Notice of Availability for the Draft Four Rivers Field Office Resource Management Plan and Associated Environmental Impact Statement, 24177-24178 [2019-10738]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 101 / Friday, May 24, 2019 / Notices
definition of projects for which the CE
would be used.
The CEQ has reviewed the comments
received and Reclamation’s responses to
those comments and has approved the
CE. Therefore, the Department will add
the final CE to the Departmental Manual
at 516 DM 14.5 paragraph F., which
covers ‘‘Title Transfer Activities.’’
Reclamation recognizes that certain
proposed title transfer actions, when
reviewed on a case-by-case basis, could
trigger one or more of the extraordinary
circumstances for which it is not
appropriate to utilize the CE. In such
cases, the proposed title transfer actions
could have a significant environmental
effect and would require additional
NEPA analysis. Thus, prior to applying
the CE, Reclamation will review all
extraordinary circumstances in the
Department’s NEPA regulations. If any
extraordinary circumstance does apply,
Reclamation will conduct additional
NEPA analysis and prepare an EA or
EIS.
Amended Text for the Departmental
Manual
The text that will be added to 516 DM
is set forth below:
Part 516: National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969
Chapter 14: Managing the NEPA
Process—Bureau of Reclamation
*
*
*
*
*
14.5 Categorical Exclusions
*
*
*
*
*
F. Title Transfer Activities
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
*
*
*
*
*
(1) Transfer from Federal ownership
of facilities and/or interest in lands to a
qualifying entity where there are no
competing demands for use of the
facilities; where the facilities are not
hydrologically integrated; where, at the
time of transfer, there would be no
planned change in land or water use, or
in operation, or maintenance of the
facilities; and where the transfer would
be consistent with the Secretary’s
responsibilities, including but not
limited to existing contracts or
agreements, the protection of land
resources and water rights held in trust
for federally recognized Indian tribes
and Indian individuals, and ensuring
compliance with international treaties
and interstate compacts.
Michaela E. Noble,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2019–10967 Filed 5–23–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4332–90–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:10 May 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[Docket No. 19X.LLIDB00000.
L16100000.DP0000. LXSS053D0000.241A.
4500133829
Notice of Availability for the Draft Four
Rivers Field Office Resource
Management Plan and Associated
Environmental Impact Statement
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) Four Rivers Field
Office (FRFO), Boise, Idaho, has
prepared a Draft Resource Management
Plan (RMP) and associated Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and by this notice is announcing the
release of the Draft RMP.
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 FRFO Draft RMP/Draft EIS
by any of the following methods:
• Website: https://go.usa.gov/xnsn6
(case sensitive)
• Email: Four_Rivers_RMP@blm.gov.
• Fax: 208–384–3326.
• Mail: Four Rivers Field Office, Attn:
Brent Ralston, 3948 S Development Ave.
Boise, Idaho 83705.
Copies of the FRFO Draft RMP/Draft
EIS are available in the Boise District
Office at the above address; at the Idaho
BLM State Office, 1387 South Vinnell
Way, Boise, ID 83709; and online at the
following website: https://go.usa.gov/
xnsn6.
SUMMARY:
For
further information, contact Pam
Murdock, Project Lead, telephone 208–
384–3300; address 3948 S Development
Ave., Boise, Idaho 83705; email Four_
Rivers_RMP@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. Murdock. The FRS is
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
24177
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
to leave a message or question with Ms.
Murdock. You will receive a reply
during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FRFO
encompasses an area located in
southwestern Idaho extending north of
the Snake River from approximately
Glenns Ferry in the southeast, west to
Weiser, and north to McCall. The
planning area includes all of the FRFO
located outside the Morley Nelson
Snake River Birds of Prey National
Conservation Area which is governed by
a separate RMP. The planning area
encompasses approximately 783,000
surface acres and 1,173,150 acres of
mineral estate in Ada, Adams, Boise,
Camas, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee,
Payette, Valley and Washington
counties administered by the BLM.
Much of the planning area comprises
interspersed sections of public, private,
State or Forest Service lands.
The FRFO currently manages land in
accordance with the 1983 Kuna
Management Framework Plan (MFP),
the 1987 Jarbidge RMP, and the 1988
Cascade RMP. These plans have been
amended since originally approved.
This planning effort will identify goals
and objectives and update management
guidance to create a new RMP. The BLM
engaged in public scoping to help
identify planning issues that directed
the formulation of alternatives and
framed the analysis in the Draft RMP/
Draft EIS. Issues include managing the
scattered BLM-administered land base,
balancing increasing public demand
with conservation of fragile resources
and balancing resource uses (including
energy development). The planning
effort also considers socio-economic
concerns and special designations
including lands with wilderness
characteristics, wild and scenic rivers
and Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern (ACECs).
The Draft RMP/Draft EIS evaluates
four alternatives in detail. Alternative A
is the No Action Alternative, which is
a continuation of current management,
public use, resource protection, and
conservation prescriptions in the
existing RMPs and MFP, as amended. It
does not address issues that were
nonexistent or unforeseen when the
BLM prepared the original RMPs and
MFP.
Alternative B emphasizes protecting
natural resource values from potential
impacts of population growth and
increased use and incorporates
protective measures for plants and
wildlife compared to other alternatives.
While some areas would still emphasize
recreation and community development
E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM
24MYN1
24178
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 101 / Friday, May 24, 2019 / Notices
khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
uses, the primary emphases are for
conservation and reduction of habitat
fragmentation and resource degradation.
Alternative C focuses on
accommodating increased population
growth and use of public lands within
the planning area by emphasizing land
disposal for local community
expansion, providing economic
expansion through extractive and
renewable energy resource use and
continues to provide recreational
opportunities.
Alternative D is the Preferred
Alternative, and emphasizes managing
public lands to promote economic
development while maintaining natural
resource values. This alternative
recognizes the diverse issues and needs
throughout the planning area by
promoting a balanced use of resources
including management for oil and gas
leasing and development, livestock
grazing, recreational use and wildlife
habitat, including big game winter range
and migration corridors.
In the Draft EIS, the BLM proposes
and evaluates ACECs to protect specific
resource values and other uses where
appropriate. Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.7–
2(b), this notice announces a concurrent
public comment period for potential
ACECs. A more detailed summary of all
proposed ACECs is available at the
project website provided above.
ACEC name
Alternative A
acres
Alternative B
acres
Alternative C
acres
Alternative D
acres
Bannister Basin ................................................................................................
Boise Front ......................................................................................................
Buckwheat Flats ..............................................................................................
Cartwright Canyon ...........................................................................................
Cherry Gulch ....................................................................................................
Hixon-CSTG Habitat ........................................................................................
Goodrich Creek ................................................................................................
Hulls Gulch ......................................................................................................
King Hill Creek .................................................................................................
Curlew Habitat .................................................................................................
Lost Basin ........................................................................................................
Mountain Home ...............................................................................................
Rebecca Sandhill .............................................................................................
Sand-capped Knob ..........................................................................................
Sand Hollow .....................................................................................................
Sheep Creek ....................................................................................................
Summer Creek .................................................................................................
Willow Creek ....................................................................................................
Woods Gulch ...................................................................................................
........................
11,360
........................
400
........................
4,170
........................
120
840
45,020
........................
........................
........................
40
1,300
........................
........................
1,010
40
5,840
24,630
200
........................
3,070
21,100
450
........................
2,840
46,310
60
520
1,250
180
1,330
1,970
630
1,120
40
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
12,870
........................
........................
........................
26,810
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
18,660
........................
........................
........................
26,810
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
........................
Pertinent information regarding the
ACECs proposed for designation in
Alternative D:
• Hixon Columbian Sharp-tailed
Grouse (CSTG) Habitat ACEC: The 1988
Cascade RMP designated 4,170 acres as
the Hixon CSTG Habitat ACEC to
intensify habitat management for one of
the last remaining populations of CSTG
in western Idaho. Alternative D expands
the ACEC to include lands acquired
through purchase or exchange since the
last planning effort and maintains
habitat management objectives. The
alternative would allow development
activities within the ACEC, subject to
restrictions, in order to maintain CSTG
habitat. Salable mineral development
would be allowed on sites more than 0.5
miles from key nesting and broodrearing habitat as long as it does not
exceed two acres in size, and would be
subject to seasonal restrictions; the
ACEC would be open to fluid mineral
leasing subject to moderate constraints;
all rights-of-way would be subject to
timing restrictions and aboveground
facilities would only be authorized if colocated with existing facilities;
renewable energy development would
not be allowed; and livestock grazing
would be managed to maintain or
enhance CSTG habitat.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:10 May 23, 2019
Jkt 247001
• Long-billed Curlew Habitat ACEC:
The 1988 Cascade RMP designated this
ACEC to protect crucial nesting habitat
for the curlew. Alternative D retains the
ACEC designation for areas that
continue to provide suitable habitat.
The ACEC includes the following
management prescriptions: Salable
mineral development is allowed on sites
more than 0.5 miles from key nesting
and brood-rearing habitat, as long as it
does not exceed five acres in size and
conforms to seasonal restrictions; fluid
mineral leasing is open subject to
moderate constraints; and excludes
wind energy rights-of-way.
The BLM initiated the land-use
planning process on April 3, 2008,
through a Notice of Intent published in
the Federal Register (73 FR 18298),
notifying the public of a formal scoping
period and soliciting public
participation. Since 2008, the BLM has
held multiple meetings with Tribal
governments, stakeholders, interest
groups, cooperating agencies, counties
and the public.
After the public comment period, the
BLM will use substantive public
comments to revise the Draft RMP/Draft
EIS in preparation for its release as the
Proposed RMP/Final EIS. The Notice of
Availability for the Proposed RMP/Final
PO 00000
Frm 00104
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
EIS will be published in the Federal
Register.
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.
John F. Ruhs,
Idaho BLM State Director.
[FR Doc. 2019–10738 Filed 5–23–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[19X L1109AF LLUT980300
L12200000.PM0000–24–1A]
Notice of Public Meeting for the Utah
Resource Advisory Council, Utah
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
E:\FR\FM\24MYN1.SGM
24MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 101 (Friday, May 24, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24177-24178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10738]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[Docket No. 19X.LLIDB00000. L16100000.DP0000. LXSS053D0000.241A.
4500133829
Notice of Availability for the Draft Four Rivers Field Office
Resource Management Plan and Associated Environmental Impact Statement
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) Four Rivers Field
Office (FRFO), Boise, Idaho, has prepared a Draft Resource Management
Plan (RMP) and associated Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and by this notice is announcing the release of the Draft RMP.
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 FRFO Draft RMP/Draft
EIS by any of the following methods:
Website: https://go.usa.gov/xnsn6 (case sensitive)
Email: [email protected].
Fax: 208-384-3326.
Mail: Four Rivers Field Office, Attn: Brent Ralston, 3948
S Development Ave. Boise, Idaho 83705.
Copies of the FRFO Draft RMP/Draft EIS are available in the Boise
District Office at the above address; at the Idaho BLM State Office,
1387 South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709; and online at the following
website: https://go.usa.gov/xnsn6.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: For further information, contact Pam
Murdock, Project Lead, telephone 208-384-3300; address 3948 S
Development Ave., Boise, Idaho 83705; email [email protected].
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.
Murdock. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
message or question with Ms. Murdock. You will receive a reply during
normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FRFO encompasses an area located in
southwestern Idaho extending north of the Snake River from
approximately Glenns Ferry in the southeast, west to Weiser, and north
to McCall. The planning area includes all of the FRFO located outside
the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
which is governed by a separate RMP. The planning area encompasses
approximately 783,000 surface acres and 1,173,150 acres of mineral
estate in Ada, Adams, Boise, Camas, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee,
Payette, Valley and Washington counties administered by the BLM. Much
of the planning area comprises interspersed sections of public,
private, State or Forest Service lands.
The FRFO currently manages land in accordance with the 1983 Kuna
Management Framework Plan (MFP), the 1987 Jarbidge RMP, and the 1988
Cascade RMP. These plans have been amended since originally approved.
This planning effort will identify goals and objectives and update
management guidance to create a new RMP. The BLM engaged in public
scoping to help identify planning issues that directed the formulation
of alternatives and framed the analysis in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS.
Issues include managing the scattered BLM-administered land base,
balancing increasing public demand with conservation of fragile
resources and balancing resource uses (including energy development).
The planning effort also considers socio-economic concerns and special
designations including lands with wilderness characteristics, wild and
scenic rivers and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs).
The Draft RMP/Draft EIS evaluates four alternatives in detail.
Alternative A is the No Action Alternative, which is a continuation of
current management, public use, resource protection, and conservation
prescriptions in the existing RMPs and MFP, as amended. It does not
address issues that were nonexistent or unforeseen when the BLM
prepared the original RMPs and MFP.
Alternative B emphasizes protecting natural resource values from
potential impacts of population growth and increased use and
incorporates protective measures for plants and wildlife compared to
other alternatives. While some areas would still emphasize recreation
and community development
[[Page 24178]]
uses, the primary emphases are for conservation and reduction of
habitat fragmentation and resource degradation.
Alternative C focuses on accommodating increased population growth
and use of public lands within the planning area by emphasizing land
disposal for local community expansion, providing economic expansion
through extractive and renewable energy resource use and continues to
provide recreational opportunities.
Alternative D is the Preferred Alternative, and emphasizes managing
public lands to promote economic development while maintaining natural
resource values. This alternative recognizes the diverse issues and
needs throughout the planning area by promoting a balanced use of
resources including management for oil and gas leasing and development,
livestock grazing, recreational use and wildlife habitat, including big
game winter range and migration corridors.
In the Draft EIS, the BLM proposes and evaluates ACECs to protect
specific resource values and other uses where appropriate. Pursuant to
43 CFR 1610.7-2(b), this notice announces a concurrent public comment
period for potential ACECs. A more detailed summary of all proposed
ACECs is available at the project website provided above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative A Alternative B Alternative C Alternative D
ACEC name acres acres acres acres
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bannister Basin................................. .............. 5,840 .............. ..............
Boise Front..................................... 11,360 24,630 .............. ..............
Buckwheat Flats................................. .............. 200 .............. ..............
Cartwright Canyon............................... 400 .............. .............. ..............
Cherry Gulch.................................... .............. 3,070 .............. ..............
Hixon-CSTG Habitat.............................. 4,170 21,100 12,870 18,660
Goodrich Creek.................................. .............. 450 .............. ..............
Hulls Gulch..................................... 120 .............. .............. ..............
King Hill Creek................................. 840 2,840 .............. ..............
Curlew Habitat.................................. 45,020 46,310 26,810 26,810
Lost Basin...................................... .............. 60 .............. ..............
Mountain Home................................... .............. 520 .............. ..............
Rebecca Sandhill................................ .............. 1,250 .............. ..............
Sand-capped Knob................................ 40 180 .............. ..............
Sand Hollow..................................... 1,300 1,330 .............. ..............
Sheep Creek..................................... .............. 1,970 .............. ..............
Summer Creek.................................... .............. 630 .............. ..............
Willow Creek.................................... 1,010 1,120 .............. ..............
Woods Gulch..................................... 40 40 .............. ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pertinent information regarding the ACECs proposed for designation
in Alternative D:
Hixon Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (CSTG) Habitat ACEC:
The 1988 Cascade RMP designated 4,170 acres as the Hixon CSTG Habitat
ACEC to intensify habitat management for one of the last remaining
populations of CSTG in western Idaho. Alternative D expands the ACEC to
include lands acquired through purchase or exchange since the last
planning effort and maintains habitat management objectives. The
alternative would allow development activities within the ACEC, subject
to restrictions, in order to maintain CSTG habitat. Salable mineral
development would be allowed on sites more than 0.5 miles from key
nesting and brood-rearing habitat as long as it does not exceed two
acres in size, and would be subject to seasonal restrictions; the ACEC
would be open to fluid mineral leasing subject to moderate constraints;
all rights-of-way would be subject to timing restrictions and
aboveground facilities would only be authorized if co-located with
existing facilities; renewable energy development would not be allowed;
and livestock grazing would be managed to maintain or enhance CSTG
habitat.
Long-billed Curlew Habitat ACEC: The 1988 Cascade RMP
designated this ACEC to protect crucial nesting habitat for the curlew.
Alternative D retains the ACEC designation for areas that continue to
provide suitable habitat. The ACEC includes the following management
prescriptions: Salable mineral development is allowed on sites more
than 0.5 miles from key nesting and brood-rearing habitat, as long as
it does not exceed five acres in size and conforms to seasonal
restrictions; fluid mineral leasing is open subject to moderate
constraints; and excludes wind energy rights-of-way.
The BLM initiated the land-use planning process on April 3, 2008,
through a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register (73 FR
18298), notifying the public of a formal scoping period and soliciting
public participation. Since 2008, the BLM has held multiple meetings
with Tribal governments, stakeholders, interest groups, cooperating
agencies, counties and the public.
After the public comment period, the BLM will use substantive
public comments to revise the Draft RMP/Draft EIS in preparation for
its release as the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. The Notice of Availability
for the Proposed RMP/Final EIS will be published in the Federal
Register.
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.
John F. Ruhs,
Idaho BLM State Director.
[FR Doc. 2019-10738 Filed 5-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P
