[Federal Register: December 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 236)]
[Notices]
[Page 63548-63549]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07de01-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CO-130-01-1610-DS-241A]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management(BLM) announces its intent to
prepare a management plan for the CCNCA. This notice initiates the
public scoping, the planning review process; and the EIS associated
with completion of the CCNCA Management Plan. The Act establishing the
CCNCA directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a
``comprehensive plan for the long-range protection and management of
the Conservation Area'' by October 24, 2003.
DATES: The formal scoping comment period will commence with the
publication of this notice and end 60 days after publication of this
notice. Comments on issues, alternatives, and the preliminary planning
criteria to be addressed in the CCNCAManagement Plan and EIS should be
received on or before the end of the scoping period at the address
listed below. During this formal scoping comment period, an open house
will be held in Grand Junction, Colorado, where BLM personnel will be
available to respond to questions and provide other information
pertaining to the preparation of the documents. There will be
subsequent public review periods and open houses where additional
public comment will be requested, including a formal comment period on
the draft EIS/CCNCA Management Plan. At least 15 days public notice
will be given for the open houses or other public meetings. Written
comments will be accepted throughout the planning process at the
address shown below. All open house and comment deadlines will be
announced through the local news media, newsletters and on the CCNCA
website (http://www.co.blm.gov/gjra/ccnca/ccncahome.htm).
ADDRESSES: For further information, to provide written comments, or to
be placed on the mailing list, contact Bureau of LandManagement, CCNCA
RMP Amendment, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction,Colorado 81506; e-mail
Jane__Ross@co.blm.gov; Telephone (970) 244-3000. Individual respondents
may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name and/or
address
[[Page 63549]]
from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information
Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written
comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. We
will not, however, consider anonymous comments. All submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or
businesses, are available for public inspection in their entirety.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CCNCA is located in both Colorado and
Utah, and preparation of the CCNCA plan may involve amendment of both
the Grand Junction RMP in Colorado and the Grand RMP in Utah. The Grand
Junction Field Office, located in Colorado, is responsible for
management of the CCNCA and preparation of the CCNCA plan. The BLM will
work closely with interested parties to identify the management
discussions that are best suited to the needs of the public. This
collaborative process will take into account local, regional, and
national needs and concerns. The Act establishing the 122,300 acre
CCNCA in western Colorado and eastern Utah was signed into law by the
President on October 24, 2000. The purpose of the Act is to conserve,
protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and
future generations the unique and nationally important values of the
public lands in the CCNCA, including geology, recreation, cultural,
paleontological, biological, wilderness, wildlife, educational, and
scenic resources. The Act also designates 75,550 acres of the CCNCA as
the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Area. There are 5,500 acres of the
CCNCA located in the state of Utah. The Grand Junction Field Office in
Colorado will coordinate with the Moab Field Office in Utah during
preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan.
Management of the CCNCA is currently guided by the Ruby Canyon/
Black Ridge Integrated Management Plan completed in March 1998. The
Grand Junction RMP and the Grand RMP, in addition to several activity
level management plans, include other decisions affecting the CCNCA. On
February 13, 2001, the BLM Colorado State Director issued interim
guidance for management of the CCNCA pending completion of the final
Management Plan. All of these documents will be reviewed during
preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan.
The CCNCA Plan and associated EIS will be prepared by an
interdisciplinary team. Disciplines to be represented on the team
include: Archaeology, botany, fisheries, geology, hydrology,
paleontology, range management, realty, recreation, soils, wilderness,
and wildlife. Pursuant to the Act establishing the CCNCA, an advisory
council is currently being established to advise the BLM the management
of the CCNCA. The advisory council is also anticipated to take an
active role in preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan.
Preliminary issues identified by the BLM for the CCNCA plans
include travel management, recreation, use authorizations such as
rights-of-ways and grazing, management of natural resources, wilderness
stewardship, and integration of the CCNCA Management Plan with other
agency and community plans. Public involvement gained through the
initial scoping comment period will be utilized to refine these topics
and identify any additional issues to be evaluated.
Planning criteria are the standards, rules, and other factors used
in formulating judgements about data collection, analysis, and decision
making associated with preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan. These
criteria establish parameters and help focus preparation of the effort.
Public comment is also welcomed on the following preliminary planning
criteria, which will be utilized in the preparation of the CCNCA
Management Plan.
A. The CCNCA Management Plan will be completed in compliance with
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and all other applicable
laws.
B. The project team will work cooperatively with the States of
Colorado and Utah, tribal governments, county and municipal
governments, other Federal agencies, and all other interested groups,
agencies, and individuals. Public participation will be encouraged
throughout the process.
C. Completion of the CCNCA Management Plan will include preparation
of an EIS that will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.
D. The CCNCA Management Plan will evaluate valid existing rights in
the various alternative management schemes.
E. The lifestyles and concerns of area residents, including the
activities of grazing, recreational use, off-highway vehicle use, and
wilderness management will be addressed in the CCNCA Management Plan.
F. Preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan will involve
coordination with Native American tribal governments and will provide
strategies for the protection of recognized traditional uses.
G. Decisions in the CCNCA Management Plan will strive to be
compatible with existing plans and policies of adjacent local, State
and Federal agencies.
H. The CCNCA Management Plan will comply with the legislative
directives, needs, and obligations set forth by the legislation
establishing the CCNCA.
Catherine Robertson,
Field Manager, Grand Junction Field Office.
[FR Doc. 01-30322 Filed 12-6-01; 8:45 am]
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