Notice Of Public Scoping: Shivwits Plateau Landscape Restoration Project Environmental Assessment
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An Environmental Assessment (EA) is being prepared for the Shivwits Plateau Landscape Restoration Project (DOI-BLM-AZ-A030-2021-0005-EA/ PEPC-98370). The purpose of this notice is to inform the public and interested parties of the project. Comments received in response to this solicitation will be used to identify potential environmental issues related to the proposed action and to identify potential alternatives to the proposed action that meet the purpose of and need for the project. This scoping document is located on the BLM’s National NEPA register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2012289/510
and at the NPS NEPA register: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ShivwitsPLRP.
The proposed project would take place on the Shivwits Plateau, Mojave County, Arizona within Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (GCPNM). Existing conditions in portions of the proposed project area, resulting from the effects of past fragmented anthropogenic land use practices and goals, changes to the natural disturbance regime, establishment and spread of invasive plant species, and expansion of tree and shrub near monocultures, threaten biodiversity. Collectively, these conditions have caused substantial changes in the native vegetation communities and loss of important ecosystem components. The proposed project area is an important use area for wildlife, including rare and special status species. Based on these factors, GCPNM has determined that there is a need to improve land health in the proposed project area, and to provide sustainable habitat for wildlife.
The public scoping period is for 30 days, beginning on March 8, 2021 and ending April 7, 2021. Electronic comments may be submitted via https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2012289/510. Written comments may be submitted to Jennifer Fox, Ecologist, by mail (Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, 345 E Riverside Dr., St. George, UT 84790, Attn: Jennifer Fox). If you have any project related questions, please call Jennifer Fox at 435-688-3376.
By law, the names and addresses of those commenting are available for public review during regular business hours. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware 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 your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All comments from organizations or businesses will be available for public inspection in their entirety.
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.