[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 10238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5293]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-010-01-1210-04]
Notice of Intent To Amend the Arizona Strip Resource Management
Plan, Arizona
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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The proposed decision is to implement the Proposed Action as
described in Environmental Assessment AZ-010-95-01, with additional
terms and conditions from USFWS biological opinion 2-21-96-F-132. The
Proposed Action is designed to address tortoise recovery goals and
objectives while reducing impacts on local communities and human
activities that occur in the Mojave Desert.
BLM is proposing to designate three Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern (ACECs) encompassing 169,300 acres (264.5 sq. miles) to be
managed primarily for recovery of desert tortoises, and modify the
prescriptions for the Virgin River ACEC (8,100 acres).
Beaver Dam Slope ACEC: This would expand the existing ACEC to
include tortoise habitat on public lands in Arizona north of I-15 and
the Virgin River but outside the Beaver Dam Wilderness Area, as
categorized in the RMP. This area would complement management in Nevada
and Utah and contain approximately 51,400 acres (80.3 sq. miles) in
Arizona.
Virgin Slope ACEC: This area would include most tortoise habitat on
public lands in Arizona between the Virgin River (or I-15) and the
Virgin Mountains, as categorized in the RMP. A small portion of the
Mesquite Community Allotment in Nevada would be managed consistent with
the ACEC. This ACEC would contain approximately 41,375 acres (64.6 sq.
miles) in Arizona.
Pakoon ACEC: This would include tortoise habitat on public lands in
the Pakoon Basin. This area would contain approximately 76,525 acres
(119.6 sq. miles). Activities administered by the Arizona Strip on Lake
Mead NRA and on public lands in Nevada would be managed in accordance
with ACEC prescriptions.
Virgin River ACEC: There would be no change in the boundary of this
ACEC (8,100 ac), although prescriptions would be modified to be
consistent with the tortoise ACECs. BLM proposes to manage the
following resources to reduce impacts on listed species and their
habitats: mineral exploration and development, fire suppression,
livestock grazing, vegetation harvest, lands and realty, transportation
and access, off-highway vehicles, recreation, wild, free-roaming
burros, wildlife management, and other surface-disturbing activities
(such as military maneuvers and airports). Outside of the four ACECs
there would be no change to decisions in the RMP, except that grazing
would be managed in accordance with the grazing decisions issued August
11, 1995.
SUMMARY: The above decisions apply only to areas within the Arizona
Strip that are either: within desert tortoise habitat as categorized by
the Bureau; within critical habitat as designated by USFWS; within one
of the four ACECs; pastures of livestock grazing allotments containing
tortoise habitat (including portions of Nevada and Lake Mead NRA that
are administered by the Arizona Strip BLM).
DATES: BLM proposes to implement the proposed action on April 2, 1998.
Closure of the Pakoon ACEC would occur following a two-year
notification period.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Protest procedures described in 43 CFR
1610.5-2 give the public an opportunity to initiate administrative
review of perceived oversights or inadequacies in a proposed plan. Any
proposed decision in a resource management plan amendment may be
protested. The protest may only raise issues that were submitted for
the record while the plan amendment was being prepared. Any party who
has participated in the planning process may file a letter of protest.
For proposed decisions in an EA-level plan amendment, a letter of
protest to the Director must be filed within 30 days of this Notice of
Availability. Letters of protest must be complete and respond to the
content requirements established in 43 CFR 1610.5-2(a)(2). The protest
may cover only those issues and concerns raised during the planning
process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Duck, Planning and Environmental
Coordinator, BLM Arizona Strip, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George,
Utah 84790, (435) 688-3200.
Roger G. Taylor,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-5293 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P
