Dakota Prairie Grasslands; North Dakota; Dakota Prairie Grasslands Land and Resource Plan Amendment and Site Specific Projects for the Elkhorn Ranchlands

Resumo

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the Forest Service intends to prepare an environmental impact statement for amending the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Land and Resource Management Plan (DPG Plan) pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1604(f)(5) and 36 CFR 219.12. This includes approving certain site specific projects associated with the same lands. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) and the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) are among the laws that set forth the requirements for Forest Service planning. This DPG Plan amendment will determine management direction including land-use determinations, management area prescriptions, and standards and guidelines. The need for the DPG Plan amendment results from the recent acquisition of 5,200 acres of private land, the majority of which lie in a solid block east of the Little Missouri River in Billings County, North Dakota. Site specific project proposals relate to: (1) Restoring ecological functions and wildlife habitat, (2) improving livestock grazing opportunities, (3) enhancing heritage and recreation opportunities, and 4) promoting conservation activiti