Notice of Intent To Prepare Resource Management Plans for the Newcastle Field Office, Wyoming, and Nebraska Planning Area and an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, 44151-44153 [2023-14519]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 11, 2023 / Notices Service’s preliminary determination that this proposed ITP qualifies as low effect, and may qualify for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations (40 CFR 1501.4), the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) NEPA regulations (43 CFR 46), and the DOI’s Departmental Manual (516 DM 8.5(C)(2)). To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. Proposed Project The applicant requests a 5-year ITP to take skinks via the conversion of approximately 1.08 acres (ac) of occupied nesting, foraging, and sheltering skink habitat incidental to the construction and operation of a roadway on a 1.82-ac in Section 16, Township 19 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida. The applicant proposes to mitigate for take of the skinks by purchasing credits equivalent to 2.16 ac of skink-occupied habitat within the Lake Livingston Conservation Bank or another Service-approved conservation bank. The Service would require the applicant to purchase the credits prior to engaging in any construction phase of the project. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made available to the public. While you may request that we withhold your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Our Preliminary Determination The Service has made a preliminary determination that the applicant’s proposed project, including the construction of the roadway and associated infrastructure, would individually and cumulatively have a minor effect on the skinks and the human environment. Therefore, we have preliminarily determined that the proposed ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permit would be a low-effect ITP that individually or cumulatively would have a minor effect on the sand skink and may qualify for application of a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA regulations, DOI’s NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. A low-effect incidental take permit is one that would result in (1) VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jul 10, 2023 Jkt 259001 minor or nonsignificant effects on species covered in the HCP; (2) nonsignificant effects on the human environment; and (3) impacts that, when added together with the impacts of other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions, would not result in significant cumulative effects to the human environment. Next Steps The Service will evaluate the application and the comments to determine whether to issue the requested ITP. We will also conduct an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 7 of the ESA to evaluate the effects of the proposed take. After considering the preceding and other matters, we will determine whether the permit issuance criteria of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA have been met. If met, the Service will issue ITP number PER 2423322 to Lake County. Authority The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.32) and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500–1508 and 43 CFR 46). Robert L. Carey, Division Manager, Environmental Review, Florida Ecological Services Office. [FR Doc. 2023–14526 Filed 7–10–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [BLM_WY_FRN_MO4500169700] Notice of Intent To Prepare Resource Management Plans for the Newcastle Field Office, Wyoming, and Nebraska Planning Area and an Associated Environmental Impact Statement Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. 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 (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming State Director intends to revise the Newcastle Field Office (NFO) and Nebraska Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and prepare an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping period to SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44151 solicit public comments and identify issues, providing the planning criteria for public review, and issuing a call for nominations for areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs). The RMP revision would replace the existing Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs. DATES: The BLM requests the public submit comments concerning the scope of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant information, studies, and ACEC nominations by August 10, 2023. To afford the BLM the opportunity to consider issues and ACEC nominations raised by commenters to the Draft RMPs/EIS, please ensure your comments are received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria related to Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs and nominations of new ACECs by any of the following methods: • Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/ eplanning-ui/project/2013064/510 • Email: BLM_WY_Newcastle_ Nebraska_RMP@blm.gov • Fax: (307) 261–7639 • Mail: BLM, High Plains District Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604 Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at https:// eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2013064/510 and at the Newcastle Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen T. Lacko, Project Manager, telephone (307) 261–7536; address BLM High Plains District Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604; email ktlacko@blm.gov. Contact Ms. Lacko to have your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services for contacting Ms. Lacko. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM intends to prepare two RMPs and an associated EIS for the Newcastle Field Office and Nebraska planning areas, announces the beginning of the scoping process, seeks public input on issues and planning criteria, and invites the public to nominate ACECs. The planning areas are located in Crook, E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1 44152 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 11, 2023 / Notices Weston, and Niobrara counties in Wyoming and all counties in Nebraska, encompassing approximately 287,900 acres of surface lands and 1,738,900 acres of Federal mineral estate in Wyoming and approximately 5,100 acres of surface lands and 223,900 acres of Federal mineral estate in Nebraska. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Purpose and Need for the RMPs The purpose of the Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs/EIS are to provide a comprehensive framework to guide management of BLM-administered surface land in the planning areas. The RMPs/EIS will incorporate new data, address land use issues and conflicts, and specify where and under what circumstances activities would be allowed on BLM-administered surface lands. The objectives, land use allocations, and management decisions will be based on the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, except where a tract of such public land has been dedicated to specific uses according to another provision of law. All management direction must meet the objectives of the BLM’s multiple use management mandate and responsibilities under FLPMA Section 202(c) and (e) and is subject to valid existing rights. The NFO has determined updates are needed for the two RMPs it relies on to manage the public land and Federal mineral estate in the planning areas. Assessments of these plans showed they require updating to address new information and changes to resources and resource uses within the planning area since the BLM approved the NFO RMP in 2000 and completed the Nebraska RMP in 1992. The revised RMPs will replace the existing Newcastle RMP/Record of Decision (ROD) and Nebraska RMP/ROD. Preliminary Alternatives The BLM has identified the four following preliminary alternatives for analysis in the EIS. Generally, these alternatives include: • Alternative A—No Action: Continue existing management under the existing Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs. • Alternative B—Resource Protection Emphasis: Emphasizes conservation, including ACEC designations. • Alternative C—Maximizes Resource Use: Emphasizes resource use and includes the fewest protected areas and restrictions to resource uses. • Alternative D—Balances Resource Protection and Use: Multiple use focus with prescriptive actions to allow protections with more flexibility. Balances conservation and resource use. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jul 10, 2023 Jkt 259001 The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives as well as suggestions for additional alternatives. Planning Criteria The planning criteria guide the planning effort and lay the groundwork for effects analysis by identifying the preliminary issues and their analytical frameworks. Preliminary issues for the planning areas have been identified by BLM personnel and from early engagement conducted for this planning effort with Federal, State, and local agencies; Tribes; and stakeholders. The BLM has identified the following preliminary issues for this planning effort’s analysis: Minerals and energy development, vegetation management, fish and wildlife habitat, air quality, recreation, livestock grazing, lands and realty authorizations, land tenure adjustments, recreation, and special management areas, including ACEC nominations. The planning criteria are available for public review and comment at the ePlanning website (see ADDRESSES). Preliminary planning criteria identified include: • The plans will be completed in compliance with FLPMA and all other applicable laws. • The plans will recognize valid existing rights. • The planning process will include an EIS that will comply with NEPA. • The plans will establish new guidance and identify existing guidance upon which the BLM will rely in managing public lands within the NFO and Nebraska. • The planning process will include early coordination and Endangered Species Act consultation meetings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the development of the plans. • The plans will recognize the States’ responsibility for managing wildlife populations, including uses such as hunting and fishing, within the planning areas. • The planning process would involve Indian Tribal governments and Tribal leaders and would provide strategies for the protection of recognized traditional and cultural uses. • Decisions in the plans will strive to be consistent with the existing plans and policies of adjacent local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies as long as those plans and policies are consistent with the purposes, policies, and programs of Federal law and regulations applicable to the public lands. Summary of Expected Impacts The EIS will analyze impacts in the Newcastle and Nebraska planning areas PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 using three alternatives and a no action alternative. There are no known significant impacts identified at this stage of the planning effort. Schedule for the Decision-Making Process The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation consistent with the NEPA and land use planning processes, including a 90-day comment period on the Draft RMPs/EIS and a concurrent 30-day public protest period and a 60-day Governor’s consistency review on the Proposed RMPs. The Draft RMPs/EIS are anticipated to be available for public review in December 2023 and the Proposed RMPs/Final EIS are anticipated to be available for public protest in September 2024, with Approved RMPs and a Record of Decision in December 2024. Public Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping period and public review of the planning criteria, which guide the development and analysis of the Draft RMPs/EIS. A series of public meetings will be held in the planning areas. The BLM held a series of early engagement public meetings in May, 2023, and will hold one virtual public meeting during the scoping period. The specific date of the virtual scoping meeting will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, BLM Wyoming social media, ePlanning project page (see ADDRESSES), and the BLM website (see ADDRESSES). ACECs The following ACEC is currently designated in the planning areas: Whoopup Canyon ACEC in Wyoming, consisting of approximately 1,440 acres. Whoopup Canyon ACEC has rare and sensitive archaeological resources of religious and cultural concern to Native Americans for unique petroglyphs that date from the end of the Pleistocene era and overlap in time with the oldest Paleoindian sites in North America. The BLM will reevaluate existing the designated ACEC in the Draft RMPs/EIS to determine if relevant and important values still exist and analyze whether to retain its designation. During preplanning and early engagement, the BLM identified the Little Missouri Antelope Trap as an ACEC for consideration of designation, consisting of 9,500 acres, due to its rare and sensitive archaeological resources and religious and cultural values to Native American Tribes. The BLM may also propose an expansion to the existing E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 11, 2023 / Notices Whoopup Canyon ACEC, consisting of an additional 240 acres. This notice invites the public to nominate additional areas for ACEC consideration. To assist the BLM in evaluating nominations for consideration in the Draft RMPs/EIS, please provide supporting descriptive materials, maps, and evidence of the relevance and importance of resources or hazards by the close of the public comment period in order to facilitate timely evaluation (see DATES and ADDRESSES). The BLM has identified the anticipated issues related to the consideration of ACECs in the planning criteria. Cooperating Agencies U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Wyoming State Governor’s Office; Wyoming Game and Fish Department; Wyoming Department of Agriculture; Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments; Wyoming Department of Transportation; Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality; Wyoming Cultural Resources; Wyoming State Engineers Office; Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails; Wyoming State Forestry; Wyoming State Geological Survey; Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office; Crook County Commissioner; Crook County Conservation District; Weston County Commissioner; Weston County Conservation District; Niobrara County Commissioner; Niobrara Conservation District; and Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Responsible Official The Wyoming State Director is the deciding official for this planning effort. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Nature of Decision To Be Made The nature of the decision to be made will be the State Director’s selection of land use planning decisions for managing BLM-administered lands under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield in a manner that best addresses the purpose and need. Interdisciplinary Team The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plans to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be involved in this planning effort: Air Resources, Geology and Minerals, Petroleum Engineer, GIS Specialist, Soils, Water Resources, Vegetation (including Special Status Species), Wildlife (including Special Status Species), Cultural Resources, Paleontological Resources, Special VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Jul 10, 2023 Jkt 259001 44153 Designations, Visual Resources, Wildland Fire Management, Renewable Energy, Travel Management & Recreation, Lands and Realty, Livestock Grazing, Tribal Interests, Public Safety, Socioeconomics, and Environmental Justice. 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. Additional Information The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed plans and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already included in the proposed plans or alternatives. Mitigation may include avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over time, and compensation, and may be considered at multiple scales, including the landscape scale. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA and land use planning processes for this planning effort to help support compliance with applicable procedural requirements under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public involvement requirements of Section 106. The information about historic and cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the area potentially affected by the proposed plan will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources. The BLM will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-togovernment basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780, and other Departmental policies. The BLM will send invitations to potentially affected Tribal Nations prior to consultation meetings. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for government-to-government consultation during the NEPA process. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with Indian Tribal Nations and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed plans that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. 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 (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9 and 43 CFR 1610.2) PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Andrew S. Archuleta, State Director. [FR Doc. 2023–14519 Filed 7–10–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4331–26–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–DTS#–36113; PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000] National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before June 24, 2023, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. DATES: Comments should be submitted electronically by July 26, 2023. ADDRESSES: Comments are encouraged to be submitted electronically to National_Register_Submissions@ nps.gov with the subject line ‘‘Public Comment on <property or proposed district name, (County) State>.’’ If you have no access to email, you may send them via U.S. Postal Service and all other carriers to the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, MS 7228, Washington, DC 20240. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherry A. Frear, Chief, National Register of Historic Places/National Historic Landmarks Program, 1849 C Street NW, MS 7228, Washington, DC 20240, sherry_frear@nps.gov, 202–913–3763. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The properties listed in this notice are being considered for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. Nominations for their consideration were received by the National Park Service before June 24, 2023. Pursuant to § 60.13 of 36 CFR part 60, comments are being accepted concerning the significance of the nominated properties under the National Register criteria for evaluation. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44151-44153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14519]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[BLM_WY_FRN_MO4500169700]


Notice of Intent To Prepare Resource Management Plans for the 
Newcastle Field Office, Wyoming, and Nebraska Planning Area and an 
Associated Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: 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 (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Wyoming State Director intends to revise the Newcastle Field Office 
(NFO) and Nebraska Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and prepare an 
associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is 
announcing the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public 
comments and identify issues, providing the planning criteria for 
public review, and issuing a call for nominations for areas of critical 
environmental concern (ACECs). The RMP revision would replace the 
existing Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs.

DATES: The BLM requests the public submit comments concerning the scope 
of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant 
information, studies, and ACEC nominations by August 10, 2023. To 
afford the BLM the opportunity to consider issues and ACEC nominations 
raised by commenters to the Draft RMPs/EIS, please ensure your comments 
are received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days 
after the last public meeting, whichever is later.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs and nominations of new ACECs by 
any of the following methods:

 Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2013064/510
 Email: [email protected]
 Fax: (307) 261-7639
 Mail: BLM, High Plains District Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, 
Casper, WY 82604

    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at 
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2013064/510 and at the 
Newcastle Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen T. Lacko, Project Manager, 
telephone (307) 261-7536; address BLM High Plains District Office, 2987 
Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604; email [email protected]. Contact Ms. 
Lacko to have your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the 
United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a 
speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services for contacting Ms. Lacko. Individuals 
outside the United States should use the relay services offered within 
their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in 
the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
intends to prepare two RMPs and an associated EIS for the Newcastle 
Field Office and Nebraska planning areas, announces the beginning of 
the scoping process, seeks public input on issues and planning 
criteria, and invites the public to nominate ACECs. The planning areas 
are located in Crook,

[[Page 44152]]

Weston, and Niobrara counties in Wyoming and all counties in Nebraska, 
encompassing approximately 287,900 acres of surface lands and 1,738,900 
acres of Federal mineral estate in Wyoming and approximately 5,100 
acres of surface lands and 223,900 acres of Federal mineral estate in 
Nebraska.

Purpose and Need for the RMPs

    The purpose of the Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs/EIS are to provide a 
comprehensive framework to guide management of BLM-administered surface 
land in the planning areas. The RMPs/EIS will incorporate new data, 
address land use issues and conflicts, and specify where and under what 
circumstances activities would be allowed on BLM-administered surface 
lands. The objectives, land use allocations, and management decisions 
will be based on the principles of multiple use and sustained yield, 
except where a tract of such public land has been dedicated to specific 
uses according to another provision of law. All management direction 
must meet the objectives of the BLM's multiple use management mandate 
and responsibilities under FLPMA Section 202(c) and (e) and is subject 
to valid existing rights.
    The NFO has determined updates are needed for the two RMPs it 
relies on to manage the public land and Federal mineral estate in the 
planning areas. Assessments of these plans showed they require updating 
to address new information and changes to resources and resource uses 
within the planning area since the BLM approved the NFO RMP in 2000 and 
completed the Nebraska RMP in 1992. The revised RMPs will replace the 
existing Newcastle RMP/Record of Decision (ROD) and Nebraska RMP/ROD.

Preliminary Alternatives

    The BLM has identified the four following preliminary alternatives 
for analysis in the EIS. Generally, these alternatives include:
     Alternative A--No Action: Continue existing management 
under the existing Newcastle and Nebraska RMPs.
     Alternative B--Resource Protection Emphasis: Emphasizes 
conservation, including ACEC designations.
     Alternative C--Maximizes Resource Use: Emphasizes resource 
use and includes the fewest protected areas and restrictions to 
resource uses.
     Alternative D--Balances Resource Protection and Use: 
Multiple use focus with prescriptive actions to allow protections with 
more flexibility. Balances conservation and resource use.
    The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives as well 
as suggestions for additional alternatives.

Planning Criteria

    The planning criteria guide the planning effort and lay the 
groundwork for effects analysis by identifying the preliminary issues 
and their analytical frameworks. Preliminary issues for the planning 
areas have been identified by BLM personnel and from early engagement 
conducted for this planning effort with Federal, State, and local 
agencies; Tribes; and stakeholders. The BLM has identified the 
following preliminary issues for this planning effort's analysis: 
Minerals and energy development, vegetation management, fish and 
wildlife habitat, air quality, recreation, livestock grazing, lands and 
realty authorizations, land tenure adjustments, recreation, and special 
management areas, including ACEC nominations.
    The planning criteria are available for public review and comment 
at the ePlanning website (see ADDRESSES). Preliminary planning criteria 
identified include:
     The plans will be completed in compliance with FLPMA and 
all other applicable laws.
     The plans will recognize valid existing rights.
     The planning process will include an EIS that will comply 
with NEPA.
     The plans will establish new guidance and identify 
existing guidance upon which the BLM will rely in managing public lands 
within the NFO and Nebraska.
     The planning process will include early coordination and 
Endangered Species Act consultation meetings with the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service during the development of the plans.
     The plans will recognize the States' responsibility for 
managing wildlife populations, including uses such as hunting and 
fishing, within the planning areas.
     The planning process would involve Indian Tribal 
governments and Tribal leaders and would provide strategies for the 
protection of recognized traditional and cultural uses.
     Decisions in the plans will strive to be consistent with 
the existing plans and policies of adjacent local, State, Tribal, and 
Federal agencies as long as those plans and policies are consistent 
with the purposes, policies, and programs of Federal law and 
regulations applicable to the public lands.

Summary of Expected Impacts

    The EIS will analyze impacts in the Newcastle and Nebraska planning 
areas using three alternatives and a no action alternative. There are 
no known significant impacts identified at this stage of the planning 
effort.

Schedule for the Decision-Making Process

    The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public 
participation consistent with the NEPA and land use planning processes, 
including a 90-day comment period on the Draft RMPs/EIS and a 
concurrent 30-day public protest period and a 60-day Governor's 
consistency review on the Proposed RMPs. The Draft RMPs/EIS are 
anticipated to be available for public review in December 2023 and the 
Proposed RMPs/Final EIS are anticipated to be available for public 
protest in September 2024, with Approved RMPs and a Record of Decision 
in December 2024.

Public Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping period and public 
review of the planning criteria, which guide the development and 
analysis of the Draft RMPs/EIS. A series of public meetings will be 
held in the planning areas. The BLM held a series of early engagement 
public meetings in May, 2023, and will hold one virtual public meeting 
during the scoping period. The specific date of the virtual scoping 
meeting will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local 
media, BLM Wyoming social media, ePlanning project page (see 
ADDRESSES), and the BLM website (see ADDRESSES).

ACECs

    The following ACEC is currently designated in the planning areas: 
Whoopup Canyon ACEC in Wyoming, consisting of approximately 1,440 
acres. Whoopup Canyon ACEC has rare and sensitive archaeological 
resources of religious and cultural concern to Native Americans for 
unique petroglyphs that date from the end of the Pleistocene era and 
overlap in time with the oldest Paleoindian sites in North America. The 
BLM will reevaluate existing the designated ACEC in the Draft RMPs/EIS 
to determine if relevant and important values still exist and analyze 
whether to retain its designation. During preplanning and early 
engagement, the BLM identified the Little Missouri Antelope Trap as an 
ACEC for consideration of designation, consisting of 9,500 acres, due 
to its rare and sensitive archaeological resources and religious and 
cultural values to Native American Tribes. The BLM may also propose an 
expansion to the existing

[[Page 44153]]

Whoopup Canyon ACEC, consisting of an additional 240 acres.
    This notice invites the public to nominate additional areas for 
ACEC consideration. To assist the BLM in evaluating nominations for 
consideration in the Draft RMPs/EIS, please provide supporting 
descriptive materials, maps, and evidence of the relevance and 
importance of resources or hazards by the close of the public comment 
period in order to facilitate timely evaluation (see DATES and 
ADDRESSES). The BLM has identified the anticipated issues related to 
the consideration of ACECs in the planning criteria.

Cooperating Agencies

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency; Wyoming State Governor's Office; Wyoming Game and Fish 
Department; Wyoming Department of Agriculture; Wyoming Office of State 
Lands and Investments; Wyoming Department of Transportation; Wyoming 
Department of Environmental Quality; Wyoming Cultural Resources; 
Wyoming State Engineers Office; Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and 
Trails; Wyoming State Forestry; Wyoming State Geological Survey; 
Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office; Crook County Commissioner; 
Crook County Conservation District; Weston County Commissioner; Weston 
County Conservation District; Niobrara County Commissioner; Niobrara 
Conservation District; and Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation 
Commission.

Responsible Official

    The Wyoming State Director is the deciding official for this 
planning effort.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The nature of the decision to be made will be the State Director's 
selection of land use planning decisions for managing BLM-administered 
lands under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield in a 
manner that best addresses the purpose and need.

Interdisciplinary Team

    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plans 
to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. 
Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be 
involved in this planning effort: Air Resources, Geology and Minerals, 
Petroleum Engineer, GIS Specialist, Soils, Water Resources, Vegetation 
(including Special Status Species), Wildlife (including Special Status 
Species), Cultural Resources, Paleontological Resources, Special 
Designations, Visual Resources, Wildland Fire Management, Renewable 
Energy, Travel Management & Recreation, Lands and Realty, Livestock 
Grazing, Tribal Interests, Public Safety, Socioeconomics, and 
Environmental Justice.

Additional Information

    The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address 
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed plans 
and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with 40 CFR 
1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already 
included in the proposed plans or alternatives. Mitigation may include 
avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over 
time, and compensation, and may be considered at multiple scales, 
including the landscape scale.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA and land use planning 
processes for this planning effort to help support compliance with 
applicable procedural requirements under the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1536) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public 
involvement requirements of Section 106. The information about historic 
and cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the 
area potentially affected by the proposed plan will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
    The BLM will consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM MS 1780, 
and other Departmental policies. The BLM will send invitations to 
potentially affected Tribal Nations prior to consultation meetings. The 
BLM will provide additional opportunities for government-to-government 
consultation during the NEPA process. Tribal concerns, including 
impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural 
resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local 
agencies, along with Indian Tribal Nations and other stakeholders that 
may be interested in or affected by the proposed plans that the BLM is 
evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if 
eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a 
cooperating agency.
    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 1501.9 and 43 CFR 1610.2)

Andrew S. Archuleta,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023-14519 Filed 7-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-26-P
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