[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 28608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13259]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Santa Fe National Forest; New Mexico; Amendment of the Land 
Management Plan for Santa Fe National Forest

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA

ACTION: Notice of Forest Plan Amendment approval.

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SUMMARY: James Melonas, the Forest Supervisor for the Santa Fe National 
Forest, Southwest Region, signed the final Record of Decision (ROD) for 
the amendment to the Santa Fe National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan (Forest Plan Amendment). The final ROD documents the 
rationale for approving the Forest Plan Amendment and is consistent 
with the Reviewing Officer's response to objections and instructions.

DATES: The date of the Santa Fe's Forest Plan Amendment for Geothermal 
Leasing is July 20, 2018. The Santa Fe's Forest Plan Amendment for 
Geothermal Leasing, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), final ROD, 
and other supporting information, will be available for review at 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/santafe/landmanagement/projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Gore, Geologist, Santa Fe 
National Forest at 575-289-3264, ext. 2149. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. 
and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service, Southwestern Region, 
Santa Fe National Forest, prepared a Forest Plan Amendment for 
Geothermal Leasing. The purpose of the amendment is to implement 
discretionary and nondiscretionary leasing closures for geothermal 
resources. Pursuant to federal law, the Forest Service may reasonably 
regulate the use of the surface estate to minimize impacts on Forest 
Service surface resources. This amendment meets the purpose and need 
for the Proposed Action, while conforming to the requirements of the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-580). This is to facilitate 
timely processing of geothermal lease applications and Forest Service 
policies intended to minimize impacts on surface resources.
    A draft ROD and final EIS were released in December 2017, which 
were subject to a pre-decisional objection period. Two objections were 
received, with one being set aside from review in accordance with 36 
CFR 218.10(7) and the Reviewing Officer's responses to the objection 
issues were signed by the Acting Deputy Regional Forester (as Reviewing 
Officer for the Regional Forester) in March 2018. The final ROD to 
approve the Forest Plan Amendment for Geotheral Leasing for the Santa 
Fe National Forest has now been signed, and is available at the website 
described above.

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for the Santa Fe's Forest Plan Amendment 
for Invasive Plant Control on Santa Fe National Forest is James 
Melonas, Forest Supervisor, Santa Fe National Forest, 11 Forest Lane, 
Santa Fe, NM 87508.

    Dated: May 9, 2018.
Chris French,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2018-13259 Filed 6-19-18; 8:45 am]
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