[Federal Register: January 5, 2010 (Volume 75, Number = 2)] [Notices] =20 [Page 431-432] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05ja10-101] =20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNML00000 L16100000.DO0000] =20 Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan for the=20 Prehistoric Trackways National Monument, Las Cruces District Office,=20 New Mexico and Associated Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of=20 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act=20 of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las=20 Cruces District Office, Las Cruces, New Mexico, intends to prepare a=20 Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Environmental Impact=20 Statement (EIS) for the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument and by=20 this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to=20 solicit public comments and identify issues. The RMP will replace the=20 existing Mimbres RMP (1993). DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP=20 with associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing=20 until February 4, 2010. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings=20 will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media,=20 newsletters, and the BLM Web site at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi= ?from=3DleavingFR.html&log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.blm.gov/nm/s= t/en/fo/Las_Cruces_District_Office. html. In order to be included in = the=20 Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the=20 scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is=20 later. We will provide additional opportunities for [[Page 432]] public participation upon publication of the Draft RMP/EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria=20 related to Prehistoric Trackways National Monument RMP/EIS by any of=20 the following methods:Web site: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leavin= g.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.blm.gov= /nm/st/en/fo/Las_Cruces_District_Office.html. E-mail: lcfo_rmp@nm.blm.gov. Fax: (575) 525-4412. Mail: BLM, Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess=20 Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Las=20 Cruces District Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have=20 your name added to our mailing list, contact Lori Allen; telephone=20 (575) 525-4454; address BLM, Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess=20 Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005; e-mail Lori_Allen@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM=20 District Office, Las Cruces, New Mexico, intends to: (1) Prepare an RMP=20 with an associated EIS for the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument;=20 (2) announce the beginning of the scoping process; and (3) seek public=20 input on issues and planning criteria. The planning area is located in Do[ntilde]a Ana County, New Mexico=20 and encompasses approximately 6,000 acres of public land. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant=20 issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,=20 including alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary=20 issues for the planning area have been identified by BLM personnel,=20 Federal, State, and local agencies, and other stakeholders and include=20 Paleozoic resource protection, scientific research, off-highway vehicle=20 use/recreation, and interpretation and education. Preliminary planning=20 criteria will include the following: 1. The RMP will be in compliance with the Omnibus Public Land=20 Management Act of 2009, FLPMA, NEPA, and all other applicable laws,=20 regulations, and policies; 2. Land use decisions will apply to the surface and subsurface=20 estate managed by the BLM; 3. The planning process will follow the BLM Land Use Planning=20 Handbook, H-1601-1 and NEPA Handbook, H-1790-1 for program specific=20 guidance; 4. Public participation and collaboration will be an integral part=20 of the planning process; 5. The BLM will strive to make decisions in the plan compatible=20 with the existing plans and policies of adjacent local, State, and=20 Federal agencies and tribal entities, as long as the decisions are=20 consistent with the purposes, policies, and programs of Federal law and=20 regulations applicable to public land; 6. The RMP will recognize valid existing rights; 7. The RMP will incorporate, where applicable, management decisions=20 brought forward from existing planning documents; 8. The BLM will work cooperatively and collaboratively with=20 cooperating agencies and all other interested groups, agencies, and=20 individuals; 9. The BLM will consider public welfare and safety when addressing=20 hazardous materials and fire management; 10. Geographic Information System and metadata information will=20 meet Federal Geographic Data Committee standards, as required by=20 Executive Order 12906; 11. The planning process will provide for ongoing consultation with=20 tribal entities and strategies for protecting recognized traditional=20 uses; 12. Planning and management direction will focus on the relative=20 values of resources and not the combination of uses that will give the=20 greatest economic return or economic output; 13. Where practicable and timely for the planning effort, the best=20 available scientific information, research, and new technologies will=20 be used; and 14. The Economic Profile System will be used as one source of=20 demographic and economic data for the planning process. You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing=20 to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the=20 BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above.=20 Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other=20 personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware=20 that your entire comment--including your personal identifying=20 information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can=20 ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying=20 information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be=20 able to do so. The minutes and list of attendees for each scoping=20 meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days after the=20 meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he or she=20 expressed. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be addressed in=20 the plan, and will place them into one of three categories: 1. Issues to be resolved in the plan; 2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action;=20 or 3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan. The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS as=20 to why an issue was placed in category two or three. The public is also=20 encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns that=20 should be addressed in the plan. The BLM will work collaboratively with=20 interested parties to identify the management decisions that are best=20 suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns. The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan=20 in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns=20 identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines=20 will be involved in the planning process: Planning and NEPA,=20 Paleontology, Outdoor Recreation, Minerals and Geology, Archeology,=20 Wildlife, and others as may be needed. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 1610.2. Linda S. C. Rundell, State Director, New Mexico. [FR Doc. E9-31248 Filed 1-4-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P