Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the Uncompahgre Field Office and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, Colorado, 807-809 [2023-28889]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2024 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500175963] Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the Uncompahgre Field Office and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, Colorado AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Notice of intent. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Director intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Uncompahgre Field Office and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues and is providing the planning criteria for public review. DATES: The BLM requests the public submit comments concerning the scope of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant information and studies by February 20, 2024. To afford the BLM the opportunity to consider issues raised by commenters in the draft RMP amendment/EIS, please ensure your comments are received prior to the close of the 45-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 the Uncompahgre Field Office RMP Amendment by any of the following methods: • Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/ eplanning-ui/project/2026528/510. • Mail: Uncompahgre Field Office RMP amendment/EIS, BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at: https:// eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2026528/510 and at the Uncompahgre Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela LoSasso, Project Manager; telephone: 970–210–5579; address: BLM Uncomphagre Field Office, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401; email: alosasso@blm.gov. Contact Ms. LoSasso to have your name lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: 17:32 Jan 04, 2024 This document provides notice that the BLM Colorado State Director intends to prepare an RMP amendment with an associated EIS, announces the beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input on issues and planning criteria. The RMP amendment would change the existing 2020 Uncompahgre Field Office RMP. The RMP amendment is being considered to allow the BLM to evaluate oil and gas leasing decisions, previously proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), and management of lands with wilderness characteristics, which would require amending the existing Uncompahgre Field Office RMP. The planning area is located in Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, and encompasses approximately 678,400 acres of public land. The BLM will reevaluate ACECs previously nominated during scoping for the 2019 Uncompahgre Field Office RMP revision in the RMP amendment and EIS. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACTION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 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. LoSasso. 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. Jkt 262001 Purpose and Need The Uncompahgre Field Office approved RMP and Record of Decision was signed in April 2020. The BLM received and settled three lawsuits on the approved RMP. Under one settlement agreement, the BLM initiated two planning efforts in 2022: one statewide amendment for big game priority habitat and one range wide amendment for Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat. Those planning efforts are currently underway. In the remaining two settlement agreements, the BLM agreed to complete an RMP amendment process with a specific scope and within a specific timeline for the Uncompahgre Field Office decision area. The BLM needs to undertake this planning process to fulfill its responsibilities under the settlement agreements that resolved litigation challenging the 2020 Uncompahgre Field Office approved RMP. The purpose of this effort is to consider different management of oil and gas resources, lands with wilderness characteristics, and previously proposed PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 807 and analyzed ACECs within the specific scope described in settlement agreements. Consistent with settlement agreements, the scope of this land use planning process includes considering ACECs previously analyzed under Alternative B of the 2019 Uncompahgre Field Office proposed RMP/final EIS. Preliminary Alternatives Consistent with the settlement agreements, the BLM will consider: closing to new oil and gas leasing all areas within the Federal mineral estate that were analyzed under Alternative B/ B.1 of the 2019 proposed RMP/final EIS as either closed to leasing or open to leasing subject to no surface occupancy; a minimum of 350,000 acres previously analyzed as controlled surface use under Alternative B/B.1 of the 2019 proposed RMP/final EIS as subject to no surface occupancy; and protections for lands with wilderness characteristics and ACEC designations that are the same as those analyzed under Alternative B of the 2019 proposed RMP/final EIS. The BLM may also consider alternatives specifically for oil and gas leasing decisions only (areas open and closed to leasing, open subject to no surface occupancy, and open subject to controlled surface use) that are consistent with the BLM Colorado planning efforts for range-wide Gunnison Sage-Grouse conservation and statewide big game habitat conservation. 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 area 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 18 preliminary issues for this planning effort’s analysis. The planning criteria are available for public review and comment at the ePlanning website (see ADDRESSES). Summary of Expected Impacts The BLM expects impacts from alternatives to include beneficial or adverse changes to air quality; climate; oil and gas development opportunity; paleontological resources; soils including highly erodible salt and selenium soils; water including surface, ground, and municipal drinking water; wildlife including big game, threatened, E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1 808 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2024 / Notices and endangered species, BLM special status terrestrial and aquatic species, and migratory birds; vegetation including native plant communities, riparian vegetation, noxious and invasive species, and BLM special status, threatened, and endangered plant species; cultural resources; Native American religious concerns; socioeconomics; environmental justice; recreational opportunity; visual resources; travel and transportation; lands and reality authorizations; livestock grazing authorizations; ACECs; and lands managed for wilderness characteristics. 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 public comment period on the draft RMP amendment/EIS and concurrent 30-day public protest period and 60-day Governor’s consistency review on the proposed RMP amendment. The draft RMP amendment/EIS is anticipated to be available for public review in winter 2024/2025 and the proposed RMP amendment/final EIS is anticipated to be available for public protest of the proposed RMP Amendment in fall 2025 with an approved RMP amendment and Record of Decision in winter 2025/2026. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 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 RMP amendment/EIS. The BLM will be holding three scoping meetings in the following locations: two scoping meetings will be held virtually, and one scoping meeting will be held in Montrose, Colorado, at the BLM Public Lands Center. The specific date(s) and location(s) of these scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media and newspapers, and the BLM ePlanning website (see ADDRESSES). ACECs The following ACECs are currently designated in the planning area: Adobe Badlands ACEC/Outstanding Natural Area (ONA)/Instant Study Area (ISA) (6,370 acres), Biological Soil Crust ACEC (390 acres), Fairview South BLM Expansion ACEC (610 acres), Needle Rock ACEC/ONA (80 acres), Paradox Rock Art ACEC (1,080 acres), and San Miguel River ACEC (21,660) acres. Information about each existing ACEC, including the size, relevant and important values, and other helpful VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:32 Jan 04, 2024 Jkt 262001 information is available in the Uncompahgre Field Office ACEC Fact Sheet online on the project’s website in ADDRESSES. The BLM will reevaluate these designated ACECs for consideration in the draft RMP amendment/EIS. During the Uncompahgre Field Office RMP Revision planning process in 2010 the BLM solicited nominations for new ACECs. A total of 21 nominated ACECs covering a third of the field office met relevance and importance criteria, and all were analyzed in the 2019 proposed RMP/final EIS. Consistent with settlement agreements, the following 15 areas which were nominated and previously analyzed under Alternative B of the 2019 proposed RMP/final EIS will be reconsidered for ACEC designation in this planning effort: • Coyote Wash ACEC—2,100 acres • Dolores Slickrock ACEC—10,670 acres • East Paradox ACEC—7,630 acres • Fairview South CNHP Expansion ACEC—4,250 acres • La Sal Creek ACEC—10,490 acres • Lower Uncompahgre Plateau ACEC— 31,810 acres • Needle Rock ACEC—80 acres • Paradox Rock Art ACEC—1,080 acres • Roubideau-Potter-Monitor ACEC— 20,430 acres • Salt Desert Shrub Ecosystem ACEC— 34,510 acres (includes the existing Adobe Badlands ACEC) • San Miguel Gunnison Sage-Grouse ACEC—470 acres) • San Miguel River Expansion ACEC— 35,480 acres • Sims-Cerro Gunnison Sage-Grouse ACEC—25,620 acres • Tabeguache Pueblo and Tabeguache Caves ACEC—26,400 acres • West Paradox ACEC—5,190 acres Additional information on these proposed ACECs can be found in the 2013 final ACEC report on the project website (see ADDRESSES). The BLM has identified the anticipated issues related to the consideration of ACECs in the planning criteria. Cooperating Agencies The BLM is the lead agency. The BLM has invited Federal, State, and local agencies that are eligible to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. These include the Bureau of Reclamation; National Park Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Geological Survey; USDA Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests; Natural Resource Conservation Service; PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management; Western Area Power Administration; Colorado Department of Natural Resources; Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety; Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission; Colorado State Forest Service; Colorado Department of Agriculture; Colorado Parks and Wildlife; Colorado River Water Conservation District; Denver Water Board; Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties; and the Town of Paonia. Responsible Official The Colorado State Director is the deciding official for this planning effort. Other responsible officials include the BLM Colorado Southwest District Manager and the BLM Colorado Uncompahgre Field Manager. 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 pursuant to this RMP amendment 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 plan amendment in order 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 quality, climate, wildlife, threatened and endangered species, vegetation, hydrology, soils, energy and minerals, lands and reality, outdoor recreation management, geologic resources, archaeology, environmental justice, and socioeconomics. Additional Information The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed plan amendment and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already included in the proposed plan amendment 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 E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2024 / Notices 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 amendment 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. 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 Uncompahgre Field Office RMP Amendment 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 in the development of the environmental analysis 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 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2) Douglas J. Vilsack, BLM Colorado State Director. [FR Doc. 2023–28889 Filed 1–4–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4331–16–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 [Investigation Nos. 701–TA–703 and 731– TA–1661–1663 (Preliminary)] Glass Wine Bottles From Chile, China, and Mexico; Institution of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations and Scheduling of Preliminary Phase Investigations United States International Trade Commission. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:32 Jan 04, 2024 Jkt 262001 ACTION: Notice. The Commission hereby gives notice of the institution of investigations and commencement of preliminary phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigation Nos. 701–TA–703 and 731–TA–1661–1663 (Preliminary) pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (‘‘the Act’’) to determine whether there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the United States is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports of glass wine bottles from Chile, China, and Mexico, provided for in subheading 7010.90.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value and alleged to be subsidized by the Government of China. Unless the Department of Commerce (‘‘Commerce’’) extends the time for initiation, the Commission must reach a preliminary determination in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations in 45 days, or in this case by February 12, 2024. The Commission’s views must be transmitted to Commerce within five business days thereafter, or by February 20, 2024. DATES: December 29, 2023. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stamen Borisson ((202) 205–3125), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-impaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202– 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its internet server (https:// www.usitc.gov). The public record for these investigations may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background.—These investigations are being instituted, pursuant to sections 703(a) and 733(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671b(a) and 1673b(a)), in response to petitions filed on December 29, 2023, by the U.S. Glass Producers Coalition, which is comprised of Ardagh Glass Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 809 International Union, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For further information concerning the conduct of these investigations and rules of general application, consult the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A and B (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A and B (19 CFR part 207). Participation in the investigations and public service list.—Persons (other than petitioners) wishing to participate in the investigations as parties must file an entry of appearance with the Secretary to the Commission, as provided in §§ 201.11 and 207.10 of the Commission’s rules, not later than seven days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Industrial users and (if the merchandise under investigation is sold at the retail level) representative consumer organizations have the right to appear as parties in Commission antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations. The Secretary will prepare a public service list containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their representatives, who are parties to these investigations upon the expiration of the period for filing entries of appearance. Limited disclosure of business proprietary information (BPI) under an administrative protective order (APO) and BPI service list.—Pursuant to § 207.7(a) of the Commission’s rules, the Secretary will make BPI gathered in these investigations available to authorized applicants representing interested parties (as defined in 19 U.S.C. 1677(9)) who are parties to the investigations under the APO issued in the investigations, provided that the application is made not later than seven days after the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. A separate service list will be maintained by the Secretary for those parties authorized to receive BPI under the APO. Conference.—The Office of Investigations will hold a staff conference in connection with the preliminary phase of these investigations beginning at 9:30 a.m. on January 19, 2024. Requests to appear at the conference should be emailed to preliminaryconferences@usitc.gov (DO NOT FILE ON EDIS) on or before January 17, 2024. Please provide an email address for each conference participant in the email. Information on conference procedures, format, and participation, including guidance for requests to appear as a witness via videoconference, will be available on the Commission’s Public Calendar. A nonparty who has testimony that may aid the Commission’s deliberations may E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 4 (Friday, January 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 807-809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28889]



[[Page 807]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[BLM_CO_FRN_MO4500175963]


Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the 
Uncompahgre Field Office and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact 
Statement, Colorado

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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State 
Director intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment 
with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Uncompahgre Field Office and by this notice is announcing the beginning 
of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues 
and is providing the planning criteria for public review.

DATES: The BLM requests the public submit comments concerning the scope 
of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant 
information and studies by February 20, 2024. To afford the BLM the 
opportunity to consider issues raised by commenters in the draft RMP 
amendment/EIS, please ensure your comments are received prior to the 
close of the 45-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 the Uncompahgre Field Office RMP Amendment by any of the 
following methods:
     Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2026528/510.
     Mail: Uncompahgre Field Office RMP amendment/EIS, BLM 
Uncompahgre Field Office, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 
81401.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at: 
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2026528/510 and at the 
Uncompahgre Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela LoSasso, Project Manager; 
telephone: 970-210-5579; address: BLM Uncomphagre Field Office, 2465 
South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401; email: [email protected]. 
Contact Ms. LoSasso 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. LoSasso. 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 intends to prepare an RMP amendment with an 
associated EIS, announces the beginning of the scoping process, and 
seeks public input on issues and planning criteria. The RMP amendment 
would change the existing 2020 Uncompahgre Field Office RMP. The RMP 
amendment is being considered to allow the BLM to evaluate oil and gas 
leasing decisions, previously proposed Areas of Critical Environmental 
Concern (ACECs), and management of lands with wilderness 
characteristics, which would require amending the existing Uncompahgre 
Field Office RMP.
    The planning area is located in Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, Montrose, 
Ouray, and San Miguel counties, Colorado, and encompasses approximately 
678,400 acres of public land. The BLM will re-evaluate ACECs previously 
nominated during scoping for the 2019 Uncompahgre Field Office RMP 
revision in the RMP amendment and EIS.

Purpose and Need

    The Uncompahgre Field Office approved RMP and Record of Decision 
was signed in April 2020. The BLM received and settled three lawsuits 
on the approved RMP. Under one settlement agreement, the BLM initiated 
two planning efforts in 2022: one statewide amendment for big game 
priority habitat and one range wide amendment for Gunnison Sage-Grouse 
habitat. Those planning efforts are currently underway. In the 
remaining two settlement agreements, the BLM agreed to complete an RMP 
amendment process with a specific scope and within a specific timeline 
for the Uncompahgre Field Office decision area.
    The BLM needs to undertake this planning process to fulfill its 
responsibilities under the settlement agreements that resolved 
litigation challenging the 2020 Uncompahgre Field Office approved RMP. 
The purpose of this effort is to consider different management of oil 
and gas resources, lands with wilderness characteristics, and 
previously proposed and analyzed ACECs within the specific scope 
described in settlement agreements.
    Consistent with settlement agreements, the scope of this land use 
planning process includes considering ACECs previously analyzed under 
Alternative B of the 2019 Uncompahgre Field Office proposed RMP/final 
EIS.

Preliminary Alternatives

    Consistent with the settlement agreements, the BLM will consider: 
closing to new oil and gas leasing all areas within the Federal mineral 
estate that were analyzed under Alternative B/B.1 of the 2019 proposed 
RMP/final EIS as either closed to leasing or open to leasing subject to 
no surface occupancy; a minimum of 350,000 acres previously analyzed as 
controlled surface use under Alternative B/B.1 of the 2019 proposed 
RMP/final EIS as subject to no surface occupancy; and protections for 
lands with wilderness characteristics and ACEC designations that are 
the same as those analyzed under Alternative B of the 2019 proposed 
RMP/final EIS. The BLM may also consider alternatives specifically for 
oil and gas leasing decisions only (areas open and closed to leasing, 
open subject to no surface occupancy, and open subject to controlled 
surface use) that are consistent with the BLM Colorado planning efforts 
for range-wide Gunnison Sage-Grouse conservation and statewide big game 
habitat conservation. 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 
area 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 18 
preliminary issues for this planning effort's analysis. The planning 
criteria are available for public review and comment at the ePlanning 
website (see ADDRESSES).

Summary of Expected Impacts

    The BLM expects impacts from alternatives to include beneficial or 
adverse changes to air quality; climate; oil and gas development 
opportunity; paleontological resources; soils including highly erodible 
salt and selenium soils; water including surface, ground, and municipal 
drinking water; wildlife including big game, threatened,

[[Page 808]]

and endangered species, BLM special status terrestrial and aquatic 
species, and migratory birds; vegetation including native plant 
communities, riparian vegetation, noxious and invasive species, and BLM 
special status, threatened, and endangered plant species; cultural 
resources; Native American religious concerns; socioeconomics; 
environmental justice; recreational opportunity; visual resources; 
travel and transportation; lands and reality authorizations; livestock 
grazing authorizations; ACECs; and lands managed for wilderness 
characteristics.

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 public comment period on the draft RMP amendment/EIS 
and concurrent 30-day public protest period and 60-day Governor's 
consistency review on the proposed RMP amendment. The draft RMP 
amendment/EIS is anticipated to be available for public review in 
winter 2024/2025 and the proposed RMP amendment/final EIS is 
anticipated to be available for public protest of the proposed RMP 
Amendment in fall 2025 with an approved RMP amendment and Record of 
Decision in winter 2025/2026.

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 RMP amendment/EIS. The BLM will be holding three 
scoping meetings in the following locations: two scoping meetings will 
be held virtually, and one scoping meeting will be held in Montrose, 
Colorado, at the BLM Public Lands Center. The specific date(s) and 
location(s) of these scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 
days in advance through local media and newspapers, and the BLM 
ePlanning website (see ADDRESSES).

ACECs

    The following ACECs are currently designated in the planning area: 
Adobe Badlands ACEC/Outstanding Natural Area (ONA)/Instant Study Area 
(ISA) (6,370 acres), Biological Soil Crust ACEC (390 acres), Fairview 
South BLM Expansion ACEC (610 acres), Needle Rock ACEC/ONA (80 acres), 
Paradox Rock Art ACEC (1,080 acres), and San Miguel River ACEC (21,660) 
acres. Information about each existing ACEC, including the size, 
relevant and important values, and other helpful information is 
available in the Uncompahgre Field Office ACEC Fact Sheet online on the 
project's website in ADDRESSES. The BLM will reevaluate these 
designated ACECs for consideration in the draft RMP amendment/EIS.
    During the Uncompahgre Field Office RMP Revision planning process 
in 2010 the BLM solicited nominations for new ACECs. A total of 21 
nominated ACECs covering a third of the field office met relevance and 
importance criteria, and all were analyzed in the 2019 proposed RMP/
final EIS. Consistent with settlement agreements, the following 15 
areas which were nominated and previously analyzed under Alternative B 
of the 2019 proposed RMP/final EIS will be reconsidered for ACEC 
designation in this planning effort:

 Coyote Wash ACEC--2,100 acres
 Dolores Slickrock ACEC--10,670 acres
 East Paradox ACEC--7,630 acres
 Fairview South CNHP Expansion ACEC--4,250 acres
 La Sal Creek ACEC--10,490 acres
 Lower Uncompahgre Plateau ACEC--31,810 acres
 Needle Rock ACEC--80 acres
 Paradox Rock Art ACEC--1,080 acres
 Roubideau-Potter-Monitor ACEC--20,430 acres
 Salt Desert Shrub Ecosystem ACEC--34,510 acres (includes the 
existing Adobe Badlands ACEC)
 San Miguel Gunnison Sage-Grouse ACEC--470 acres)
 San Miguel River Expansion ACEC--35,480 acres
 Sims-Cerro Gunnison Sage-Grouse ACEC--25,620 acres
 Tabeguache Pueblo and Tabeguache Caves ACEC--26,400 acres
 West Paradox ACEC--5,190 acres

    Additional information on these proposed ACECs can be found in the 
2013 final ACEC report on the project website (see ADDRESSES). The BLM 
has identified the anticipated issues related to the consideration of 
ACECs in the planning criteria.

Cooperating Agencies

    The BLM is the lead agency. The BLM has invited Federal, State, and 
local agencies that are eligible to participate in the development of 
the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. These include the 
Bureau of Reclamation; National Park Service; U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Geological 
Survey; USDA Forest Service Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison 
National Forests; Natural Resource Conservation Service; Department of 
Energy Office of Legacy Management; Western Area Power Administration; 
Colorado Department of Natural Resources; Colorado Division of 
Reclamation, Mining, and Safety; Colorado Energy and Carbon Management 
Commission; Colorado State Forest Service; Colorado Department of 
Agriculture; Colorado Parks and Wildlife; Colorado River Water 
Conservation District; Denver Water Board; Delta, Gunnison, Mesa, 
Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties; and the Town of Paonia.

Responsible Official

    The Colorado State Director is the deciding official for this 
planning effort. Other responsible officials include the BLM Colorado 
Southwest District Manager and the BLM Colorado Uncompahgre Field 
Manager.

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 pursuant to this RMP amendment 
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 plan 
amendment in order 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 quality, 
climate, wildlife, threatened and endangered species, vegetation, 
hydrology, soils, energy and minerals, lands and reality, outdoor 
recreation management, geologic resources, archaeology, environmental 
justice, and socioeconomics.

Additional Information

    The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address 
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed plan 
amendment and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance 
with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not 
already included in the proposed plan amendment 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

[[Page 809]]

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 amendment 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. 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 Uncompahgre Field Office RMP 
Amendment 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 in the development of the environmental analysis 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 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2)


Douglas J. Vilsack,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2023-28889 Filed 1-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-16-P
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