[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 222 (Thursday, November 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 69329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29315]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-030-1310-DB]


Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) and Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for Federal Fluid Minerals Leasing and 
Development in Sierra and Otero Counties, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 
CFR 1500-1508), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) 
of 1976, the BLM Las Cruces Field Office (through Dames and Moore, 
Inc., a qualified consultant) has prepared a Draft RMPA/EIS. The RMPA/
EIS addresses Federal fluid minerals (oil, gas, and geothermal) leasing 
and subsequent activities (e.g., exploration, development, or 
production) in Sierra and Otero Counties, New Mexico.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft RMPA/EIS must be postmarked on or 
before February 20, 2001. Public hearings will be held at the times and 
places listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Tom Phillips, RMPA/EIS 
Team Leader, BLM, Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, 
NM 88005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Phillips, RMPA/EIS Team Leader, 
(505) 525-4377.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public hearings will be held at the 
following times and locations.

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              Date                      Time                      City                        Location
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January 9, 2001................  7:00 p.m..........  Roswell, New Mexico..........  Sally Port Inn, 2000 N. Main
                                                                                     St.
January 10, 2001...............  7:00 p.m..........  Alamogordo, New Mexico.......  County Commission Chambers,
                                                                                     1000 New York Ave.
January 11, 2001...............  7:00 p.m..........  Truth or Consequences, New     County Commission Chambers,
                                                      Mexico.                        100 N. Date St.
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    Both oral and written comments may be given at the hearings. 
Written comments may also be submitted to the BLM, Las Cruces Field 
Office, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, NM 88005 on or before February 20, 
2001.
    A time limit for oral testimony at the hearings will be established 
by the presiding hearings officer, based on the number of people 
wishing to make comments at each hearing. Written text of prepared 
comments may be filed at the hearing whether or not the speaker has 
been able to complete the oral delivery in the allotted time.
    All oral and written comments on the adequacy of the Draft RMPA/EIS 
will receive consideration in the Proposed RMPA/Final EIS.
    Copies of the Draft RMPA/EIS have been distributed to a mailing 
list of identified interested parties. Single copies of the Draft RMPA/
EIS may be obtained from the BLM Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 
Marquess, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
    Public reading copies are available for review at public and 
university libraries in Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Truth or Consequences, 
Roswell, and Santa Fe, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.
    The RMPA amends the 1986 RMP for the White Sands Resource Area. The 
objective of the RMPA is to determine (1) which lands overlying Federal 
fluid minerals are suitable and available for leasing and subsequent 
development and (2) how those leased lands will be managed. The EIS 
identifies the potential impacts that alternative plans for fluid 
minerals leasing and subsequent activities could have on the 
environment and identifies appropriate measures to mitigate those 
impacts.

    Dated: November 7, 2000.
Amy L. Lueders,
Field Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 00-29315 Filed 11-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P