Publication in the Federal Register segregating the Sweet Grass Hills from mineral entry for two years.
Notice of Intent to prepare an amendment/EIS for the Sweet Grass Hills portion of the West HiLine Resource Management Plan (RMP).
An issue brochure was sent to a mailing list of all interested parties, agencies, organizations, and individuals.
Federal Register Notice filed, supplementing the Notice of Intent, indicating that public scoping meetings for the amendment do not fulfill the requirements for the withdrawal application. Public meetings on the draft amendment/EIS will meet this requirement.
Public scoping meetings to identify issues were held in Chester, Browning, and Rocky Boy.
Briefings were offered and/or held with the Governor's Office, Congressional Staffs, County
Commissioners of Liberty and Toole Counties, and Tribal Councils at the Blackfeet and Rocky Boy Reservations.
At the request of oil and gas producers and local residents the BLM attended meetings at Shelby and Whitlash.
A letter was sent to the mailing list informing the public that the amendment/EIS would address four issues, and that the BLM was beginning a 5-year withdrawal process to extend the time needed to complete the amendment/EIS.
Notice of public meetings on the proposed withdrawal published in the Great Falls Tribune.
Notice of public meetings on the proposed withdrawal published in the Liberty County Times.
Notice of public meetings on the proposed withdrawal published in the Federal Register.
The draft amendment/EIS was distributed for public comment. Approximately 500 copies were distributed to the public during the comment period.
A Federal Register Notice was published beginning the comment period.
Public meetings on the proposed withdrawal and draft amendment/EIS.
Public comment period on the draft amendment/EIS closed.
The following notes in red are added on after the printing of the FINAL SGHA and EIS. This list will be updated when appropriate.
President Clinton signed an order promoting access to and protection of areas on federal land considered sacred by Indians, including the Sweet Grass Hill.
The Bureau of Land Mangagement's Record of Decision is signed by the U.S. Secretary of Interior. Congress has a 90-day review period which ends at the end of June, 1997.