Notice of Availability of the Draft Missoula Resource Management Plan and Associated Environmental Impact Statement, Montana, 22513-22514 [2019-10147]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 96 / Friday, May 17, 2019 / Notices Bill Volk, Planning and NEPA Specialist, BLM Pocatello Field Office by mail or in person at 4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204; by phone at 208–236–7503; by email at wvolk@blm.gov; and by fax at 208–478–6376. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact Mr. Volk. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Mr. Volk. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: P4 Production, LLC (P4 Production), a subsidiary of Bayer AG, developed and submitted a Mine and Reclamation Plan (M&RP) application (the proposed action in the Final EIS) for the Caldwell Canyon Mine. The proposed action reflects P4 Production’s desire to exercise its exclusive mineral development rights granted by the United States Federal phosphate leases IDI–000002, IDI–014080, and IDI– 013738; and by the State of Idaho mineral lease E07959. P4 Production proposes to construct and operate a new 1,559-acre surface mine with associated haul roads, a rail shipping point, and other ancillary facilities. The mine would place waste rock into the nearby inactive Dry Valley Mine pit on Federal phosphate lease IDI–014184. Modifications to enlarge the phosphate lease boundaries are necessary to recover all ore that exists adjacent to the leased deposit. The M&RP requests authorization for a related haul road across BLM-managed land as described in the Final EIS. The mine would operate for approximately 40 years. The Final EIS fully evaluates alternatives to the proposed action, including a No Action alternative, and addresses issues identified during initial scoping for the EIS, from public comments on the Draft EIS, and from the BLM’s analysis. In accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), the BLM has identified Alternative 1 in the Final EIS as the preferred alternative. The BLM will make decisions to either approve, approve with modification, or deny the M&RP application. In addition, the BLM will decide whether to modify (enlarge) the lease boundaries and grant authorization for a haul road across Federal land. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS published on November 30, 2018, initiating a 45-day public comment period. The public comments resulted in additional information regarding water quality and quantity, wildlife, habitat conversion, noise, safety, socioeconomics, tribal interests, jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 May 16, 2019 Jkt 247001 cultural resources, vegetation, visual quality, mine reclamation, financial assurance, mitigation measures, and environmental monitoring of mine operations being included in the Final EIS. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources are cooperating agencies. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10. John F. Ruhs, Idaho State Director. [FR Doc. 2019–10146 Filed 5–16–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLMTB010–L16100000–DP0000] Notice of Availability of the Draft Missoula Resource Management Plan and Associated Environmental Impact Statement, Montana 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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Missoula Field Office has prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for BLM public lands and resources managed by the Missoula Field Office and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft RMP/ Draft EIS within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the Draft RMP/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 Missoula Draft RMP/Draft EIS by any of the following methods: • Website: https://1.usa.gov/ 21RNCPG. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22513 • Mail: Missoula Field Office Attn: Missoula RMP, 3255 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804. Copies of the Missoula Draft RMP/ Draft EIS are available at the Missoula Field Office at the above address, or may be viewed at: https://1.usa.gov/ 21RNCPG. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maggie Ward, RMP Project Manager, Missoula Field Office, at (406) 329– 3914, at the above mailing list or website. 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. Ward during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Missoula Draft RMP/Draft EIS covers approximately 163,000 acres of BLMmanaged public lands and 267,000 acres of Federal mineral estate in western Montana in Flathead, Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, and Sanders counties. Over 99 percent of the BLM-managed public lands are in Granite, Missoula and Powell counties. The planning area is currently managed under the Garnet Resource Area RMP (1986). This planning effort would update management guidance from the Garnet Resource Area RMP, as amended, and create a new Missoula RMP. The planning effort is needed to identify goals, objectives, and management actions for the BLMmanaged public lands. Public involvement opportunities occurred during scoping to help identify planning issues that directed the formulation of alternatives and framed the scope of analysis in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS. Key issues identified included forest vegetation management, wildland fire resiliency and management, forest products, Threatened and Endangered species management, big game habitat management, livestock grazing, access, recreation management, and special designation management including the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. This plan also considers lands with wilderness characteristics, wild and scenic rivers, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), lands and realty, minerals, and visual resources. The Draft RMP/Draft EIS evaluates three alternatives in detail. Alternative A is the No Action Alternative, which is a continuation of current management in the existing Garnet Resource Area RMP (1986). E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1 jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with NOTICES 22514 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 96 / Friday, May 17, 2019 / Notices Alternative B is the agency preferred alternative. Alternative B focuses on active forest management and allows for the broadest range of management tools to provide forest products and meet forest management objectives. Alternative B provides for moving forest vegetative communities to the natural range of variability to provide for priority wildlife habitat and sustainable forest products at a greater rate with increased forest treatments. Alternative B allows more lands to be available for livestock grazing as a management tool. Alternative B allocates the most acres of special recreation management areas. Alternative C would have less active forest management and emphasizes priority areas for wildlife habitat and vegetation, while allowing for modest development of forest resources. Alternative C aims to move forested ecosystems towards the natural range of variability with an emphasis on natural processes and less active management (lower amounts of forest treatments). Alternative C focuses on wildlifedependent recreation with four Backcountry Conservation Areas aimed at hunting, fishing, and big game habitat objectives. Alternative C identifies a wider corridor for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.7–2(b), this notice announces a concurrent public comment period for potential ACECs. The proposed ACECs include: • Bear Creek Flats: (565 acres) Alternative A; • Limestone Cliffs: (20 acres) Alternatives A and C; and • Phil Wright Rock: (640 acres) Alternatives B and C. The ACECs are proposed to protect biological, botanical, geologic, recreational and scenic values. If formally designated, the following management prescriptions could apply to potential ACECs, depending on proposed management prescriptions for each proposed ACEC: Avoid or exclude ROWs; close to non-energy solid leasable mineral leasing; close to mineral materials disposal; recommend withdrawal of locatable mineral development; close to saleable mineral development; manage for higher visual resource values; close or limit motorized and/or off-highway vehicle travel to designated routes; close to commercial timber harvest. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:05 May 16, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Donato J. Judice, Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2019–10147 Filed 5–16–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Fish and Wildlife Service [DOI–BLM–NV–W030–2015–0007–EIS MO #4500132167] Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Hycroft Mine Phase II Expansion Project, Humboldt and Pershing, Counties, Nevada Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: 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) Black Rock Field Office, Winnemucca, Nevada and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have prepared a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice are announcing the beginning of the public comment period to solicit public comments on the Draft EIS. The BLM is the lead agency in development of the Draft EIS and will be evaluating Hycroft Resource and Development, Inc.’s (HRDI’s) request for the proposed expansion of their gold and silver mining operations at the existing Hycroft Mine. The USFWS is a coordinating agency with the BLM on the development of this Draft EIS and will evaluate the applicant’s Eagle Conservation Plan (ECP), which describes their request to remove inactive (i.e., outside the nesting season) eagle nests and a 30-year incidental take permit for golden eagles under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act). DATES: This notice initiates the public comment period for the Draft EIS. Comments may be submitted in writing until July 1, 2019. The date(s) and location(s) of any comment meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM website at: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 https://go.usa.gov/xEmuU. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 45-day public comment period. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Final EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Hycroft Mine Phase II Expansion Project by any of the following methods: Project Mining Expansion: • Website: https://go.usa.gov/xEmuU • Email: wfoweb@blm.gov • Fax: (775) 623–1503 • Mail: 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445 Eagle Take Permit: • Email: fw8_eaglepermits@fws.gov • Fax: (916) 414–6486 • Mail: 2800 Cottage Way, W–2605, Sacramento, CA 95825 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about the proposed mine expansion contact Taylor Grysen BLM Project Manager, telephone: (775) 623– 1500, address: 5100 E. Winnemucca Boulevard, Winnemucca, Nevada 89445. For questions about the eagle take permit contact: Heather Beeler—USFWS Project Manager, telephone: (916) 414– 6651, address: 2800 Cottage Way, W– 2605, Sacramento, California 95825. Contact Taylor Grysen 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 (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: HRDI has proposed an expansion to their gold and silver mining operations at the existing Hycroft Mine, which is located approximately 55 miles west of Winnemucca, Nevada, in Humboldt and Pershing Counties. The Hycroft Mine Phase II Expansion Project (Project) proposes to increase the authorized Plan of Operations (Plan) boundary to 27,835 acres, of which 26,082 acres would be on BLM-administered public lands. Under the proposed Project, the surface disturbance would increase by 8,737 acres, from 6,144 acres to 14,881 acres, which includes 13,141 acres located on land administered by the BLM Black Rock Field Office. Surface disturbance on private land would decrease by 44 acres, from 1,784 acres to 1,740 acres. The proposed Project would include the following activities: Expanding the authorized Plan boundary to the east; E:\FR\FM\17MYN1.SGM 17MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22513-22514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10147]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMTB010-L16100000-DP0000]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Missoula Resource Management 
Plan and Associated Environmental Impact Statement, Montana

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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Missoula Field 
Office has prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an 
associated Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for BLM public 
lands and resources managed by the Missoula Field Office and by this 
notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft RMP/Draft EIS within 90 days following 
the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of 
Availability of the Draft RMP/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 Missoula Draft RMP/
Draft EIS by any of the following methods:
     Website: https://1.usa.gov/21RNCPG.
     Mail: Missoula Field Office Attn: Missoula RMP, 3255 Fort 
Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804.
    Copies of the Missoula Draft RMP/Draft EIS are available at the 
Missoula Field Office at the above address, or may be viewed at: 
https://1.usa.gov/21RNCPG.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Maggie Ward, RMP Project Manager, 
Missoula Field Office, at (406) 329-3914, at the above mailing list or 
website. 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. Ward during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question. You will receive a 
reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Missoula Draft RMP/Draft EIS covers 
approximately 163,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands and 267,000 
acres of Federal mineral estate in western Montana in Flathead, 
Granite, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, and Sanders 
counties. Over 99 percent of the BLM-managed public lands are in 
Granite, Missoula and Powell counties. The planning area is currently 
managed under the Garnet Resource Area RMP (1986). This planning effort 
would update management guidance from the Garnet Resource Area RMP, as 
amended, and create a new Missoula RMP.
    The planning effort is needed to identify goals, objectives, and 
management actions for the BLM-managed public lands. Public involvement 
opportunities occurred during scoping to help identify planning issues 
that directed the formulation of alternatives and framed the scope of 
analysis in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS. Key issues identified included 
forest vegetation management, wildland fire resiliency and management, 
forest products, Threatened and Endangered species management, big game 
habitat management, livestock grazing, access, recreation management, 
and special designation management including the Lewis and Clark 
National Historic Trail. This plan also considers lands with wilderness 
characteristics, wild and scenic rivers, Areas of Critical 
Environmental Concern (ACECs), lands and realty, minerals, and visual 
resources.
    The Draft RMP/Draft EIS evaluates three alternatives in detail. 
Alternative A is the No Action Alternative, which is a continuation of 
current management in the existing Garnet Resource Area RMP (1986).

[[Page 22514]]

    Alternative B is the agency preferred alternative. Alternative B 
focuses on active forest management and allows for the broadest range 
of management tools to provide forest products and meet forest 
management objectives. Alternative B provides for moving forest 
vegetative communities to the natural range of variability to provide 
for priority wildlife habitat and sustainable forest products at a 
greater rate with increased forest treatments. Alternative B allows 
more lands to be available for livestock grazing as a management tool. 
Alternative B allocates the most acres of special recreation management 
areas.
    Alternative C would have less active forest management and 
emphasizes priority areas for wildlife habitat and vegetation, while 
allowing for modest development of forest resources. Alternative C aims 
to move forested ecosystems towards the natural range of variability 
with an emphasis on natural processes and less active management (lower 
amounts of forest treatments). Alternative C focuses on wildlife-
dependent recreation with four Backcountry Conservation Areas aimed at 
hunting, fishing, and big game habitat objectives. Alternative C 
identifies a wider corridor for the Lewis and Clark National Historic 
Trail.
    Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b), this notice announces a concurrent 
public comment period for potential ACECs. The proposed ACECs include:
     Bear Creek Flats: (565 acres) Alternative A;
     Limestone Cliffs: (20 acres) Alternatives A and C; and
     Phil Wright Rock: (640 acres) Alternatives B and C.
    The ACECs are proposed to protect biological, botanical, geologic, 
recreational and scenic values. If formally designated, the following 
management prescriptions could apply to potential ACECs, depending on 
proposed management prescriptions for each proposed ACEC: Avoid or 
exclude ROWs; close to non-energy solid leasable mineral leasing; close 
to mineral materials disposal; recommend withdrawal of locatable 
mineral development; close to saleable mineral development; manage for 
higher visual resource values; close or limit motorized and/or off-
highway vehicle travel to designated routes; close to commercial timber 
harvest.
    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 and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Donato J. Judice,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2019-10147 Filed 5-16-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.