Environmental statements; notice of intent: Book Cliffs Resource Area, UT,

[Federal Register: September 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 176)]

[Notices]

[Page 49498-49499]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr13se99-97]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[UT080-09-1310-00]

Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Amending the Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan, Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental assessment for amending the Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan (RMP) by changing oil and gas leasing categories on crucial mule deer winter range.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Utah Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office will be writing an Environmental Assessment (EA) on a proposed amendment to the Book Cliffs RMP that covers portions of Uintah County, Utah. The amendment would change the oil and gas leasing category on 162,500 acres of crucial mule deer winter range from Category 1 (Standard Stipulations) to Category 2 (Special stipulations) for protection of mule deer. Protective measures would include seasonal restrictions, rehabilitation requirements, siting of oil and gas wells, clustering of wells to reduce habitat disturbance and fragmentation, and other mitigative measures.

Alternatives identified at this time include the proposed action and the no action alternatives. Issues to be analyzed include impacts on wildlife, minerals, cultural resources and special status plants and animals. Potential impacts on Northern Ute tribal interests also will be considered.

DATES: Public scoping comments relating to issues and potential additional alternatives will be accepted for 30 days following the publication date of this notice. Comments must be submitted on or before October 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Scoping comments should be sent to Field Office Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078, ATTN: Book Cliffs RMP Amendment for Oil and Gas Leasing Categories on Crucial Deer Winter Range.

Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents will be available for public review at the BLM Vernal Field Office and will be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). They may be published as part of the Environmental Assessment and other related documents. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or street address from public review and disclosure under the FOIA, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1992, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in consultation with BLM wildlife biologists updated big game habitat delineations in the Book Cliffs. The updated delineations were the result of new and more detailed habitat information provided by field biologists. Analysis of this new information permitted more accurate identification and expansion of the boundaries of crucial mule deer winter range. Because mule deer crucial winter range has now been identified in areas presently offered for oil and gas leasing without protective measures for mule deer, a plan amendment is being considered.

[[Page 49499]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duane De Paepe (435) 781-4403 or e- mail: ddepaepe@ut.blm.gov.

Dated: September 1, 1999. Linda S. Colville, Acting State Director.

[FR Doc. 99-23679Filed9-10-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P