Search Results for keywords:"Bureau of Land Management"

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to establish a new fee program for using a rental cabin called Tarpons Roost, located on the Continental Divide near Lemhi Pass in Idaho. Starting July 17, 2025, there will be a $75 per night fee to cover maintenance and operational costs, as approved by the BLM Idaho Resource Advisory Council. The plans comply with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and have been detailed in a business plan available at the BLM offices. The purpose is to ensure the cabin remains well-maintained and provides quality experiences for visitors.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is seeking public comments on the renewal of a form that collects information from people applying to join Resource Advisory Councils. This is being done under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. They are making small changes to the form, such as removing unnecessary questions and clarifying others, and they want feedback on whether the form is necessary, accurate, and easy to understand. The public can submit comments until January 17, 2025.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is calling for public nominations to fill vacancies on the Western Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC). This council advises the BLM on land use planning and management in the Western Montana District. Nominations are open until January 13, 2025, and must include a completed application, reference letters, and information about the nominee's qualifications. Prospective members should be Montana residents and fit into one of three categories: users of public lands, representatives of groups with environmental or historical interests, or those holding certain public offices or roles in resource management.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, published a notice explaining why it denied Utah Governor's recommendations concerning the resource management plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The BLM decided some of the Governor's suggestions didn't align with the national interest, which focuses on protecting the monument's unique landscape and historical resources. The BLM concluded that the state's recommendations did not provide a reasonable balance between state and national interests and, therefore, could not be accepted.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the availability of a Record of Decision for the Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Rock Springs Field Office in Wyoming. Signed on December 20, 2024, this decision makes the new management plan effective immediately and covers land in several counties. The plan updates how these lands are managed, balancing uses like energy development and resource protection. The proposal was subject to public commentary and protests, which resulted in no changes to the final approved plan.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced the availability of the records of decision for a highway right-of-way project and an amended incidental take permit in Washington County, Utah. The project involves the Northern Corridor, which was previously challenged in court due to environmental concerns, including impacts on the Mojave desert tortoise. A settlement was reached, leading to further evaluation and public comment periods. The BLM has decided to terminate the highway right-of-way grant, while the FWS has amended the permit to allow incidental take of the desert tortoise without the highway construction, focusing on conservation of land within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.

The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are proposing to withdraw over 164,000 acres of land in the Upper Pecos River Watershed in New Mexico from being used under mining and leasing laws. This plan aims to protect the area's water quality, cultural resources, wildlife habitats, and recreational values. Public comments are being accepted before a decision is made, and a public meeting will take place in February 2025. During this time, the land may still be used for temporary activities approved by the authorities.

The Department of the Interior has approved the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) decision to allow a right-of-way for the Jove Solar Project in La Paz County, Arizona. This project involves building a large solar power facility on nearly 3,500 acres of public land, aiming to generate at least 600 megawatts of electricity with up to 1.2 million solar panels. The decision is part of an effort to efficiently utilize public lands for renewable energy and complies with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The Record of Decision was signed on January 3, 2025, and this approval cannot be appealed.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has requested the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew an information collection regarding onshore oil and gas operations. This collection, under OMB control number 1004-0137, involves oil and gas operators on public and some Indian lands, with an estimated 864 annual respondents providing 102,439 responses. The public is invited to comment on various aspects of the information collection, including its necessity and ways to reduce the burden on respondents, by January 9, 2025. There are no policy changes, but the BLM seeks to clarify burden estimates and extend the approval for three more years.

The Department of the Interior has proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures to introduce a new categorical exclusion for geothermal resource exploration by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This change aims to make it easier and faster to approve exploration projects that typically do not have significant environmental impacts, thus supporting renewable energy development on public lands. Comments on this proposal are due by February 18, 2025. The BLM has reviewed past projects and determined that the new exclusion is justified because these activities have historically shown no significant environmental effects.