[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 107 (Monday, June 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29703-29704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13592]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-066-05-1610-00]


Proposed California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment, Palm 
Springs-South Coast Resource Area, Southern California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a proposed plan amendment to the 
California Desert Conservation Area Plan and environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and 
the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR1610.2), notice 
is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will prepare 
an environmental assessment and proposed California Desert Conservation 
Area plan amendment affecting public lands within the Palm Springs-
South Coast Resource Area. The proposed plan amendments would expand 
two existing Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC): the Big 
Morongo Canyon ACEC (No. 50) and the Salt Creek Pupfish/Rail Habitat 
ACEC (No. 60). The name of the Salt Creek ACEC would also be changed to 
Dos Palmas ACEC.

DATES: Citizens are requested to help identify significant issues or 
concerns related to the proposed plan amendments. Recommendations from 
citizens regarding additional plan amendments may also be considered, 
for example, new ACECs or changing land use designations. Written 
comments must be submitted no later than 30 days from the date of this 
notice to the following address: Ms. Julia Dougan, Area Manager, Bureau 
of Land Management Palm Springs-South Coast Resource Area, 63-500 
Garnet Avenue, North Palm Springs, CA 92258-2000. Citizens submitting 
comments will automatically be included in the mailing list to receive 
a copy of the Proposed Plan and Environmental Assessment when 
available.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: If you require additional 
information or simply would like to be included in the mailing list, 
contact Ms. Elena Misquez, Bureau of Land Management Palm Springs-South 
Coast Resource Area, 63-500 Garnet Avenue, North Palm Springs, CA 
92258-2000; telephone(619) 251-4826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Big Morongo Canyon ACEC currently 
includes 3,705 acres of public land just east of Highway 62, and 7 
miles north of Interstate 10, San Bernardino County. BLM proposes to 
expand the ACEC to establish a corridor between the BLM-managed public 
lands and Joshua Tree National Park, 5 miles due east. Management 
prescriptions for the ACEC would only apply to the BLM-managed public 
lands. The proposed ACEC expansion would protect sensitive plant and 
wildlife habitat and wildlife movement corridors.
    The Salt Creek Pupfish/Rail Habitat ACEC (4,288 acres) is located 
northeast of the Salton Sea and Highway 111 in Riverside County. The 
ACEC would be renamed as the Dos Palmas ACEC in recognition of the Dos 
Palmas Ecosystem of which the Salt Creek ACEC is an integral part. The 
ACEC boundary would be expanded to approximately 17,000 acres to 
include additional public lands and lands acquired by The Nature 
Conservancy for the protection of sensitive plant, wildlife and 
cultural resources. Management prescriptions for the ACEC would not 
apply to non-TNC private lands within the proposed ACEC boundary. TNC 
and BLM would continue their acquisition effort from willing sellers 
within the proposed ACEC boundary.
    Public participation is an integral part of the planning and NEPA 
process in which members of the public are informed of proposed actions 
affecting the public lands and resources, and are encouraged to submit 
comments regarding these proposals. For 30-days commencing the date of 
this notice, citizens are formally requested to identify issues and to 
suggest alternative or new proposals to be addressed in the proposed 
plan and environmental assessment. Upon completion of the proposed plan 
amendment and environmental assessment, a notice of availability will 
be published in the Federal Register followed by a 60-day public 
comment period. Plan protests filed in accordance with 43 CFR 1610.5- 
[[Page 29704]] 2 will be accepted for 30-days following issuance of the 
final Plan. The plan will become effective when all protests have been 
resolved and a Decision Record is signed by the authorized officer.
Julia Dougan,
Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 95-13592 Filed 6-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P