Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Uncompahgre Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan, Colorado, 20296-20297 [2020-07316]

Download as PDF 20296 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 70 / Friday, April 10, 2020 / Notices Draft Categorical Exclusion The Service prepared the draft CatEx in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing permits under the plan. Background lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES The Service listed the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander as endangered on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 57242). Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the take of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is defined under the ESA to include the following activities: ‘‘[T]o harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532); however, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is defined by the ESA as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Issuance of an incidental take permit also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species. The permittees would receive assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’ regulations ((50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5)) regarding conservation activities for the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. with the requirements of the plan, including all applicable avoidance, minimization, and mitigation actions. The draft CatEx provides the required NEPA documentation for the proposed Federal action, which is approval of a conservation plan and subsequent issuance of permits pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA. The CatEx also provides baseline environmental information, and a discussion of impacts to the human and natural environment that may occur as a result of implementation of the proposed plan. Public Availability of Comments 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 view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Stephen Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2020–07574 Filed 4–9–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Proposed Action Bureau of Land Management The proposed action is approval of the plan and subsequent issuance of permits. The Service prepared the plan to provide a more efficient and standardized mechanism for proponents in activities associated with the installation and operation of vineyards, crops, and other agricultural development on non-Federal lands. The plan meets the permit issuance criteria as required by section 10(a)(2)(B) of the ESA and enables the construct of a programmatic permitting and conservation process to address a defined suite of proposed activities over a defined planning area. The proposed plan would allow private individuals, local and State agencies, and other nonFederal entities to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements of the ESA by applying for permits and complying [LLCOS05000.L16100000.DQ0000. LXSS053C0000.20X] VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Apr 09, 2020 Jkt 250001 Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Uncompahgre Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan, Colorado Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Uncompahgre Field Office located in southwestern Colorado, in Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, Ouray, San Miguel and Mesa counties. The Colorado State Director signed the ROD on April 2, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2020. The ROD makes the Approved RMP effective immediately. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/ Approved RMP are available upon request from the Uncompahgre Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401 or via the internet at https://go.usa.gov/xnpgD. Copies of the ROD/Approved RMP are available for public inspection by appointment at the Uncompahgre Field Office, Montrose, CO, and the BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St, Lakewood, CO 80215. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela LoSasso, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, telephone 970–240–5300; email uformp@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. LoSasso 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 Uncompahgre Approved RMP replaces the 1985 San Juan/San Miguel RMP, as amended; and the 1989 Uncompahgre Basin RMP, as amended. The BLM developed the Uncompahgre Field Office RMP in collaboration with 18 cooperating agencies. The BLM began engaging with the public and its cooperating agencies on the RMP revision in 2010 and made the Draft RMP/Draft EIS available for public review and comment in 2016; the BLM made the Proposed RMP/Final EIS available to the public on June 28, 2019. The BLM received 13 protest letters from parties with standing during the ensuing protest period, and the BLM Director resolved those protests. The Colorado Governor submitted a letter identifying certain concerns related to the consistency of the Proposed RMP with State plans. After a thorough review, the BLM determined that the Proposed RMP is consistent with existing State plans; however, as a result of the Governor’s comments, the BLM adopted a new controlled surface use stipulation for fluid mineral leasing. Its purpose is to ensure the function and suitability of big game winter range, migration and production areas. The BLM also modified a stipulation to enhance the Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat protection. The Approved RMP describes landscape-level management actions and allowable uses for resources, resource uses and special designations within the Uncompahgre Planning Area. The Planning Area E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM 10APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 70 / Friday, April 10, 2020 / Notices includes approximately 3.1 million acres of public land managed by the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, U.S. Forest Service (portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest), National Park Service (Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and portions of Curecanti National Recreation Area), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, State of Colorado (including Ridgway, Crawford, and Paonia State Parks), and local and private lands. The ROD/Approved RMP makes decisions for the approximately 675,800 acres of BLM surface lands and approximately 971,220 acres of Federal mineral estate, including split estate, within the Planning Area. Two BLM National Conservation Areas are managed under separate RMPs. The alternative selected as the Approved RMP is a slightly modified version of Alternative E, as described in the Proposed RMP. It provides for a balanced combination of goals, objectives, allowable uses and management actions. The Approved RMP identifies comprehensive longrange decisions for the management and use of resources on BLM-administered public lands, focusing on the principles of multiple use and sustained yield set forth in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6. Jamie E. Connell, Colorado State Director. [FR Doc. 2020–07316 Filed 4–9–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNMA00000 L51010000.ER0000 LVRWG19G1360 19XL5017AP; NMNM 136976] Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment for the Borderlands Wind Project in Catron County, New Mexico Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Borderlands Wind Project (Project) and proposed Socorro Field Office Resource lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:00 Apr 09, 2020 Jkt 250001 Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for the BLM Socorro Field Office, and by this Notice is announcing its availability. DATES: This Notice initiates the 30-day protest period for a proposed plan amendment. Protests may be submitted in writing until May 11, 2020. ADDRESSES: All protests must be submitted in writing and mailed to one of the following addresses: Mail: Director (210), Attn: Protest Coordinator, P.O. Box 261117, Lakewood, CO 80226; or Overnight Delivery: Director (210), Attn: Protest Coordinator, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215. You may submit protests electronically through the BLM ePlanning project website: https:// eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/ eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do ?methodName=renderDefault PlanOrProjectSite&projectId=116245& dctmId=0b0003e88126486a and at 43 CFR 1610.5–2. Protests submitted electronically by any means other than the ePlanning project website protest section will be invalid unless a protest is also submitted in hard copy. Protests submitted by fax will also be invalid unless also submitted either through ePlanning project website protest section or in hard copy. The Final EIS is available on line on the ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/ epl-front-office/eplanning/ planAndProjectSite.do?methodName= renderDefaultPlanOrProject Site&projectId=116245&dctmId=0b0003 e88126486a. Hard copies are available for viewing at the BLM Socorro field office and the BLM New Mexico State Office in Santa Fe. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Virginia Alguire, BLM Socorro Field Office, 901 S Hwy 85, Socorro, New Mexico 87801; phone 575–838–1290, or email to valguire@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to contact Ms. Alguire 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: Pursuant to BLM’s planning regulations at 43 CFR 1610.5–2, any person who participated in the planning process for this Proposed RMP and Integrated RMP and has an interest which is or may be adversely affected by the planning decisions may protest approval of the planning decisions contained therein. PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20297 The regulations specify the required elements of your protest. Take care to document all relevant facts. As much as possible, reference or cite the planning documents or available planning records (e.g. meeting minutes or summaries, correspondence, etc.). Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM regarding the Final EIS/RMPA may be found online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/ planning-and-nepa/publicparticipation/filing-a-plan-protest and at 43 CFR 1610.5–2. All protests must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES section. Borderlands Wind, LLC, submitted an application to the BLM requesting authorization to construct, operate, maintain, and terminate an up-to-100 megawatt commercial wind energy generation facility, the Borderlands Wind Project (NMNM136976), in Catron County, New Mexico, within a boundary that encompasses land managed by the BLM, the New Mexico State Land Office, and private landowners. The project would be located south of U.S. Route 60 in Catron County near Quemado, New Mexico, and the Arizona–New Mexico border. Authorization of this proposal requires amendments to the 2010 Socorro Field Office RMP to modify the visual resource management class in the project area and to modify a right-ofway avoidance area. The Final EIS analyzed the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of the Proposed Action, Alternative 1 (optimize the proposed wind facility components in order to minimize potential environmental impacts), Alternative 2 (change in the turbine generation types), and the No Action Alternative. Alternatives 1 and 2 would be constructed, operated, and maintained with the same project area. The Proposed Action and Alternative 1 would construct 40 turbines. However, because of the difference in the types of turbines, Alternative 2, the BLM Preferred Alternative, would only construct 34 turbines instead of 40 turbines within the same area as Alternative 1. The No Action Alternative would be a continuation of existing conditions. A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the proposed Borderlands Wind Project was published in the Federal Register on November 9, 2018 (83 FR 56097). The public scoping period closed on December 10, 2018. The BLM held one public scoping meeting on November 14, 2018. The BLM received 51 public scoping comment submission during the 45-day scoping period. The E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM 10APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 70 (Friday, April 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20296-20297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-07316]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCOS05000.L16100000.DQ0000.LXSS053C0000.20X]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the 
Uncompahgre Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan, Colorado

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Approved Resource Management 
Plan (RMP) for the Uncompahgre Field Office located in southwestern 
Colorado, in Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, Ouray, San Miguel and Mesa 
counties. The Colorado State Director signed the ROD on April 2, 2020. 
The ROD makes the Approved RMP effective immediately.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/Approved RMP are available upon request 
from the Uncompahgre Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 2465 
South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401 or via the internet at 
https://go.usa.gov/xnpgD. Copies of the ROD/Approved RMP are available 
for public inspection by appointment at the Uncompahgre Field Office, 
Montrose, CO, and the BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St, 
Lakewood, CO 80215.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela LoSasso, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, telephone 970-240-5300; 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. LoSasso 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 Uncompahgre Approved RMP replaces the 
1985 San Juan/San Miguel RMP, as amended; and the 1989 Uncompahgre 
Basin RMP, as amended. The BLM developed the Uncompahgre Field Office 
RMP in collaboration with 18 cooperating agencies. The BLM began 
engaging with the public and its cooperating agencies on the RMP 
revision in 2010 and made the Draft RMP/Draft EIS available for public 
review and comment in 2016; the BLM made the Proposed RMP/Final EIS 
available to the public on June 28, 2019. The BLM received 13 protest 
letters from parties with standing during the ensuing protest period, 
and the BLM Director resolved those protests. The Colorado Governor 
submitted a letter identifying certain concerns related to the 
consistency of the Proposed RMP with State plans. After a thorough 
review, the BLM determined that the Proposed RMP is consistent with 
existing State plans; however, as a result of the Governor's comments, 
the BLM adopted a new controlled surface use stipulation for fluid 
mineral leasing. Its purpose is to ensure the function and suitability 
of big game winter range, migration and production areas. The BLM also 
modified a stipulation to enhance the Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat 
protection. The Approved RMP describes landscape-level management 
actions and allowable uses for resources, resource uses and special 
designations within the Uncompahgre Planning Area. The Planning Area

[[Page 20297]]

includes approximately 3.1 million acres of public land managed by the 
BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, U.S. Forest Service (portions of the 
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest), National Park 
Service (Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and portions of 
Curecanti National Recreation Area), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, State 
of Colorado (including Ridgway, Crawford, and Paonia State Parks), and 
local and private lands. The ROD/Approved RMP makes decisions for the 
approximately 675,800 acres of BLM surface lands and approximately 
971,220 acres of Federal mineral estate, including split estate, within 
the Planning Area. Two BLM National Conservation Areas are managed 
under separate RMPs. The alternative selected as the Approved RMP is a 
slightly modified version of Alternative E, as described in the 
Proposed RMP. It provides for a balanced combination of goals, 
objectives, allowable uses and management actions. The Approved RMP 
identifies comprehensive long-range decisions for the management and 
use of resources on BLM-administered public lands, focusing on the 
principles of multiple use and sustained yield set forth in the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6.

Jamie E. Connell,
Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-07316 Filed 4-9-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P

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