.15X.L11100000.PH0000 LXSISGST0000]


Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho, 
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals 
Management has approved an application to withdraw approximately 10 
million acres of public and National Forest System lands identified as 
Sagebrush Focal Areas in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and 
Wyoming from location and entry under the United States mining laws to 
protect the Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat from adverse effects of 
locatable mineral exploration and mining, subject to valid existing 
rights. This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years 
while the application is processed. This notice also provides the 
public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed withdrawal 
application. In addition, this notice initiates the public scoping 
process for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and 
disclose impacts of the proposed withdrawal.

DATES: Comments on the proposed withdrawal application or scoping 
comments on issues to be analyzed in the EIS must be received by 
December

[[Page 57636]]

23, 2015. Please clearly indicate whether comments are in regard to the 
withdrawal application or scoping comments on the EIS. The date(s) and 
location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days 
in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: 
https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse.html. In order to be 
included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the 
close of the 90-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public 
meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public 
participation will be available upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the BLM Director, 1849 C 
Street NW., (WO-200), Washington, DC 20240 or electronically to 
sagebrush_withdrawals@blm.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark A. Mackiewicz, PMP, Senior 
National Project Manager BLM, by telephone at 435-636-3616, or by email 
at mmackiew@blm.gov; or one of the BLM state offices listed below. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to reach 
the BLM contact person. 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 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) filed an 
application requesting the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land 
and Minerals Management to withdraw, subject to valid existing rights, 
approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest System 
lands located in the States of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and 
Wyoming from location and entry under the United States mining laws, 
but not from leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing or mineral 
materials laws. Copies of the map entitled ``BLM Petition/Application 
for Sagebrush Focal Areas Withdrawal'' depicting the lands proposed for 
withdrawal are posted on our Web site at https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse.html and are also available from the BLM offices 
listed below:

Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, Idaho 83709.
Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101-
4669.
Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada 89502.
Oregon State Office, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204.
Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 
84101.
Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009.

    The Sagebrush Focal Areas include all public and National Forest 
System lands identified in the townships below:

Idaho

Boise Meridian

T. 1 N., Rs. 17 and 29 E.,
Tps. 1 and 10 N., R. 18 E.,
Tps. 1 and 9 to 12 N., R. 19 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, and 8 to 12 N., R. 20 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, and 5 to 12 N., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, and 4 to 11 N., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 1 to 13 N., Rs. 23 and 24 E.,
Tps. 9, 10, and 12 N., R. 24\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 2 to 12, 15 and 16 N., R. 25 E.,
Tps. 2 to 5, 8 to 11, and 13 to 16 N., R. 26 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, 4 to 11, and 13 to 16 N., R. 27 E.,
Tps. 1, 4 to 9, and 13 to 15 N., R. 28 E.,
Tps. 1 and 6 to 9 N., R. 30 E.,
Tps. 8 and 9 N., Rs. 31 and 32 E.,
Tps. 7 to 9 N., Rs. 34 and 35 E.,
Tps. 9 to 12 N., R. 36 E.,
Tps. 10 to 12 N., R. 37 E.,
Tps. 10 and 11 N., R. 38 E.,
Tps. 9 to 11 N., R. 39 E.,
Tps. 8 to 11 N., R. 40 E.,
Tps. 8 to 10 N., R. 41 E.,
Tps. 8 to 16 S., R. 1 W.,
Tps. 9 to 16 S., R. 2 W.,
Tps. 10 to 16 S., R. 3 W.,
Tps. 11 to 16 S., R. 4 W.,
Tps. 12 to 16 S., R. 5 W.,
Tps. 13 to 16 S., R. 6 W.,
Tps. 8 to 14, and 16 S., R. 1 E.,
Tps. 7 to 14 S., R. 2 E.,
Tps. 8 to 14 S., R. 3 E.,
Tps. 8 to 16 S., R. 4 E.,
Tps. 9, and 11 to 16 S., R. 5 E.,
Tps. 11 to 16 S., R. 6 E.,
Tps. 13 to 16 S., Rs. 7 and 8 E.,
Tps. 14 to 16 S., Rs. 9 and 10 E.,
Tps. 3 and 4 and 14 to 16 S., Rs. 11E.,
Tps. 2 to 4 and 13 to 16 S., R. 12 E.,
Tps. 2 to 4 and 12 to 16 S., Rs. 13 and 14 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4 and 12 to 16 S., Rs. 15 and 17 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4, and 13 to 16 S., R. 16 and 18 E.,
Tps. 1 to 3 S., R. 19 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4 S., Rs. 20 and 24 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4, and 14 S., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 1 to 5, and 14 S., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 1 to 6 S., R. 23 E.,
Tps. 1 to 3 S., Rs. 25, and 27 to 29 E.,
T. 1 S., R. 30 E.

    The areas described contain approximately 3,854,622 acres in 
Bingham, Blaine, Butte, Camas, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, 
Gooding, Jefferson, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Power, and Twin 
Falls Counties.

Montana

Principal Meridian

Tps. 21 to 23 N., R. 20 E.,
Tps. 20 to 23 N., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 20 N., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 19 to 21, 23 and 24 N., R. 23 E.,
Tps. 18 to 21, 23 and 24 N., Rs. 24 and 25 E.,
Tps. 18 to 20, 22 to 25, 27 and 28 N., R. 26 E.,
T. 24 N., R. 26\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 19 to 29 N., R. 27 E.,
Tps. 20, 22 to 24 and 26 to 29 N., R. 28 E.,
Tps. 22 to 27 N., R. 29 E.,
Tps. 22 to 26 N., R. 30 E.,
Tps. 23 to 26 N., Rs. 31 and 32 E.,
Tps. 23 to 29 N., Rs. 33, 35 and 36 E.,
Tps. 24 to 29 N., Rs. 34 and 37 E.,
Tps. 26 and 27 N., R. 36\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 24 to 28 N., R. 38 E.,
Tps. 24 to 27 N., R. 39 E.,
T. 26 N., R. 40 E.

    The areas described contain approximately 983,156 acres in Fergus, 
Garfield, Petroleum, Phillips, and Valley Counties.

Nevada

Mount Diablo Meridian

Tps. 44, 46, and 47 N., R. 20 E.,
Tps. 43 to 47 N., Rs. 21, 40, 45, 53, 54, 55, 69, and 70 E.,
Tps. 43, 44, and 47 N., R. 22 E.,
T. 47 N., R. 23 and 23\1/2\ E.,
T. 45 N., R. 31 E.,
Tps. 44 to 47 N., Rs. 32, 33, 41 and 42 E.,
Tps. 44 to 48 N., Rs. 34 to 36 E.,
Tps. 45 to 47 N., R. 37 E.,
Tps. 42 to 44 N., R. 38 E.,
Tps. 42 to 47 N., Rs. 39, 46, 49, 50, 57, 58, 60 to 62, 67 and 68 
E.,
Tps. 44 to 46 N., R. 43 E.,
Tps. 40 to 47 N., R. 47 E.,
Tps. 41 to 47 N., Rs. 48, and 63 to 66 E.,
T. 44 N., R. 52 E.,
Tps. 46 and 47 N., R. 54\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 42 to 45, and 47 N., R. 56 E.,
Tps. 42 to 44, 46 and 47 N., R. 59 E.,

    The areas described contain approximately 2,797,399 acres in Elko, 
Humboldt, and Washoe Counties.

Oregon

Willamette Meridian

Tps. 35 and 36 S., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 32 to 40 S., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 31 to 40 S., Rs. 23 and 24 E.,
Tps. 34 to 41 S., Rs. 25, 29, and 46 E.,
Tps. 33 and 34, 38 to 41 S., R. 26 E.,
Tps. 32 to 41 S., R. 27 and 28 E.,
Tps. 35 to 41 S., R. 30 E.,
Tps. 36 to 41 S., Rs. 31, 40 to 43, 47 and 48 E.,
Tps. 37 to 40 S., R. 32 E.,
T. 37 S., R. 32\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 38 to 40 S., R. 33 E.,
Tps. 40 and 41 S., R. 36 E.,
Tps. 36 and 37, 39 to 41 S., R. 37 E.,
Tps. 38 to 41 S., Rs. 38 and 39 E.,
Tps. 33 to 41 S., Rs. 44 and 45 E.,
Tps. 37 to 41 S., R. 49 E.


[[Page 57637]]


    The areas described contain approximately 1,929,580 acres in 
Harney, Lake, and Malheur Counties.

Utah

Salt Lake Meridian

Tps. 9 and 10 N., R. 3 E.,
Tps. 9, 10, 10\1/2\, and 11 N., R. 4 E.,
Tps. 9 to 12 N., R. 5 E.,
Tps. 9 to 13 N., Rs. 6 to 8 E.,
Tps. 12, 14, and 15 N., R. 17 W.,
Tps. 11 to 15 N., R. 18 W.,
Tps. 10 to 15 N., R. 19 W.

    The areas described contain approximately 230,808 acres in Box 
Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties.

Wyoming

6th Principal Meridian

Tps. 27 and 28 N., R. 99 W.,
Tps. 27 to 29 N., R. 100 W.,
Tps. 25, 28, and 29 N., R. 101 W.,
Tps. 28 N., R. 102 W.,
Tps. 22 N., Rs. 104 and 120 W.,
Tps. 22, and 25 to 27 N., R. 105 W.,
Tps. 26 and 27 N., Rs. 106 to 108 W.,
T. 24 N., R. 112 W.,
Tps. 23 and 24 N., Rs. 113 and 115 W.,
Tps. 22 to 24 N., Rs. 114 and 119 W.,
Tps. 20 to 24 N., R. 117 W.,
Tps. 21 to 24 N., R. 118 W.,
Tps. 19 and 20 N., R. 121 W.

    The areas described contain approximately 252,162 acres in Fremont, 
Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, and Uinta Counties.
    The total areas described aggregate approximately 10 million acres 
of public and National Forest System lands in the six states and 
counties listed above.
    The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals 
Management has approved the BLM's application. Therefore, this document 
constitutes a withdrawal proposal of the Secretary of the Interior (43 
CFR 2310.1-3(e)).
    The purpose of the proposed withdrawal of the Sagebrush Focal Areas 
in Priority Habitat Management Areas is to protect the Greater Sage-
Grouse and its habitat from adverse effects of locatable mineral 
exploration and mining subject to valid existing rights.
    The use of a right-of-way, interagency or cooperative agreement, or 
surface management by the BLM under 43 CFR part 3715 or 43 CFR part 
3809 regulations or by the Forest Service under 36 CFR part 228 would 
not adequately constrain nondiscretionary uses, which could result in 
loss of critical sage-grouse habitat.
    There are no suitable alternative sites for the withdrawal.
    No water rights would be needed to fulfill the purpose of the 
requested withdrawal.
    Records relating to the application may be examined by contacting 
the BLM offices listed above.
    For a period until December 23, 2015, all persons who wish to 
submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the 
proposed withdrawal may present their views in writing to the BLM 
Director, 1849 C Street NW., (WO-210), Washington, DC 20240, or 
electronically to sagebrush_withdrawals@blm.gov.
    All comments received will be considered before any final action is 
taken on the proposed withdrawal.
    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 process for developing the EIS. 
At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: 
Air quality/climate, American Indian resources, cultural resources, 
wilderness, mineral resources, public health and safety, recreation, 
socio-economic conditions, soil resources, soundscapes, special status 
species, vegetation resources, visual resources, water resources, and 
fish and wildlife resources.
    Because of the nature of a withdrawal of public lands from 
operation of the mining law, mitigation of its effects is not likely to 
be an issue requiring detailed analysis. However, consistent with 
Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR 
1502.14), the BLM will consider whether and what kind of mitigation 
measures may be appropriate to address the reasonably foreseeable 
impacts to resources from the approval of this proposed withdrawal.
    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 to 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 withdrawal that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to 
participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be 
requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the 
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
    Comments including names and street addresses of respondents will 
be available for public review at the BLM Washington Office at the 
address noted above, during regular business hours Monday through 
Friday, except Federal 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.
    For a period until September 24, 2017, subject to valid existing 
rights, the lands described in this notice will be segregated from 
location and entry under the United States mining laws, unless the 
application/proposal is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is 
approved prior to that date. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, 
or discretionary land use authorizations may be allowed during the 
temporary segregative period, but only with approval of the authorized 
officer of the BLM or the USFS.
    The application will be processed in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR part 2300.

Neil Kornze,
Director, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 2015-24212 Filed 9-22-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.