[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16888]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[ID-035-1110-00]
Revised Notice of Intent To Amend the Medicine Lodge Resource
Management Plan (RMP)
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Revision of the original Notice of Intent to amend the Medicine
Lodge RMP, and to prepare the supporting environmental assessment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In November, 1996, the BLM received requests from Fremont and
Jefferson Counties to modify the terms and conditions of their existing
rights-of-way for the Egin-Hamer Road. On December 19, 1996, the BLM
published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to consider
amending the Medicine Lodge RMP. The scoping process officially ended
on January 31, 1997. The right-of-way modifications proposed by the
Counties would eliminate the existing seasonal closure from December 1
through March 31 and allow the road to remain open year-round, subject
to terms and conditions appropriate for protecting wintering elk.
Modifying the seasonal limitations of the rights-of-way would require
amending the Medicine Lodge RMP. An environmental assessment will be
prepared to analyze the effects of the proposed right-of-way
modifications and land use plan amendment.
Based on formal scoping a new alternative was developed following
collaboration among the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, BLM and both
Counties. The new alternative to be analyzed is based upon (a)
eliminating the current seasonal road closure as the Counties desire,
(b) seasonally restricting human entry to existing main roads only
within approximately 200,000 acres of BLM-administered land on both
sides of the Egin-Hamer Road and (c) terms and conditions appropriate
for protecting wintering elk. Securing a seasonal, area-wide closure on
federal, state and private lands would require a combined effort by the
BLM, Idaho Department of Lands and the Counties involved. County
ordinances would be needed to enforce a closure on private lands. The
contention is that such an alternative would allow year-round use of
the road for the general public without increasing the net disturbance
to wintering elk. Seasonal closure of land adjacent to the Egin-Hamer
Road would also require amending the current land use plan and will,
therefore, be considered in this Proposed Amendment/EA.
DATES: Although the scoping period has officially ended, several open
houses are scheduled. Should unanticipated events require rescheduling
any or all of the open houses, the changes will be noticed in local
newspapers and letters to interested parties no less than 1 week prior
to the revised date(s). Public open houses are scheduled to be held at
the following locations and times:
(1) 7/17/97 (Thursday)--Fremont County Courthouse, 1-5 p.m. and 7-9
p.m.
(2) 7/18/97 (Friday)--Jefferson County Courthouse, 1-5 p.m. and 7-9
p.m.
(3) 7/21/97 (Monday)--Clark County Courthouse, 1-5 p.m. and 7-9
p.m.
The open houses will allow the Counties, IDF&G and BLM to
collectively provide information about the proposal to the public and
to answer questions about the Counties' proposal prior to BLM
completing and mailing the Proposed Amendment/EA. When completed
(current time frame of August, 1997) the BLM will mail the Proposed
Amendment/EA to members of the interested public for a 30-day review
and comment period.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Gardetto, Bureau of Land
Management, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401. (208) 524-
7545.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1988, rights-of-way were issued to
Fremont County and Jefferson County for use along the Egin-Hamer Road.
The 10-mile gravel road connects the communities of Egin and Hamer in
southeastern Idaho (T.7N., R.38E., Boise Meridian). As early as 1983
concerns about effects of vehicle travel on wintering elk populations
prompted an eventual amendment to the Medicine Lodge Resource
Management Plan. The September 1987 amendment closed the area to
vehicle use from December 1 through March 31 of each year. The current
seasonal closure of the Egin-Hamer Road, itself, was incorporated as
one of the terms and conditions to the rights-of-way issued to the
Counties.
Dated: June 19, 1997.
Joe Kraayenbrink,
Area Manager, Medicine Lodge Resource Area.
[FR Doc. 97-16888 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P