[Federal Register: June 25, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 122)]
[Notices]
[Page 42796]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25jn02-74]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CO-110-1060-DU]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment and Plan
Amendment
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA)
for an Amendment to the White River Resource Management Plan (RMP)
Regarding Management of Wild Horses in the West Douglas Herd Area.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), White River Field Office
proposes to prepare an EA and consider an amendment to the White River
RMP regarding management of wild horses in the West Douglas Herd Area.
The purpose of this planning process is to identify the most
appropriate strategy for management of wild horses in the West Douglas
Herd Area of the White River Resource Area, while protecting resource
values, providing for multiple uses, and improving the health of public
lands. The planning process will allow BLM, with integrated public
involvement, to develop and conduct detailed analysis of a full range
of alternatives specifically focused on wild horses and other resources
within this herd area. BLM has determined that such detail and focus
may not have been sufficiently addressed and documented in the current
RMP, which has a resource-area-wide scope. BLM will hold public
meetings in Rangely and Grand Junction, CO, to share information and
identify specific concerns and issues pertaining to this plan
amendment.
DATES: The official public scoping period for this planning effort
commences with the publication of this notice. The public is invited to
submit scoping comments to the address listed below until August 26,
2002. BLM will publish exact dates, times, and locations for public
meetings through media announcements, internet postings, and mailings
at least 15 days in advance of the meetings.
ADDRESSES: Send scoping comments to the White River Field Office,
Bureau of Land Management, 73544 Hwy 64, Meeker, CO 81641, or e-mail
scott--pavey@co.blm.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The West Douglas Herd Area is located in Rio
Blanco County, within the southwestern portion of the White River
Resource Area in Northwestern Colorado. It contains 123,390 acres of
public, and 4,754 acres of private land. The herd area also encompasses
Texas and Oil Spring Mountains; portions of Douglas, Missouri, and
Texas Creek Watersheds; a portion of the Oil Springs Mountain
Wilderness Study Area; and a portion of the Canyon Pintado National
Historic District.
BLM invites the public to identify issues that they feel should be
addressed during the planning process. Thus far, BLM has identified the
following preliminary issues:
Issue 1: Wild Horse Management. Have all reasonable management
options been considered and analyzed? Do management alternatives meet
statutory requirements?
Issue 2: Wilderness. Can wild horse management activities and
wilderness values within Oil Spring Mountain Wilderness Study Area co-
exist?
Issue 3: Oil and Gas Development. Will there be additional
stipulations for oil and gas development? Will oil and gas development
cause wild horses to disperse into areas outside of the herd area?
Issue 4: Forage Allocation. What proportions of available forage
should be allocated to livestock, wild horses, and wildlife?
Public participation will be an essential component of this
planning process. Anyone wishing to be placed on the BLM mailing list
for this action should contact the person listed below or mail a letter
containing contact information to the White River Field Office (address
listed earlier in this notice). BLM will review all comments and take
them into consideration when developing the Environmental Assessment
and the plan amendment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Pavey, Planning and
Environmental Coordinator, White River Field Office (970) 878-3831, E-
mail: scott--pavey@co.blm.gov.
Dated: March 25, 2001.
James A. Cagney,
Associate Field Manager.
Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the
Federal Register on June 20, 2002.
[FR Doc. 02-16010 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P