BLMLIBRARY l.S.DepartmentoftheInterior ureauofLandManagement WorlandDistrictOffice BighornBasinResourceArea June1996 FINAL Environmental Impact Statement Grass Creek Planning Area Resource Management Plan Volume 2 of2 (Comment Letters) TheBureauofLandManagementisresponsibleforthebalancedmanagementofthepubliclandsand resourcesandtheirvariousvaluessothattheyareconsideredinacombinationthatwillbestservethe needsoftheAmericanpeople.Managementisbasedupontheprinciplesofmultipleuseandsustained yield;acombinationofusesthattakeintoaccountthelongtermneedsoffuturegenerationsforrenewable andnonrenewableresources.Theseresourcesincluderecreation,range,timber,minerals,watershed. fishandwildlife,wildernessandnatural,scenic,scientificandculturalvalues. 4* BLM/WY/PL-96/021+1610 =0 t/tlcV 6>ti lb,=> FINAL ;fL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT and PROPOSED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN forthe GRASS CREEK PLANNING AREA inthe BIGHORN BASIN RESOURCE AREA WORLAND DISTRICT Worland,Wyoming preparedby: U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior BureauofLandManagement WorlandDistrictOffice % June1996 \fa%, £»s /<, /ff4 WyomingStateDirector ^Date NewTable24 IndexofCommentsandResponses Number Topic 1. GENERAL--BLM'sLegalAuthority 1.1 WyomingandU.S.Constitutions 1.2 PrivateLandsAlongtheBighornandGreybullRivers 1.3 PrivateLandsandBLMRequirementsinanAllotment 2. GENERAL-TheDraftandFinalEISDocuments 2.1 InformationProvidedbyCommentorsontheDraftEIS 2.2 Language,"May,Might,Possibly,WhereAppropriate" 2.3 Glossary,References,andIndex 2.4 LevelofDetail,CRM,HRM,UpdatingthePlan 2.5 DocumentFormat,ManagementCommon,AlternativesandAssumptions 2.6 PlanMonitoringandEvaluationRequirements 3. GENERAL--EcosystemManagement 3.1 EcosystemConservation,NativeBiologicalDiversity 3.2 EcosystemBoundaries,GreaterYellowstoneEcosystem 3.3 MeasuringBiologicalDiversity 3.4 EcosystemManagementAcrossJurisdictionalBoundaries 4. GENERAL--TheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct 4.1 CustomandCulture 4.2 PublicHearingRequestandCommentPeriodExtension 4.3 InvolvementofLocalPeopleinPlanning,ResponsetoScoping 4.4 PreviousGrazingEISFavored,AdoptingExistingManagement 4.5 RangeofAlternatives 4.6 ImpactsofBLMDecisionsonAdjacentPrivateandStateLands 4.7 ResponsetoPublicComments,FormLetters,Out-of-StateViews 4.8 CumulativeImpacts,OtherKindsofImpactsandRelationships 4.9 NoActionAlternativeForGrazing,EstimatesMistakenForDecisions 4.10 NoActionAlternativeForOilandGasLeasing NewTable24 IndexofCommentsandResponses Number Topic 5. GENERAL-Socioeconomics 5.1 SupportingLocalEconomicProductivity 5.2 BLMProgramFundingRelatedtoEconomicBenefitsofActivities 5.3 EconomicProjectionsintheDraftEIS,RoundedNumbers 5.4 ValueofanAUMComparedtoRecreation 5.5 BeneficialImpactsofBusinesses 5.6 AdverseEconomicEffectsRelatedtoLandUseRestrictions 6. GENERAL--WildandScenicRivers 6.1 SouthForkofOwlCreek 6.2 WildandScenicRiverReviewProcess 7. GENERAL-Wilderness 7.1 OppositiontoDesignatingMoreWilderness 7.2 Conservationists'WildernessAlternative 8. AIRQUALITYMANAGEMENT 8.1 | DustControl 9. CULTURAL,PALEONTOLOGICAL,ANDNATURALHISTORYRESOURCES 9.1 PaleontologyoftheWillwoodFormation,InterpretiveSigns 9.2 TheNeedtoProtectSensitiveResourcesFromTooMuchUse 9.3 SheepeaterCulturalSite 9.4 NewAgreementToStreamlineCulturalResourceProcess 9.5 DisturbanceNearPetroglyphs 9.6 HobbyCollectionofFossils 10. FIREMANAGEMENT 10.1 BenefitsofFire 10.2 UseofFiretoImproveSageGrouseHabitat 11. FORESTLANDMANAGEMENT 11.1 ForestlandManagementObjectives 11.2 AnticipatedHarvestLevelsandForestlandHealth NewTable24 IndexofCommentsandResponses Number Topic 11. FORESTLANDMANAGEMENT(Continued) 11.3 RequirementsForWildlifeSecurityAreas,AspenDistribution 11.4 ImportanceofOld-GrowthForests 11.5 FirewoodCuttingAlongRiversandDesertDrainages 12. LANDSANDREALTYMANAGEMENT--Access 12.1 ImprovingPublicAccess,Map24,BLM'sTransportationPlan 12.2 Condemnation 12.3 AccessandRoadConstruction 13. LANDSANDREALTYMANAGEMENT--LandownershipAdjustments 13.1 LandsForAgriculturalDevelopment 13.2 LandsForSuburbanExpansionandOtherCommunityNeeds 13.3 DesertLandEntries 13.4 LandExchangeintheWildHorseArea,ReductionofCountyTaxBase 13.5 PublicInvolvement 14. LANDSANDREALTYMANAGEMENT--Rights-of-Way 14.1 ImpactstoTransportationFacilities 14.2 UndergroundRouting,CoststoRelocateLines,Restrictions 14.3 ProtectionofExistingRights,CorridorsinTimberedAreas 14.4 ListofPendingRights-of-Way,PreexistingProjects,Altamont 14.5 DistributionFacilities 14.6 ConstructionNearRiparianAreas 14.7 CorridorsandConcentrationAreas 15. LIVESTOCKGRAZINGMANAGEMENT 15.1 Wetlands,RiparianAreas 15.2 Suitability,Adjustments/Reductions,ActualandAuthorizedUse 15.3 GoalstoAddressOvergrazing 15.4 LivestockAUMGainsThroughManagement 15.5 ResponsibilityForFencingCosts NewTable24 IndexofCommentsandResponses Number Topic 15. LIVESTOCKGRAZINGMANAGEMENT(Continued) 15.6 Current1990GrazingLevels,EnhancingLivestockProduction 15.7 Useof1990asaBaseYear,DroughtandNonuse 15.8 AllotmentCategorizationProcess 15.9 Utilization,KeyAreas 15.10 UtilizationandWildlifePopulationObjectives 15.11 SubjectiveVisualManagementApproach 15.12 BiasAgainstGrazing,CompatibilitywithOtherObjectives 15.13 RestrictionsonWaterDevelopmenttoBenefitElk 15.14 FencingAroundWater,GrazingonBighornRiverPublicLands 15.15 RangeManagementConcepts,Terminology 15.16 ChemicalSprayingasaVegetativeTreatment 16. MINERALSMANAGEMENT--OilandGas 16.1 MakingAreasOff-LimitstoDevelopment,100%OpentoLeasing 16.2 JustificationForRestrictions,ResourcestobeSafeguarded 16.3 ControlledSurfaceUseandSageGrouse 16.4 ControlledSurfaceUseandBigGame 16.5 WaiverofNoSurfaceOccupancyRequirements,EnvironmentalReview 16.6 ImpactAnalysisandMineralExplorationandDevelopmentCosts 16.7 BenefitstoWildlifefromProducedWater 16.8 EffectofRestrictionsonDevelopment 16.9 StandardLeaseTermsandConditionsFavoredOverOtherRestrictions 16.10 CompositionofthePlanningTeam,GeologicalExpertise 16.11 NaturalGasDevelopmentUnderestimated 16.12 LeaseStipulationsandParametersForTheirUse,Mitigation 16.13 JustificationForRestrictions,ConsiderationofLessRestriction 16.14 ExistingLeaseRights 16.15 TheCostsandBenefitsofAdministeringMineralDevelopment 16.16 HistoricalEvaluationsinOilFields iv NewTable24 IndexofCommentsandResponses Number Topic 16. MINERALSMANAGEMENT-OilandGas(Continued) 16.17 VariationsAmongAlternativesBecauseofRestrictions 16.18 VisualResourceManagementPolicyonSplit-EstateLands 16.19 MandatetoLeaseEntirePlanningArea 16.20 StandardLeaseTermsandConditionsFavoredAroundExistingFields 16.21 MineralsOccurrencePotentialandUseofRestrictions 17. MINERALSMANAGEMENT-Locatable/SalableMinerals 17.1 MineralResourcesandImpacts,CoalandPhosphateClassifications 17.2 TitaniumandZirconDeposits,DevelopmentPotential 17.3 MineralWithdrawalsFavored,GeologicBasisForWithdrawals 18. OFF-ROADVEHICLEMANAGEMENT 18.1 Restrictions,EffectsonPublicAccess 18.2 TheNeedForEnforcement 18.3 AccessandVehicleLimitationsintheRedCanyonCreekArea 19. RECREATIONMANAGEMENT 19.1 RecreationFacilitiesatWardelandHarringtonReservoirs 19.2 RecreationProjectionsTooHighForRedCanyonCreek 19.3 RecreationProjectionsTooHighOverall 19.4 Surface-DisturbancesForRecreation,AgriculturalPractices 19.5 ProjectionsonDeclineofPrimitiveRecreation 20. VEGETATIONMANAGEMENT 20.1 StrategyonTransplantingProtectedPlants 20.2 ScientificNames 20.3 DefinitionofGoodConditionRange 20.4 AchievingProperFunctioningRiparianAreas,ChecklistMethod 20.5 EcologicalConditionasaValueJudgement,UpdatedInformation 20.6 DesiredPlantCommunityObjectives,WhentoUse 20.7 NoxiousWeeds,UseofLivestocktoControlWeeds NewTable24 IndexofCommentsandResponses Number Topic 20. VEGETATIONMANAGEMENT(Continued) 20.8 NativeBiologicalDiversity 20.9 DefinitionofTrend 21. VISUALRESOURCEMANAGEMENT 21.1 HighlightingHistoricOilIndustryFeatures 21.2 VisualResourceClasses 22. WATERSHEDMANAGEMENT 22.1 RebuildingSedimentControlStructures 22.2 WatershedsConsideredinEcosystemManagementPlans 22.3 SoilErosionEstimates 23. WILDHORSEMANAGEMENT 23.1 WildHorseHerdArea 23.2 EliminationofHerdArea,Federal-State-PrivateJurisdiction 23.3 WildHorseManagementDuringDrought 24. WILDLIFEMANAGEMENT 24.1 PredationonWildlifeReducedbyGoodHabitatManagement 24.2 Information,Clarifications,Corrections,BiologicalAssessment 24.3 WildlifeSightings,WildlifeMapsDisputed,HabitatProtection 24.4 WGFDWildlifePopulationObjectives 24.5 FishandWildlifeHabitatandRangelandsShouldBeEmphasized 24.6 PredatorControlMeasures 24.7 ThePreferredAlternativeFavorsWildlife 24.8 AquaticBiologyandBiologists 24.9 Ferrets,WolvesasanExperimentalPopulation 24.10 GrizzlyBearContingencyMeasures 24.11 BighornSheepRecovery,RestrictionsonDomesticSheepGrazing 24.12 HabitatFragmentation 24.13 RequirementsForManagementofCandidateSpecies VI