81 FR 95180 - Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the San Luis Valley Field Office, Colorado, and Prepare an Associated Environmental Assessment

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 248 (December 27, 2016)

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) San Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, Colorado, intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) for the San Luis Valley Field Office to analyze de-allocating the Fourmile East Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) and nearby variance land from all solar development. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues to analyze as a part of the RMP amendment.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 95180-95181]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31223]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCOF03000 L13400000.FX0000 16X]


Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the 
San Luis Valley Field Office, Colorado, and Prepare an Associated 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) San 
Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, Colorado, intends to prepare a 
Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the San Luis Valley Field Office to 
analyze de-allocating the Fourmile East Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) and 
nearby variance land from all solar development. This notice announces 
the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues to analyze as a part of the RMP amendment.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP 
amendment with an associated EA. Comments on issues may be submitted in 
writing until January 26, 2017. The date(s) and location(s) of any 
scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through 
local news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/slvfo.html. In order to be included in the 
analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-
day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever 
is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public 
participation as appropriate.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to Fourmile East Solar Energy Zone De-allocation Amendment EA 
by any of the following methods:

 Web site: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/slvfo.html
 Email: [email protected]
 Fax: 719-269-8599
 Mail: BLM, San Luis Valley Field Office, 1313 East Highway 
160, Monte Vista, CO 81144

Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the San Luis 
Valley Field Office at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Keohane, Project Manager--
Renewable Energy Team; telephone 719-269-8531; mail BLM Front Range 
District, 3028 East Main Street, Ca[ntilde]on City, Colorado 81212; or 
email [email protected]. Contact Ms. Keohane to have your name added to 
our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to 
contact the above individual during normal business hours. The Service 
is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or 
question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during 
normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
San Luis Valley Field Office, Monte Vista, Colorado, intends to prepare 
an RMP amendment with an associated EA for the San Luis Valley Field 
Office to consider de-allocating the Fourmile East SEZ. This notice 
announces the beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input 
on issues and planning criteria. The planning area is located in 
Alamosa County, Colorado, and encompasses approximately 4,829 acres of 
public land. 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 planning process. 
Preliminary issues for the plan amendment area have been identified by 
BLM personnel; Federal, State, and local agencies; and other 
stakeholders. These issues include cultural resources, specifically 
tribal resources and values; big game winter range; National Park and 
National Scenic Byway view sheds; National Heritage Areas; air quality; 
and migratory birds. Preliminary planning criteria include: (1) The BLM 
will continue to manage the San Luis Valley Field Office in accordance 
with FLPMA and other applicable laws and regulations and all existing 
public land laws; (2) The BLM will complete the RMP amendment using an 
interdisciplinary approach to identify alternatives and analyze 
resource impacts, including cumulative impacts to natural and cultural 
resources and social and economic environment; (3) The amendment 
process will follow the FLPMA planning process and the BLM intends to 
develop an EA consistent with NEPA to inform the planning decision. You 
may submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing to the 
BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the BLM 
using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. To be 
most helpful, you should submit comments by the close of the 30-day 
scoping period or within 15 days after the last public meeting, 
whichever is later. The BLM will use 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 and pueblos on a 
government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 
and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust 
assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes, 
pueblos and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by 
the proposed action 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.
    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. The minutes and list of attendees

[[Page 95181]]

for each scoping meeting will be available to the public and open for 
30 days after the meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the 
views he or she expressed. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to 
be addressed in the plan, and will place them into one of three 
categories:
    1. Issues to be resolved in the plan amendment;
    2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; 
or
    3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan amendment.
    The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft RMP/Draft EA as to 
why an issue was placed in category two or three. The public is also 
encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns that 
should be addressed in the plan. The BLM will work collaboratively with 
interested parties to identify the management decisions that are best 
suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns.
    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan 
amendment in order to consider the variety of resource issues and 
concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following 
disciplines will be involved in the planning process: archeology and 
cultural resources, wildlife, physical resources, special area 
designations, and tribal issues.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Ruth Welch,
BLM Colorado State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-31223 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P