[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 231 (Wednesday, December 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 66561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32126]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-050-99-1150-00; 8011]
Arizona: Intent to Amend the Yuma District Resource Management
Plan
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management
proposes to change the boundaries of the Gran Desierto Dunes Area of
Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
The Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC is proposed to be expanded north and
west to the northern and western boundaries of the Barry M. Goldwater
Air Force Range, and east along the International Boundary between the
United States and Mexico. The area includes public lands on the Barry
M. Goldwater Air Force Range in Townships 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 South,
Ranges. 19, 20, 21, and 22 West, Gila and Salt River Meridian, Yuma
County, Arizona.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susanna Henry, Bureau of Land
Management, 2555 E. Gila Ridge Road, Yuma, AZ 85365; telephone number:
520-317-3211.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 25,500-acre Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC was
designated in 1990 as part of the Lower Gila South Resource Management
Plan (Goldwater Amendment). The Goldwater Amendment also established
the 84,500-acre Yuma Desert and Sand Dunes Habitat Management Area
(HMA) adjacent to the ACEC. The Goldwater Amendment was later
incorporated as part of the Yuma District RMP. The proposed amendment
would expand the boundaries of the Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC to absorb
the Yuma Desert and Sand Dunes HMA, modify and expand management
prescriptions throughout the ACEC, designate a utility corridor between
Interstate 8 and the International Boundary, and establish a mitigation
and compensation policy within flat-tailed horned lizard habitat on
public lands in Arizona.
In 1997, the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Rangewide Management
Strategy (Strategy) and Conservation Agreement was signed by BLM. The
purpose of the Strategy is to conserve viable populations of flat-
tailed horned lizards. The Strategy outlines Management Areas building
on protection supported by existing ACESs in both Arizona and
California. The proposed amendment to the Yuma District RMP will be
accomplished as a joint document with the Bureau of Land Management,
California Desert District as an amendment to the California Desert
Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan.
The proposed amendment to the Yuma District and CDCA Plans is being
analyzed as part of the proposed action in an environmental assessment.
It is anticipated that the Draft EA will be printed and made available
to the public for comment in January 1999.
Dated: November 23, 1998.
Maureen A. Merrell,
Assistant Field Manager, Business and Fiscal Services/Acting Field
Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-32126 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-32-M
