Bureau of Land Management-Alaska National Environmental Policy Act Evaluation of Authorizations issued under 43 CFR 3809 (Surface Management)

United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Alaska State Office
222 West Seventh Avenue, #13
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7504
http://www.blm.gov/ak

In Reply Refer To:
1790, 3809 (AK930) P

May 31, 2011

Instruction Memorandum No. AK-2011-023
Expires: 09/30/2013

To: All District Managers, Field Managers, and Deputy State Directors

From: State Director

Subject: Bureau of Land Management-Alaska National Environmental Policy Act Evaluation of Authorizations issued under 43 CFR 3809 (Surface Management)

Program Area: National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), Surface Management

Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) contains information on implementing requirements and recommendations regarding NEPA compliance for the purpose of improving NEPA processes for the 43 CFR 3809 (Surface Management) program within BLM-Alaska.

Policy/Action: All BLM-Alaska offices responsible for conducting NEPA analysis to support surface management authorizations must follow the requirements identified in the attached “43 CFR 3809 NEPA Evaluation Report.” Implementation of the requirements shall begin immediately. Where appropriate, the offices will implement the recommendations to improve the current processes. The requirements and recommendations are found in Part V: Findings, Observations, Requirements and Recommendations.

Timeframe: The identified parties will address the Action Items within the specified timeframe, as outlined in Part VI, BLM-Alaska Mining (3809) Program Evaluation Report.

Budget Impact: There are no budget impacts.

Background: On July 7, 2009, IM-AK-2009-027 was issued, transmitting the BLM-Alaska NEPA Evaluation Report. The 1990 Program Lead, with AK-930 staff, was to complete an in-depth Mining (3809) Program NEPA Evaluation (VI. Action Item A-2).

On September 29, 2010, IM-AK-2010-024 was issued, describing the evaluation process for the 43 CFR 3809 NEPA authorizations. An interdisciplinary team was formed, and in November, 2010, conducted the review. The evaluation included site visits to Anchorage and Fairbanks District Offices, interviews and a review of NEPA documents. The results are summarized in the attached “43 CFR 3809 NEPA Evaluation Report.” The report includes requirements and recommendations regarding NEPA practices, as it relates to the 3809 Program, including a list of specific Action Items.

Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: Not applicable.

Coordination: Alaska State Office (Division of Resources), Fairbanks District Office (including Eastern Interior and Central Yukon Field Offices) and Anchorage District Office (including Glennallen Field Office).

Contact: For information, please contact Rob Brumbaugh, Surface Management Program Lead, at 907-271-4429 or Jolie Pollet, Supervisory Planning and Environmental Coordinator, at 907-271-5546.

Signed by:
Julia Dougan
Associate State Director

Authenticated by:
Anita R. Jette
Records Specialist