Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado River Valley Field Office and Grand Junction Field Office Resource Management Plans, Colorado, 51855-51857 [2023-16598]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 149 / Friday, August 4, 2023 / Notices
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
to balance a co-production intent with
the current institutional and resource
constraints, strives to apply the concept
of bridging knowledge systems—
maintaining the integrity of different
knowledge systems while weaving them
together—and aims to create equitable
space for all knowledge systems and
knowledge holders. In doing so,
USGCRP will respect the rights, values,
and knowledge held by Indigenous and
local communities.
preparation, or for the use of any
information contained in the response.
Eric Werwa,
Deputy Assistant Secretary—Policy and
Environmental Management, Office of Policy,
Management, and Budget.
[FR Doc. 2023–16794 Filed 8–3–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334–63–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
IV. Development of Associated Products
Bureau of Land Management
In addition to a use-inspired,
knowledge-informed NNA1 report,
input from the public, Tribes, and
agencies emphasized the need for an
array of products associated with NNA1.
Public and Tribal input emphasized the
diversity of perspectives that people
hold on nature and the impact of nature
on their lives. The comments requested
that USGCRP reflect that diversity, and
as much as possible, do so in the voices
of people themselves. In response to this
input, USGCRP will explore the
feasibility of video-based products
related to the scope of NNA1. Videobased products would allow people
from various perspectives to share their
stories and reactions to questions such
as: why is nature important to me, how
is nature changing, and why does this
matter?
USGCRP will also explore
development of special issues of peerreviewed journals and publication of
technical reports on specific topics,
with the intent that these efforts address
additional questions received through
the engagement process, close research
gaps, strengthen individual aspects of
the available knowledge base, and
potentially serve as inputs to NNA1. For
example, one such journal special issue
recommended through Tribal
Consultation is an Indigenous-led
volume that explores perspectives of
Indigenous Knowledge holders and
scholars relevant to the scope of NNA1.
A technical report with a focus on
nature literacy relevant to the scope of
NNA1 has also been recommended.
We seek public input on all aspects of
the proposed NNA1.
Responses: Response to this Request
for Comment is voluntary. Respondents
need not comment on all topics.
Responses may be used by the U.S.
Government for program planning on a
non-attribution basis. The United States
Department of Interior therefore
requests that no business proprietary
information or copyrighted information
be submitted in response to this Request
for Comment. Please note that the U.S.
Government will not pay for response
[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500171447]
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Notice of Availability of the Draft
Resource Management Plan and
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Colorado River
Valley Field Office and Grand Junction
Field Office Resource Management
Plans, Colorado
Bureau of Land Management,
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 (FLMPA), the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
prepared a Draft Resource Management
Plan (RMP) and Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Colorado River Valley Field
Office (CRVFO) and Grand Junction
Field Office (GJFO), and by this notice
is providing information announcing
the opening of the comment period on
the Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS and is
announcing the comment period on the
BLM’s proposed areas of critical
environmental concern (ACECs).
DATES: This notice announces the
opening of a 90-day comment period for
the Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS
beginning on the date following the
Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA) publication of its Notice of
Availability (NOA) of the Draft RMP/
Supplemental EIS in the Federal
Register. The EPA usually publishes its
NOAs on Fridays.
To afford the BLM the opportunity to
consider comments in the Proposed
RMP/Final Supplemental EIS, please
ensure that the BLM receives your
comments prior to the close of the 90day public comment period or 15 days
after the last public meeting, whichever
is later.
In addition, this notice also
announces the opening of a 60-day
comment period for ACECs. The BLM
must receive your ACEC-related
comments by October 3, 2023.
SUMMARY:
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The Draft RMP/
Supplemental EIS is available for review
on the BLM ePlanning project Website
at: https://go.usa.gov/xtrgf.
Written comments related to the
supplemental EIS for the CRVFO and
GJFO RMPs/EISs may be submitted by
any of the following methods:
• Website: https://go.usa.gov/xtrgf
• Mail: BLM Upper Colorado River
District, Attn: Supplemental EIS, 2518
H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506
Documents pertinent to this proposal
may be examined online at https://
go.usa.gov/xtrgf and at the Grand
Junction and Colorado River Valley
Field Offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bruce Krickbaum, Project Manager,
telephone 970–240–5399; address BLM
Upper Colorado River District, 2518 H
Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506; email
ucrd-seis@blm.gov. 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 Mr. Krickbaum. 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
Colorado State Director has prepared a
Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS for the
two RMPs/EISs, provides information
announcing the opening of the comment
period on the Draft RMP/Supplemental
EIS, and announces the comment period
on the BLM’s proposed ACECs. The
planning area is located in Garfield,
Mesa, Eagle, Pitkin, Routt, Rio Blanco,
and Montrose counties, Colorado, and
encompasses approximately 1.56
million acres of public land and 1.92
million acres of Federal mineral estate.
CRVFO and GJFO management is
identified in their respective 2015
RMPs. Apart from fluid mineral leasing
decisions, all existing management as
described in the CRVFO and GJFO
approved RMPs remains in effect.
ADDRESSES:
Purpose and Need for the Planning
Effort
The purpose of the supplemental EIS
is to supplement the EISs completed in
2014 for the CRVFO RMP and 2015 for
the GJFO RMP by considering one or
more additional alternatives with
respect to the lands that are allocated as
open or closed to oil and gas leasing in
the planning decision areas, and to
provide additional analysis of
greenhouse gas emissions associated
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 149 / Friday, August 4, 2023 / Notices
with the fluid mineral management
alternatives considered in the final EISs
and the supplemental EIS.
The need for this supplemental EIS is
to address the issues identified by the
court in litigation involving the
Colorado River Valley RMP (Wilderness
Workshop v. BLM, 16–cv–01822), as
described in settlement agreements in
that case and a related case (Wilderness
Workshop v. BLM, 18–cv–00987), and to
revisit the Grand Junction RMP, as
described in the BLM’s motion for
voluntary remand in litigation involving
that RMP (Center for Biological Diversity
v. BLM, 19–cv–02869). The need is also
to consider new information, including
relevant information provided through
tribal consultation.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Alternatives Including the Preferred
Alternative
The BLM has analyzed two additional
alternatives in detail. The three action
alternatives (B through D) and the no
action alternative (A) from the 2014
CRVFO and the 2015 GJFO Final EISs
remain within the range of alternatives
considered. Alternative E would close
the areas with no-known, low, and
medium potential for fluid mineral
leasing to future fluid mineral leasing.
Alternative E would also close areas that
would be allocated as closed to fluid
mineral leasing in alternative C of the
2014 CRVFO and 2015 GJFO Final EISs.
Alternative E would designate the
potential ACECs that were analyzed as
closed to leasing in alternative C of the
2014 CRVFO and 2015 GJFO Final EISs.
Alternative F would close the same
areas as alternative E to future fluid
mineral leasing, as well as additional
areas identified by the public during
scoping. Alternative F would designate
all potential ACECs analyzed in
alternative C of the 2014 CRVFO and
2015 GJFO Final EISs and would
expand one existing ACEC. Alternative
F would designate one FLPMA Section
202 Wilderness Study Area. The BLM
did not identify any additional
alternatives for detailed analysis.
The State Director has identified
alternative E as the preferred alternative.
Alternative E was found to best meet the
State Director’s planning guidance and,
therefore, selected as the preferred
alternative because it best meets the
purpose and need.
ACECs
Consistent with land use planning
regulations at 43 CFR 1610.7–2(b), the
BLM is announcing the opening of a 60day comment period on the ACECs
proposed for designation in the
preferred alternative. Comments may be
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submitted using any of the methods
listed in the ADDRESSES section earlier.
The proposed ACEC included in the
preferred alternative for CRVFO is:
• Greater Sage-grouse Habitat, 24,600
acres, to protect priority habitat for the
greater sage-grouse. Close to fluid
mineral leasing, right-of-way avoidance,
visual resource management (VRM)
Class II, prohibit net increase in
motorized/mechanized routes.
The proposed ACECs included in the
preferred alternative for GFJO are:
• Atwell Gulch, 6,100 acres (an
additional 3,200 acres above current
designation), to protect rare plants,
cultural resources, scenic values, and
wildlife habitat. Close to fluid mineral
leasing, close to mineral material
disposal and non-energy solid leasable
mineral exploration and development,
right-of-way exclusion, travel closed to
motorized and mechanized travel
(except for Sunnyside Rd), VRM Class
II.
• Badger Wash, 2,200 acres, to protect
rare plants and use as a hydrologic
study area. Close to fluid mineral
leasing, close to mineral material
disposal and non-energy solid leasable
mineral exploration and development,
1,800 acres right-of-way exclusion, 400
acres right-of-way avoidance, VRM
Class II.
• Glade Park-Pinyon Mesa, 27,200
acres, to protect occupied Gunnison
Sage-grouse habitat. Close to fluid
mineral leasing, close to mineral
material disposal and non-energy solid
leasable mineral exploration and
development, right-of-way avoidance,
travel limited to designated routes, VRM
Class II.
• John Brown Canyon, 1,400 acres, to
preserve old growth pinyon-juniper
woodlands. Close to fluid mineral
leasing, close to mineral material
disposal and non-energy solid leasable
mineral exploration and development,
travel limited to designated routes, VRM
Class II.
• Mt. Garfield, 5,700 acres (an
additional 3,300 acres above current
designation), to protect its scenic values.
Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to
mineral material disposal and nonenergy solid leasable mineral
exploration and development, travel
limited to designated routes, right-ofway exclusion, VRM Class I.
• Plateau Creek, 200 acres, to protect
special status fish species. Close to fluid
mineral leasing, close to mineral
material disposal and non-energy solid
leasable mineral exploration and
development, right-of-way avoidance,
travel limited to designated routes, VRM
Class II.
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• Prairie Canyon, 6,900 acres, to
protect rare plants and wildlife habitat.
Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to
mineral material disposal and nonenergy solid leasable mineral
exploration and development, 2,800
acres right-of-way exclusion, 2,600 acres
right-of-way avoidance, travel limited to
designated routes, VRM Class II.
• South Shale Ridge, 28,200 (an
additional 400 acres above current
designation), to protect rare plants,
wildlife habitat, and scenic values.
Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to
mineral material disposal and nonenergy solid leasable mineral
exploration and development, right-ofway exclusion, travel limited to
designated routes, VRM Class II.
The preferred alternative would not
propose the following potential ACECs
in CRVFO for designation: Abrams
Creek, Dotsero Crater, Glenwood
Springs Debris Flow Hazard Zones,
Grand Hogback, Hardscrabble-East
Eagle, Lyons Gulch, McCoy Fan Delta,
Mount Logan Foothills, Sheep Creek
Uplands, and The Crown Ridge.
The preferred alternative would not
propose the following potential ACECs
in GJFO for designation: Colorado River
Riparian, Coon Creek, Gunnison River
Riparian, Hawxhurst Creek, Indian
Creek, Nine-mile Hill Boulders, Pyramid
Rock Expansion, and Reeder Mesa.
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 30-day
public protest period and a 60-day
Governor’s consistency review on the
Proposed RMP. The Proposed RMP/
Final Supplemental EIS is anticipated to
be available for public protest in the
spring of 2024 with a supplemental
approved RMP and Record of Decision
in the summer of 2024.
The BLM will hold two public
meetings. The specific dates and
locations of these meetings will be
announced least 15 days in advance
through local media, newspapers, and
the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/
xtrgf.
The BLM will continue to consult
with Indian Tribal Nations on a
government-to-government basis in
accordance with Executive Order 13175,
BLM MS 1780, and other Departmental
policies. Tribal concerns, including
impacts on Indian trust assets and
potential impacts to cultural resources,
will be given due consideration.
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 149 / Friday, August 4, 2023 / Notices
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, 43 CFR 1610.7–2)
Douglas J. Vilsack,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023–16598 Filed 8–3–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331–16–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 337–TA–1293]
Certain Automated Put Walls and
Automated Storage and Retrieval
Systems, Associated Vehicles,
Associated Control Software, and
Component Parts Thereof; Notice of
Final Determination Finding a Violation
of Section 337; Issuance of a Limited
Exclusion Order and Cease and Desist
Orders; Termination of Investigation
International Trade
Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. International Trade
Commission has determined that
respondents HC Robotics (a.k.a. Huicang
Information Technology Co., Ltd.) and
Invata, LLC (d/b/a Invata Intralogistics)
(collectively, ‘‘Respondents’’) have
violated section 337 of the Tariff Act of
1930, as amended, by importing, selling
for importation, or selling within the
United States after importation certain
automated put walls and automated
storage and retrieval systems, associated
vehicles, associated control software,
and component parts thereof that
infringe one or more claims of U.S.
Patent Nos. 8,622,194 and 10,576,505.
The Commission has determined that
the appropriate remedies are a limited
exclusion order (‘‘LEO’’) and cease and
desist orders (‘‘CDOs’’) against each of
Respondents. The Commission has also
determined to set a bond in the amount
of 100 percent of the entered value of
the excluded articles imported during
the period of Presidential review. This
investigation is hereby terminated.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard P. Hadorn, Esq., Office of the
General Counsel, U.S. International
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW,
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:51 Aug 03, 2023
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205–3179. Copies of non-confidential
documents filed in connection with this
investigation may be viewed on the
Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
at https://edis.usitc.gov. For help
accessing EDIS, please email
EDIS3Help@usitc.gov. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
internet server at https://www.usitc.gov.
Hearing-impaired persons are advised
that information on this matter can be
obtained by contacting the
Commission’s TDD terminal, telephone
(202) 205–1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Commission instituted this investigation
on January 27, 2022, based on a
complaint filed by OPEX Corporation
(‘‘OPEX’’) of Moorestown, New Jersey.
87 FR 4290–91 (Jan. 27, 2022). The
complaint, as supplemented, alleges
violations of section 337 of the Tariff
Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337
(‘‘section 337’’), based on the
importation into the United States, the
sale for importation, and the sale within
the United States after importation of
certain automated put walls and
automated storage and retrieval systems,
associated vehicles, associated control
software, and component parts thereof
by reason of infringement of certain
claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,104,601
(‘‘the ’601 patent’’), 8,276,740 (‘‘the ’740
patent’’), 8,622,194 (‘‘the ’194 patent’’),
and 10,576,505 (‘‘the ’505 patent’’). Id.
at 4291. The complaint further alleges
that a domestic industry exists. Id. The
notice of investigation named two
respondents: (1) HC Robotics (a.k.a.
Huicang Information Technology Co.,
Ltd.) of Hangzhou City, Zheijang
Province, China; and (2) Invata, LLC (d/
b/a Invata Intralogistics) of
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Id. The
Office of Unfair Import Investigations is
not named as a party. Id.
On September 13, 2022, the
Commission terminated the
investigation as to the OmniSort
Generation 1 products based on a
consent order. Order No. 10 (Aug. 12,
2022), unreviewed by Comm’n Notice
(Sept. 13, 2022). On October 11, 2022,
the Commission terminated the
investigation as to (i) the ’601 patent, (ii)
the ’740 patent, (iii) asserted claims 2–
4, 6, 10, 12–17, 19, and 20 of the ’194
patent, and (iv) asserted claims 14, 17,
and 21 of the ’505 patent based on
OPEX’s partial withdrawal of the
complaint. Order No. 12 (Sept. 23,
2022), unreviewed by Comm’n Notice
(Oct. 11, 2022). On December 19, 2022,
the Commission determined that the
technical prong of the domestic industry
requirement is satisfied in this
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51857
investigation as to the remaining
asserted patents—i.e., the ’194 and ’505
patents. See Order No. 17 (Nov. 23,
2022), unreviewed by Comm’n Notice
(Dec. 19, 2022).
On March 31, 2023, the chief
administrative law judge issued a final
initial determination (‘‘ID’’) on
violation, which included a
recommended determination (‘‘RD’’) on
remedy and bonding. The ID finds
violations of section 337 with respect to
asserted claims 1 and 5 of the ’194
patent and asserted claims 1–5, 7–9, 11–
13, 15–16, and 18–20 of the ’505 patent.
Specifically, the ID finds that: (i) OPEX
has standing to assert both the ’194 and
’505 patents; (ii) the asserted claims
listed above are directly infringed by
Respondents; (iii) Respondents both
induced and contributed to the
infringement of each of the asserted
claims listed above; (iv) no asserted
claim is invalid; and (v) OPEX has
satisfied the domestic industry
requirement as to both patents. The RD
recommends that, should the
Commission determine that violations
of section 337 occurred, the
Commission should: (i) issue an LEO
against the Respondents’ infringing
products; (ii) issue CDOs against each of
Respondents; and (iii) set a 100 percent
bond for importations of infringing
products during the period of
Presidential review.
On June 1, 2023, the Commission
determined to review in part the final ID
with respect to the ID’s finding that
OPEX has satisfied the economic prong
of the DI requirement. 88 FR 37271–73
(June 7, 2023). The Commission also
determined to correct typographical/
clerical errors on pages 8, 35, and 38 of
the ID. Id. The Commission further
determined not to review the remaining
findings in the ID. Id. The Commission’s
notice requested written submissions on
remedy, the public interest, and
bonding. See id. The Commission did
not request briefing on any issue under
review. Id.
The Commission did not receive
submissions on the public interest from
the parties pursuant to Commission
Rule 210.50(a)(4) (19 CFR 210.50(a)(4)).
The Commission also did not receive
any submissions on the public interest
from members of the public in response
to the Commission’s Federal Register
notice. See 88 FR 23689 (Apr. 18, 2023).
On June 15, 2023, OPEX and
Respondents each filed initial briefs on
remedy, the public interest, and
bonding. On June 22, 2023, OPEX and
Respondents each filed reply briefs.
The Commission, having reviewed the
record in this investigation, including
the final ID, the parties’ petitions and
E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 149 (Friday, August 4, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51855-51857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16598]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500171447]
Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado River
Valley Field Office and Grand Junction Field Office Resource Management
Plans, Colorado
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: 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 (FLMPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Colorado River Valley
Field Office (CRVFO) and Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO), and by
this notice is providing information announcing the opening of the
comment period on the Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS and is announcing the
comment period on the BLM's proposed areas of critical environmental
concern (ACECs).
DATES: This notice announces the opening of a 90-day comment period for
the Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS beginning on the date following the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) publication of its Notice of
Availability (NOA) of the Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS in the Federal
Register. The EPA usually publishes its NOAs on Fridays.
To afford the BLM the opportunity to consider comments in the
Proposed RMP/Final Supplemental EIS, please ensure that the BLM
receives your comments prior to the close of the 90-day public comment
period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later.
In addition, this notice also announces the opening of a 60-day
comment period for ACECs. The BLM must receive your ACEC-related
comments by October 3, 2023.
ADDRESSES: The Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS is available for review on
the BLM ePlanning project Website at: https://go.usa.gov/xtrgf.
Written comments related to the supplemental EIS for the CRVFO and
GJFO RMPs/EISs may be submitted by any of the following methods:
Website: https://go.usa.gov/xtrgf
Mail: BLM Upper Colorado River District, Attn: Supplemental
EIS, 2518 H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at
https://go.usa.gov/xtrgf and at the Grand Junction and Colorado River
Valley Field Offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce Krickbaum, Project Manager,
telephone 970-240-5399; address BLM Upper Colorado River District, 2518
H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506; email [email protected]. 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 Mr. Krickbaum.
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
Colorado State Director has prepared a Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS for
the two RMPs/EISs, provides information announcing the opening of the
comment period on the Draft RMP/Supplemental EIS, and announces the
comment period on the BLM's proposed ACECs. The planning area is
located in Garfield, Mesa, Eagle, Pitkin, Routt, Rio Blanco, and
Montrose counties, Colorado, and encompasses approximately 1.56 million
acres of public land and 1.92 million acres of Federal mineral estate.
CRVFO and GJFO management is identified in their respective 2015
RMPs. Apart from fluid mineral leasing decisions, all existing
management as described in the CRVFO and GJFO approved RMPs remains in
effect.
Purpose and Need for the Planning Effort
The purpose of the supplemental EIS is to supplement the EISs
completed in 2014 for the CRVFO RMP and 2015 for the GJFO RMP by
considering one or more additional alternatives with respect to the
lands that are allocated as open or closed to oil and gas leasing in
the planning decision areas, and to provide additional analysis of
greenhouse gas emissions associated
[[Page 51856]]
with the fluid mineral management alternatives considered in the final
EISs and the supplemental EIS.
The need for this supplemental EIS is to address the issues
identified by the court in litigation involving the Colorado River
Valley RMP (Wilderness Workshop v. BLM, 16-cv-01822), as described in
settlement agreements in that case and a related case (Wilderness
Workshop v. BLM, 18-cv-00987), and to revisit the Grand Junction RMP,
as described in the BLM's motion for voluntary remand in litigation
involving that RMP (Center for Biological Diversity v. BLM, 19-cv-
02869). The need is also to consider new information, including
relevant information provided through tribal consultation.
Alternatives Including the Preferred Alternative
The BLM has analyzed two additional alternatives in detail. The
three action alternatives (B through D) and the no action alternative
(A) from the 2014 CRVFO and the 2015 GJFO Final EISs remain within the
range of alternatives considered. Alternative E would close the areas
with no-known, low, and medium potential for fluid mineral leasing to
future fluid mineral leasing. Alternative E would also close areas that
would be allocated as closed to fluid mineral leasing in alternative C
of the 2014 CRVFO and 2015 GJFO Final EISs. Alternative E would
designate the potential ACECs that were analyzed as closed to leasing
in alternative C of the 2014 CRVFO and 2015 GJFO Final EISs.
Alternative F would close the same areas as alternative E to future
fluid mineral leasing, as well as additional areas identified by the
public during scoping. Alternative F would designate all potential
ACECs analyzed in alternative C of the 2014 CRVFO and 2015 GJFO Final
EISs and would expand one existing ACEC. Alternative F would designate
one FLPMA Section 202 Wilderness Study Area. The BLM did not identify
any additional alternatives for detailed analysis.
The State Director has identified alternative E as the preferred
alternative. Alternative E was found to best meet the State Director's
planning guidance and, therefore, selected as the preferred alternative
because it best meets the purpose and need.
ACECs
Consistent with land use planning regulations at 43 CFR 1610.7-
2(b), the BLM is announcing the opening of a 60-day comment period on
the ACECs proposed for designation in the preferred alternative.
Comments may be submitted using any of the methods listed in the
ADDRESSES section earlier.
The proposed ACEC included in the preferred alternative for CRVFO
is:
Greater Sage-grouse Habitat, 24,600 acres, to protect
priority habitat for the greater sage-grouse. Close to fluid mineral
leasing, right-of-way avoidance, visual resource management (VRM) Class
II, prohibit net increase in motorized/mechanized routes.
The proposed ACECs included in the preferred alternative for GFJO
are:
Atwell Gulch, 6,100 acres (an additional 3,200 acres above
current designation), to protect rare plants, cultural resources,
scenic values, and wildlife habitat. Close to fluid mineral leasing,
close to mineral material disposal and non-energy solid leasable
mineral exploration and development, right-of-way exclusion, travel
closed to motorized and mechanized travel (except for Sunnyside Rd),
VRM Class II.
Badger Wash, 2,200 acres, to protect rare plants and use
as a hydrologic study area. Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to
mineral material disposal and non-energy solid leasable mineral
exploration and development, 1,800 acres right-of-way exclusion, 400
acres right-of-way avoidance, VRM Class II.
Glade Park-Pinyon Mesa, 27,200 acres, to protect occupied
Gunnison Sage-grouse habitat. Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to
mineral material disposal and non-energy solid leasable mineral
exploration and development, right-of-way avoidance, travel limited to
designated routes, VRM Class II.
John Brown Canyon, 1,400 acres, to preserve old growth
pinyon-juniper woodlands. Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to
mineral material disposal and non-energy solid leasable mineral
exploration and development, travel limited to designated routes, VRM
Class II.
Mt. Garfield, 5,700 acres (an additional 3,300 acres above
current designation), to protect its scenic values. Close to fluid
mineral leasing, close to mineral material disposal and non-energy
solid leasable mineral exploration and development, travel limited to
designated routes, right-of-way exclusion, VRM Class I.
Plateau Creek, 200 acres, to protect special status fish
species. Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to mineral material
disposal and non-energy solid leasable mineral exploration and
development, right-of-way avoidance, travel limited to designated
routes, VRM Class II.
Prairie Canyon, 6,900 acres, to protect rare plants and
wildlife habitat. Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to mineral
material disposal and non-energy solid leasable mineral exploration and
development, 2,800 acres right-of-way exclusion, 2,600 acres right-of-
way avoidance, travel limited to designated routes, VRM Class II.
South Shale Ridge, 28,200 (an additional 400 acres above
current designation), to protect rare plants, wildlife habitat, and
scenic values. Close to fluid mineral leasing, close to mineral
material disposal and non-energy solid leasable mineral exploration and
development, right-of-way exclusion, travel limited to designated
routes, VRM Class II.
The preferred alternative would not propose the following potential
ACECs in CRVFO for designation: Abrams Creek, Dotsero Crater, Glenwood
Springs Debris Flow Hazard Zones, Grand Hogback, Hardscrabble-East
Eagle, Lyons Gulch, McCoy Fan Delta, Mount Logan Foothills, Sheep Creek
Uplands, and The Crown Ridge.
The preferred alternative would not propose the following potential
ACECs in GJFO for designation: Colorado River Riparian, Coon Creek,
Gunnison River Riparian, Hawxhurst Creek, Indian Creek, Nine-mile Hill
Boulders, Pyramid Rock Expansion, and Reeder Mesa.
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 30-day public protest period and a 60-day Governor's
consistency review on the Proposed RMP. The Proposed RMP/Final
Supplemental EIS is anticipated to be available for public protest in
the spring of 2024 with a supplemental approved RMP and Record of
Decision in the summer of 2024.
The BLM will hold two public meetings. The specific dates and
locations of these meetings will be announced least 15 days in advance
through local media, newspapers, and the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/xtrgf.
The BLM will continue to consult with Indian Tribal Nations on a
government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order
13175, BLM MS 1780, and other Departmental policies. Tribal concerns,
including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to
cultural resources, will be given due consideration.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your
[[Page 51857]]
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, 43 CFR
1610.7-2)
Douglas J. Vilsack,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023-16598 Filed 8-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-16-P
