[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3463-3464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01187]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-P040-2016-1711-PH-1000-241A]


Notice of Intent To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the 
Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona, and Prepare an 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 
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Lower Sonoran Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona, intends to prepare a 
Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sonoran Desert National 
Monument (SDNM). This notice announces the beginning of the scoping 
process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP 
amendment with an associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted 
in writing until March 21, 2016. The date(s) and location(s) of scoping 
meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local 
news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at http://on.doi.gov/1JayaFm. In order to be included in the analysis, all comments must be 
received prior to the close of the 60-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 SDNM Amendment and EIS addressing Recreational Target 
Shooting in the SDNM by any of the methods outlined below:

     Email: [email protected]
     Fax: 623-580-5623
     Mail: BLM, Sonoran Desert National Monument, 21605 North 
7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027

Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the Phoenix 
District Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Scarbrough, Monument Manager, 
telephone 623-580-5651; address 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 
85027; email [email protected]. Contact Mr. Scarbrough 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 the above individual. You will receive 
a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
Lower Sonoran Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona, intends to prepare an RMP 
amendment addressing recreational target shooting in the SDNM with an 
associated EIS, announces the beginning of the scoping process, and 
seeks public input on issues and planning criteria. The planning area 
is located in Maricopa and Pinal counties, Arizona and encompasses 
approximately 486,400 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 plan amendment area 
have been identified by BLM personnel and include: (1) Direct, 
indirect, and cumulative impacts from target shooting on monument 
objects and other resources; (2) impacts to surrounding areas resulting 
from displacement of recreational target shooters if areas are closed; 
(3) impacts to natural and cultural resources related to noise and 
litter associated with recreational target shooting; and (4) 
identification of opportunities to apply hierarchical mitigation 
strategies for avoiding, minimizing, and, where compensatory mitigation 
is appropriate, considering on-site, nearby, and regional locations as 
it relates to recreational target shooting. Preliminary planning 
criteria requires the BLM to ensure that there are no unnecessary data 
collection and analyses; that the process is based on applicable law; 
that the actions will be available for public comment; and that the BLM 
will be flexible in making adjustments as situations and assessments 
warrant.
    You may submit comments on issues in writing to the BLM at any 
public scoping meeting, or you may submit

[[Page 3464]]

them 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 60-day scoping period or within 15 days after the last 
public meeting, whichever is later.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA scoping process to 
help fulfill the public involvement process 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 
of potential effect of 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 action that the BLM is evaluating, 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 EIS 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 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 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 Draft RMP/Draft EIS as 
to why an issue was placed in categories 2 or 3. 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 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 
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: National 
Conservation Lands designations, outdoor recreation, archaeology, 
wildlife and fisheries, rangeland management, minerals and geology, 
lands and realty, hydrology, soils, sociology, and economics.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2.

Edward J. Kender,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 2016-01187 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-32-P