SOUTHEASTERN STATES -
BLM Releases Draft RMP / EIS for Public Review and Comment
Source BRC November 13, 2014 8:57pm ; http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2014/11/13/southeastern-states--blm-releases-draft-rmp--eis-for-public-review-and-comment
Greetings BRC Action Alert Subscribers,
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Southeastern States Field Office (SSFO) has released their Draft Resource Management Plan (DRMP) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for your review and comment. The purpose of this draft document is to layout a vision for managing 2,991 acres of public land surface and 1,026,176 acres of Federal mineral ownership in the states of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. When approved, this RMP will guide the management of public lands administered by the Southeastern States Field Office into the future.
The BLM encourages the public to provide information and comments pertaining to the proposed decisions and the analysis presented in the Draft RMPIEIS. The draft RMP presents broad goals and objectives for resources associated with these lands, together with alternatives for allowable use and management actions. While BLM responsibility within the planning area is largely for mineral ownership, BLM is also interested in developing a long-term strategy for management of the resources and recreational uses associated with the small public surface tracts in Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida and Virginia.
The BLM is committed to working closely with the public to develop a strategy and find solutions that offer opportunities for multiple uses of the public lands, while protecting the natural and cultural resources for future generations.
It is important for local OHV enthusiasts and clubs to review the plan on how it might impact current and future casual and permitted OHV use.
Your review and comments on the content of the draft RMP/EIS are critical to the success of the planning effort. Your comments will be taken into consideration when the BLM proceeds to the next phase of the planning process, which is development of the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. The decision maker may select various management decisions from each of the alternatives analyzed in the Draft RMPIDEIS for the purpose of creating a management strategy that best meets the needs of the resources and values in this area under the BLM multiple use and sustained yield mandate. As a member of the public, your timely comments on the Southeastern States Draft RMPIDEIS will help formulate the Proposed RMP/Final EIS. Comments will be more helpful if they are as specific as possible and include suggested changes, sources or methodologies and reference a section or page number. Comments will be accepted for ninety (90) calendar days following the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) publication of its Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The BLM can best utilize your comments and resource information submissions if received within the review period.
Comments may be submitted electronically at: BLM_ES_SSFO_RMP@blm.gov. Comments may also be submitted by mail to: SSFO RMP Comments, 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404, Jackson, Mississippi 39206. To facilitate analysis of comments and information submitted, we strongly encourage you to submit comments in an electronic format.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment - including your personal identifying information - may be made publicly available al any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Public meetings to provide an overview of the document, respond to questions, and take public comments will be announced by local media, website, and/or public mailings at least 15 days in advance.
Copies of the Draft RMP/DEIS have been sent to affected Federal, state and local government agencies and tribal governments. Copies of the Draft RMP/DEIS are available on the BLM website athttp://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/fo/Jackson_Home_Page/planning/southeastern_rmp/rmp_documents.html. Copies are also available for public inspection at the following BLM location:
Bureau of Land Management
Southeastern States Field Office
411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404
Jackson, Mississippi 39206
For additional information or clarification regarding this document or the planning process, please contact Gary Taylor, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at (601) 977-5400.
Thanks in advance and, as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107