[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49498-49499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23679]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[UT080-09-1310-00]


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Amending the 
Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan, Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental assessment for 
amending the Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan (RMP) by changing oil 
and gas leasing categories on crucial mule deer winter range.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the Utah Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field 
Office will be writing an Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposed 
amendment to the Book Cliffs RMP that covers portions of Uintah County, 
Utah. The amendment would change the oil and gas leasing category on 
162,500 acres of crucial mule deer winter range from Category 1 
(Standard Stipulations) to Category 2 (Special stipulations) for 
protection of mule deer. Protective measures would include seasonal 
restrictions, rehabilitation requirements, siting of oil and gas wells, 
clustering of wells to reduce habitat disturbance and fragmentation, 
and other mitigative measures.
    Alternatives identified at this time include the proposed action 
and the no action alternatives. Issues to be analyzed include impacts 
on wildlife, minerals, cultural resources and special status plants and 
animals. Potential impacts on Northern Ute tribal interests also will 
be considered.

DATES: Public scoping comments relating to issues and potential 
additional alternatives will be accepted for 30 days following the 
publication date of this notice. Comments must be submitted on or 
before October 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Scoping comments should be sent to Field Office Manager, 
Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, 
Vernal, Utah 84078, ATTN: Book Cliffs RMP Amendment for Oil and Gas 
Leasing Categories on Crucial Deer Winter Range.
    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents will 
be available for public review at the BLM Vernal Field Office and will 
be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 
They may be published as part of the Environmental Assessment and other 
related documents. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. 
If you wish to withhold your name or street address from public review 
and disclosure under the FOIA, you must state this prominently at the 
beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the 
extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public inspection in their entirety.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1992, the Utah Division of Wildlife 
Resources, in consultation with BLM wildlife biologists updated big 
game habitat delineations in the Book Cliffs. The updated delineations 
were the result of new and more detailed habitat information provided 
by field biologists. Analysis of this new information permitted more 
accurate identification and expansion of the boundaries of crucial mule 
deer winter range. Because mule deer crucial winter range has now been 
identified in areas presently offered for oil and gas leasing without 
protective measures for mule deer, a plan amendment is being 
considered.


[[Page 49499]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duane De Paepe (435) 781-4403 or e-
mail: [email protected].

    Dated: September 1, 1999.
Linda S. Colville,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 99-23679 Filed 9-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P