BLM developing Yukon management plan

The Bureau of Land Management said June 17 that it is preparing a resource management plan and associated environmental impact statement for the Central Yukon planning area. The plan will replace an existing utility corridor resource management plan, RMP, as well as the Central Yukon RMP and part of the Southwest management framework plan.

BLM said the new Central Yukon plan would also cover lands in the Fairbanks North Star Borough not currently under an existing plan.

When the plan is finalized it will provide future direction for some 16 million acres of BLM-administered lands in central and northern Alaska, including the Dalton Highway corridor, BLM-managed lands in the central Yukon River watershed and the Central Arctic management area wilderness study area.

A 180-day scoping period for the draft RMP-EIA began June 14 with publication of the notice of intent in the Federal Register.

BLM said the purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the planning process.

To be considered in the scoping report, public comments must be received by Dec. 11.

BLM said information on the Central Yukon planning process is available at www.blm.gov/ak.

—Petroleum News