HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221923.tiffChloe White
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Karla Ford
Monday, June 27, 2022 1:58 PM
Chloe White
FW: BLM Invitation to Weld for Cooperating Agency Status - Big Game Amendment
BLM Invite Letter_Big Game RMPA_6.10.22.pdf
I believe this needs to go on the agenda instead of me passing it around.
Thanks!
Karla Ford X
Executive Assistant & Office Manager, Board of Weld County Commissioners
1150 0 Street, P.O. Box 758, Greeley, Colorado 80632
:: 970.336-7204 :: kfordfiueldgov.com :: www.weldgov.com
**Please note my working hours are Monday -Thursday 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.**
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From: BLM_CO_Corridors_Planning <BLM_CO_Corridors_Planning@blm.gov>
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2022 11:59 AM
To: Mike Freeman <mfreeman@weldgov.com>; Scott James <sjames@weldgov.com>; Lori Saine
<Isaine@weldgov.com>; Steve Moreno <smoreno@weldgov.com>; Perry Buck <pbuck@weldgov.com>
Cc: Karla Ford <kford@weldgov.com>
Subject: BLM Invitation to Weld for Cooperating Agency Status - Big Game Amendment
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Dear County Commissioners,
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado State Office is initiating a resource management plan
amendment (RMPA) with an associated environmental impact statement (EIS) to consider an amendment to
land use plans for the conservation of big game corridor and important habitat areas. A Notice of Intent is
anticipated this June. Based on your expertise and/or jurisdiction, the BLM Colorado State Office is inviting
you to become a cooperating agency for this effort. Please see the attached letter for additional information and
how to respond by July 10, 2022 to this invitation for the County to become a cooperating agency. The County
may also become a cooperating agency after July 10, 2022 during the planning process.
We look forward to working with you as we proceed with this effort.
ONYVYwn ; s
cc:PLCTP), E1-1 COT)
07/11 /22 07/07/2,-
2022-1923
Thank you,
Planning Team
Bureau of Land Management I Colorado State Office
2850 Youngfield St,
Lakewood, CO 80215
2
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Colorado State Office
2850 Youngfield Street
Lakewood, Colorado 80215-7210
In Reply Refer To: 1610 (LLCO000000)
1610 (CO -930)
Dear Cooperator,
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado State Office is initiating a resource
management plan amendment (RMPA) with an associated environmental impact statement (EIS)
to consider an amendment to land use plans for the conservation of big game corridor and
important habitat areas. The purpose is to analyze the incorporation of plan components related
to the BLM's management of oil and gas development to be consistent with other state and local
requirements (43 CFR § 1610.3-3) and BLM's mandate under the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976, as amended. We anticipate publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) in
June of 2022.
The planning area (see Attachment 1) includes all 64 counties in Colorado and encompasses
approximately 8.3 million acres of BLM-managed surface land and approximately 27 million
acres of Federal mineral estate. This acreage includes Federal minerals on Federal lands and
"split estate" Federal minerals located under surface lands with non -Federal ownership. The
decision area includes all BLM public lands and approximately 4.6 million acres of split -estate
private, local government, and state lands.
Invitation to Participate as a Cooperating Agency
Based on our preliminary evaluation, given your expertise and/or jurisdiction, the BLM Colorado
State Office is inviting you to become a cooperating agency for this effort. Cooperating agency
participation provides the opportunity for us to work together and to enhance the BLM's
planning efforts. This may include sharing data or other information such as relevant policies or
strategies, gathering best available science, assistance with developing alternatives consistent
with the purpose of the effort, providing methods for analysis, and review of internal drafts.
Consistent with current NEPA regulations (40 CFR §1501.8), a cooperating agency must meet
the lead agency's schedule for providing comments along with other responsibilities. The BLM
anticipates a timeframe of approximately 24 months from project initiation to issuance of a
Record of Decision/Approved RMP Amendment.
If you decide to become a cooperating agency, we will seek your input, review, and signature of
a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that describes the roles and responsibilities of the BLM
and your agency. You will receive a draft MOU for review following acceptance of becoming a
cooperating agency. Cooperating agencies will need to assign a representative, and staff if
needed, to assist with reviews or analysis for which they have expertise or jurisdiction.
INTERIOR REGION 7 • UPPER COLORADO BASIN
COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, UTAH, WYOMING
If you are interested in becoming a cooperating agency, please notify the BLM Colorado State
Office via email at BLM_CO_Corridors_Planning@blm.gov by July 10, 2022. We will need
a point of contact to finalize the MOU and the name of your representative for the planning
process. If you decline to be a cooperating agency, we request that you also respond to this
invitation to let us know. Please be assured that, whether or not you elect to participate as a
cooperating agency, the BLM will afford your agency ample opportunities to participate during
this planning effort. The BLM recognizes that agency decisions regarding public lands can have
an impact on neighboring communities. The involvement of your agency helps ensure that
resulting decisions are appropriate and effective.
For further information or to request a meeting, please contact Alan Bittner, BLM Colorado
Deputy State Director for Resources, abittner@blm.gov or 303-239-3768. Thank you for your
interest in the planning process and administration of public lands. We look forward to working
with you as we proceed with this effort.
Sincerely,
aa_. --11'0_._
Alan Bittner
Deputy State Director — Resources
Attachment: Map of Preliminary Planning Area
Planninci and Decision Area
Hello