Notice of Planning Area Boundary Changes for Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans in Alaska; Amendment to Notices of Intent To Prepare Resource Management Plans for Central Yukon and Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Areas and Associated Environmental Impact Statements, 60706-60707 [2015-25538]

Download as PDF 60706 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714, it is ordered as follows: 1. Subject to valid existing rights, the following described public lands are hereby withdrawn from location and entry under the United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing laws, for a period of 20 years to protect the geological, cultural, botanical, recreational, and biological resources within the New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern, including a Federal investment of $2.8 million for facilities and roads on the lands: asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Willamette Meridian T. 29 S., R. 15 W., Sec. 35, N1⁄2NE1⁄4NE1⁄4; Sec. 36, lot 1, and NW1⁄4NW1⁄4; SAVING AND EXCEPTING that part subject to the right-of-way of Berg Road. T. 30 S., R. 15 W., Sec. 2, W1⁄2SW1⁄4, and a portion of lots 3 and 4 described as follows: Beginning at a point on the north line of said sec. 2, said point being 967.37 ft. westerly of the north quarter corner of said sec. 2; thence S. 9°29′14″ W., 192.13 ft.; thence S. 30°54′ 40″ W., 270.93 ft.; thence N. 83°13′00″ W., 594.73 ft.; thence S. 28° 19′14″ W., 190.01 ft.; thence S. 0°19′14″ W., 422 ft. more or less to the north bank of Four Mile Creek; thence running northwesterly along the north bank of said creek to the north line of said sec. 2; thence easterly along said north line to a point, 1230 ft. more or less to the point of beginning; Sec. 3, lots 3 and 4; Sec. 10, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, E1⁄2NE1⁄4, and SW1⁄4SE1⁄4; Sec. 11, lots 3 to 7, inclusive, excluding an easement 20 feet wide along northerly and easterly boundary of lots 5 and 7; Sec. 15, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, and NW1⁄4NE1⁄4; Sec. 21, lots 1 and 2; Sec. 22, lots 1 and 2, and NW1⁄4SW1⁄4; Sec. 28, lots 2, 3, and 4, and SE1⁄4NE1⁄4; Sec. 32, lot 1; Sec. 33, lot 2. T. 31 S., R. 15 W., Sec. 7, lot 1; Sec. 8, lots 3, 4, 7, and 8. The areas described aggregate 1,140.82 acres in Coos and Curry Counties. 2. The withdrawal made by this order does not alter the applicability of the public land laws other than the mining laws. 3. This withdrawal will expire 20 years from the effective date of this order, unless, as a result of a review conducted before the expiration date pursuant to Section 204(f) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714(f), the Secretary determines that the withdrawal shall be extended. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:12 Oct 06, 2015 Jkt 238001 Dated: September 20, 2015. Janice M. Schneider, Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2015–25541 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–33–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [15X LLAKF02000.L16100000. DS0000.LXSILCYK0000] Notice of Planning Area Boundary Changes for Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plans in Alaska; Amendment to Notices of Intent To Prepare Resource Management Plans for Central Yukon and Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Areas and Associated Environmental Impact Statements Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The administrative boundaries between the Anchorage District Office and Fairbanks District Office have been changed. The administrative boundary adjustments affect two ongoing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) planning efforts by shifting 2.8 million acres of the Central Yukon Planning Area, managed by the Fairbanks District Office, into the Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Area, managed by the Anchorage District Office; and by removing three islands from the Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Area. DATES: These boundary changes were effective on January 9, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bridget Psarianos or Serena Sweet, BLM Alaska State Office, 907–271–4208 and 907–271–4543, respectively. 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: On January 9, 2015, the BLM Director approved administrative boundary adjustments between the Fairbanks District Office and the Anchorage District Office. The primary purposes for these administrative boundary changes are to improve service to the public, and to improve coordination SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 efforts with local, Federal, and State agencies, tribal governments, and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations. The changes create a contiguous management block of land in Western Alaska, facilitate better tribal consultation and coordination, and provide for improved landscape management planning for key habitats. The district offices conducted public outreach meetings with affected communities, ANCSA corporations, and other organizations and entities, and have received support for the proposed changes. The BLM issued notices of intent on June 14, 2013, and July 18, 2013, respectively, to prepare resource management plans (RMPs) for the Central Yukon and Bering Sea-Western Interior planning areas. The administrative boundary adjustments will shift 2.8 million acres of the Central Yukon Planning Area into the Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Area. The 2.8 million-acre area of land is referred to as the ‘‘Nulato Hills.’’ The boundary adjustment transferred the eastern portion of the Nulato Hills, including all of those lands within the boundary of the NANA Corporation, an ANCSA corporation, from the Fairbanks District Office to the Anchorage Field Office. Three islands located off the coast of Alaska will also be removed from the Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Area. Saint Lawrence Island is removed from the planning area as the few remaining acres of BLM-managed land have been selected by two ANCSA village corporations, effectively leaving no public lands for the BLM to manage. Saint Mathew Island is removed from the planning area because all of the lands on the island are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and designated as ‘‘Wilderness.’’ Oil and gas development is prohibited on lands designated as Wilderness. Nunivak Island is also removed from the planning area. There are portions of the island that are not designated Wilderness and would be subject to BLM-administration of oil and gas leasing. However, these lands have a very low likelihood of oil and gas potential. Should future BLM oil and gas potential studies (or industry) indicate otherwise, oil and gas leasing would need to be found to be in the national interest and compatible with the purpose of the Nunivak Island National Wildlife Refuge. If this occurs, in compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act process, an amendment would be necessary for both the Bering Sea-Western Interior Resource Management Plan, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Yukon E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 2015 / Notices Delta National Wildlife Refuge final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (1988). Authority: 43 CFR 1601.2. Ted A. Murphy, Associate State Director. [FR Doc. 2015–25538 Filed 10–6–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLMTM01000.L12320000.FV0000.LVRDMT 110000XXX MO#4500080082] Notice of Intent To Collect Fees at the Zortman Ranger Station and Buffington Day Use Area on Public Land in Phillips County Near Zortman, Montana Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: Pursuant to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Malta Field Office, Malta, Montana, intends to collect fees at the Zortman Ranger Station, a historic U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station now administered by the BLM in Zortman, Montana, and expand the amenity reservation fee at the Buffington Day Use Area at the Camp Creek Recreation Area. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the proposed rental fees by November 6, 2015. Effective April 7, 2015, the BLM Malta Field Office will begin charging expanded amenity fees for the recreational rental of the Zortman Ranger Station and reservation of Buffington Day Use Area, unless the BLM publishes a Federal Register notice to the contrary. The Central Montana Resource Advisory Council reviewed these proposed fees in May 2014. SUMMARY: Comments may be mailed or hand delivered to the BLM Malta Field Office, Attn: Field Manager, 501 South 2nd Street East, Malta, MT 59538. You may also submit comments via email to BLM_MT_Malta_FO@blm.gov or fax to 406–654–5150. Copies of the fee proposal are available at the BLM Malta Field Office, 501 South 2nd Street East, Malta, MT 59538 or on-line at: https://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/malta_ field_office.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Tribby, BLM Outdoor Recreation asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:12 Oct 06, 2015 Jkt 238001 Planner, at the above address, or by calling 406–654–5124. 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: By this Notice, the BLM Malta Field Office is proposing to collect an expanded amenity fee for the rental of the Zortman Ranger Station and historic site and the Buffington Day Use Area. Proposed rental fees and day use fees would be identified and posted on the Malta Field Office Web site, at the Malta Field Office, and distributed in the local media. Fees would be collected as outlined in the field office’s existing Camp Creek Campground, Montana Gulch Campground, Buffington Day Use Area, Zortman Ranger Station and Special Recreation Permits Business Plan. The Zortman Ranger Station, built in 1905, was part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest until 1965 when management of public lands in the area was transferred to the BLM. The site includes the four-room main building, a storage shed and amphitheater which was built for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial celebration. The main building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2013, the BLM partnered with the Forest Service’s historic preservation team to repair the outside of the main building and landscape the yard to divert runoff which was undermining the foundation. The interior of the building has been inventoried and abated for asbestos and lead paint. The site also features an amphitheater which is used for interpretive presentations. Buffington Day Use Area is located within the Camp Creek Recreation Area just northeast of Zortman, Montana. Buffington Day Use Area is utilized by individuals and groups as a parking site for day hikes, family and group gatherings such as picnics, reunions, church group outings and birthday parties. The BLM receives several inquiries each year about reserving the site for weddings and other large gatherings. Since this site has never been designated as a fee area, use is on a first come first serve basis and the facilities cannot be reserved for exclusive use. Establishing the site as a fee area will provide the opportunity for groups to reserve Buffington Day Use PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60707 Area facilities for day use and allow the BLM to collect fees to cover the additional administrative and maintenance costs. The Zortman Community and surrounding rural areas are trying to increase economic and recreational opportunities for local and regional populations by promoting the Little Rocky Mountains area and surrounding public lands south to the Missouri River as a destination for eco-tourism groups and families. The BLM is committed to providing and receiving fair value for the use of developed recreation facilities and services in a manner that meets public use demands, provides quality experiences, and protects important resources. In an effort to meet increasing demands for services and maintenance of the existing historic structure, the BLM would collect fees to offset those ongoing costs. In September 1994, the BLM completed the Record of Decision (ROD) and Approved Phillips Resource Area Resource Management Plan (RMP) which provides for the maintenance and/or enhancement of the recreational quality of BLM land and resources to ensure enjoyable recreation experiences. Collecting expanded amenity fees for the Zortman Ranger Station and Buffington Day Use Area would provide a reliable source of funding to ensure the long-term maintenance of these facilities for future recreational use. The collection of user fees was also addressed in the Business Plan, prepared pursuant to the REA and BLM recreation fee program policy. This Business Plan establishes the rationale for charging recreation fees. In accordance with BLM recreation fee program policy, the Business Plan explains the fee collection process and outlines how the fees with be used within the Malta Field Office. The BLM has notified and involved the public at each stage of the public participation process addressed by REA, including the proposal to collect fees, through the Central Montana Resource Advisory Council and other public scoping avenues. Fee amounts will be posted on the BLM Malta Field Office Web site and at the Malta Field Office. Copies of the Business Plan are available at the Malta Field Office and the BLM Montana State Office. Pursuant to the REA (16 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.), the Secretary may establish, modify, charge and collect recreation fees at Federal recreation lands and waters. Specifically, pursuant to Section 6802(g)(2)(C) of the REA, the Secretary may charge an expanded amenity recreation fee, either in addition to a standard amenity fee, or by itself, for the E:\FR\FM\07OCN1.SGM 07OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60706-60707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25538]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[15X LLAKF02000.L16100000. DS0000.LXSILCYK0000]


Notice of Planning Area Boundary Changes for Bureau of Land 
Management Resource Management Plans in Alaska; Amendment to Notices of 
Intent To Prepare Resource Management Plans for Central Yukon and 
Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Areas and Associated Environmental 
Impact Statements

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The administrative boundaries between the Anchorage District 
Office and Fairbanks District Office have been changed. The 
administrative boundary adjustments affect two ongoing Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) planning efforts by shifting 2.8 million acres of the 
Central Yukon Planning Area, managed by the Fairbanks District Office, 
into the Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Area, managed by the 
Anchorage District Office; and by removing three islands from the 
Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Area.

DATES: These boundary changes were effective on January 9, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bridget Psarianos or Serena Sweet, BLM 
Alaska State Office, 907-271-4208 and 907-271-4543, respectively. 
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: On January 9, 2015, the BLM Director 
approved administrative boundary adjustments between the Fairbanks 
District Office and the Anchorage District Office. The primary purposes 
for these administrative boundary changes are to improve service to the 
public, and to improve coordination efforts with local, Federal, and 
State agencies, tribal governments, and Alaska Native Claims Settlement 
Act (ANCSA) corporations. The changes create a contiguous management 
block of land in Western Alaska, facilitate better tribal consultation 
and coordination, and provide for improved landscape management 
planning for key habitats. The district offices conducted public 
outreach meetings with affected communities, ANCSA corporations, and 
other organizations and entities, and have received support for the 
proposed changes.
    The BLM issued notices of intent on June 14, 2013, and July 18, 
2013, respectively, to prepare resource management plans (RMPs) for the 
Central Yukon and Bering Sea-Western Interior planning areas. The 
administrative boundary adjustments will shift 2.8 million acres of the 
Central Yukon Planning Area into the Bering Sea-Western Interior 
Planning Area. The 2.8 million-acre area of land is referred to as the 
``Nulato Hills.'' The boundary adjustment transferred the eastern 
portion of the Nulato Hills, including all of those lands within the 
boundary of the NANA Corporation, an ANCSA corporation, from the 
Fairbanks District Office to the Anchorage Field Office.
    Three islands located off the coast of Alaska will also be removed 
from the Bering Sea-Western Interior Planning Area. Saint Lawrence 
Island is removed from the planning area as the few remaining acres of 
BLM-managed land have been selected by two ANCSA village corporations, 
effectively leaving no public lands for the BLM to manage. Saint Mathew 
Island is removed from the planning area because all of the lands on 
the island are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 
designated as ``Wilderness.'' Oil and gas development is prohibited on 
lands designated as Wilderness. Nunivak Island is also removed from the 
planning area. There are portions of the island that are not designated 
Wilderness and would be subject to BLM-administration of oil and gas 
leasing. However, these lands have a very low likelihood of oil and gas 
potential. Should future BLM oil and gas potential studies (or 
industry) indicate otherwise, oil and gas leasing would need to be 
found to be in the national interest and compatible with the purpose of 
the Nunivak Island National Wildlife Refuge. If this occurs, in 
compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act process, an 
amendment would be necessary for both the Bering Sea-Western Interior 
Resource Management Plan, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 
Yukon

[[Page 60707]]

Delta National Wildlife Refuge final Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
(1988).

    Authority: 43 CFR 1601.2.

Ted A. Murphy,
Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-25538 Filed 10-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.