[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3345-3346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1460]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY-930-1060-04]
Notice of Public Hearing and Intent to Remove Wild Horses
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
SUMMARY: A public meeting is scheduled for February 25, 1998 at the
White Mountain Library, Rock Springs, Wyoming. A formal hearing will be
conducted to receive statements from the public concerning the use of
helicopters and motor vehicles in wild horse management operations
within Wyoming for calendar year 1998. Prior to the hearing, planned
removal operations for the year will be discussed. Periodic removals
are necessary in order to maintain the populations within the AML
(Appropriate Management Levels) established through the planning
process as a result of monitoring and analysis of that data in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and BLM Policies.
This document serves as a Notice of Intent to remove excess wild horses
from the following Herd Management Areas (HMA):
Great Divide Resource Area
Cyclone Rim HMA--remove 260 horses from an estimated 330. AML is 70
and this action would reduce the population to AML. Begin approximately
March 1, end April 10. Decision Record EA WY-037-
EA4-121/122 dated July 11, 1994.
Stewart Creek HMA--remove 100 horses from an estimated 250. AML is
150 and this action would reduce the population to AML. Begin
approximately August 1. Decision
[[Page 3346]]
Record EA WY-037-EA4-121/122 dated July 11, 1994.
I-80 North (Outside HMA)--remove 100 of 100 horses. This action
would reduce the herd to 0. Begin March 1, finish April 10. Decision
Record EA# WY-037-EA1-039 dated February 21, 1992.
I-80 South (Outside HMA)--remove 275 of 275 horses. This action
would reduce the herd to 0. Begin approximately August 15, finish
September 15. Decision Record EA# WY-037-EA1-039 dated February 21,
1992.
Lander Resource Area
Dishpan Butte HMA--remove 40 horses from an estimated 90. AML is 75
with a range of 50-100 and this action would reduce the population to
the low end of the range. Fall gather date to be selected. Decision
Record EA WY-036-EA3-013 dated February 25, 1993.
Conant Creek HMA--remove 40 horses from an estimated 100. AML is 80
with a range of 60-100 and this action would reduce the population to
the low end of the range. Fall Gather date to be selected. Decision
Record EA# WY-036-EA3-013 dated February 25, 1993.
Crooks Mountain HMA--remove 300 of 400 horses reducing the
population to approximately 100. AML range is 75 with a range of 65-100
and herd will be reduced to within this range. Fertility control
research may be initiated using immunocontraception on selected mares.
Should this be instituted, an environmental assessment (EA) covering
this action will be prepared. Begin approximately July 6, finish August
30. Decision Record EA#'s WY-037-EA4-121 and 122 dated July 11, 1994.
Rock Springs District
Divide Basin HMA--remove 200 of an estimated 640. AML is 500 with a
range of 415-600. This action would reduce the population to the lower
end of the range. Begin approximately July 6, finish August 15.
Decision Record EA# WY-048-EA3-87 dated May 19, 1993.
Salt Wells Creek HMA--remove 415 from an estimated population of
780. AML is 365 and this action would reduce the herd to AML. Fall
gather date to be selected. Decision Record EA# WY-048-EA3-87 dated May
19,1993.
Little Colorado HMA--remove 79 of an estimated population of 156.
AML is 100 and this action would reduce the herd to 77 horses or 23
below AML. Fall gather date to be selected. Decision Record EA# WY-048-
EA3-87 dated May 19, 1993.
Areas Outside HMAs--remove 190 of 190 horses. This action would
reduce the horses outside HMA's to 0. Begin approximately July 6,
finish August 15. Decision Record EA# WY-048-EA3-87 dated May 19, 1993.
Weather conditions and other logistical considerations may dictate
changes in removal/completion dates. The dates indicated are
approximate, and removal may take place in any of the HMAs listed above
during anytime of the year with the exception that gathers will not
take place between April 16 and July 7, since this is the estimated
peak of foaling in Wyoming.
Numbers presented are approximate and will be finalized by aircraft
census to be conducted during January/February 1998. All actions are in
conformance with Bureau of Land Management Policy, documents listed
above, and current monitoring data. Horse populations will not be
reduced below the lower limit of the AML range. These actions represent
no new decisions.
If you have comments on the plans, please contact the Wyoming State
Director at P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003-1828.
DATES: February 25, 1998.
ADDRESSES: White Mountain Library, 2935 Sweetwater Dr., Rock Springs,
WY, 82901-4331.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Pierson, State Director, 5353
Yellowstone, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003-1828.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Meeting Agenda:
--Introduction and Opening Remarks
--Review of the Wild Horse Management Plan
--Video presentation of roundup activity
--Public comment period on removal plans
--Formal Hearing on the Use of helicopters in the plan
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to the public.
Interested persons may make oral statements on the subject of
helicopter use during the formal hearing. All statements will be
recorded.
Dated: January 15, 1998.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 98-1460 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am]
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