[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1079-1080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-125]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLID9310000.L10200000.EE0000.LXSSD0010000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement To 
Address Grazing Permit Renewals in the Jump Creek, Succor Creek, and 
Cow Creek Watersheds in the Owyhee Field Office of the Boise District, 
ID

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, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976 (NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Owyhee 
Field Office in Marsing, Idaho intends to prepare an environmental 
impact statement (EIS), and by this notice, is announcing the beginning 
of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. We 
request that comments should be submitted within 30 days of the date of 
publication of this notice. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping 
meeting(s) will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local 
media and the BLM Web site, http://www.blm.gov/id. In order to be 
considered 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.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments and issues related to the Jump 
Creek, Succor Creek, and Cow Creek Watersheds Grazing Permit Renewal 
EIS by any of the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/owyhee/owyhee_grazing_group.html.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: (208) 373-3805.
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, 
Boise ID 83709, Attention: Jake Vialpando, Project Manager.

Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Owyhee 
Field Office; the BLM Boise District Office, 3948 Development Ave., 
Boise ID 83705; and the BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, 
Boise ID 83709.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: and/or to have your name added to our 
mailing list, contact Jake Vialpando, Project Manager, telephone (208) 
373-3814, email [email protected]. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1 (800) 877-8339 to contact the 
above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 
hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the 
above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business 
hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
Owyhee Field Office in Marsing, Idaho, intends to prepare an EIS to 
address grazing permit renewal requests in the Jump Creek, Succor 
Creek, and Cow Creek areas, and announces the beginning of the scoping 
process. The area covered by the permit renewal requests is located in 
Owyhee County, Idaho, and encompasses approximately 120,000 acres of 
public land. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine 
relevant issues that will influence the scope of the EIS, including the 
alternatives. The agency seeks public input to identify issues related 
to grazing permit renewals that have been proposed for those areas. 
Preliminary issues have been identified by BLM personnel; Federal, 
State, and local agencies; and other stakeholders. Some key issues that 
have already been identified involve the effects of livestock grazing 
on Greater sage-grouse and its habitat, as well as the potential for 
disease transmission between domestic and bighorn sheep. In addition to 
livestock grazing, a variety of other multiple uses exist within this 
area, including: year-long recreation activities, particularly hiking, 
boating, fishing, hunting, and off-road vehicle use; wild horse 
management; potential wind energy development and electrical 
transmission line development.
    The Owyhee Field Office will consult with the Shoshone-Paiute 
Tribes and other parties, as applicable, on this action during regular 
consultation proceedings and briefings. Federal, State, and local 
agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or 
affected by the BLM's decision on this project are invited to

[[Page 1080]]

participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be 
requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. The BLM 
will also brief county commissioners, Congressional delegations and 
grazing permittees during the EIS process.
    You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria in writing 
to the BLM using one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section 
above. To be most helpful, please submit comments by the close of the 
30-day scoping period or within 15 days after the last public meeting, 
whichever is later. Before including your address, phone number, email 
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 in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    The public is also encouraged to help identify any other management 
questions and concerns that should be addressed in the EIS.
    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the EIS 
in order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns 
identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines 
will be involved in the NEPA process: Range management, wildlife 
biology, archaeology, riparian, soils, and outdoor recreation.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2.

Loretta Chandler,
Field Manager, BLM Owyhee Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2012-125 Filed 1-6-12; 8:45 am]
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