[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18143-18144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9457]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NV-040-1510-00]


Ely District Proposed Fire and Vegetative Resource Management 
Plan and Environmental Documentation

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Modify Fire Management Plan and Other 
Planning Documents As Necessary, Ely District, Nevada.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management, Ely District, Nevada intends to 
modify its current Fire Management Plan and, if necessary, existing 
land use plans, including a Resource Management Plans (RMP), and two 
Management Framework Plans (MFPs) and to prepare appropriate National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the adoption of a Fire 
Management Plan (FMP). The purpose of the FMP is to provide the 
framework for the reintroduction of fire into the ecosystem while 
maintaining first priority on protection of human life, and secondary 
priority on protection of property and natural and cultural resources. 
Public comment is sought on identification of issues, alternatives that 
should be considered, and the level of analysis which would be 
appropriate under the NEPA.

DATES: Comments will be accepted throughout the process of modifying 
plans and preparation of NEPA analysis. However, comments received 
after May 28, 1997 may not be reflected in the alternatives considered 
in any preliminary NEPA analysis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Dunn, Fire Management Officer, 
Bureau of Land Management, Ely District Office, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, 
NV 89301; Telephone (702) 289-1920.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Wildland Fire Policy and Program 
Review was completed to address issues of firefighter safety, as well 
as costs, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies between federal agencies 
involved in wildland fire suppression. Among the results of that review 
is a standardization of policies and procedures among Federal agencies, 
including the determination that wildland fire, as a critical natural 
process, must be reintroduced into the ecosystem. The Bureau of Land 
Management, Ely District intends to develop objectives through a 
Technical Review Team, and supported by resource professionals, which 
will integrate fire into resource management; including fire 
suppression, prescribed fire, fuels management and public education 
(including fire prevention) without regard to administrative 
boundaries. Because the Technical Review Team will include private 
property owners, all of the affected land managing agencies (County, 
State and Federal), and interested land users, the preliminary fire 
management objectives will be developed through consensus to apply to 
all lands without regard to administrative jurisdiction to permit a 
comprehensive and realistic approach to fire and vegetative resource 
management.
    At this point, it is uncertain what level of plan modification will 
be needed, if any. Land use plans affected by actions within the Ely 
District include the Egan Resource Management Plan, Schell Management 
Framework Plan, and Caliente Management Framework Plan. The level of 
environmental analysis appropriate under the Council on Environmental 
Quality's regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR part 1500) is 
undetermined pending the outcome of the Technical Review Team's 
recommendations. Should it be determined that no environmental

[[Page 18144]]

impact statement is needed, NEPA analysis will be accomplished through 
an environmental assessment or an administrative determination.
    Public input on issues and alternatives for the fire and vegetative 
resource management plan will be forthcoming through the Technical 
Review Team's efforts. This notice invites additional public comment on 
the proposal to modify the Fire Management Plan, and affected land use 
plans, if applicable.
    Preliminary issues identified include: human health and safety; 
protection of property; protection of natural and cultural resources; 
use of fire to enhance biodiversity, stabilize soils, and promote 
ecological health; maintenance or improvement of rangeland health in 
accordance with established standards; and the proper role of fire in 
areas managed for wilderness values. No preliminary alternatives have 
been identified.

    Dated: April 2, 1997.
Gene A. Kolkman,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-9457 Filed 4-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P