[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