[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 153 (Monday, August 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47951-47953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19606]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[15XL LLIDI02000.L71220000.EO0000. LVTFD0975750 241A 4500077602; IDI-
36468]


Notice of Intent To Amend the Pocatello Resource Management Plan 
and Notice of Realty Action: Segregation of Land for a Proposed Non-
Competitive (Direct) Sale of Public Land in Caribou County, Idaho

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent and Notice of Realty Action.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides for two related actions involving 
1,142.10 acres of public land in Caribou County, Idaho, one a proposed 
land use plan amendment and the other a proposed direct land sale. In 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
(FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pocatello 
Field Office intends to prepare a resource management plan (RMP) 
amendment for the 2012 Pocatello RMP with an associated environmental 
impact statement (EIS) being prepared for a mine and reclamation plan 
for the proposed Dairy Syncline phosphate mine. This notice announces 
the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues specific to the plan amendment. As part of proposed 
phosphate mine development, two parcels of public land in Caribou 
County, Idaho, are being considered for a direct sale under the 
provisions of FLPMA Section 203 at no less than the appraised fair 
market value.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP 
amendment, which will be evaluated in the EIS associated with the 
proposed mine plan. Comments on issues specific to the public land sale 
RMP amendment may be submitted in writing until September 9, 2015. The 
date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at 
least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and the 
BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/id. In order to be included in the 
analysis, all comments must be received prior to the close of the 30-
day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever 
is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public 
participation as appropriate.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to the RMP amendment and proposed sale by any of the following 
methods:
     Web site: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/prog/nepa_register/dairy_syncline_mine.html
     email: [email protected]
     fax: 208-478-6376
     mail: BLM Pocatello Field Office, ATTN: Dairy Syncline 
EIS, 4350 Cliff Drive, Pocatello, Idaho 83401.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the 
Pocatello Field Office. Please reference ``Pocatello RMP Amendment/
Notice of Realty Action: Proposed Sale of Public Lands'' on all 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria Jakovac, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho 
83401; phone 208-524-7526; email: [email protected]. 
Contact Ms. Jakovac to have your name added to our mailing list. 
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 Ms. Jakovac. You will receive a reply during normal business 
hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
Pocatello Field Office, Pocatello, Idaho intends to prepare an RMP 
amendment in conjunction with the Dairy Syncline Mine Plan EIS and 
announces the beginning of the scoping process seeking input on issues 
and planning criteria specific to the RMP amendment. The purpose of the 
proposed RMP amendment is to evaluate whether the 1,142.10 acres of 
public lands proposed for sale as part of the Dairy Syncline Mine Plan, 
which are identified as eligible for disposal in the 2012 Pocatello 
RMP, meet one or more of FLPMA's Section 203 sales criteria. The

[[Page 47952]]

proposed land sale would accommodate a tailings pond that is a 
component of the mine and reclamation plan required for developing 
existing Federal phosphate leases.
    Amending the Pocatello RMP as proposed would not increase the 
number of acres previously identified in the RMP as eligible for 
disposal. It would merely clarify that the 1,142.10 acres of public 
lands described above meet Section 203 sale criteria, thereby allowing 
consideration of the proposed sale to continue. In addition, the RMP 
amendment would not change the BLM's ability to dispose of public lands 
in Land Tenure Adjustment Zone 3 (as defined in the 2012 Pocatello RMP) 
through exchange, Recreation & Public Purposes Act leases or other 
means of conveyance, or to retain them. A separate RMP amendment, 
detailed analysis and Notice of Realty Action would be required for any 
subsequent sales proposed for public lands within Zone 3. Sale of the 
parcel described above will not proceed before completion of the Dairy 
Syncline EIS.
    The following described public lands in Caribou County, Idaho, 
would be affected by the RMP amendment and will be considered for sale 
under the authority of FLPMA if they meet one or more of the sales 
criteria in Section 203:

Boise Meridian, Idaho

T. 9 S., R. 44 E.,
    Sec. 6, lots 3 thru 7, inclusive, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/
4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 7, lot 1, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, lots 1 and 2, S\1/2\NE\1/4\.

    The area described contains 1,142.10 acres.

    In addition to initiating scoping for this RMP amendment, this 
notice also segregates the parcels from appropriation under the public 
land laws, including the mining laws, during the development of the EIS 
analyzing the Dairy Syncline Mine Plan and RMP amendment. Conveyance of 
the sale parcels would be subject to valid existing rights and 
encumbrances of records, including but not limited to, rights-of-way 
for roads and public utilities. Conveyance of any mineral interest 
pursuant to Section 209 of FLPMA will be analyzed during processing of 
the proposed sale. The patent would include an appropriate 
indemnification clause protecting the United States from claims arising 
out of the patentee's use, occupancy or occupations of the patented 
lands.
    On August 10, 2015, the above-described parcels for sale will be 
segregated from appropriation under the public land laws, including the 
United States mining laws, except the sale provisions of FLPMA. The 
segregation of the public lands being considered for sale will be for a 
period of two years. Until completion of the sale or termination of 
consideration of the sale, the BLM is no longer accepting land use 
applications affecting the identified public land, except applications 
for the amendment of previously-filed rights-of-way applications or 
existing authorizations to increase the term of the grants in 
accordance with 43 CFR 2807.15 and 2886.15. The segregative effect will 
terminate upon issuance of a patent, publication in the Federal 
Register of a termination of the segregation, or August 10, 2017, 
unless extended by the BLM State Director in accordance with 43 CFR 
2711.1-2(d) prior to the termination date.
    The subject public lands are included in Land Tenure Adjustment 
Zone 3 of the approved 2012 Pocatello RMP. The RMP identified 
approximately 141,000 acres of public lands within Zone 3 as 
potentially suitable for disposal by exchange; however, disposal of 
land through sales and Recreation & Public Purposes Act (R&PP) patents 
would also be allowed. The RMP did not identify which of those lands in 
Zone 3 meet FLPMA Section 203 sale criteria.
    The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the RMP amendment, including 
alternatives, and guide the RMP amendment process. A preliminary issue 
identified by BLM personnel; Federal, State, and local agencies; and 
other stakeholders is to identify whether the subject lands currently 
designated as eligible or potentially eligible for disposal also meet 
FLPMA Section 203 sale criteria (43 U.S.C. 1713(a)). The Pocatello RMP 
identifies approximately 141,000 acres of public land in Zone 3 as 
available for disposal. However, the RMP does not specify whether those 
lands have been evaluated under FLPMA Section 203. Issues communicated 
to the BLM in response to this notice that are related to the direct or 
indirect impacts of the proposed sale or related future land issues 
will be considered and appropriately addressed in the Dairy Syncline 
Mine EIS, the notice of intent for which was published in the Federal 
Register on April 13, 2010 (70 FR 18875).
    Comments may also be submitted regarding the planning criteria. 
Preliminary planning criteria include:
    1. The RMP amendment will only address whether the identified 
public lands, already designated as eligible for disposal (1,142.10 
acres in Caribou County, Idaho), meet FLPMA's Section 203 sale 
criteria. No other decisions associated with the Pocatello RMP will be 
amended.
    2. The RMP amendment will comply with FLPMA, NEPA, and all other 
applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
    3. For program-specific guidance for decisions at the land use 
planning level, the process will follow the BLM's policies in the Land 
Use Planning Handbook, H-1601-1.
    4. Public participation and collaboration will be an integral part 
of the planning process.
    5. The BLM will strive to make decisions in the RMP amendment 
compatible with existing plans and policies of adjacent local, State, 
and Federal agencies and affected Native American tribes, as long as 
the decisions are consistent with the purposes, policies, and programs 
of Federal law and regulations applicable to public lands.
    6. The BLM will work collaboratively with cooperating agencies and 
all other interested groups, agencies, and individuals.
    The public is invited to provide scoping comments on the above 
mentioned issue, as well as other issues that should be addressed in 
the preparation of the plan amendment or proposed sales.
    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, you should submit comments by the close of 
the 30-day scoping period.
    The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to help 
fulfill the public involvement requirements under the National Historic 
Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). 
The information about historic and cultural resources within the area 
potentially affected by the proposed action will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
    The BLM will consult with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175 and other 
policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and 
potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due 
consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with tribes 
and other stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the 
proposed sale of the subject public lands being evaluated are invited 
to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or 
be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the

[[Page 47953]]

environmental analysis as a cooperating agency.
    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. 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 amendment;
    2. Issues to be resolved through policy or administrative action; 
or
    3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan amendment.
    The BLM will provide an explanation in the Proposed RMP Amendment 
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 RMP amendment. 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 RMP 
amendment 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: Minerals and 
geology, forestry, outdoor recreation, archaeology, wildlife and 
fisheries, lands and realty, hydrology, soils, and socioeconomics.

    Authority:  43 CFR 2711.1-2, 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2

Timothy M. Murphy,
BLM Idaho State Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-19606 Filed 8-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P