[Federal Register: January 5, 2010 (Volume 75, Number = 2)] [Notices] =20 [Page 428-429] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05ja10-98] =20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVSO0000.L16100000.DO0000.LXSS100F0000; 9-08807; TAS: 14X1109] =20 Notice of Intent To Prepare a Revision to the Las Vegas Resource=20 Management Plan and Associated Environmental Impact Statement, Nevada AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of=20 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976,=20 as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southern Nevada=20 District intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) revision=20 with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Las=20 Vegas RMP and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping=20 process and soliciting input on the identification of issues and the=20 proposed planning criteria. The RMP revision will replace the existing=20 Las Vegas RMP. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP=20 with an associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing=20 until February 4, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping=20 meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local=20 media, newspapers 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/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html= . In order to be included in the Draft EIS, all comments=20 must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days=20 after the last public [[Page 429]] meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities=20 for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria=20 related to the Las Vegas RMP/EIS Revision by any of the following=20 methods:Web site: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR= .html&log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html= . E-mail: Carolyn_Ronning@blm.gov. Fax: (702) 515-5023. Mail: Bureau of Land Management, 4701 North Torrey Pines=20 Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-2301. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the=20 Southern Nevada District Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have=20 your name added to the mailing list, contact Carrie Ronning, Telephone=20 (702) 515-5143 or by e-mail Carolyn_Ronning@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM=20 Field Office, Las Vegas, Nevada intends to prepare a RMP with an=20 associated EIS for the Las Vegas Office and part of the Pahrump Field=20 Office. The document also announces the beginning of the scoping=20 process and the opportunity for public input on issues and planning=20 criteria. The planning area is located in Nye and Clark counties and=20 encompasses approximately 3.1 million acres of public land. The purpose=20 of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will=20 influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including=20 alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary issues for=20 the planning area have been identified by BLM personnel, other State=20 and Federal agencies, and other stakeholders. The issues include=20 renewable energy development for geothermal, wind, and solar power;=20 management of site type rights-of-way for renewable energy and other=20 uses; visual resource management; land tenure adjustments to meet=20 community growth needs; management of split-estate lands; evaluation of=20 existing and potential new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern;=20 Wild and Scenic River designation for the Virgin River; Off-Highway=20 Vehicle Designations and Special Recreation Management Areas; and fluid=20 minerals management stipulations to protect sensitive resources. The=20 preliminary planning criteria include the items discussed below. (1) The planning area is defined as the area covered by the=20 existing Las Vegas RMP. The plan revision will make planning=20 determinations for public lands within the defined planning area=20 boundary. (2) The plan revision effort will rely on available inventories of=20 the lands and resources as well as data gathered during the planning=20 process, which will include an updated wilderness characteristics=20 inventory, to reach sound management decisions. Any decisions requiring=20 additional inventories will be deferred until such time as the=20 inventories can be conducted. (3) Use and protection of water, water resources, riparian zones,=20 and other related values will be given a high priority. (4) Geographic Information Systems and corporate geospatial data=20 will be used to the extent practicable. (5) The plan revision will be consistent to the maximum extent=20 possible with the plans and management programs of local government,=20 consistent with state and Federal laws and regulations and coordinated=20 with other Federal agencies where appropriate. (6) The principles of multiple use and sustained yield will be=20 followed. (7) The planning process will involve consultation with Native=20 American Tribal governments. (8) The RMP revision will acknowledge valid existing rights=20 established under the current Las Vegas RMP. (9) Federal Geographic Data Committee standards and other=20 applicable BLM data standards will be followed. (10) Opportunities for public involvement will be encouraged=20 throughout the RMP process. (11) Findings and tentative classification of waterways as eligible=20 for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System will follow=20 the criteria contained in 43 CFR 8351. (12) The impacts of various proposed land uses on land with=20 wilderness characteristics will be analyzed as part of the RMP process. (13) Environmental protection and energy production are desirable=20 and necessary objectives and will not be considered mutually exclusive=20 priorities. 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. To=20 be most helpful, you should submit comments within 60 days of the last=20 public meeting. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail=20 address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you=20 should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal=20 identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time.=20 While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal=20 identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we=20 will be able to do so. The minutes and list of attendees for each=20 scoping meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days=20 after the meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he=20 or she expressed. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be=20 addressed in the plan and will place them into one of three categories.=20 These categories are: (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 plan as to why it placed=20 an issue in category two or three. The public is also encouraged to=20 help identify any management questions and concerns that should be=20 addressed in the plan. The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan=20 and to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified.=20 Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be=20 involved in the planning process: renewable energy, lands and realty,=20 minerals management, outdoor recreation, air resources, visual=20 resources, vegetation, cultural resources, paleontology, botany,=20 special status species, wildlife and fisheries, hydrology, sociology=20 and economics. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2. Ron Wenker, Nevada State Director. [FR Doc. E9-31251 Filed 1-4-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P