[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5842]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[OR134-4210-08; GP4-095]
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Planning Analysis for Palmer
Mountain Land Exchange
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a planning analysis for Palmer
Mountain-Snohomish County Land Exchange.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management is initiating a planning
analysis pursuant to section 43 CFR 1610.8 of the planning regulations
for the exchange of 40 acres of public land located in Snohomish
County, Washington for 1356.03 acres in Okanogan County, Washington.
Selected Federal Lands: T31N, R6E, WM, Snohomish County,
Washington, Section 27, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\ (40 acres). Title will be
conveyed subject to the following reservation: A right-of-way
thereon for ditches or canals constructed by the authority of the
United States, pursuant to the Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C.
945).
Offered non-Federal lands: (T38N, R26E, WM, Section 5: Lots 1-4,
S\1/2\NE\1/4\ (228.36 acres), Section 6: Lots 1-5, S\1/2\NE\1/4\,
SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, (327.67 acres); T39N, R26E, WM.
Section 31: E\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\
(360 acres), Section 32: E\1/2\, W\1/2\NW\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\,
SW\1/4\, (600 acres).
The purpose of this planning analysis and associated environmental
assessment will be used to assess the impacts of the proposal and to
provide a basis for BLM to make an informed decision.
The proposed exchange would result in the acquisition of subject
private lands, which are within the Okanogan Management Area on Palmer
Mountain by trading an isolated tract of public land in Snohomish
County. The private lands have important wildlife and recreation
values. The acquisition of these lands will consolidate the existing
public ownership pattern in the Okanogan Management Area and it will
significantly improve access to adjacent public lands.
As indicated in the Spokane District Resource Management Plan
Record of Decision of 1987, and as amended in 1982, it is anticipated
that the acquired lands would be managed under existing BLM Resource
Management Plan guidelines for the Okanogan Management Unit (i.e.
Recreation, Wildlife Habitat, and Grazing Management).
The public land to be traded has no public access and is considered
by BLM to be difficult and uneconomical to manage. The transfer of this
land from public ownership would not significantly affect endangered or
threatened species or their habitat that has been determined to be
critical under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The interdisciplinary team which will
prepare the planning analysis includes BLM resource specialists in
botany, wildlife biology, access, recreation, geology and minerals,
archaeology, forestry, and range. All persons with an interest in
management of these two areas and resources are requested to submit
comments on this proposal within 30 days of the date on this Federal
Register notice. Comments and requests for further information or
requests to be placed on a mailing list should be addressed to Joseph
K. Buesing, District Manager, Spokane District Office, East 4217 Main
Avenue, Spokane Washington 99202, (509) 353-2570 or James F. Fisher,
Area Manager, Wenatchee Resource Area Office, 1133 North Western
Avenue, Wenatchee, Washington 98801, (509) 662-4223. No public meetings
are anticipated, but may be scheduled if there is a strong public
interest. Copies of the planning document will be available for public
review at the above offices of the BLM and at public libraries in
Snohomish and Okanogan Counties. The draft analysis is expected to be
available in May and final in June 1994.
The date of this notice initiates the 30 day scoping period.
ADDRESSES: Spokane District, Bureau of Land Management, East 4217 Main
Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99202.
Authority: (43 CFR 1610.8)
Dated: March 8, 1994.
Joseph K. Buesing,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 94-5842 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-M
