[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 94 (Thursday, May 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28974-28975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10298]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[19XL.LLIDB03000.LF3100000.DF0000.LFHFFR650000.241A.4500136018]


Notice of Availability for the Tri-State Fuel Breaks Project 
Record of Decision, Idaho

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the 
availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Idaho BLM portion 
of the Tri-state Fuel Breaks Project Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may review the ROD and accompanying 
background documents on the project website: https://go.usa.gov/xPruu. 
Copies of the ROD are available upon request from the BLM Boise 
District Office, 3948 S Development Ave., Boise, Idaho.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lance Okeson, Project Lead, 208-384-
3300; 3948 South Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705; 
[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. 
FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message 
or a question with the above individual. You will receive a reply 
during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tri-state Fuel Breaks Project envisions 
a strategic fuel break network along established roads over a 3.6 
million-acre project area spanning southeastern Oregon and southwestern 
Idaho crossing district and state boundaries and connecting to an 
existing network of fuel breaks in the BLM's Winnemucca and Elko 
Districts in Nevada. Strategically placed fuel breaks in the Tri-state 
area will improve firefighter safety and expand opportunities to catch 
rapidly moving fires, potentially reducing fire size. Fuel breaks will 
provide greater protection of human life

[[Page 28975]]

and property, sagebrush communities, and habitat restoration 
investments. Reducing fire size will help limit the expansion of 
invasive plants such as cheatgrass and medusahead.
    This ROD approves implementation of the preferred alternative 
(Alternative 5 of the FEIS) in Idaho. The BLM Boise District will 
create and maintain a fuel break network of 20,629 acres along 435 
miles of roads through mechanical, chemical, and/or biological (i.e., 
targeted grazing) treatments. BLM Oregon will issue a decision for 
their portion of the project at a future date.
    The BLM published the Draft EIS on October 11, 2019, initiating a 
45-day public comment period. During the comment period, the BLM 
received 40 letters and emails from the public and held three public 
meetings. The BLM took into account all comments in the preparation of 
the Final EIS released on April 3, 2020.
    The BLM published the NOA for the Final EIS on April 3, 2020, 
initiating a 30-day availability period. On May 7, 2020, Department of 
the Interior Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals 
Management Casey Hammond signed a Record of Decision selecting the 
preferred alternative (Alternative 5) for implementation in the Idaho 
portion of the project area using a phased approach to prioritize well-
maintained and strategically connected routes. 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 the Federal District Court and is subject 
to 42 U.S.C. 4370m-6.

    Authority:  40 CFR 1506.6, 40 CFR 1506.10.

Casey Hammond,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Exercising the authority of the 
Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2020-10298 Filed 5-13-20; 8:45 am]
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