83_FR_19887 83 FR 19800 - Notice of Availability of the Nevada and Northeastern California Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation

83 FR 19800 - Notice of Availability of the Nevada and Northeastern California Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 87 (May 4, 2018)

Page Range19800-19801
FR Document2018-09520

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 the Nevada and Northeastern California Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) Planning Area and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. BLM Nevada is soliciting comments on the entire Draft EIS, as well as the specific planning issues mentioned in this NOA, the cumulative effects analysis, and Priority Habitat Management Area decisions.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19800-19801]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09520]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWO200000.LXSGPL000000.18x.L11100000.PH0000]


Notice of Availability of the Nevada and Northeastern California 
Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation

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 the Nevada and Northeastern California Draft Resource 
Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Nevada and Northeastern California Greater 
Sage-Grouse (GRSG) Planning Area and by this notice is announcing the 
opening of the comment period. BLM Nevada is soliciting comments on the 
entire Draft EIS, as well as the specific planning issues mentioned in 
this NOA, the cumulative effects analysis, and Priority Habitat 
Management Area decisions.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days 
following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a 
notice of availability of the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS in the 
Federal Register. 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 Nevada and 
Northeastern California Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS by any of the 
following methods:
     Website: https://goo.gl/uz89cT.
     Mail: BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, 
NV 89502.
    Copies of the Nevada and Northeastern California Draft RMP 
Amendment/Draft EIS are available at the BLM California State Office, 
2800 Cottage Way # W1623, Sacramento, CA 95825, BLM Nevada State Office 
at the above address, or on the project website at: https://goo.gl/uz89cT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact 
Matthew Magaletti, BLM Nevada Sage-Grouse Lead, by telephone, 775-861-
6472; at the address above; or by email, mmagalet@blm.gov. Persons who 
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Mr. Magaletti. The FRS 
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or 
question with Mr. Magaletti. You will receive a reply during normal 
business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Greater Sage-Grouse is a state-managed 
species that is dependent on sagebrush steppe ecosystems. These 
ecosystems are managed in partnership across the range of the Greater 
Sage-Grouse by federal, state, and local authorities. Efforts to 
conserve the species and its habitat date back to the 1950s. Over the 
past two decades, state wildlife agencies, federal agencies, and many 
others in the range of the species have been collaborating to conserve 
Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitats. The United States Department of 
the Interior (DOI) and the BLM have broad responsibilities to manage 
federal lands and resources for the public benefit. Nearly half of 
Greater Sage-Grouse habitat is managed by the BLM. The BLM is committed 
to being a good neighbor and investing in on-the-ground conservation 
activities through close collaboration with State governments, local 
communities, private landowners, and other stakeholders.
    In September 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 
determined that the Greater Sage-Grouse did not warrant listing under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The USFWS based its ``not 
warranted'' determination, in part, on the conservation commitments and 
management actions in the BLM and U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) 
Greater Sage-Grouse land use plan amendments and revisions (2015 GRSG 
land use plan decisions), as well as on other private, state, and 
federal conservation efforts. Since 2015 the BLM, in discussion with 
partners, primarily Governors and state wildlife management agencies, 
recognized that several refinements and policy updates could help 
strengthen conservation efforts, while providing increased economic 
opportunity to local communities. The BLM and Department of Interior 
worked closely with Governors charged with managing Greater Sage-Grouse 
to determine whether some, none, or all of the 2015 Land Use Plans 
should be amended. After carefully considering the Governors input, and 
using its discretion and authority under FLPMA, as well as under 
direction from the Secretary, including Secretary's Order (SO) 3353, 
the BLM proposes amending the Nevada and Northeastern California 
Greater Sage-Grouse land use plans that address GRSG management. This 
action is proposed to enhance cooperation and improve alignment with 
the state plans or management strategies, in accordance with the BLM's 
multiple use and sustained yield mission. The BLM prepared the Nevada 
and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft RMP Amendment/
Draft EIS to address alternatives that will build upon its commitment 
to conserve and restore Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, while improving 
collaboration and alignment with state management strategies for 
Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM seeks to improve management alignment in 
ways that will increase management flexibility, maintain access to 
public resources, and promote conservation outcomes. The BLM used 
internal, agency, and public scoping to identify issues considered in 
the environmental analysis. As part of this analysis, the BLM also 
examined the range of alternatives evaluated in the BLM's 2015 GRSG 
land use plan decisions and their supporting NEPA analyses.
    This Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS is one of six separate planning 
efforts that are being undertaken in response to

[[Page 19801]]

SO 3353, Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation and Cooperation with Western 
States (June 7, 2017), and in accordance with SO 3349, American Energy 
Independence (March 29, 2017). The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS 
proposes to amend the RMPs for field offices on BLM lands within BLM 
Nevada and Northeastern California boundaries. The current management 
decisions for resources are described in the following resource 
management plans (RMPs):

 Alturas RMP (2008)
 Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon NCA RMP (2004)
 Carson City Consolidated RMP (2001)
 Eagle Lake RMP (2008)
 Elko RMP (1987)
 Ely RMP (2008)
 Shoshone-Eureka RMP (1986)
 Surprise RMP (2008)
 Tonopah RMP (1997)
 Wells RMP (1985)
 Winnemucca RMP (2015)

    The planning area includes approximately 70.3 million acres of BLM, 
National Park Service, United States Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of 
Reclamation, State, local, and private lands located in Nevada and 
Northeastern California, in 17 counties: Churchill, Elko, Eureka, 
Humboldt, Lander, Lassen, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Modoc, Nye, Pershing, 
Plumas, Sierra, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine. Within the decision 
area, the BLM administers approximately 45.4 million acres of public 
lands, providing approximately 20.5 million acres of GRSG habitat. 
Surface management decisions made as a result of this RMP Amendment/
Draft EIS will apply only to BLM administered lands in the decision 
area.
    The formal public scoping process for the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft 
EIS began on October 11, 2017, with the publication of a Notice of 
Intent in the Federal Register (82 FR 47248), and ended on December 1, 
2017. The following public scoping meetings were held in Nevada and 
Northeastern California:

--Alturas, CA; November 3, 2017
--Reno, NV; November 7, 2017
--Elko, NV; November 8, 2017
--Ely, NV; November 9, 2017

    The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS addresses the designation of 
Sagebrush Focal Areas, mitigation, adjustments to habitat management 
area designations to reflect new information, reversing adaptive 
management responses when the BLM determines that resource conditions 
no longer warrant those responses (in addition to addressing updates to 
the adaptive management strategy based on best available science), 
allocation exception processes, seasonal timing restrictions, modifying 
habitat objectives when best available science is available, and 
through plan clarification: Modifying lek buffers, requirements for 
required design features, and corrections relative to land health 
assessments and sage grouse habitat objectives.
    The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS evaluates two alternatives in 
detail, including the No Action Alternative (Alternative A) and an 
action alternative (Alternative B: Management Alignment). Alternative B 
has been identified as BLM's Preferred Alternative for the purposes of 
public comment and review. Identification of this alternative, however, 
does not represent final agency direction, and the Proposed RMP 
Amendment/Final EIS may reflect changes or adjustments from information 
received during public comment, from new information, or from changes 
in BLM policies or priorities. The Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS may 
include objectives and actions described in the other analyzed 
alternative as well.
    Alternative A would retain the current management goals, 
objectives, and direction specified in the current RMPs for each field 
office.
    Please note that public comments and information submitted 
including names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who 
submit comments will be available for public review and disclosure at 
the addresses provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice during 
regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, 
except 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.

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

Michael C. Courtney,
Acting BLM Nevada State Director.
[FR Doc. 2018-09520 Filed 5-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-84-P

19800 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2018 / Notices Applicant: Steven Collins, McKinney, comments on the entire Draft EIS, as conservation activities through close TX; PRT–69195C well as the specific planning issues collaboration with State governments, Applicant: David Seeno, Concord, CA; mentioned in this NOA, the cumulative local communities, private landowners, PRT–72306C effects analysis, and Priority Habitat and other stakeholders. Management Area decisions. In September 2015, the U.S. Fish and Applicant: C. Tustin, Ridley Park, PA; DATES: To ensure that comments will be Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined PRT–66701C considered, the BLM must receive that the Greater Sage-Grouse did not Applicant: Tommie Fogle, Lampasas, written comments on the Draft RMP warrant listing under the Endangered TX; PRT–66547C Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days Species Act of 1973. The USFWS based following the date the Environmental its ‘‘not warranted’’ determination, in Applicant: Rudy Nix, Barksdale, TX; part, on the conservation commitments Protection Agency publishes a notice of PRT–74969C and management actions in the BLM availability of the Draft RMP Applicant: Kevin Perry, Peyton, CO; Amendment/Draft EIS in the Federal and U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) PRT–74842C Register. The BLM will announce future Greater Sage-Grouse land use plan meetings or hearings and any other amendments and revisions (2015 GRSG IV. Next Steps land use plan decisions), as well as on public participation activities at least 15 If the Service decides to issue permits days in advance through public notices, other private, state, and federal to any of the applicants listed in this media releases, and/or mailings. conservation efforts. Since 2015 the notice, we will publish a notice in the BLM, in discussion with partners, ADDRESSES: You may submit comments Federal Register. You may locate the primarily Governors and state wildlife related to the Nevada and Northeastern Federal Register notice announcing the management agencies, recognized that California Draft RMP Amendment/Draft permit issuance date by searching in several refinements and policy updates EIS by any of the following methods: www.regulations.gov under the • Website: https://goo.gl/uz89cT. could help strengthen conservation application number listed in this • Mail: BLM Nevada State Office, efforts, while providing increased document (e.g., PRT–12345X). 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, NV 89502. economic opportunity to local Copies of the Nevada and communities. The BLM and Department VI. Authority of Interior worked closely with Northeastern California Draft RMP Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 Amendment/Draft EIS are available at Governors charged with managing U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). the BLM California State Office, 2800 Greater Sage-Grouse to determine Brenda Tapia, Cottage Way # W1623, Sacramento, CA whether some, none, or all of the 2015 95825, BLM Nevada State Office at the Land Use Plans should be amended. Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of Management above address, or on the project website After carefully considering the Authority. at: https://goo.gl/uz89cT. Governors input, and using its discretion and authority under FLPMA, [FR Doc. 2018–09443 Filed 5–3–18; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For as well as under direction from the BILLING CODE 4333–15–P further information contact Matthew Secretary, including Secretary’s Order Magaletti, BLM Nevada Sage-Grouse (SO) 3353, the BLM proposes amending Lead, by telephone, 775–861–6472; at DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR the Nevada and Northeastern California the address above; or by email, Greater Sage-Grouse land use plans that mmagalet@blm.gov. Persons who use a Bureau of Land Management address GRSG management. This action telecommunications device for the deaf is proposed to enhance cooperation and [LLWO200000.LXSGPL000000. (TDD) may call the Federal Relay improve alignment with the state plans 18x.L11100000.PH0000] Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to or management strategies, in accordance contact Mr. Magaletti. The FRS is with the BLM’s multiple use and Notice of Availability of the Nevada available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and Northeastern California Draft sustained yield mission. The BLM to leave a message or question with Mr. prepared the Nevada and Northeastern Resource Management Plan Magaletti. You will receive a reply Amendment and Draft Environmental California Greater Sage-Grouse Draft during normal business hours. RMP Amendment/Draft EIS to address Impact Statement for Greater Sage- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Greater alternatives that will build upon its Grouse Conservation Sage-Grouse is a state-managed species commitment to conserve and restore AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, that is dependent on sagebrush steppe Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, while Interior. ecosystems. These ecosystems are improving collaboration and alignment ACTION: Notice of Availability. managed in partnership across the range with state management strategies for of the Greater Sage-Grouse by federal, Greater Sage-Grouse. The BLM seeks to SUMMARY: In accordance with the state, and local authorities. Efforts to improve management alignment in ways National Environmental Policy Act of conserve the species and its habitat date that will increase management 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the back to the 1950s. Over the past two flexibility, maintain access to public Federal Land Policy and Management decades, state wildlife agencies, federal resources, and promote conservation Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the agencies, and many others in the range outcomes. The BLM used internal, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has of the species have been collaborating to agency, and public scoping to identify prepared the Nevada and Northeastern conserve Greater Sage-Grouse and its issues considered in the environmental California Draft Resource Management habitats. The United States Department analysis. As part of this analysis, the amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES Plan (RMP) Amendment and Draft of the Interior (DOI) and the BLM have BLM also examined the range of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) broad responsibilities to manage federal alternatives evaluated in the BLM’s for the Nevada and Northeastern lands and resources for the public 2015 GRSG land use plan decisions and California Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG) benefit. Nearly half of Greater Sage- their supporting NEPA analyses. Planning Area and by this notice is Grouse habitat is managed by the BLM. This Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS announcing the opening of the comment The BLM is committed to being a good is one of six separate planning efforts period. BLM Nevada is soliciting neighbor and investing in on-the-ground that are being undertaken in response to VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 May 03, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM 04MYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 87 / Friday, May 4, 2018 / Notices 19801 SO 3353, Greater Sage-Grouse allocation exception processes, seasonal DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Conservation and Cooperation with timing restrictions, modifying habitat Western States (June 7, 2017), and in objectives when best available science is Bureau of Land Management accordance with SO 3349, American available, and through plan [LLWO200000.LXSGPL000000.18x.L111000 Energy Independence (March 29, 2017). clarification: Modifying lek buffers, 00.PH0000] The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS requirements for required design proposes to amend the RMPs for field features, and corrections relative to land Notice of Availability of the Idaho Draft offices on BLM lands within BLM health assessments and sage grouse Resource Management Plan Nevada and Northeastern California habitat objectives. Amendment and Draft Environmental boundaries. The current management Impact Statement for Greater Sage- decisions for resources are described in The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS Grouse Conservation the following resource management evaluates two alternatives in detail, plans (RMPs): including the No Action Alternative AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, (Alternative A) and an action alternative Interior. • Alturas RMP (2008) (Alternative B: Management Alignment). ACTION: Notice of availability. • Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon NCA RMP (2004) Alternative B has been identified as SUMMARY: In accordance with the • Carson City Consolidated RMP (2001) BLM’s Preferred Alternative for the National Environmental Policy Act of • Eagle Lake RMP (2008) purposes of public comment and 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land • Elko RMP (1987) review. Identification of this alternative, Policy and Management Act of 1976, as • Ely RMP (2008) however, does not represent final amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land • Shoshone-Eureka RMP (1986) agency direction, and the Proposed RMP Management (BLM) has prepared the • Surprise RMP (2008) Amendment/Final EIS may reflect Idaho Draft Resource Management Plan • Tonopah RMP (1997) changes or adjustments from (RMP) Amendment and Draft • Wells RMP (1985) information received during public • Winnemucca RMP (2015) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) comment, from new information, or for the Idaho Greater Sage-Grouse The planning area includes from changes in BLM policies or (GRSG) Planning Area, and by this approximately 70.3 million acres of priorities. The Proposed RMP notice is announcing the opening of the BLM, National Park Service, United Amendment/Final EIS may include comment period. BLM Idaho is States Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of objectives and actions described in the soliciting comments on the entire Draft Reclamation, State, local, and private other analyzed alternative as well. EIS, as well as the specific planning lands located in Nevada and issues mentioned in this NOA, and the Northeastern California, in 17 counties: Alternative A would retain the current management goals, objectives, cumulative effects analysis. Churchill, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, and direction specified in the current DATES: To ensure that comments will be Lander, Lassen, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, RMPs for each field office. considered, the BLM must receive Modoc, Nye, Pershing, Plumas, Sierra, written comments on the Draft RMP Storey, Washoe, and White Pine. Within Please note that public comments and Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days the decision area, the BLM administers information submitted including names, following the date the Environmental approximately 45.4 million acres of street addresses, and email addresses of Protection Agency publishes a notice of public lands, providing approximately persons who submit comments will be availability of the Draft RMP 20.5 million acres of GRSG habitat. available for public review and Amendment/Draft EIS in the Federal Surface management decisions made as disclosure at the addresses provided in Register. The BLM will announce future a result of this RMP Amendment/Draft the ADDRESSES section of this notice meetings or hearings and any other EIS will apply only to BLM during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. public participation activities at least 15 administered lands in the decision area. to 4:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, days in advance through public notices, The formal public scoping process for the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS except holidays. media releases, and/or mailings. began on October 11, 2017, with the Before including your address, phone ADDRESSES: You may submit comments publication of a Notice of Intent in the number, email address, or other related to the Idaho Draft RMP Federal Register (82 FR 47248), and personal identifying information in your Amendment/Draft EIS by any of the ended on December 1, 2017. The comment, you should be aware that following methods: following public scoping meetings were your entire comment—including your • Website: https://goo.gl/f94eKW held in Nevada and Northeastern personal identifying information—may • Mail: BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 S California: be made publicly available at any time. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709 —Alturas, CA; November 3, 2017 While you can ask us in your comment • Fax: 208–373–3805 —Reno, NV; November 7, 2017 to withhold your personal identifying Copies of the Idaho Draft RMP —Elko, NV; November 8, 2017 information from public review, we Amendment/Draft EIS for Greater Sage- —Ely, NV; November 9, 2017 cannot guarantee that we will be able to Grouse Conservation are available in the The Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS do so. BLM Idaho State Office at the above addresses the designation of Sagebrush address. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, Focal Areas, mitigation, adjustments to 43 CFR 1610.2. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For habitat management area designations to further information contact Jonathan amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES reflect new information, reversing Michael C. Courtney, Beck, Greater Sage-Grouse adaptive management responses when Acting BLM Nevada State Director. Implementation Coordinator, telephone the BLM determines that resource [FR Doc. 2018–09520 Filed 5–3–18; 8:45 am] (208) 373–3841; address 1387 S Vinnell conditions no longer warrant those Way, Boise, ID 83709; email jmbeck@ BILLING CODE 4310–84–P responses (in addition to addressing blm.gov. Persons who use a updates to the adaptive management telecommunications device for the deaf strategy based on best available science), (TDD) may call the Federal Relay VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:16 May 03, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04MYN1.SGM 04MYN1


Document Created: 2018-11-02 09:52:23
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 09:52:23
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 RMP Amendment/Draft EIS within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes a notice of availability of the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS in the Federal Register. 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.
ContactFor further information contact Matthew Magaletti, BLM Nevada Sage-Grouse Lead, by telephone, 775-861-
FR Citation83 FR 19800 
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