82 FR 24387 - Notice of Availability of the Proposed Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Monument Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)
| Page Range | 24387-24389 | |
| FR Document | 2017-10779 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 24387-24389] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-10779] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [17XL.LLIDT03100.L17110000.DQ0000.241A00; 4500104491] Notice of Availability of the Proposed Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Monument Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Idaho AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Proposed Monument Management Plan Amendment (Plan Amendment) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve and by this notice is announcing its availability. DATES: BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions and files a protest must file the protest within 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of availability in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies and to other stakeholders, including the Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. Copies of the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS are available for public review at the Shoshone BLM Field Office, 400 West F St., Shoshone, Idaho, 83352. Interested persons may also review the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/plans-in-development/idaho/craters-of-moon. All protests must be in [[Page 24388]] writing and mailed to one of the following addresses: Regular Mail: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, P.O. Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383. Overnight Delivery: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, 20 M Street SE., Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Cresswell, Planning Team Lead, telephone (208)732-7200; address 400 West F St., Shoshone, Idaho 83352; email [email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800- 877-8339 to contact Ms. Cresswell. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Ms. Cresswell. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (hereafter, Monument) Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS in consultation with cooperating agencies, and in accordance with NEPA, FLPMA, implementing regulations, the BLM's Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1), the BLM National Environmental Policy Act Handbook (H-1790-1), and other applicable law and policy, including IM No. 2016-105 Land Use Planning and National Environmental Policy Act Compliance within Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plans and Plan Amendments Decision Area. The planning area comprises approximately 753,200 acres of land, which includes 275,100 acres managed by the BLM's Shoshone, Burley, and Upper Snake Field Offices. Based on this analysis, the Monument Management Plan (Plan) will be amended to guide livestock grazing management on BLM-administered public lands within the Monument into the future. Created in 1924 by Presidential Proclamation 1694, and expanded in 2000 by Presidential Proclamation 7373, the Monument is part of the BLM's National Conservation Lands and is one of two BLM National Monuments that are jointly managed with the National Park Service. The BLM has completed the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS to determine the appropriate management for livestock grazing on public lands within the Monument. The Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS analyzes grazing management options for the BLM-managed portions of the Monument, identifying lands available for livestock grazing and the number of authorized Animal Unit Months (AUMs). The Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS updates the 2007 Plan's grazing management direction to ensure consistency with current laws, regulations, and policies. More specifically, the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS evaluates a range of livestock grazing management options while maintaining the Monument values listed in Proclamation 7373. In addition, the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS addresses a deficiency identified by the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. In 2011, the court found that the BLM erred when adopting the 2007 Plan. First, the court found that the BLM failed to adequately address the most recent science and agency policies relevant to the conservation of Greater sage-grouse. The BLM remedied this defect by issuing the 2015 Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment (2015 GRSG ARMPA), which amended the 2007 Plan. Second, the court found that the BLM failed to analyze a range of reasonable alternatives with respect to livestock grazing within the Monument. The BLM is addressing this second error by preparing the Proposed Plan Amendment and Final EIS. The Final EIS includes five alternatives that provide a range of livestock grazing availability and Greater sage-grouse protections. Alternative C is the BLM's Proposed Plan. Alternative A is the No Action Alternative, which would continue the management established in the 2007 Plan. Under this Alternative, 273,900 acres with the capacity for 38,187 AUMs would be available for livestock grazing. Alternative B would reduce permitted AUMs by 75 percent and close five areas to grazing: Little Park kipuka (an island of older land surrounded by lava flows), 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 and make 21,000 acres unavailable for livestock grazing for the protection of Greater sage-grouse and other Monument values. Alternative C, the Proposed Plan, would make 273,600 acres available for livestock grazing and adjust two allotment boundaries, which would set the maximum number of permitted AUMs at 37,792. Where appropriate, livestock grazing would be used as a tool to improve and/ or conserve wildlife habitats. Guidelines for livestock grazing management would be set based on vegetation and wildlife habitat conditions and needs. Alternative D would eliminate livestock grazing from BLM- administered lands within the Monument boundary and adjust two allotment boundaries. All livestock-related developments would be removed. Some fences may be required to exclude livestock from the Monument under this alternative. Alternative E would reduce permitted AUMs by approximately 50 percent and close Larkspur Park kipuka to grazing. This alternative would adjust two allotment boundaries and make 272,800 acres available for grazing, which would set the maximum number of permitted AUMs at 19,338. 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. The BLM conducted four scoping meetings in July 2013 in the towns of Arco, Carey, Rupert, and American Falls, Idaho. During the scoping period, the public provided the BLM with input on relevant issues to consider in the planning process. Based on this public input and the agency's goals and objectives, the BLM was able to formulate the five alternatives for consideration and analysis in the Draft EIS. Because Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) nominations were previously analyzed in the 2007 EIS, no new ACEC nominations were solicited during scoping. Comments on the Draft Plan Amendment/Draft EIS received from the public and during internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. Public comments resulted in the addition of clarifying text, but did not significantly change proposed land use plan decisions. Instructions for filing a protest with the BLM Director regarding the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS may be found in the ``Dear Reader'' Letter of the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS and at 43 CFR 1610.5-2. All protests must be in writing and mailed to the appropriate address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES section above. Emailed protests will not be accepted as valid protests unless the protesting party also provides the original letter by either regular or overnight mail postmarked by [[Page 24389]] the close of the protest period. Under these conditions, the BLM will consider the emailed protest as an advance copy and it will receive full consideration after the original letter is received. If you wish to provide the BLM with such advance notification, please direct emails to [email protected]. Before including your phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your protest, you should be aware that your entire protest--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your protest to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5. Timothy M. Murphy, BLM Idaho State Director. [FR Doc. 2017-10779 Filed 5-25-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P
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condition, future uses, or any other Upon publication of this notice and become the final determination of the
circumstance or condition. The until completion of this sale, the BLM Department of the Interior.
conveyance of a parcel will not be on a will no longer accept land use Authority: 43 CFR 2711.1–2.
contingency basis. However, to the applications affecting the parcel
extent required by law, the parcel is identified for sale. However, land use Kerri-Anne Thorpe,
subject to the requirements of Section applications may be considered after the Acting Assistant Field Manager, Division of
120(h) of the CERCLA. sale if the parcel is not sold. The parcel Lands.
The BLM–LVFO must receive the may be subject to land use applications [FR Doc. 2017–10864 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am]
request for escrow instructions prior to received prior to publication of this BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
30 days before the prospective Notice if processing the application
patentee’s scheduled closing date. There would have no adverse effect on the
are no exceptions. marketability of title, or the FMV of the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
All name changes and supporting parcel. Information concerning the sale,
documentation must be received at the encumbrances of record, appraisals, Bureau of Land Management
BLM–LVFO 30 days from the date on reservations, procedures and conditions,
[17XL.LLIDT03100.L17110000.DQ0000.
the high-bidder letter by 4:30 p.m. CERCLA, and other environmental
241A00; 4500104491]
Pacific Time. There are no exceptions. documents that may appear in the BLM
To submit a name change, the apparent public files for the proposed sale parcels Notice of Availability of the Proposed
high bidder must submit the name are available for review during business Craters of the Moon National
change in writing on the Certificate of hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, Monument and Preserve Monument
Eligibility form to the BLM–LVFO. Monday through Friday, at the BLM– Management Plan Amendment and
The remainder of the full bid price for LVFO, except during Federal holidays. Final Environmental Impact Statement,
the parcel must be received no later In order to determine the FMV Idaho
than 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, within 180 through appraisal, certain extraordinary
days following the day of the sale. assumptions and hypothetical AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Payment must be submitted in the form conditions may have been made Department of the Interior.
of a certified check, postal money order, concerning the attributes and ACTION: Notice.
bank draft, cashier’s check, or made limitations of the lands and potential
available by electronic fund transfer effects of local regulations and policies SUMMARY: In accordance with the
made payable in U.S. dollars to the on potential future land uses. Through National Environmental Policy Act of
‘‘Department of the Interior—Bureau of publication of this notice, the BLM 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
Land Management’’ to the BLM–LVFO. advises that these assumptions may not Federal Land Policy and Management
The BLM will not accept personal or be endorsed or approved by units of Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the
company checks. local government. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
Arrangements for electronic fund It is the buyer’s responsibility to be prepared a Proposed Monument
transfer to the BLM for payment of the aware of all applicable Federal, State, Management Plan Amendment (Plan
balance due must be made a minimum and local government laws, regulations Amendment) and Final Environmental
of two weeks prior to the payment date. and policies that may affect the subject Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of
Failure to pay the full bid price within lands, including any required the Moon National Monument and
180 days of the sale date will disqualify dedication of lands for public uses. It is Preserve and by this notice is
the high bidder and cause the entire 20 also the buyer’s responsibility to be announcing its availability.
percent bid deposit to be forfeited to the aware of existing or prospective uses of DATES: BLM planning regulations state
BLM. Forfeiture of the 20 percent bid nearby properties. When conveyed out that any person who meets the
deposit is in accordance with 43 CFR of Federal ownership, the lands will be conditions as described in the
2711.3–1(d). There are no exceptions. subject to any applicable laws, regulations may protest the BLM’s
The BLM can only accept the remainder regulations, and policies of the Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. A
of the full bid price up to 180 days after applicable local government for person who meets the conditions and
the sale date. proposed future uses. It is the files a protest must file the protest
The BLM will not sign any documents responsibility of the purchaser to be within 30 days after the date that the
related to 1031 Exchange transactions. aware through due diligence of those Environmental Protection Agency
The timing for completion of such an laws, regulations, and policies, and to publishes its notice of availability in the
exchange is the bidder’s responsibility. seek any required local approvals for Federal Register.
The BLM cannot be a party to any 1031 future uses. Buyers should make ADDRESSES: Copies of the Proposed Plan
Exchange. themselves aware of any Federal or state Amendment/Final EIS have been sent to
In accordance with 43 CFR 2711.3– law or regulation that may impact the affected Federal, State, and local
1(f), the BLM may accept or reject any future use of the property. Any land government agencies and to other
or all offers to purchase, or withdraw lacking access from a public road or stakeholders, including the Shoshone-
any parcel of land or interest therein highway will be conveyed as such, and Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes.
from sale within 30 days, if the BLM future access acquisition will be the Copies of the Proposed Plan
authorized officer determines responsibility of the buyer. Amendment/Final EIS are available for
consummation of the sale would be Any comments regarding the public review at the Shoshone BLM
inconsistent with any law, or for other proposed sale will be reviewed by the Field Office, 400 West F St., Shoshone,
reasons as may be provided by BLM Nevada State Director or other Idaho, 83352. Interested persons may
applicable law or regulations. No authorized official of the Department of also review the Proposed Plan
contractual or other rights against the the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or Amendment/Final EIS online at https://
United States may accrue until the BLM modify this realty action in response to www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-
officially accepts the offer to purchase such comments. In the absence of any nepa/plans-in-development/idaho/
and the full bid price is paid. comments, this realty action will craters-of-moon. All protests must be in
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 101 / Friday, May 26, 2017 / Notices 24389
the close of the protest period. Under Department of the Interior (OMB #1004– 4. How to minimize the information
these conditions, the BLM will consider 0196), Office of Management and collection burden on those who are to
the emailed protest as an advance copy Budget, Office of Information and respond, including the use of
and it will receive full consideration Regulatory Affairs, fax 202–395–5806, appropriate automated, electronic,
after the original letter is received. If or by electronic mail at mechanical, or other forms of
you wish to provide the BLM with such OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. Please information technology.
advance notification, please direct provide a copy of your comments to the Please send comments as directed
emails to protest@blm.gov. BLM. You may do so via mail, fax, or under ADDRESSES and DATES. Please
Before including your phone number, electronic mail. refer to OMB control number 1004–0196
email address, or other personal Mail: U.S. Department of the Interior, in your correspondence. Before
identifying information in your protest, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C including your address, phone number,
you should be aware that your entire Street NW., Room 2134LM, Attention: email address, or other personal
protest—including your personal Jean Sonneman, Washington, DC 20240. identifying information in your
identifying information—may be made Fax: Jean Sonneman at 202–245– comment, you should be aware that
publicly available at any time. While 0050. your entire comment—including your
you can ask us in your protest to Electronic mail: jesonnem@blm.gov. personal identifying information—may
withhold your personal identifying Please indicate ‘‘Attn: 1004–0196’’ be made publicly available at any time.
information from public review, we regardless of the form of your While you can ask us in your comment
cannot guarantee that we will be able to comments. to withhold your personal identifying
do so. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. information from public review, we
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR Wayne Svejnoha at 907–271–4407. cannot guarantee that we will be able to
1506.10, 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5. Persons who use a telecommunication do so.
device for the deaf may call the Federal The following information pertains to
Timothy M. Murphy,
Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339, to this request:
BLM Idaho State Director. Title: Oil and Gas Leasing: National
leave a message for Mr. Svejnoha. You
[FR Doc. 2017–10779 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am] Petroleum Reserve—Alaska (43 CFR
may also review the information
BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P
collection request online at http:// part 3130).
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. OMB Control Number: 1004–0196.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Abstract: In accordance with the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Naval Petroleum Reserve Production
Bureau of Land Management 3501–3521) and OMB regulations at 5 Act (42 U.S.C. 6501–6508) and
CFR part 1320 provide that an agency regulations at 43 CFR part 3130, the
[LLAK930000.L13100000.PP00000 ] BLM may authorize participation in an
may not conduct or sponsor a collection
of information unless it displays a NPRA unit agreement. Participants in
Renewal of Approved Information such an agreement are required to
Collection; OMB Control No. 1004– currently valid OMB control number.
Until OMB approves a collection of comply with routine data submissions
0196 that are used to document drilling and
information, you are not obligated to
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, respond. In order to obtain and renew production and ensure compliance with
Interior. an OMB control number, Federal the unit agreement, lease terms,
ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for agencies are required to seek public regulations, Onshore Oil and Gas
comments. comment on information collection and Orders, Notices to Lessees, lease
recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR stipulations, or conditions of approval.
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land 1320.8(d) and 1320.12(a)). In addition, participants in such an
Management (BLM) has submitted an As required at 5 CFR 1320.8(d), the agreement may apply for reduction of
information collection request to the BLM published a 60-day notice in the royalty, suspension of operations or
Office of Management and Budget Federal Register on January 13, 2017 production, or a subsurface storage
(OMB) to continue the collection of (82 FR 4414), and the comment period agreement.
information from participants in the oil ended March 14, 2017. The BLM Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
and gas leasing program within the received no comments. Forms: None.
National Petroleum Preserve—Alaska The BLM now requests comments on Description of Respondents:
(NPRA). The Office of Management and the following subjects: Participants in the oil and gas leasing
Budget (OMB) previously approved this 1. Whether the collection of program within NPRA.
information collection activity, and information is necessary for the proper Estimated Annual Responses
assigned it control number 1004–0196. functioning of the BLM, including Annually: 21.
DATES: The OMB is required to respond whether the information will have Estimated Reporting and
to this information collection request practical utility; Recordkeeping and Hour Burden
within 60 days, but may respond after 2. The accuracy of the BLM’s estimate Annually: 220
30 days. For maximum consideration, of the burden of collecting the Estimated Reporting and
written comments should be received information, including the validity of Recordkeeping and Non-Hour Cost
on or before June 26, 2017. the methodology and assumptions used; Burden Annually: None.
ADDRESSES: Please submit comments 3. The quality, utility and clarity of The estimated burdens are itemized in
directly to the Desk Officer for the the information to be collected; and the following table:
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Document Created: 2017-05-26 02:24:06
Document Modified: 2017-05-26 02:24:06
| 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 | BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's Proposed Plan Amendment/Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions and files a protest must file the protest within 30 days after the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of availability in the Federal Register. | |
| Contact | Lisa Cresswell, Planning Team Lead, | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 24387 |
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