[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 431-432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31248]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNML00000 L16100000.DO0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan for the 
Prehistoric Trackways National Monument, Las Cruces District Office, 
New Mexico and Associated Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las 
Cruces District Office, Las Cruces, New Mexico, intends to prepare a 
Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument and by 
this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to 
solicit public comments and identify issues. The RMP will replace the 
existing Mimbres RMP (1993).

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP 
with associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing 
until February 4, 2010. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings 
will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, 
newsletters, and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Las_Cruces_District_Office.html html. In order to be included in the 
Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 
scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is 
later. We will provide additional opportunities for

[[Page 432]]

public participation upon publication of the Draft RMP/EIS.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to Prehistoric Trackways National Monument RMP/EIS by any of 
the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Las_Cruces_District_Office.html.
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Fax: (575) 525-4412.
     Mail: BLM, Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess 
Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.

    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Las 
Cruces District Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, contact Lori Allen; telephone 
(575) 525-4454; address BLM, Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess 
Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
District Office, Las Cruces, New Mexico, intends to: (1) Prepare an RMP 
with an associated EIS for the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument; 
(2) announce the beginning of the scoping process; and (3) seek public 
input on issues and planning criteria.
    The planning area is located in Do[ntilde]a Ana County, New Mexico 
and encompasses approximately 6,000 acres of public land.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary 
issues for the planning area have been identified by BLM personnel, 
Federal, State, and local agencies, and other stakeholders and include 
Paleozoic resource protection, scientific research, off-highway vehicle 
use/recreation, and interpretation and education. Preliminary planning 
criteria will include the following:
    1. The RMP will be in compliance with the Omnibus Public Land 
Management Act of 2009, FLPMA, NEPA, and all other applicable laws, 
regulations, and policies;
    2. Land use decisions will apply to the surface and subsurface 
estate managed by the BLM;
    3. The planning process will follow the BLM Land Use Planning 
Handbook, H-1601-1 and NEPA Handbook, H-1790-1 for program specific 
guidance;
    4. Public participation and collaboration will be an integral part 
of the planning process;
    5. The BLM will strive to make decisions in the plan compatible 
with the existing plans and policies of adjacent local, State, and 
Federal agencies and tribal entities, as long as the decisions are 
consistent with the purposes, policies, and programs of Federal law and 
regulations applicable to public land;
    6. The RMP will recognize valid existing rights;
    7. The RMP will incorporate, where applicable, management decisions 
brought forward from existing planning documents;
    8. The BLM will work cooperatively and collaboratively with 
cooperating agencies and all other interested groups, agencies, and 
individuals;
    9. The BLM will consider public welfare and safety when addressing 
hazardous materials and fire management;
    10. Geographic Information System and metadata information will 
meet Federal Geographic Data Committee standards, as required by 
Executive Order 12906;
    11. The planning process will provide for ongoing consultation with 
tribal entities and strategies for protecting recognized traditional 
uses;
    12. Planning and management direction will focus on the relative 
values of resources and not the combination of uses that will give the 
greatest economic return or economic output;
    13. Where practicable and timely for the planning effort, the best 
available scientific information, research, and new technologies will 
be used; and
    14. The Economic Profile System will be used as one source of 
demographic and economic data for the planning process.
    You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing 
to the BLM at any public scoping meeting, or you may submit them to the 
BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. 
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other 
personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware 
that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so. The minutes and list of attendees for each scoping 
meeting will be available to the public and open for 30 days after the 
meeting to any participant who wishes to clarify the views he or she 
expressed. The BLM will evaluate identified issues to be addressed in 
the plan, and will place them into one of three categories:
    1. Issues to be resolved in the plan;
    2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; 
or
    3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan.
    The BLM will provide an explanation in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS as 
to why an issue was placed in category two or three. The public is also 
encouraged to help identify any management questions and concerns that 
should be addressed in the plan. The BLM will work collaboratively with 
interested parties to identify the management decisions that are best 
suited to local, regional, and national needs and concerns.
    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan 
in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns 
identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines 
will be involved in the planning process: Planning and NEPA, 
Paleontology, Outdoor Recreation, Minerals and Geology, Archeology, 
Wildlife, and others as may be needed.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 1610.2.

Linda S. C. Rundell,
State Director, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E9-31248 Filed 1-4-10; 8:45 am]
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