[Federal Register: September 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 172)]
[Notices]               
[Page 51646-51647]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04se08-59]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AK-024-08-1610-DQ-089L]

 
Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Kobuk-
Seward Peninsula Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact 
Statement (RMP/EIS)

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Record of Decision.

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SUMMARY: The BLM announces the availability of the Record of Decision 
(ROD) and Approved RMP for the Kobuk-Seward Peninsula planning area, 
located in northwest Alaska. The State Director signed the ROD on 
September 4, 2008 which constitutes the final decision of the BLM and 
makes the approved RMP effective immediately.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Kobuk-Seward Peninsula ROD and Approved RMP 
are available on request from the Field Manager, Central Yukon Field 
Office, Bureau of Land Management, 1150 University Avenue, Fairbanks, 
AK 99709, or via the Internet at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.blm.gov/ak.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shelly Jacobson, Field Manager, 
Central Yukon Field Office, 1150 University Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 
99709, (907) 474-2200 or toll free (800) 437-7021.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Kobuk-Seward Peninsula RMP was developed 
with broad public participation through collaborative planning lasting 
more than four years. This ROD and Approved RMP addresses management of 
approximately 11.9 million acres of BLM-administered public land and 
mineral estate in the planning area. The Kobuk-Seward Peninsula ROD and 
Approved RMP are designed to achieve or maintain desired future 
conditions developed through planning. It includes a series of 
management actions to meet the desired resource conditions for upland 
and riparian vegetation, wildlife habitats, cultural and visual 
resources, and recreation.
    The Kobuk-Seward Peninsula Approved RMP is the same as Alternative 
D in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS, published in September 2007

[[Page 51647]]

with the exception of certain modifications and clarifications. The BLM 
received six protests to the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. Four of those who 
submitted protests were determined to have standing and the BLM 
Director resolved the protests without requiring significant changes to 
decisions in the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. The modifications and 
clarifications to the proposed plan are outlined in the ROD.
    No inconsistencies with State or local plans, policies, or programs 
were identified during the Governor's consistency review of the 
Proposed RMP/Final EIS.
    The ROD and Approved RMP include a decision requiring air taxi 
operators and transporters to obtain commercial permits to operate in 
the Squirrel River Special Recreation Management Area. This decision is 
found in section III.D. Implementation Decisions of the ROD. This is an 
implementation-level decision appealable to the Interior Board of Land 
Appeals (IBLA) under 43 CFR Part 4. Any party adversely affected by 
this decision may appeal within 30 days of publication of this Notice 
of Availability pursuant to 43 CFR Part 4, Subpart E. Please consult 
the appropriate regulations for further information on the appeal 
requirements.

    Authority: H-1790-1 National Environmental Policy Act Handbook--
January 30, 2008.

Vincent Galterio,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. E8-20406 Filed 9-3-08; 8:45 am]

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