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Shoshone, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on a draft environmental analysis for grazing management in the Craters of the Moon National Monument. 

The Draft Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Management Plan (MMP) Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is in response to a 2012 court order. The U.S. District Court of Idaho ordered the BLM to complete a plan amendment for the monument that analyzes a no-grazing alternative and a reduced grazing alternative for BLM-managed lands within the Monument and Preserve. 

The preferred alternative would make 273,600 acres available for grazing, adjust two allotment boundaries, and set the maximum number of Animal Unit Months (AUM) at 37,792. An AUM is the amount of forage required for one mature cow per month or five sheep per month. The preferred alternative adjusts the AUMs slightly lower to account for the proposed allotment boundary adjustments. 

“This alternative offers opportunities for sustainable livestock grazing while protecting Monument values and Greater sage-grouse habitat,” said Holly Crawford, BLM Monument Manager. “It would give land managers the ability to conduct active vegetation restoration projects and use grazing as a tool to attain restoration objectives, including enhancing sagebrush steppe as wildlife habitat.” 

“Input from our partners, local communities and permittees was vital in developing this draft plan,” said Crawford, “and we look forward to hearing from the public at this stage in the process.” 

The BLM will host two open house public meetings to share information about the draft Plan Amendment and answer questions. Meetings will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. both November 3 at the American Falls District Library, 308 Roosevelt St.; and November 16 at the Carey City Council office, 20482 N. Main St. 

The Draft MMP Amendment and EIS are available for public review here. CD-ROMs and a limited number of printed copies are available at the Shoshone Field Office, 400 West F Street, Shoshone, ID 83352. 

Comments on the draft EIS will be accepted until the close of business on Dec. 29, 2016. Please send written comments by mail, fax or e-mail to one of the following addresses.

• email: BLM_ID_CRMO@blm.gov 
• fax: 208-732-7317 
• mail: 400 West F Street, Shoshone, Idaho 83352

The BLM cannot accept anonymous comments. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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 at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.