2017-04571. Notice of Public Meeting for the Steens Mountain Advisory Council

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) will host a meeting.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Friday, March 17, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The meeting may end early if all business items are accomplished ahead of schedule, or may be extended if discussions warrant more time.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the BLM's Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tara Thissell, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM Burns District Office, 28910 Highway 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738, [phone], or email [e-mail]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1(800) 877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The service 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:

The SMAC was established on August 14, 2001, pursuant to the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-399). The SMAC provides counsel and advice to the BLM regarding new and unique approaches to management of the land within the boundaries of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA), recommends cooperative programs and incentives for landscape management that meet human needs, and advises the BLM on maintenance and improvement of the ecological and economic integrity of the area.

Agenda items for the March 16-17, 2017, session include, but are not limited to: An update from the Designated Federal Official; discussion of access to private inholdings in the CMPA; presentations and discussion on prescribed fire and post-fire rehabilitation in the Steens Mountain area, the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project, and the Greater Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plan amendments; a subcommittee report and discussion on public access at Pike Creek Canyon; and regular business items, such as approving the previous meeting's minutes, a member round-table, and planning the next meeting's agenda. Any other matters that may reasonably come before the SMAC may also be included, such as program status updates and follow up items from previous meetings.

A public comment period will be available on both meeting days. Unless otherwise approved by the SMAC Chair, the public comment period will last no longer than 30 minutes, and each speaker may address the SMAC for a maximum of five minutes.

Rhonda Karges,

Andrews/Steens Resource Area Field Manager.