Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan and Associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Missoula Field Office, Montana, 89504-89505 [2016-29553]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 238 (Monday, December 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89504-89505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29553]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMTB010000. L16100000. DP0000. MO 4500094302.]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan and 
Associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Missoula Field 
Office, Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

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) Missoula Field 
Office intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an 
associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for BLM public lands 
and resources managed by the Missoula Field Office in western Montana 
(Flathead, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, 
and Sanders counties) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of 
the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP 
with the associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing 
until February 10, 2017. 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/mt/st/en/fo/missoula_field_office.html. In order to be included in the 
analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 60-
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 Resource Management Plan and Associated EIS for the 
Missoula Field Office at the Missoula Field Office, 3255 Fort Missoula 
Road, Missoula, MT 59804, during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, or online at 
https://www.blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/missoula_field_office.html. Documents 
pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Missoula Field 
Office, 3255 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maggie Ward, RMP Project Manager, 
Missoula Field Office, at (406) 329-3914 or by email: 
blm_mt_MissoulaRMP@blm.gov to have your name added to our mailing list. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The Service 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 
Field Office, Missoula, Montana intends to prepare a revised RMP with 
associated EIS, for the Missoula Field Office, announces the beginning 
of the scoping process, and seeks public input on issues and planning 
criteria. The area to be covered under the Missoula RMP/EIS is located 
in the western part of Montana in Flathead, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, 
Mineral, Missoula, Powell,

[[Page 89505]]

Ravalli, and Sanders counties. The Missoula RMP planning area comprises 
approximately 156,000 acres of BLM-managed surface lands and 268,660 
acres of BLM-administered Federal minerals. Over 99 percent of the BLM-
managed surface lands are in the Granite, Missoula, and Powell 
counties. 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 planning area have been identified by BLM 
personnel; Federal, State, and local agencies; and other stakeholders.
    Preliminary management concerns and planning criteria have been 
identified by BLM personnel and other agencies. The information in this 
NOI represents the BLM's knowledge to date regarding the existing 
issues and concerns with current land management to replace the 
existing Garnet Resource Area RMP, dated May 1986, as amended. The 
preliminary issues and themes that will be addressed in this planning 
effort include:
     Vegetation Management--How should BLM-administered lands 
be managed, temporally and spatially, to provide for ecological 
resiliency for fish and wildlife habitat and provide a supply of forest 
products that contribute to the economic stability of communities?
     Wildland Fire and Fuels--How should BLM-administered lands 
be managed to reduce the risk of wildfires to communities and integrate 
fire back into the ecosystem?
     Threatened and Endangered Species Habitats--How should 
BLM-administered lands be managed to contribute to the recovery of the 
Canadian lynx, grizzly bear, and bull trout?
     Watershed Management--How should BLM-administered lands be 
managed to contribute to restoring and maintaining the chemical, 
physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters, as well as a 
safe drinking water supply?
     Cultural and Heritage--How should BLM-administered lands 
be managed to contribute to the cultural and heritage values of the 
communities?
     Economics and Community--How should BLM-administered lands 
be managed to contribute to local economies and infrastructure needs 
through recreation opportunities, rights-of-ways, mineral exploration 
and mining, livestock grazing, and forest products?
     Recreation--Where and to what extent should the BLM manage 
developed recreation sites, identify new recreation sites, and improve 
recreation opportunities and beneficial outcomes; and direct use away 
from areas of conflict? How should BLM-administered lands be managed to 
meet the demand for off-highway vehicle use while protecting other 
resources and resource uses?
     Lands, Realty, Access--How should the BLM-administered 
lands improve public access and resource management through retention, 
exchange, or disposal?
     Special Management Area Designations--How should the BLM 
consider nominations for new areas of critical environmental concern 
(ACECs) and any comments specific to the three existing ACECs including 
Rattler Gulch Limestone Cliffs ACEC, Bear Creek Flats ACEC, and Phil 
Wright Rock ACEC; evaluate and determine wild and scenic river 
suitability of the six eligible river segments (Belmont Creek, Rock 
Creek, Gallagher Creek, and three segments on the Blackfoot); and 
consider appropriate management consistent with laws and policies for 
the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail; three Wilderness Study 
Areas (WSA) including Wales Creek WSA, Hoodoo Mountain WSA, and Quigg 
West WSA; and the Garnet Range Back Country Byway.
    You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing 
to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or by using one of the 
methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. To be most helpful, you 
should submit comments by the close of the 60-day scoping period or 
within 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. 
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 revised plan;
    2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; 
or
    3. Issues beyond the scope of this revised plan.
    The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS 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 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 requested by 
the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis 
as a cooperating agency.
    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to address a variety 
of land management issues, such as rangeland management, minerals and 
geology, forestry, outdoor recreation, archaeology, paleontology, 
wildlife and fisheries, lands and realty, hydrology, soils, sociology, 
and economics.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2

Jamie Connell,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-29553 Filed 12-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P