Jack Morrow Hills CAP & Green River RMP Amendment
Q&As for the Final EIS
What is the purpose of an environmental impact statement (EIS) and why do land management agencies use them? Land management agencies develop environmental impact statements to disclose to the public the estimated environmental, economic, and social impacts on existing resources of implementing various management alternatives. This information assists the decision maker in making an informed decision that provides a balance in multiple uses. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires this disclosure.
What is the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) and why did BLM prepare it? A supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) is an addition to an original draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). A draft EIS for Jack Morrow Hills was prepared in June 2000. Later that year, then Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt directed BLM to prepare a supplemental draft environmental impact statement. The current administration supported the supplemental approach and expanded the SDEIS to include a full range of alternatives. The SDEIS was published in February of 2003.
What is the Final EIS and how does it differ from the SDEIS? The Final EIS builds on the SDEIS to include appropriate responses to all comments received on the SDEIS. The Final EIS includes the BLM’s Proposed Plan for the JMH CAP area.
What is the total acreage involved in the JMH FEIS? The planning area in southwestern Wyoming comprises about 622,000 acres with about 574,800 acres of Federal land and Federal mineral estate. For more information, there is a link available at the BLM website: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Rock_Springs/jmhcap.html .
How does this document relate to the Green River RMP? It will determine the appropriate levels of leasing and development of energy resources, while sustaining the other important land and resource uses in the area. These deferred Green River RMP decisions will result in amending the Green River RMP.
What has changed between the SDEIS and the final EIS regarding the adaptive management strategy? Based on a review of public comments, BLM decided to follow a more traditional approach to implementing and monitoring land use decisions.
How are Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) addressed in the Final EIS? Management decisions for the existing section 603 Wilderness Study Areas remain unchanged. Updated information and clarification regarding new direction for WSAs is included in the final EIS. As a result, proposed designations of new WSAs are not included in the final EIS
What other changes have been made in the final EIS? Based upon comments received on the SDEIS, new information and changes in policy, changes have been made in the following areas.
- Updated information relating to the cumulative impact analysis; updated information and clarification regarding greater sage-grouse habitat including consideration of a management approach based on location of suitable habitat.
- The boundary of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC could be modified to include the highest concentration and overlap of unique habitat features, natural systems, and cultural values.
- Clarifications, edits and corrections have also been made in the FEIS .
How did BLM consider the Citizens Wildlands and Wildlife Alternative? BLM reviewed the information submitted in the Citizens Wildlands and Wildlife Alternative as part of the comment review process. Portions of the proposal were considered in developing the final EIS. Some parts of the proposal, such as designating the JMH CAP area as a National Conservation Area, are beyond the scope and authority of the BLM in this planning effort.
Will the final EIS affect Forest Service lands? There are no Forest Service lands involved in the planning area.
What is the Proposed Plan? The Proposed Plan includes the BLM’s proposed land use plan management actions for the JMH CAP area. The Proposed Plan is developed after public comments provided during the 90-day comment period on the SDEIS are reviewed. The proposed plan, incorporates information provided in these comments, professional judgment, and considers legal constraints, and changes in policy. The Proposed Plan is the alternative that the BLM and cooperators believe best meets the needs of users and the resources.
What is a Coordinated Activity Plan? A Coordinated Activity Plan provides a comprehensive framework for managing BLM-administered public lands and resources in a specific area. “Coordinated” simply means the plan is comprehensive in accounting for multiple use management coordinated among all land and resource uses in the planning area. When completed, it will be an integrated, multiple use, activity plan that balances resource use with protection of sensitive and important resource values.
Has the Bureau of Land Management always used a Coordinated Activity Plan in making their land use management decisions? Coordinated activity plans are not always needed to make land use planning decisions, but the BLM has always had the opportunity to develop coordinated activity plans. For example, a coordinated activity plan was developed for the Big Piney/LaBarge area in 1990.
What is a cooperating agency? A Cooperating Agency is an official designation provided for in the Council of Environmental Quality regulations for preparing NEPA analyses and documentation in cooperation with State and local governments and other agencies. In part, a Cooperating Agency has special expertise, provides staff support, or has legal jurisdiction for resources or lands in the project area. Cooperating Agencies assist in the preparation of the EIS by providing special expertise, information, and/or data.
Who were the cooperating agencies on this project? The BLM Wyoming State Director granted Cooperating Agency Status to the State of Wyoming, Fremont County, and Sweetwater County. Sublette County and the three local conservation districts participated under the State of Wyoming Cooperating Agency umbrella. As a result of their Cooperating Agency status, the State of Wyoming and the counties will have the opportunity to advise and help us make decisions about this planning effort.
How many public comments were received on the supplemental draft EIS and how did the BLM respond to the comments? Over 69,000 comments were received during the 90-day comment period provided for the supplemental draft EIS. All the comments were reviewed along with the hearing testimony received at two public hearings. Comments provided resource information, information on the impact analysis, and suggestions for the alternatives. Substantive comments were used to improve the information and analysis in the final EIS Comments and BLM’s responses are included in the final EIS.
Will there be coalbed natural gas development in the JMH area? Coalbed natural gasdevelopment is part of the oil and gas development being considered in this final EIS.
What is the geologic potential for oil and gas development in the JMH area? Approximately 11 % of the area has low potential for oil and gas development; 23% of the area has moderate potential for oil and gas development and the remainder (about 66%) has high potential for oil and gas development.
When will the Record of Decision be issued? The Record of Decision for the JMH CAP will be issued after protests are resolved.
How long is the protest period open? And who can participate? The protest period is open for 30 days, from EPA’s posting in the Federal Register (publication is anticipated to occur on July 16). Anyone who participated in the planning process and who has an interest that is or may be adversely affected may file a protest within the 30-day time frame.
How do I identify the proposed decisions in the Proposed Plan that would be subject to protest? The proposed decisions in the JMH CAP that would amend the Green River RMP are shown in italics in the text of Chapter 2 of the final EIS.
When the protest period closes, what happens next? All protests are reviewed and resolved by the BLM’s Washington Office. A Record of Decision (ROD) and final Jack Morrow Hills Coordinated Activity Plan will be issued.
What happens after the ROD is issued? The approved JMH CAP will be in effect, and BLM will begin implementing the new plan.
How can I continue to be involved in the implementation of the JMH CAP? We encourage you to remain actively involved and provide information and input during implementation of the JMH CAP. There will be many public participation opportunities through the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation strategy.
How can I obtain a copy of the FEIS? The FEIS is available on the BLM website at www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Rock_Springs/jmhcap.html or on CDs. To request a compact disk contact:
BLM Rock Springs Field Office
280 Highway 191 North
Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901
307-352-0256
