[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 219 (Monday, November 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67754-67755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28815]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-070-01-1220-DA]


Final Travel Management Plan Decision for the Clancy-Unionville 
Area

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Record of Decision.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service 
completed the Final EIS (FEIS) analysis for the Clancy-Unionville 
Vegetative Manipulation and Travel Management Project near Helena, 
Montana and the BLM has finalized its Record of Decision (ROD) for the 
Travel Management portion of this project. The Decision is to implement 
Alternative D modified. This preferred alternative restricts wheeled 
motorized vehicles to designated roads and trails during varying 
periods of the year to protect vegetation, soils, water quality and 
wildlife values. Snowmobiles will be allowed across BLM lands south of 
Jackson Creek from December 2 to May 15 as snow conditions allow.
    Five alternatives were considered in response to the identified 
issues in the Clancy-Unionville Travel Management Plan FEIS. The 
preferred Alternative D is considered to be the environmentally 
preferable alternative. The issues and alternatives are described in 
Chapter II and analyzed in Chapter III of the FEIS.
    Alternative D with four minor modifications described in the ROD 
was selected as the preferred because it best meets the Purpose and 
Need statements for the Travel Management Plan. This alternative was 
specifically developed in response to wildlife issues with emphasis 
given to big game security and winter range protection. In addition, 
efforts were made to provide a balanced system of designated roads and 
trails to meet the needs of both motorized and non-motorized users 
while protecting important natural resources of the area.
    BLM lands restricted to motorized travel under this decision are 
located in

Principal Meridian Montana

T. 8 N., R.3 W., secs. 4-8;
T. 8 N., R.4 W., secs. 1-3, 9, 10, 12-15, 22 and 23;
T. 9 N., R.3 W., secs. 17-20, 23, 26, and 29-33;
T. 9 N., R.4 W., sec. 25; and
T. 10 N, R.4 W., sec. 36.

Travel restrictions for these above lands will be implemented in 
accordance with the Clancy-Unionville Travel Plan FEIS ROD during the 
spring of 2001 subject to the appeal process.
    A final decision has also been made to amend the Headwaters 
Resource Management Plan of 1984, in that all three Management Units 
(8, 23, and 24) within the affected area would be classified as 
``Restricted'' to motorized travel and ``Closed'' to permit 
consideration for organized motor vehicle events. A 30-day protest 
period was provided for this proposed amendment at the time the FEIS 
was released to the public and published in the Federal Register on 
March 17, 2000. Six protests were received and all have been resolved.

DATES: This travel plan decision is subject to public appeal. You have 
the right to appeal to the Board of Land Appeals, Office of the 
Secretary, in accordance with the regulations of 43 CFR, part 4. In 
order for your appeal to be considered timely, it must be received by 
December 13, 2000, which is 30 days from the date of this publishing in 
the Federal Register. If an appeal is taken, you must follow the 
procedures outlined on Form 1842-1, Information on Taking Appeals to 
the Board of Land Appeals. The appellant

[[Page 67755]]

has the burden of showing that the Decision appealed from is in error.
    This Decision will become effective at the expiration of the time 
for filing a Notice of Appeal unless a petition for a stay of the 
Decision is timely filed together with a Notice of Appeal. See 43 CFR 
4.21(a). The provisions of 43 CFR 4.21(b) define the standards and 
procedures for filing a petition to obtain a stay pending appeal.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS Record of Decisions and Form 1842-1 are 
available at the Butte Field Office, 106 N. Parkmont, Butte, Montana 
59701.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Rixford of the Butte Field Office 
at 406-494-5059.

Steve Hartmann,
Acting Butte Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-28815 Filed 11-09-00; 8:45 am]
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