80 FR 30714 - Notice of Availability of the Proposed Resource Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument Resource Management Plan Revision, Billings Field Office, Montana

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 103 (May 29, 2015)

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) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Billings planning area, including Pompeys Pillar National Monument, and by this notice is announcing its availability.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 103 (Friday, May 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30714-30716]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12937]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMT001000.L16100000.DP0000.LXSS065E0000 MO# 4500079413]


Notice of Availability of the Proposed Resource Management Plan 
and Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Billings and Pompeys 
Pillar National Monument Resource Management Plan Revision, Billings 
Field Office, Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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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) and Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Billings planning area, 
including Pompeys Pillar National Monument, 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 Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument 
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:
     BLM, Montana State Office and Billings Field Office, 5001 
Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101.
    Interested persons may also review the Proposed RMP/Final EIS on 
the Internet at http://on.doi.gov/1EJBdaE.
    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: Carolyn Sherve-Bybee, Billings and 
Pompeys Pillar National Monument RMP Team Leader, telephone: 406-896-
5234; address: 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101; 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 Billings Field Office's administrative boundaries, including 
Carbon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland, 
and Yellowstone Counties in Montana, and portions of Big Horn County, 
Montana and Big Horn County, Wyoming. The planning area includes all 
lands, regardless of jurisdiction, totaling approximately 10.37 million 
acres; however, the BLM will only make decisions on lands that fall 
under the BLM's jurisdiction. The BLM decision area is comprised of 
approximately 434,154 acres of the surface estate in the planning area 
and 889,479 acres of Federal mineral estate. The revised RMP will 
replace the 1984 Billings RMP, as amended. The Draft RMP/EIS was made 
available for public review for a 90-day period on March 29, 2013 (78 
FR 19291). 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, trails and travel management, wildlife habitat 
management including that of the Greater Sage-Grouse, energy 
development (coal and oil and gas), livestock grazing, recreation, 
lands with wilderness characteristics, special management areas 
including Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and the Pryor 
Mountain Wild Horse Range, and management of the cultural and historic 
resources at Pompeys Pillar National Monument. 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 received from the public and 
internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate 
into the Proposed RMP/Final EIS which analyzes four alternatives:

[[Page 30715]]

    1. Alternative A (No Action): Continues existing management;
    2. Alternative B: Emphasizes conservation of natural and cultural 
resources while providing for compatible development and use;
    3. Alternative C: Emphasizes resource development and use while 
protecting natural and cultural resources; and
    4. Alternative D (Proposed): Provides development opportunities and 
conserves sensitive resources.
    As modified, Alternative D is now presented as the Proposed RMP. 
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 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 (nine), Extensive Recreation Management 
Areas (two), lands with wilderness characteristics (nine), Travel 
Management Areas (eleven), and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 
(eleven) and emphasizes moderate constraints on resource uses to reduce 
impacts to resource values.
    Under Alternative D, the BLM manages the suitable segments of 
Crooked Creek 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.
    The Proposed Plan includes ACEC designations for the following 
areas:
    Pompeys Pillar National Monument ACEC (432 acres).
     Value: Cultural and historic resources. The National 
Monument (51 acres) and National Historic Landmark (6 acres) are 
included within the 432 acre ACEC.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: Eighty-three acres 
designated for rights-of-way (ROW) exclusion and 349 acres for ROW 
avoidance; land disposals prohibited; OHV use limited to designated 
roads and trails; 381 acres managed as VRM Class II and 51 acres as VRM 
Class III; 51 acres closed to fluid mineral leasing and manage 381 
acres No Surface Occupancy for fluid mineral leasing; continue the 
withdrawal for locatable and solid leasable minerals (subject to valid 
existing rights) on 51 acres and recommend 381 acres for withdrawal 
from mineral entry; close 432 acres to mineral material sales, close 
the 432 acres to commercial renewable energy facilities and 
development; allow livestock grazing temporarily and only as a 
management tool; close 432 acres to target shooting (hunting allowed on 
375 acres); and prohibit scattering of cremains.
    Bridger Fossil Area ACEC (577 acres).
     Values: Paleontological resources. The Bridger Fossil Area 
National Natural Landmark (161 acres) is located entirely within this 
ACEC.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: 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, excluding ROWs, and 
prohibiting renewable energy development. The ACEC managed as a VRM 
Class II area. Travel limited to designated roads and trails.
    Castle Butte ACEC (184 acres).
     Values: Cultural resources.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: Proposed management 
would prohibit renewable energy development, target shooting (for 
resource concerns), and the scattering of cremains. ROW avoidance area 
and a VRM Class II area. Animal trapping/traplines prohibited. Travel 
limited to designated routes.
    East Pryor ACEC (11,122 acres).
     Values: Wild horse and wildlife habitat, historical, 
cultural, and paleontological resources, and special status plant 
species. The Crooked Creek Natural Area (2,101 acres) and the Crooked 
Creek National Natural Landmark (300 acres) are located within the 
ACEC. The 2,101 acres of the Crooked Creek Natural Area are currently 
withdrawn from mineral entry. The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range 
(PMWHR) boundaries overlap most of the ACEC.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: Proposed management 
would prohibit land disposals, close the area to oil and gas and solid 
mineral leasing, recommend withdrawal from mineral entry, prohibit 
renewable energy development and geophysical exploration, close the 
portions of the ACEC within the PMWHR to livestock grazing except for 
Bad Pass Trail Allotment (grazing available outside the PMWHR), 
prohibit target shooting for public safety reasons between Memorial Day 
weekend and Labor Day weekend in T. 8 S., R. 28 E, (allowed in 
remainder of ACEC), prohibit the scattering of cremains; motorized 
vehicle use, including snowmobiles, is limited to designated routes; 
and limit the issuance of Special Recreation Use Permits (SRPs) and 
Letters of Authorization to existing SRPs and Letters of Authorization.
    Four Dances Natural Area ACEC (784 acres).
     Values: Cultural and historic resources, scenic values, 
wildlife resources, and presence of a natural hazard.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: This ACEC would be an 
avoidance area for ROWs; it is currently withdrawn from mineral entry; 
land disposals, cremains scattering, animal trapping/traplines, and 
renewable energy development would be prohibited; the ACEC is closed to 
motorized use; livestock grazing only authorized to meet other resource 
objectives consistent with ACEC designation; no discharging of firearms 
within the ACEC; archery hunting allowed if deemed necessary by Montana 
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (authorization from BLM required); SPRs 
initially limited to existing SRPs; closed to horseback riding, hang 
gliding, rock climbing, and paint ball activities; this is a day use 
only area and managed as a VRM Class II area.
    Grove Creek ACEC (8,251 acres).
     Values: Significant archaeological and traditional 
cultural values and special status plants.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: The ACEC would be 
managed as a ROW avoidance area and a VRM Class II area; no land 
disposals permitted; fluid mineral leasing permitted with a No Surface 
Occupancy (NSO); locatable minerals and solid leasable minerals 
recommended for withdrawal from mineral entry; and the scattering of 
cremains prohibited. Travel limited to designated routes.
    Meeteetse Spires ACEC (1,523 acres).
     Values: Scenic values and special status plants.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: The ACEC would be 
managed as a ROW exclusion area and managed as a VRM Class II area; no 
land disposals permitted; travel limited to designated routes; plant 
collecting only allowed for scientific use and range studies only (no 
collection of special status plant species without a permit); 965 acres 
closed (no lease) to fluid mineral leasing and recommended for 
withdrawal to mineral entry; livestock grazing permitted (except for 
sheep) on 965 acres; scattering of cremains and renewable energy 
development not permitted.
    Petroglyph Canyon ACEC (240 acres).
     Values: Unique cultural resources.

[[Page 30716]]

     Limitations on the Following Uses: This ACEC would be 
managed as a ROW exclusion area, no land disposals permitted; travel 
limited to designated routes; closed (no lease) to fluid mineral 
leasing, continue the 240 acre mineral entry withdrawal; closed to 
renewable energy development; closed to animal trapping/traplines; 
target shooting not permitted due to resource concerns; and scattering 
of cremains not permitted.
    Pryor Foothills Research Natural Area (RNA) ACEC (2,606 acres).
     Values: Special status plants and rare plant communities 
and significant historic and cultural values.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: The ACEC would be 
managed as a ROW avoidance area; no land disposals permitted; travel 
limited to designated routes; VRM Class II area; plant collecting 
allowed for scientific use or range studies only (no collection of 
special status plant species without a permit); the ACEC managed as a 
NSO within \1/4\ mile buffer on known sensitive plant sites and 
Controlled Surface Use (area must be inventoried for special status 
plants prior to surface disturbing activities) (Note: all lands in this 
ACEC east of Crooked Creek Road (839 acres) are within an Lands with 
Wilderness Characteristics unit which is No Lease to fluid mineral 
leasing); the ACEC is recommended for withdrawal from mineral entry; 
closed to solid leasable minerals and mineral material sales; and 
renewable energy development not permitted;
    Stark Site ACEC (799 acres).
     Values: Unique cultural resources.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: The ACEC would be 
managed as a ROW avoidance area; motorized travel limited to designated 
routes; managed as a VRM Class II area, recommended for withdrawal from 
mineral entry; fluid mineral leasing leased with a NSO stipulation, 
Open to solid mineral leasing with NSO; closed to mineral material 
sales; closed to target shooting due to resource concerns; and 
scattering of cremains not permitted.
    Weatherman Draw ACEC (12,277 acres).
     Values: Unique cultural values.
     Limitations on the Following Uses: The ACEC would be 
managed as a ROW exclusion area on 4,986 acres and a ROW avoidance area 
on 7,291 acres; no land disposals permitted; travel limited to 
designated routes; the ACEC managed as a VRM Class II area; 4,986 acres 
closed (no lease) to fluid mineral leasing and 7,291 acres available to 
fluid mineral leasing with a NSO stipulation; 600 acres are currently 
withdrawn from mineral entry and 4,386 are recommended for withdrawal 
from mineral entry; 4,986 acres closed to development of solid leasable 
minerals and 7,291 acres are open to solid leasable mineral development 
with NSO; 4,986 acres closed to mineral material sales; the ACEC closed 
to renewable energy development; animal trapping/traplines prohibited 
on 4,986 acres; target shooting prohibited in the ACEC due to resource 
concerns; and the scattering of cremains prohibited.
    The Proposed RMP does not adopt the following ACEC: Greater Sage-
Grouse Habitat ACEC.
    The Proposed RMP is also recommending the following river segments 
(3.15 miles) as suitable to protect their outstandingly remarkable 
values, free-flowing nature, and classification. The following segments 
would be recommended as suitable for inclusion in the National Wild and 
Scenic River System:
     Crooked Creek (above fish barrier--1.59 miles) tentative 
management class would be Wild.
     Crooked Creek (below fish barrier--1.56 miles) tentative 
management class would be Scenic.
    Wild and Scenic River eligible and suitable segments (14.08 miles 
total) would be managed as NSO for oil and gas leasing, exploration, 
and development within \1/2\ mile of the eligible and suitable river 
segments. The WSR eligible and suitable segments would be managed as 
exclusion areas for wind energy development.
    The 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.
    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. Development of additional regional mitigation 
strategies for other resource programs may occur for implementation 
level decisions.
    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 Billings and Pompeys Pillar National Monument 
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

Jamie E. Connell,
State Director, Montana/Dakotas.
[FR Doc. 2015-12937 Filed 5-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P