80 FR 30709 - Notice of Availability of the Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Buffalo Resource Management Plan Revision, Buffalo Field Office, Wyoming
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 103 (May 29, 2015)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 103 (May 29, 2015)
| Page Range | 30709-30710 | |
| FR Document | 2015-12998 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 30709-30710] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-12998] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWYP0700.L16100000.DP0000.LXSS041K0000] Notice of Availability of the Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Buffalo Resource Management Plan Revision, Buffalo Field Office, Wyoming AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Buffalo Field Office planning area and by this notice is announcing its availability. DATES: The BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's Proposed RMP/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions and files a protest must file the protest within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Buffalo Proposed RMP/Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies, tribal governments, and to other stakeholders and members of the public. Copies of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS are available for public inspection at the following locations:The BLM, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, WY 82003 The BLM, High Plains District Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604 The BLM, Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834 Interested persons may also review the Proposed RMP/Final EIS on the Internet at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/rmps/buffalo.html. All protests must be in writing and mailed to one of the following addresses: Regular Mail: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, P.O. Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383. Overnight Delivery: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Bills, Buffalo RMP Team Leader; The BLM Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834, by telephone 307-684-1133, or by email [email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The planning area includes lands within the BLM Buffalo Field Office's administrative boundaries, including all of Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties in Wyoming. The planning area includes all lands, regardless of jurisdiction, totaling approximately 7.35 million acres; however, the BLM will only make decisions on lands that fall under the BLM's jurisdiction. Lands within the Planning Area under the BLM's jurisdiction make up the Decision Area. The Decision Area consists of BLM-administered surface, totaling approximately 782,000 acres, and Federal mineral estate, totaling [[Page 30710]] approximately 4.8 million acres. The revised RMP will replace the 1985 Buffalo RMP as amended. The Draft RMP/EIS was made available for public review for a 90-day comment period on June 28, 2013. The Draft RMP/EIS included a series of management actions, within four management alternatives, designed to address management challenges and issues raised during scoping. These included, but were not limited to, energy development (coal, oil and gas, renewable energy, and uranium), wildlife habitat management, including that of the Greater Sage-Grouse, livestock grazing, air quality, special management areas including Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), and travel management. In accordance with 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b), the Notice of Availability for the Draft RMP/EIS announced a concurrent public comment period on proposed ACECs. Comments on the Draft RMP/Draft EIS were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Proposed RMP/Final EIS, which analyzes four alternatives: A. Alternative A: (No Action): Continues existing management; B. Alternative B: Emphasizes conservation of natural and cultural resources while providing for compatible development and use; C. Alternative C: Emphasizes resource development and use while protecting natural and cultural resources; and D. Alternative D (Proposed): Provides development opportunities and conserve sensitive resources. As modified, Alternative D has been identified as the Proposed Buffalo RMP in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. The Proposed RMP would provide comprehensive, long-range decisions for the use and management of resources in the planning area administered by the BLM and focus on the principles of multiple use and sustained yield. Alternative D generally allows resource use if the activity can be conducted in a manner that conserves physical, biological, and heritage and visual resources. Alternative D allocates land as Special Recreation Management Areas (seven) and ACECs (two) and emphasizes moderate constraints on resource uses to reduce impacts to resource values. Under Alternative D, the BLM manages the suitable segment of the Middle Fork Powder River to protect and/or enhance its free-flowing condition, outstandingly remarkable values, and tentative classification until such time that Congress designates the river or releases the river for other uses. If released by Congress for other uses, the river segment would be managed to retain its free-flowing condition and identified outstandingly remarkable values. Similarly, this alternative manages wilderness study areas to protect wilderness characteristics until such time that Congress designates the areas as wilderness or releases them for other uses. If released by Congress for other uses, the wilderness study areas would be managed to emphasize healthy ecosystems, opportunities for solitude, and primitive recreation. Additionally, Alternative D would apply a controlled surface use (CSU) stipulation to any mineral lease within 500 feet of riparian/wetland systems and aquatic habitats. The Proposed Plan, Alternative D of the Final EIS, includes ACEC designation for the following areas: Pumpkin Buttes (1,733 acres). Value: Cultural resources. Proposed management would prohibit surface-disturbing activities not compatible with the area's values including a No Surface Occupancy stipulation for new fluid mineral leases; recommending withdrawal from locatable mineral entry; excluding rights-of-way (ROWs); and closing the area to motorized vehicles. Welch Ranch (1,116 acres). Values: visual resources, wildlife resources, and presence of a natural hazard. Proposed management would prohibit all surface-disturbing activities not compatible with the area's values including closing the area to all forms of mineral leasing and development, including solid minerals; recommending withdrawal from locatable mineral entry and excluding ROWs. Travel is limited to administrative use on designated routes. The Proposed RMP does not adopt the following ACECs: Burnt Hollow, Cantontment Reno, Dry Creek/Petrified Tree, Fortification Creek, Hole in the Wall, and Sagebrush Ecosystem. The Buffalo Proposed RMP/Final EIS is one of a total of 15 separate EISs that make up the BLM and Forest Service National Greater Sage- Grouse Planning Strategy. Greater-Sage Grouse habitat within the planning area consists of: Priority Habitat Management Area (PHMA)--Areas identified as having the highest conservation value for maintaining sustainable greater sage-grouse populations; include breeding, late brood-rearing, and winter concentration areas. General Habitat Management Area (GHMA)--Areas of seasonal or year-round habitat outside of PHMA. Alternative D supports management of greater sage-grouse seasonal habitats and maintaining habitat connectivity to achieve population objectives. Alternative D would limit or eliminate new surface disturbance in PHMA, while minimizing disturbance in GHMA. Alternative D is also consistent with guidelines provided in the Governor's Sage- Grouse Implementation Team's Core Population Area strategy and the Governor's Executive Order (WY EO 2011-05). The BLM and Forest Service, via the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Management Zone Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Team, will develop a Regional Mitigation Strategy to guide the application of the mitigation hierarchy to address impacts within that Zone. The Regional Mitigation Strategy should consider any State- level greater sage-grouse mitigation guidance that is consistent with the requirements. The Regional Mitigation Strategy will be developed in a transparent manner, based on the best science available and standardized metrics. Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM regarding the Proposed RMP/Final EIS may be found in the ``Dear Reader'' Letter of the Buffalo Proposed RMP/Final EIS and at 43 CFR 1610.5-2. All protests must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES section above. Emailed protests will not be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider the emailed protest as an advance copy and it will receive full consideration. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please direct emails to [email protected]. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your protest, you should be aware that your entire protest--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your protest 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 1610.5 Mary Jo Rugwell, Acting State Director, Wyoming. [FR Doc. 2015-12998 Filed 5-28-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Notices 30709
the route that traverses the southern appropriate address, as set forth in the meets the conditions and files a protest
portion of the ACEC. ADDRESSES section above. Emailed must file the protest within 30 days of
Fossil Cycad ACEC (320 acres): protests will not be accepted as valid the date that the Environmental
• Relevant and Important Values: protests unless the protesting party also Protection Agency publishes its notice
Paleontological. provides the original printed email by of availability in the Federal Register.
• Proposed Use Limitations: Closed to either regular or overnight mail, ADDRESSES: Copies of the Buffalo
fluid minerals within the ACEC, closed postmarked by the close of the protest Proposed RMP/Final EIS have been sent
to salable Federal minerals, sale of forest period. Under these conditions, the to affected Federal, State, and local
products not be allowed, collection of BLM will consider the emailed protest government agencies, tribal
fossils without a BLM permit not as an advance copy and it will receive governments, and to other stakeholders
allowed, and locatable Federal minerals full consideration. If you wish to and members of the public. Copies of
recommended for withdrawal from provide the BLM with such advance the Proposed RMP/Final EIS are
appropriation under the mining laws. notification, please direct emails to available for public inspection at the
• Other Restrictions: ROW exclusion protest@blm.gov. following locations:
area. Before including your address, phone • The BLM, Wyoming State Office,
The South Dakota Field Office number, email address, or other 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, WY
Proposed RMP/Final EIS is one of a total personal identifying information in your 82003
of 15 separate EISs that make up the comment, be advised that your entire • The BLM, High Plains District
BLM and Forest Service National comment—including your personal Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper,
Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy. identifying information—may be made WY 82604
Greater-Sage Grouse habitat within the publicly available at any time. While • The BLM, Buffalo Field Office, 1425
planning area consists of: you can ask us in your comment to Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834
• Priority Habitat Management Area withhold from public review your Interested persons may also review
(PHMA)—Areas identified as having the personal identifying information, we the Proposed RMP/Final EIS on the
highest conservation value for cannot guarantee that we will be able to Internet at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/
maintaining sustainable greater sage- do so. programs/Planning/rmps/buffalo.html.
grouse populations; include breeding, All protests must be in writing and
late brood-rearing, and winter Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10,
43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5 mailed to one of the following
concentration areas. addresses:
• General Habitat Management Area Jamie E. Connell, Regular Mail: BLM Director (210),
(GHMA)—Areas of seasonal or year- State Director, Montana/Dakotas. Attention: Protest Coordinator, P.O. Box
round habitat outside of PHMA. [FR Doc. 2015–12926 Filed 5–28–15; 8:45 am] 71383, Washington, DC 20024–1383.
Alternative D supports management
BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P Overnight Delivery: BLM Director
of greater sage-grouse seasonal habitats
(210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, 20
and maintaining habitat connectivity to
M Street SE., Room 2134LM,
achieve population objectives. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Washington, DC 20003.
Alternative D would limit or eliminate
new surface disturbance in PHMA, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bureau of Land Management
while minimizing disturbance in Thomas Bills, Buffalo RMP Team
GHMA. [LLWYP0700.L16100000.DP0000. Leader; The BLM Buffalo Field Office,
LXSS041K0000] 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834, by
The Proposed Plan provides for
127,735 acres of Greater Sage-Grouse telephone 307–684–1133, or by email
Notice of Availability of the Proposed tbills@blm.gov. Persons who use a
PHMAs. Resource Management Plan and Final
The BLM and Forest Service, via the telecommunications device for the deaf
Environmental Impact Statement for (TDD) may call the Federal Information
Western Association of Fish and the Buffalo Resource Management
Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
Plan Revision, Buffalo Field Office, to contact the above individual during
Management Zone Greater Sage-Grouse Wyoming
Conservation Team, will develop a normal business hours. The FIRS is
Regional Mitigation Strategy to guide AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
the application of the mitigation Interior. to leave a message or question with the
hierarchy to address impacts within that ACTION: Notice of Availability. above individual. You will receive a
Zone. The Regional Mitigation Strategy reply during normal business hours.
should consider any State-level greater SUMMARY: In accordance with the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
sage-grouse mitigation guidance that is National Environmental Policy Act of planning area includes lands within the
consistent with the requirements. The 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the BLM Buffalo Field Office’s
Regional Mitigation Strategy will be Federal Land Policy and Management administrative boundaries, including all
developed in a transparent manner, Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the of Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan
based on the best science available and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has counties in Wyoming. The planning
standardized metrics. Development of prepared a Proposed Resource area includes all lands, regardless of
additional regional mitigation strategies Management Plan (RMP)/Final jurisdiction, totaling approximately 7.35
for other resource programs may occur Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) million acres; however, the BLM will
for implementation level decisions. for the Buffalo Field Office planning only make decisions on lands that fall
Lhorne on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Instructions for filing a protest with area and by this notice is announcing its under the BLM’s jurisdiction. Lands
the Director of the BLM regarding the availability. within the Planning Area under the
Proposed RMP/Final EIS may be found DATES: The BLM planning regulations BLM’s jurisdiction make up the
in the ‘‘Dear Reader’’ Letter of the South state that any person who meets the Decision Area. The Decision Area
Dakota Proposed RMP/Final EIS and at conditions as described in the consists of BLM-administered surface,
43 CFR 1610.5–2. All protests must be regulations may protest the BLM’s totaling approximately 782,000 acres,
in writing and be mailed to the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. A person who and Federal mineral estate, totaling
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![30710 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 103 / Friday, May 29, 2015 / Notices
approximately 4.8 million acres. The the river segment would be managed to Alternative D would limit or eliminate
revised RMP will replace the 1985 retain its free-flowing condition and new surface disturbance in PHMA,
Buffalo RMP as amended. The Draft identified outstandingly remarkable while minimizing disturbance in
RMP/EIS was made available for public values. Similarly, this alternative GHMA. Alternative D is also consistent
review for a 90-day comment period on manages wilderness study areas to with guidelines provided in the
June 28, 2013. The Draft RMP/EIS protect wilderness characteristics until Governor’s Sage-Grouse Implementation
included a series of management such time that Congress designates the Team’s Core Population Area strategy
actions, within four management areas as wilderness or releases them for and the Governor’s Executive Order
alternatives, designed to address other uses. If released by Congress for (WY EO 2011–05).
management challenges and issues other uses, the wilderness study areas
raised during scoping. These included, would be managed to emphasize The BLM and Forest Service, via the
but were not limited to, energy healthy ecosystems, opportunities for Western Association of Fish and
development (coal, oil and gas, solitude, and primitive recreation. Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA)
renewable energy, and uranium), Additionally, Alternative D would Management Zone Greater Sage-Grouse
wildlife habitat management, including apply a controlled surface use (CSU) Conservation Team, will develop a
that of the Greater Sage-Grouse, stipulation to any mineral lease within Regional Mitigation Strategy to guide
livestock grazing, air quality, special 500 feet of riparian/wetland systems the application of the mitigation
management areas including Areas of and aquatic habitats. hierarchy to address impacts within that
Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), The Proposed Plan, Alternative D of Zone. The Regional Mitigation Strategy
and travel management. In accordance the Final EIS, includes ACEC should consider any State-level greater
with 43 CFR 1610.7–2(b), the Notice of designation for the following areas: sage-grouse mitigation guidance that is
Availability for the Draft RMP/EIS • Pumpkin Buttes (1,733 acres). consistent with the requirements. The
announced a concurrent public Value: Cultural resources. Proposed Regional Mitigation Strategy will be
comment period on proposed ACECs. management would prohibit surface–
developed in a transparent manner,
Comments on the Draft RMP/Draft EIS disturbing activities not compatible
based on the best science available and
were considered and incorporated as with the area’s values including a No
Surface Occupancy stipulation for new standardized metrics.
appropriate into the Proposed RMP/
Final EIS, which analyzes four fluid mineral leases; recommending Instructions for filing a protest with
alternatives: withdrawal from locatable mineral the Director of the BLM regarding the
A. Alternative A: (No Action): entry; excluding rights-of-way (ROWs); Proposed RMP/Final EIS may be found
Continues existing management; and closing the area to motorized in the ‘‘Dear Reader’’ Letter of the
B. Alternative B: Emphasizes vehicles. Buffalo Proposed RMP/Final EIS and at
conservation of natural and cultural • Welch Ranch (1,116 acres). Values: 43 CFR 1610.5–2. All protests must be
resources while providing for visual resources, wildlife resources, and in writing and mailed to the appropriate
compatible development and use; presence of a natural hazard. Proposed address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES
C. Alternative C: Emphasizes resource management would prohibit all surface– section above. Emailed protests will not
development and use while protecting disturbing activities not compatible be accepted as valid protests unless the
natural and cultural resources; and with the area’s values including closing
D. Alternative D (Proposed): Provides protesting party also provides the
the area to all forms of mineral leasing original letter by either regular or
development opportunities and and development, including solid
conserve sensitive resources. overnight mail postmarked by the close
minerals; recommending withdrawal
As modified, Alternative D has been of the protest period. Under these
from locatable mineral entry and
identified as the Proposed Buffalo RMP conditions, the BLM will consider the
excluding ROWs. Travel is limited to
in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. The administrative use on designated routes. emailed protest as an advance copy and
Proposed RMP would provide The Proposed RMP does not adopt the it will receive full consideration. If you
comprehensive, long-range decisions for following ACECs: Burnt Hollow, wish to provide the BLM with such
the use and management of resources in Cantontment Reno, Dry Creek/Petrified advance notification, please direct
the planning area administered by the Tree, Fortification Creek, Hole in the emails to protest@blm.gov.
BLM and focus on the principles of Wall, and Sagebrush Ecosystem. Before including your address, phone
multiple use and sustained yield. The Buffalo Proposed RMP/Final EIS number, email address, or other
Alternative D generally allows resource is one of a total of 15 separate EISs that personal identifying information in your
use if the activity can be conducted in make up the BLM and Forest Service protest, you should be aware that your
a manner that conserves physical, National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning entire protest—including your personal
biological, and heritage and visual Strategy. Greater-Sage Grouse habitat
resources. Alternative D allocates land identifying information—may be made
within the planning area consists of:
publicly available at any time. While
as Special Recreation Management • Priority Habitat Management Area
Areas (seven) and ACECs (two) and (PHMA)—Areas identified as having the you may ask us in your protest to
emphasizes moderate constraints on highest conservation value for withhold your personal identifying
resource uses to reduce impacts to maintaining sustainable greater sage- information from public review, we
resource values. grouse populations; include breeding, cannot guarantee that we will be able to
Under Alternative D, the BLM late brood-rearing, and winter do so.
manages the suitable segment of the concentration areas. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR
Lhorne on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Middle Fork Powder River to protect • General Habitat Management Area 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5
and/or enhance its free-flowing (GHMA)—Areas of seasonal or year-
condition, outstandingly remarkable round habitat outside of PHMA. Mary Jo Rugwell,
values, and tentative classification until Alternative D supports management Acting State Director, Wyoming.
such time that Congress designates the of greater sage-grouse seasonal habitats [FR Doc. 2015–12998 Filed 5–28–15; 8:45 am]
river or releases the river for other uses. and maintaining habitat connectivity to BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
If released by Congress for other uses, achieve population objectives.
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 15:31:02
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 15:31:02
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Availability. | |
| Dates | The BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's Proposed RMP/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions and files a protest must file the protest within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of availability in the Federal Register. | |
| Contact | Thomas Bills, Buffalo RMP Team Leader; The BLM Buffalo Field Office, 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834, by telephone 307-684-1133, or by email [email protected] Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 30709 |
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