83 FR 63524 - Notice of Availability of the Oregon 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 | 63524-63525 | |
| FR Document | 2018-26701 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 236 (Monday, December 10, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 63524-63525] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-26701] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO200000.L11100000. PH0000.LXSGPL000000. 18X. HAG 19-0014] Notice of Availability of the Oregon 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 (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared the Oregon Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation for the Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse Sub-Region and, by this notice, is announcing its 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/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/Final EIS is available on the BLM ePlanning project website at https://goo.gl/4CNtH8. 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 Burns, Lakeview, and Vale BLM District Offices. 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: Jim Regan-Vienop, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at (503) 808-6062; address, 1220 SW 3rd Ave. Suite 1305, Portland, OR 97204; 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. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days [[Page 63525]] a week, to leave a message or question with Mr. Regan-Vienop. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the Oregon Greater SageGrouse Proposed RMP Amendment/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 Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS also addresses a legal vulnerability, which was exposed when a Federal District Court in Nevada determined that the BLM had violated the NEPA when it finalized the 2015 plans. The BLM developed the proposed land use plan amendment in collaboration with Oregon Governor Kate Brown, 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 Oregon plans and management strategies, in accordance with the BLM's multiple use and sustained yield mission. This Proposed RMP Amendment/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/Final EIS proposes to amend the RMPs for field offices on BLM-administered lands within Oregon. The current management decisions for resources are described in the following RMPs:Andrews (2005) Baker (1989) Brothers/La Pine (1989) Lakeview (2003) Southeastern Oregon (2002) Steens (2005) Three Rivers (1992) Upper Deschutes (2005) The planning area includes approximately 60,649 acres of lands administered by the BLM in three Oregon counties: Harney, Lake, and Malheur. Within the decision area, the BLM administers approximately 21,959 acres of public lands, all of which is Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. Surface management decisions made as a result of this Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS will apply only to lands administered by the BLM in the decision area. 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. The BLM held one public scoping meeting in Burns, Oregon on November 7, 2017. The Oregon Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS focused on the availability or unavailability of livestock grazing in 13 key Research Natural Areas and mitigation. Research Natural Areas are a subset type of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. The Draft RMP Amendment/ Draft EIS evaluated two alternatives in detail, including the No Action Alternative (Alternative A) and one action alternative (Alternative B, Management Alignment Alternative). 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 RMP Amendment/Final EIS. 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 in the Draft RMP Amendment/Draft EIS for the purposes of public comment and review. Identification of this alternative, however, does not represent final agency direction. Instructions for filing a protest with the Director of the BLM regarding the Proposed RMPA/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 personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personally identifiable information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask the BLM in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable 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 Christopher J. McAlear, Acting State Director, Oregon/Washington, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 2018-26701 Filed 12-7-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-33-P
![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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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 236 / Monday, December 10, 2018 / Notices 63525
a week, to leave a message or question acres of public lands, all of which is that your entire comment—including
with Mr. Regan-Vienop. You will Greater Sage-Grouse habitat. Surface your personally identifiable
receive a reply during normal business management decisions made as a result information—may be made publicly
hours. of this Proposed RMP Amendment/ available at any time. While you can ask
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM Final EIS will apply only to lands the BLM in your comment to withhold
prepared the Oregon Greater SageGrouse administered by the BLM in the your personally identifiable information
Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS to decision area. from public review, we cannot
enhance cooperation with States by The formal public scoping process for guarantee that we will be able to do so.
improving alignment with State the RMP Amendment/EIS began on Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10,
management plans and strategies for October 11, 2017, with publication of a 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5
Greater Sage-Grouse, while continuing Notice of Intent in the Federal Register
(82 FR 47248), and ended on December Christopher J. McAlear,
to conserve, enhance, and restore
Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat. The 1, 2017. The BLM held one public Acting State Director, Oregon/Washington,
scoping meeting in Burns, Oregon on Bureau of Land Management.
Proposed RMP Amendment/Final EIS
also addresses a legal vulnerability, November 7, 2017. [FR Doc. 2018–26701 Filed 12–7–18; 8:45 am]
The Oregon Draft RMP Amendment/ BILLING CODE 4310–33–P
which was exposed when a Federal
Draft EIS focused on the availability or
District Court in Nevada determined
unavailability of livestock grazing in 13
that the BLM had violated the NEPA
key Research Natural Areas and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
when it finalized the 2015 plans.
mitigation. Research Natural Areas are a
The BLM developed the proposed Bureau of Land Management
subset type of Areas of Critical
land use plan amendment in Environmental Concern. The Draft RMP
collaboration with Oregon Governor [LLWO200000.Ll
Amendment/Draft EIS evaluated two 1100000.PH0000.LXSGPL000000.18X.HAG
Kate Brown, State wildlife managers, alternatives in detail, including the No 18–0089]
and other concerned organizations and Action Alternative (Alternative A) and
individuals, largely through the Western one action alternative (Alternative B, Notice of Availability of the Wyoming
Governors Association’s Sage-Grouse Management Alignment Alternative). Proposed Resource Management Plan
Task Force. Using its discretion and Comments on the Draft RMP Amendment and Final Environmental
authority under the FLPMA, the BLM Amendment/Draft EIS received from the Impact Statement
proposes amending land use plans that public and internal BLM review were
address Greater Sage-Grouse AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
considered and incorporated as Interior.
management to improve alignment with appropriate into the proposed RMP
State of Oregon plans and management ACTION: Notice of Availability.
Amendment/Final EIS. Alternative A
strategies, in accordance with the BLM’s would retain the current management
multiple use and sustained yield SUMMARY: In accordance with the
goals, objectives, and direction specified National Environmental Policy Act of
mission. This Proposed RMP in the current RMPs, as amended, for
Amendment/Final EIS is one of six 1969, as amended, (NEPA) and the
each field office. Alternative B was Federal Land Policy and Management
separate planning efforts that are being identified as the BLM’s preferred
undertaken in response to the Act of 1976, as amended, (FLPMA) the
alternative in the Draft RMP Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
Secretary’s Order (SO) 3353 (Greater Amendment/Draft EIS for the purposes
Sage-grouse Conservation and prepared the Wyoming Proposed
of public comment and review. Resource Management Plan (RMP)
Cooperation with Western States) and in Identification of this alternative,
accordance with SO 3349 (American Amendment and Final Environmental
however, does not represent final Impact Statement (EIS) for Greater Sage-
Energy Independence). The proposed agency direction.
plans refine the previous management Grouse Conservation for the Wyoming
Instructions for filing a protest with Greater Sage-Grouse Sub-Region and by
plan adopted in 2015 and aims to strike the Director of the BLM regarding the
a regulatory balance and build greater this notice is announcing its availability
Proposed RMPA/Final EIS may be and the opening of a protest period
trust among neighboring interests in found online at https://www.blm.gov/
Western communities. The Proposed concerning the Proposed RMP
programs/planning-and-nepa/public-
RMP Amendment/Final EIS proposes to Amendment.
participation/filing-a-plan-protest and
amend the RMPs for field offices on at 43 CFR 1610.5–2. All protests must be DATES: The BLM planning regulations
BLM-administered lands within Oregon. in writing and mailed to the appropriate state that any person who meets the
The current management decisions for address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES conditions as described in the
resources are described in the following section above or submitted regulations may protest the BLM’s
RMPs: electronically through the BLM proposed RMP Amendment and Final
• Andrews (2005) ePlanning project website as described EIS. A person who meets the conditions
• Baker (1989) above. Protests submitted electronically outlined in 43 CFR 1610.5–2 and wishes
• Brothers/La Pine (1989) by any means other than the ePlanning to file a protest must do so within 30
• Lakeview (2003) project website protest section will be days of the date that the Environmental
• Southeastern Oregon (2002) invalid unless a protest is also Protection Agency publishes its Notice
• Steens (2005) submitted in hard copy. Protests of Availability in the Federal Register.
• Three Rivers (1992) submitted by fax will also be invalid A protest regarding the Proposed RMP
• Upper Deschutes (2005) unless also submitted either through Amendment announced with this notice
The planning area includes ePlanning project website protest must be filed by January 9, 2019.
approximately 60,649 acres of lands section or in hard copy. ADDRESSES: The Proposed RMP
administered by the BLM in three Before including your address, phone Amendment and Final EIS is available
Oregon counties: Harney, Lake, and number, email address, or other on the BLM ePlanning project website at
Malheur. Within the decision area, the personally identifiable information in https://goo.gl/FoqAn9. Click the
BLM administers approximately 21,959 your comment, you should be aware Documents and Report link on the left
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Document Created: 2018-12-08 00:22:30
Document Modified: 2018-12-08 00:22:30
| 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 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/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 | Jim Regan-Vienop, Planning and | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 63524 |
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