80_FR_42664 80 FR 42527 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plans for the Beaver Dam Wash and Red Cliffs National Conservation Areas; a Draft Amendment to the St. George Field Office Resource Management Plan; and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Utah

80 FR 42527 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plans for the Beaver Dam Wash and Red Cliffs National Conservation Areas; a Draft Amendment to the St. George Field Office Resource Management Plan; and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Utah

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 137 (July 17, 2015)

Page Range42527-42529
FR Document2015-17466

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared Draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area and the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and a Draft Amendment to the St. George Field Office RMP. The three planning efforts were initiated concurrently and are supported by a single Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). By this notice; the BLM announces the opening of the public comment period.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 137 (Friday, July 17, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 137 (Friday, July 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42527-42529]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17466]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[15X L1109AF LLUTC03000.161000000.DP0000.LXSS004J0000 24-1A]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plans for 
the Beaver Dam Wash and Red Cliffs National Conservation Areas; a Draft 
Amendment to the St. George Field Office Resource Management Plan; and 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended, and the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 
2009, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared Draft Resource 
Management Plans (RMPs) for the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation 
Area and the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and a Draft 
Amendment to the St. George Field Office RMP. The three planning 
efforts were initiated concurrently and are supported by a single 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). By this notice; the BLM announces 
the opening of the public comment period.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS 
within 90 days following the date that the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP 
Amendment and Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce 
future meetings or hearings and any other public participation 
activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media 
releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP 
Amendment and Draft EIS by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 435-688-3252.
     Mail: St. George Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 
345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.
    Copies of the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS are 
available in the BLM St. George Field Office, at the above address and 
the BLM Utah State Office Public Room, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, 
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m.), Monday through Friday, except holidays. The Draft RMPs/Draft RMP 
Amendment and Draft EIS is also available on the following Web site: 
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/st_george.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Keith Rigtrup, RMP Planner, telephone 
435-865-3000; address: 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 
84790; 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 purpose of this planning process is to 
satisfy specific mandates from the Omnibus Public Land Management Act 
of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-11, at Title 1, Subtitle O, hereinafter OPLMA) 
that directed the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM, to 
develop comprehensive management plans for the Beaver Dam Wash National 
Conservation Area (63,480 acres of public land) and the Red Cliffs 
National Conservation Area (44,859 acres of public land), located in 
Washington County, Utah. Both National Conservation Areas (NCAs) were 
established on March 30, 2009, when President Barack Obama signed OPLMA 
into law. The decisions contained within the Draft RMPs/Draft EIS do 
not pertain to private and State lands within the boundaries of the 
NCAs.
    The need to amend the St. George Field Office RMP (approved in 
1999) is also derived from OPLMA. Section 1979 (a)(1) and (2) directed 
the Secretary, through the BLM, to identify areas located in the County 
where biological conservation is a priority; and undertake activities 
to conserve and restore plant and animal species and natural 
communities within such areas. The administrative designation of new 
areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs) to provide special 
management attention to biological resources, as well as the 
identification of priority biological conservation areas, will satisfy 
this legislative mandate, and will be accomplished through an amendment 
to the St. George Field Office RMP.
    Section 1977 (b)(1) of OPLMA, directed the BLM to develop a 
comprehensive travel management plan for public lands in Washington 
County. The St. George Field Office RMP must be amended to modify 
certain existing off-highway vehicle (OHV) area designations (open, 
limited or closed), to be in compliance with the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) at 43 CFR 8340.0-5, (f), (g), and (h) respectively 
and 43 CFR 8342.1 (a-d) and related agency policies, before this 
comprehensive travel management plan can be developed.

Draft RMPs for the Beaver Dam Wash and Red Cliffs NCAs

    The Draft RMPs/Draft EIS include goals, objectives, and management 
actions for conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural and 
cultural resource values of the Beaver Dam Wash

[[Page 42528]]

and Red Cliffs NCAs. Multiple resource uses are also addressed, 
including lands available for livestock grazing; recreation and visitor 
services; and management of lands and realty actions, including 
delineation of rights-of-way avoidance and exclusion areas. This 
planning effort considers the establishment of a trail management 
corridor for the congressionally-designated Old Spanish Trail National 
Historic Trail through the Beaver Dam Wash NCA.
    The Draft RMPs/DEIS analyzes four alternatives for the long term 
management of resource values and land uses in the two NCAs. 
Alternative A is the No Action alternative and would continue 
management of the public lands under current goals, objectives, and 
management decisions from the 1999 St. George Field Office RMP, as 
modified by congressional designations pursuant to OPLMA.
    Alternative B emphasizes resource protection while allowing land 
uses and developments that are consistent with the NCA purposes, 
current laws, regulations, and policies.
    Management actions would strive to protect ecologically important 
areas, native vegetation communities, habitats for wildlife, including 
special status species, cultural resources, and the scenic qualities of 
each NCA from natural and human-caused impacts. Intensive management of 
land uses and authorizations would avoid or lessen resource impacts.
    Alternative C emphasizes the conservation and protection of 
resource values and the restoration of damaged lands, through the use 
of native species. This alternative would also implement higher levels 
of restrictions on land uses and developments to achieve conservation 
objectives.
    Alternative D emphasizes a broader array and higher level of public 
use and access, while still meeting the congressionally-defined purpose 
of conservation and protection of resource values and scenic qualities 
in the two NCAs. This alternative would provide the greatest management 
flexibility relating to land uses and authorizations.
    Alternative B has been identified as the BLM's preferred 
alternative in the Draft RMPs/Draft EIS but does not represent the 
final agency direction for the two NCAs. The Proposed RMPs, developed 
as a result of public comment on the Draft RMPs, may include objectives 
and actions analyzed in the other alternatives and reflect changes or 
adjustments based on new information or changes in BLM policies or 
priorities.

Draft RMP Amendment

    The Draft EIS also analyzes four alternatives to amend the St. 
George Field Office RMP to address biological conservation and travel 
management issues on public lands outside of the two NCAs.
    Alternative A (No Action) would continue to manage public lands 
under the goals, objectives, and decisions of the St. George Field 
Office RMP. Eight existing ACECs would continue to be managed, under 
current management prescriptions from that RMP. Area designations for 
motorized vehicle travel would continue to manage a majority of the 
public lands as limited to existing roads and trails.
    Alternative B (the BLM's preferred alternative) addresses 
biological conservation through the proposed designation of three new 
ACECs (South Hills (1,950 acres), State Line (1,410 acres), and Webb 
Hill (520 acres)) to provide special management for native plant and 
animal species and natural systems; 8 existing ACECs would be retained, 
with no changes to the current management prescriptions. A Bull Valley 
Multi-Species Management Area (87,031 acres) is identified as a 
priority biological conservation area and management decisions are 
proposed to protect wildlife habitats and migration corridors. This 
alternative includes a proposal to identify specific routes for 
motorized vehicle travel in the St. George Field Office planning area. 
Route designations and use-limitations will be further developed in a 
comprehensive travel management plan to be created after the record of 
decision for these RMPs has been signed.
    Alternative C would emphasize the use of special designations to 
achieve the biological conservation objectives mandated by OPLMA. Under 
this alternative, 14 new ACECs are proposed for administrative 
designation: (Dalton Wash (14 acres), Grafton (47 acres), Harrisburg 
Bench (111 acres), Moody Wash (24 acres), Mosquito Cove (88 acres), 
North Creek (54 acres), Santa Clara River Baker (32 acres), Santa Clara 
River Veyo (16 acres), Scarecrow Peak (9,655 acres), Shinob Kibe (70 
acres), South Hills (1,950 acres), State Line (1,410 acres), Virgin 
River (245 acres), and Webb Hill (520 acres)). Eight existing ACECs 
would be retained. A Bull Valley Multi-Species Management Area (87,031 
acres) is identified as a priority biological conservation area and 
management decisions are proposed to protect wildlife habitats and 
migration corridors through exclusion of new rights-of-way and closure 
to fluid leasable and saleable minerals developments. This alternative 
includes a proposal to identify specific routes for motorized vehicle 
travel in the St. George Field Office planning area. Route designations 
and use-limitations will be further developed in a comprehensive travel 
management plan to be created after the record of decision for these 
RMPs has been signed.
    Alternative D relies primarily on management decisions from the St. 
George RMP, current laws, regulations, and policies to satisfy OPLMA's 
legislative direction relating to biological conservation. No new ACECs 
would be designated and eight currently designated ACECs would be 
retained. A Bull Valley Multi-Species Management Area (87,031 acres) is 
identified for management as a priority biological conservation area 
and management decisions are proposed to protect wildlife habitats 
through management of 955 acres as a rights-of-way avoidance area. This 
alternative includes a proposal to identify specific routes for 
motorized vehicle travel in the St. George Field Office planning area. 
Route designations and use-limitations will be further developed in a 
comprehensive travel management plan to be created after the record of 
decision for these RMPs has been signed.
    Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b), this notice announces a concurrent 
public comment period on proposed ACECs to protect plant and animal 
species and natural processes. The following management prescriptions 
may apply to the individual areas under consideration, if 
administratively designated as ACECs through the RMP amendment process: 
Retain public lands in federal ownership; avoid or exclude new rights-
of-way; close to the harvesting of native seeds, plants, and plant 
materials for commercial purposes and personal use; close or place use 
constraints on fluid leasable and saleable mineral developments; close 
to dispersed camping and recreational target shooting; exclude 
competitive, commercial, and organized group events; protections via 
visual resource management class designation; and close or limit 
motorized travel to designated roads and trails.
    Please note that public comments and information submitted 
including names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who 
submit comments will be available for public review and disclosure at 
the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your

[[Page 42529]]

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 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2.

Jenna Whitlock,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-17466 Filed 7-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P



                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 2015 / Notices                                           42527

                                                previous submissions. It should be                       ACTION:   Notice of availability.                     available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
                                                noted, however, that two workshops                                                                             to leave a message or question with the
                                                involving multiple safari outfitters and                 SUMMARY:   In accordance with the                     above individual. You will receive a
                                                leaseholders are scheduled for the                       National Environmental Policy Act                     reply during normal business hours.
                                                beginning of 2015 to identify and                        (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the                       SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                address outstanding issues faced by the                  Federal Land Policy and Management                    purpose of this planning process is to
                                                safari outfitters. It is the hope of the                 Act of 1976, as amended, and the                      satisfy specific mandates from the
                                                Service that these workshops are                         Omnibus Public Lands Management Act                   Omnibus Public Land Management Act
                                                successful and can act as a springboard                  of 2009, the Bureau of Land                           of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–11, at Title 1,
                                                for similar workshops throughout                         Management (BLM) has prepared Draft                   Subtitle O, hereinafter OPLMA) that
                                                Zimbabwe.                                                Resource Management Plans (RMPs) for                  directed the Secretary of the Interior,
                                                  Therefore, based on the information                    the Beaver Dam Wash National                          through the BLM, to develop
                                                currently available to the Service on                    Conservation Area and the Red Cliffs                  comprehensive management plans for
                                                government efforts to manage elephant                    National Conservation Area and a Draft                the Beaver Dam Wash National
                                                populations, efforts to address human-                   Amendment to the St. George Field                     Conservation Area (63,480 acres of
                                                elephant conflicts and poaching, and                     Office RMP. The three planning efforts                public land) and the Red Cliffs National
                                                the state of the hunting program within                  were initiated concurrently and are                   Conservation Area (44,859 acres of
                                                the country, and without current data                    supported by a single Environmental                   public land), located in Washington
                                                on population numbers and trends                         Impact Statement (EIS). By this notice;               County, Utah. Both National
                                                being incorporated into a national                       the BLM announces the opening of the                  Conservation Areas (NCAs) were
                                                management strategy or plan, the                         public comment period.                                established on March 30, 2009, when
                                                Service is unable to make a finding that                 DATES: To ensure that comments will be                President Barack Obama signed OPLMA
                                                sport-hunting in Zimbabwe is                             considered, the BLM must receive                      into law. The decisions contained
                                                enhancing the survival of the species                    written comments on the Draft RMPs/                   within the Draft RMPs/Draft EIS do not
                                                and that imports of trophies would meet                  Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS                     pertain to private and State lands within
                                                the criteria established under the Act for               within 90 days following the date that                the boundaries of the NCAs.
                                                African elephants. The March 26, 2015,                   the Environmental Protection Agency                      The need to amend the St. George
                                                enhancement finding has been posted at                   publishes its Notice of Availability of               Field Office RMP (approved in 1999) is
                                                http://www.fws.gov/international/pdf/                    the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP Amendment                    also derived from OPLMA. Section 1979
                                                enhancement-finding-March-2015-                          and Draft EIS in the Federal Register.                (a)(1) and (2) directed the Secretary,
                                                elephant-Zimbabwe.pdf. In addition, the                  The BLM will announce future meetings                 through the BLM, to identify areas
                                                press release announcing the                             or hearings and any other public                      located in the County where biological
                                                suspension and frequently asked                          participation activities at least 15 days             conservation is a priority; and undertake
                                                questions is available on the Service’s                  in advance through public notices,                    activities to conserve and restore plant
                                                Web page (www.fws.gov/international).                    media releases, and/or mailings.                      and animal species and natural
                                                  This suspension does not prohibit                                                                            communities within such areas. The
                                                                                                         ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                U.S. hunters from traveling to                                                                                 administrative designation of new areas
                                                                                                         related to the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP
                                                Zimbabwe and participating in an                                                                               of critical environmental concern
                                                                                                         Amendment and Draft EIS by any of the
                                                elephant hunt. The Act does not                                                                                (ACECs) to provide special management
                                                                                                         following methods:
                                                prohibit take (e.g., hunting) outside the                                                                      attention to biological resources, as well
                                                                                                            • Email: utsgrmp@blm.gov.
                                                United States; it only prohibits import                                                                        as the identification of priority
                                                                                                            • Fax: 435–688–3252.
                                                of trophies taken during such hunts                                                                            biological conservation areas, will
                                                                                                            • Mail: St. George Field Office,
                                                without authorization under the Act.                                                                           satisfy this legislative mandate, and will
                                                                                                         Bureau of Land Management, 345 East
                                                  Dated: July 2, 2015.                                   Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.              be accomplished through an
                                                Timothy J. Van Norman,                                      Copies of the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP                 amendment to the St. George Field
                                                Chief, Branch of Permits, Division of                    Amendment and Draft EIS are available                 Office RMP.
                                                Management Authority, U.S. Fish and                                                                               Section 1977 (b)(1) of OPLMA,
                                                                                                         in the BLM St. George Field Office, at
                                                Wildlife Service.                                                                                              directed the BLM to develop a
                                                                                                         the above address and the BLM Utah
                                                                                                                                                               comprehensive travel management plan
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–17537 Filed 7–16–15; 8:45 am]              State Office Public Room, 440 West 200
                                                                                                                                                               for public lands in Washington County.
                                                BILLING CODE 4310–55–P                                   South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah
                                                                                                                                                               The St. George Field Office RMP must
                                                                                                         84101 during business hours (8:00 a.m.
                                                                                                                                                               be amended to modify certain existing
                                                                                                         to 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday,
                                                DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                                                                     off-highway vehicle (OHV) area
                                                                                                         except holidays. The Draft RMPs/Draft                 designations (open, limited or closed),
                                                                                                         RMP Amendment and Draft EIS is also                   to be in compliance with the Code of
                                                Bureau of Land Management                                available on the following Web site:                  Federal Regulations (CFR) at 43 CFR
                                                [15X L1109AF LLUTC03000.161000000.                       http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/                       8340.0–5, (f), (g), and (h) respectively
                                                DP0000.LXSS004J0000 24–1A]                               st_george.html.                                       and 43 CFR 8342.1 (a–d) and related
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      agency policies, before this
                                                Notice of Availability of the Draft
                                                                                                         Keith Rigtrup, RMP Planner, telephone                 comprehensive travel management plan
                                                Resource Management Plans for the
                                                                                                         435–865–3000; address: 345 East                       can be developed.
                                                Beaver Dam Wash and Red Cliffs
                                                                                                         Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790;
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                National Conservation Areas; a Draft                                                                           Draft RMPs for the Beaver Dam Wash
                                                                                                         email: krigtrup@blm.gov.
                                                Amendment to the St. George Field                                                                              and Red Cliffs NCAs
                                                                                                            Persons who use a
                                                Office Resource Management Plan;
                                                                                                         telecommunications device for the deaf                  The Draft RMPs/Draft EIS include
                                                and Draft Environmental Impact
                                                                                                         (TDD) may call the Federal Information                goals, objectives, and management
                                                Statement, Utah
                                                                                                         Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339                actions for conserving, protecting, and
                                                AGENCY:     Bureau of Land Management,                   to contact the above individual during                enhancing the natural and cultural
                                                Interior.                                                normal business hours. The FIRS is                    resource values of the Beaver Dam Wash


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                                                42528                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 2015 / Notices

                                                and Red Cliffs NCAs. Multiple resource                   Draft RMP Amendment                                   developments. This alternative includes
                                                uses are also addressed, including lands                    The Draft EIS also analyzes four                   a proposal to identify specific routes for
                                                available for livestock grazing;                         alternatives to amend the St. George                  motorized vehicle travel in the St.
                                                recreation and visitor services; and                     Field Office RMP to address biological                George Field Office planning area. Route
                                                management of lands and realty actions,                  conservation and travel management                    designations and use-limitations will be
                                                including delineation of rights-of-way                   issues on public lands outside of the                 further developed in a comprehensive
                                                avoidance and exclusion areas. This                      two NCAs.                                             travel management plan to be created
                                                planning effort considers the                               Alternative A (No Action) would                    after the record of decision for these
                                                establishment of a trail management                      continue to manage public lands under                 RMPs has been signed.
                                                corridor for the congressionally-                                                                                 Alternative D relies primarily on
                                                                                                         the goals, objectives, and decisions of
                                                designated Old Spanish Trail National                                                                          management decisions from the St.
                                                                                                         the St. George Field Office RMP. Eight
                                                Historic Trail through the Beaver Dam                                                                          George RMP, current laws, regulations,
                                                                                                         existing ACECs would continue to be
                                                Wash NCA.                                                                                                      and policies to satisfy OPLMA’s
                                                                                                         managed, under current management
                                                   The Draft RMPs/DEIS analyzes four                                                                           legislative direction relating to
                                                                                                         prescriptions from that RMP. Area
                                                alternatives for the long term                                                                                 biological conservation. No new ACECs
                                                                                                         designations for motorized vehicle
                                                management of resource values and                                                                              would be designated and eight currently
                                                                                                         travel would continue to manage a
                                                land uses in the two NCAs. Alternative                                                                         designated ACECs would be retained. A
                                                                                                         majority of the public lands as limited
                                                                                                                                                               Bull Valley Multi-Species Management
                                                A is the No Action alternative and                       to existing roads and trails.                         Area (87,031 acres) is identified for
                                                would continue management of the                            Alternative B (the BLM’s preferred
                                                                                                                                                               management as a priority biological
                                                public lands under current goals,                        alternative) addresses biological
                                                                                                                                                               conservation area and management
                                                objectives, and management decisions                     conservation through the proposed
                                                                                                                                                               decisions are proposed to protect
                                                from the 1999 St. George Field Office                    designation of three new ACECs (South
                                                                                                                                                               wildlife habitats through management of
                                                RMP, as modified by congressional                        Hills (1,950 acres), State Line (1,410                955 acres as a rights-of-way avoidance
                                                designations pursuant to OPLMA.                          acres), and Webb Hill (520 acres)) to                 area. This alternative includes a
                                                   Alternative B emphasizes resource                     provide special management for native                 proposal to identify specific routes for
                                                protection while allowing land uses and                  plant and animal species and natural                  motorized vehicle travel in the St.
                                                developments that are consistent with                    systems; 8 existing ACECs would be                    George Field Office planning area. Route
                                                the NCA purposes, current laws,                          retained, with no changes to the current              designations and use-limitations will be
                                                regulations, and policies.                               management prescriptions. A Bull                      further developed in a comprehensive
                                                   Management actions would strive to                    Valley Multi-Species Management Area                  travel management plan to be created
                                                protect ecologically important areas,                    (87,031 acres) is identified as a priority            after the record of decision for these
                                                native vegetation communities, habitats                  biological conservation area and                      RMPs has been signed.
                                                for wildlife, including special status                   management decisions are proposed to                     Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.7–2(b), this
                                                species, cultural resources, and the                     protect wildlife habitats and migration               notice announces a concurrent public
                                                scenic qualities of each NCA from                        corridors. This alternative includes a                comment period on proposed ACECs to
                                                natural and human-caused impacts.                        proposal to identify specific routes for              protect plant and animal species and
                                                Intensive management of land uses and                    motorized vehicle travel in the St.                   natural processes. The following
                                                authorizations would avoid or lessen                     George Field Office planning area. Route              management prescriptions may apply to
                                                resource impacts.                                        designations and use-limitations will be              the individual areas under
                                                                                                         further developed in a comprehensive                  consideration, if administratively
                                                   Alternative C emphasizes the                          travel management plan to be created
                                                conservation and protection of resource                                                                        designated as ACECs through the RMP
                                                                                                         after the record of decision for these                amendment process: Retain public lands
                                                values and the restoration of damaged                    RMPs has been signed.
                                                lands, through the use of native species.                                                                      in federal ownership; avoid or exclude
                                                                                                            Alternative C would emphasize the                  new rights-of-way; close to the
                                                This alternative would also implement                    use of special designations to achieve
                                                higher levels of restrictions on land uses                                                                     harvesting of native seeds, plants, and
                                                                                                         the biological conservation objectives                plant materials for commercial purposes
                                                and developments to achieve                              mandated by OPLMA. Under this
                                                conservation objectives.                                                                                       and personal use; close or place use
                                                                                                         alternative, 14 new ACECs are proposed                constraints on fluid leasable and
                                                   Alternative D emphasizes a broader                    for administrative designation: (Dalton               saleable mineral developments; close to
                                                array and higher level of public use and                 Wash (14 acres), Grafton (47 acres),                  dispersed camping and recreational
                                                access, while still meeting the                          Harrisburg Bench (111 acres), Moody                   target shooting; exclude competitive,
                                                congressionally-defined purpose of                       Wash (24 acres), Mosquito Cove (88                    commercial, and organized group
                                                conservation and protection of resource                  acres), North Creek (54 acres), Santa                 events; protections via visual resource
                                                values and scenic qualities in the two                   Clara River Baker (32 acres), Santa Clara             management class designation; and
                                                NCAs. This alternative would provide                     River Veyo (16 acres), Scarecrow Peak                 close or limit motorized travel to
                                                the greatest management flexibility                      (9,655 acres), Shinob Kibe (70 acres),                designated roads and trails.
                                                relating to land uses and authorizations.                South Hills (1,950 acres), State Line                    Please note that public comments and
                                                   Alternative B has been identified as                  (1,410 acres), Virgin River (245 acres),              information submitted including names,
                                                the BLM’s preferred alternative in the                   and Webb Hill (520 acres)). Eight                     street addresses, and email addresses of
                                                Draft RMPs/Draft EIS but does not                        existing ACECs would be retained. A                   persons who submit comments will be
                                                represent the final agency direction for                 Bull Valley Multi-Species Management                  available for public review and
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                the two NCAs. The Proposed RMPs,                         Area (87,031 acres) is identified as a                disclosure at the above address during
                                                developed as a result of public comment                  priority biological conservation area and             regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.),
                                                on the Draft RMPs, may include                           management decisions are proposed to                  Monday through Friday, except
                                                objectives and actions analyzed in the                   protect wildlife habitats and migration               holidays.
                                                other alternatives and reflect changes or                corridors through exclusion of new                       Before including your address, phone
                                                adjustments based on new information                     rights-of-way and closure to fluid                    number, email address, or other
                                                or changes in BLM policies or priorities.                leasable and saleable minerals                        personal identifying information in your


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 137 / Friday, July 17, 2015 / Notices                                              42529

                                                comment, you should be aware that                        on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, the day                  TX7A High Island Area, East Addition
                                                your entire comment—including your                       before the lease sale. For more                        (revised November 1, 2000)
                                                personal identifying information—may                     information on bid submission, see                    TX7B High Island Area, South Addition
                                                                                                                                                                (revised November 1, 2000)
                                                be made publicly available at any time.                  Section VII, ‘‘Bidding Instructions,’’ of             TX7C High Island Area, East Addition,
                                                While you can ask us in your comment                     this document.                                         South Extension (revised November 1,
                                                to withhold your personal identifying                    ADDRESSES: Interested parties, upon                    2000)
                                                information from public review, we                       request, may obtain a compact disc (CD–               TX8 Sabine Pass Area (revised November 1,
                                                cannot guarantee that we will be able to                 ROM) containing the Final NOS Package                  2000)
                                                do so.                                                   by contacting the BOEM Gulf of Mexico                 Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps—
                                                  Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10,              (GOM) Region at the following address:                Louisiana Map Numbers 1A, 1B, and 12
                                                43 CFR 1610.2.                                           Gulf of Mexico Region Public                          LA1A West Cameron Area, West Addition
                                                Jenna Whitlock,                                          Information Office, Bureau of Ocean                     (revised February 28, 2007)
                                                                                                         Energy Management, 1201 Elmwood                       LA1B West Cameron Area, South Addition
                                                Acting State Director.                                                                                           (revised February 28, 2007)
                                                                                                         Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–17466 Filed 7–16–15; 8:45 am]                                                                    LA12 Sabine Pass Area (revised July 1,
                                                                                                         70123–2394, (504) 736–2519 or (800)
                                                BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P                                                                                           2011)
                                                                                                         200–GULF, or by visiting the BOEM
                                                                                                         Web site at http://www.boem.gov/Sale-                 Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction
                                                                                                         246/.                                                 Diagrams
                                                DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                                                                                                                               NG14–03 Corpus Christi (revised November
                                                                                                         Table of Contents                                       1, 2000)
                                                Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
                                                                                                           This Final NOS includes the                         NG14–06 Port Isabel (revised October 1,
                                                Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area                     following sections:                                     2014)
                                                                                                                                                               NG15–01 East Breaks (revised November 1,
                                                (WPA) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)                      I. Lease Sale Area                                      2000)
                                                Oil and Gas Lease Sale 246 (WPA Sale                     II. Statutes and Regulations                          NG15–02 Garden Banks (revised February
                                                246); MMAA104000                                         III. Lease Terms and Economic Conditions                28, 2007)
                                                                                                         IV. Lease Stipulations                                NG15–04 Alaminos Canyon (revised
                                                AGENCY:  Bureau of Ocean Energy                          V. Information to Lessees                               October 1, 2014)
                                                Management (BOEM), Interior.                             VI. Maps                                              NG15–05 Keathley Canyon (revised October
                                                ACTION: Final notice of sale.                            VII. Bidding Instructions                               1, 2014)
                                                                                                         VIII. Bidding Rules and Restrictions                  NG15–08 Sigsbee Escarpment (revised
                                                SUMMARY:   On Wednesday, August 19,                      IX. Forms                                               October 1, 2014)
                                                2015, the Bureau of Ocean Energy                         X. The Lease Sale                                       Please Note: A CD–ROM (in ArcGIS and
                                                Management (BOEM) will open and                          XI. Delay of Sale                                     Acrobat (.pdf) format) containing all of the
                                                publicly announce bids for blocks                                                                              GOM Region leasing maps and OPDs, is
                                                offered in the Western Gulf of Mexico                    I. Lease Sale Area
                                                                                                                                                               available from the BOEM Gulf of Mexico
                                                Planning Area (WPA) Lease Sale 246                       Blocks Offered for Leasing                            Region Public Information Office for a price
                                                (WPA Sale 246), in accordance with the                                                                         of $15.00. These GOM Region leasing maps
                                                provisions of the Outer Continental                         In WPA Sale 246, BOEM is offering                  and OPDs also are available online for free
                                                Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (43 U.S.C.                       for lease all blocks and partial blocks               in .pdf and .gra formats at http://
                                                1331–1356, as amended) and the                           listed in the document ‘‘List of Blocks               www.boem.gov/Official-Protraction-
                                                implementing regulations issued                          Available for Leasing’’ included in this              Diagrams.
                                                pursuant thereto (30 CFR parts 550 and                   Final NOS Package. All of these blocks                   For the current status of all WPA
                                                556). The WPA Sale 246 Final Notice of                   are shown on the following leasing                    leasing maps and OPDs, please refer to
                                                Sale (NOS) Package (Final NOS                            maps and Official Protraction Diagrams                66 FR 28002 (May 21, 2001), 67 FR
                                                Package) contains information essential                  (OPDs):                                               60701 (September 26, 2002), 72 FR
                                                to potential bidders. Bidders are charged                Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Maps—                 27590 (May 16, 2007), 76 FR 54787
                                                with knowing the contents of the                         Texas Map Numbers 1 Through 8                         (September 2, 2011), 79 FR 32572 (June
                                                documents contained in the Final NOS                     TX1 South Padre Island Area (revised                  5, 2014), and 80 FR 3251 (January 22,
                                                Package.                                                   October 1, 2014)                                    2015). In addition, Supplemental
                                                  Date and Time: Public bid reading for                  TX1A South Padre Island Area, East                    Official OCS Block Diagrams (SOBDs)
                                                WPA Sale 246 will begin at 9:00 a.m. on                    Addition (revised October 1, 2014)                  for blocks containing the U.S. 200-
                                                Wednesday, August 19, 2015. All times                    TX2 North Padre Island Area (revised                  Nautical Mile Limit line and the U.S.-
                                                referred to in this document are local                     November 1, 2000)                                   Mexico Maritime and Continental Shelf
                                                                                                         TX2A North Padre Island Area, East                    Boundary line are available. These
                                                time in New Orleans, unless otherwise                      Addition (revised November 1, 2000)
                                                specified.                                               TX3 Mustang Island Area (revised
                                                                                                                                                               SOBDs are available from the BOEM
                                                  Location: The Mercedes-Benz                              November 1, 2000)                                   Gulf of Mexico Region Public
                                                Superdome, 1500 Sugarbowl Drive, New                     TX3A Mustang Island Area, East Addition               Information Office and on BOEM’s Web
                                                Orleans, Louisiana 70112. The lease sale                   (revised September 3, 2002)                         site at http://www.boem.gov/
                                                will be held in the St. Charles Club                     TX4 Matagorda Island Area (revised                    Supplemental-Official-OCS-Block-
                                                Room on the second floor (Loge Level).                     November 1, 2000)                                   Diagrams-SOBDs/. For additional
                                                Entry to the Superdome will be on the                    TX5 Brazos Area (revised November 1,                  information, or to order the above
                                                Poydras Street side of the building                        2000)                                               referenced maps or diagrams, please call
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                through Gate A on the Ground Level;                      TX5B Brazos Area, South Addition (revised             the Mapping and Automation Section at
                                                                                                           November 1, 2000)
                                                parking will be available at Garage 6.                   TX6 Galveston Area (revised November 1,
                                                                                                                                                               (504) 731–1457.
                                                  Bid Submission Deadline: BOEM                            2000)
                                                                                                                                                                  All blocks being offered in the lease
                                                must receive all sealed bids between                     TX6A Galveston Area, South Addition                   sale are shown on these leasing maps
                                                8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on normal                          (revised November 1, 2000)                          and OPDs. The available Federal acreage
                                                working days, and from 8:00 a.m. to the                  TX7 High Island Area (revised November 1,             of each whole and partial block in this
                                                Bid Submission Deadline of 10:00 a.m.                      2000)                                               lease sale is shown in the document


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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:21:48
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:21:48
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability.
DatesTo ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS within 90 days following the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability of the Draft RMPs/Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public participation activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings.
ContactKeith Rigtrup, RMP Planner, telephone
FR Citation80 FR 42527 

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