Final Record of Decision for the Revised Land Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, 50548-50549 [2024-12035]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 116 (Friday, June 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50548-50549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12035]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Final Record of Decision for the Revised Land Management Plan for 
the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of approval of the Revised Land Management Plan for the 
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.

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SUMMARY: Chad Stewart, Forest Supervisor for the Grand Mesa, 
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, Rocky Mountain 
Region, signed the final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Revised Land 
Management Plan (LMP) for the GMUG National Forests. The final ROD 
documents the rationale for approving the Revised LMP and is consistent 
with the Reviewing Officers' responses to objections and instructions.

DATES: The Revised LMP for the GMUG National Forests will become 
effective 30 days after the publication of this notice of approval in 
the Federal Register (36 CFR 219.17(a)(1)).

ADDRESSES: To view the final ROD, Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS), Revised LMP, and other related documents, please visit the GMUG 
National Forests website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan. The Forest Service will also publish a legal notice of 
approval in the newspaper of record, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, and 
post a copy of this legal notice on the GMUG National Forests' website 
listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samantha Staley, Forest Planner, GMUG 
National Forests, [email protected] or 970-852-9812.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339, 
24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GMUG National Forests comprise the 
largest national forest unit in the Rocky Mountain Region. It spans 
five ranger districts and covers approximately 3.2 million acres across 
eight counties in southwestern Colorado, stretching from the 
Uncompahgre Plateau on the west, north to the Grand Mesa, east to the 
Continental Divide, and south to the San Juan mountains. The GMUG 
National Forests range in elevation from 5,000 to over 14,000 feet and 
support diverse ecosystems and uses. The GMUG National Forests contain 
habitats essential for a wide variety of species and serve as a 
critical headwater of the Colorado River. The GMUG National Forests 
also provide opportunities for recreation, timber harvesting, livestock 
grazing, and mineral development that contribute to the quality of life 
and economies of the surrounding communities.
    The Revised LMP was shaped by the best available scientific 
information, current laws, and public, governmental, and tribal input. 
It was developed pursuant to the 2012 Forest Service Planning Rule (36 
CFR 219) and will replace the current LMP, which was significantly 
amended in 1991 following its 1983 release. The Revised LMP includes 
desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, management 
approaches, management area allocations, and land suitability for 
project and activity decision-making, which will guide resource 
management activities on the GMUG National Forests. It also includes 
wilderness recommendations, and identifies eligible wild and scenic 
river segments.
    The GMUG National Forests initiated LMP revision in 2017 and 
engaged with the public and tribal, federal, state, and local 
governments. The Forests consulted with 20 federally recognized tribes 
during the planning process, ensuring tribal-related plan direction 
accurately reflects the GMUG National Forests' trust responsibilities 
and government-to-government relationship with tribes. Between 2017 and 
2021, the GMUG National Forests conducted eight formal public comment 
and informal public feedback periods. The Forests received and analyzed 
more than 20,000 public comments. More than 900 people attended 16 in-
person and five virtual public open houses, 16 webinars, and several 
virtual question-and-answer sessions.
    A 90-day public comment period on the draft LMP and associated 
draft EIS was initiated on August 13, 2021, and subsequently extended 
14 days. The Forests used these comments to inform and refine the 
preferred alternative and Revised LMP. A draft ROD, Revised LMP, and 
FEIS were released on August 30, 2023, initiating a 60-day objection 
filing period that closed October 30, 2023. The Forest Service received 
70 eligible objections, including 14 objections for species of 
conservation concern. The Reviewing Officers held objection resolution 
meetings with objectors and interested persons in February 2024. Based 
on these meetings and a review of the objections, the Reviewing Officer 
for the list of species of conservation concern issued a written

[[Page 50549]]

response to objectors on April 11, 2024. The Reviewing Officer for the 
forest plan issued a written response to objectors on May 16, 2024. The 
instructions from the Reviewing Officers were addressed in the ROD, 
Revised LMP, and FEIS.

Cooperating Agencies

    The following entities have participated in the planning process as 
cooperating agencies: Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Agricultural 
Research Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Colorado Department 
of Agriculture; Colorado Department of Natural Resources; Colorado 
Parks and Wildlife; Colorado Water Conservation Board; and the 
following local governments in Colorado--Delta County; Gunnison County; 
Hinsdale County; Mesa County; Montrose County; Ouray County; Saguache 
County; San Miguel County; City of Grand Junction; and Town of Crested 
Butte.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official for approving the Revised LMP is Chad 
Stewart, Forest Supervisor, GMUG National Forests. The Responsible 
Official for approving the list of species of conservation concern is 
Scott Fitzwilliams, acting Deputy Regional Forester as delegated by 
Frank Beum, Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region.

    Dated: May 28, 2024.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-12035 Filed 6-13-24; 8:45 am]
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