Extension of Public Comment Period and Schedule of Public Scoping Meetings and Public Meetings for the Proposed Withdrawal of Sagebrush Focal Areas in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, and an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, 70252-70253 [2015-28877]

Download as PDF 70252 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Notices Northeast quarter of Section 8 for a distance of 921.75 feet to the Point of Beginning; thence continuing along said North line, South 88°10′18″ East 921.26 feet; thence South 01°29′02″ West parallel with the West line of said Northeast quarter, 1316.97 feet to the South line of the North half of said Northeast quarter; thence North 88°07′39″ West along said South line, 921.26 feet; thence North 01°29′02″ East, 1316.26 feet to the Point of Beginning. EXCEPT the right of way of NW 319th Street. The above-described lands contain a total of 156.401 acres, more or less, which are subject to all valid rights, reservations, rights-of-way, and easements of record. This proclamation does not affect title to the lands described above, nor does it affect any valid existing easements for public roads, highways, public utilities, railroads, and pipelines, or any other valid easements of rights-of-way or reservations of record. Dated: November 6, 2015. Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2015–28805 Filed 11–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4337–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ACTION: You will receive a reply during normal business hours. Notice. On September 24, 2015, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Withdrawal in the Federal Register. This notice extends the comment period for both the proposed withdrawal and initial scoping for the environmental impact statement (EIS) being prepared to consider the merits of the proposed withdrawal and announces the times, dates, and locations of public meetings. SUMMARY: Written or emailed comments for scoping for the EIS and on the proposed withdrawal may be submitted through January 15, 2016. In addition, through this Notice the BLM is also announcing that it will hold public meetings in December 2015 to focus on relevant issues and environmental concerns, identify possible alternatives, help determine the scope of the EIS, and provide an opportunity for public comments on the proposed withdrawal. For dates and locations for the scoping meetings, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. DATES: Written comments should be sent to the BLM Director, 1849 C Street NW. (WO–200), Washington, DC 20240 or emailed to sagebrush_ withdrawals@blm.gov. ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management [LLWO210000.16X.L11100000.PH0000 LXSISGST0000] Extension of Public Comment Period and Schedule of Public Scoping Meetings and Public Meetings for the Proposed Withdrawal of Sagebrush Focal Areas in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, and an Associated Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mark Mackiewicz, BLM, by telephone at 435–636–3616. 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. Dates & times Locations Dec. 14, 2051: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ....................... 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ....................... jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ....................... Dec. 15, 2015: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ....................... 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ....................... 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ....................... Dec. 16, 2015. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ....................... 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ....................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Nov 12, 2015 The 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 BLM-managed 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 law, but not from leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing or mineral materials laws. Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the BLM will prepare an EIS and conduct public scoping meetings on the withdrawal from the mining law of approximately 10 million acres of BLM- and United States Forest Service-administered public lands, in 6 western states as identified in the Federal Register notice of September 24, 2015 (80 FR 57635). The period for initial scoping comments from the public has been extended from December 23, 2015, to January 15, 2016. These public scoping meetings will also meet the requirements under 43 CFR 2310 to provide public meetings for comment on the Notice of Proposed Withdrawal that published on September 24, 2015. The dates, times, and locations of the meetings are as follows: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM contact Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 484 North Broadway, Burns, OR 97720. Lakeview BLM District Office, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630. Salt Lake City BLM Office, 2370 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, UT 84119. Jody Weil, 503–808–6287. Best Western Vista Inn & Conference Center, 2645 Airport Way, Boise, ID 83709. Rock Springs BLM Field Office, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, WY 82901. The Nugget, 1100 Nugget Avenue, Sparks, NV 89431 ........................ Erin Curtis, 208–373–4016. Great Northern Hotel, 2 South 1st Street East, Malta, MT 59538 ........ Shiloh Suites Conference Hotel, 780 Lindsay Blvd., Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM Jody Weil, 503–808–6287. Megan Crandall, 801–539–4020. Kristen Lenhardt, 307–775–6015. Steve Clutter, 775–861–6629. Al Nash, 406–896–5260. Erin Curtis, 208–373–4016. 13NON1 70253 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 2015 / Notices Dates & times Locations 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ....................... Elko Conference Center, 724 Moren Way, Elko, NV 89801 ................. The EIS will consider a No Action alternative and consider reasonably foreseeable mineral development activities. The EIS does not support a land-use plan or a land-use plan amendment. It will provide a comprehensive programmatic NEPA analysis for the proposed action of the Secretary of the Interior withdrawing these public lands from operation of the mining law for the conservation benefit of the Greater Sage-grouse. The BLM has initially identified the following issues for analysis in this EIS: Air quality/climate, American Indian resources, cultural resources, wilderness and wilderness characteristics, mineral resources, public health and safety, recreation, social and economic conditions, soil resources, soundscapes, special status species, vegetation resources, visual resources, water resources, and fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, the BLM expects to address economic effects of withdrawing these public lands from operation of the mining law, wildlife habitat conservation; improvement, restoration of ecosystem processes; protection of cultural resources, watershed and vegetative community health, new listings of threatened and endangered species and consideration of other sensitive and special status species. Steve Ellis, Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 2015–28877 Filed 11–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [LLNVC00000.L16100000.DR0000; 14– 08807; MO# 4500080864] Opportunity To Comment on Changes to the Nevada and California Greater Sage-Grouse Bi-State Distinct Population Segment Carson City Field Office Consolidated Resource Management Plan and the Tonopah Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment, Nevada Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is soliciting SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Nov 12, 2015 BLM contact Jkt 238001 comments on significant changes to the Proposed Plan as set forth in the Greater Sage-Grouse Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (BSSG) Forest Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), announced on February 13, 2015. Following consideration of any comments on these changes, the BLM intends to issue a Record of Decision (ROD) amending the Carson City Field Office Consolidated Resource Management Plan and the Tonopah Field Office Resource Management Plan. DATES: Written comments on the changes to the Proposed Plan will be accepted until December 14, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the significant changes to the Proposed Plan by any of the following methods: • Email: blm_nv_ccdowebmail@ blm.gov. • Fax: 775–885–6147. • Mail: BLM Carson City District, Attn: Colleen Sievers, Project Manager, 5665 Morgan Mill Rd., Carson City, NV 89701. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Sievers, Project Manager, telephone: 775–885–6168; address: 5665 Morgan Mill Rd., Carson City, NV 89701; email: blm_nv_ccdowebmail@ blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Forest Service (USFS) was the lead agency for preparing the BSSG Forest Plan Amendment (Plan Amendment) and Final EIS. As part of that effort and based on the analysis in the Final EIS, the BLM, a cooperating agency, proposes to amend the Carson City Field Office Consolidated Resource Management Plan and the Tonopah Field Office Resource Management Plan. Following the release of the Proposed Plan and the conclusion of the protest process, the BLM identified changes and a clarification for the Proposed Plan as explained below and determined, pursuant to the applicable authorities (43 CFR 1610.2(f)(5) and 43 CFR 1610.5–1(b)), that public comment on those measures is necessary. The PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Steve Clutter, 775–861–6629. environmental consequences of the proposed changes and clarification have been analyzed as part of the Plan Amendment and Final EIS. After considering any comments on these changes, the BLM expects to issue a ROD amending the Carson City Field Office Consolidated Resource Management Plan and the Tonopah Field Office Resource Management Plan. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Notice of Availability (NOA) for the BSSG Forest Plan Amendment/Draft EIS in the Federal Register on August 23, 2013 (78 FR 52524), which initiated a 90-day comment period. An NOA for the BSSG Forest Plan Amendment/Revised Draft EIS was published by the EPA on July 11, 2014 (79 FR 40100), which initiated a second 90-day comment period. The EPA published the NOA for the BSSG Forest Plan Amendment and Final EIS in the Federal Register on February 13, 2015 (80 FR 8081), which initiated a 30day BLM protest period and 60-day Governors consistency review period. The Plan Amendment and Final EIS identified the BLM Plan as the Proposed Plan. The BLM received three protest letters. In response to those protests and based on additional policy discussions, the BLM has determined that it will clarify and make changes to the Proposed Plan. The clarification and changes include: (1) Identifying disturbance levels within BSSG habitat; (2) Adjusting buffers for tall structures near active or pending leks; (3) Adding a restriction for new high-power transmission lines; and (4) Changing on-the-ground management for habitat connectivity. This notice identifies those clarifications and changes and initiates a 30-day public comment period (43 CFR 1610.2(f)(5) and 43 CFR 1610.5–1(b)). Habitat Disturbance—Proposed Change The BLM is changing the Proposed Plan, as it was set forth in the Plan Amendment and Final EIS, to set a total anthropogenic disturbance of no more than 3 percent of the total BSSG habitat on Federal lands within the Bodie Mountain/Grant, Desert Creek/Fales, and White Mountains population management unit boundaries (C–Wild– S–04), and a total anthropogenic disturbance of no more than 1.5 percent of the total BSSG habitat on Federal lands within the Pine Nut Mountains population management unit (PMU) E:\FR\FM\13NON1.SGM 13NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 219 (Friday, November 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70252-70253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28877]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWO210000.16X.L11100000.PH0000 LXSISGST0000]


Extension of Public Comment Period and Schedule of Public Scoping 
Meetings and Public Meetings for the Proposed Withdrawal of Sagebrush 
Focal Areas in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, and 
an Associated Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: On September 24, 2015, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
published a Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; 
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent 
to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed 
Withdrawal in the Federal Register. This notice extends the comment 
period for both the proposed withdrawal and initial scoping for the 
environmental impact statement (EIS) being prepared to consider the 
merits of the proposed withdrawal and announces the times, dates, and 
locations of public meetings.

DATES: Written or emailed comments for scoping for the EIS and on the 
proposed withdrawal may be submitted through January 15, 2016. In 
addition, through this Notice the BLM is also announcing that it will 
hold public meetings in December 2015 to focus on relevant issues and 
environmental concerns, identify possible alternatives, help determine 
the scope of the EIS, and provide an opportunity for public comments on 
the proposed withdrawal. For dates and locations for the scoping 
meetings, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mark Mackiewicz, BLM, by 
telephone at 435-636-3616. 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 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 BLM-managed 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 law, but not from 
leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing or mineral materials 
laws.
    Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (NEPA), the BLM will prepare an EIS and conduct public 
scoping meetings on the withdrawal from the mining law of approximately 
10 million acres of BLM- and United States Forest Service-administered 
public lands, in 6 western states as identified in the Federal Register 
notice of September 24, 2015 (80 FR 57635). The period for initial 
scoping comments from the public has been extended from December 23, 
2015, to January 15, 2016. These public scoping meetings will also meet 
the requirements under 43 CFR 2310 to provide public meetings for 
comment on the Notice of Proposed Withdrawal that published on 
September 24, 2015.
    The dates, times, and locations of the meetings are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Dates & times                 Locations           BLM contact
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec. 14, 2051:
    5 p.m. to 7 p.m...........  Harney County Chamber   Jody Weil, 503-
                                 of Commerce, 484        808-6287.
                                 North Broadway,
                                 Burns, OR 97720.
    5 p.m. to 7 p.m...........  Lakeview BLM District   Jody Weil, 503-
                                 Office, 1301 South G    808-6287.
                                 Street, Lakeview, OR
                                 97630.
    5 p.m. to 7 p.m...........  Salt Lake City BLM      Megan Crandall,
                                 Office, 2370 South      801-539-4020.
                                 Decker Lake Drive,
                                 West Valley City, UT
                                 84119.
Dec. 15, 2015:
    4 p.m. to 6 p.m...........  Best Western Vista Inn  Erin Curtis, 208-
                                 & Conference Center,    373-4016.
                                 2645 Airport Way,
                                 Boise, ID 83709.
    5 p.m. to 7 p.m...........  Rock Springs BLM Field  Kristen
                                 Office, 280 Highway     Lenhardt, 307-
                                 191 North, Rock         775-6015.
                                 Springs, WY 82901.
    5 p.m. to 7 p.m...........  The Nugget, 1100        Steve Clutter,
                                 Nugget Avenue,          775-861-6629.
                                 Sparks, NV 89431.
    Dec. 16, 2015.............
    2 p.m. to 4 p.m...........  Great Northern Hotel,   Al Nash, 406-896-
                                 2 South 1st Street      5260.
                                 East, Malta, MT 59538.
    4 p.m. to 6 p.m...........  Shiloh Suites           Erin Curtis, 208-
                                 Conference Hotel, 780   373-4016.
                                 Lindsay Blvd., Idaho
                                 Falls, ID 83402.

[[Page 70253]]

 
    5 p.m. to 7 p.m...........  Elko Conference         Steve Clutter,
                                 Center, 724 Moren       775-861-6629.
                                 Way, Elko, NV 89801.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The EIS will consider a No Action alternative and consider 
reasonably foreseeable mineral development activities. The EIS does not 
support a land-use plan or a land-use plan amendment. It will provide a 
comprehensive programmatic NEPA analysis for the proposed action of the 
Secretary of the Interior withdrawing these public lands from operation 
of the mining law for the conservation benefit of the Greater Sage-
grouse.
    The BLM has initially identified the following issues for analysis 
in this EIS: Air quality/climate, American Indian resources, cultural 
resources, wilderness and wilderness characteristics, mineral 
resources, public health and safety, recreation, social and economic 
conditions, soil resources, soundscapes, special status species, 
vegetation resources, visual resources, water resources, and fish and 
wildlife habitat.
    In addition, the BLM expects to address economic effects of 
withdrawing these public lands from operation of the mining law, 
wildlife habitat conservation; improvement, restoration of ecosystem 
processes; protection of cultural resources, watershed and vegetative 
community health, new listings of threatened and endangered species and 
consideration of other sensitive and special status species.

Steve Ellis,
Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 2015-28877 Filed 11-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P

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