[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49498-49499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23679]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[UT080-09-1310-00]
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Amending the
Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan, Utah
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental assessment for
amending the Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan (RMP) by changing oil
and gas leasing categories on crucial mule deer winter range.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, the Utah Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field
Office will be writing an Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposed
amendment to the Book Cliffs RMP that covers portions of Uintah County,
Utah. The amendment would change the oil and gas leasing category on
162,500 acres of crucial mule deer winter range from Category 1
(Standard Stipulations) to Category 2 (Special stipulations) for
protection of mule deer. Protective measures would include seasonal
restrictions, rehabilitation requirements, siting of oil and gas wells,
clustering of wells to reduce habitat disturbance and fragmentation,
and other mitigative measures.
Alternatives identified at this time include the proposed action
and the no action alternatives. Issues to be analyzed include impacts
on wildlife, minerals, cultural resources and special status plants and
animals. Potential impacts on Northern Ute tribal interests also will
be considered.
DATES: Public scoping comments relating to issues and potential
additional alternatives will be accepted for 30 days following the
publication date of this notice. Comments must be submitted on or
before October 13, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Scoping comments should be sent to Field Office Manager,
Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East,
Vernal, Utah 84078, ATTN: Book Cliffs RMP Amendment for Oil and Gas
Leasing Categories on Crucial Deer Winter Range.
Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents will
be available for public review at the BLM Vernal Field Office and will
be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
They may be published as part of the Environmental Assessment and other
related documents. Individual respondents may request confidentiality.
If you wish to withhold your name or street address from public review
and disclosure under the FOIA, you must state this prominently at the
beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the
extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be
made available for public inspection in their entirety.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1992, the Utah Division of Wildlife
Resources, in consultation with BLM wildlife biologists updated big
game habitat delineations in the Book Cliffs. The updated delineations
were the result of new and more detailed habitat information provided
by field biologists. Analysis of this new information permitted more
accurate identification and expansion of the boundaries of crucial mule
deer winter range. Because mule deer crucial winter range has now been
identified in areas presently offered for oil and gas leasing without
protective measures for mule deer, a plan amendment is being
considered.
[[Page 49499]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duane De Paepe (435) 781-4403 or e-
mail: ddepaepe@ut.blm.gov.
Dated: September 1, 1999.
Linda S. Colville,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 99-23679 Filed 9-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P
