Proposed Rules for grazing open for public comment
GRAZING COMMENTS: BLM/DEPT OF INTERIOR PROPOSED RULES
Federal Register, Vol. 68, No. 41, Monday, March 3, 2003
43 CFR Parts 4100, [WO-220-1020-24 1A], RIN: 1004-AD42
BLM ACTION Amendments to Grazing Administration Regulations—excluding
Alaska
PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE BY May 2, 2003
SEND PUBLIC COMMENTS TO (include name and return address)
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WOComment@blm.gov
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Director (630)
Bureau of Land Management
Eastern States Office
7450 Boston Boulevard
Springfield VA 22153
ATTN: RIN 1004-AD42
Street Address Delivery
1620 L Street NW
Room 401
Washington DC 20036
EIS PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS
March 18, 2003, 6-10 pm
Holiday Inn Grand Montana, 550 Midland Road, Billings, MT 59101, Mary
Apple, 406-896-5258
March 20, 2003, 6-10 pm
Reno Sparks Convention Ctr, 4590 S Virginia Str, Reno, NV 89502, JoLynn
Worley, 775-861-6515
March 25, 2003, 6-10 pm
Hilton of Albuquerque, 1901 University Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102,
Kitty Mulkey 505-438-7511
March 27, 2003, 1-5 pm
Courtyard By Marriott (General Scott Rm), 1600 Rhode Island Ave, NW,
Washington, DC 20036, Tom Gorey, 202-452-5137
Topics considered, include, but not limited to:
A. Definitions, revising or creating:
Active use
Grazing Preference or Preference
Authorized use
Livestock kind or kind of livestock
Base property
Monitoring
Grazing lease
Reserve common allotment
Grazing permit
B. Changing regulations to clarify current requirements and to allow
better rangeland management and permit administration:
Clarifying the permit renewal performance review requirements when
grazing permits are pledged as security for loans.
Clarifying who is qualified for public lands grazing use and who will
receive preference for a grazing permit or lease.
Clarifying the provisions addressing grazing preference transfers.
Reinstating an earlier provision that BLM and the permit holder may
share title to certain range improvements if the improvement was constructed
under a Cooperative Range Improvement Agreement.
Clarifying that BLM will follow state law with respect to the acquisition
of water rights.
Examining whether BLM should authorize temporarily locked gates on
public lands in order to protect private land and improve livestock
operations.
Clarifying which non-permit related violations BLM may take into account
in penalizing a permittee.
Considering ways to streamline the grazing decision appeal process.
Extending the time period that BLM may approve nonuse of forage for
3 to 5 years for resource improvement, business, or personal needs.
C. Amendments related to changes in permitted use:
Creating provisions re-emphasizing consideration of social, economic,
and cultural impact, in addition to the ecological impacts, of Federal
actions to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy
Act.
Requiring a permittee/lessee to apply to renew a permit or lease.
What criteria BLM will consider before approving increases in permitted
use.
Considering whether to amend the provision stating when BLM will implement
action that changes grazing management after determining that the
allotments used by a permittee or lessee are not meeting or significantly
progressing toward meeting land health standards.
D. New provisions:
Establishing and administering a new concept called “Reserve Common
Allotments” (RCA). RCAs would be managed as reserve forage areas for
use by permittees whose allotments are undergoing restoration treatments
and require rest from grazing. RCA forage would be allocated on a
temporary non-renewable basis to permittees participating in restoration
on their allotments.
Adding a few schedule for preference transfers, crossing permits,
applications for nonuse, and replacement/supplemental billing under
existing service charge authority. Grazing fees will not be addressed
in this rulemaking.
E. Correct typographical errors and wording errors to bring regs into
compliance with Public Lands Council v. Babbitt.
IE—remove references to “conservation use”.
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, online at:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-4933.pdf
For further info: Kenneth Visser, 202-452-7743