[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 226 (Friday, November 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 58092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28689]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[D-930-1020-01]


Notice of Intent To Simultaneously Modify all Idaho Management 
Framework Plans (MFPs) and Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) To Adopt Standards for 
Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management in Idaho and To 
Include Ecosystem-Based Management Strategies From the Upper Columbia 
River Basin (UCRB) EIS

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to modify land use plans and to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to adopt standards for rangeland 
health and guidelines for grazing management in Idaho and to adopt 
ecosystem-based management strategies from the Upper Columbia River 
Basin (UCRB) EIS.

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    The Challis proposed RMP/Draft EIS currently in progress will be 
published in the winter of 1995 and the Bennett Hills, and Owyhee 
Proposed RMPs currently in progress are scheduled for draft EIS 
publication in the spring of 1996. Notice is given that Standards for 
Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Grazing Management will be included 
in these respective plans.

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Idaho intends to modify 
all existing MFPs and RMPs in the State and to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for adoption of Standards Rangeland Health 
(terrestrial and riparian) and Guidelines for Grazing Management as 
provided in the BLM's new grazing regulations (43 CFR Part 4100). In 
addition, all Land Use Plans would be amended to include ecosystem-
based management strategy from the Upper Columbia River Basin (UCRB) 
EIS and the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Assessment. This strategy 
will include standards, specific objectives, and management guidelines 
focusing on restoring the health of forest, range, aquatic, and 
riparian ecosystems. Public comment is sought on the issues and 
alternatives to be considered, and on proposed standards and 
guidelines.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing within 30 days following the date of the last scoping 
meeting to receive full consideration in the development of 
alternatives. Dates of those meetings will be published in local and 
regional newspapers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
J. David Brunner, Bureau of Land Management, 3380 Americana Terrace, 
Boise, Idaho 83706; Phone 208-384-3056.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM's new grazing administration 
regulations (43 CFR part 4100 59FR) which became effective August 21, 
1995, require the development of Standards for Rangeland Health and 
Guidelines for Grazing Administration. In Idaho, BLM intends to develop 
these standards and guidelines through a public process and incorporate 
them into MFPs/RMPs. Incorporating standards and guidelines into 
existing plans will require some form of plan modification, ranging 
from simple plan maintenance to plan amendment.
    Management Framework Plans (MFPs) to be modified are as follows: 
Kuna, Bruneau, Owyhee, Twin Falls, Malad, Big Lost, Little Lost Birch 
Creek, Big Desert, Ellis-Pahsimeroi, Challis, Mackay, Sun Valley, 
Bennett Hills, Timmerman, Magic, Emerald Empire and Chief Joseph 
(Bennett Hills, Challis and Owyhee are scheduled to be replaced by RMPs 
which are currently under development). Resource Management Plans 
(RMPs) to be modified are as follows: Cacasde, Jarbridge, Cassia, 
Medicine Lodge, Pocatello, Lemhi and Monument.
    At this point, it uncertain what level of plan modification will be 
needed; plan maintenance or plan amendment.
    This notice invites Public comment on the proposal to develop 
standards and guidelines and issues to be addressed and alternatives to 
be considered in the EIS or other NEPA analysis.
    Issues preliminarily identified include: the effect that adoption 
of the standards will have on uses of public land, the effect that 
adoption of the proposed guidelines will have on grazing management and 
livestock operations, and riparian and aquatic ecosystems and the need 
for flexibility in standards and guidelines. Additional issues have 
been identified in the UCRB EIS. It is expected that the ecosystem 
management strategy being analyzed in the UCRB EIS will provide a broad 
framework within which Healthy Reangelands Standards and Guides will be 
developed.
    The NEPA analysis will be conducted using an interdisciplinary team 
that includes persons trained in archaeology, economics, plant ecology, 
forestry, hydrology, soil science, range management, recreation and 
fish and wildlife management.
    Three preliminary alternatives have been identified: the 
continuation of current management (no action alternative) as provided 
for in existing land use plans, application of the fall back standards 
and guidelines contained in the regulations, and the adoption of 
standards and guidelines developed locally and in consultation with 
Idaho BLM's three Resource Advisory Councils.

    Dated: November 13, 1995.
J. David Brunner,
Deputy State Director for Resource Services.
[FR Doc. 95-28689 Filed 11-22-95; 8:45 am]
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