[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39886-39887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19616]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-010-98-1150-00]
Arizona: Amend the Arizona Strip Resource Management Plan,
Arizona
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice to amend.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management has proposed to amend the
Arizona Strip Resource Management Plan (RMP-1992), to modify RMP
decisions to comply with the Endangered Species Act and to achieve the
goals and objectives of the recovery plan for the Mojave population of
desert tortoises, listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as
threatened. Since the signing of the Record of Decision for the RMP,
critical habitat has been designated, and the Desert Tortoise Recovery
Plan (1994) has been approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
(USFWS).
This amendment also addresses conservation and recovery of three
other species federally listed as endangered: southwestern willow
flycatcher, Virgin River chub, and woundfin minnows. Management of
Virgin River chub and woundfin were addressed in the 1992 RMP. The RMP
did not address southwestern willow flycatchers because the listing of
southwestern willow flycatchers as endangered did not occur until 1995,
after the RMP was finalized. Critical habitat for southwestern willow
flycatchers was designated in 1997.
The proposed Decision Record documents approval of an amendment to
the Arizona Strip Resource Management Plan. This amendment supercedes
decisions in the RMP. Decisions contained in the amendment apply only
to areas that are: within desert tortoise habitat as categorized by the
Bureau in the RMP; within critical habitat as designated by USFWS;
within any one of the four Areas of Critical Environmental Concern
(ACECs); or within pastures of livestock grazing allotments containing
tortoise habitat (including portions of Nevada and Lake Mead NRA that
are administered by the Arizona Strip BLM).
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 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. This ACEC would be closed to livestock
grazing.
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.
Management of the ACECs would be consistent with the
recommendations found in the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan. Land use
prescriptions within ACECs would affect livestock grazing, lands and
realty actions, wild burros, recreation, and other activities.
DATES: BLM proposes to implement the proposed action on August 31,
1998. Closure of the Pakoon ACEC to grazing 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 seek administrative review
of perceived oversights or inadequacies in a proposed plan. Any
proposed decision in the resource management plan amendment may be
protested. The
[[Page 39887]]
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 Federal
Register notice. Letters of protest must be complete and respond to the
content requirements established in 43 CFR 1610.5-2(a)(2).
If you wish to protest the proposed plan amendment, letters of
protest must be mailed to: Director, Bureau of Land Management,
Attention: Ms. Brenda Williams, Protests Coordinator, WO-210/LS-1075,
Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.
The overnight mail address is: Director, Bureau of Land Management,
Attention: Ms. Brenda Williams, Protests Coordinator WO-210, 1620 L
Street, N.W., Room 1075, Washington, DC 20240 [Phone: 202 452-5110].
Letters of protest must be filed within 30 days of this Federal
Register notice. To expedite consideration, in addition to the original
sent by mail or overnight mail, a copy of the protest may be sent by
fax to 202/452-5112 or e-mail to bhudgens@wo.blm.gov
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray Mapston, Program Manager, BLM
Arizona Strip, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790, (435)
688-3200.
Roger G. Taylor,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-19616 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P
