Land Management Bureau January 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The February 7 and 8, 2005, Steens Mountain Advisory Council Meeting, previously scheduled to be held at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738, has been cancelled. The original Federal Register notice announcing the meeting was published Tuesday, December 14, 2004, page number 74535.

In accordance with Section 202 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the BLM announces the availability of the DEIS for the McGregor Range RMPA. The DEIS documents the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of four alternative management plans for BLM- administered withdrawn public lands within the McGregor Range. When completed, the RMPA will fulfill the obligations set forth by NEPA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and associated Federal regulations.

The Amendment to the Northeast National Petroleum Reserve- Alaska (NPR-A) Final Integrated Activity Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/EIS) will be made available to the public for a 30-day period beginning on the date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) files a Notice of Availability of the Final IAP/EIS in the Federal Register. The EPA notice is expected to occur on or about January 28, 2005. A Record of Decision (ROD) will be issued after the 30-day availability period. The ROD will identify the selected alternative as well as mitigation measures. The Final IAP/EIS addresses two primary objectives for the amendment of the Northeast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska IAP/EIS. 1. Consider making available all or portions of lands currently closed to oil and gas leasing in the Planning Area; and, 2.Consider developing performance-based lease stipulations and ROPs to provide the BLM greater flexibility in protecting important surface resources from the impacts of oil and gas activities, similar to those developed for the Northwest National Petroleum ReserveAlaska. Location of the Document: The Final IAP/EIS will be available in either hard copy or on compact disk at the Alaska State Office, Public Information Center at 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99513- 7599. Copies of the Final IAP/EIS will also be available at the following locations: Tuzzy Public Library, Barrow, Alaska; City of Nuiqsut, Nuiqsut, Alaska; City of Atqasuk, Atqasuk, Alaska; City of Anaktuvuk Pass, Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska; City of Bethel, Bethel, Alaska, Z. J. Loussac Public Library, Anchorage, AK; Noel Wien Public Library, Fairbanks, AK. The final IAP/EIS will also be available on the project Web site at https://nenpra.ensr.com/nenpra/default.html.

Clark County, Nevada proposes a park site on 10 acres of public land in Las Vegas, Nevada previously classified for a school site.

Clark County, Nevada has relinquished an R&PP lease (N-59514) for a fire station site on 2.5 acres of public land in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fire station site is proposed to be relocated on nearby public land (N-77790), located in Clark County, Nevada, which BLM has determined is suitable for classification for lease/conveyance to Clark County.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145952 for lands in Lincoln County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

This notice terminates the existing classification in its entirety for public lands that were classified as suitable for lease/ disposal pursuant to the Recreation and Public Purposes Act of June 14, 1926, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.), and opens 3.00 acres of land to surface entry and mining, subject to the existing laws, rules, and regulations applicable to public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

In accordance with Title IV of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (Public Law 97-451), a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease UTU76532 for lands in San Juan County, Utah, was timely filed and required rentals accruing from July 1, 2004, the date of termination, have been paid.

This document provides notice that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will initiate a plan amendment to address acquisition and management of lands in Routt County, Colorado. The lands would be acquired in a proposed land exchange between the State of Colorado (Colorado State Land Board) and the United States (Little Snake Field Office, BLM).

The BLM proposes to revise the White Sands RMP and to amend the Mimbres RMP. The revision and amendment and associated environmental analysis will update planning level decisions for public lands in Sierra, Otero, and Dona Ana Counties, which are managed by the Las Cruces Field Office (LCFO), New Mexico. The proposed RMP revision and amendment are intended to address issues that have developed since the previous RMPs were prepared in 1986 and 1994 respectively. This notice initiates the public scoping process to identify specific issues related to the proposed revision and amendment and the NEPA process.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Front Range Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (1972), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) Cultural and Historic Task Group (subcommittee) will meet in Pinedale, Wyoming, for a business meeting. Task Group meetings are open to the public.

In accordance with 43 CFR 1610.3-2(e), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is publishing the reasons for BLM's rejection of the Governor of New Mexico's appeal regarding the Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) for Fluid Minerals Leasing and Development in Sierra and Otero Counties, New Mexico.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho, 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

BLM has determined that land located in Clark County, Nevada is suitable for partial transfer of patent and change of use to Chabad Hebrew Center.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (1972), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) Transportation Task Group (subcommittee) will meet in Pinedale, Wyoming, for a business meeting. Task Group meetings are open to the public.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boise District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

In order to facilitate temporary operations and protect resources in the event of severe seasonal storms and/or natural disasters, the Ukiah Field Office is hereby serving notice that it will be adopting a temporary closure policy to be enacted on an as-needed basis when basic criteria are met. The policy will be in place for up to one year, or upon completion of the Ukiah RMP. The closure will be invoked or lifted through notices in news media outlets, information hot lines and on-the-ground postings. The lands covered by this temporary closure include all public lands administered by the Ukiah Field Office within the South Cow Mountain Recreation Area. Public notices listed on information lines will specify which public lands will be temporarily closed, and will reflect local conditions. One of the following criteria shall be met to temporarily close the area: (1) State, County or Federal road access to the area is closed or restricted to residents and emergency personnel; (2) BLM or emergency response personnel cannot access and/or perform their duties in a given location; (3) Roads or trails are saturated with moisture to the point where vehicle traffic causes ruts or bogs leading to increased erosion. Moisture criteria are detailed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below. The above temporary closure is intended to allow the BLM flexibility in implementing closures while utilizing the most time-effective method of notifying the public. This will also facilitate management to minimize threats to public health and safety, as well as the potential for resource damage. Any time the closure policy is enacted, the following persons will be exempt: (1) Federal, State, or local law enforcement officers, while engaged in the execution of their official duties. (2) BLM personnel or their representatives while engaged in execution of their official duties. (3) Any member of an organized rescue, fire-fighting force, and/or emergency medical services organization while in the performance and execution of an official duty. (4) Any member of a Federal, State, or local public works department while in the performance of an official duty. (5) Any person in receipt of a written authorization of exemption obtained from the Ukiah Field Office. (6) Local landowners, persons with valid existing rights or lease operations, or representatives thereof, who have a responsibility or need to access their property or to continue their operations on public land. (7) Human use and associated foot traffic into the area during the closure period are exempt from this closure restriction.

Notice is hereby given that certain lands are temporarily closed to motor vehicle use, discharge of firearms, and livestock grazing. The closed area is locally known as the Poison Spider Shooting Area. The public lands affected by this closure are lands administered by the BLM and described as: part of the North \1/2\ of the Northwest \1/4\ and part of the North \1/2\ of the Southwest \1/4\ of Section 14 in Township 33 North, Range 82 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, containing approximately 43 acres. This tract of land is bound on the east by the west bank of the Casper Canal, on the north by the old Poison Spider Road, on the west by the common section line between Sections 14 and 15, and on the south by Poison Spider Road (Natrona County Road 201). The area will be fenced and closure signs will be posted around the perimeter. Maps of the closure area and information on the rehabilitation plans may be obtained from the Casper Field Office. The Poison Spider Shooting Area has been subject to various uses that cumulatively present a hazard to the general public and has resulted in the destruction of public resources. Unrestricted shooting endangers persons traveling on Poison Spider Road (Natrona County Road 201), Natrona County employees working at a gravel pit to the northwest of the site, employees of the Casper-Alcova Irrigation District performing maintenance on the Casper Canal, and threatens livestock authorized to graze on the public lands. Various items of refuse such as refrigerators and propane tanks have been dumped at the site and used as targets for firearms. This may lead to the release of toxic substances into the air and/or soil and may result in explosive situations. The shooting of illegally dumped materials poses a potentially dangerous health hazard to individuals who live and work in this area. Uncontrolled vehicle use has resulted in the destruction of public resources, including vegetation loss, soil compaction, intensive rutting and soil erosion. The Natrona County Road and Bridge Department has agreed to assist the BLM in cleaning up the site. Upon completion of the clean-up, fencing the perimeter and posting signs, acts prohibited by this notice will be enforced.

The John Day/Snake Resource Advisory Council will meet on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Geiser Grand Hotel, 1996 Main Street, Baker City, OR 97814. The meeting may include such topics as, Forest Service Weeds Plan, subcommittee updates on OHV, Noxious Weeds step-down plans, 2005 Annual Work Plan, Workforce Planning impacts on Forest Service and BLM offices, and other matters as may reasonably come before the board. On Thursday, March 24 there may be a field trip to Virtue Flat to watch Sage Grouse. The John Day/Snake Resource Advisory Council will meet on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 700 Port Drive Clarkston, WA. The meeting may include such topics as, OHV, Noxious Weeds, Planning, Sage Grouse, and other matters as may reasonably come before the board. On Thursday, June 16, 2005 there may be a field trip to Hells Canyon to discuss noxious weeds, Sage Grouse, OHV roads and trails, and other matters as identified. The John Day/Snake Resource Advisory Council will meet on Wednesday, September 21, 2005, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oxford Suites, 2400 SW Court Place, Pendleton, OR 97801. The meeting may include such topics as, Forest Service Weeds Plan, subcommittee updates on OHV, Noxious Weeds, Planning, Sage Grouse, and other matters as may reasonably come before the board. On Thursday, September 22, 2005 there may be a field trip that could include a tour of the Umatilla National Forest office in Pendleton, OR, a wind energy tour in Walla Walla, WA, or an anaerobic digestion site tour. All meetings are open to the public. For a copy of the information to be distributed to the Council members, please submit a written request to the Vale District Office 10 days prior to the meeting. Public comment is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., Pacific Time (PT) on March 23, June 15, and September 21, 2005.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and regulatory requirements, a Draft RMP Revision/EIS has been prepared for the Vernal Field Office planning area and is available for a 90 day public review and comment period. The Draft RMP Revision/EIS may be viewed and downloaded in PDF format at the project Web site at https://www.vernalrmp.com. Copies of the Draft RMP Revision/EIS will also be available for distribution and review during the comment period at the BLM Vernal Field Office, at the address shown below.

The Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council (SEORAC) will hold a meeting for all members from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time (PT), Monday, February 7, 2005 and 8 a.m. to noon (PT) on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at the Fremont-Winema National Forests, Winema Office, Conference Room, 2819 Dahlia Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person. The meeting topics that may be discussed by the Council include a discussion of issues within Southeast Oregon related to: Election of Officers, Role and Responsibilities of RAC members; Approval of past minutes, 2005 Calendar Dates; RAC Charter Changes. Work Plan Priorities, Update of the Oregon Sage-grouse Plan. Hydrology Presentation, Owyhee River below the dam update, North Lake Recreation Plan update, Wild Horse and Burro update, Fremont-Winema National Forests grazing program update, liaison reports and Federal Official reports. Discussion of the subcommittee priorities and roles, meeting of subcommittees and other issues that may come before the Council. Information to be distributed to the Council members is requested in written format 10 days prior to the Council meeting. Public comment is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. (PT) on Monday February 7, 2005.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145696 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145713 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (1972), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) Reclamation Task Group (subcommittee) will meet in Pinedale, Wyoming, for a business meeting. Task Group meetings are open to the public.