[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18143-18144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9457]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[NV-040-1510-00]
Ely District Proposed Fire and Vegetative Resource Management
Plan and Environmental Documentation
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Modify Fire Management Plan and Other
Planning Documents As Necessary, Ely District, Nevada.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management, Ely District, Nevada intends to
modify its current Fire Management Plan and, if necessary, existing
land use plans, including a Resource Management Plans (RMP), and two
Management Framework Plans (MFPs) and to prepare appropriate National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for the adoption of a Fire
Management Plan (FMP). The purpose of the FMP is to provide the
framework for the reintroduction of fire into the ecosystem while
maintaining first priority on protection of human life, and secondary
priority on protection of property and natural and cultural resources.
Public comment is sought on identification of issues, alternatives that
should be considered, and the level of analysis which would be
appropriate under the NEPA.
DATES: Comments will be accepted throughout the process of modifying
plans and preparation of NEPA analysis. However, comments received
after May 28, 1997 may not be reflected in the alternatives considered
in any preliminary NEPA analysis.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Dunn, Fire Management Officer,
Bureau of Land Management, Ely District Office, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely,
NV 89301; Telephone (702) 289-1920.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Wildland Fire Policy and Program
Review was completed to address issues of firefighter safety, as well
as costs, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies between federal agencies
involved in wildland fire suppression. Among the results of that review
is a standardization of policies and procedures among Federal agencies,
including the determination that wildland fire, as a critical natural
process, must be reintroduced into the ecosystem. The Bureau of Land
Management, Ely District intends to develop objectives through a
Technical Review Team, and supported by resource professionals, which
will integrate fire into resource management; including fire
suppression, prescribed fire, fuels management and public education
(including fire prevention) without regard to administrative
boundaries. Because the Technical Review Team will include private
property owners, all of the affected land managing agencies (County,
State and Federal), and interested land users, the preliminary fire
management objectives will be developed through consensus to apply to
all lands without regard to administrative jurisdiction to permit a
comprehensive and realistic approach to fire and vegetative resource
management.
At this point, it is uncertain what level of plan modification will
be needed, if any. Land use plans affected by actions within the Ely
District include the Egan Resource Management Plan, Schell Management
Framework Plan, and Caliente Management Framework Plan. The level of
environmental analysis appropriate under the Council on Environmental
Quality's regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR part 1500) is
undetermined pending the outcome of the Technical Review Team's
recommendations. Should it be determined that no environmental
[[Page 18144]]
impact statement is needed, NEPA analysis will be accomplished through
an environmental assessment or an administrative determination.
Public input on issues and alternatives for the fire and vegetative
resource management plan will be forthcoming through the Technical
Review Team's efforts. This notice invites additional public comment on
the proposal to modify the Fire Management Plan, and affected land use
plans, if applicable.
Preliminary issues identified include: human health and safety;
protection of property; protection of natural and cultural resources;
use of fire to enhance biodiversity, stabilize soils, and promote
ecological health; maintenance or improvement of rangeland health in
accordance with established standards; and the proper role of fire in
areas managed for wilderness values. No preliminary alternatives have
been identified.
Dated: April 2, 1997.
Gene A. Kolkman,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-9457 Filed 4-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
