 CALIFORNIA NEWS
Los Angeles Water & Power Pine Tree Wind Energy Project
Dec 1, 2004 -Los Angeles Water & Power (LADWP) and the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) are asking for public comments on a draft Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) and Environmental Assessment (EA). The proposed project is 12 miles
north of Mojave, six miles west of Highway 14, and 15 miles east of Tehachapi on private
land. Access to turbine sites will use existing and new roads.
Letter to Interested Parties
April 2004 Notice of Preparation
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Management Strategy
Nov. 18, 2004 -The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today released an environmental
assessment (EA) and proposed plan amendment of the California Desert Conservation
Area Plan to adopt the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Rangewide Management Strategy, 2003
Revision, an Arizona-California Conservation Strategy.
Press Release
Cover Letter
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Rangewide Management Strategy
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Enviromental Assessment
June 21, 2004 Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF
King Range Plan Released
Nov 12, 2004 -The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a
proposed resource management plan and final environmental impact
statement for the King Range National Conservation Area on California's
north coast. The proposed plan/final EIS is based on a draft management
plan/EIS released for public comment last January. The BLM analyzed
public comments and suggestions in development of the proposed plan.
DEIS/FEIS/FINAL PLAN BLM WEB PAGE
Clear Creek Management Area Plan
Oct. 14, 2004 -Notice of extension of comment period for the Draft
Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (Draft RMP/Draft EIS) for the Clear Creek
Management Area, Hollister Field Office, California.
Federal Register Extension Notice HTML,
PDF
Federal Register Original Notice HTML,
PDF
California Coastal National Monument
Sep 17, 2004 - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft
Resource Management Plan (RMP)/Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the California Coastal National Monument (CCNM) that is now
available for public review.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF
Federal Register Notice Correction HTML,
PDF
Algodones Dunes-Peirson's milk-vetch
Aug 4, 2004 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will publish a final rule identifying
21,863 acres of land in the Algodones Dunes as critical habitat for Peirson's milk-vetch .
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF
BLM Bishop to Prepare Plan
May 25, 2004 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Proposed Resource Management Plan
Amendment and Associated Environmental Assessment for the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM), Bishop Field Office, Located in Eastern California
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF
The Northern and Eastern Mojave Desert Land Use Plan (NEMO)
May 14, 2004 - NEMO proposed Routes of Travel Plan, which encompasses
approximately 1.3 million acres of public lands in Inyo, San Bernardino
and Mono counties, is available to the public at http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow
initiating the 30-day protest period.
Go to May 14, 2004 press release
The NEMO planning area encompasses 3.3 million acres of land of which 2.7 million acres are
public lands. This spectacularly diverse area is located in the Mojave Desert within the CDCA.
The planning effort began in September 1995 and has been developed in response to USFWS recovery
plans for the federally and state listed desert tortoise and Amargosa vole, and taking into account
changes made to the CDCA Plan in light of the legislative provisions of the 1994 CDPA.
Go to Record of Decision Approving the Plan.
Federal Register Notice for draft/final plan August 23, 2002.
Southern California Forests
May 4, 2004 - The Forest Service has released four draft Forest Plans and associated draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS). The Forest Plans and DEIS are available for public review and comment.
The Forest Service will host a series of open houses regarding their planning effort. The open house
schedule, copies of the DEIS, the draft Forest Plans are available on the following website:
www.fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr.
Past Documents:
September 24, 2001 Federal Register Notice
Newsletters
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Final Plan & Record of Decision
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS)
announce the availability of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National
Monument Proposed Management Final Plan and Record of Decision (ROD).
April 9, 2004 Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Wind Energy in Northern California
BLM, Ukiah Field Office, will be directing the preparation of a plan amendment
and EIS and conducting public scoping meetings in response to a right-of-way application filed
by GE Wind energy, LLC. GE Wind Energy proposes an array of wind turbines and ancillary
facilities including buried power lines, access roads, an electric substation and transmission line
interconnect in the Walker Ridge Area of Lake and Colusa Counties, California.
Go to
Aug 2003 Federal Register Notice.
NE Colorado Plan
The NECO Planning Area comprises 5.5 million acres of private, Federal and state land. The majority of the
Planning Area land is public land, with a total of 3.8 million acres.
BLM approved NECO which amends the CDCA Plan for a 5.5 million acre area in the
southeastern part of the CDCA and provides for conservation of desert
ecosystems for federal lands in the planning area on a landscape
basis--for BLM lands, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Chocolate
Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range, managed by the U.S. Marine Corps Yuma
Air Station.
Go to Record of Decision Approving the Plan.
Go to Aug 2, 2002 Federal Register Notice.
GAO Releases Desert Tortoise Report
(December 2002)
Since the 1980s, biologists have been concerned about declines in the Mojave
Desert Tortoise, which ranges through millions of acres in the western
United States. The tortoise was listed as threatened in 1990 and despite $100 million
spent to date to address the issue, the population is on the decline.
Go to GAO report.
China Lake Naval Weapons Station (NAWS)
NAWS is hosting a series of public
hearings to receive comments on its Draft Environmental Impact Statement for
Proposed Military Operational Increases and Implementation of Associated Management
Plans.
Go to Jan 3, 2002 Federal Register Notice.
West Colorado Plan
Jan 31, 2003 - BLM has released the proposed plan amendment to the California Desert
Conservation Area Plan for off-road vehicle trail (route of travel) designations
in the Western Colorado Desert (WECO) portion of Imperial County, Calif.
WECO Record of Decision
Federal Register Notices:
Proposed Plan Dec 13, 2002.
Draft Plan March 25, 2002.
Oct 18, 2002
Notice of Availability of a Draft Amendment and Associated
Environmental Assessment.
Oct 30, 2002,
Correction on comment date.
Rules for Long-Term Visitor Areas
Notice of Proposed Supplementary Rules on Public Lands Within
all Arizona and California for Long-Term Visitor Areas.
Dec 12, 2002 Federal Register Notice.
California Desert Southwest Transmission Line Project
Go to Aug 13, 2002 Federal Register Notice.
Panamint Range Drilling Plan
Dec 24, 2002 - BLM approved CR Briggs' Corporation exploration plan for public lands south of Ballarat,
California.
Go to FONSI/DECISION .
BLM released revised EA after public comments.
Go to Oct. 2002 revised EA.
Go to June 2002 Exploratory Drilling EA
Coachella/Santa Rosa Plan
Dec 27, 2002 - BLM approved the California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment for the Coachella Valle.
Go to Record of Decision Approving the Plan.
Go to Oct 17, 2002 Plan and EIS Federal Register Notice.
Go to May 31, 2002 Federal Register Notice.
Surprise Canyon ACEC EIS
Notice of intent to prepare an amendment to the California Desert
Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for Surprise Canyon in the Panamint Mountains, Inyo County, CA.
Go to May 30, 2002 Federal Register Notice.
See Previous Federal Register Notice published on May 29, 2001.
July 22, 2002 - BLM has scheduled five public scoping meetings to gather public comments and recommendations
on the preparation of draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and proposed amendment to the 1980 California Desert Conservation
Area Plan that will establish or revise off-highway vehicle route designation for Surprise Canyon, located in the Panamint Mountains
in Inyo County, CA (completed on August 6, 2002).
Go to Sep 3, 2002 Federal Register Notice
extending the scoping period.
U.S. Gypsum Plaster City
United States Gypsum (USG) has proposed the expansion and
modernization of USG's Plaster City wallboard manufacturing operations
and Fish Creek Quarry operations located in Imperial County,
California.
Federal Register Notice:
May 1, 2002.
U.S. Army's Ft. Irwin Expansion
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the National Training Center (NTC) Land
Expansion Proposal at Fort Irwin, California and Notice of Substitution
of Lead Agency.
Federal Register Notice:
October 16, 2001.
NATIONAL NEWS
Rawlins Resource Management Plan Revision EIS, Wyoming
Dec 17, 2004 -The BLM announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) for the Rawlins RMP Revision.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Buckman Water Diversion Project, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Dec 17, 2004 -The BLM and the FS are announcing the availability of
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Buckman Water
Diversion Project.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Hoosier National Forest Tell City Windthrow 2004 Project
Dec 17, 2004 - The Forest Service, Tell City Ranger District will prepare a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental
consequences of the proposed Tell City Windthrow 2004 Project (a salvage
harvesting and prescribed burning proposal).
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Draft Supplemental EIS (SEIS) for the Golden Sunlight Mine, Jefferson County, Montana
Dec 16, 2004 -BLM is making available the SDEIS which addresses
alternatives and potential impacts and mitigating measures associated
with Golden Sunlight Mine's proposed pit backfill.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Upper Granite Mining Projects; Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Baker County, Oregon
Dec 16, 2004 -The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) on a proposed action to approve Proposed Plans of
Operations on mining claims located in the Granite Creek Watershed. The
project area is located on the Whitman Unit of the Wallowa-Whitman
NF, approximately 30 miles west of Baker city, Oregon.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
BLM Oil and Gas Leasing in Campbell, Sheridan, and Johnson Counties, Wyoming.
Dec 16, 2004 -Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to
evaluate the continued implementation of the oil and gas leasing
decisions in the 1985 Buffalo Resource Management Plan (RMP), as
amended in 2003.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
BLM Oil and Gas Leasing of 421 identified parcels in Wyoming.
Dec 16, 2004 -Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to
evaluate the leasing for oil and gas of 421 identified parcels in
the Buffalo Resource Area leased since February 2000.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Final EIS for the Las Vegas Valley Disposal Area, Nevada
Dec 16, 2004 -BLM is making available the Final EIS for the transfer of title or authorize
uses of public land in the Las Vegas Valley.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Grand Valley, Colorado Emergency Shooting Closure
Dec 15, 2004 -As of the publication date of this notice, an emergency closure
to the discharge or use of a firearm or dangerous weapons for the purpose of target
shooting, is in effect on public lands administered by the Grand Junction Field Office of the
Bureau of Land Management.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
EIS for Sensitive Bird Species on Grazing Allotments in Nevada
Dec 8, 2004 -BLM is proposing to prepare an environmental impact statement on
sensitive bird species in three grazing allotments in Elko County, NV. The BLM is
preparing this EIS to comply with a court order issued on August 18, 2004.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Recreation Rules for Public Lands in Colorado
Nov 26, 2004 -BLM is proposing supplementary rules to regulate conduct on
specific public lands within Escalante Canyon in Montrose and Delta
Counties. The rules apply to the following Escalante Canyon recreation
sites: Escalante Bridge boat launch site, Escalante Canyon Area of
Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), and the Potholes Recreation
Area.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Recreation Rules for Public Lands in Arizona
Nov 26, 2004 -BLM is proposing a supplementary rule to apply to
the public lands administered by the Arizona State Office. The
rule addresses the illegal use of alcohol on public lands. The
BLM needs this supplementary rule to protect natural resources
and the health and safety of public land users.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Randolph Management Framework Plan-Utah
Nov 26, 2004 -The BLM is proposing to amend the Randolph Management
Framework Plan (MFP) affecting public lands located in the Rich County,
Utah.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Potential for Oil Shale Development
Nov 22, 2004 -The BLM seeks public input on the terms to be included in
leases of small tracts for oil shale research and development within
the Piceance Creek Basin, northwestern Colorado; the Uinta Basin,
southeastern Utah: and the Green River and Washakie Basins, western
Wyoming. Comments due no later than December 22, 2004.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Little Snake Resource Management Plan/EIS
Nov 18, 2004 -BLM Colorado, is providing notice that it intends to prepare an
Resource Management Plan (RMP)
and associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Little
Snake Field Office. The planning area is located in Northwest Colorado
in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco Counties.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Carlsbad and Roswell Resource Management Plan Amendment/EIS
Nov 18, 2004 -BLM New Mexico, is providing notice of it's intent to prepare
a RMPA with an associated EIS for the Carlsbad and Roswell Field
Offices. This RMPA will amend two RMPs: Carlsbad 1988 (as amended) and
Roswell 1997.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
National Sage-Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy
Nov 16, 2004-The Department of the Interior’s BLM today unveiled
the final version of an interim national strategy outlining additional steps that it will take to maintain,
enhance and restore sage-grouse habitat on America’s public lands:
Press Release
Nov 2004 Questions & Answers
1.3.1 Guidance for Addressing Sagebrush
Habitat Conservation in BLM Land Use Plans
1.4.1 Guidance for the Management of Sagebrush
Plant Communities for Sage-Grouse Conservation
Nov 2004 National Sage-Grouse Habitat
Conservation Strategy
..(April 16, 2004) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that substantial biological
information exists to warrant a more in-depth examination of the status of greater sage grouse.
This finding will commence with a full status review of the species, and once the review is complete,
the Service will determine whether to propose listing the species as either threatened or endangered.
Jun 2004 Questions & Answers
Timeline
2003 documents:
Press Release
Questions & Answers
Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy
Fire, Fuels and Vegetation EIS
Nov 5, 2004 -BLM Idaho, Upper Snake River District has
prepared a Fire, Fuels, and Related Vegetation Management
Direction Draft Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact
Statement (Draft Plan Amendment/EIS) to consider management
direction for fire, fuels, and related uses of vegetation. The Draft Plan
Amendment/EIS is available for public review and comment.
Federal Register Notice HTML,
PDF.
Solar Energy Development on America’s Public Lands
Oct 21, 2004 -BLM announced a new land-management policy
designed to encourage the development of solar energy resources
on America’s public lands. The new Solar Energy Development
Policy establishes a framework for land managers to use in
processing right-of-way applications for solar energy development
projects on public lands administered by the Interior Department’s
Bureau of Land Management.
A 2003 BLM and the U.S. Department
of Energy report assessed the potential for renewable energy
resources on public lands managed by the BLM in 11 Western
states. The 2003 report identified the top 25 BLM areas with high
solar energy development potential. BLM will use this information in
current and future land-use planning to prepare for development of
solar energy on public lands.
2003 BLM Solar Report
Questions & Answers About 2003 BLM Solar Report
Acceptance of Electronic Forms and Digital Signatures
Oct 1, 2004 -The Bureau of Land Management has issued a Notice
will accept the electronic submission of forms, including the use of
digital signatures where practicable..
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Chapita Wells-Stagecoach Area Gas Development Project-Utah
Oct 1, 2004 -The Bureau of Land Management has issued a Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) on the Chapita Wells-Stagecoach Area Gas Development Project,
Uintah County, UT.
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
BLM Wind Energy Initiative
September 9, 2004 - BLM has completed a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to
evaluate issues associated with wind energy development on western public lands
(excluding Alaska) administered by the federal agency. The BLM will accept written comments on the Draft
Programmatic EIS postmarked by December 10, 2004, and electronic comments via the web site received
by December 10, 2004.
draft EIS
Go to Sep. 10, 2004 Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Go to Oct 17, 2003 Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Wind Energy EIS Web Site
To get a copy of the report, titled "Assessing the Potential for Renewable
Energy on Public Lands, Feb. 2003" go to
Wind Energy Page
BLM Land Use Planning
Aug 9, 2004 - BLM is making the latest revision
of the Land Use Planning Handbook (1st proposed in 2000) available to the public.
There is no formal public comment period, however, the BLM will consider all
constructive comments from the public during the 30-day internal review period.
2004 documents:
IB 2004-128, Request for Comments
Revised Land Use Planning Handbook-ib2004-128attach2
ib2004-128 attach1
Questions & Answers
2002 & 2003 related documents:
Nov 2002 Newsletter
Summary of Public Comments
Time Sensitive Plans
Plans by State
Small Map of Current Plans
Large Map of Current Plans.
Roadless Area Protection-Interim directive
July 16, 2004 - The Forest Service is reinstating interim directive (ID) 1920-
2001-1 (issued Dec. 14, 2001, and expired June 14, 2003) for the
management of inventoried roadless areas.
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Related to this action is the Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comment
on State Petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area Management.
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Mining Claims-Interim rule
July 9, 2004 - The Forest Service is requesting public comments on an
interim rule regarding mining claims. Specifically, clarfication to when a Notice
of Intent and/or Plan of Operations Is Needed for Locatable Mineral Operations
on National Forest System Lands.
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
NEPA-Proposed Revision
July 6, 2004 - The Forest Service is revising procedures for implementing the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for certain actions, which can
be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental
assessment or an environmental impact statement.
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Mining Claims-Final Rule
July 1, 2004 - The Bureau of Land Management is issuing a final rule to amend regulations on locating,
recording, and maintaining mining claims or sites. In this rule, BLM is adopting
this final rule to make adjustments in the mining law fees, as required by 30 U.S.C. 28j(c).
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
National Fire Plan
May 25, 2004 - Federal agencies proposed Alternative Consultation Agreements pursuant
to the joint counterpart regulations for consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to streamline consultation on
proposed projects that support the National Fire Plan (NFP).
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
Watershed Forestry Assistance Program
May 25, 2004 -The Forest Service is announcing its intent to prepare an
interim final guideline, in cooperation with the State Foresters and
with involvement of the public, for the implementation of the Watershed
Forestry Assistance Program, as authorized by Title III, section 302,
of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-148).
Federal Register Notice
HTML,
PDF
BLM Proposes Changes to Grazing Rules
In an effort to improve its management of the public rangelands, the Department of the Interior-BLM
is proposing a new rule that would improve grazing management and help continue public lands ranching
in the rural West.
Fact Sheet on Grazing Rule
Timeline
Q & A on the Grazing Rule
Dec 8, 2003 Grazing RuleHTML
PDF
Federal Register Notice March 10, 2003 HTML
PDF
Federal Register Notice March 3, 2003 HTML
PDF
Federal Register Notice March 3, 2003 HTML
PDF
NEPA Scoping March 3, 2003 HTML
PDF
Jan. 30, 2003 Press Release.
Mining Law; 3809 Regulations & Size of Millsites
On October 10, 2003, the Department of the Interior reversed a
1997 policy on limiting the size of millsites associated with mining operations.
Go to Press Release
Read the Congressional Research Service report
CRS-The Mining Law Millsite Debate
Other dox:
Go to Dec 4, 2002
Term Extension Affecting Notice-Level Operators.
Go to Sept 12, 2002
Reminder of Regulatory Changes Affecting Notice-Level Operators.
Go to Oct 24, 2003 federal register notice HTML,
PDF Mining Claim Recordation.
Go to
June 3, 2002 Federal Register Notice.
Go to Apr 12, 2002 Puplic comment-Federal Register Notice.
Go to Oct 30, 2001 Final rule-Federal Register Notice.
Go to Oct 30, 2001 Proposed rule-Federal Register Notice.
Go to Jul 16, 1996 Federal Register Notice.
Go to Occupancy Issues.
Go to May 11, 1994 Federal Register Notice.
Go to Aug 30, 1994 Federal Register Notice.
BLM 2003 OHV Route Designation Clarification
On October 1, 2003, BLM issued directions intended to increase the amount of time BLM
field personnel can take to designate roads and trails in limited areas when they cannot be designated
before completion of land use plans - referred to by BLM as resource management plans (RMPs).
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