[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 113 (Monday, June 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34250-34251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14496]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLNML00000 L16100000.DU0000]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the
Proposed Gila Lower Box Area of Critical Environmental Concern, Hidalgo
and Grant Counties, New Mexico and Possible Land Use Plan Amendment
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act
of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces
District Office, Las Cruces, New Mexico, intends to prepare an
Environmental Assessment (EA) and a possible amendment to the 1993
Mimbres Resource Management Plan (RMP), and by this notice is
announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public
comments and identify issues and planning criteria.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EA.
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until July 13, 2011. The
date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at
least 15 days in advance through local media, newspapers, and the BLM
Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Las_Cruces_District_Office.html. To be included in the EA, all comments must be received
prior to the close of the scoping period. We will provide additional
opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft
EA.
[[Page 34251]]
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria
related to the EA by any of the following methods:
Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Las_Cruces_District_Office/LCDO_Planning.html.
E-mail: [email protected].
Fax: 575-525-4412.
Mail: 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Las
Cruces District Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have
your name added to our mailing list, contact Jennifer Montoya,
telephone 575-525-4316; address 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, New
Mexico 88005; e-mail [email protected]. Persons who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above
individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM
Las Cruces District Office intends to prepare an EA and possible land
use plan amendment for the Mimbres Planning Area, announces the
beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input on issues and
planning criteria.
The BLM is currently considering expanding the boundary of the Gila
Lower Box Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), which would
allow the BLM to provide special management to an area with significant
scenic, cultural, and biological resources.
The public land proposed for management as an ACEC is currently not
part of the ACEC and is managed in accordance with the 1993 Mimbres
RMP. Therefore, the RMP may need to be amended to identify the public
land as suitable for ACEC designation. The public land is a portion of
and within the following areas:
New Mexico Principal Meridian
T. 19 S, R. 19 W.
T. 19 S, R. 20 W.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EA. At
present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues:
1. How should the BLM design management to enhance the watershed?
2. What management is needed to address the significant cultural
resources that occur in the watershed?
3. How should the BLM address land tenure in the area considering
the RMP directs the Las Cruces District Office to acquire all State
trust and private land in-holdings through exchange or purchase from
willing sellers?
4. How should the BLM address increased interest in renewable
energy development in the area?
5. How should the BLM address the eligibility of the Gila Lower Box
as a Wild and Scenic River?
6. Which lands would be appropriate for ACEC designation and what
management prescriptions should apply?
7. What potential impacts would this proposed action have on
neighboring private landowners?
8. What effects would this proposed action have on recreation and
tourism in the area?
9. What effects would this proposed action have on agricultural
activities in the area?
10. Which species will benefit from an expanded ACEC?
Authorization of this proposal requires amendment of the 1993
Mimbres RMP. By this notice, the BLM is complying with requirements in
43 CFR 1610.2(c) to notify the public of potential amendments to land
use plans, predicated on the findings of the EA. If a land use plan
amendment is necessary, the BLM will integrate the land use planning
process with the NEPA process for this project.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to
satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470f, as provided for in 36 CFR
800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal consultations will be conducted in
accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due
consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal,
State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be
interested or affected by the BLM's decision on this project are
invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may
request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating
agency.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 1610.2.
William Childress,
District Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 2011-14496 Filed 6-10-11; 8:45 am]
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