[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 226 (Friday, November 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 58092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28689]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[D-930-1020-01]
Notice of Intent To Simultaneously Modify all Idaho Management
Framework Plans (MFPs) and Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) To Adopt Standards for
Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management in Idaho and To
Include Ecosystem-Based Management Strategies From the Upper Columbia
River Basin (UCRB) EIS
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to modify land use plans and to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to adopt standards for rangeland
health and guidelines for grazing management in Idaho and to adopt
ecosystem-based management strategies from the Upper Columbia River
Basin (UCRB) EIS.
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The Challis proposed RMP/Draft EIS currently in progress will be
published in the winter of 1995 and the Bennett Hills, and Owyhee
Proposed RMPs currently in progress are scheduled for draft EIS
publication in the spring of 1996. Notice is given that Standards for
Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management will be included
in these respective plans.
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Idaho intends to modify
all existing MFPs and RMPs in the State and to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for adoption of Standards Rangeland Health
(terrestrial and riparian) and Guidelines for Grazing Management as
provided in the BLM's new grazing regulations (43 CFR Part 4100). In
addition, all Land Use Plans would be amended to include ecosystem-
based management strategy from the Upper Columbia River Basin (UCRB)
EIS and the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Assessment. This strategy
will include standards, specific objectives, and management guidelines
focusing on restoring the health of forest, range, aquatic, and
riparian ecosystems. Public comment is sought on the issues and
alternatives to be considered, and on proposed standards and
guidelines.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received
in writing within 30 days following the date of the last scoping
meeting to receive full consideration in the development of
alternatives. Dates of those meetings will be published in local and
regional newspapers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
J. David Brunner, Bureau of Land Management, 3380 Americana Terrace,
Boise, Idaho 83706; Phone 208-384-3056.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM's new grazing administration
regulations (43 CFR part 4100 59FR) which became effective August 21,
1995, require the development of Standards for Rangeland Health and
Guidelines for Grazing Administration. In Idaho, BLM intends to develop
these standards and guidelines through a public process and incorporate
them into MFPs/RMPs. Incorporating standards and guidelines into
existing plans will require some form of plan modification, ranging
from simple plan maintenance to plan amendment.
Management Framework Plans (MFPs) to be modified are as follows:
Kuna, Bruneau, Owyhee, Twin Falls, Malad, Big Lost, Little Lost Birch
Creek, Big Desert, Ellis-Pahsimeroi, Challis, Mackay, Sun Valley,
Bennett Hills, Timmerman, Magic, Emerald Empire and Chief Joseph
(Bennett Hills, Challis and Owyhee are scheduled to be replaced by RMPs
which are currently under development). Resource Management Plans
(RMPs) to be modified are as follows: Cacasde, Jarbridge, Cassia,
Medicine Lodge, Pocatello, Lemhi and Monument.
At this point, it uncertain what level of plan modification will be
needed; plan maintenance or plan amendment.
This notice invites Public comment on the proposal to develop
standards and guidelines and issues to be addressed and alternatives to
be considered in the EIS or other NEPA analysis.
Issues preliminarily identified include: the effect that adoption
of the standards will have on uses of public land, the effect that
adoption of the proposed guidelines will have on grazing management and
livestock operations, and riparian and aquatic ecosystems and the need
for flexibility in standards and guidelines. Additional issues have
been identified in the UCRB EIS. It is expected that the ecosystem
management strategy being analyzed in the UCRB EIS will provide a broad
framework within which Healthy Reangelands Standards and Guides will be
developed.
The NEPA analysis will be conducted using an interdisciplinary team
that includes persons trained in archaeology, economics, plant ecology,
forestry, hydrology, soil science, range management, recreation and
fish and wildlife management.
Three preliminary alternatives have been identified: the
continuation of current management (no action alternative) as provided
for in existing land use plans, application of the fall back standards
and guidelines contained in the regulations, and the adoption of
standards and guidelines developed locally and in consultation with
Idaho BLM's three Resource Advisory Councils.
Dated: November 13, 1995.
J. David Brunner,
Deputy State Director for Resource Services.
[FR Doc. 95-28689 Filed 11-22-95; 8:45 am]
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