82 FR 60759 - Notice of Intent To Prepare Two Great-Basin-Wide Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements to Reduce the Threat of Wildfire and Support Rangeland Productivity

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 245 (December 22, 2017)

Page Range		60759-60761
FR Document		2017-27595

In compliance 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) intends to prepare two programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for BLM Districts in the Great Basin region. By this Notice BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues to be addressed in the environmental analyses.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 245 (Friday, December 22, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 245 (Friday, December 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60759-60761]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27595]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[17XL LLID930000 L11100000.DF0000 LXSGPL000000 4500103385]


Notice of Intent To Prepare Two Great-Basin-Wide Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statements to Reduce the Threat of Wildfire and 
Support Rangeland Productivity

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, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
intends to prepare two programmatic Environmental Impact Statements 
(EISs) for BLM Districts in the Great Basin region. By this Notice BLM 
is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public 
comments and identify issues to be addressed in the environmental 
analyses.

DATES: This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the two 
programmatic EISs. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until 
February 20, 2018. The date(s) and

[[Page 60760]]

location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days 
in advance through local media, newspapers and the BLM website at: 
https://go.usa.gov/xnQcG. In order for comments to be considered for 
the draft programmatic EISs, all comments must be received prior to the 
close of the 60-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public 
meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities 
for public participation upon publication of the draft programmatic 
EISs.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the programmatic EISs by 
any of the following methods:
     Website: https://go.usa.gov/xnQcG.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 208-373-3805.
     Mail: Jonathan Beck, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Beck, Project Manager Boise 
Support Team, telephone 208-373-3841; address 1387 S. Vinnell Way, 
Boise ID 83709; email [email protected]. Contact Mr. Beck to add your name 
to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-
8339 to contact the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Mr. Beck. You 
will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM is proposing to develop two 
programmatic EISs: (1) Fuel Breaks Programmatic EIS and (2) Fuels 
Reduction and Rangeland Restoration Programmatic EIS. One EIS will 
analyze potential effects of constructing fuel breaks and the other EIS 
will analyze potential effects of reducing fuel loading, and restoring 
rangeland productivity within the Great Basin region, which includes 
portions of the states of Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, California, Utah, and 
Washington.
    Both projects would protect and conserve natural habitats from loss 
resulting from wildfires and the spread of invasive species. Although 
these proposals are similar, they have different purposes. The purpose 
of the Fuel Breaks Programmatic EIS is the protection of life and 
property and to reduce the threat and size of wildfires on western 
rangelands. The purpose of the Fuels Reduction and Rangeland 
Restoration Programmatic EIS is to restore the rangelands habitat so 
they provide multiple use opportunities for all user groups and habitat 
for the hundreds of plants and animals that define this iconic 
landscape.
    The BLM is proposing to prepare these analyses concurrently to gain 
efficiencies in scoping and effects analyses. The goal of these 
programmatic EISs is to analyze the region-wide and cumulative impacts 
of the proposed actions and to gain efficiencies in subsequent National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses required for individual 
projects.

Purpose

    The programmatic EISs would expedite the development, enhancement, 
maintenance and utilization of fuel breaks, fuels reduction, and 
rangeland restoration for the protection, recovery, and conservation of 
natural western habitats in the Great Basin region. The projects would 
reduce the threat of habitat loss from fires and restore habitat to 
maintain the rangeland's productivity and support the western 
lifestyle. Fuel breaks act as fire-anchor points and firefighter 
staging areas; provide protection of ongoing and pending habitat 
restoration projects; and assist in quicker and earlier fire 
suppression response times, thereby reducing wildfire risk, aiding in 
the protection of human life and property, protecting taxpayer 
investment in habitat restoration projects, and improving western 
landscapes by offering multiple use opportunities. The restoration will 
replace invasive species with native habitat, decreasing the continuous 
cover of annual grasses that fuel large wildfires.

Need

    Large-scale wildfires have increased significantly throughout the 
western United States in recent years, particularly in sagebrush-steppe 
ecosystems, resulting in the widespread loss of sagebrush-steppe 
vegetation. These wildfires are largely a result of continuous fuel 
loading, caused by widespread increases in invasive annual grasses and 
very large areas of continuous sagebrush cover. In the last decade, 
fires have exceeded 100,000 acres on a regular basis, and the number of 
areas that burn again before habitat can establish has increased. These 
large-scale wildfires, with very high to extreme burning conditions, 
have resulted in increased numbers of injuries and deaths among 
wildland firefighters and increased destruction of private property and 
habitat loss for a variety of species. Wildfires have resulted in 
widespread impacts to healthy sage-lands quality, and have hampered 
BLM's ability to maintain productive lands. These large-scale, repeated 
wildfires facilitate the spread of invasive annual grasses, further 
reducing rangeland quality and availability, thereby adversely 
affecting sagebrush-recovery rates or, in some instances, preventing 
recovery altogether. In warm, dry settings, sagebrush-steppe usually 
takes, at a minimum, many decades to recover, even where invasive 
annual grasses or other invasive plant species do not become dominant. 
Invasive species and conifer encroachment can be exacerbated as a 
result of wildfires in sagebrush ecosystems, resulting in an increased 
risk of wildfires (positive feedback loop). By compartmentalizing 
desirable vegetation and providing safer access for firefighters, fuel 
breaks aid in decreasing potential habitat loss from wildfires, 
protecting habitat restoration areas, and combatting the spread of 
invasive species, i.e., decreasing or eliminating this positive 
feedback loop. By restoring native habitat, invasive species that are 
helping to fuel these unnaturally large fires will be reduced or 
removed, making the rangelands more resistant to future wildfires.
    The programmatic EISs, once implemented, will provide for increased 
firefighter safety in the event of wildfires and faster response times 
to wildfires. They will also assist in the maintenance, protection and 
restoration of the iconic sagebrush western landscape.
    The programmatic EISs will provide a mechanism for the BLM to 
streamline any future NEPA processes pertaining to fuel breaks, fuels 
reduction, and rangeland restoration proposals in the Great Basin 
region.

Scoping and Preliminary Issues

    The public scoping process is conducted to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the 
programmatic EISs. At present, the BLM has identified the following 
preliminary issues:
    1. Fuel break construction and associated road improvement for 
firefighter access could increase human activity in remote areas and 
introduce noxious and invasive weeds and increase the incidence of 
human-caused wildfires.
    2. Fuel break construction could remove or alter sagebrush habitat, 
rendering it unusable for some species.
    3. Fuel break construction on either side of existing roads may 
create movement barriers to small-sized wildlife species by reducing 
hiding cover.

[[Page 60761]]

    4. Fuel break construction in highly resistant and resilient 
habitats may not be necessary because those sites are less likely to 
burn or will respond favorably to natural regeneration.
    5. After habitat restoration treatments, historic uses such as 
livestock grazing and recreation activities may be temporarily halted 
until the treatment becomes established and objectives are met.
    6. Fuel reduction treatments in pinyon/juniper could disrupt 
traditional tribal use of these sites.
    7. The use of non-native species in fuel breaks could affect listed 
species and affect species composition in adjacent native plant 
communities.
    Project design features would be used to minimize impacts to 
rangelands, sensitive species habitat, cultural sites and watersheds, 
and to limit introduction and spread of noxious and invasive weeds.
    The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help 
fulfill the public involvement requirements 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 on 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 fuel break, fuel reduction, and rangeland restoration 
programmatic proposals 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.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7.

Timothy M. Murphy,
BLM Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-27595 Filed 12-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-AK-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 245 / Friday, December 22, 2017 / Notices 60759

application for an incidental take permit Regulations governing incidental take Public Comments
(ITP) under the Endangered Species Act permits for endangered and threatened If you wish to comment on the permit
of 1973, as amended (ESA). Lennar species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, application, HCP, or associated
Corporation (Applicant) is requesting a respectively. The ESA’s take documents, you may submit comments
15-year ITP for take of the sand skink. prohibitions do not apply to federally by any one of the methods listed above
We request public comments on the listed plants on private lands unless in ADDRESSES.
permit application and accompanying such take would violate State law. In
proposed habitat conservation plan addition to meeting other criteria, an Public Availability of Comments
(HCP), as well as on our preliminary incidental take permit’s proposed Before including your address, phone
determination that the plan qualifies as actions must not jeopardize the number, email address, or other
low-effect under the National existence of federally listed fish, personal identifying information in your
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To wildlife, or plants. comment, you should be aware that
make this determination, we used our your entire comment—including your
Applicant’s Proposal
environmental action statement and personal identifying information—may
low-effect screening form, which are Lennar Corporation is requesting to be made publicly available at any time.
also available for review. take of approximately .31 acres (ac) of While you can ask us in your comment
DATES: To ensure consideration, please occupied sand skink (Neoseps to withhold your personal identifying
send your written comments by January reynoldsi) foraging and sheltering information from public review, we
22, 2018. habitat incidental to construction of a cannot guarantee that we will be able to
residential development. The 38.44-ac do so.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
project site is identified with parcel
comments and request copies of the Authority
identification number 05–24–27–0000–
application, HCP, environmental action
00–001 and located within section 5, We provide this notice under section
statement, or low-effect screening form
Township 24 South, Range 27 East in 10 of the ESA and NEPA regulation 40
by any one of the following methods:
Orange County, Florida. The project also CFR 1506.6.
Email: northflorida@fws.gov. Use
includes the clearing, infrastructure
‘‘Attn: Permit number TE50490C–0’’ as Jay B. Herrington,
building, and landscaping associated
your subject line. Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office,
with constructing a residential
Fax: Field Supervisor, (904) Southeast Region.
development. The Applicant proposes
731–3191, ‘‘Attn: Permit number to mitigate for the take of the threatened [FR Doc. 2017–27601 Filed 12–21–17; 8:45 am]
TE50490C–0.’’ sand skink by purchasing 0.62 BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, mitigation credits within The Backbone
Jacksonville Ecological Services Conservation Bank or another Service-
Field Office Attn: Permit number DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
approved sand skink conservation bank.
TE50490C–0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite Our Preliminary Determination Bureau of Land Management
200, Jacksonville, FL 32256. We have determined that the [17XL LLID930000 L11100000.DF0000
In-person: You may deliver comments Applicant’s proposal, including the LXSGPL000000 4500103385]
during regular business hours at the proposed mitigation and minimization
office address listed above under U.S. Notice of Intent To Prepare Two Great-
measures, would have minor or Basin-Wide Programmatic
Mail. You may inspect the application, negligible effects on the species covered
HCP, environmental action statement, or Environmental Impact Statements to
in the HCP. Therefore, we have Reduce the Threat of Wildfire and
low-effect screening form by determined that the ITP for this project
appointment during normal business Support Rangeland Productivity
is ‘‘low effect’’ and qualifies for
hours at the same address. categorical exclusion under NEPA, as AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210. Interior.
M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731–3121; A low-effect HCP is one involving (1) ACTION: Notice.
email: erin_gawera@fws.gov. minor or negligible effects on federally
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: listed or candidate species and their SUMMARY: In compliance with the
habitats, and (2) minor or negligible National Environmental Policy Act of
Background effects on other environmental values or 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the
Section 9 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 resources. Federal Land Policy and Management
et seq.) and our implementing Federal Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the
Next Steps Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
regulations in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17 We will evaluate the HCP and intends to prepare two programmatic
prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of fish or wildlife comments we receive to determine Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)
species listed as endangered or whether the ITP application meets the for BLM Districts in the Great Basin
threatened. Take of listed fish or requirements of section 10(a) of the region. By this Notice BLM is
wildlife is defined under the ESA as ‘‘to ESA. We will also evaluate whether announcing the beginning of the
harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, issuance of the ITP complies with scoping process to solicit public
wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or section 7 of the ESA by conducting an comments and identify issues to be
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

to attempt to engage in any such intra-Service consultation. We will use addressed in the environmental
conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532(19)). the results of this consultation, in analyses.
However, under limited circumstances, combination with the above findings, in DATES: This Notice initiates the public
we issue permits to authorize incidental our final analysis to determine whether scoping process for the two
take—i.e., take that is incidental to, and or not to issue the ITP. If the programmatic EISs. Comments on issues
not the purpose of, the carrying out of requirements are met, we will issue ITP may be submitted in writing until
an otherwise lawful activity. number TE50490C–0 to the Applicant. February 20, 2018. The date(s) and

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 245 / Friday, December 22, 2017 / Notices 60761

4. Fuel break construction in highly Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7. Patent No. 6,849,946 (‘‘the ’946 patent’’);
resistant and resilient habitats may not Timothy M. Murphy,
and U.S. Patent No. 6,133,136 (‘‘the ’136
be necessary because those sites are less patent’’). The notice of investigation
BLM Idaho State Director.
likely to burn or will respond favorably names 24 respondents. Those
[FR Doc. 2017–27595 Filed 12–21–17; 8:45 am]
to natural regeneration. respondents are Broadcom Limited of
BILLING CODE 4310–AK–P Singapore, and Broadcom Corporation
5. After habitat restoration treatments,
historic uses such as livestock grazing of Irvine, California (collectively,
and recreation activities may be ‘‘Broadcom’’), as well 22 other
INTERNATIONAL TRADE manufacturers and importers of
temporarily halted until the treatment
COMMISSION products containing Broadcom’s
becomes established and objectives are
met. [Investigation No. 337–TA–1010] semiconductor devices: Avago
Technologies Limited of Singapore, and
6. Fuel reduction treatments in Certain Semiconductor Devices, Avago Technologies U.S. Inc. of San
pinyon/juniper could disrupt traditional Semiconductor Device Packages, and Jose, California (collectively, ‘‘Avago’’);
tribal use of these sites. Products Containing Same; Arista Networks, Inc. of Santa Clara,
7. The use of non-native species in Termination of Investigation on the California; ARRIS International plc,
fuel breaks could affect listed species Basis of Settlement ARRIS Group, Inc., ARRIS Solutions,
and affect species composition in Inc., ARRIS Enterprises, and Pace Ltd.,
adjacent native plant communities. AGENCY: U.S. International Trade all of Suwanee, Georgia, as well as Pace
Commission. Americas LLC and Pace USA LLC, both
Project design features would be used
ACTION: Notice. of Boca Raton, Florida, and ARRIS
to minimize impacts to rangelands,
Technology, Inc. of Horsham,
sensitive species habitat, cultural sites SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Pennsylvania (collectively ‘‘ARRIS’’);
and watersheds, and to limit the U.S. International Trade ASUSTek Computer, Inc. of Taipei,
introduction and spread of noxious and Commission has determined in the Taiwan, and ASUS Computer
invasive weeds. above-captioned investigation to grant a International of Fremont, California
The BLM will use and coordinate the motion to terminate the investigation on (collectively, ‘‘ASUS’’); Comcast Cable
NEPA scoping process to help fulfill the the basis of settlement, resulting in Communications, LLC, Comcast Cable
public involvement requirements under termination of the investigation in its Communications Management, LLC,
the National Historic Preservation Act entirety. and Comcast Business Communications,
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LLC, each of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about Sidney A. Rosenzweig, Esq., Office of (collectively, ‘‘Comcast’’); HTC
historic and cultural resources within the General Counsel, U.S. International Corporation of Taoyuan, Taiwan, and
the area potentially affected by the Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, HTC America Inc. of Bellevue,
proposed action will assist the BLM in Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) Washington (collectively, ‘‘HTC’’);
identifying and evaluating impacts to 708–2532. Copies of non-confidential NETGEAR, Inc. of San Jose, California;
such resources. documents filed in connection with this Technicolor S.A. of Issy-Les-
The BLM will consult with Indian investigation are or will be available for Moulineaux, France, as well as
tribes on a government-to-government inspection during official business Technicolor USA, Inc. and Technicolor
basis in accordance with Executive hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the Connected Home USA LLC, both of
Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal Office of the Secretary, U.S. Indianapolis, Indiana (collectively,
concerns, including impacts on Indian International Trade Commission, 500 E ‘‘Technicolor’’). The Office of Unfair
trust assets and potential impacts to Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, Import Investigations is not
cultural resources, will be given due telephone (202) 205–2000. General participating in the investigation.
consideration. Federal, State, and local Earlier in Commission proceedings,
information concerning the Commission
agencies, along with Tribes and other Avago was terminated from the
may also be obtained by accessing its
stakeholders that may be interested in or investigation. Order No. 70 (Feb. 27,
internet server at https://www.usitc.gov.
affected by the proposed fuel break, fuel 2017), not reviewed, Notice (Mar. 27,
The public record for this investigation
reduction, and rangeland restoration 2017). In addition, certain accused
may be viewed on the Commission’s products were adjudicated not to
programmatic proposals that the BLM is electronic docket (EDIS) at https:// infringe the ’007 patent. Order No. 77
evaluating, are invited to participate in edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired (Mar. 15, 2017), reviewed and affirmed
the scoping process and, if eligible, may persons are advised that information on with modifications, Notice (Apr. 14,
request or be requested by the BLM to this matter can be obtained by 2017). Certain asserted claims have been
participate in the development of the contacting the Commission’s TDD withdrawn from the investigation. Order
environmental analysis as a cooperating terminal on (202) 205–1810. No. 82 (Mar. 22, 2017), not reviewed,
agency. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Notice (Apr. 21, 2017).
Before including your address, phone Commission instituted this investigation On June 30, 2017, the ALJ issued the
number, email address, or other on June 24, 2016, based on a complaint final initial determination (‘‘final ID’’).
personal identifying information in your filed on behalf of Tessera Technologies, The final ID finds a violation of section
comment, you should be aware that Inc.; Tessera, Inc.; and Invensas 337 as to claims 16, 17, 20, and 22 of
your entire comment—including your Corporation, all of San Jose, California
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

the ’946 patent. Final ID at 262. The
personal identifying information—may (collectively, ‘‘Tessera’’). 81 FR 41344 final ID finds that for claims 1, 2, 11, 12,
be made publicly available at any time. (Jun. 24, 2016). The complaint alleges 16, 24–26, and 34 of the ’136 patent, the
While you can ask us in your comment violations of section 337 of the Tariff claims are infringed, and not invalid,
to withhold your personal identifying Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. but that the existence of a domestic
information from public review, we 1337, by reason of infringement of industry was not shown. Id. at 262–63.
cannot guarantee that we will be able to certain claims of U.S. Patent No. For the ’007 patent, the final ID finds
do so. 6,856,007 (‘‘the ’007 patent’’); U.S. that infringement was shown only as to

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Document Created: 2017-12-22 00:34:30
Document Modified: 2017-12-22 00:34:30

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		This Notice initiates the public scoping process for the two programmatic EISs. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until February 20, 2018. 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 website at: https://go.usa.gov/xnQcG. In order for comments to be considered for the draft programmatic EISs, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 60-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the draft programmatic EISs.
Contact		Jonathan Beck, Project Manager Boise
FR Citation		82 FR 60759

82 FR 60759 - Notice of Intent To Prepare Two Great-Basin-Wide Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements to Reduce the Threat of Wildfire and Support Rangeland Productivity

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 245 (December 22, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management