[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56349-56350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27583]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[Colorado; CO-930-06-1020-00]
Notice of Intent To Modify Resource Management Plans and To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to Adopt Standards for
Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management in Colorado
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice; Intent to modify Resource Management Plans within
Colorado and to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Colorado intends to
modify all existing Resource Management Plans (RMP) in the State and to
prepare appropriate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis
for the adoption of Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for
Grazing Management as provided in the BLM's new grazing regulations (43
CFR Part 4100). Two additional RMPs that are currently being developed
will also be modified as a result of this effort. Public comment is
sought on the issues and alternatives to be considered, and on
suggested standards and guidelines.
DATES: Comments will be accepted throughout the process of modifying
plans and preparation of NEPA analysis. However, comments received
after January 2, 1996, may not be reflected in the alternatives
considered in the draft environmental impact statement or other NEPA
analysis.
[[Page 56350]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Sazama, Team Leader, Bureau of
Land Management, 2505 South Townsend, Montrose, CO 81401; phone 970-
249-6047.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM's new grazing administration
regulations (43 CFR Part 4100), which became effective August 21, 1995,
provide for the development of Standards for Rangeland Health and
Guidelines for Grazing Administration. In Colorado, BLM intends to
develop these standards and guidelines through the BLM's planning
process. Incorporating standards and guidelines into existing plans
will require some form of plan modification, ranging from simple plan
maintenance to plan amendment. Resource Management Plans to be modified
are: Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Gunnison, Kremmling, Little
Snake, Northeast, San Juan/San Miguel, San Luis, and Uncompahgre Basin
RMPs. Two other RMPs that are currently being completed, the Royal
Gorge RMP and White River RMP, will also be modified, as appropriate.
Modifying all of Colorado BLM's RMPs at the same time is intended to
streamline efforts and to provide for a broader view of rangeland
ecosystems.
At this point, it is uncertain what level of plan modification will
be needed, plan maintenance or plan amendment. Similarly, the level of
environmental analysis appropriate under the Council on Environmental
Quality's regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR Part 1500) may vary.
Should it be determined that no environmental impact statement is
needed, NEPA analysis will be accomplished via an environmental
assessment.
Public input on standards and guidelines for Colorado was received
at a series of workshops conducted in early September 1995. Input has
also been received from Colorado BLM's Front Range, Southwest and
Northwest Resource Advisory Councils.
This notice invites additional public comment on the proposal to
develop standards and guidelines and to modify the affected Resource
Management Plans. Public comment is invited on the issues to be
addressed and alternatives to be considered in the Environmental Impact
Statement 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 the need for flexibility in standards and
guidelines.
Three preliminary alternatives have been identified: the
continuation of current management as provided for in existing land use
plans, the application of the fallback standards and guidelines
contained in the regulations (No Action), and the adoption of standards
and guidelines developed locally and in consultation with Colorado
BLM's three Resource Advisory Councils.
The NEPA analysis will be conducted using an interdisciplinary team
that includes persons trained in archaeology, economics, plant ecology,
hydrology, soil science, range management, and wildlife management.
Dated: October 26, 1995.
Donald R. Glaser,
State Director, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 95-27583 Filed 11-7-95; 8:45 am]
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