[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 64 (Thursday, April 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18585-18586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06898]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[19X.LLID930000.L11700000.DF0000.LXSGPL000000.241A.4500132602]


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Fuel Breaks in the 
Great Basin; California, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Washington

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the 
availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Fuel Breaks in the Great 
Basin.

[[Page 18586]]


ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD for the Final Programmatic EIS for Fuel 
Breaks in the Great Basin are available for public inspection during 
regular business hours at the BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 South 
Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 83709. Interested persons may also review the 
Final Programmatic EIS online at: https://go.usa.gov/xnQcG. Additional 
copies can be made available at the BLM California, Nevada, Oregon/
Washington and Utah BLM State Offices upon request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ammon Wilhelm, telephone 208-373-3824; 
address BLM Idaho State Office, 1387 South Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 
83709; email [email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business 
hours. The FRS 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: Strategically placed fuel breaks in the 
Great Basin region improve firefighter safety and expand opportunities 
to catch rapidly moving fires, potentially reducing fire size. Fuel 
breaks provide greater protection of human life and property, sagebrush 
communities, and habitat restoration investments. Reducing fire size 
helps limit the expansion of invasive plants such as cheatgrass and 
medusahead. Fuel breaks address the increased size and frequency of 
wildfires throughout the western United States. From 2009 through 2018, 
over 13.5 million acres of BLM-administered lands burned within the 
project area, impacting healthy rangelands, sagebrush communities, and 
the general productivity of the lands. Larger and more frequent 
wildfires result in increased risk for injuries and fatalities among 
wildland firefighters, destruction of private property, degradation and 
loss of rangelands, loss of recreational opportunities, habitat loss 
for a variety of species, and conversion of native habitats to invasive 
annual grasses. Conversion of native habitats to invasive annual 
grasslands impedes rangeland health and productivity by slowing or 
preventing the recovery of sagebrush communities.
    The Selected Alternative (Alternative D) analyzes a full suite of 
manual, chemical and mechanical treatments, including prescribed fire, 
seeding, and targeted grazing, to construct and maintain up to 11,000 
miles of fuel breaks. This will remove or alter vegetation on up to 
667,000 acres within 38 million acres of sagebrush communities. Fuel 
break types include green strips (areas planted with low-statured, 
fire-resistant vegetation), brown strips (areas where all vegetation is 
removed), and mowed strips (reduced vegetation height).
    The NOA for the Draft Programmatic EIS published on June 21, 2019, 
initiating a 45-day public comment period (84 FR 29232). During July 
2019, the BLM hosted 12 public meetings throughout the six-state 
project area. Agencies, organizations, and interested parties provided 
comments on the Draft Programmatic EIS via mail, email, and at the 
public meetings. The BLM received 907 form letters and 138 unique 
comment letters. The BLM considered and incorporated comments received 
from the public and internal review into the Final Programmatic EIS as 
appropriate. Public comments resulted in the addition of clarifying 
text but did not significantly change the alternatives or analysis.
    The NOA for the Final Programmatic EIS was published on February 
14, 2020, for a 30-day review period (85 FR 8585). On March 26, 2020, I 
signed the Record of Decision selecting Alternative D for 
implementation. That approval constitutes the final decision of the 
Department and, in accordance with the regulations at 43 CFR 4.410, is 
not subject to appeal under Departmental regulations found in 43 CFR 
part 4. Any challenge to this decision must be brought in Federal 
District Court and is subject to 42 U.S.C. 437m-6.

    (Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10).

David L. Bernhardt,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2020-06898 Filed 4-1-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P