Idaho and Southwestern Montana (Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Boise, Caribou-Targhee, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests and Curlew National Grassland); Nevada (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest); Utah (Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-La Sal, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests); Wyoming (Bridger-Teton National Forest); and Wyoming/Colorado (Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland); Amendments to Land Management Plans for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation, 55346-55347 [2017-25112]

Download as PDF 55346 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Horses and Burros Act (16 U.S.C. 1331– 1340), as amended, and 36 CFR 222.60. The Forest Service gathers information from applicants intending to adopt a wild horse and/or burro, and issues a certificate of title related to the adoption. The application form provides the Forest Service information including the: (a) Applicant’s name, address, contact information, history of adoption, and care facility, (b) Description of horse and/or burro to be adopted, (c) Veterinarian certification that animals, prior to issuing certificate of title, are in good condition and receiving proper care and treatment under humane conditions, and (d) Ability to care for animals, transportation, fencing, and intended use. The information will be collected from those who wish to adopt and obtain title to the wild horses and burros. Applicants will fill out the required form in person and submit it to the Forest Service representative administering the wild horse and burro program. The Forest Service representative will review the form and determine whether the applicant understands the terms of adoption and prohibited acts, has been in compliance with the adoption agreement, and will provide or has provided humane treatment, care, and maintenance for the animal while in their care. Without the information from these application forms, the Forest Service will not be able to provide the oversight required to administer the wild horse and burro program as authorized and regulated by law. Type of Respondents: Individuals, private businesses, state governments, tribal governments. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 400. Estimate of Burden Hours per Response: 0.50 hours. Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 200 Hours. Comment Is Invited Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:56 Nov 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in the submission request toward Office of Management and Budget approval. Dated: November 6, 2017. Glenn Casamassa, Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2017–25116 Filed 11–20–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Idaho and Southwestern Montana (Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Boise, Caribou-Targhee, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests and Curlew National Grassland); Nevada (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest); Utah (Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-La Sal, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forests); Wyoming (Bridger-Teton National Forest); and Wyoming/ Colorado (Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland); Amendments to Land Management Plans for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: This notice initiates the scoping process to solicit public comments on greater sage-grouse land management issues that could warrant land management plan amendments. Land management plans for National Forests in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming were amended in September 2015 to incorporate conservation measures to support the continued existence of the greater sage-grouse. New issues have been identified since 2015. The Forest Service intends to work cooperatively with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to address these issues and others to be identified through this scoping process. This notice also identifies the planning rule provisions likely to be directly related, and so applicable, to plan amendments that may be proposed. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received by January 5, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Sage-grouse Amendment Comment, USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, Federal Building, 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401. Comments may also be sent via email to commentsintermtn-regional-office@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 801–625–5277. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Shivik at 801–625–5667 or email johnashivik@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 31, 2017, the United States District Court for the District of Nevada held that the Forest Service violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to provide the public with enough information to meaningfully participate in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process in the Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-grouse Land Management Plan Amendment in Nevada. Specifically, the agencies designated Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs) between the draft and final Environmental Impact Statements. The court remanded the Records of Decision to the agencies to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Western Exploration, LLC v. U.S. Dept. of Interior, 250 F.Supp.3d 718, 750–751. Similar claims were raised in other, pending lawsuits. In order to comply with the court and to address issues identified by the BLM, the states, and various interested parties, the Forest Service is considering the possibility of amending some, all, or none of the Forest Service land management plans that were amended in 2015 regarding greater sage-grouse conservation in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah and Montana (‘‘2015 Sage-Grouse Plans’’). The Forest Service seeks comment on certain parts of the 2015 Sage-Grouse Plans that have been preliminarily identified, but also seeks input on other related issues. The specific topics already identified for consideration include: SFA designations; mitigation standards; disturbance and density caps; modification of habitat boundaries to reflect new information; variance of management approaches within Priority Habitat Management Areas and General Habitat Management Areas; causal factors; adaptive management; the land DATES: E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES use exemptions process; and grazing guidelines. The Forest Service coordinated with the Sage Grouse Task Force and the BLM to identify the preliminary issues with current plan direction. The Forest Service intends to continue to work as a cooperating agency with the BLM in their planning process. This notice and the potential planning effort do not preclude the Forest Service from addressing issues through other means, including policy, training, or administrative changes, nor does it commit the Forest Service to amending some, all, or none of the greater sagegrouse plans. If the Forest Service amends land management plans, we hereby give notice that substantive requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) likely to be directly related, and therefore applicable, to the amendments are in sections 219.8(b) (social and economic sustainability), 219.9 (diversity of plant and animal communities), and 219.10(a)(1) (integrated resource management). In addition to requesting comment on the topics identified in this notice, the Forest Service requests input on whether, if it undertakes plan amendments, the planning effort should occur on a regional, state-by-state, or forest-by-forest basis. In particular, the Forest Service looks forward to receiving the comments of the governors of each affected State. Lead and Cooperating Agencies If any further analysis and associated decision documents are completed, the Forest Service will be the lead agency, but will invite the BLM to act as a cooperating agency. The Forest Service will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed action, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be asked by the Forest Service to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. The public is encouraged to help identify any issues, management questions, or concerns that should be addressed in plan amendment(s) or policy or administrative action. The Forest Service will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management direction that is best suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns. The Forest Service will use an interdisciplinary approach as it VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:56 Nov 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 considers the variety of resource issues and concerns. Dated: November 13, 2017. Jeanne M. Higgins, Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2017–25112 Filed 11–20–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Information Collection; Financial Information Security Request Form Forest Service, USDA. Notice; request for comment. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Forest Service is seeking comments from all interested individuals and organizations on the extension of a currently approved information collection; Financial Information Security Request Form (0596–0204). DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 22, 2018 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to USDAForest Service, Attn: Rico Clarke, Financial Policy, Sidney Yates Federal Building: 201 14th St. SW., Washington, DC 20250. Comments also may be submitted via email to: rclarke@ fs.fed.us. The public may inspect comments received at the above address during normal business hours. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to (703) 605–4938 to facilitate entry to the building. SUMMARY: Rico Clarke, Director of Financial Policy, (703) 605–4938. Individuals who use telecommunications for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at (800) 877–8339, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Financial Information Security Request Form. OMB Number: 0596–0204. Expiration Date of Approval: 02/28/ 18. Type of Request: Extension without Revision. Abstract: The majority of the Forest Service’s financial records are in databases stored at the National Finance Center (NFC). The Forest Service uses employees and contractors to maintain these financial records. The employees FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55347 and contractors must have access to NFC to perform their duties. The Forest Service uses an electronic form FS–6500–214, Financial Information Security Request Form, to apply to NFC for access for a specific employee or contractor. Due to program management decisions and budget constraints, it has been determined that contractors will need to complete and submit the form. The contractor and the Forest Service systems provide the information necessary to complete form FS–6500– 214. The contractor verifies completion of two courses within the last year: Privacy Act Basics and IT (Information Technology) Security. The contractor then enters their short name assigned by the Forest Service. Using the short name, the screen is populated with information that the contractor can change if incorrect. The information includes: Name, work email, work telephone number, and job title. The contractor checks the box for a nonfederal employee and provides the expiration date of the contract. The contractor then selects the databases and actions needed. Based on the database(s) selected, the contractor provides additional information regarding the financial systems, work location, access scope, etc. Once the form is submitted to the client security officer, a one-page agreement automatically prints, which the contractor and client security officer sign. The agreement is a certification statement that acknowledges the contractor’s recognition of the sensitive nature of the information and agrees to use the information only for authorized purposes. The information collected is shared with those managing or overseeing the financial systems used by the Forest Service, this includes auditors. Estimate of Annual Burden: 10 minutes. Type of Respondents: Contracted employees. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 9,549. Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 3. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,774 hours. Comment is invited on: (1) Whether this collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes and the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (2) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55346-55347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25112]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Idaho and Southwestern Montana (Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Boise, 
Caribou-Targhee, Salmon-Challis, and Sawtooth National Forests and 
Curlew National Grassland); Nevada (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest); 
Utah (Ashley, Dixie, Fishlake, Manti-La Sal, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache 
National Forests); Wyoming (Bridger-Teton National Forest); and 
Wyoming/Colorado (Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin 
National Grassland); Amendments to Land Management Plans for Greater 
Sage-Grouse Conservation

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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

SUMMARY: This notice initiates the scoping process to solicit public 
comments on greater sage-grouse land management issues that could 
warrant land management plan amendments. Land management plans for 
National Forests in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming 
were amended in September 2015 to incorporate conservation measures to 
support the continued existence of the greater sage-grouse. New issues 
have been identified since 2015. The Forest Service intends to work 
cooperatively with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to address these 
issues and others to be identified through this scoping process. This 
notice also identifies the planning rule provisions likely to be 
directly related, and so applicable, to plan amendments that may be 
proposed.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by January 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Sage-grouse Amendment Comment, USDA 
Forest Service Intermountain Region, Federal Building, 324 25th Street, 
Ogden, UT 84401. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-intermtn-regional-office@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to 801-625-5277.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Shivik at 801-625-5667 or email 
johnashivik@fs.fed.us.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 31, 2017, the United States 
District Court for the District of Nevada held that the Forest Service 
violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to 
provide the public with enough information to meaningfully participate 
in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process in the Nevada and 
Northeastern California Greater Sage-grouse Land Management Plan 
Amendment in Nevada. Specifically, the agencies designated Sagebrush 
Focal Areas (SFAs) between the draft and final Environmental Impact 
Statements. The court remanded the Records of Decision to the agencies 
to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Western 
Exploration, LLC v. U.S. Dept. of Interior, 250 F.Supp.3d 718, 750-751. 
Similar claims were raised in other, pending lawsuits.
    In order to comply with the court and to address issues identified 
by the BLM, the states, and various interested parties, the Forest 
Service is considering the possibility of amending some, all, or none 
of the Forest Service land management plans that were amended in 2015 
regarding greater sage-grouse conservation in the states of Colorado, 
Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah and Montana (``2015 Sage-Grouse Plans''). 
The Forest Service seeks comment on certain parts of the 2015 Sage-
Grouse Plans that have been preliminarily identified, but also seeks 
input on other related issues. The specific topics already identified 
for consideration include: SFA designations; mitigation standards; 
disturbance and density caps; modification of habitat boundaries to 
reflect new information; variance of management approaches within 
Priority Habitat Management Areas and General Habitat Management Areas; 
causal factors; adaptive management; the land

[[Page 55347]]

use exemptions process; and grazing guidelines.
    The Forest Service coordinated with the Sage Grouse Task Force and 
the BLM to identify the preliminary issues with current plan direction. 
The Forest Service intends to continue to work as a cooperating agency 
with the BLM in their planning process. This notice and the potential 
planning effort do not preclude the Forest Service from addressing 
issues through other means, including policy, training, or 
administrative changes, nor does it commit the Forest Service to 
amending some, all, or none of the greater sage-grouse plans.
    If the Forest Service amends land management plans, we hereby give 
notice that substantive requirements of the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 
219) likely to be directly related, and therefore applicable, to the 
amendments are in sections 219.8(b) (social and economic 
sustainability), 219.9 (diversity of plant and animal communities), and 
219.10(a)(1) (integrated resource management).
    In addition to requesting comment on the topics identified in this 
notice, the Forest Service requests input on whether, if it undertakes 
plan amendments, the planning effort should occur on a regional, state-
by-state, or forest-by-forest basis. In particular, the Forest Service 
looks forward to receiving the comments of the governors of each 
affected State.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    If any further analysis and associated decision documents are 
completed, the Forest Service will be the lead agency, but will invite 
the BLM to act as a cooperating agency. The Forest Service will consult 
with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance 
with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Federal, State, and 
local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be 
interested in or affected by the proposed action, are invited to 
participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be 
asked by the Forest Service to participate in the development of the 
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
    The public is encouraged to help identify any issues, management 
questions, or concerns that should be addressed in plan amendment(s) or 
policy or administrative action. The Forest Service will work 
collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management 
direction that is best suited to local, regional, and national needs 
and concerns. The Forest Service will use an interdisciplinary approach 
as it considers the variety of resource issues and concerns.

    Dated: November 13, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-25112 Filed 11-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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