83 FR 61167 - Notice of Intent for the Potential Amendment to the Approved Resource Management Plan for the Miles City Field Office, Montana, and To Prepare an Associated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 229 (November 28, 2018)

Page Range		61167-61168
FR Document		2018-25847

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), Miles City Field Office, Miles City, Montana, intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and potential amendment for the 2015 Miles City Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP). The Supplemental EIS is in response to a United States District Court, District of Montana, opinion and order (Western Organization of Resource Councils, et al vs BLM). This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues presented in the opinion and order.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61167-61168]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25847]



[[Page 61167]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMT930000 L16100000 DS0000 LXSS036E0000 19X]


Notice of Intent for the Potential Amendment to the Approved 
Resource Management Plan for the Miles City Field Office, Montana, and 
To Prepare an Associated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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), Miles 
City Field Office, Miles City, Montana, intends to prepare a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and potential 
amendment for the 2015 Miles City Field Office Approved Resource 
Management Plan (RMP). The Supplemental EIS is in response to a United 
States District Court, District of Montana, opinion and order (Western 
Organization of Resource Councils, et al vs BLM). This notice announces 
the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues presented in the opinion and order.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments by December 28, 2018. The BLM will announce a public 
scoping meeting through local news media, newsletters, e-Planning, and 
the BLM website https://www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas at least 15 days 
prior to the meeting. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for 
public participation upon publication of the Draft Supplemental EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues, planning criteria, and 
resource information by any of the following methods:
     Website: https://go.usa.gov/xPv49.
     Mail: Miles City RMP Draft Supplemental EIS; Amy Waring, 
Supplemental EIS Project Manager; Montana/Dakotas State Office, 5001 
Southgate Dr., Billings, MT 59101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Waring, Supplemental EIS Project 
Manager; telephone (406) 896-5095; email [email protected]; or at the 
mailing address or website listed earlier (see ADDRESSES). 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 individuals 
during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individuals. 
You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Supplemental EIS is in response to a 
United States Montana District court opinion and order (Western 
Organization of Resource Councils, et al. vs BLM; CV 16-21-GF-BMM; 3/
26/2018 and 7/31/2018).
    In September 2015, the BLM approved the Record of Decision for the 
Approved RMPs and Amendments in the Rocky Mountain Region, which 
included the Montana Miles City Field Office. The 2015 Miles City 
Approved RMP provides a single, comprehensive land use plan that guides 
management of BLM-administered surface and mineral estate in the Miles 
City Field Office. The plan provides goals, objectives, land use 
allocations, and management direction for the BLM-administered surface 
and mineral estate based on multiple use and sustained yield, unless 
otherwise specified by law (FLPMA Sec. 102(c), 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
The Miles City Field Office manages approximately 2.7 million surface 
acres and 10.6 million acres of Federal mineral estate across 17 
counties in eastern Montana.
    On March 26, 2018, the U.S. District Court concluded: (1) NEPA 
requires the BLM to consider an alternative that would decrease the 
amount of coal potentially available for leasing, which requires 
conducting new coal screening that considers climate change impacts to 
assess the amount of recoverable coal available in the Approved RMP, 
(2) The BLM must supplement the Miles City Final EIS with an analysis 
of the environmental consequences of downstream combustion of coal, 
oil, and gas open to development under the Approved RMP; and (3) The 
BLM must provide additional justification and analysis of global 
warming potential over an appropriate planning period consistent with 
evolving science.
    The purpose of this public scoping process is to solicit public 
input that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis with 
respect to the three conclusions by the U.S. District Court.
    There are currently five active coal mining operations in or 
adjacent to the planning area, four of which operate on Federal coal 
leases, and are administered by the BLM (Decker, Rosebud, Savage, and 
Spring Creek), and one mine (Absaloka) that operates entirely on two 
Indian coal leases. In addition, two additional mines are proposed, the 
Big Metal Mine (Indian reserves) and Otter Creek Mine (currently 
private reserves). The Miles City Field Office also authorizes a 
domestic coal license to a private individual in Fallon County for home 
heating.
    The 2015 Approved RMP relied upon coal screening completed during 
two previous RMP revisions: Big Dry (1996) and Powder River (1985). 
These planning efforts identified approximately 68.38 billion tons of 
coal that are available for further consideration for coal leasing 
across the Miles City Field Office (62.20 billion tons in the Power 
River RMP and 6.18 billion tons of coal in the Big Dry RMP). A 
reasonable foreseeable development scenario (RFD) was developed for the 
Final EIS based upon the U.S. Energy Information Administration 
projections in order for specialists to analyze the potential effects 
related to Federal coal leasing. The RFD was based upon continued 
operations of the five existing mines, with no new mines being 
developed over the 20-year planning timeframe. The RFD did not consider 
leasing of the entire 68.38 billion tons of coal that may be available. 
The air quality analysis estimated annual emissions from the RFD 
estimate of 56.2 million tons of Federal and 26.8 million tons of non-
Federal coal produced per year, based upon coal production limits 
prescribed in each associated Montana Air Quality Permit issued by the 
Montana Department of Environmental Quality for the five operating 
mines.
    As defined in 43 CFR 3420.1-4, the four principal factors the BLM 
must consider for coal resource development during land use planning 
include:
    1. Estimate coal development potential, and consider only those 
areas that have development potential for further consideration for 
leasing.
    2. Apply the unsuitability criteria set out in 43 CFR subpart 3461 
to the BLM-administered coal mineral estate to identify areas 
unsuitable for all, or certain stipulated methods of mining.
    3. Consider multiple land use management conflicts which may 
eliminate coal deposits from further consideration for leasing to 
protect other resource values and land uses that are locally, 
regionally or nationally important or unique, that are not included in 
the unsuitability criteria.
    4. Consult with qualified surface owners, as defined in 43 CFR 
3400.0-5, whose lands overlie BLM-administered coal mineral estate to 
determine preference for or against mining by

[[Page 61168]]

other than underground mining techniques.

Call for Coal and Other Resource Information

    The BLM requests that industry, State and local governments, and 
the public interested in coal management in the planning area provide 
the BLM relevant coal resource data that can help inform this project. 
Specifically, the BLM requests information on the development potential 
(e.g., location, quality, and quantity) of BLM-administered coal 
mineral estate, and on surface resource values related to multiple use 
conflicts.
    The purpose of this request is to assure that the planning effort 
has sufficient information and data to consider a reasonable range of 
resource uses, management options, and alternatives for management of 
the BLM-administered Federal coal mineral estate. The BLM will use this 
information to complete the Supplemental EIS and formulate alternatives 
that identify areas acceptable for further consideration for leasing.
    Proprietary data marked as ``Confidential'' may be submitted in 
response to this request for coal and other resource information. 
Please submit all proprietary information submissions to the Montana/
Dakotas State Director at the address listed above. The BLM will treat 
submissions marked as ``Confidential'' in accordance with the laws and 
regulations governing the confidentiality of such information.
    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 
request us to withhold your personal identifying information from 
public review, BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

(Authority: 43 CFR 1610.2(c) and 3420.1-2)

Jon K. Raby,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2018-25847 Filed 11-27-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P

61168 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 28, 2018 / Notices

other than underground mining DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Public Disclosure of Information:
techniques. Before including your address, phone
National Park Service number, email address, or other
Call for Coal and Other Resource personal identifying information in your
Information [NPS–WASO–D–COS–POL–26833;
PPWODIREP0][PPMPSAS1Y.YP0000] comment, you should be aware that
The BLM requests that industry, State your entire comment—including your
and local governments, and the public Notice of the December 5, 2018, personal identifying information—may
Meeting of the National Park System be made publicly available at any time.
interested in coal management in the
Advisory Board While you can ask us in your comment
planning area provide the BLM relevant
to withhold your personal identifying
coal resource data that can help inform AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. information from public review, we
this project. Specifically, the BLM ACTION: Notice. cannot guarantee that we will be able to
requests information on the do so.
development potential (e.g., location, SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act of Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.
quality, and quantity) of BLM-
administered coal mineral estate, and on 1972, the National Park Service is Alma Ripps,
surface resource values related to hereby giving notice that the National Chief, Office of Policy.
multiple use conflicts. Park System Advisory Board (Board)
[FR Doc. 2018–25934 Filed 11–27–18; 8:45 am]
will meet as noted below. This notice is
The purpose of this request is to being published less than 15 days prior BILLING CODE 4312–52–P
assure that the planning effort has to the meeting date due to unexpected
sufficient information and data to administrative delays.
consider a reasonable range of resource INTERNATIONAL TRADE
DATES: The meeting will be held on
uses, management options, and COMMISSION
Wednesday, December 5, 2018, from
alternatives for management of the 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EASTERN). [Investigation No. 337–TA–1121]
BLM-administered Federal coal mineral
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be
estate. The BLM will use this conducted in the Jefferson Room of the Certain Earpiece Devices and
information to complete the Courtyard Marriott Washington, DC/ Components Thereof: Notice of a
Supplemental EIS and formulate Foggy Bottom, 515 20th Street NW, Commission Determination Not To
alternatives that identify areas Washington, DC 20006, telephone (202) Review an Initial Determination
acceptable for further consideration for 263–7435. Granting a Motion for Leave To Amend
leasing. the Complaint and Notice of
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Investigation
Proprietary data marked as Shirley Sears, Office of Policy, National
‘‘Confidential’’ may be submitted in Park Service, 1849 C Street NW, Mail AGENCY: U.S. International Trade
response to this request for coal and Stop 2659, Washington, DC 20240, Commission.
other resource information. Please telephone (202) 354–3955, or email ACTION: Notice.
submit all proprietary information shirley_sears@nps.gov.
submissions to the Montana/Dakotas SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
State Director at the address listed has been established by authority of the the U.S. International Trade
above. The BLM will treat submissions Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) Commission has determined not to
marked as ‘‘Confidential’’ in accordance under 54 U.S.C. 100906, and is review an initial determination (‘‘ID’’)
with the laws and regulations governing regulated by the Federal Advisory (Order No. 10) of the presiding
the confidentiality of such information. Committee Act. administrative law judge (‘‘ALJ’’),
The Board will convene at 9:30 a.m. granting complainant’s motion for leave
Before including your address, phone to amend the complaint and Notice of
and adjourn at 5:00 p.m. The board will
number, email address, or other Investigation to correct the name and/or
have briefings on the priorities and
personal identifying information in your address of two existing respondents.
programs of the National Park Service,
comment, you should be aware that including the National Historic FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
your entire comment—including your Landmarks and National Natural Cathy Chen, Esq., Office of the General
personal identifying information—may Landmarks programs. The meeting will Counsel, U.S. International Trade
be made publicly available at any time. be open to the public. There will also Commission, 500 E Street SW,
While you can request us to withhold be a public comment period. The final Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
your personal identifying information agenda will be posted to the Board’s 205–2392. Copies of non-confidential
from public review, BLM cannot website prior to the meeting at https:// documents filed in connection with this
guarantee that it will be able to do so. www.nps.gov/advisoryboard.htm. The investigation are or will be available for
(Authority: 43 CFR 1610.2(c) and 3420.1–2) order of the agenda may be changed, if inspection during official business
necessary. hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
Jon K. Raby, The Board also will permit attendees Office of the Secretary, U.S.
Acting State Director. to address the Board, but may restrict International Trade Commission, 500 E
[FR Doc. 2018–25847 Filed 11–27–18; 8:45 am] the length of the presentations, as Street SW, Washington, DC 20436,
BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P necessary, to allow the Board to telephone (202) 205–2000. General
complete its agenda within the allotted information concerning the Commission
time. may also be obtained by accessing its
Anyone may file with the Board a internet server at https://www.usitc.gov.
written statement concerning matters to The public record for this investigation
be discussed. may be viewed on the Commission’s
Statements should be sent to shirley_ electronic docket (EDIS) at https://
sears@nps.gov. edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:19 Nov 27, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1

Document Created: 2018-11-27 23:48:38
Document Modified: 2018-11-27 23:48:38

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 of intent.
Dates		To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive written comments by December 28, 2018. The BLM will announce a public scoping meeting through local news media, newsletters, e-Planning, and the BLM website https://www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas at least 15 days prior to the meeting. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft Supplemental EIS.
Contact		Amy Waring, Supplemental EIS Project Manager; telephone (406) 896-5095; email [email protected]; or at the
FR Citation		83 FR 61167

83 FR 61167 - Notice of Intent for the Potential Amendment to the Approved Resource Management Plan for the Miles City Field Office, Montana, and To Prepare an Associated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 229 (November 28, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management