BLM seeks public input prior to review of two nominated Areas of Critical Environmental Concern
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SALT LAKE CITY—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is accepting public input through November 30, 2017 in advance of its review of two previously nominated Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) within its Kanab and Vernal Field Offices. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 defines an ACEC as an area, “within the public lands where special management attention is required… to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historical, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or other natural systems or processes, or to protect human life and safety from natural hazards.” BLM will conduct the two potential ACEC evaluations in accordance with a Settlement Agreement the District Court of Utah approved in May. The approved settlement can be read here: https://on.doi.gov/2g3UOKm.
The results of the evaluations will inform the BLM whether any of these public lands meet the agency’s standardized national criteria for further consideration for an ACEC designation in future land use planning initiatives. Agency guidance for ACEC evaluation is located at https://on.doi.gov/2xbkevu. Questions and Answers on the public input period for the Vermilion Cliffs and Pariette Cactus potential ACEC evaluations are attached. Additional background information regarding each of the nominated ACECs is available by contacting the respective field office at the email address listed below.
The Kanab Field Office will re-evaluate the previously nominated Vermilion Cliffs ACEC in Kane County, Utah based on updated visual resource inventory data and any other relevant new information. The Vermilion Cliffs Potential ACEC was previously analyzed in the 2008 Kanab Resource Management Plan; relevant documents are available at https://go.usa.gov/xn2j8.
Public input into the re-evaluation of the potential Vermilion Cliffs ACEC may be emailed to utknmail@blm.gov or mailed to the Kanab Field Office, 669 South Highway 89A, Kanab, UT 84741 through Nov. 30, 2017. Please write “Public Input on ACEC Evaluation” in the subject or attention line.
The Vernal Field Office will evaluate whether any public lands in Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah warrant further consideration for an ACEC designation to protect Pariette cactus (Sclerocactus brevispinus). The Pariette cactus has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 2007. A portion of Pariette cactus potential habitat is within an area designated as the Pariette Wetlands ACEC. Public input into the evaluation of a potential ACEC for the Pariette cactus may be emailed to blm_ut_vernal_comments@blm.gov or mailed to the Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East Vernal, UT 84078 through Nov. 30, 2017. Please write “Public Input on ACEC Evaluation” in the subject or attention line.
Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in any responses, please be aware the information submitted, including personal identifying information, may become publicly available. While individuals may request BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.