[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4970]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CO-050-4110-03]

 

Intent To Amend the Northeast Resource Management Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: The Bureau of Land Management, Canon City District as a 
cooperating agency with the U.S. Forest Service has prepared an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for developing a management 
strategy on mountain plover. The EIS strategy deals primarily with 
lands within the Pawnee National Grassland Administrative Boundary. BLM 
is considering using information from the EIS to make decisions on 
lands outside the Administrative boundary for oil and gas leasing. Such 
a decision would be considered an amendment of the Northeast Resource 
Management Plan, and is in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and 43 CFR part 1600.

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SUMMARY: The EIS analyzed different management strategies for the 
protection of mountain plover. The mountain plover has been nominated 
for listing as a threatened species under the Threatened and Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 as amended in 1982. The EIS provides new 
information for making oil and gas decisions on Federal mineral estate 
within areas considered to be important nesting and summer habitat of 
the mountain plover. Information in the EIS will be extended to cover 
lands with BLM-administered mineral estate, beyond the U.S. Forest 
Service boundaries, that meet the criteria defined in the EIS as 
mountain plover stronghold habitat. Stipulations for oil and gas leases 
on these lands will restrict oil and gas drilling and development 
activities during the period of April 10 to July 10. Because surface 
ownership of these lands is private, and the surface is subject to 
manipulation beyond the authority of the Bureau, a waiver will be 
considered for each lease stipulated for mountain plover protection at 
the time of application for development. The waiver will be granted if 
the lands have been rendered unsuitable habitat for plovers because of 
surface use by the private landowner. A waiver of the mountain plover 
stipulation does not affect any other existing protection stipulation 
that may apply to these lands.

DATES: Comments on the Bureau intention to apply the EIS analysis to 
the areas outside the U.S. Forest Service administrative boundaries 
will be accepted on or before April 4, 1994.

ADDRESSES: District Manager, Canon City District Office, P.O. Box 2200, 
Canon City, Colorado 81215-2200.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Interested parties may request further information at the above 
address. A copy of the EIS may be obtained from the U.S. Forest Service 
at the Pawnee National Grasslands, 660 ``O'' Street, suite 4, Greeley, 
Colorado 80631-3033.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Plan monitoring information and the EIS 
indicate a need for this action to protect mountain plovers. 
Implementation of this decision is consistent with the Bureau goals of 
biological diversity and ecosystem management. BLM will work with 
private landowners, local, state, and Federal government agencies, and 
other land managers to protect the mountain plover.
    The area covered by this plan amendment will include all BLM 
managed lands within Adams, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Washington and Weld 
counties in the State of Colorado.
Stuart L. Freer,
Associate District Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-4970 Filed 3-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-M