[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 236 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63548-63549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30322]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-130-01-1610-DS-241A]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS)

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management(BLM) announces its intent to 
prepare a management plan for the CCNCA. This notice initiates the 
public scoping, the planning review process; and the EIS associated 
with completion of the CCNCA Management Plan. The Act establishing the 
CCNCA directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a 
``comprehensive plan for the long-range protection and management of 
the Conservation Area'' by October 24, 2003.

DATES: The formal scoping comment period will commence with the 
publication of this notice and end 60 days after publication of this 
notice. Comments on issues, alternatives, and the preliminary planning 
criteria to be addressed in the CCNCAManagement Plan and EIS should be 
received on or before the end of the scoping period at the address 
listed below. During this formal scoping comment period, an open house 
will be held in Grand Junction, Colorado, where BLM personnel will be 
available to respond to questions and provide other information 
pertaining to the preparation of the documents. There will be 
subsequent public review periods and open houses where additional 
public comment will be requested, including a formal comment period on 
the draft EIS/CCNCA Management Plan. At least 15 days public notice 
will be given for the open houses or other public meetings. Written 
comments will be accepted throughout the planning process at the 
address shown below. All open house and comment deadlines will be 
announced through the local news media, newsletters and on the CCNCA 
website (http://www.co.blm.gov/gjra/ccnca/ccncahome.htm).

ADDRESSES: For further information, to provide written comments, or to 
be placed on the mailing list, contact Bureau of LandManagement, CCNCA 
RMP Amendment, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction,Colorado 81506; e-mail 
[email protected]; Telephone (970) 244-3000. Individual respondents 
may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name and/or 
address

[[Page 63549]]

from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information 
Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written 
comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. We 
will not, however, consider anonymous comments. All submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, are available for public inspection in their entirety.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CCNCA is located in both Colorado and 
Utah, and preparation of the CCNCA plan may involve amendment of both 
the Grand Junction RMP in Colorado and the Grand RMP in Utah. The Grand 
Junction Field Office, located in Colorado, is responsible for 
management of the CCNCA and preparation of the CCNCA plan. The BLM will 
work closely with interested parties to identify the management 
discussions that are best suited to the needs of the public. This 
collaborative process will take into account local, regional, and 
national needs and concerns. The Act establishing the 122,300 acre 
CCNCA in western Colorado and eastern Utah was signed into law by the 
President on October 24, 2000. The purpose of the Act is to conserve, 
protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and 
future generations the unique and nationally important values of the 
public lands in the CCNCA, including geology, recreation, cultural, 
paleontological, biological, wilderness, wildlife, educational, and 
scenic resources. The Act also designates 75,550 acres of the CCNCA as 
the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Area. There are 5,500 acres of the 
CCNCA located in the state of Utah. The Grand Junction Field Office in 
Colorado will coordinate with the Moab Field Office in Utah during 
preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan.
    Management of the CCNCA is currently guided by the Ruby Canyon/
Black Ridge Integrated Management Plan completed in March 1998. The 
Grand Junction RMP and the Grand RMP, in addition to several activity 
level management plans, include other decisions affecting the CCNCA. On 
February 13, 2001, the BLM Colorado State Director issued interim 
guidance for management of the CCNCA pending completion of the final 
Management Plan. All of these documents will be reviewed during 
preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan.
    The CCNCA Plan and associated EIS will be prepared by an 
interdisciplinary team. Disciplines to be represented on the team 
include: Archaeology, botany, fisheries, geology, hydrology, 
paleontology, range management, realty, recreation, soils, wilderness, 
and wildlife. Pursuant to the Act establishing the CCNCA, an advisory 
council is currently being established to advise the BLM the management 
of the CCNCA. The advisory council is also anticipated to take an 
active role in preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan.
    Preliminary issues identified by the BLM for the CCNCA plans 
include travel management, recreation, use authorizations such as 
rights-of-ways and grazing, management of natural resources, wilderness 
stewardship, and integration of the CCNCA Management Plan with other 
agency and community plans. Public involvement gained through the 
initial scoping comment period will be utilized to refine these topics 
and identify any additional issues to be evaluated.
    Planning criteria are the standards, rules, and other factors used 
in formulating judgements about data collection, analysis, and decision 
making associated with preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan. These 
criteria establish parameters and help focus preparation of the effort. 
Public comment is also welcomed on the following preliminary planning 
criteria, which will be utilized in the preparation of the CCNCA 
Management Plan.
    A. The CCNCA Management Plan will be completed in compliance with 
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and all other applicable 
laws.
    B. The project team will work cooperatively with the States of 
Colorado and Utah, tribal governments, county and municipal 
governments, other Federal agencies, and all other interested groups, 
agencies, and individuals. Public participation will be encouraged 
throughout the process.
    C. Completion of the CCNCA Management Plan will include preparation 
of an EIS that will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.
    D. The CCNCA Management Plan will evaluate valid existing rights in 
the various alternative management schemes.
    E. The lifestyles and concerns of area residents, including the 
activities of grazing, recreational use, off-highway vehicle use, and 
wilderness management will be addressed in the CCNCA Management Plan.
    F. Preparation of the CCNCA Management Plan will involve 
coordination with Native American tribal governments and will provide 
strategies for the protection of recognized traditional uses.
    G. Decisions in the CCNCA Management Plan will strive to be 
compatible with existing plans and policies of adjacent local, State 
and Federal agencies.
    H. The CCNCA Management Plan will comply with the legislative 
directives, needs, and obligations set forth by the legislation 
establishing the CCNCA.

Catherine Robertson,
Field Manager, Grand Junction Field Office.
[FR Doc. 01-30322 Filed 12-6-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P