[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62137-62138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21569]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-069-1610-DP-024E]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement (DRMP/EIS) for the Upper Missouri River 
Breaks National Monument, MT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 and under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft 
Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (DRMP/EIS) 
for public land and resources in the Upper Missouri River Breaks 
National Monument, Montana. BLM invites the public to review and 
comment on the range and adequacy of the draft alternatives and their 
associated environmental effects. The DRMP/EIS provides direction and 
guidance for the management of about 375,000 acres of public land and 
42,800 acres of existing oil and gas leases.

DATES: The comment period will end 90 days after the Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes a Notice of Availability in the Federal 
Register announcing the availability of this DRMP/EIS. In order to 
assure that comments will be considered, they must be received by BLM 
on or before the end of the comment period at the address listed below. 
BLM will hold public meetings during the comment period and will 
announce their exact time and location at least 15 days in advance 
through public notices, media news releases, newsletter mailings, and 
on the following Web site (subject to availability): http://www.blm.gov/nhp./spotlight/state_info/planning.htm.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Monument RMP Team, BLM 
Lewistown Field Office, 920 NE Main Street, PO Box 1160, Lewistown, 
Montana 59457. Comments may also be sent by e-mail to 
[email protected]. Documents pertinent to the DRMP/EIS and written 
comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be 
available for public review at the Lewistown Field Office at the 
address above during regular business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    Review copies of the DRMP/EIS are available at the following 
locations in and near the planning area:

BLM Fort Benton River Management Station
BLM Great Falls Oil @ Gas Field Station
BLM Havre Field Station
BLM Lewistown Field Office
BLM Malta Field Office
BLM Montana State Office
Blaine County Library
Lewistown Public Library
Phillips County Library

    The DRMP/EIS and other associated documents may also be viewed and 
downloaded in PDF format at the Monument RMP Web site at http://www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/state_info/planning.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to the mailing list contact Jerry Majerus, RMP Project 
Manager, at (406) 538-1924, or Gary Slagel, Monument Manager, at (406) 
538-1950.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Upper Missouri River Breaks National 
Monument is located in northcentral Montana in Blaine, Chouteau, 
Fergus, and Phillips Counties. The planning area addressed in the RMP 
comprises about 375,000 acres of public land and 42,800 acres of 
existing oil and gas leases administered by the BLM Lewistown Field 
Office. The State of Montana and Blaine, Chouteau, Fergus, and Phillips 
Counties participated in development of the plan as cooperating 
agencies.
    The public involvement and collaboration process implemented for 
this effort included 11 public scoping open houses, 11 alternative 
development workshops, 6 public meetings on oil and gas leases, 
preparation of comment summary reports, incorporation of 
recommendations from the Central Montana Resource Advisory Council 
(RAC), and distribution of information via the Monument RMP Web site 
and periodic updates and newsletters. BLM has sent copies of the DRMP/
EIS to individuals, agencies, and groups who requested them or if this 
was required by regulation or policy.
    For comments to be most helpful, they should relate to specific 
concerns or conflicts that are within the legal responsibilities of the 
BLM and can be resolved in this planning process. BLM will publish its 
responses to the comments in the Proposed Resource Management Plan and 
Final Environmental Impact Statement. If you wish to withhold your name 
or street address 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. All submissions from organizations and 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
available for public inspection in their entirety.
    The DRMP/EIS addresses the following six major questions: How will 
human activities and uses be managed? What facilities and 
infrastructure are appropriate to provide visitor interpretation and 
administration of the Monument? How will BLM manage resource uses and 
protect the biological, historical, cultural, and visual values of the 
Monument? How will Monument management be intergrated with other agency 
and community plans? How will transportation and access be managed? How 
will Monument management affect economic and social conditions in the 
area?
    The DRMP/EIS considers and analyzes six alternatives (A-F), 
including the No Action (Continuation of Current Management) 
alternative. BLM developed these alternatives based on extensive public 
input, including scoping (July/August 2002); alternative development 
workshops (July 2003); oil and gas lease meetings (November 2004); 
numerous meetings with local, state, tribal, and Federal agencies; and 
recommendations made by the Central Montana RAC. The BLM expects to 
prepare and make available a Proposed RMP and Final Environmental 
Impact Statement after reviewing comments and making any pertinent 
adjustments by summer 2006.


[[Page 62138]]


    Dated: August 19, 2005.
Martin C. Ott,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 05-21569 Filed 10-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$--P