[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 7772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2299]


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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 Extension of Public Comment Period and Additional 
Public Hearings.

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SUMMARY: The BLM announces the extension of the public comment period 
on the Draft RMPA and EIS for Federal Fluid Minerals Leasing and 
Development in Sierra and Otero Counties. 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, and/or 
production) in Sierra and Otero Counties, New Mexico. The 60-day 
extension of the public comment period was granted after BLM review of 
the reasons for the request. The 60-day extension starts immediately 
after the end of the 90-day public comment period. The 90-day public 
comment period ends February 20, 2001. The 60-day extension of the 
public comment period starts February 21, 2001 and ends April 23, 2001.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft RMPA/EIS must be postmarked on or 
before April 23, 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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April 3, 2001.....................  7:00 p.m.............  Roswell, NM...............  Sally Port Inn, 2000 N.
                                                                                        Main St.
April 4, 2001.....................  7:00 p.m.............  Alamogordo, NM............  County Commission
                                                                                        Chambers, 1000 New York
                                                                                        Ave.
April 5, 2001.....................  7:00 p.m.............  Truth or Consequences, NM.  County Commission
                                                                                        Chambers, 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 April 23, 
2001. This date reflects an agreed upon 60-day extension to the public 
comment period.
    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 Resource Management Plan (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: January 19, 2001.
Leonard T. Brooks,
Acting Field Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 01-2299 Filed 1-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310--VC-M