[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61155-61156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20995]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-027-1020-PI-020H; G-06-0004]


Notice of Public Meetings, Steens Mountain Advisory Council

AGENCY: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Burns 
District Office.

ACTION: Notice of public meetings for the Steens Mountain Advisory 
Council.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management 
and Protection Act of 2000, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. 
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and the Steens 
Mountain Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

DATES: The Steens Mountain Advisory Council will meet at the Bureau of 
Land Management, Burns District Office, 28910 Hwy 20 West, Hines, 
Oregon 97738 on October 27 and 28, 2005, and December 8 and 9, 2005. 
Meetings will begin at 8 a.m., local time, each day and will end at 
approximately 4:30 p.m., local time.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Steens Mountain Advisory Council was 
appointed by the Secretary of the Interior on August 14, 2001, pursuant 
to the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act and 
rechartered in August 2005. The Steens Mountain Advisory Council's 
purpose is to provide representative counsel and advice to the Bureau 
of Land Management regarding (1) new and unique approaches to 
management of the land within the bounds of the Steens Mountain 
Cooperative Management and Protection Area, (2) cooperative programs 
and incentives for landscape management that meet human needs, maintain 
and improve the ecological and economic integrity of the area, and (3) 
preparation and implementation of a management plan for the Steens 
Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area.
    Topics to be discussed at these meetings include operating 
protocols, vice-chair election, Transportation/Travel Plan, North 
Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project Environmental Impact Statement, 
Wildland Juniper Management Area, cooperative management agreements, 
implementation plan, on-the-ground projects update, monitoring, 
nondevelopment easements, and other matters that may reasonably come 
before the Steens Mountain Advisory Council.

[[Page 61156]]

    The Steens Mountain Advisory Council meetings are open to the 
public. Information to be distributed to the Steens Mountain Advisory 
Council is requested prior to the start of each meeting. Public comment 
periods will be scheduled for 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., local time, each 
day. The amount of time scheduled for public presentations and meeting 
times may be extended when the authorized representative considers it 
necessary to accommodate all persons.
    Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act management regulations (41 
CFR 102-3.15(b)), in exceptional circumstances an agency may give less 
than 15 days notice of committee meeting notices published in the 
Federal Register. In this case, this notice is being published less 
than 15 days prior to the meeting due to the urgent need to meet 
deadlines to complete the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and 
Protection Area Travel Plan (due December 2005) and the North Steens 
Ecosystem Restoration Project Environmental Impact Statement and to 
avoid additional delays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning the 
Steens Mountain Advisory Council may be obtained from Rhonda Karges, 
Management Support Specialist, Bureau of Land Management Burns District 
Office, 28910 Hwy 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738. Information can also be 
obtained by phone at (541) 573-4400 or e-mail [email protected].

    Dated: October 13, 2005.
Karla Bird,
Designated Federal Official, Andrews Resource Area Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 05-20995 Filed 10-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P