83 FR 63523 - Notice of Availability of the Northwest Colorado Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 236 (December 10, 2018)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 236 (December 10, 2018)
| Page Range | 63523-63524 | |
| FR Document | 2018-26699 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 236 (Monday, December 10, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 63523-63524] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-26699] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO200000.Ll 1100000.PH0000.LXSGPL000000.18X.HAG 18-0089] Notice of Availability of the Northwest Colorado Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Northwest Colorado Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation for the Northwest Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Sub-Region, and by this notice is announcing its availability and the opening of a protest period concerning the Proposed RMP Amendment. DATES: The BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5-2 and wishes to file a protest must do so within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. A protest regarding the Proposed RMP Amendment announced with this notice must be filed by January 9, 2019. ADDRESSES: The Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS is available on the BLM ePlanning project website at https://go.usa.gov/xP6Xa. Click the Documents and Report link on the left side of the screen to find the electronic version of these materials. Hard copies of the Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS are also available for public inspection at the Colorado State Office and the Grand Junction Field Office. All protests must be in writing (43 CFR 1610.5-2(a)(1)) and filed with the BLM Director, either as a hard copy or electronically via the BLM's ePlanning project website listed previously. To submit a protest electronically, go to the ePlanning project website and follow the protest instructions highlighted at the top of the home page. If submitting a protest in hard copy, it must be mailed to one of the following addresses: U.S. Postal Service Mail: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, WO-210, P.O Box 71383, Washington, DC 20024-1383 Overnight Delivery: BLM Director (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator, WO-210, 20 M Street SE, Room 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bridget Clayton, Sage-Grouse Coordinator, BLM Colorado, telephone (970) 244-3045; address 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506; 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. Clayton. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Ms. Clayton. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the Northwest Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS to enhance cooperation with States by improving alignment with State management plans and strategies for Greater Sage-Grouse, while continuing to conserve, enhance, and restore Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat. The BLM developed the proposed land use plan amendment in collaboration with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, State wildlife managers, and other concerned organizations and individuals, largely through the Western Governors Association's Sage-Grouse Task Force. Using its discretion and authority under the FLPMA, the BLM proposes amending land use plans that address Greater Sage-Grouse management to improve alignment with State of Colorado plans and management strategies, in accordance with the BLM's multiple use and sustained yield mission. This Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS is one of six separate planning efforts that are being undertaken in response to the Secretary's Order (SO) 3353 (Greater Sage-grouse Conservation and Cooperation with Western States) and in accordance with SO 3349 (American Energy Independence). The proposed plans refine the previous management plan adopted in 2015 and aims to strike a regulatory balance and build greater trust among neighboring interests in Western communities. The Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS proposes to amend the RMPs for field offices on BLM-administered lands within Colorado. The current management decisions for resources are described in the following RMPs: [[Page 63524]]Colorado River Valley RMP (BLM 2015) Grand Junction RMP (BLM 2015) Kremmling RMP (BLM 2015) Little Snake RMP (BLM 2011) White River RMP (BLM 1997) and associated amendments, including the White River Oil and Gas Amendment (BLM 2015) The Northwest Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS planning area is part of the larger Rocky Mountain Region and encompasses approximately 15 million acres, including 8.5 million acres of public lands managed by five BLM field offices in the 10 northwest Colorado counties of Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Larimer, Mesa, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Summit. The planning area encompasses National Park Service, US Department of Defense, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, State of Colorado, county, city, and private lands. Decisions in this RMP Amendment apply solely to BLM- administered surface (totaling approximately 1.7 million acres) and BLM-administered Federal mineral estate (approximately 2.1 million acres) within Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. The formal public scoping process for the RMP Amendment/EIS began on October 11, 2017, with publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (82 FR 47248) and ended on December 1, 2017. BLM Colorado held a public scoping meeting in Craig, Colorado on November 8, 2017. The Notice of Availability for the Draft Supplemental EIS was published on October 11, 2017, and the BLM accepted public comments on the range of alternatives, effects analysis and Draft RMP amendments for 90 days, ending on August 2, 2018. During the public comment period, two public meetings were held in Silt and Craig, Colorado. The Northwest Colorado Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS focused on the issue of allowing greater flexibility for the BLM to work with the State of Colorado on issues related to fluid minerals management and mitigation. The Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS evaluated two alternatives in detail, including the No Action Alternative (Alternative A) and one action alternative (Alternative B). Comments on the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS received from the public and internal BLM review were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the proposed plan amendment. Alternative A would retain the current management goals, objectives, and direction specified in the current RMPs, as amended, for each field office. Alternative B was identified as the BLM's Preferred Alternative. Identification of this alternative, however, does not represent final agency direction. The Proposed RMP Amendment is a refinement of the Management Alignment Alternative from the Draft RMP Amendment and Draft EIS, with consideration given to public comments, corrections, and rewording for clarification of purpose and intent. Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM regarding the Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS may be found online at https://www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and-nepa/public-participation/filing-a-plan-protest 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 or submitted electronically through the BLM ePlanning project website as described above. Protests submitted electronically by any means other than the ePlanning project website protest section will be invalid unless a protest is also submitted in hard copy. Protests submitted by fax will also be invalid unless also submitted either through ePlanning project website protest section or in hard copy. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your protest, please 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 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, 43 CFR 1610.5 Kristin M. Bail, Assistant Director, Resources and Planning. [FR Doc. 2018-26699 Filed 12-7-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 236 / Monday, December 10, 2018 / Notices 63523
for approval. All comments will become DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Postal Service Mail: BLM
a matter of public record. Director (210), Attention: Protest
Bureau of Land Management Coordinator, WO–210, P.O Box 71383,
Overview of This Information Washington, DC 20024–1383
Collection [LLWO200000.Ll
1100000.PH0000.LXSGPL000000.18X.HAG Overnight Delivery: BLM Director
Title: Application for Withdrawal of 18–0089] (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator,
WO–210, 20 M Street SE, Room
Bonded Stores for Fishing Vessels and Notice of Availability of the Northwest 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003
Certificate of Use. Colorado Proposed Resource FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
OMB Number: 1651–0092. Management Plan Amendment and Bridget Clayton, Sage-Grouse
Form Number: CBP Form 5125. Final Environmental Impact Statement Coordinator, BLM Colorado, telephone
Current Actions: CBP proposes to AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, (970) 244–3045; address 2815 H Road,
extend the expiration date of this Interior. Grand Junction, CO 81506; email
information collection with no change ACTION: Notice of Availability. bclayton@blm.gov. Persons who use a
to the burden hours or to the telecommunications device for the deaf
SUMMARY: In accordance with the (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
information collected.
National Environmental Policy Act of Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
Type of Review: Extension (without 1969, as amended, (NEPA) and the contact Ms. Clayton. The FRS is
change). Federal Land Policy and Management available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
Abstract: CBP Form 5125, Application Act of 1976, as amended, (FLPMA) the to leave a message or question with Ms.
for Withdrawal of Bonded Stores for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has Clayton. You will receive a reply during
Fishing Vessel and Certificate of Use, is prepared the Northwest Colorado normal business hours.
used to request the permission of the Proposed Resource Management Plan SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM
CBP port director for the withdrawal (RMP) Amendment and Final prepared the Northwest Colorado
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Greater Sage-Grouse Proposed RMP
and lading of bonded merchandise
for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Amendment and Final EIS to enhance
(especially alcoholic beverages) for use
for the Northwest Colorado Greater cooperation with States by improving
on board fishing vessels involved in Sage-Grouse Sub-Region, and by this
international trade. The applicant must alignment with State management plans
notice is announcing its availability and and strategies for Greater Sage-Grouse,
certify on CBP Form 5125 that supplies the opening of a protest period
on board were either consumed, or that while continuing to conserve, enhance,
concerning the Proposed RMP and restore Greater Sage-Grouse and its
all unused quantities remain on board Amendment. habitat.
and are adequately secured for use on
DATES: The BLM planning regulations The BLM developed the proposed
the next voyage. CBP uses this form to
state that any person who meets the land use plan amendment in
collect information such as the name conditions as described in the collaboration with Colorado Governor
and identification number of the vessel, regulations may protest the BLM’s John Hickenlooper, State wildlife
ports of departure and destination, and proposed RMP Amendment and Final managers, and other concerned
information about the crew members. EIS. A person who meets the conditions organizations and individuals, largely
The information collected on this form outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5–2 and wishes through the Western Governors
is authorized by 19 U.S.C. 1309 and to file a protest must do so within 30 Association’s Sage-Grouse Task Force.
1317, and is provided for by 19 CFR days of the date that the Environmental Using its discretion and authority under
10.59(e) and 10.65. CBP Form 5125 is Protection Agency publishes its Notice the FLPMA, the BLM proposes
accessible at: https://www.cbp.gov/ of Availability in the Federal Register. amending land use plans that address
newsroom/publications/ A protest regarding the Proposed RMP Greater Sage-Grouse management to
forms?title=5125 Amendment announced with this notice improve alignment with State of
Affected Public: Carriers. must be filed by January 9, 2019. Colorado plans and management
ADDRESSES: The Proposed RMP strategies, in accordance with the BLM’s
Estimated Number of Respondents: Amendment and Final EIS is available multiple use and sustained yield
500. on the BLM ePlanning project website at mission.
Estimated Number of Total Annual https://go.usa.gov/xP6Xa. Click the This Proposed RMP Amendment and
Responses: 500. Documents and Report link on the left Final EIS is one of six separate planning
Estimated Time per Response: 20 side of the screen to find the electronic efforts that are being undertaken in
minutes. version of these materials. Hard copies response to the Secretary’s Order (SO)
of the Proposed RMP Amendment/Final 3353 (Greater Sage-grouse Conservation
Estimated Total Annual Burden EIS are also available for public and Cooperation with Western States)
Hours: 165. inspection at the Colorado State Office and in accordance with SO 3349
Dated: December 4, 2018. and the Grand Junction Field Office. (American Energy Independence). The
Seth D Renkema, All protests must be in writing (43 proposed plans refine the previous
CFR 1610.5–2(a)(1)) and filed with the management plan adopted in 2015 and
Branch Chief, Economic Impact Analysis
BLM Director, either as a hard copy or aims to strike a regulatory balance and
Branch, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
electronically via the BLM’s ePlanning build greater trust among neighboring
[FR Doc. 2018–26669 Filed 12–7–18; 8:45 am]
project website listed previously. To interests in Western communities. The
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P submit a protest electronically, go to the Proposed RMP Amendment and Final
ePlanning project website and follow EIS proposes to amend the RMPs for
the protest instructions highlighted at field offices on BLM-administered lands
the top of the home page. If submitting within Colorado. The current
a protest in hard copy, it must be mailed management decisions for resources are
to one of the following addresses: described in the following RMPs:
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![63524 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 236 / Monday, December 10, 2018 / Notices
• Colorado River Valley RMP (BLM as the BLM’s Preferred Alternative. SUMMARY: In accordance with the
2015) Identification of this alternative, National Environmental Policy Act
• Grand Junction RMP (BLM 2015) however, does not represent final (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the
• Kremmling RMP (BLM 2015) agency direction. The Proposed RMP Federal Land Policy and Management
• Little Snake RMP (BLM 2011) Amendment is a refinement of the Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the
• White River RMP (BLM 1997) and Management Alignment Alternative Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
associated amendments, including the from the Draft RMP Amendment and prepared the Oregon Proposed Resource
White River Oil and Gas Amendment Draft EIS, with consideration given to Management Plan (RMP) Amendment
(BLM 2015) public comments, corrections, and and Final Environmental Impact
The Northwest Colorado Greater Sage- rewording for clarification of purpose Statement (EIS) for Greater Sage-Grouse
Grouse Proposed RMP Amendment and and intent. Conservation for the Oregon Greater
Final EIS planning area is part of the
Instructions for filing a protest with Sage-Grouse Sub-Region and, by this
larger Rocky Mountain Region and
the Director of the BLM regarding the notice, is announcing its availability.
encompasses approximately 15 million
acres, including 8.5 million acres of Proposed RMP Amendment and Final DATES: The BLM planning regulations
public lands managed by five BLM field EIS may be found online at https:// state that any person who meets the
offices in the 10 northwest Colorado www.blm.gov/programs/planning-and- conditions as described in the
counties of Eagle, Garfield, Grand, nepa/public-participation/filing-a-plan- regulations may protest the BLM’s
Jackson, Larimer, Mesa, Moffat, Rio protest and at 43 CFR 1610.5–2. All Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS.
Blanco, Routt, and Summit. The protests must be in writing and mailed A person who meets the conditions
planning area encompasses National to the appropriate address, as set forth outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5–2 and wishes
Park Service, US Department of Defense, in the ADDRESSES section above or to file a protest must do so within 30
US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife submitted electronically through the days of the date that the Environmental
Service, State of Colorado, county, city, BLM ePlanning project website as Protection Agency publishes its Notice
and private lands. Decisions in this described above. Protests submitted of Availability in the Federal Register.
RMP Amendment apply solely to BLM- electronically by any means other than A protest regarding the Proposed RMP
administered surface (totaling the ePlanning project website protest Amendment announced with this notice
approximately 1.7 million acres) and section will be invalid unless a protest must be filed by January 9, 2019.
BLM-administered Federal mineral is also submitted in hard copy. Protests ADDRESSES: The Proposed RMP
estate (approximately 2.1 million acres) submitted by fax will also be invalid Amendment/Final EIS is available on
within Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. unless also submitted either through the BLM ePlanning project website at
The formal public scoping process for ePlanning project website protest https://goo.gl/4CNtH8. Click the
the RMP Amendment/EIS began on section or in hard copy. Documents and Report link on the left
October 11, 2017, with publication of a Before including your address, phone side of the screen to find the electronic
Notice of Intent in the Federal Register number, email address, or other version of these materials. Hard copies
(82 FR 47248) and ended on December personal identifying information in your of the Proposed RMP Amendment/Final
1, 2017. BLM Colorado held a public protest, please be aware that your entire EIS are also available for public
scoping meeting in Craig, Colorado on protest, including your personal inspection at the Burns, Lakeview, and
November 8, 2017. identifying information, may be made Vale BLM District Offices.
The Notice of Availability for the publicly available at any time. While All protests must be in writing (43
Draft Supplemental EIS was published you can ask us in your comment to CFR 1610.5–2(a)(1)) and filed with the
on October 11, 2017, and the BLM withhold your personal identifying BLM Director, either as a hard copy or
accepted public comments on the range information from public review, we electronically via the BLM’s ePlanning
of alternatives, effects analysis and Draft cannot guarantee that we will be able to project website listed previously. To
RMP amendments for 90 days, ending do so. submit a protest electronically, go to the
on August 2, 2018. During the public Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10, ePlanning project website and follow
comment period, two public meetings 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5 the protest instructions highlighted at
were held in Silt and Craig, Colorado. the top of the home page.
The Northwest Colorado Proposed RMP Kristin M. Bail, If submitting a protest in hard copy,
Amendment and Final EIS focused on Assistant Director, Resources and Planning. it must be mailed to one of the following
the issue of allowing greater flexibility [FR Doc. 2018–26699 Filed 12–7–18; 8:45 am] addresses:
for the BLM to work with the State of BILLING CODE 4310–33–P U.S. Postal Service Mail: BLM
Colorado on issues related to fluid Director (210), Attention: Protest
minerals management and mitigation. Coordinator, WO–210, P.O Box 71383,
The Proposed RMP Amendment and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Washington, DC 20024–1383
Final EIS evaluated two alternatives in Overnight Delivery: BLM Director
detail, including the No Action Bureau of Land Management (210), Attention: Protest Coordinator,
Alternative (Alternative A) and one WO–210, 20 M Street SE, Room
action alternative (Alternative B). [LLWO200000.L11100000. 2134LM, Washington, DC 20003
Comments on the Draft RMP PH0000.LXSGPL000000. 18X. HAG 19–0014] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim
Amendment/Draft EIS received from the Regan-Vienop, Planning and
Notice of Availability of the Oregon
public and internal BLM review were Environmental Coordinator, at (503)
Proposed Resource Management Plan
considered and incorporated as 808–6062; address, 1220 SW 3rd Ave.
Amendment and Final Environmental
appropriate into the proposed plan Suite 1305, Portland, OR 97204; email,
Impact Statement
amendment. Alternative A would retain jreganvienop@blm.gov. Persons who use
the current management goals, AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, a telecommunications device for the
objectives, and direction specified in the Interior. deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
current RMPs, as amended, for each Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339. The
ACTION: Notice of availability.
field office. Alternative B was identified FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days
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Document Created: 2018-12-08 00:21:33
Document Modified: 2018-12-08 00:21:33
| 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 Availability. | |
| Dates | The BLM planning regulations state that any person who meets the conditions as described in the regulations may protest the BLM's proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS. A person who meets the conditions outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5-2 and wishes to file a protest must do so within 30 days of the date that the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. A protest regarding the Proposed RMP Amendment announced with this notice must be filed by January 9, 2019. | |
| Contact | Bridget Clayton, Sage-Grouse | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 63523 |
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