[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41444-41446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17146]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNMA01200 L16100000.DP000/LXSS034G0000]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Rio Puerco Field Office, 
New Mexico

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, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a 
Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Rio Puerco Field Office and by this notice is 
announcing the opening of the public comment period.

DATES: To ensure that comments will be considered, the BLM must receive 
written comments on the Draft RMP/Draft EIS within 90 days following 
the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes this notice of 
the Draft RMP/Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce 
future meetings or hearings and any other public participation 
activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media 
releases, and/or mailings.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Rio Puerco Draft RMP/
Draft EIS by any of the following methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/nm/riopuerco.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 505-761-8911, attn.: Angel Martinez.
     Mail: 435 Monta[ntilde]o Road NE., Albuquerque, New Mexico 
87107, attn.: Angel Martinez.
    Copies of the Rio Puerco Draft RMP/Draft EIS are available at the 
Rio Puerco Field Office, at the above address; the New Mexico State 
Office at 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico; and the Grants 
Field Station at 202 Smokey Circle, Grants, New Mexico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Angel 
Martinez, Planning and Environmental Coordinator; telephone 505-761-
8918; address 435 Monta[ntilde]o Road NE., Albuquerque, New Mexico, 
87107; 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 service 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: In the Rio Puerco Draft RMP/Draft EIS, the 
BLM analyzes the environmental consequences of four alternative land-
use plans under consideration for managing approximately 744,387 acres 
of surface estate and 3.4 million acres of subsurface mineral estate. 
These lands, administered by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office, are 
located within Bernalillo, Cibola, McKinley, Sandoval, Torrance, and 
Valencia counties in central New Mexico.
    This land-use plan would replace the current Rio Puerco RMP, which 
was approved in 1986. The RMP revision is needed to provide updated 
management decisions for a variety of uses and resources, including 
land-tenure adjustments, land-use authorizations, mineral resources, 
recreation, areas with special management designations, lands with 
wilderness characteristics, livestock grazing, transportation access, 
renewable energy, visual resources, wildland/urban interface, and 
others. The approved Rio Puerco RMP will apply only to the BLM-
administered public lands and Federal mineral estate.
    The four alternatives analyzed in detail in the Draft RMP/Draft EIS 
are as follows:
     Alternative A, No Action, or a continuation of existing 
management;
     Alternative B, which would emphasize resource conservation 
and protection;
     Alternative C, the BLM's Preferred Alternative, which 
would provide for a balance of resources uses with protections; and
     Alternative D, which would allow for a greater opportunity 
for resource use and development.
    Among the special designations under consideration within the range 
of alternatives, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) are 
proposed to protect certain resource values. Pertinent information 
regarding these ACECs, including proposed designation acreages and 
resource-use limitations, is summarized below. Each alternative 
considers a combination of resource-use limitations for each ACEC. A 
more detailed summary of the proposed ACECs by alternative is available 
at the project Web site.
     Bluewater Canyon ACEC (currently 97 acres; Alternatives B-
D would

[[Page 41445]]

expand to 941 acres). This ACEC would be managed for riparian habitat, 
wildlife, scenic values, and primitive recreation opportunities. 
Proposed resource-use limitations include: No Surface Occupancy (NSO) 
stipulations on mineral leases; prohibition on the sale of commercial 
or home-use forest products (under Alternative D, fuelwood collection 
would be allowed outside of riparian areas); Closed to off-road 
vehicles except for authorized use; restrictions on use of large 
mechanized firefighting equipment, chemical drops, intensive forestry 
management, and fire hazard reduction; closed to extraction of salable 
minerals; withdrawn from locatable mineral entry; managed as Visual 
Resource Management (VRM) Class II; restrictions on camping within the 
riparian zone; livestock grazing prohibited, or would be limited to 
prescribed grazing;
     Bony Canyon ACEC (not currently designated; Alternatives B 
and C would designate 1,150 acres; Alternative D would designate as a 
Research Natural Area). This ACEC would be managed for paleontological 
values. Proposed resource-use limitations include: Limited travel to 
authorized use only, or to existing primitive roads and trails; NSO 
stipulation for leasable fluid minerals; withdrawn from locatable 
mineral entry; livestock grazing prohibited, or limited to prescribed 
grazing.
     Cabezon Peak ACEC (currently 5,765 acres; Alternatives B 
and C would expand to 17,150 acres; Alternative D would expand to 
6,984acres). This ACEC would be managed for scenic, cultural, geologic, 
and rare plant values. Proposed resource-use limitations include: 
Motorized travel limited to authorized use; livestock grazing 
prohibited or limited to prescriptive grazing; NSO, controlled surface 
use (CSU), and timing stipulations for leasable fluid minerals; closure 
to extraction of salable minerals; withdrawn from locatable mineral 
entry; management as VRM Class II.
     Ca[ntilde]on Jarido ACEC (currently designated as a 
Special Management Area (SMA); Alternatives B-C would designate 6,536 
acres; Alternative D would designate 1,794 acres). This ACEC would be 
managed for scenic, wildlife, and cultural values. Proposed resource-
use limitations include: Motorized vehicle use limited to existing 
primitive roads and trails with no motorized travel in riparian areas; 
NSO or CSU stipulations for leasable fluid minerals; closed to 
extraction of salable minerals; managed as VRM Class II; livestock 
grazing prohibited, or limited to prescribed grazing.
     Ca[ntilde]on Tapia ACEC (Alternatives A-C would maintain 
the ACEC at 990 acres; Alternative D would remove the ACEC designation 
and manage the area as part of a Special Recreation Management Area 
(SRMA)). The ACEC would be managed for cultural values. Proposed 
resource-use limitations would include: NSO or CSU stipulation for 
leasable fluid minerals; limit motorized travel to existing primitive 
roads and trails; livestock grazing prohibited or limited to prescribed 
grazing; closed to extraction of salable minerals; withdrawn from 
locatable mineral entry.
     Cerro Verde ACEC (There is currently no special 
designation for the area; Alternatives B-C would designate 5,292 acres; 
Alternative D would include the area as part of a SRMA). This ACEC 
would be managed for geologic and scenic values. Proposed resource-use 
limitations include: NSO or CSU stipulations for leasable fluid 
minerals; salable mineral extraction would be avoided or prohibited; 
withdrawn from locatable mineral entry; managed as VRM Class II; 
motorized travel limited to authorized use; livestock grazing would be 
prohibited, or would be limited to prescribed grazing.
     Elk Springs ACEC (Currently 10,334 acres; Alternatives B-D 
would expand to 10,324 acres). This ACEC would be managed for crucial 
winter deer and elk range, scenic, and unique geologic values. Proposed 
resource-use limitations include: No surface disturbance between 
November and May; motorized vehicle use limited to existing primitive 
roads and trails, and closed to motorized vehicle use from December to 
May; all or portions of the ACEC withdrawn from mineral entry; NSO or 
CSU stipulations for leasable minerals in all or portions of the ACEC; 
managed as VRM Class II; livestock grazing prohibited, or limited to 
prescribed grazing.
     Espinosa Ridge ACEC (formerly Ball Ranch) (Currently 1,478 
acres; Alternative B would expand to 10,295 acres; Alternative C would 
expand to 7,687 acres; and Alternative D would maintain current 
acreage). This ACEC would be managed for paleontological, geologic, 
scenic, special status plants, riparian, and cultural values. Proposed 
resource-use limitations include: Withdrawn from locatable mineral 
entry; closed to mineral leasing, or leased with NSO or CSU 
stipulations; closed to extraction of salable minerals; managed as VRM 
Class II; motorized travel limited to existing primitive roads and 
trails; controlled access maintained; livestock grazing prohibited from 
all or a portion of the ACEC, or limited to prescriptive grazing; 
closed to casual collecting of paleontological resources.
     Guadalupe Ruin and Community ACEC (Currently 478 acres 
designated as a SMA; Alternatives B-D would designate the area as an 
ACEC). This ACEC would be managed for cultural and scenic values. 
Proposed resource-use limitations include: 40-acre fenced area closed 
to motorized vehicle use, with the rest of the area limited to existing 
primitive roads and trails; withdrawn from locatable mineral entry; 
closed to extraction of leasable fluid minerals; closed to extraction 
of salable minerals; livestock grazing prohibited or limited to 
prescribed grazing; managed as VRM Class II.
     Ignacio Chavez Grant ACEC (Currently designated as a SMA 
(43,026 acres) and a Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (33,182 acres)); 
Alternatives B-C would designate an ACEC to correspond with the SMA; 
Alternative D would not designate an ACEC, but would manage the area as 
part of a SRMA). This ACEC would be managed for scenic and wildlife 
values. Proposed resource-use limitations include: Travel would be 
limited to existing primitive roads and trails, with motorized seasonal 
closures of certain roads; NSO or CSU stipulations for leasable fluid 
minerals; closed to extraction of salable minerals; withdrawn from 
locatable mineral entry; managed as VRM Class II; livestock grazing 
prohibited, or limited to prescribed livestock grazing.
     Jones Canyon ACEC (Currently 639 acres; Alternatives B 
would expand the ACEC boundary to 959acres; Alternatives C & D would 
maintain the ACEC at 639 acres). This ACEC would be managed for 
cultural and scenic values. Potential resource-use limitations include: 
NSO or CSU stipulations for leasable fluid minerals; withdrawn from 
locatable mineral entry; extraction of salable minerals avoided or 
prohibited; managed as VRM Class II; motorized travel limited to 
existing primitive roads and trails; livestock grazing prohibited, or 
limited to prescribed livestock grazing.
     Legacy Uranium Mines ACEC (Not currently designated, 
Alternatives B-D would designate 50 acres). This ACEC would be managed 
for health and safety concerns. Proposed resource-use limitations 
include: NSO for leasable fluid minerals; closed to extraction of 
salable minerals; avoidance area for rights-of-way; motorized travel 
limited to authorized use; livestock grazing prohibited, or limited to 
prescribed grazing.
     Ojito ACEC (Currently 16,310acres; Alternative B would 
maintain current

[[Page 41446]]

boundaries; Alternative C would exclude the 6,454 acres in the Ojito 
Wilderness Area; Alternative D would remove the designation). This ACEC 
would be managed for geologic, paleontological, cultural, scenic, rare 
plants, and biological values. Proposed resource-use limitations 
include: Parts to all of the ACEC are withdrawn from locatable mineral 
entry; parts of the ACEC are closed to fluid mineral leasing; minerals 
extraction of salable minerals closed or avoided in parts of the ACEC; 
CSU stipulations on areas open to leasable minerals; close parts of the 
ACEC to all but authorized users; limit motorized travel to authorized 
use, or limit to existing primitive roads and trails; managed as VRM 
Class II; livestock grazing prohibited, or limited to prescriptive 
grazing; implement timing limitation stipulation around raptor nests.
     Petaca Pinta ACEC (Currently 13,723 acres are designated 
as an SMA; Alternatives B-D would correspond with SMA boundaries). This 
ACEC would be managed for wildlife and scenic values. Proposed 
resource-use limitations include: Motorized vehicle use limited to 
existing primitive roads and trails; closed to fluid mineral leasing; 
closed to extraction of salable minerals; withdrawn from locatable 
mineral entry; managed as VRM Class II; livestock grazing prohibited, 
or limited to prescribed grazing.
     Pronoun Cave Complex ACEC (Currently 1,181 acres 
designated as a SMA; Alternative B would expand the ACEC to 1,342 
acres; Alternative C would maintain current boundaries; Alternative D 
would remove the special designation and manage as part of a SRMA). 
This ACEC would be managed for geologic and wildlife values. Proposed 
resource-use restrictions include: CSU stipulations for leasable fluid 
minerals; extraction of salable minerals avoided or prohibited; 
withdrawn from locatable mineral entry; closed to all travel except for 
authorized use, or limited to existing primitive roads and trails; 
caves would be closed to recreation, either year-round or during bats' 
winter hibernation period; livestock grazing would be prohibited, or 
limited to prescribed grazing.
     San Luis Mesa Raptor Area ACEC (Currently 10,483 acres; 
Alternatives B-C would expand to 10,483 acres; Alternative D would 
remove the ACEC designation and manage as part of a SRMA). This ACEC 
would be managed for wildlife values. Proposed resource-use limitations 
include: Human activities and surface disturbances restricted around 
raptor nest sites from February 1 to July 15; prohibit surface 
disturbance in portions of the ACEC; travel limited to existing 
primitive roads and trails; portions of the ACEC withdrawn from 
locatable mineral entry; CSU stipulation around prairie dog towns; 
timing limitations stipulations for protection of raptor habitat; NSO 
or CSU for leasable minerals; extraction of salable minerals prohibited 
or avoided; livestock grazing prohibited or limited to prescribed 
grazing.
     San Miguel Dome ACEC (Not currently designated; 
Alternatives B-C would designate 4,437 acres; Alternative D would not 
designate but would manage the area as part of a SRMA). This ACEC would 
be managed for geologic values and biological soil crusts. Proposed 
resource-use limitations include: Livestock grazing prohibited, or 
limited to prescribed grazing; motorized travel limited to existing 
primitive roads and trails; pedestrian access limited to designated 
hiking trails; NSO for leasable fluid minerals; extraction of salable 
minerals would be avoided or prohibited; withdrawn from locatable 
mineral entry.
     Torreon Fossil Fauna ACEC (Currently 6,488 acres is 
designated as a SMA and ACEC; Alternatives B-D maintain the ACEC 
designation). This ACEC would be managed for rare plants and 
paleontological resources. Proposed resource-use limitations include: 
CSU for leasable fluid minerals; motorized travel limited to existing 
primitive roads and trails.
    The land-use planning process was initiated on February 29, 2008, 
through a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register (73 FR 
11142), notifying the public of a formal scoping period and soliciting 
public participation. Eight scoping meetings were held in April 2008 in 
Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Cuba, Grants, Gallup, Los Lunas, Moriarty, and 
Rio Rancho. Between March 2007 and February 2008, Rio Puerco Field 
Office managers and staff had discussions about the Rio Puerco Draft 
RMP/Draft EIS with 12 local American Indian tribal groups, including 
Acoma Pueblo, Eastern Navajo Agency Council, Isleta Pueblo, Jemez 
Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, Navajo Nation, Ojo Encino Navajo Chapter, Sandia 
Pueblo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Torreon Navajo Chapter, Torreon Red Dog 
group, Zia Pueblo, and Zuni Pueblo. A scoping presentation was given to 
the BLM Resource Advisory Council (RAC) in March 2008. The BLM also met 
with various other stakeholder and interest groups. In addition, two 
Economic Profile System workshops were held early in the process with 
local citizens and community leaders to develop a common understanding 
of the local economies and the ways in which land-use planning 
decisions might affect them. During the scoping period ending on 
September 30, 2008, the public provided the Rio Puerco Field Office 
with input on relevant issues to consider in the planning process. 
Additional information was collected during two internal Alternatives 
Development Workshops and one Cooperating Agency Workshop. Based on 
these issues, conflicts, information, and the BLM's goals and 
objectives, the Rio Puerco Field Office Interdisciplinary RMP Team and 
managers formulated four alternatives for consideration and analysis in 
the Draft RMP/Draft EIS. Following the close of the public review and 
comment period, any substantive public comments will be used to revise 
the Draft RMP/Draft EIS in preparation for its release to the public as 
the Proposed Resource Management Plan revision and Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (Proposed RMP/Final EIS). The BLM will respond to each 
substantive comment received during the public review and comment 
period by making appropriate revisions to the document, or explaining 
why the comment did not warrant a change. Notice of the availability of 
the Proposed RMP/Final EIS will be posted in the Federal Register. 
Please note that public comments and information submitted--including 
names, street addresses, and email addresses of persons who submit 
comments--will be available for public review and disclosure at the 
above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), 
Monday through Friday (except holidays).
    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 us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6; 40 CFR 1506.10; 43 CFR 1610.2

Jesse Juen,
New Mexico State Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-17146 Filed 7-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-AG-P