80 FR 57635 - Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 185 (September 24, 2015)

Page Range		57635-57637
FR Document		2015-24212

The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management has approved an application to withdraw approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest System lands identified as Sagebrush Focal Areas in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming from location and entry under the United States mining laws to protect the Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat from adverse effects of locatable mineral exploration and mining, subject to valid existing rights. This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years while the application is processed. This notice also provides the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed withdrawal application. In addition, this notice initiates the public scoping process for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and disclose impacts of the proposed withdrawal.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57635-57637]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24212]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWO210000.15X.L11100000.PH0000 LXSISGST0000]


Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho, 
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals 
Management has approved an application to withdraw approximately 10 
million acres of public and National Forest System lands identified as 
Sagebrush Focal Areas in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and 
Wyoming from location and entry under the United States mining laws to 
protect the Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat from adverse effects of 
locatable mineral exploration and mining, subject to valid existing 
rights. This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years 
while the application is processed. This notice also provides the 
public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed withdrawal 
application. In addition, this notice initiates the public scoping 
process for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and 
disclose impacts of the proposed withdrawal.

DATES: Comments on the proposed withdrawal application or scoping 
comments on issues to be analyzed in the EIS must be received by 
December

[[Page 57636]]

23, 2015. Please clearly indicate whether comments are in regard to the 
withdrawal application or scoping comments on the EIS. The date(s) and 
location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days 
in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: 
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse.html. In order to be 
included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the 
close of the 90-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public 
meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public 
participation will be available upon publication of the Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to the BLM Director, 1849 C 
Street NW., (WO-200), Washington, DC 20240 or electronically to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark A. Mackiewicz, PMP, Senior 
National Project Manager BLM, by telephone at 435-636-3616, or by email 
at [email protected]; or one of the BLM state offices listed below. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to reach 
the BLM contact person. 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 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) filed an 
application requesting the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land 
and Minerals Management to withdraw, subject to valid existing rights, 
approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest System 
lands located in the States of Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and 
Wyoming from location and entry under the United States mining laws, 
but not from leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing or mineral 
materials laws. Copies of the map entitled ``BLM Petition/Application 
for Sagebrush Focal Areas Withdrawal'' depicting the lands proposed for 
withdrawal are posted on our Web site at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse.html and are also available from the BLM offices 
listed below:

Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, Idaho 83709.
Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101-
4669.
Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada 89502.
Oregon State Office, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204.
Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 
84101.
Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009.

    The Sagebrush Focal Areas include all public and National Forest 
System lands identified in the townships below:

Idaho

Boise Meridian

T. 1 N., Rs. 17 and 29 E.,
Tps. 1 and 10 N., R. 18 E.,
Tps. 1 and 9 to 12 N., R. 19 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, and 8 to 12 N., R. 20 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, and 5 to 12 N., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, and 4 to 11 N., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 1 to 13 N., Rs. 23 and 24 E.,
Tps. 9, 10, and 12 N., R. 24\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 2 to 12, 15 and 16 N., R. 25 E.,
Tps. 2 to 5, 8 to 11, and 13 to 16 N., R. 26 E.,
Tps. 1, 2, 4 to 11, and 13 to 16 N., R. 27 E.,
Tps. 1, 4 to 9, and 13 to 15 N., R. 28 E.,
Tps. 1 and 6 to 9 N., R. 30 E.,
Tps. 8 and 9 N., Rs. 31 and 32 E.,
Tps. 7 to 9 N., Rs. 34 and 35 E.,
Tps. 9 to 12 N., R. 36 E.,
Tps. 10 to 12 N., R. 37 E.,
Tps. 10 and 11 N., R. 38 E.,
Tps. 9 to 11 N., R. 39 E.,
Tps. 8 to 11 N., R. 40 E.,
Tps. 8 to 10 N., R. 41 E.,
Tps. 8 to 16 S., R. 1 W.,
Tps. 9 to 16 S., R. 2 W.,
Tps. 10 to 16 S., R. 3 W.,
Tps. 11 to 16 S., R. 4 W.,
Tps. 12 to 16 S., R. 5 W.,
Tps. 13 to 16 S., R. 6 W.,
Tps. 8 to 14, and 16 S., R. 1 E.,
Tps. 7 to 14 S., R. 2 E.,
Tps. 8 to 14 S., R. 3 E.,
Tps. 8 to 16 S., R. 4 E.,
Tps. 9, and 11 to 16 S., R. 5 E.,
Tps. 11 to 16 S., R. 6 E.,
Tps. 13 to 16 S., Rs. 7 and 8 E.,
Tps. 14 to 16 S., Rs. 9 and 10 E.,
Tps. 3 and 4 and 14 to 16 S., Rs. 11E.,
Tps. 2 to 4 and 13 to 16 S., R. 12 E.,
Tps. 2 to 4 and 12 to 16 S., Rs. 13 and 14 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4 and 12 to 16 S., Rs. 15 and 17 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4, and 13 to 16 S., R. 16 and 18 E.,
Tps. 1 to 3 S., R. 19 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4 S., Rs. 20 and 24 E.,
Tps. 1 to 4, and 14 S., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 1 to 5, and 14 S., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 1 to 6 S., R. 23 E.,
Tps. 1 to 3 S., Rs. 25, and 27 to 29 E.,
T. 1 S., R. 30 E.

    The areas described contain approximately 3,854,622 acres in 
Bingham, Blaine, Butte, Camas, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, 
Gooding, Jefferson, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Power, and Twin 
Falls Counties.

Montana

Principal Meridian

Tps. 21 to 23 N., R. 20 E.,
Tps. 20 to 23 N., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 20 N., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 19 to 21, 23 and 24 N., R. 23 E.,
Tps. 18 to 21, 23 and 24 N., Rs. 24 and 25 E.,
Tps. 18 to 20, 22 to 25, 27 and 28 N., R. 26 E.,
T. 24 N., R. 26\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 19 to 29 N., R. 27 E.,
Tps. 20, 22 to 24 and 26 to 29 N., R. 28 E.,
Tps. 22 to 27 N., R. 29 E.,
Tps. 22 to 26 N., R. 30 E.,
Tps. 23 to 26 N., Rs. 31 and 32 E.,
Tps. 23 to 29 N., Rs. 33, 35 and 36 E.,
Tps. 24 to 29 N., Rs. 34 and 37 E.,
Tps. 26 and 27 N., R. 36\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 24 to 28 N., R. 38 E.,
Tps. 24 to 27 N., R. 39 E.,
T. 26 N., R. 40 E.

    The areas described contain approximately 983,156 acres in Fergus, 
Garfield, Petroleum, Phillips, and Valley Counties.

Nevada

Mount Diablo Meridian

Tps. 44, 46, and 47 N., R. 20 E.,
Tps. 43 to 47 N., Rs. 21, 40, 45, 53, 54, 55, 69, and 70 E.,
Tps. 43, 44, and 47 N., R. 22 E.,
T. 47 N., R. 23 and 23\1/2\ E.,
T. 45 N., R. 31 E.,
Tps. 44 to 47 N., Rs. 32, 33, 41 and 42 E.,
Tps. 44 to 48 N., Rs. 34 to 36 E.,
Tps. 45 to 47 N., R. 37 E.,
Tps. 42 to 44 N., R. 38 E.,
Tps. 42 to 47 N., Rs. 39, 46, 49, 50, 57, 58, 60 to 62, 67 and 68 
E.,
Tps. 44 to 46 N., R. 43 E.,
Tps. 40 to 47 N., R. 47 E.,
Tps. 41 to 47 N., Rs. 48, and 63 to 66 E.,
T. 44 N., R. 52 E.,
Tps. 46 and 47 N., R. 54\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 42 to 45, and 47 N., R. 56 E.,
Tps. 42 to 44, 46 and 47 N., R. 59 E.,

    The areas described contain approximately 2,797,399 acres in Elko, 
Humboldt, and Washoe Counties.

Oregon

Willamette Meridian

Tps. 35 and 36 S., R. 21 E.,
Tps. 32 to 40 S., R. 22 E.,
Tps. 31 to 40 S., Rs. 23 and 24 E.,
Tps. 34 to 41 S., Rs. 25, 29, and 46 E.,
Tps. 33 and 34, 38 to 41 S., R. 26 E.,
Tps. 32 to 41 S., R. 27 and 28 E.,
Tps. 35 to 41 S., R. 30 E.,
Tps. 36 to 41 S., Rs. 31, 40 to 43, 47 and 48 E.,
Tps. 37 to 40 S., R. 32 E.,
T. 37 S., R. 32\1/2\ E.,
Tps. 38 to 40 S., R. 33 E.,
Tps. 40 and 41 S., R. 36 E.,
Tps. 36 and 37, 39 to 41 S., R. 37 E.,
Tps. 38 to 41 S., Rs. 38 and 39 E.,
Tps. 33 to 41 S., Rs. 44 and 45 E.,
Tps. 37 to 41 S., R. 49 E.


[[Page 57637]]


    The areas described contain approximately 1,929,580 acres in 
Harney, Lake, and Malheur Counties.

Utah

Salt Lake Meridian

Tps. 9 and 10 N., R. 3 E.,
Tps. 9, 10, 10\1/2\, and 11 N., R. 4 E.,
Tps. 9 to 12 N., R. 5 E.,
Tps. 9 to 13 N., Rs. 6 to 8 E.,
Tps. 12, 14, and 15 N., R. 17 W.,
Tps. 11 to 15 N., R. 18 W.,
Tps. 10 to 15 N., R. 19 W.

    The areas described contain approximately 230,808 acres in Box 
Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties.

Wyoming

6th Principal Meridian

Tps. 27 and 28 N., R. 99 W.,
Tps. 27 to 29 N., R. 100 W.,
Tps. 25, 28, and 29 N., R. 101 W.,
Tps. 28 N., R. 102 W.,
Tps. 22 N., Rs. 104 and 120 W.,
Tps. 22, and 25 to 27 N., R. 105 W.,
Tps. 26 and 27 N., Rs. 106 to 108 W.,
T. 24 N., R. 112 W.,
Tps. 23 and 24 N., Rs. 113 and 115 W.,
Tps. 22 to 24 N., Rs. 114 and 119 W.,
Tps. 20 to 24 N., R. 117 W.,
Tps. 21 to 24 N., R. 118 W.,
Tps. 19 and 20 N., R. 121 W.

    The areas described contain approximately 252,162 acres in Fremont, 
Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, and Uinta Counties.
    The total areas described aggregate approximately 10 million acres 
of public and National Forest System lands in the six states and 
counties listed above.
    The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals 
Management has approved the BLM's application. Therefore, this document 
constitutes a withdrawal proposal of the Secretary of the Interior (43 
CFR 2310.1-3(e)).
    The purpose of the proposed withdrawal of the Sagebrush Focal Areas 
in Priority Habitat Management Areas is to protect the Greater Sage-
Grouse and its habitat from adverse effects of locatable mineral 
exploration and mining subject to valid existing rights.
    The use of a right-of-way, interagency or cooperative agreement, or 
surface management by the BLM under 43 CFR part 3715 or 43 CFR part 
3809 regulations or by the Forest Service under 36 CFR part 228 would 
not adequately constrain nondiscretionary uses, which could result in 
loss of critical sage-grouse habitat.
    There are no suitable alternative sites for the withdrawal.
    No water rights would be needed to fulfill the purpose of the 
requested withdrawal.
    Records relating to the application may be examined by contacting 
the BLM offices listed above.
    For a period until December 23, 2015, all persons who wish to 
submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the 
proposed withdrawal may present their views in writing to the BLM 
Director, 1849 C Street NW., (WO-210), Washington, DC 20240, or 
electronically to [email protected].
    All comments received will be considered before any final action is 
taken on the proposed withdrawal.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. 
At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: 
Air quality/climate, American Indian resources, cultural resources, 
wilderness, mineral resources, public health and safety, recreation, 
socio-economic conditions, soil resources, soundscapes, special status 
species, vegetation resources, visual resources, water resources, and 
fish and wildlife resources.
    Because of the nature of a withdrawal of public lands from 
operation of the mining law, mitigation of its effects is not likely to 
be an issue requiring detailed analysis. However, consistent with 
Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR 
1502.14), the BLM will consider whether and what kind of mitigation 
measures may be appropriate to address the reasonably foreseeable 
impacts to resources from the approval of this proposed withdrawal.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to 
help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic 
Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). 
The information about historic and cultural resources within the area 
potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
    The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts to Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed withdrawal that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to 
participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be 
requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the 
environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
    Comments including names and street addresses of respondents will 
be available for public review at the BLM Washington Office at the 
address noted above, during regular business hours Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your 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.
    For a period until September 24, 2017, subject to valid existing 
rights, the lands described in this notice will be segregated from 
location and entry under the United States mining laws, unless the 
application/proposal is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is 
approved prior to that date. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, 
or discretionary land use authorizations may be allowed during the 
temporary segregative period, but only with approval of the authorized 
officer of the BLM or the USFS.
    The application will be processed in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR part 2300.

Neil Kornze,
Director, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. 2015-24212 Filed 9-22-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Notices 57635

issues raised during the protest period • BLM Coeur d’Alene District Office, • BLM Kanab Field Office and Grand
and how they were addressed, please 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, Staircase-Escalante National
refer to the Director’s Protest Resolution ID 83815; Monument, 669 South Highway 89A,
Reports for all four ARMPAs, which are • BLM Cottonwood Field Office, 1 Butte Kanab, UT 84741;
available at the following Web site: Drive, Cottonwood, ID 83522; • BLM Price Field Office, 125 South
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/ • BLM Montana State Office, 5001 600 West, Price, UT 84501;
planning/planning_overview/protest_ Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101; • BLM Richfield Field Office, 150 East
resolution/protestreports.html. • BLM Butte District Office, 106 North 900 North, Richfield, UT 84701;
The BLM received notifications of Parkmont, Butte, MT 59701; and • BLM Salt Lake Field Office, 2370 S.
inconsistencies and recommendations • BLM Dillon Field Office, 1005 Selway Decker Lake Boulevard, West Valley
as to how to resolve them during the Drive, Dillon, MT 59725–9431. City, UT 84119; and
Governor’s consistency review period Copies of the Nevada and • BLM Vernal Field Office, 170 South
from the States of Idaho, Montana, Northeastern California GRSG ROD and 500 East, Vernal, UT 84078.
Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. The BLM ARMPA are available upon request and Authority: 36 CFR 219.59, 40 CFR 1506.6,
also received a concurrence letter of are available for public inspection at: 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2; 43 CFR
consistency from the State of California. • BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 1610.5.
On August 6, 2015, the BLM State Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV, Amy Lueders,
Directors for Idaho, Montana, Nevada, 89502; Acting Assistant Director, Renewable
Oregon, and Utah sent notification • BLM Winnemucca District Office, Resources & Planning.
letters to their respective States as to 5100 E. Winnemucca Boulevard, [FR Doc. 2015–24213 Filed 9–22–15; 4:15 pm]
whether they accepted or rejected their Winnemucca, NV, 89445;
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
recommendations for consistency. The • BLM Ely District Office, 702 North
States were then given thirty days to Industrial Way, Ely, NV, 89301;
appeal the State Directors’ decisions. • BLM Elko District Office, 3900 E. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The States of Idaho, Nevada, and Utah Idaho Street, Elko, NV, 89801;
appealed the BLM State Directors’ • BLM Carson City District Office, 5665 Bureau of Land Management
decisions. The BLM Director affirmed Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV,
the State Directors’ decisions on these 89701; [LLWO210000.15X.L11100000.PH0000
LXSISGST0000]
recommendations as the • BLM Battle Mountain District Office,
recommendations did not provide the 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, Notice of Proposed Withdrawal;
balance required by 43 CFR 1610.3–2(e). NV, 89820; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho,
The Director communicated his • BLM California State Office, 2800 Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
decisions on the appeals in writing to Cottage Way, Suite W–1623, Wyoming and Notice of Intent To
the Governors concurrently with the Sacramento, CA, 95825; Prepare an Environmental Impact
release of the RODS. • BLM Alturas Field Office, 708 W. Statement
The Proposed LUPAs/Final EISs were 12th Street, Alturas, CA, 96101;
selected in the ROD as the ARMPAs, • BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, 2950 AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
with some minor modifications and Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA, Interior.
clarifications based on protests received, 96130; and ACTION: Notice.
the Governors’ consistency reviews, and • BLM Surprise Field Office, 602
internal agency deliberations. Cressler Street, Cedarville, CA, 96104. SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary of the
Copies of the Idaho and Southwestern Copies of the Oregon GRSG ROD and Interior for Land and Minerals
Montana GRSG ROD and ARMPA are ARMPA are available upon request and Management has approved an
available upon request and are are available for public inspection at: application to withdraw approximately
available for public inspection at: • BLM Oregon State Office, 1220 SW. 10 million acres of public and National
3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204; Forest System lands identified as
• BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Sagebrush Focal Areas in Idaho,
Vinnell Way, Boise ID 83709; • BLM Baker Resource Area Office,
3100 H Street, Baker City, OR 97814; Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and
• BLM Boise District Office, 3948 Wyoming from location and entry under
Development Avenue, Boise, ID • BLM Burns District Office, 28910
Highway 20 West, Hines, OR 97738; the United States mining laws to protect
83705; the Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat
• BLM Lakeview District Office, 1301 S.
• BLM Owyhee Field Office, 20 First from adverse effects of locatable mineral
G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630;
Avenue West, Marsing, ID 83639; exploration and mining, subject to valid
• BLM Prineville District Office, 3050
• BLM Idaho Falls District Office, 1405 NE. 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754; existing rights. This notice temporarily
Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID and segregates the lands for up to 2 years
83401; • BLM Vale District Office, 100 Oregon while the application is processed. This
• BLM Salmon Field Office, 1206 South Street, Vale, OR 97918. notice also provides the public with an
Challis Street, Salmon, ID 83467; opportunity to comment on the
Copies of the Utah GRSG ROD and
• BLM Challis Field Office, 1151 Blue ARMPA are available upon request and
proposed withdrawal application. In
Mountain Road, Challis, ID 83226; addition, this notice initiates the public
are available for public inspection at:
• BLM Pocatello Field Office, 4350 • BLM Utah State Office, 440 West 200 scoping process for an Environmental
Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204; Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT,
• BLM Twin Falls District Office, 2536 84101; disclose impacts of the proposed
Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, ID 83301; • BLM Cedar City Field Office, 176 East withdrawal.
• BLM Shoshone Field Office, 400 West D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, UT DATES: Comments on the proposed
F Street, Shoshone, ID 83352; 84721; withdrawal application or scoping
• BLM Burley Field Office, 15 East 200 • BLM Fillmore Field Office, 95 East comments on issues to be analyzed in
South, Burley, ID 83318; 500 North, Fillmore, UT 84631; the EIS must be received by December

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 185 / Thursday, September 24, 2015 / Notices 57637

The areas described contain Records relating to the application requested by the BLM to participate in
approximately 1,929,580 acres in may be examined by contacting the the development of the environmental
Harney, Lake, and Malheur Counties. BLM offices listed above. analysis as a cooperating agency.
For a period until December 23, 2015, Comments including names and street
Utah all persons who wish to submit addresses of respondents will be
Salt Lake Meridian comments, suggestions, or objections in available for public review at the BLM
connection with the proposed Washington Office at the address noted
Tps. 9 and 10 N., R. 3 E.,
Tps. 9, 10, 101⁄2, and 11 N., R. 4 E.,
withdrawal may present their views in above, during regular business hours
Tps. 9 to 12 N., R. 5 E., writing to the BLM Director, 1849 C Monday through Friday, except Federal
Tps. 9 to 13 N., Rs. 6 to 8 E., Street NW., (WO–210), Washington, DC holidays. Before including your address,
Tps. 12, 14, and 15 N., R. 17 W., 20240, or electronically to sagebrush_ phone number, email address, or other
Tps. 11 to 15 N., R. 18 W., withdrawals@blm.gov. personal identifying information in your
Tps. 10 to 15 N., R. 19 W. All comments received will be comment, you should be aware that
The areas described contain considered before any final action is your entire comment—including your
approximately 230,808 acres in Box taken on the proposed withdrawal. personal identifying information—may
The purpose of the public scoping be made publicly available at any time.
Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties.
process is to determine relevant issues While you can ask us in your comment
Wyoming that will influence the scope of the to withhold your personal identifying
environmental analysis, including information from public review, we
6th Principal Meridian
alternatives, and guide the process for cannot guarantee that we will be able to
Tps. 27 and 28 N., R. 99 W., developing the EIS. At present, the BLM do so.
Tps. 27 to 29 N., R. 100 W., has identified the following preliminary For a period until September 24,
Tps. 25, 28, and 29 N., R. 101 W., issues: Air quality/climate, American 2017, subject to valid existing rights, the
Tps. 28 N., R. 102 W., Indian resources, cultural resources, lands described in this notice will be
Tps. 22 N., Rs. 104 and 120 W.,
wilderness, mineral resources, public segregated from location and entry
Tps. 22, and 25 to 27 N., R. 105 W.,
Tps. 26 and 27 N., Rs. 106 to 108 W., health and safety, recreation, socio- under the United States mining laws,
T. 24 N., R. 112 W., economic conditions, soil resources, unless the application/proposal is
Tps. 23 and 24 N., Rs. 113 and 115 W., soundscapes, special status species, denied or canceled or the withdrawal is
Tps. 22 to 24 N., Rs. 114 and 119 W., vegetation resources, visual resources, approved prior to that date. Licenses,
Tps. 20 to 24 N., R. 117 W., water resources, and fish and wildlife permits, cooperative agreements, or
Tps. 21 to 24 N., R. 118 W., resources. discretionary land use authorizations
Tps. 19 and 20 N., R. 121 W. Because of the nature of a withdrawal may be allowed during the temporary
The areas described contain of public lands from operation of the segregative period, but only with
approximately 252,162 acres in mining law, mitigation of its effects is approval of the authorized officer of the
Fremont, Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, not likely to be an issue requiring BLM or the USFS.
and Uinta Counties. detailed analysis. However, consistent The application will be processed in
The total areas described aggregate with Council on Environmental Quality accordance with the regulations set
approximately 10 million acres of regulations implementing NEPA (40 forth in 43 CFR part 2300.
public and National Forest System lands CFR 1502.14), the BLM will consider
Neil Kornze,
in the six states and counties listed whether and what kind of mitigation
measures may be appropriate to address Director, Bureau of Land Management.
above.
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to [FR Doc. 2015–24212 Filed 9–22–15; 4:15 pm]
The Assistant Secretary of the Interior
for Land and Minerals Management has resources from the approval of this BILLING CODE 4310–84–P

approved the BLM’s application. proposed withdrawal.
Therefore, this document constitutes a The BLM will utilize and coordinate
the NEPA scoping process to help fulfill DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
withdrawal proposal of the Secretary of
the Interior (43 CFR 2310.1–3(e)). the public involvement process under
Bureau of Land Management
The purpose of the proposed the National Historic Preservation Act
withdrawal of the Sagebrush Focal (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 [LLWO350000.L14400000.PN0000]
Areas in Priority Habitat Management CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about
Areas is to protect the Greater Sage- historic and cultural resources within Renewal of Approved Information
Grouse and its habitat from adverse the area potentially affected by the Collection
effects of locatable mineral exploration proposed action will assist the BLM in AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
and mining subject to valid existing identifying and evaluating impacts to Interior.
rights. such resources. ACTION: 30-day notice and request for
The use of a right-of-way, interagency The BLM will consult with Indian comments.
or cooperative agreement, or surface tribes on a government-to-government
management by the BLM under 43 CFR basis in accordance with Executive SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
part 3715 or 43 CFR part 3809 Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal Management (BLM) has submitted an
regulations or by the Forest Service concerns, including impacts to Indian information collection request to the
under 36 CFR part 228 would not trust assets and potential impacts to Office of Management and Budget
adequately constrain nondiscretionary cultural resources, will be given due (OMB) to continue the collection of
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

uses, which could result in loss of consideration. Federal, State, and local information from owners of surface
critical sage-grouse habitat. agencies, along with tribes and other estates who apply for title to underlying
There are no suitable alternative sites stakeholders that may be interested in or Federally-owned mineral estates. The
for the withdrawal. affected by the proposed withdrawal Office of Management and Budget
No water rights would be needed to that the BLM is evaluating, are invited (OMB) previously approved this
fulfill the purpose of the requested to participate in the scoping process information collection activity, and
withdrawal. and, if eligible, may request or be assigned it control number 1004–0153.

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Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:18:00

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.
Dates		Comments on the proposed withdrawal application or scoping comments on issues to be analyzed in the EIS must be received by December 23, 2015. Please clearly indicate whether comments are in regard to the withdrawal application or scoping comments on the EIS. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/sagegrouse.html. In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 90-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Additional opportunities for public participation will be available upon publication of the Draft EIS.
Contact		Mark A. Mackiewicz, PMP, Senior National Project Manager BLM, by telephone at 435-636-3616, or by email at [email protected]; or one of the BLM state offices listed below. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to reach the BLM contact person. 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 57635

80 FR 57635 - Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Sagebrush Focal Areas; Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming and Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 185 (September 24, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management