Notice2024-12035
Final Record of Decision for the Revised Land Management Plan for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
Primary source
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Published
June 14, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
Chad Stewart, Forest Supervisor for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, Rocky Mountain Region, signed the final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Revised Land Management Plan (LMP) for the GMUG National Forests. The final ROD documents the rationale for approving the Revised LMP and is consistent with the Reviewing Officers' responses to objections and instructions.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 116 (Friday, June 14, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 116 (Friday, June 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50548-50549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12035]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Final Record of Decision for the Revised Land Management Plan for
the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice of approval of the Revised Land Management Plan for the
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
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SUMMARY: Chad Stewart, Forest Supervisor for the Grand Mesa,
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, Rocky Mountain
Region, signed the final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Revised Land
Management Plan (LMP) for the GMUG National Forests. The final ROD
documents the rationale for approving the Revised LMP and is consistent
with the Reviewing Officers' responses to objections and instructions.
DATES: The Revised LMP for the GMUG National Forests will become
effective 30 days after the publication of this notice of approval in
the Federal Register (36 CFR 219.17(a)(1)).
ADDRESSES: To view the final ROD, Final Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS), Revised LMP, and other related documents, please visit the GMUG
National Forests website at: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan">https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/forestplan</a>. The Forest Service will also publish a legal notice of
approval in the newspaper of record, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, and
post a copy of this legal notice on the GMUG National Forests' website
listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samantha Staley, Forest Planner, GMUG
National Forests, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cdbeaca0aca3b9a5ace3a7e3beb9aca1a8b48db8bea9ace3aaa2bb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dcafbdb1bdb2a8b4bdf2b6f2afa8bdb0b9a59ca9afb8bdf2bbb3aa">[email protected]</span></a> or 970-852-9812.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339,
24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The GMUG National Forests comprise the
largest national forest unit in the Rocky Mountain Region. It spans
five ranger districts and covers approximately 3.2 million acres across
eight counties in southwestern Colorado, stretching from the
Uncompahgre Plateau on the west, north to the Grand Mesa, east to the
Continental Divide, and south to the San Juan mountains. The GMUG
National Forests range in elevation from 5,000 to over 14,000 feet and
support diverse ecosystems and uses. The GMUG National Forests contain
habitats essential for a wide variety of species and serve as a
critical headwater of the Colorado River. The GMUG National Forests
also provide opportunities for recreation, timber harvesting, livestock
grazing, and mineral development that contribute to the quality of life
and economies of the surrounding communities.
The Revised LMP was shaped by the best available scientific
information, current laws, and public, governmental, and tribal input.
It was developed pursuant to the 2012 Forest Service Planning Rule (36
CFR 219) and will replace the current LMP, which was significantly
amended in 1991 following its 1983 release. The Revised LMP includes
desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, management
approaches, management area allocations, and land suitability for
project and activity decision-making, which will guide resource
management activities on the GMUG National Forests. It also includes
wilderness recommendations, and identifies eligible wild and scenic
river segments.
The GMUG National Forests initiated LMP revision in 2017 and
engaged with the public and tribal, federal, state, and local
governments. The Forests consulted with 20 federally recognized tribes
during the planning process, ensuring tribal-related plan direction
accurately reflects the GMUG National Forests' trust responsibilities
and government-to-government relationship with tribes. Between 2017 and
2021, the GMUG National Forests conducted eight formal public comment
and informal public feedback periods. The Forests received and analyzed
more than 20,000 public comments. More than 900 people attended 16 in-
person and five virtual public open houses, 16 webinars, and several
virtual question-and-answer sessions.
A 90-day public comment period on the draft LMP and associated
draft EIS was initiated on August 13, 2021, and subsequently extended
14 days. The Forests used these comments to inform and refine the
preferred alternative and Revised LMP. A draft ROD, Revised LMP, and
FEIS were released on August 30, 2023, initiating a 60-day objection
filing period that closed October 30, 2023. The Forest Service received
70 eligible objections, including 14 objections for species of
conservation concern. The Reviewing Officers held objection resolution
meetings with objectors and interested persons in February 2024. Based
on these meetings and a review of the objections, the Reviewing Officer
for the list of species of conservation concern issued a written
[[Page 50549]]
response to objectors on April 11, 2024. The Reviewing Officer for the
forest plan issued a written response to objectors on May 16, 2024. The
instructions from the Reviewing Officers were addressed in the ROD,
Revised LMP, and FEIS.
Cooperating Agencies
The following entities have participated in the planning process as
cooperating agencies: Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Agricultural
Research Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Colorado Department
of Agriculture; Colorado Department of Natural Resources; Colorado
Parks and Wildlife; Colorado Water Conservation Board; and the
following local governments in Colorado--Delta County; Gunnison County;
Hinsdale County; Mesa County; Montrose County; Ouray County; Saguache
County; San Miguel County; City of Grand Junction; and Town of Crested
Butte.
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for approving the Revised LMP is Chad
Stewart, Forest Supervisor, GMUG National Forests. The Responsible
Official for approving the list of species of conservation concern is
Scott Fitzwilliams, acting Deputy Regional Forester as delegated by
Frank Beum, Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region.
Dated: May 28, 2024.
Troy Heithecker,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-12035 Filed 6-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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