[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 159 (Friday, August 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46237-46238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16126]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-027-1110-JM-H2KO; G-06-HAG-0139]


Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and the 
Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act (Steens Act) 
of 2000, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze potential effects of 
implementing the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project (North 
Steens Project). The proposed project area lies within the Andrews 
Management Unit (AMU) and the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management 
and Protection Area (CMPA), designated October 30, 2000 by Act of 
Congress. The North Steens Project is located in Harney County, Oregon, 
and affects approximately 336,000 acres of public and private lands.

DATES: The Final EIS will be available for a 30-day period of 
availability with the publishing of the Environmental Protection 
Agency's Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: North Steens Project EIS Lead, BLM, 
Burns District Office, 28910 Hwy 20 West, Hines, Oregon 97738; (541) 
573-4543; Fax (541) 573-4411; or e-mail ([email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The North Steens Project is a proposed 
landscape-level project utilizing a combination of western juniper 
treatments (mechanical and nonmechanical methods) and wildland 
(prescribed and natural) fire to treat fuels and to restore sagebrush/
steppe habitat. Implementation of the project would reduce the 
increasing adverse influence of western juniper in mountain big 
sagebrush, low sagebrush, quaking aspen, mountain mahogany, old growth 
juniper (over 120 years old), and riparian plant communities.
    Section 113(c) of the Steens Act states, ``The Secretary shall 
emphasize the restoration of the historic fire regime in the 
Cooperative Management and Protection Area and the resulting native 
vegetation communities through active management of western juniper on 
a landscape level. Management measures shall include the use of natural 
and prescribed burning.''
    The Resource Management Plans for the CMPA and AMU contain overall 
direction and guidance for proposed management actions such as those 
analyzed in the North Steens Project EIS. Management actions analyzed 
include seeding of native species, reduction of western juniper (less 
than 120 yrs old), fencing, and management of wildland fire. 
Preliminary issues and management concerns were identified by BLM 
personnel and through public scoping. Major issues addressed in the EIS 
include management of woodlands, rangeland vegetation, Steens Mountain 
Wilderness, Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), Wild and Scenic River 
corridors, wildlife habitat, special status species, wildland fire/
fuels, recreation, cultural resources, noxious weeds, water quality/
aquatic resources/fisheries, biological soil crusts, and social and 
economic values. The EIS also considered American Indian traditional 
practices. An interdisciplinary approach was used to develop the Final 
EIS.
    Government agencies having specific expertise or interests in the 
project were

[[Page 46238]]

invited to participate as cooperating agencies. The public and interest 
groups have been provided opportunities to participate during formal 
comment periods and during Steens Mountain Advisory Council meetings.
    The Final EIS evaluates six alternative management approaches 
including a No Action Alternative. A Preferred Alternative is proposed 
in the Final EIS. The three features of the Preferred Alternative are: 
(1) The Full Treatment Alternative would be implemented in all portions 
of the project area including WSAs, but excluding Steens Mountain 
Wilderness; (2) The Continuation of Current Management Alternative 
would be selected for the Steens Mountain Wilderness; (3) Future 
proposals in Steens Mountain Wilderness would be in conformance with 
the Steens Act and the Wilderness Act.
    Copies of the Final EIS have been sent to affected Federal, State, 
Tribal and local government agencies and to interested parties. The 
Final EIS is available for public inspection at the BLM Burns District 
Office in Hines, Oregon, during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays). Comments received 
from the public and internal BLM review comments on the Draft EIS were 
incorporated into the Final EIS, where appropriate.
    Public input during scoping as well as internal scoping identified 
at least 20 issues for analysis in the EIS. These issues are outlined 
in Chapter 1 of the Final EIS.
    Opportunities for public involvement to date in the process have 
included two separate public scoping periods, a 45-day comment period 
on the Draft EIS which included two public meetings. In addition, the 
Steens Mountain Advisory Council has participated in the process and 
made a specific recommendation which supports the Preferred 
Alternative.
    Public comments on the Draft EIS received during the 45-day comment 
period were reviewed by BLM specialists and cooperating agencies. 
Responses to public comments as well as summarized versions of the 
public comments are included in the Final EIS. Changes to the EIS made 
between Draft and Final were based on public comments and internal 
review. Meetings were held and coordination has been conducted with 
Harney County Commissioner, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services, Oregon Department of 
Environmental Quality, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, 
Burns Paiute Tribe, and Harney Soil and Water Conservation District.

Karla Bird,
Andrews Resource Area Field Manager.
 [FR Doc. E7-16126 Filed 8-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P