Notice of Availability of the Idaho Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation, 19801-19803 [2018-09522]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2018 / Notices
SO 3353, Greater Sage-Grouse
Conservation and Cooperation with
Western States (June 7, 2017), and in
accordance with SO 3349, American
Energy Independence (March 29, 2017).
The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
proposes to amend the RMPs for field
offices on BLM lands within BLM
Nevada and Northeastern California
boundaries. The current management
decisions for resources are described in
the following resource management
plans (RMPs):
• Alturas RMP (2008)
• Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon
NCA RMP (2004)
• Carson City Consolidated RMP (2001)
• Eagle Lake RMP (2008)
• Elko RMP (1987)
• Ely RMP (2008)
• Shoshone-Eureka RMP (1986)
• Surprise RMP (2008)
• Tonopah RMP (1997)
• Wells RMP (1985)
• Winnemucca RMP (2015)
The planning area includes
approximately 70.3 million acres of
BLM, National Park Service, United
States Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, State, local, and private
lands located in Nevada and
Northeastern California, in 17 counties:
Churchill, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt,
Lander, Lassen, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral,
Modoc, Nye, Pershing, Plumas, Sierra,
Storey, Washoe, and White Pine. Within
the decision area, the BLM administers
approximately 45.4 million acres of
public lands, providing approximately
20.5 million acres of GRSG habitat.
Surface management decisions made as
a result of this RMP Amendment/Draft
EIS will apply only to BLM
administered lands in the decision area.
The formal public scoping process for
the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
began on October 11, 2017, with the
publication of a Notice of Intent in the
Federal Register (82 FR 47248), and
ended on December 1, 2017. The
following public scoping meetings were
held in Nevada and Northeastern
California:
—Alturas, CA; November 3, 2017
—Reno, NV; November 7, 2017
—Elko, NV; November 8, 2017
—Ely, NV; November 9, 2017
The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
addresses the designation of Sagebrush
Focal Areas, mitigation, adjustments to
habitat management area designations to
reflect new information, reversing
adaptive management responses when
the BLM determines that resource
conditions no longer warrant those
responses (in addition to addressing
updates to the adaptive management
strategy based on best available science),
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 May 03, 2018
Jkt 244001
allocation exception processes, seasonal
timing restrictions, modifying habitat
objectives when best available science is
available, and through plan
clarification: Modifying lek buffers,
requirements for required design
features, and corrections relative to land
health assessments and sage grouse
habitat objectives.
The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
evaluates two alternatives in detail,
including the No Action Alternative
(Alternative A) and an action alternative
(Alternative B: Management Alignment).
Alternative B has been identified as
BLM’s Preferred Alternative for the
purposes of public comment and
review. Identification of this alternative,
however, does not represent final
agency direction, and the Proposed RMP
Amendment/Final EIS may reflect
changes or adjustments from
information received during public
comment, from new information, or
from changes in BLM policies or
priorities. The Proposed RMP
Amendment/Final EIS may include
objectives and actions described in the
other analyzed alternative as well.
Alternative A would retain the
current management goals, objectives,
and direction specified in the current
RMPs for each field office.
Please note that public comments and
information submitted including names,
street addresses, and email addresses of
persons who submit comments will be
available for public review and
disclosure at the addresses provided in
the ADDRESSES section of this notice
during regular business hours (8:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday,
except holidays.
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.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10,
43 CFR 1610.2.
Michael C. Courtney,
Acting BLM Nevada State Director.
[FR Doc. 2018–09520 Filed 5–3–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–84–P
PO 00000
Frm 00122
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
19801
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLWO200000.LXSGPL000000.18x.L111000
00.PH0000]
Notice of Availability of the Idaho Draft
Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Draft Environmental
Impact Statement for Greater SageGrouse Conservation
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976, as
amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) has prepared the
Idaho Draft Resource Management Plan
(RMP) Amendment and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Idaho Greater Sage-Grouse
(GRSG) Planning Area, and by this
notice is announcing the opening of the
comment period. BLM Idaho is
soliciting comments on the entire Draft
EIS, as well as the specific planning
issues mentioned in this NOA, and the
cumulative effects analysis.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be
considered, the BLM must receive
written comments on the Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days
following the date the Environmental
Protection Agency publishes a notice of
availability of the Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS in the Federal
Register. The BLM will announce future
meetings or hearings and any other
public participation activities at least 15
days in advance through public notices,
media releases, and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
related to the Idaho Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS by any of the
following methods:
• Website: https://goo.gl/f94eKW
• Mail: BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 S
Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709
• Fax: 208–373–3805
Copies of the Idaho Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS for Greater SageGrouse Conservation are available in the
BLM Idaho State Office at the above
address.
SUMMARY:
For
further information contact Jonathan
Beck, Greater Sage-Grouse
Implementation Coordinator, telephone
(208) 373–3841; address 1387 S Vinnell
Way, Boise, ID 83709; email jmbeck@
blm.gov. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
04MYN1
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
19802
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2018 / Notices
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
contact the above individual during
normal business hours. The FRS 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: Greater
Sage-Grouse is a state-managed species
that is dependent on sagebrush steppe
ecosystems. These ecosystems are
managed in partnership across the range
of the Greater Sage-Grouse by federal,
state, and local authorities. Efforts to
conserve the species and its habitat date
back to the 1950s. Over the past two
decades, state wildlife agencies, federal
agencies, and many others in the range
of the species have been collaborating to
conserve Greater Sage-Grouse and its
habitats. The United States Department
of the Interior (DOI) and the BLM have
broad responsibilities to manage federal
lands and resources for the public
benefit. Nearly half of Greater SageGrouse habitat is managed by the BLM.
The BLM is committed to being a good
neighbor and investing in on-the-ground
conservation activities through close
collaboration with State governments,
local communities, private landowners,
and other stakeholders.
In September 2015, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined
that the Greater Sage-Grouse did not
warrant listing under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973. The USFWS based
its ‘‘not warranted’’ determination, in
part, on the conservation commitments
and management actions in the BLM
and U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service)
Greater Sage-Grouse land use plan
amendments and revisions (2015 GRSG
land use plan decisions), as well as on
other private, state, and federal
conservation efforts. Since 2015 the
BLM, in discussion with partners,
primarily Governors and state wildlife
management agencies, recognized that
several refinements and policy updates
could help strengthen conservation
efforts, while providing increased
economic opportunity to local
communities. The BLM and Department
of Interior worked closely with
Governors charged with managing
Greater Sage-Grouse to determine
whether some, none, or all of the 2015
Land Use Plans should be amended.
After carefully considering the
Governor’s input, and using its
discretion and authority under FLPMA,
as well as under direction from the
Secretary, including Secretary’s Order
(SO) 3353, the BLM proposes amending
the Idaho Greater Sage-Grouse land use
plans that address GRSG management.
This action is proposed to enhance
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 May 03, 2018
Jkt 244001
cooperation and improve alignment
with the state plans or management
strategies, in accordance with the BLM’s
multiple use and sustained yield
mission. The BLM prepared the Idaho
Greater Sage-Grouse Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS to address
alternatives that will build upon its
commitment to conserve and restore
Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, while
improving collaboration and alignment
with state management strategies for
Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM seeks to
improve management alignment in ways
that will increase management
flexibility, maintain access to public
resources, and promote conservation
outcomes. The BLM used internal,
agency, and public scoping to identify
issues considered in the environmental
analysis. As part of this analysis, the
BLM also examined the range of
alternatives evaluated in the BLM’s
2015 GRSG land use plan decisions and
their supporting NEPA analyses.
This Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
is one of six separate planning efforts
that are being undertaken in response to
SO 3353, Greater Sage-Grouse
Conservation and Cooperation with
Western States (June 7, 2017), and in
accordance with SO 3349, American
Energy Independence (March 29, 2017).
The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
proposes to amend the RMPs for field
offices on BLM lands within BLM Idaho
boundaries. The current management
decisions for resources are described in
the following RMPs and Management
Framework Plans (MFPs):
• Bennett Hills/Timmerman Hills MFP
(BLM 1980)
• Big Desert MFP (BLM 1981)
• Big Lost MFP (BLM 1983)
• Bruneau MFP (BLM 1983)
• Cascade RMP (BLM 1988)
• Cassia RMP (BLM 1985)
• Challis RMP (BLM 1999)
• Craters of the Moon National
Monument RMP (BLM 2006)
• Four Rivers RMP Revision
• Jarbidge RMP Revision (BLM 2015)
• Jarbidge RMP (BLM 1987)
• Kuna MFP (BLM 1983)
• Lemhi RMP (BLM 1987)
• Little Lost-Birch Creek MFP (BLM
1981)
• Magic MFP (BLM 1975)
• Medicine Lodge RMP (BLM 1981)
• Monument RMP (BLM 1985)
• Owyhee RMP (BLM 1999)
• Pocatello RMP (BLM 2012)
• Snake River Birds of Prey National
Conservation Area RMP (BLM 2008)
• Sun Valley MFP (BLM 1981)
• Twin Falls MFP (BLM 1982)
• Upper Snake RMP Revision
The Idaho planning area includes
approximately 39,553,628 acres of BLM,
PO 00000
Frm 00123
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
National Park Service, U.S. Forest
Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation,
State, local, and private lands in 28
counties: (Ada, Adams, Bear Lake,
Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Butte,
Camas, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Custer,
Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Gooding,
Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln,
Madison, Minidoka, Oneida, Owyhee,
Payette, Power, Twin Falls, and
Washington). Within the decision area,
the BLM administers approximately
11,470,301 acres of public lands,
providing approximately 8,809,326
acres of GRSG habitat. Surface
management decision changes proposed
in this Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
would apply only to BLM administered
lands in the decision area.
The formal public scoping process for
the RMP Amendment/EIS began on
October 11, 2017, with the publication
of a Notice of Intent in the Federal
Register (82 FR 47248), and ended on
December 1, 2017. Meetings were held
in:
—Twin Falls, Idaho; November 2, 2017
—Idaho Falls, Idaho; November 6, 2017
—Marsing, Idaho; November 7, 2017
The RMP Amendment/EIS addresses
the designation of sagebrush focal areas,
mitigation standards, lek buffers,
disturbance and density caps, and
adjustments to habitat boundaries to
reflect new information. The Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS evaluates two
alternatives in detail, including the No
Action Alternative (Alternative A) and
one action alternative (Management
Alignment Alternative). The
Management Alignment Alternative has
been identified as BLM’s Preferred
Alternative for the purposes of public
comment and review. Identification of
these alternatives, however, does not
represent final agency direction, and the
Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS
may reflect changes or adjustments from
information received during public
comment, from new information, or
from changes in BLM policies or
priorities. The Proposed RMP
Amendments/Final EIS may include
objectives and actions described in the
other analyzed alternative as well.
Alternative A would retain the current
management goals, objectives, and
direction specified in the current land
use plans for each field office.
Please note that public comments and
information submitted including names,
street addresses, and email addresses of
persons who submit comments will be
available for public review at the
address provided in the ADDRESSES
section of this notice during regular
business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.),
Monday through Friday, except
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
04MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2018 / Notices
holidays. 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.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10,
43 CFR 1610.2.
Peter J. Ditton,
Acting BLM Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2018–09522 Filed 5–3–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–84–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLWO200000. LXSGPL000000. 18x.
L11100000.PH0000]
Notice of Availability of the Utah Draft
Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Environmental Impact
Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse
Conservation
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976, as
amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) has prepared the
Utah Draft Resource Management Plan
(RMP) Amendment and Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Utah Greater Sage-Grouse
(GRSG) Planning Area and by this
notice is announcing the opening of the
comment period. BLM Utah is soliciting
comments on the entire Draft EIS, as
well as the specific planning issues
mentioned in this NOA, and the
cumulative effects analysis.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be
considered, the BLM must receive
written comments on the Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days
following the date the Environmental
Protection Agency publishes a notice of
availability of the Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS in the Federal
Register. The BLM will announce future
meetings or hearings and any other
public participation activities at least 15
days in advance through public notices,
media releases, and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
related to the Utah GRSG Draft RMP
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 May 03, 2018
Jkt 244001
Amendment/Draft EIS by any of the
following methods:
• Website: https://goo.gl/ywBXSn.
• Mail: BLM Utah State Office, 440
West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake
City, UT 84101.
Copies of the Utah GRSG Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS are available in
the Utah State Office or on the project
website at the addresses above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information contact Quincy
Bahr, BLM Utah Sage-Grouse
Coordinator, telephone 801–539–4122;
address 440 West 200 South, Suite 500,
Salt Lake City, UT 84101; or by email
qfbahr@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 Mr. Bahr. The FRS is available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave
a message or question with Mr. Bahr.
You will receive a reply during normal
business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Greater
Sage-Grouse is a state-managed species
that is dependent on sagebrush steppe
ecosystems. These ecosystems are
managed in partnership across the range
of the Greater Sage-Grouse by federal,
state, and local authorities. Efforts to
conserve the species and its habitat date
back to the 1950s. Over the past two
decades, state wildlife agencies, federal
agencies, and many others in the range
of the species have been collaborating to
conserve Greater Sage-Grouse and its
habitats. The United States Department
of the Interior (DOI) and the BLM have
broad responsibilities to manage federal
lands and resources for the public
benefit. Nearly half of Greater SageGrouse habitat is managed by the BLM.
The BLM is committed to being a good
neighbor and investing in on-the-ground
conservation activities through close
collaboration with State governments,
local communities, private landowners,
and other stakeholders.
In September 2015, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined
that the Greater Sage-Grouse did not
warrant listing under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973. The USFWS based
its ‘‘not warranted’’ determination, in
part, on the conservation commitments
and management actions in the BLM
and U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service)
Greater Sage-Grouse land use plan
amendments and revisions (2015 GRSG
land use plan decisions), as well as on
other private, state, and federal
conservation efforts. Since 2015 the
BLM, in discussion with partners,
primarily Governors and state wildlife
management agencies, recognized that
several refinements and policy updates
PO 00000
Frm 00124
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
19803
could help strengthen conservation
efforts, while providing increased
economic opportunity to local
communities. The BLM and Department
of Interior worked closely with
Governors charged with managing
Greater Sage-Grouse to determine
whether some, none, or all of the 2015
Land Use Plans should be amended.
After carefully considering the
Governor’s input, and using its
discretion and authority under FLPMA,
as well as under direction from the
Secretary, including Secretary’s Order
(SO) 3353, the BLM proposes amending
the Utah Greater Sage-Grouse land use
plans that address GRSG management.
This action is proposed to enhance
cooperation and improve alignment
with the state plans or management
strategies, in accordance with the BLM’s
multiple use and sustained yield
mission. The BLM prepared the Utah
GRSG Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
to address alternatives that will build
upon its commitment to conserve and
restore Greater Sage-Grouse habitat,
while improving collaboration and
alignment with state management
strategies for Greater Sage-Grouse. The
BLM seeks to improve management
alignment in ways that will increase
management flexibility, maintain access
to public resources, and promote
conservation outcomes. The BLM used
internal, agency, and public scoping to
identify issues considered in the
environmental analysis. As part of this
analysis, the BLM also examined the
range of alternatives evaluated in the
BLM’s 2015 GRSG land use plan
decisions and their supporting NEPA
analyses.
This Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
is one of six separate planning efforts
that are being undertaken in response to
SO 3353, Greater Sage-Grouse
Conservation and Cooperation with
Western States (June 7, 2017), and in
accordance with SO 3349, American
Energy Independence (March 29, 2017).
The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS
proposes to amend the RMPs for field
offices on BLM lands within BLM Utah
boundaries. The current management
decisions for resources are described in
the following resource management
plans (RMPs):
• Box Elder Resource Management Plan
(1986)
• Cedar/Beaver/Garfield/Antimony
Resource Management Plan (1986)
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National
Monument Management Plan (2000)
• House Range Resource Management
Plan (1987)
• Kanab Resource Management Plan
(2008)
E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM
04MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19801-19803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09522]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLWO200000.LXSGPL000000.18x.L11100000.PH0000]
Notice of Availability of the Idaho Draft Resource Management
Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Greater
Sage-Grouse Conservation
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
prepared the Idaho Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Idaho Greater Sage-
Grouse (GRSG) Planning Area, and by this notice is announcing the
opening of the comment period. BLM Idaho is soliciting comments on the
entire Draft EIS, as well as the specific planning issues mentioned in
this NOA, and the cumulative effects analysis.
DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive
written comments on the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days
following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a
notice of availability of the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS in the
Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and
any other public participation activities at least 15 days in advance
through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Idaho Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS by any of the following methods:
Website: https://goo.gl/f94eKW
Mail: BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 S Vinnell Way, Boise, ID
83709
Fax: 208-373-3805
Copies of the Idaho Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS for Greater Sage-
Grouse Conservation are available in the BLM Idaho State Office at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact
Jonathan Beck, Greater Sage-Grouse Implementation Coordinator,
telephone (208) 373-3841; address 1387 S Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709;
email [email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
[[Page 19802]]
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during
normal business hours. The FRS 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: Greater Sage-Grouse is a state-managed
species that is dependent on sagebrush steppe ecosystems. These
ecosystems are managed in partnership across the range of the Greater
Sage-Grouse by federal, state, and local authorities. Efforts to
conserve the species and its habitat date back to the 1950s. Over the
past two decades, state wildlife agencies, federal agencies, and many
others in the range of the species have been collaborating to conserve
Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitats. The United States Department of
the Interior (DOI) and the BLM have broad responsibilities to manage
federal lands and resources for the public benefit. Nearly half of
Greater Sage-Grouse habitat is managed by the BLM. The BLM is committed
to being a good neighbor and investing in on-the-ground conservation
activities through close collaboration with State governments, local
communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders.
In September 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
determined that the Greater Sage-Grouse did not warrant listing under
the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The USFWS based its ``not
warranted'' determination, in part, on the conservation commitments and
management actions in the BLM and U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service)
Greater Sage-Grouse land use plan amendments and revisions (2015 GRSG
land use plan decisions), as well as on other private, state, and
federal conservation efforts. Since 2015 the BLM, in discussion with
partners, primarily Governors and state wildlife management agencies,
recognized that several refinements and policy updates could help
strengthen conservation efforts, while providing increased economic
opportunity to local communities. The BLM and Department of Interior
worked closely with Governors charged with managing Greater Sage-Grouse
to determine whether some, none, or all of the 2015 Land Use Plans
should be amended. After carefully considering the Governor's input,
and using its discretion and authority under FLPMA, as well as under
direction from the Secretary, including Secretary's Order (SO) 3353,
the BLM proposes amending the Idaho Greater Sage-Grouse land use plans
that address GRSG management. This action is proposed to enhance
cooperation and improve alignment with the state plans or management
strategies, in accordance with the BLM's multiple use and sustained
yield mission. The BLM prepared the Idaho Greater Sage-Grouse Draft RMP
Amendment/Draft EIS to address alternatives that will build upon its
commitment to conserve and restore Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, while
improving collaboration and alignment with state management strategies
for Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM seeks to improve management alignment
in ways that will increase management flexibility, maintain access to
public resources, and promote conservation outcomes. The BLM used
internal, agency, and public scoping to identify issues considered in
the environmental analysis. As part of this analysis, the BLM also
examined the range of alternatives evaluated in the BLM's 2015 GRSG
land use plan decisions and their supporting NEPA analyses.
This Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS is one of six separate planning
efforts that are being undertaken in response to SO 3353, Greater Sage-
Grouse Conservation and Cooperation with Western States (June 7, 2017),
and in accordance with SO 3349, American Energy Independence (March 29,
2017). The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS proposes to amend the RMPs for
field offices on BLM lands within BLM Idaho boundaries. The current
management decisions for resources are described in the following RMPs
and Management Framework Plans (MFPs):
Bennett Hills/Timmerman Hills MFP (BLM 1980)
Big Desert MFP (BLM 1981)
Big Lost MFP (BLM 1983)
Bruneau MFP (BLM 1983)
Cascade RMP (BLM 1988)
Cassia RMP (BLM 1985)
Challis RMP (BLM 1999)
Craters of the Moon National Monument RMP (BLM 2006)
Four Rivers RMP Revision
Jarbidge RMP Revision (BLM 2015)
Jarbidge RMP (BLM 1987)
Kuna MFP (BLM 1983)
Lemhi RMP (BLM 1987)
Little Lost-Birch Creek MFP (BLM 1981)
Magic MFP (BLM 1975)
Medicine Lodge RMP (BLM 1981)
Monument RMP (BLM 1985)
Owyhee RMP (BLM 1999)
Pocatello RMP (BLM 2012)
Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area RMP (BLM
2008)
Sun Valley MFP (BLM 1981)
Twin Falls MFP (BLM 1982)
Upper Snake RMP Revision
The Idaho planning area includes approximately 39,553,628 acres of
BLM, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, State, local, and private lands in 28 counties: (Ada,
Adams, Bear Lake, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Butte, Camas, Caribou,
Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson,
Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette,
Power, Twin Falls, and Washington). Within the decision area, the BLM
administers approximately 11,470,301 acres of public lands, providing
approximately 8,809,326 acres of GRSG habitat. Surface management
decision changes proposed in this Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS would
apply only to BLM administered lands in the decision area.
The formal public scoping process for the RMP Amendment/EIS began
on October 11, 2017, with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the
Federal Register (82 FR 47248), and ended on December 1, 2017. Meetings
were held in:
--Twin Falls, Idaho; November 2, 2017
--Idaho Falls, Idaho; November 6, 2017
--Marsing, Idaho; November 7, 2017
The RMP Amendment/EIS addresses the designation of sagebrush focal
areas, mitigation standards, lek buffers, disturbance and density caps,
and adjustments to habitat boundaries to reflect new information. The
Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS evaluates two alternatives in detail,
including the No Action Alternative (Alternative A) and one action
alternative (Management Alignment Alternative). The Management
Alignment Alternative has been identified as BLM's Preferred
Alternative for the purposes of public comment and review.
Identification of these alternatives, however, does not represent final
agency direction, and the Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS may reflect
changes or adjustments from information received during public comment,
from new information, or from changes in BLM policies or priorities.
The Proposed RMP Amendments/Final EIS may include objectives and
actions described in the other analyzed alternative as well.
Alternative A would retain the current management goals, objectives,
and direction specified in the current land use plans for each field
office.
Please note that public comments and information submitted
including names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who
submit comments will be available for public review at the address
provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice during regular
business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, except
[[Page 19803]]
holidays. 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.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2.
Peter J. Ditton,
Acting BLM Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2018-09522 Filed 5-3-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P
