Opinion ID: 148933
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Meet Performance Standards

Text: Plaintiffs also argue that the BLM violated the FLPMA when it approved the Amendment's plan of operations, despite its failure to meet two of the performance standards set forth in 43 C.F.R. § 3809.420. Although a plan of operations must comply with these performance standards, the BLM may approve [a] plan of operations subject to changes or conditions that are necessary to meet the performance standards of § 3809.420 and to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation. 43 C.F.R. § 3809.411(d)(2). Plaintiffs first contend that Cortez failed to specify access routes for the Amendment's additional exploration activities in violation of 43 C.F.R. § 3809.420(b)(1). That regulation requires that, [w]here a notice or a plan of operations is required, it shall specify the location of access routes. . . . While Cortez did not specify access routes at the time of approval, the BLM set forth in the Amendment's EA, the original DR/FONSI, and the modified DR/FONSI, that Cortez needed to submit 1:24,000 maps showing the locations of the proposed drill pads and access roads prior to any earthdisturbing activities. Plaintiffs also argue that, in approving the Amendment, the BLM failed to protect cultural resources pursuant to 43 C.F.R. § 3809.420(b)(8). The regulation mandates that: (i) Operators shall not knowingly disturb, alter, injure, or destroy any scientifically important paleontological remains or any historical or archaeological site, structure, building or object on Federal lands. (ii) Operators shall immediately bring to the attention of the authorized officer any cultural and/or paleontological resources that might be altered or destroyed on Federal lands by his/her operations, and shall leave such discovery intact until told to proceed by the authorized officer. The authorized officer shall evaluate the discoveries brought to his/her attention, take action to protect or remove the resource, and allow operations to proceed within 10 working days after notification to the authorized officer of such discovery. 43 C.F.R. § 3809.420(b)(8)(i)-(ii). As it did with the access routes in the Amendment's EA and DR/FONSI, the BLM imposed conditions on the Amendment's plan of operations that served to fulfill this performance standard. Under the EA and DR/FONSI, once Cortez has provided maps showing specific drill sites, the BLM must take affirmative steps to evaluate cultural resources in the area and to protect those resources through avoidance measures. [23] Further, the EA requires that Cortez, within 24 hours, notify proper authorities and the BLM if subsurface cultural resources are discovered during construction, operation, or reclamation activities and to immediately cease earth-disturbing activities within 100 meters of the discovery, until the discovery can be examined by the proper authorities and/or a BLM-approved archaeologist. Under the EA, Cortez can only resume [earthdisturbing activities] once cleared by the BLM or other appropriate authority. These procedures were later modified by the State Director to provide even further protection to any newly discovered historical, archaeological, or paleontological resources. Consequently, we conclude that the Amendment meets the performance standards in §§ 3809.420(b)(1) and 3809.420(b)(8) and affirm the district court's award of summary judgment to the BLM and Cortez on Plaintiffs' FLPMA claims.