[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3463-3464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01187]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-P040-2016-1711-PH-1000-241A]
Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the
Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona, and Prepare an Associated
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Lower Sonoran Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona, intends to prepare a
Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sonoran Desert National
Monument (SDNM). This notice announces the beginning of the scoping
process to solicit public comments and identify issues.
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP
amendment with an associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted
in writing until March 21, 2016. The date(s) and location(s) of scoping
meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local
news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at http://on.doi.gov/1JayaFm. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be
received prior to the close of the 60-day scoping period or 15 days
after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide
additional opportunities for public participation as appropriate.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria
related to the SDNM Amendment and EIS addressing Recreational Target
Shooting in the SDNM by any of the methods outlined below:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 623-580-5623
Mail: BLM, Sonoran Desert National Monument, 21605 North
7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Phoenix
District Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Scarbrough, Monument Manager,
telephone 623-580-5651; address 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
85027; email [email protected]. Contact Mr. Scarbrough to have your name
added to our mailing list. 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
Lower Sonoran Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona, intends to prepare an RMP
amendment addressing recreational target shooting in the SDNM with an
associated EIS, announces the beginning of the scoping process, and
seeks public input on issues and planning criteria. The planning area
is located in Maricopa and Pinal counties, Arizona and encompasses
approximately 486,400 acres of public land. 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 planning process. Preliminary issues for the plan amendment area
have been identified by BLM personnel and include: (1) Direct,
indirect, and cumulative impacts from target shooting on monument
objects and other resources; (2) impacts to surrounding areas resulting
from displacement of recreational target shooters if areas are closed;
(3) impacts to natural and cultural resources related to noise and
litter associated with recreational target shooting; and (4)
identification of opportunities to apply hierarchical mitigation
strategies for avoiding, minimizing, and, where compensatory mitigation
is appropriate, considering on-site, nearby, and regional locations as
it relates to recreational target shooting. Preliminary planning
criteria requires the BLM to ensure that there are no unnecessary data
collection and analyses; that the process is based on applicable law;
that the actions will be available for public comment; and that the BLM
will be flexible in making adjustments as situations and assessments
warrant.
You may submit comments on issues in writing to the BLM at any
public scoping meeting, or you may submit
[[Page 3464]]
them to the BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES
section above. To be most helpful, you should submit comments by the
close of the 60-day scoping period or within 15 days after the last
public meeting, whichever is later.
The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to
help fulfill the public involvement process under the National Historic
Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108), as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3).
The information about historic and cultural resources within the area
of potential effect of the proposed action will assist the BLM in
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the
proposed action that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate
in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by
the BLM to participate in the development of the EIS as a cooperating
agency.
Before including your address, phone number, email 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. The minutes and list of attendees for each scoping
meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days after the
meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he or she
expressed. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be addressed in
the plan, and will place them into one of three categories:
1. Issues to be resolved in the plan amendment;
2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action;
or
3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan amendment.
The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS as
to why an issue was placed in categories 2 or 3. The public is also
encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns that
should be addressed in the plan. The BLM will work collaboratively with
interested parties to identify management decisions that are best
suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns.
The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan
amendment in order to consider the variety of resource issues and
concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following
disciplines will be involved in the planning process: National
Conservation Lands designations, outdoor recreation, archaeology,
wildlife and fisheries, rangeland management, minerals and geology,
lands and realty, hydrology, soils, sociology, and economics.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2.
Edward J. Kender,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2016-01187 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P