[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 251 (Friday, December 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 96484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31743]


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DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[16X L1109AF LLUTY0100000 L16100000.DQ0000.LXSS030J0000 24 1A]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Moab 
Master Leasing Plan/Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments for 
the Moab and Monticello Field Offices, UT

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Moab Master Leasing Plan (MLP)/
Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments for the Moab and 
Monticello Field Offices (Approved Plan). On December 15, 2016, the 
Utah State Director signed the ROD, which constitutes the final 
decision of the BLM and makes the Approved Plan effective immediately.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD and Approved Plan are available upon 
request, and available for public inspection at the following 
locations:
     Bureau of Land Management, Utah State Office, 440 West 200 
South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah.
     Bureau of Land Management, Moab Field Office, 82 East 
Dogwood, Moab, Utah.
     Bureau of Land Management, Monticello Field Office, 365 
North Main, Monticello, Utah.
    The ROD and Approved Plan, together with accompanying background 
documents, are available online at: http://go.usa.gov/xksyS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Northrup, Project Manager, BLM 
Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, UT 84532, telephone 435-259-
2151 or email [email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-
877-8339 to contact the above individual. 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: The Approved Plan is the culmination of a 
significant effort by the BLM and interested members of the public, 
community stakeholders, and other local, State, and Federal partners, 
to provide for responsible mineral development in balance with healthy 
wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and a vital recreation economy.
    The Approved Plan addresses mineral leasing and development on 
785,567 acres of BLM-administered land within the Moab and Monticello 
Field Offices. The Approved Plan amends mineral leasing decisions in 
portions of the existing Moab and Monticello Resource Management Plans 
that were completed in 2008.
    The Proposed Plan was selected as the Approved Plan because it is 
the alternative that best balances competing considerations between 
outdoor recreation, iconic scenery, and development of oil/gas and 
potash deposits. The Approved Plan allows recreation and mineral 
extraction to occur in specified areas in order to minimize conflicts 
with resources.
    The Preferred Alternative in the MLP Draft Amendment/Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), with adjustments and 
clarifications, was carried forward as the Proposed Plan in the MLP/
Final EIS released to the public on July 21, 2016. Five protest letters 
were received during the 30-day protest period on the Proposed Plan, 
which ended on August 22, 2016. The letters were addressed by the BLM 
Washington Office. During the Governor's Consistency Review Process, 
the Governor sent correspondence to the BLM on September 22, 2016, 
identifying alleged inconsistencies between the Proposed Plan and the 
State's San Juan County Energy Zone. After reviewing the information 
submitted, the BLM determined that the Proposed Plan is consistent with 
the Zone to the maximum extent practical based on the identified 
resource values. No modifications or corrections were made to the 
Approved Plan in response to the protest process and the Governor's 
Consistency Review. The Governor did not appeal the BLM Utah State 
Director's determination to the BLM Director.
    The ROD does not include any implementation actions. The mineral 
leasing decisions in the Approved Plan are planning-level decisions and 
therefore are not appealable. Future implementation actions must be in 
conformance with the management direction in the Approved Plan; any 
such actions will result from future decisionmaking process(es), 
including appropriate environmental review.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6.

Edwin L. Roberson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-31743 Filed 12-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P