[Federal Register: April 12, 2010 (Volume 75, Number = 69)] [Notices] =20 [Page 18547-18548] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12ap10-96] =20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCAC06900.L17100000.DR0000] =20 Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Carrizo=20 Plain National Monument Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact=20 Statement AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability=20 of the Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP)=20 for the Carrizo Plain National Monument (CPNM), located in San Luis=20 Obispo and Kern counties in Central California. The California State=20 Director signed the ROD on April 10, 2010, which constitutes the final=20 decision of the BLM and makes the Approved RMP effective immediately. ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD/Approved RMP are available upon request=20 from the Field Manager, Bakersfield Field Office, Bureau of Land=20 Management, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308 or via the=20 Internet at ht= tp://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&a= mp;log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.ca.blm.gov/bakersfield. Copies = of the ROD/ Approved RMP are available for public inspection at the above location=20 and at the BLM California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento,=20 CA 95825. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Johna=20 Hurl, CPNM Manager, telephone (661) 391-6093; address Bakersfield Field=20 Office, Bureau of Land Management, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA=20 93308; e-mail johna_hurl@ca.blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CPNM encompasses 206,635 acres of BLM- administered public lands. This Approved RMP provides for the=20 protection of the significant natural and cultural resources identified=20 in the Presidential Proclamation establishing the CPNM. The decisions=20 promulgated in the RMP only apply to the BLM-administered public lands=20 and mineral estate within the Approved RMP's planning area. The RMP was=20 developed in cooperation with the BLM's managing partners (The Nature=20 Conservancy and California Department of Fish and Game), the CPNM=20 Advisory Committee, and the public. The RMP process considered four=20 alternatives including a no-action alternative. The primary issues=20 addressed include but are not limited to recreation, protection of=20 sensitive natural and cultural resources, livestock grazing, energy and=20 mineral development, and motorized vehicle routes. The Preferred Alternative in the Draft RMP/Draft Environmental=20 Impact Statement (EIS), published January 23, 2009, was revised to=20 address comments received during the 90-day public comment period. The=20 resultant alternative became the Proposed Plan in the Proposed RMP/ Final EIS, published on November 13, 2009, and has been carried forward=20 as the Approved RMP. Changes made from the Draft RMP to the Final RMP=20 in response to public comments include: An additional 13,181 acres to=20 be managed for wilderness characteristics, in addition to the 54,464=20 acres proposed in the Draft RMP preferred alternative; a requirement=20 that only street-legal vehicles, no off-highway vehicles, be allowed on=20 designated routes; and provisions to provide access for vehicles=20 operated by people with physical handicaps. Finally, language was=20 clarified regarding grazing and mineral rights. Three protests were received during the 30-day protest period=20 following the release of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS, each of which was=20 dismissed or denied by the BLM Director. Minor clarifications and=20 changes to the text were made between the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and=20 the ROD/Approved RMP, including clarifications to the protection of the=20 CPNM's vernal pool and sag pond habitats, and the application of the=20 mitigation measures listed in Appendices O and P, as appropriate (to be=20 performed in subsequent site-specific NEPA processes). The California Governor's Office did not identify any=20 inconsistencies between the Proposed RMP/Final EIS and State or local=20 plans, policies, and programs following the 60-day Governor's=20 Consistency Review (initiated November 13, 2009) in accordance with=20 planning regulations at 43 CFR, Part 1610.3-2(e). The BLM has determined that this ROD/Approved RMP provides for=20 long-term protection of the CPNM's values, while allowing for=20 authorized uses, recreation activities, scientific studies, and=20 interpretive facilities. The ROD/Approved RMP contains decisions that identify initial=20 management treatments in particular habitats and vegetative=20 communities, identify wildland fire objectives and appropriate response=20 levels, limit use on routes located in areas managed for wilderness=20 characteristics, require permits for aerial sports (e.g., hang gliding,=20 skydiving, hobby aircraft), provide for guided tours at Painted Rock,=20 and define the priority, [[Page 18548]] framework, and evaluation/approval process for research projects within=20 the CPNM. These decisions, which are contained in Attachment C of the=20 ROD/Approved RMP, are implementation decisions and are appealable under=20 43 CFR part 4. Any party adversely affected by an implementation decision may=20 appeal within 30 days of publication of this Notice of Availability=20 pursuant to 43 CFR, part 4, subpart E. The appeal must be filed with=20 the Bakersfield Field Manager at the above listed address. Please=20 consult the appropriate regulations (43 CFR, part 4, subpart E) for=20 further appeal requirements. Timothy Z. Smith, Field Manager, Bakersfield Field Office. Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6. [FR Doc. 2010-8434 Filed 4-8-10; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4310-40-P