Notice of Availability of the Proposed Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Monument Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho, 24387-24389 [2017-10779]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Notices condition, future uses, or any other circumstance or condition. The conveyance of a parcel will not be on a contingency basis. However, to the extent required by law, the parcel is subject to the requirements of Section 120(h) of the CERCLA. The BLM–LVFO must receive the request for escrow instructions prior to 30 days before the prospective patentee’s scheduled closing date. There are no exceptions. All name changes and supporting documentation must be received at the BLM–LVFO 30 days from the date on the high-bidder letter by 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. There are no exceptions. To submit a name change, the apparent high bidder must submit the name change in writing on the Certificate of Eligibility form to the BLM–LVFO. The remainder of the full bid price for the parcel must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, within 180 days following the day of the sale. Payment must be submitted in the form of a certified check, postal money order, bank draft, cashier’s check, or made available by electronic fund transfer made payable in U.S. dollars to the ‘‘Department of the Interior—Bureau of Land Management’’ to the BLM–LVFO. The BLM will not accept personal or company checks. Arrangements for electronic fund transfer to the BLM for payment of the balance due must be made a minimum of two weeks prior to the payment date. Failure to pay the full bid price within 180 days of the sale date will disqualify the high bidder and cause the entire 20 percent bid deposit to be forfeited to the BLM. Forfeiture of the 20 percent bid deposit is in accordance with 43 CFR 2711.3–1(d). There are no exceptions. The BLM can only accept the remainder of the full bid price up to 180 days after the sale date. The BLM will not sign any documents related to 1031 Exchange transactions. The timing for completion of such an exchange is the bidder’s responsibility. The BLM cannot be a party to any 1031 Exchange. In accordance with 43 CFR 2711.3– 1(f), the BLM may accept or reject any or all offers to purchase, or withdraw any parcel of land or interest therein from sale within 30 days, if the BLM authorized officer determines consummation of the sale would be inconsistent with any law, or for other reasons as may be provided by applicable law or regulations. No contractual or other rights against the United States may accrue until the BLM officially accepts the offer to purchase and the full bid price is paid. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 May 25, 2017 Jkt 241001 Upon publication of this notice and until completion of this sale, the BLM will no longer accept land use applications affecting the parcel identified for sale. However, land use applications may be considered after the sale if the parcel is not sold. The parcel may be subject to land use applications received prior to publication of this Notice if processing the application would have no adverse effect on the marketability of title, or the FMV of the parcel. Information concerning the sale, encumbrances of record, appraisals, reservations, procedures and conditions, CERCLA, and other environmental documents that may appear in the BLM public files for the proposed sale parcels are available for review during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, at the BLM– LVFO, except during Federal holidays. In order to determine the FMV through appraisal, certain extraordinary assumptions and hypothetical conditions may have been made concerning the attributes and limitations of the lands and potential effects of local regulations and policies on potential future land uses. Through publication of this notice, the BLM advises that these assumptions may not be endorsed or approved by units of local government. It is the buyer’s responsibility to be aware of all applicable Federal, State, and local government laws, regulations and policies that may affect the subject lands, including any required dedication of lands for public uses. It is also the buyer’s responsibility to be aware of existing or prospective uses of nearby properties. When conveyed out of Federal ownership, the lands will be subject to any applicable laws, regulations, and policies of the applicable local government for proposed future uses. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to be aware through due diligence of those laws, regulations, and policies, and to seek any required local approvals for future uses. Buyers should make themselves aware of any Federal or state law or regulation that may impact the future use of the property. Any land lacking access from a public road or highway will be conveyed as such, and future access acquisition will be the responsibility of the buyer. Any comments regarding the proposed sale will be reviewed by the BLM Nevada State Director or other authorized official of the Department of the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify this realty action in response to such comments. In the absence of any comments, this realty action will PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24387 become the final determination of the Department of the Interior. Authority: 43 CFR 2711.1–2. Kerri-Anne Thorpe, Acting Assistant Field Manager, Division of Lands. [FR Doc. 2017–10864 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [17XL.LLIDT03100.L17110000.DQ0000. 241A00; 4500104491] Notice of Availability of the Proposed Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Monument Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Proposed Monument Management Plan Amendment (Plan Amendment) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve and by this notice is announcing its availability. DATES: BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM’s Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions and files a protest must file the protest within 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies and to other stakeholders, including the ShoshoneBannock and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. Copies of the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS are available for public review at the Shoshone BLM Field Office, 400 West F St., Shoshone, Idaho, 83352. Interested persons may also review the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS online at https:// www.blm.gov/programs/planning-andnepa/plans-in-development/idaho/ craters-of-moon. All protests must be in SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1 24388 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Notices writing and mailed to one of the following addresses: Regular Mail: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, P.O. Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024–1383. Overnight Delivery: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Cresswell, Planning Team Lead, telephone (208)732–7200; address 400 West F St., Shoshone, Idaho 83352; email BLM_ID_CRMO@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact Ms. Cresswell. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Ms. Cresswell. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (hereafter, Monument) Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS in consultation with cooperating agencies, and in accordance with NEPA, FLPMA, implementing regulations, the BLM’s Land Use Planning Handbook (H–1601– 1), the BLM National Environmental Policy Act Handbook (H–1790–1), and other applicable law and policy, including IM No. 2016–105 Land Use Planning and National Environmental Policy Act Compliance within Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plans and Plan Amendments Decision Area. The planning area comprises approximately 753,200 acres of land, which includes 275,100 acres managed by the BLM’s Shoshone, Burley, and Upper Snake Field Offices. Based on this analysis, the Monument Management Plan (Plan) will be amended to guide livestock grazing management on BLM-administered public lands within the Monument into the future. Created in 1924 by Presidential Proclamation 1694, and expanded in 2000 by Presidential Proclamation 7373, the Monument is part of the BLM’s National Conservation Lands and is one of two BLM National Monuments that are jointly managed with the National Park Service. The BLM has completed the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS to determine the appropriate management for livestock grazing on public lands within the Monument. The Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS analyzes grazing management options for the BLM-managed portions of the Monument, identifying lands available for livestock grazing and the number of VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 May 25, 2017 Jkt 241001 authorized Animal Unit Months (AUMs). The Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS updates the 2007 Plan’s grazing management direction to ensure consistency with current laws, regulations, and policies. More specifically, the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS evaluates a range of livestock grazing management options while maintaining the Monument values listed in Proclamation 7373. In addition, the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS addresses a deficiency identified by the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. In 2011, the court found that the BLM erred when adopting the 2007 Plan. First, the court found that the BLM failed to adequately address the most recent science and agency policies relevant to the conservation of Greater sage-grouse. The BLM remedied this defect by issuing the 2015 Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (2015 GRSG ARMPA), which amended the 2007 Plan. Second, the court found that the BLM failed to analyze a range of reasonable alternatives with respect to livestock grazing within the Monument. The BLM is addressing this second error by preparing the Proposed Plan Amendment and Final EIS. The Final EIS includes five alternatives that provide a range of livestock grazing availability and Greater sage-grouse protections. Alternative C is the BLM’s Proposed Plan. Alternative A is the No Action Alternative, which would continue the management established in the 2007 Plan. Under this Alternative, 273,900 acres with the capacity for 38,187 AUMs would be available for livestock grazing. Alternative B would reduce permitted AUMs by 75 percent and close five areas to grazing: Little Park kipuka (an island of older land surrounded by lava flows), the North Pasture of Laidlaw Park Allotment, Larkspur Park kipuka, the North Pasture of Bowl Crater Allotment, and Park Field kipuka. This alternative would adjust two allotment boundaries and make 21,000 acres unavailable for livestock grazing for the protection of Greater sage-grouse and other Monument values. Alternative C, the Proposed Plan, would make 273,600 acres available for livestock grazing and adjust two allotment boundaries, which would set the maximum number of permitted AUMs at 37,792. Where appropriate, livestock grazing would be used as a tool to improve and/or conserve wildlife habitats. Guidelines for livestock grazing management would be set based PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 on vegetation and wildlife habitat conditions and needs. Alternative D would eliminate livestock grazing from BLMadministered lands within the Monument boundary and adjust two allotment boundaries. All livestockrelated developments would be removed. Some fences may be required to exclude livestock from the Monument under this alternative. Alternative E would reduce permitted AUMs by approximately 50 percent and close Larkspur Park kipuka to grazing. This alternative would adjust two allotment boundaries and make 272,800 acres available for grazing, which would set the maximum number of permitted AUMs at 19,338. No net gain in livestock-related infrastructure would be allowed. The land use planning process was initiated on June 28, 2013, through a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register, notifying the public of a formal scoping period and soliciting public participation. The BLM conducted four scoping meetings in July 2013 in the towns of Arco, Carey, Rupert, and American Falls, Idaho. During the scoping period, the public provided the BLM with input on relevant issues to consider in the planning process. Based on this public input and the agency’s goals and objectives, the BLM was able to formulate the five alternatives for consideration and analysis in the Draft EIS. Because Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) nominations were previously analyzed in the 2007 EIS, no new ACEC nominations were solicited during scoping. Comments on the Draft Plan Amendment/Draft EIS received from the public and during internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. Public comments resulted in the addition of clarifying text, but did not significantly change proposed land use plan decisions. Instructions for filing a protest with the BLM Director regarding the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS may be found in the ‘‘Dear Reader’’ Letter of the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS and at 43 CFR 1610.5–2. All protests must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES section above. Emailed protests will not be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Notices the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider the emailed protest as an advance copy and it will receive full consideration after the original letter is received. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please direct emails to protest@blm.gov. Before including your phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your protest, you should be aware that your entire protest—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your protest to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5. Timothy M. Murphy, BLM Idaho State Director. [FR Doc. 2017–10779 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAK930000.L13100000.PP00000 ] Renewal of Approved Information Collection; OMB Control No. 1004– 0196 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 participants in the oil and gas leasing program within the National Petroleum Preserve—Alaska (NPRA). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) previously approved this information collection activity, and assigned it control number 1004–0196. DATES: The OMB is required to respond to this information collection request within 60 days, but may respond after 30 days. For maximum consideration, written comments should be received on or before June 26, 2017. ADDRESSES: Please submit comments directly to the Desk Officer for the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:14 May 25, 2017 Jkt 241001 Department of the Interior (OMB #1004– 0196), Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, fax 202–395–5806, or by electronic mail at OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. Please provide a copy of your comments to the BLM. You may do so via mail, fax, or electronic mail. Mail: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW., Room 2134LM, Attention: Jean Sonneman, Washington, DC 20240. Fax: Jean Sonneman at 202–245– 0050. Electronic mail: jesonnem@blm.gov. Please indicate ‘‘Attn: 1004–0196’’ regardless of the form of your comments. Mr. Wayne Svejnoha at 907–271–4407. Persons who use a telecommunication device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339, to leave a message for Mr. Svejnoha. You may also review the information collection request online at https:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501–3521) and OMB regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 provide that an agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Until OMB approves a collection of information, you are not obligated to respond. In order to obtain and renew an OMB control number, Federal agencies are required to seek public comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d) and 1320.12(a)). As required at 5 CFR 1320.8(d), the BLM published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register on January 13, 2017 (82 FR 4414), and the comment period ended March 14, 2017. The BLM received no comments. The BLM now requests comments on the following subjects: 1. Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper functioning of the BLM, including whether the information will have practical utility; 2. The accuracy of the BLM’s estimate of the burden of collecting the information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 3. The quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24389 4. How to minimize the information collection burden on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other forms of information technology. Please send comments as directed under ADDRESSES and DATES. Please refer to OMB control number 1004–0196 in your correspondence. 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 following information pertains to this request: Title: Oil and Gas Leasing: National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska (43 CFR part 3130). OMB Control Number: 1004–0196. Abstract: In accordance with the Naval Petroleum Reserve Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6501–6508) and regulations at 43 CFR part 3130, the BLM may authorize participation in an NPRA unit agreement. Participants in such an agreement are required to comply with routine data submissions that are used to document drilling and production and ensure compliance with the unit agreement, lease terms, regulations, Onshore Oil and Gas Orders, Notices to Lessees, lease stipulations, or conditions of approval. In addition, participants in such an agreement may apply for reduction of royalty, suspension of operations or production, or a subsurface storage agreement. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Forms: None. Description of Respondents: Participants in the oil and gas leasing program within NPRA. Estimated Annual Responses Annually: 21. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping and Hour Burden Annually: 220 Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping and Non-Hour Cost Burden Annually: None. The estimated burdens are itemized in the following table: E:\FR\FM\26MYN1.SGM 26MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24387-24389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10779]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[17XL.LLIDT03100.L17110000.DQ0000.241A00; 4500104491]


Notice of Availability of the Proposed Craters of the Moon 
National Monument and Preserve Monument Management Plan Amendment and 
Final Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 
prepared a Proposed Monument Management Plan Amendment (Plan Amendment) 
and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the 
Moon National Monument and Preserve and by this notice is announcing 
its availability.

DATES: BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the 
conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's 
Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions 
and files a protest must file the protest within 30 days after the date 
that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of 
availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS have been 
sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies and to 
other stakeholders, including the Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute 
Tribes. Copies of the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS are available 
for public review at the Shoshone BLM Field Office, 400 West F St., 
Shoshone, Idaho, 83352. Interested persons may also review the Proposed 
Plan Amendment/Final EIS online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/plans-in-development/idaho/craters-of-moon. All 
protests must be in

[[Page 24388]]

writing and mailed to one of the following addresses:
    Regular Mail: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, 
P.O. Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383.
    Overnight Delivery: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest 
Coordinator, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Cresswell, Planning Team Lead, 
telephone (208)732-7200; address 400 West F St., Shoshone, Idaho 83352; 
email BLM_ID_CRMO@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 to contact Ms. Cresswell. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 
7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Ms. Cresswell. You 
will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the Craters of the Moon 
National Monument and Preserve (hereafter, Monument) Proposed Plan 
Amendment/Final EIS in consultation with cooperating agencies, and in 
accordance with NEPA, FLPMA, implementing regulations, the BLM's Land 
Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1), the BLM National Environmental Policy 
Act Handbook (H-1790-1), and other applicable law and policy, including 
IM No. 2016-105 Land Use Planning and National Environmental Policy Act 
Compliance within Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management 
Plans and Plan Amendments Decision Area.
    The planning area comprises approximately 753,200 acres of land, 
which includes 275,100 acres managed by the BLM's Shoshone, Burley, and 
Upper Snake Field Offices. Based on this analysis, the Monument 
Management Plan (Plan) will be amended to guide livestock grazing 
management on BLM-administered public lands within the Monument into 
the future. Created in 1924 by Presidential Proclamation 1694, and 
expanded in 2000 by Presidential Proclamation 7373, the Monument is 
part of the BLM's National Conservation Lands and is one of two BLM 
National Monuments that are jointly managed with the National Park 
Service.
    The BLM has completed the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS to 
determine the appropriate management for livestock grazing on public 
lands within the Monument. The Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS 
analyzes grazing management options for the BLM-managed portions of the 
Monument, identifying lands available for livestock grazing and the 
number of authorized Animal Unit Months (AUMs).
    The Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS updates the 2007 Plan's 
grazing management direction to ensure consistency with current laws, 
regulations, and policies. More specifically, the Proposed Plan 
Amendment/Final EIS evaluates a range of livestock grazing management 
options while maintaining the Monument values listed in Proclamation 
7373. In addition, the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS addresses a 
deficiency identified by the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Idaho. In 2011, the court found that the BLM erred when adopting the 
2007 Plan. First, the court found that the BLM failed to adequately 
address the most recent science and agency policies relevant to the 
conservation of Greater sage-grouse. The BLM remedied this defect by 
issuing the 2015 Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan 
Amendment (2015 GRSG ARMPA), which amended the 2007 Plan. Second, the 
court found that the BLM failed to analyze a range of reasonable 
alternatives with respect to livestock grazing within the Monument. The 
BLM is addressing this second error by preparing the Proposed Plan 
Amendment and Final EIS.
    The Final EIS includes five alternatives that provide a range of 
livestock grazing availability and Greater sage-grouse protections. 
Alternative C is the BLM's Proposed Plan.
    Alternative A is the No Action Alternative, which would continue 
the management established in the 2007 Plan. Under this Alternative, 
273,900 acres with the capacity for 38,187 AUMs would be available for 
livestock grazing.
    Alternative B would reduce permitted AUMs by 75 percent and close 
five areas to grazing: Little Park kipuka (an island of older land 
surrounded by lava flows), the North Pasture of Laidlaw Park Allotment, 
Larkspur Park kipuka, the North Pasture of Bowl Crater Allotment, and 
Park Field kipuka. This alternative would adjust two allotment 
boundaries and make 21,000 acres unavailable for livestock grazing for 
the protection of Greater sage-grouse and other Monument values.
    Alternative C, the Proposed Plan, would make 273,600 acres 
available for livestock grazing and adjust two allotment boundaries, 
which would set the maximum number of permitted AUMs at 37,792. Where 
appropriate, livestock grazing would be used as a tool to improve and/
or conserve wildlife habitats. Guidelines for livestock grazing 
management would be set based on vegetation and wildlife habitat 
conditions and needs.
    Alternative D would eliminate livestock grazing from BLM-
administered lands within the Monument boundary and adjust two 
allotment boundaries. All livestock-related developments would be 
removed. Some fences may be required to exclude livestock from the 
Monument under this alternative.
    Alternative E would reduce permitted AUMs by approximately 50 
percent and close Larkspur Park kipuka to grazing. This alternative 
would adjust two allotment boundaries and make 272,800 acres available 
for grazing, which would set the maximum number of permitted AUMs at 
19,338. No net gain in livestock-related infrastructure would be 
allowed.
    The land use planning process was initiated on June 28, 2013, 
through a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register, notifying 
the public of a formal scoping period and soliciting public 
participation. The BLM conducted four scoping meetings in July 2013 in 
the towns of Arco, Carey, Rupert, and American Falls, Idaho. During the 
scoping period, the public provided the BLM with input on relevant 
issues to consider in the planning process. Based on this public input 
and the agency's goals and objectives, the BLM was able to formulate 
the five alternatives for consideration and analysis in the Draft EIS. 
Because Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) nominations were 
previously analyzed in the 2007 EIS, no new ACEC nominations were 
solicited during scoping.
    Comments on the Draft Plan Amendment/Draft EIS received from the 
public and during internal BLM review were considered and incorporated 
as appropriate into the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. Public 
comments resulted in the addition of clarifying text, but did not 
significantly change proposed land use plan decisions.
    Instructions for filing a protest with the BLM Director regarding 
the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS may be found in the ``Dear 
Reader'' Letter of the Craters of the Moon National Monument and 
Preserve Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS and at 43 CFR 1610.5-2. All 
protests must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as 
set forth in the ADDRESSES section above. Emailed protests will not be 
accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides 
the original letter by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by

[[Page 24389]]

the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will 
consider the emailed protest as an advance copy and it will receive 
full consideration after the original letter is received. If you wish 
to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please direct emails 
to protest@blm.gov.
    Before including your phone number, email address, or other 
personal identifying information in your protest, you should be aware 
that your entire protest--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your protest to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 
1610.5.

Timothy M. Murphy,
BLM Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-10779 Filed 5-25-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P
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