81_FR_67568 81 FR 67378 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho

81 FR 67378 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)

Page Range67378-67379
FR Document2016-23566

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Monument Management Plan (MMP) Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (Monument) and by this notice is announcing the opening of the public comment period.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67378-67379]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23566]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[14X LLIDT03100.L17110000.DF0000.241A00; 4500073052]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Craters of the Moon National 
Monument and Preserve Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact 
Statement, Idaho

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 
prepared a Draft Monument Management Plan (MMP) Amendment and Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the Moon 
National Monument and Preserve (Monument) and by this notice is 
announcing the opening of the public comment period.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS by December 29, 
2016. 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 MMP Amendment/
Draft EIS by any of the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/prog/nepa_register/Craters-plan-amdt_2013.html.
     email: [email protected].
     fax: 208-732-7317.
     mail: BLM Shoshone FO, 400 West F Street, Shoshone, ID 
83352.
    Copies of the Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS are available in the 
Shoshone Field Office at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Cresswell, Planning Team Lead, 
telephone 208-732-7200; BLM Shoshone Field Office, 400 West F Street 
Shoshone, ID 83352; 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 Ms. 
Cresswell. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to 
leave a message or question for Ms. Cresswell. You will receive a reply 
during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS for the 
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (Monument) is now 
available. The BLM prepared this document in consultation with 
cooperating agencies and in accordance with NEPA, FLPMA, implementing 
regulations, the BLM's Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1) and 
National Environmental Policy Handbook (H-1790-1), and other applicable 
law and policy, including BLM Instruction Memorandum No. 2016-105, Land 
Use Planning and Environmental Policy Act Compliance within Greater 
Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plans and Plan Amendments 
Decision Area.
    The original Monument was created in 1924 by President Calvin 
Coolidge and was expanded in 2000 by President Bill Clinton. The 
Monument is part of the BLM's National Conservation Lands and one of 
two BLM national monuments jointly managed with the National Park 
Service. The MMP covers the approximately 275,100 BLM-managed acres of 
the 753,200-acre Monument.
    In 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho found 
that the 2007 MMP/EIS did not adequately consider current science and 
agency policies designed to protect Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) habitat, 
particularly with regard to managing livestock grazing in the Monument. 
The court also found that BLM violated NEPA by failing to analyze a 
sufficient range of livestock grazing alternatives. In September 2015, 
the BLM issued a decision amending BLM land use plans in Idaho and 
Southwestern Montana to address GRSG conservation, including the 2007 
Craters of the Moon MMP. The 2015 decision and supporting analysis 
addressed several of the deficiencies identified by the Court with 
regard to GRSG conservation in the Monument, but the BLM determined 
that issues such as the location and amount of livestock grazing and 
protection of Monument values required additional analysis, which is 
addressed in this Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS.
    The Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS analyzes management options for 
the BLM-managed portions of the Monument that were not evaluated in the 
EIS for the 2007 MMP, as amended by the 2015 Sage-Grouse Approved 
Resource Management Plan Amendment (ARMPA). This Draft MMPA/EIS will 
amend the 2007 plan, but will not change decisions from the 2015 Sage-
Grouse ARMPA. Its purpose is to consider a range of reasonable 
alternatives for managing livestock grazing and GRSG on BLM-managed 
lands in the Monument in a manner that maintains the values identified 
in the Presidential Proclamations that established and expanded it. The 
range of alternatives is broad, from those that would reduce the area 
available for grazing to those that would make the entire planning area 
unavailable for grazing.
    The Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS analyzes five alternatives that 
provide a range of livestock grazing levels and availability. 
Alternative C is the BLM's preferred alternative. Alternative A, the no 
action alternative, would continue the management established in the 
2007 MMP as amended by the 2015 Sage-Grouse ARMPA. Under the No Action 
Alternative, 273,900 acres would be available for livestock grazing, 
with 38,187 animal unit months (AUMs).
    Alternative B would reduce AUMs available for livestock grazing by 
75 percent (making 9,432 AUMs available) and close five areas to 
grazing: Little Park kipuka, the North Pasture of Laidlaw Park 
Allotment, Larkspur Park kipuka, the North Pasture of Bowl Crater 
Allotment, and Park Field kipuka. This alternative would adjust two 
allotment boundaries to make 21,000 acres unavailable for livestock 
grazing and for the protection of GRSG and other Monument values. A 
total of 254,100 acres would be available for livestock grazing.
    Alternative C, the agency-preferred alternative, would make 273,600 
acres available for livestock grazing and adjust two allotment 
boundaries, which would set the maximum number of AUMs at 37,792. Where 
appropriate, livestock grazing would be used as a tool to improve and/
or protect wildlife habitat. Guidelines for livestock grazing 
management would be set based on vegetation and wildlife habitat 
conditions and needs, consistent with the 2015 Sage-Grouse ARMPA.

[[Page 67379]]

    Alternative D would eliminate livestock grazing from BLM-managed 
lands within the Monument boundary (0 acres and 0 AUMs available) and 
adjust two allotment boundaries. All livestock-related developments 
would be removed, while some fences might be required to exclude 
livestock from the Monument.
    Alternative E would reduce AUMs available for livestock grazing by 
approximately 50 percent (making 19,388 AUMs available) and close 
Larkspur Park kipuka to grazing. This alternative would adjust two 
allotment boundaries and make 272,900 acres available for grazing. No 
net gain in livestock-related infrastructure would be allowed.
    The land use planning process was initiated on June 28, 2013, 
through a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register, notifying 
the public of a formal scoping period and soliciting public 
participation in the planning process. Four scoping meetings were held 
in July 2013 in Arco, Carey, Rupert, and American Falls, Idaho. Based 
on public input regarding relevant issues to consider in the planning 
process and BLM goals and objectives, the BLM formulated the five 
alternatives considered and analyzed in the Draft MMP Amendment/Draft 
EIS. Because nominations for the designation of areas of critical 
environmental concern (ACECs) were previously analyzed for the 2007 
MMP, the BLM did not solicit new ACEC nominations during scoping.
    Following the close of the public review and comment period, the 
Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS will be revised in preparation for its 
release as the Proposed MMP Amendment and Final EIS. The BLM will 
respond to substantive comments by making appropriate revisions to the 
document or explain why a comment did not warrant a change.
    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.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2.

Timothy M. Murphy,
BLM Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-23566 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P

67378 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices local media, newspapers, and the BLM Copies of the Draft MMP BLM determined that issues such as the and the USFS Web sites. Amendment/Draft EIS are available in location and amount of livestock grazing The amended application does not the Shoshone Field Office at the above and protection of Monument values affect the current segregation, which address. required additional analysis, which is expires June 28, 2017, unless the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa addressed in this Draft MMP application is denied or canceled or the Cresswell, Planning Team Lead, Amendment/Draft EIS. withdrawal is approved prior to that telephone 208–732–7200; BLM The Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS date. Shoshone Field Office, 400 West F analyzes management options for the The application will be processed in Street Shoshone, ID 83352; email BLM_ BLM-managed portions of the accordance with the regulations set ID_CRMO@blm.gov. Persons who use a Monument that were not evaluated in forth in 43 CFR part 2300. telecommunications device for the deaf the EIS for the 2007 MMP, as amended (TDD) may call the Federal Information by the 2015 Sage-Grouse Approved Leslie A. Frewing, Resource Management Plan Amendment Chief, Branch of Land, Minerals, and Energy Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact Ms. Cresswell. The FIRS is (ARMPA). This Draft MMPA/EIS will Resources, Acting. amend the 2007 plan, but will not [FR Doc. 2016–23797 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Ms. change decisions from the 2015 Sage- BILLING CODE 3411–15–P Cresswell. You will receive a reply Grouse ARMPA. Its purpose is to during normal business hours. consider a range of reasonable alternatives for managing livestock DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft grazing and GRSG on BLM-managed MMP Amendment/Draft EIS for the lands in the Monument in a manner that Bureau of Land Management Craters of the Moon National Monument maintains the values identified in the [14X LLIDT03100.L17110000.DF0000. and Preserve (Monument) is now Presidential Proclamations that 241A00; 4500073052] available. The BLM prepared this established and expanded it. The range document in consultation with of alternatives is broad, from those that Notice of Availability of the Draft cooperating agencies and in accordance would reduce the area available for Craters of the Moon National with NEPA, FLPMA, implementing grazing to those that would make the Monument and Preserve Plan regulations, the BLM’s Land Use entire planning area unavailable for Amendment and Environmental Impact Planning Handbook (H–1601–1) and grazing. Statement, Idaho National Environmental Policy The Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS Handbook (H–1790–1), and other analyzes five alternatives that provide a AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, applicable law and policy, including range of livestock grazing levels and Interior. BLM Instruction Memorandum No. availability. Alternative C is the BLM’s ACTION: Notice of availability. 2016–105, Land Use Planning and preferred alternative. Alternative A, the Environmental Policy Act Compliance no action alternative, would continue SUMMARY: In accordance with the within Greater Sage-Grouse Approved National Environmental Policy Act of the management established in the 2007 Resource Management Plans and Plan MMP as amended by the 2015 Sage- 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Amendments Decision Area. Federal Land Policy and Management Grouse ARMPA. Under the No Action The original Monument was created Alternative, 273,900 acres would be Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has available for livestock grazing, with and was expanded in 2000 by President 38,187 animal unit months (AUMs). prepared a Draft Monument Bill Clinton. The Monument is part of Alternative B would reduce AUMs Management Plan (MMP) Amendment the BLM’s National Conservation Lands available for livestock grazing by 75 and Draft Environmental Impact and one of two BLM national percent (making 9,432 AUMs available) Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the monuments jointly managed with the and close five areas to grazing: Little Moon National Monument and Preserve National Park Service. The MMP covers Park kipuka, the North Pasture of (Monument) and by this notice is the approximately 275,100 BLM- Laidlaw Park Allotment, Larkspur Park announcing the opening of the public managed acres of the 753,200-acre kipuka, the North Pasture of Bowl Crater comment period. Monument. Allotment, and Park Field kipuka. This DATES: To ensure that comments will be In 2011, the U.S. District Court for the alternative would adjust two allotment considered, the BLM must receive District of Idaho found that the 2007 boundaries to make 21,000 acres written comments on the Draft MMP MMP/EIS did not adequately consider unavailable for livestock grazing and for Amendment/Draft EIS by December 29, current science and agency policies the protection of GRSG and other 2016. The BLM will announce future designed to protect Greater Sage-Grouse Monument values. A total of 254,100 meetings or hearings and any other (GRSG) habitat, particularly with regard acres would be available for livestock public participation activities at least 15 to managing livestock grazing in the grazing. days in advance through public notices, Monument. The court also found that Alternative C, the agency-preferred media releases, and/or mailings. BLM violated NEPA by failing to alternative, would make 273,600 acres ADDRESSES: You may submit comments analyze a sufficient range of livestock available for livestock grazing and related to the Draft MMP Amendment/ grazing alternatives. In September 2015, adjust two allotment boundaries, which Draft EIS by any of the following the BLM issued a decision amending would set the maximum number of methods: BLM land use plans in Idaho and AUMs at 37,792. Where appropriate, mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES • Web site: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/ Southwestern Montana to address GRSG livestock grazing would be used as a en/prog/nepa_register/Craters-plan- conservation, including the 2007 Craters tool to improve and/or protect wildlife amdt_2013.html. of the Moon MMP. The 2015 decision habitat. Guidelines for livestock grazing • email: BLM_ID_CRMO@blm.gov. and supporting analysis addressed management would be set based on • fax: 208–732–7317. several of the deficiencies identified by vegetation and wildlife habitat • mail: BLM Shoshone FO, 400 West the Court with regard to GRSG conditions and needs, consistent with F Street, Shoshone, ID 83352. conservation in the Monument, but the the 2015 Sage-Grouse ARMPA. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices 67379 Alternative D would eliminate DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The no-action alternative would result livestock grazing from BLM-managed in the park continuing to maintain its lands within the Monument boundary National Park Service current tower and require Verizon to (0 acres and 0 AUMs available) and [NPS–MWR–THRO–21168; PPMWTHRO00/ construct a second tower just outside adjust two allotment boundaries. All PROIESUC1.380000] the park boundary. The NPS is livestock-related developments would continuing to evaluate the proposal be removed, while some fences might be Notice of 30 Day Comment Period for pursuant to the National Environmental required to exclude livestock from the an Environmental Assessment on a Policy Act, the National Historic Monument. Special Use Permit for a Wireless Preservation Act, the Alternative E would reduce AUMs Telecommunication Facility Telecommunications Act of 1966, and available for livestock grazing by other NPS requirements, policies, and approximately 50 percent (making AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. regulations. Impact analyses, including 19,388 AUMs available) and close ACTION: Notice; request for comments. the effects, if any, on cultural resources, Larkspur Park kipuka to grazing. This will be available for public review on alternative would adjust two allotment SUMMARY: The National Park Service the NPS planning, Environment, and boundaries and make 272,900 acres (NPS) is announcing a 30-day review Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at: available for grazing. No net gain in period for an environmental assessment http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ livestock-related infrastructure would prepared for a permit request from publicHome.cfm. A 30-day public be allowed. Verizon Wireless to obtain a right-of- review period for the environmental The land use planning process was way to replace an existing assessment will be held after the initiated on June 28, 2013, through a communication tower with a shorter publishing of this notice. Project related Notice of Intent published in the tower at Theodore Roosevelt National background material, including press Federal Register, notifying the public of Park, North Dakota. This notice is releases, site photographs, public a formal scoping period and soliciting issued in accordance with the scoping material, and other project public participation in the planning procedures of Director’s Order 53, related documents previously released, process. Four scoping meetings were Special Park Uses. are available on the PEPC Web site at held in July 2013 in Arco, Carey, DATES: Comments must be received on, the address listed above. Rupert, and American Falls, Idaho. or before October 31, 2016. Based on public input regarding Dated: July 13, 2016. ADDRESSES: Information on this relevant issues to consider in the Cameron H. Sholly, application process can be obtained by planning process and BLM goals and contacting the Superintendent at Regional Director. objectives, the BLM formulated the five Theodore Roosevelt National Park, P.O. [FR Doc. 2016–23668 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] alternatives considered and analyzed in Box 7, Medora, North Dakota, 58645– BILLING CODE 4312–52–P the Draft MMP Amendment/Draft EIS. 0007, or by telephone at 701–623–4466. Because nominations for the designation FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: of areas of critical environmental DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Please contact Superintendent Wendy concern (ACECs) were previously analyzed for the 2007 MMP, the BLM Ross at the address and telephone National Park Service did not solicit new ACEC nominations number listed above. [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–21915; during scoping. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Theodore PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000] Following the close of the public Roosevelt National Park (the Park) has review and comment period, the Draft received an application from Verizon National Register of Historic Places; MMP Amendment/Draft EIS will be Wireless to obtain a right of way to Notification of Pending Nominations revised in preparation for its release as replace the park’s existing and Related Actions the Proposed MMP Amendment and communication tower with a shorter Final EIS. The BLM will respond to tower to accommodate Verizon Wireless AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. substantive comments by making equipment and to mitigate adverse ACTION: Notice. appropriate revisions to the document impacts to park resources. The current and proposed SUMMARY: The National Park Service is or explain why a comment did not soliciting comments on the significance warrant a change. telecommunications site, located just northeast of U.S. Highway 85 at the of properties nominated before Before including your address, phone park’s east boundary, is in Township September 2, 2016, for listing or related number, email address, or other 148 North, Range 99 West, in the actions in the National Register of personal identifying information in your northwest quarter of Section 26, in Historic Places. comment, you should be aware that McKenzie County, North Dakota. The DATES: Comments should be submitted your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may current tower accommodates U.S. Forest by October 17, 2016. be made publicly available at any time. Service equipment as well as ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via While you can ask us in your comment communications equipment belonging U.S. Postal Service to the National to withhold your personal identifying to the park that would be relocated to Register of Historic Places, National information from public review, we the new tower. The proposed project Park Service, 1849 C St. NW., MS 2280, cannot guarantee that we will be able to includes removing the current tower Washington, DC 20240; by all other and blinking aviation lighting, and carriers, National Register of Historic mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES do so. constructing a tower not to exceed 190 Places, National Park Service, 1201 Eye Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2. feet in height, a 12-foot by 30-foot St. NW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC equipment shed, a small graveled 20005; or by fax, 202–371–6447. Timothy M. Murphy, parking area, and supporting SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Idaho State Director. underground utilities. The new tower properties listed in this notice are being [FR Doc. 2016–23566 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] would not have blinking aviation considered for listing or related actions BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P lighting. in the National Register of Historic VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1


Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:33:56
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:33:56
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 MMP Amendment/Draft EIS by December 29, 2016. 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.
ContactLisa Cresswell, Planning Team Lead, telephone 208-732-7200; BLM Shoshone Field Office, 400 West F Street Shoshone, ID 83352; 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 Ms. Cresswell. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Ms. Cresswell. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
FR Citation81 FR 67378 
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