POCATELLO, Idaho -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pocatello Field Office is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address the J.R. Simplot Company’s request to exchange 719 acres of public land adjacent to Simplot’s Don Plant, for 667 acres of private land near the Chinese Peak-Blackrock Canyon area.
The EIS process provides a formal opportunity for public engagement in the land exchange process. This announcement opens a 45-day scoping period during which the BLM will gather public comments on the proposal and identify issues to be analyzed in the EIS.
“Public scoping is vital to getting this process started off on the right foot," said Melissa Warren, Pocatello Field Office manager. “It provides the perfect opportunity for people familiar with the area, or those who have concerns, to bring items to our attention so we can fully analyze them in the EIS."
The exchange area is identified by the 2012 Pocatello Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan as a Zone 3 land tenure adjustment zone, which places a priority emphasis on consolidating ownership to maximize public values, provide public access, and improve efficiencies in public land administration.
The BLM has scheduled two public meetings for the following dates:
June 12, 2019
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fort Hall Hotel and Event Center
777 Bannock Trail, Fort Hall, Idaho 83203
June 13, 2019
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Bureau of Land Management-Pocatello Field Office,
4350 Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, Idaho 83204
To have your comments considered in the Draft EIS, please submit them by July 5, 2019. Comments can be provided in the following ways:
* Submit your written comments directly at the public scoping meetings;
* Submit your comments electronically via the E-Planning site: https://go.usa.gov/xEUuc
* Mail comments to BLM Pocatello Field Office at the address above with Attention: Blackrock Land Exchange
For more information contact Bryce Anderson, BLM Pocatello Project Manager, at (208) 478-6353 or bdanderson@blm.gov, or see the Blackrock Land Exchange BLM E-Planning site above.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
