[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53460-53461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26527]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-930-1610-00]


Wyoming BLM Fire Management Plan; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Wyoming State Office, 
announces (1) the availability of the ``Fire Management Implementation 
Plan for the BLM-administered Public Lands in the State of Wyoming'' 
(fire management plan); and (2) an Administrative Determination 
documenting compliance of the plan with the National Environmental 
Policy Act, conformance with Wyoming BLM land use plans, and approval 
by the Wyoming BLM State Director.

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SUMMARY: The Wyoming BLM fire management plan describes fire management 
objectives and strategies to be applied on about 17.5 million acres of 
BLM-administered public lands in the State of Wyoming. Covering 58 
geographical areas within the State, the plan promotes the cost-
effective protection of life, property, and natural resources from 
wildfire. It highlights the use of fire to manage natural resources, 
identifies fuel management strategies to reduce the potential for 
catastrophic wildfires, seeks a better understanding of the role of 
fire in the natural environment, and promotes fire line safety through 
increased communication and coordination.
    Fire management planning was formally initiated in April 1997 to 
comply with recommendations contained in the Federal Wildland Fire 
Management Policy and Program Review signed in December 1995 by the 
Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture. The Wyoming BLM solicited 
and incorporated public

[[Page 53461]]

comments in developing the fire management plan.
    As documented in an Administrative Determination, the ``Fire 
Management Implementation Plan for the BLM-administered Public Lands in 
the State of Wyoming'' is in conformance with the 11 Wyoming BLM land 
use plans in the State, and is adequately covered by the environmental 
analyses developed for those land use plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Wyoming State Office: Stephen Eckert, State Fire Management 
Officer, 307-775-6235, or Joe Patti, Field Planning Coordinator, 307-
775-6101, Bureau of Land Management, 5353 Yellowstone Road, P.O. Box 
1828, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003-1828.
    Casper Field Office: Jim Johnson, Fire Management Officer or Glen 
Nebeker, Resource Advisor, Bureau of Land Management, 1701 East E 
Street, Casper, Wyoming 82601, 307-261-7600.
    Rawlins Field Office: Larry Trapp, Fire Management Officer or John 
Spehar, Planning Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 1300 North 
Third Street, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301, 307-328-4200.
    Rock Springs Field Office: Tony Tezak, Fire Management Specialist 
or Renee Dana, Resource Advisor, Bureau of Land Management, 280 Highway 
191 North, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901, 307-352-0256.
    Worland Field Office: Gary Bingham, Fire Management Officer or Bob 
Ross, Planning Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 101 South 23rd 
Street, P.O. Box 119, Worland, Wyoming 82401-0119, 307-347-5100.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In verifying the conformance of the fire 
management plan with BLM land use plans statewide, the following BLM 
land use plans were reviewed. The Newcastle Management Framework Plan 
(MFP-1982) and the imminent Newcastle Resource Management Plan (RMP), 
Grass Creek MFP (1983) and the imminent Grass Creek RMP, Buffalo RMP 
(1985), Platte River RMP (1985), Kemmerer RMP (1986), Lander RMP 
(1987), Pinedale RMP (1988), Washakie RMP (1988), Cody RMP (1990), 
Great Divide RMP (1990), and Green River RMP (1997). It was found that 
the fire management plan is in conformance and does not conflict with 
any of these land use plans. Actually, the fire management plan is 
derived from the fire management decisions in these land use plans 
which address cost-effective protection of life, property, and natural 
resources from wildfire and the use of prescribed fire to achieve 
multiple-use management goals. As necessary, maintenance actions will 
be completed to incorporate new fire terminology in the older RMPs. No 
needs for amending any of the land use plans were identified. Minor 
maintenance needs for the land use plans may be identified in the 
future as implementation of the fire management plan progresses.
    Copies of the fire management plan and Administrative Determination 
can be obtained by contacting any of the BLM offices or officials 
listed above. They can also be viewed on-line from the Wyoming BLM 
Internet Site at http://www.wy.blm.gov/.

    Dated: September 25, 1998.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 98-26527 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
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