[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69705-69706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27835]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLCOF03000 L16100000.DU0000]


Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan 
Amendment and Environmental Assessment for the San Luis Resource Area, 
CO

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) San Luis Valley 
Field Office prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) 
with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) for the San Luis 
Resource Area 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 RMPA and associated EA by January 21, 
2014. 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 draft RMPA and 
associated EA by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 719-655-2502.
     Mail: BLM--Blanca Wetlands RMPA/EA, 46525 State Highway 
114, Saguache, CO 81149.
    Copies of the draft RMPA and associated EA are available in the 
BLM's

[[Page 69706]]

San Luis Valley Field Office at 46525 State Highway 114, Saguache, CO 
81149; or on the Web site: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/slvfo/blanca_wetlands.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Lucero, Wildlife Biologist; 
telephone: 719-274-6301; San Luis Valley Field Office: See address 
above; 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, seven days 
a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You 
will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM prepared the draft RMPA and 
associated EA to analyze the potential impacts of modifying the 
boundary of the Blanca Wetlands Area of Critical Environmental Concern 
(ACEC). The current ACEC boundary and management decisions for 
resources are described in the San Luis Resource Area Approved RMP 
(December 1991).
    The formal public scoping process for the RMPA and EA began on 
October 11, 2011, with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the 
Federal Register. Major issues considered in the RMPA and associated EA 
include geological and paleontological resources; vegetation and soils; 
wildlife and terrestrial habitat; aquatic, wetlands and riparian areas; 
water resources; cultural resources; recreation; science and education; 
livestock grazing; transportation and travel management; lands and 
realty; and special designations.
    The draft RMPA and associated EA evaluate the No Action Alternative 
and two alternatives for modifying the boundary of the Blanca Wetlands 
ACEC (Alternatives 1 and 2). The BLM identified Alternative 1 as the 
preferred alternative. The No Action Alternative would retain the 
current management direction and Blanca Wetlands ACEC boundary (9,147 
acres) specified in the 1991 San Luis Resource Area RMP. Alternative 1 
would enlarge the Blanca Wetlands ACEC to 122,762 acres. Alternative 2 
would enlarge the Blanca Wetlands ACEC to 99,062 acres. Both 
Alternatives 1 and 2 would provide special management to maintain and 
improve wetlands for waterfowl production, enhance historical wetlands, 
and emphasize recreation related to warm water fisheries and watchable 
wildlife. Neither alternative specifies any new resource use 
limitations for the expanded portion of the Blanca Wetlands ACEC. The 
BLM would establish appropriate resource use limitations in the future 
as wetlands are developed. No new water rights would be created and no 
land ownership jurisdictions would change should the boundary be 
expanded as a result of any alternative.
    Pursuant to 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b), this notice announces a concurrent 
public comment period on the proposed expanded ACEC.
    Please note that public comments will be available for public 
review and disclosure at the above address during regular business 
hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 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, 43 CFR 1610.2.

John Mehlhoff,
BLM Colorado Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-27835 Filed 11-19-13; 8:45 am]
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