95-7220. Notice of Intent to Consider Amending the Walker Resource Management Plan

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15580-15581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7220]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[NV-030-95-1610-00]


Notice of Intent to Consider Amending the Walker Resource 
Management Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to consider amending the Walker Resource 
Management Plan, prepare an environmental assessment and invite public 
participation.

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SUMMARY: The Carson City District of the Bureau of Land Management is 
considering amending the Walker Resource Management Plan to address 
management of pinyon-juniper woodlands and off-highway vehicles (OHVs). 
The proposed amendment would cover public lands in the Pine Nut 
Mountains of Carson City, and Lyon and Douglas Counties, Nevada.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: Written comments on the proposed amendment and 
environmental assessment are welcomed until April 28, 1995. They should 
be sent to David Loomis, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 1535 Hot 
Springs Road, Carson City, NV 89706. Please call Mr. Loomis at 702 885-
6149 for further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public is invited to participate in the 
identification of issues related to the management of pinyon-juniper 
woodlands and the management of off-highway vehicles in the Pine Nut 
Mountains of western Nevada. This plan amendment would address the 
expansion of pinyon-juniper woodlands and the rapid increase in 
population growth and OHV recreation in the Pine Nut Mountains.
    The current patterns of vegetation in the Pine Nut Mountains have 
resulted from logging in the late 1800s, followed by a period of 
historic grazing by livestock. Then a long period of fire suppression 
limited the natural role of wildfires in the Pine Nut Mountains 
ecosystem. This reduced natural diversity in vegetation patterns and 
favored the spread of pinyon-juniper woodland. Fire suppression 
activities have contributed to an accumulation of fire hazard fuels 
that have caused a trend towards large, expensive, and destructive 
wildfires such as the Holbrook Junction fire of 1994.
    Some of the pinyon-juniper management methods to be considered 
[[Page 15581]] in the proposed plan amendment include removal of trees 
by opening wood cutting areas and changes in fire management 
strategies, including prescribed fires.
    Another issue to be addressed is the management of off-highway 
vehicle (OHV) recreation in the Pine Nut Mountains. The region has 
experienced a rapid population growth and increase in OHV use. The 
current designations are over ten years old and have been difficult to 
manage. Conflicts with property owners, wildlife and watershed 
protection have increased.
    Planning documents and other pertinent materials may be examined at 
the Bureau of Land Management office in Carson City between 7:30 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

    Dated this 10th day of March, 1995.
John Singlaub,
District Manager, Carson City District.
[FR Doc. 95-7220 Filed 3-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-M