[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36941-36942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13557]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLESM03300.L16100000.DU0000]


Notice of Intent To Amend the Land Use Plans for the BLM-
Administered Public Lands in Wisconsin and Minnesota and Prepare an 
Associated Environmental Assessment

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 (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Northeastern States District, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, intends to prepare 
amendments for the Wisconsin Resource Management Plan (1985), the 
Minnesota Management Framework Plan (1982), and the Lake Vermilion 
Public Islands Coordinated Resource Management Plan (1993) 
(collectively referred to as Land Use Plans) and an associated 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the BLM-administered public lands in 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, 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 Land 
Use Plan amendments with an associated EA. Comments on issues may be 
submitted in writing until July 8, 2016. The BLM will hold public 
meetings pertaining to this proposed Land Use Plan amendment in one 
community in Minnesota (city of Virginia) and in three Wisconsin 
communities (cities of Stevens Point, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee). 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: https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/lup/lup_register.do. 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 Land Use Plan Amendments and Associated EA by any of the 
following methods:
     Internet: https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/lup/lup_register.do.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 414-297-4409.
     Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Northeastern States 
District, 626 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the 
Northeastern States District, 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt Wadzinski, telephone 414-297-
4408; address 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin 53202; email [email protected]. Contact Mr. Wadzinski 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 
Northeastern States District, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, intends to prepare 
Land Use Plan amendments with an associated EA for the BLM-administered 
public lands in Wisconsin and Minnesota. This notice announces the 
beginning of the scoping process and invites public input on issues and 
planning criteria. The planning area is located in Wisconsin and 
Minnesota and encompasses approximately 3,636 acres of public land, 
including approximately 350 islands in Wisconsin, 100 islands in 
Minnesota, 30 upland parcels in Minnesota, and six upland parcels in 
Wisconsin. The planning area is covered by three Land Use Plans, 
including the Wisconsin Resource Management Plan (1985), the Minnesota 
Management Framework Plan (1982), and the Lake Vermilion Public Islands 
Coordinated Resource Management Plan (CRMP) (1993). An inventory of 
wilderness characteristics of the public islands in Wisconsin was 
published in 1981, and concluded that the public islands in Wisconsin 
do not meet the criteria for designation as wilderness. Amendments are 
needed to facilitate a more proactive management approach, in light of 
new information on resources that are present on the lands in question, 
notably the presence of cultural resources and sensitive wildlife 
habitats and plant communities. The purpose of

[[Page 36942]]

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, Federal, 
State, and local agencies, and other stakeholders. The issues include 
the following: (a) Degradation of cultural resources; (b) Recreation 
site degradation from litter, construction of unauthorized structures, 
and cutting of live trees for campfires; (c) Conflicts between 
recreational users and managers of nearby, regulated recreation sites 
under different jurisdictions; and (d) Spread of non-native, invasive 
plant species. Preliminary planning criteria are as follows: (a) The 
Land Use Plans will be amended in compliance with FLPMA, NEPA, the 
Shipstead-Nolan-Newton Act of 1930, and all other relevant Federal 
laws, executive orders, and BLM policies; (b) Where planning decisions 
are still valid, those decisions may remain unchanged and incorporated 
into the new Land Use Plans; (c) The Land Use Plans will recognize 
valid, existing rights; (d) Native American tribal consultations will 
be conducted in accordance with policy and Tribal concerns will be 
given due consideration; (e) The amended Land Use Plans (not including 
the Lake Vermilion CRMP) will provide disposal criteria that balance 
the public benefits of BLM retention against the management efficiency 
of land disposal; (f) The amended Land Use Plans will provide policy 
for managing recreational use on BLM-administered public lands; and (g) 
The amended Land Use Plans will provide a general description of BLM 
management activities pertaining to vegetation, prescribed fire, 
wildlife, cultural resources, and other resources. You may submit 
comments on issues and planning criteria in writing to the BLM at any 
public scoping meeting, or you may submit 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 30-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 
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 action, 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 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 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 EA 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 plan. 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 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: outdoor 
recreation, cultural resources, forestry, vegetation, wildlife and 
fisheries, lands and realty, hydrology, soils, air quality, fire 
management, sociology and economics.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2

Dean Gettinger,
District Manager, Northeastern States District.
[FR Doc. 2016-13557 Filed 6-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-P