[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 160 (Tuesday, August 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 44134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21914]



[[Page 44134]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NV-010-2811-01]


Battle Mountain District Fire Management Plan Amendment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a plan amendment and environmental 
analysis and invitation for public participation.

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SUMMARY: The Battle Mountain District Office of the Bureau of Land 
Management proposes to amend the Shoshone-Eureka Resource Management 
Plan (RMP) to address the management of fire within the former 
boundaries of the Shoshone-Eureka Resource Area of the Battle Mountain 
District. Fire is an integral part of the ecosystem of the Battle 
Mountain District. The Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy and 
Program Review states: ``* * * wildland fire is a natural occurrence 
that plays a fundamental role in natural resource management.'' The 
current RMP does not address fire management and its role in the 
natural ecosystem. The land use plan amendment and its associated 
National Environmental Policy Act environmental assessment provides the 
opportunity for the public to share their thoughts and concerns related 
to implementation of this proposal. Ultimately, the final RMP 
amendment, having taken into account public input, will provide the 
basis for decisions on the management of fire in the Shoshone-Eureka 
planning unit.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: Written comments on the plan amendment and the 
proposed environmental analysis are welcomed until September 30, 1997. 
Comments on the land use plan amendment, as well as issues the public 
feel should be addressed in the environmental assessment should be sent 
to Dave Davis, Team Leader, U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, P.O. 
Box 1420, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820. Comments should 
be received by the BLM by the close of business, September 30th.
    Four public meetings soliciting public input related to the fire 
management proposal are scheduled:
    (1) Battle Mountain BLM Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, 
Nevada September 2, 1997.
    (2) Eureka Opera House, 10201 Main Street, Eureka, Nevada, 
September 4, 1997.
    (3) Crescent Valley Senior Center, 6024 Ruby Way, Crescent Valley, 
Nevada, October 1, 1997.
    (4) Austin High School, Highway 305 North, Austin, Nevada, October 
2, 1997. All meetings are to be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. each 
evening.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public is invited to participate in the 
identification of issues related to the management of fire in the 
Battle Mountain District, the Shoshone-Eureka Planning Unit. 
Anticipated issues for the plan amendment include: protection of human 
life, protection of property, protection of natural/cultural resources, 
safe reintroduction of fire into natural ecosystems, reducing the cost 
of fire suppression, integration of fire and resource management 
strategies, air quality, recreation, watershed management, livestock 
grazing, visual resources, wildlife habitat.
    The plan amendment will focus on the following proposed management 
strategies for fire management in the Planning Unit:
     Wildland fire is not desired at all. Full suppression of 
all wildland fire is warranted.
     Unplanned wildland fire is likely to cause negative 
effects, but these effects may be mitigated through fuels management, 
i.e. prescribed fire, green stripping, chaining.
     Fire is desired, but there are constraints.
     Fire is desired and there are no constraints.
    Planning documents and other pertinent materials may be examined at 
the Bureau of Land Management office in Battle Mountain between 7:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    Dated this 12th day of August, 1997.
Gerald M. Smith,
District Manager, Battle Mountain District.
[FR Doc. 97-21914 Filed 8-18-97; 8:45 am]
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