Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2014/07/18/2014-16819.html
Timestamp: 2019-08-23 19:54:12
Document Index: 284188694

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 1500', 'art 46', 'art 1600', 'art 3461', 'arts 1500', 'art 46', 'art 1600', 'art 3461']

Notice of Intent To Incorporate Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures Into the Bureau of Land Management Land Use Plans, Colorado and Utah and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, 42033-42035 [2014-16819] :: Department Of The Interior :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of The Interior Notice of Intent To Incorporate Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures Into the Bureau of Land Management Land Use Plans, Colorado and Utah and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, 42033-42035 [2014-16819]
Notice of Intent To Incorporate Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures Into the Bureau of Land Management Land Use Plans, Colorado and Utah and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement, 42033-42035 [2014-16819]
Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 138 / Friday, July 18, 2014 / Notices location listed in the ADDRESSES section during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday except for legal holidays. 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 us in your comment to withhold your personally identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES III. Data OMB Control Number: 1076–0153. Title: Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood. Brief description of collection: Submission of this information allows BIA to verify the applicant’s Indian ancestry and to determine the applicant’s degree of Indian blood. The applicant will provide information, such as birth certificates, death certificates, and probates to document the applicant’s descent from an Indian ancestor(s). BIA uses historic roll(s) or other documents that list the ancestors’ name, gender, date of birth, date of death, blood degree and other identifying information to verify the applicant’s descent. After the information and supporting documentation has been verified, BIA will issue a CDIB to the applicant. The applicant may use the CDIB to help document their eligibility for BIA programs and services. Other agencies may also rely on a CDIB as proof of eligibility for certain programs and services. CDIBs do not establish membership in an Indian tribe. A CDIB is not an enrollment document. The collection of this information is voluntary. Response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Individuals. Number of Respondents: 154,980 per year, on average. Number of Responses: 154,980 per year, on average. Frequency of Response: Once. Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 hours. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 232,470 hours. Estimated Total Annual Non-Hour Dollar Cost: $6,199,200. VerDate Mar<15>2010 23:20 Jul 17, 2014 Jkt 232001 42033 Bureau of Land Management • Fax: 303–239–3699. • Mail: Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Colorado State Office (see address above); the Colorado Southwest District Office, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401; and Utah Canyon County District Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532. [LLCO910000 L11100000.DO0000] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: July 14, 2014. Christine Cho, Acting Assistant Director for Information Resources—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2014–16967 Filed 7–17–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–4J–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Notice of Intent To Incorporate Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures Into the Bureau of Land Management Land Use Plans, Colorado and Utah and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLMPA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) intends to incorporate Gunnison SageGrouse Conservation Measures into Resource Management Plans (RMPs) within the range of the species and prepare an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until August 18, 2014. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_ Programs/wildlife/sage-grouse/ GUSG.html. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. Comments that are specific to a particular area or land use plan should be identified as such. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria related to Gunnison Sage-Grouse planning effort by any of the following methods: • Web site: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/ en/BLM_Programs/wildlife/sage-grouse/ GUSG.html; Email: gusg_amend@ blm.gov. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Leigh D. Espy, Project Manager, via telephone: 303–239–3801; at the Colorado State Office (see address above); or via email: lespy@blm.gov. You may contact Ms. Espy to have your name added to our mailing list. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In January 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published its proposed listing and proposed critical habitat decision for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse indicating that listing of the species as ‘‘Endangered’’ was warranted. The inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms to conserve the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat was identified as a significant threat in the FWS preliminary finding on the petition to list the Gunnison Sage-Grouse as an endangered species. The FWS has proposed conservation measures to be included in RMPs as the principal mechanism to assure adequate conservation of the Gunnison SageGrouse and its habitat on public lands. In view of the identified threats to the Gunnison Sage-Grouse, the BLM proposes incorporating consistent objectives and conservation measures to protect Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat into RMPs by July 2016. The BLM plans to prepare an EIS to analyze proposed amendments within the range of the species for the following RMPs: • Colorado Æ San Luis RMP (1991) Æ Gunnison RMP (1993) Æ San Juan/San Miguel RMP (1985) (currently under revision in the Tres Rios and Uncompahgre RMPs) Æ Uncompahgre Basin RMP (1989) (currently under revision in the Dominquez-Escalante National Conservation Area [NCA] RMP and Uncompahgre RMP) Æ Grand Junction RMP (1987) (Currently under revision in the Grand E:\FR\FM\18JYN1.SGM 18JYN1 sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 42034 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 138 / Friday, July 18, 2014 / Notices Junction RMP and the DominquezEscalante NCA RMP) Æ Gunnison Gorge NCA RMP (2004) Æ Canyons of the Ancients National Monument RMP (2010) • Utah Æ Moab RMP (2008) Æ Monticello RMP (2008) Where an ongoing plan revision or amendment may not be completed by July 2016, the date of the underlying completed RMP is also listed, as it may be amended as part of this EIS effort. This amendment may modify planning decisions in the NCAs and/or the National Monument listed above, consistent with the designation. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues relating to the conservation of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. The BLM and FWS identified preliminary issues for the planning areas, including sagebrush habitat management practices, science directly applicable to protection of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse, and the effects of sagebrush habitat management on other public land resources including: Fluid minerals, coal mining, hard rock mining, mineral materials, renewable energy development, rights-of-way (including transmission), invasive species, livestock grazing, vegetation management, fire, land tenure, offhighway vehicle management, and recreation. Additionally, as part of this EIS and planning process, the BLM intends to identify and apply appropriate mitigation objectives and management actions to meet conservation objectives for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse. These objectives and management actions could include on-site and regional mitigation measures. Preliminary planning criteria include: • The BLM will consider allocative and/or prescriptive standards to conserve Gunnison Sage-Grouse and their habitat on public land, as well as habitat objectives and management actions designed to restore or enhance proposed Gunnison Sage-Grouse unoccupied proposed critical habitat. • The BLM will use the Gunnison Sage-Grouse Rangewide Conservation Plan (Rangewide Steering Committee, 2005), and any other appropriate resources to identify Gunnison SageGrouse habitat requirements and best management practices. • The BLM will consider FWSdeveloped Gunnison Sage-Grouse conservation measures. VerDate Mar<15>2010 23:20 Jul 17, 2014 Jkt 232001 • The planning effort will comply with FLPMA; NEPA; Council on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500–1508; Department of the Interior Regulations at 43 CFR part 46 and 43 CFR part 1600; the BLM H–1601 Land Use Planning Handbook, ‘‘Appendix C: Program-Specific and Resource-Specific Decision Guidance Requirements’’ for affected resource programs; the 2008 BLM NEPA Handbook (H–1790–1); and all other applicable BLM policies and guidance. • The planning effort will be limited to making land use planning decisions specific to the conservation of Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat. • The BLM will consider land use allocations and/or prescriptive standards to conserve Gunnison SageGrouse habitat, as well as objectives and management actions to restore, enhance and improve Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat. • The planning effort will recognize valid existing rights. • Lands addressed in the RMP amendments/revisions will be public lands (including split-estate lands) managed by the BLM in Gunnison SageGrouse occupied and unoccupied habitats. Decisions in the RMP amendments/revisions will apply only to Federal lands and minerals administered by the BLM. • The BLM will use a collaborative and multi-jurisdictional approach, where appropriate, to determine the goals and objectives of public lands for the conservation of Gunnison SageGrouse and their habitat. • The BLM will consider a reasonable range of alternatives, including appropriate management prescriptions that focus on the relative values of resources while contributing to the conservation of the Gunnison SageGrouse and sage-grouse habitat. • The BLM will address socioeconomic impacts of the alternatives developed. Socioeconomic analyses will use an accepted inputoutput quantitative model such as Impact Analysis for Planning or Regional Input-Output Modeling System. • The BLM will use current scientific information, research, technologies, and results of inventory, monitoring, and coordination to determine appropriate local and regional management strategies that will enhance or restore Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat. • Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat management that intersects with Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) on public lands administered by the BLM will be guided by the BLM Manual Section—6330 Management of PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Wilderness Study Areas. Land use allocations made for WSAs must be consistent with laws, regulations and policies related to WSA management. • For BLM-administered lands, all activities and uses within Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat will follow existing land health standards. Standards and guidelines for livestock grazing and other applicable programs will be applicable to all alternatives for BLM lands. • The BLM will consult with Indian tribes to identify sites, areas and objectives important to their cultural and religious heritage within Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat. • The BLM will coordinate and communicate with state, local and tribal governments to ensure the BLM considers provisions of pertinent plans; seek to resolve inconsistencies between state, local and tribal plans; and provide ample opportunities for state, local and tribal governments to comment on the development of amendments or revisions. • The planning effort will be based on the principles of Adaptive Management. • The most current approved BLM corporate spatial data will be supported by current metadata and will be used to ascertain Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat extent and quality. Data will be consistent with the principles of the Information Quality Act of 2000. • The BLM will use the FWS and appropriate State game and fish agencies’ Gunnison Sage-Grouse data and expertise to the fullest extent practicable in making management determinations on Federal lands. The BLM recognizes State game and fish agencies’ jurisdiction as the primary management agencies for species not managed under the Endangered Species Act. You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. To be most helpful, you should submit comments by the close of the 30-day scoping period or within 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The public is also invited to nominate or recommend areas on public lands for Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat within the planning areas identified above to be considered as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern as a part of this planning process (BLM Manual 1613.3.31). Parties interested in leasing and development of Federal coal in the planning areas should provide coal resources data for their area(s) of E:\FR\FM\18JYN1.SGM 18JYN1 sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 138 / Friday, July 18, 2014 / Notices interest. Specifically, information is requested on the location, quality and quantity of Federal coal with development potential, and on surface resource values related to the 20 coal unsuitability criteria described in 43 CFR part 3461. This information will be used for any necessary updating of coal screening determinations (43 CFR 3420.1–4) in the Decision Area and in the environmental analysis. The BLM will use the NEPA public participation requirements to assist the agency in satisfying the public involvement requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). The information about historic and cultural resources within the area potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources in the context of both NEPA and Section 106 of the NHPA. The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, state and local agencies, along with tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed action the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be addressed in the plan amendments/revisions, and will place them into one of three categories: 1. Issues to be resolved in the plan; 2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; or 3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan. The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft EIS as to why an issue was placed in category two or three. The public is also encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns that should be addressed in the plan amendments/revisions. The BLM will work collaboratively with interested parties to identify the management decisions that are best suited to local, regional and national needs and concerns. The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan amendments in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be VerDate Mar<15>2010 23:20 Jul 17, 2014 Jkt 232001 involved in the planning process: Rangeland management, minerals and geology, vegetation management, fire, outdoor recreation, wildlife, lands and realty, hydrology, soils, sociology, and economics. 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 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. David McCormack, Acting BLM Colorado State Director. [FR Doc. 2014–16819 Filed 7–17–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [L12200000. MA0000/LLUTY00000] Notice of Proposed Supplementary Rules for Public Lands Managed by the Moab and Monticello Field Offices in Grand and San Juan Counties, UT Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Proposed Supplementary Rules. AGENCY: In accordance with the Records of Decision (ROD) for the Moab and Monticello Field Office Approved Resource Management Plans (RMP) and associated Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing supplementary rules and requesting comments. The proposed rules address conduct on BLM public land in Grand County and San Juan County, Utah. The conduct addressed includes the operation of motorized or mechanized vehicles, camping and campfires, firewood and petrified wood collection, and the use of glass containers. DATES: Comments on the proposed supplementary rules must be received or postmarked by September 16, 2014 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, hand delivery, or email to the BLM Canyon Country District Office, Attention: Jason Moore, 82 East Dogwood Avenue, Moab, UT 84532, or jdmoore@blm.gov. The proposed supplementary rules and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42035 approved RMPs are available for inspection at the BLM Moab Field Office, located at 82 East Dogwood Avenue, Moab, UT; the BLM Monticello Field Office, located at 435 North Main Street, Monticello, UT; and, on the BLM Moab and Monticello Field Office Web sites: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/ moab.html and http://www.blm.gov/ut/ st/en/fo/monticello.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Moore, Supervisory Staff Law Enforcement Ranger, 82 East Dogwood Avenue, Moab, UT 84532, 435–259– 2109, or jdmoore@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Comment Procedures II. Background III. Discussion IV. Procedural Matters V. Proposed Supplementary Rules for the BLM Moab Field Office and the Monticello Field Office I. Public Comment Procedures Written comments on the proposed supplementary rules must be sent in accordance with the information outlined in the DATES and ADDRESSES sections of this notice. The BLM is not obligated to consider comments that are received after the close of the comment period (see DATES), unless they are postmarked or electronically dated before the deadline; or if the comments are delivered to an address other than that listed above in ADDRESSES. Comments should be specific, confined to issues pertinent to the proposed supplementary rules, and should explain the reason for any recommended change. Where possible, comments should reference the specific section or paragraph of the rule that the comment is addressing. Comments, including names, addresses, and other contact information of respondents, will be available for public review at the BLM Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood Avenue, Moab, UT 84532, during regular business hours (7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays). Before including an address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that the entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask in your comment to E:\FR\FM\18JYN1.SGM 18JYN1
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2014)]
[Pages 42033-42035]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16819]
[LLCO910000 L11100000.DO0000]
Notice of Intent To Incorporate Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation
Measures Into the Bureau of Land Management Land Use Plans, Colorado
and Utah and Prepare an Associated Environmental Impact Statement
(FLMPA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
intends to incorporate Gunnison Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures into
Resource Management Plans (RMPs) within the range of the species and
prepare an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). By this
notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until August 18, 2014.
at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and
the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/wildlife/sage-grouse/GUSG.html. In order to be included in the
is later. Comments that are specific to a particular area or land use
plan should be identified as such. We will provide additional
related to Gunnison Sage-Grouse planning effort by any of the following
Web site: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Programs/wildlife/sage-grouse/GUSG.html; Email: gusg_amend@blm.gov.
Mail: Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield Street,
Colorado State Office (see address above); the Colorado Southwest
District Office, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401; and
Utah Canyon County District Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leigh D. Espy, Project Manager, via
telephone: 303-239-3801; at the Colorado State Office (see address
above); or via email: lespy@blm.gov. You may contact Ms. Espy to have
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In January 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS) published its proposed listing and proposed critical
habitat decision for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse indicating that listing
of the species as ``Endangered'' was warranted. The inadequacy of
regulatory mechanisms to conserve the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its
habitat was identified as a significant threat in the FWS preliminary
finding on the petition to list the Gunnison Sage-Grouse as an
endangered species. The FWS has proposed conservation measures to be
included in RMPs as the principal mechanism to assure adequate
conservation of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat on public
lands. In view of the identified threats to the Gunnison Sage-Grouse,
the BLM proposes incorporating consistent objectives and conservation
measures to protect Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat into RMPs by
July 2016. The BLM plans to prepare an EIS to analyze proposed
amendments within the range of the species for the following RMPs:
[cir] San Luis RMP (1991)
[cir] Gunnison RMP (1993)
[cir] San Juan/San Miguel RMP (1985) (currently under revision in
the Tres Rios and Uncompahgre RMPs)
[cir] Uncompahgre Basin RMP (1989) (currently under revision in the
Dominquez-Escalante National Conservation Area [NCA] RMP and
Uncompahgre RMP)
[cir] Grand Junction RMP (1987) (Currently under revision in the
[[Page 42034]]
Junction RMP and the Dominquez-Escalante NCA RMP)
[cir] Gunnison Gorge NCA RMP (2004)
[cir] Canyons of the Ancients National Monument RMP (2010)
[cir] Moab RMP (2008)
[cir] Monticello RMP (2008)
Where an ongoing plan revision or amendment may not be completed by
July 2016, the date of the underlying completed RMP is also listed, as
it may be amended as part of this EIS effort. This amendment may modify
planning decisions in the NCAs and/or the National Monument listed
above, consistent with the designation.
issues relating to the conservation of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its
The BLM and FWS identified preliminary issues for the planning areas,
including sagebrush habitat management practices, science directly
applicable to protection of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse, and the effects
of sagebrush habitat management on other public land resources
including: Fluid minerals, coal mining, hard rock mining, mineral
materials, renewable energy development, rights-of-way (including
transmission), invasive species, livestock grazing, vegetation
management, fire, land tenure, off-highway vehicle management, and
recreation. Additionally, as part of this EIS and planning process, the
BLM intends to identify and apply appropriate mitigation objectives and
management actions to meet conservation objectives for the Gunnison
Sage-Grouse. These objectives and management actions could include on-
site and regional mitigation measures. Preliminary planning criteria
The BLM will consider allocative and/or prescriptive
standards to conserve Gunnison Sage-Grouse and their habitat on public
land, as well as habitat objectives and management actions designed to
restore or enhance proposed Gunnison Sage-Grouse unoccupied proposed
The BLM will use the Gunnison Sage-Grouse Rangewide
Conservation Plan (Rangewide Steering Committee, 2005), and any other
appropriate resources to identify Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat
The BLM will consider FWS-developed Gunnison Sage-Grouse
The planning effort will comply with FLPMA; NEPA; Council
on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508;
Department of the Interior Regulations at 43 CFR part 46 and 43 CFR
part 1600; the BLM H-1601 Land Use Planning Handbook, ``Appendix C:
Program-Specific and Resource-Specific Decision Guidance Requirements''
for affected resource programs; the 2008 BLM NEPA Handbook (H-1790-1);
and all other applicable BLM policies and guidance.
The planning effort will be limited to making land use
planning decisions specific to the conservation of Gunnison Sage-Grouse
The BLM will consider land use allocations and/or
prescriptive standards to conserve Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat, as
well as objectives and management actions to restore, enhance and
improve Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat.
The planning effort will recognize valid existing rights.
Lands addressed in the RMP amendments/revisions will be
public lands (including split-estate lands) managed by the BLM in
Gunnison Sage-Grouse occupied and unoccupied habitats. Decisions in the
RMP amendments/revisions will apply only to Federal lands and minerals
The BLM will use a collaborative and multi-jurisdictional
approach, where appropriate, to determine the goals and objectives of
public lands for the conservation of Gunnison Sage-Grouse and their
The BLM will consider a reasonable range of alternatives,
including appropriate management prescriptions that focus on the
relative values of resources while contributing to the conservation of
the Gunnison Sage-Grouse and sage-grouse habitat.
The BLM will address socioeconomic impacts of the
alternatives developed. Socioeconomic analyses will use an accepted
input-output quantitative model such as Impact Analysis for Planning or
Regional Input-Output Modeling System.
The BLM will use current scientific information, research,
technologies, and results of inventory, monitoring, and coordination to
determine appropriate local and regional management strategies that
will enhance or restore Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat.
Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat management that intersects
with Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) on public lands administered by the
BLM will be guided by the BLM Manual Section--6330 Management of
Wilderness Study Areas. Land use allocations made for WSAs must be
consistent with laws, regulations and policies related to WSA
Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat will follow existing land health
standards. Standards and guidelines for livestock grazing and other
applicable programs will be applicable to all alternatives for BLM
The BLM will consult with Indian tribes to identify sites,
areas and objectives important to their cultural and religious heritage
within Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat.
The BLM will coordinate and communicate with state, local
and tribal governments to ensure the BLM considers provisions of
pertinent plans; seek to resolve inconsistencies between state, local
and tribal plans; and provide ample opportunities for state, local and
tribal governments to comment on the development of amendments or
The planning effort will be based on the principles of
The most current approved BLM corporate spatial data will
be supported by current metadata and will be used to ascertain Gunnison
Sage-Grouse habitat extent and quality. Data will be consistent with
the principles of the Information Quality Act of 2000.
The BLM will use the FWS and appropriate State game and
fish agencies' Gunnison Sage-Grouse data and expertise to the fullest
extent practicable in making management determinations on Federal
lands. The BLM recognizes State game and fish agencies' jurisdiction as
the primary management agencies for species not managed under the
The public is also invited to nominate or recommend areas on public
lands for Gunnison Sage-Grouse and its habitat within the planning
areas identified above to be considered as Areas of Critical
Environmental Concern as a part of this planning process (BLM Manual
1613.3.31).
the planning areas should provide coal resources data for their area(s)
[[Page 42035]]
quality and quantity of Federal coal with development potential, and on
surface resource values related to the 20 coal unsuitability criteria
described in 43 CFR part 3461. This information will be used for any
necessary updating of coal screening determinations (43 CFR 3420.1-4)
in the Decision Area and in the environmental analysis.
of the NHPA. The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-
amendments/revisions, and will place them into one of three categories:
The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft EIS as to why an
should be addressed in the plan amendments/revisions. The BLM will work
decisions that are best suited to local, regional and national needs
amendments in order to consider the variety of resource issues and
management, minerals and geology, vegetation management, fire, outdoor
recreation, wildlife, lands and realty, hydrology, soils, sociology,
[FR Doc. 2014-16819 Filed 7-17-14; 8:45 am]