[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 42796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16010]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CO-110-1060-DU]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment and Plan 
Amendment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for an Amendment to the White River Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
Regarding Management of Wild Horses in the West Douglas Herd Area.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), White River Field Office 
proposes to prepare an EA and consider an amendment to the White River 
RMP regarding management of wild horses in the West Douglas Herd Area. 
The purpose of this planning process is to identify the most 
appropriate strategy for management of wild horses in the West Douglas 
Herd Area of the White River Resource Area, while protecting resource 
values, providing for multiple uses, and improving the health of public 
lands. The planning process will allow BLM, with integrated public 
involvement, to develop and conduct detailed analysis of a full range 
of alternatives specifically focused on wild horses and other resources 
within this herd area. BLM has determined that such detail and focus 
may not have been sufficiently addressed and documented in the current 
RMP, which has a resource-area-wide scope. BLM will hold public 
meetings in Rangely and Grand Junction, CO, to share information and 
identify specific concerns and issues pertaining to this plan 
amendment.

DATES: The official public scoping period for this planning effort 
commences with the publication of this notice. The public is invited to 
submit scoping comments to the address listed below until August 26, 
2002. BLM will publish exact dates, times, and locations for public 
meetings through media announcements, internet postings, and mailings 
at least 15 days in advance of the meetings.

ADDRESSES: Send scoping comments to the White River Field Office, 
Bureau of Land Management, 73544 Hwy 64, Meeker, CO 81641, or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The West Douglas Herd Area is located in Rio 
Blanco County, within the southwestern portion of the White River 
Resource Area in Northwestern Colorado. It contains 123,390 acres of 
public, and 4,754 acres of private land. The herd area also encompasses 
Texas and Oil Spring Mountains; portions of Douglas, Missouri, and 
Texas Creek Watersheds; a portion of the Oil Springs Mountain 
Wilderness Study Area; and a portion of the Canyon Pintado National 
Historic District.
    BLM invites the public to identify issues that they feel should be 
addressed during the planning process. Thus far, BLM has identified the 
following preliminary issues:
    Issue 1: Wild Horse Management. Have all reasonable management 
options been considered and analyzed? Do management alternatives meet 
statutory requirements?
    Issue 2: Wilderness. Can wild horse management activities and 
wilderness values within Oil Spring Mountain Wilderness Study Area co-
exist?
    Issue 3: Oil and Gas Development. Will there be additional 
stipulations for oil and gas development? Will oil and gas development 
cause wild horses to disperse into areas outside of the herd area?
    Issue 4: Forage Allocation. What proportions of available forage 
should be allocated to livestock, wild horses, and wildlife?
    Public participation will be an essential component of this 
planning process. Anyone wishing to be placed on the BLM mailing list 
for this action should contact the person listed below or mail a letter 
containing contact information to the White River Field Office (address 
listed earlier in this notice). BLM will review all comments and take 
them into consideration when developing the Environmental Assessment 
and the plan amendment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Pavey, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, White River Field Office (970) 878-3831, E-
mail: [email protected].

    Dated: March 25, 2001.
James A. Cagney,
Associate Field Manager.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on June 20, 2002.


[FR Doc. 02-16010 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P