[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31490-31491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14643]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[AZ-020-00-1210-00; AZA-25486, 25487, 25489, 25490]


Notice of Approval of the Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management 
Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: The Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan is approved. In 
accordance with 43 CFR part 4, this action is subject to appeal for a 
period of 30 days from the date of this notice. Barring appeal, the 
plan will be implemented.

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SUMMARY: (1) Scope of the Approved Plan: The plan prescribes actions 
and policies for the management of four Wilderness Areas: the Sierra 
Estrella, the North Maricopa Mountains, South Maricopa Mountains and 
the Table Top for a period of ten years. An environmental assessment 
document was prepared describing the impacts of the plan along with 
three other alternatives.
    (2) Geographic Areas Involved: Four separate wilderness areas, 
totaling 172,100 acres in the Sonoran Desert of Southwestern Arizona, 
southern Maricopa and western Pinal Counties, and 12 to 45 miles south 
of the metropolitan Phoenix. Other nearby towns are Gila Bend, 
Maricopa, Casa Grande, and Buckeye, Arizona.
    (3) Summary of Plan Actions: Seventy nine miles of former vehicle 
ways reclaimed; 16 miles converted to pedestrian and/or equestrian 
trails. Three access routes may be shortened slightly. Twenty five 
vehicle barriers constructed. Four new trails and seven trailheads 
established and one existing trail and trailhead improved and 
maintained. Signs, defined parking areas, and minimal camping 
facilities provided at some trailheads. Maps and other information 
provided. Two vehicle safety shoulders may be created along Interstate 
8. Commercial recreation outfitters may be permitted. Six wildlife 
water catchments and associated fencing modified, and along with two 
others, maintained. One wildlife well pump replaced. Transplants of 
desert bighorn sheep and aircraft telemetry following sanctioned. 
Installation of future wildlife catchments evaluated on a case-by-case 
basis. Non-mechanized animal damage control allowed. Five earthen 
livestock water tanks abandoned. Thirteen livestock control fences 
maintained. No new livestock watering facilities constructed. 
Coordination with multi-jurisdictional law enforcement and search and 
rescue agencies and organizations improved. Five thousand seven hundred 
and sixty two acres of State of Arizona surface and subsurface 
inholdings identified for acquisition plus some access easements. All 
wildfire suppressed; protocol for fire suppression activities 
established. Reduction in low-level civilian aircraft flights 
encouraged. Thirty three instances of motorized/mechanized use allowed 
annually over 9 years dropping to 22 per year thereafter, to: maintain 
8 livestock fences, modify 6 wildlife catchments, maintain and haul 
water to these and two other catchments, pump one well for wildlife, 
census or track wildlife, check wildlife water levels in wildlife 
catchments, respond to life-threatening emergencies, rescue sick 
livestock, and pursue felons or major game violators. Monitoring 
standards adopted and response actions described.
    (4) Proposed Restrictions: Campfires, charcoal fires, wood 
gathering or wood cutting, and other surface disturbances are 
prohibited. Dogs are prohibited on one trail; horses on another. 
Camping within 200 feet or within sight of established trails is 
prohibited; camping at some trailheads will be limited to a five day 
period. Pack stock associated with permitted activities confined to 
naturally hardened areas during long rest periods. Pack stock feed 
provided by outfitters.
    (5) Summary of Alternatives Analyzed: A visitor use and wildlife 
enhancement alternative with additional hiking and/or riding trails and 
wildlife developments; a naturalness enhancement alternative without 
maintained trails, with mostly non-mechanized maintenance of 
developments, and 15 instances of low level aircraft use occurring 
yearly for wildlife census, checking water levels of wildlife water 
catchments and hauling water; and a no action alternative.
    (6) Extent of Public Comment: A draft plan with an environmental 
assessment document was distributed for public review and comment for a 
45 day period on September 13, 1994. Availability notice was via the 
Federal Register and local media. More than 400 copies of the draft 
plan were mailed to a wide spectrum of publics, governing bodies, 
organizations, and institutions expressing interest or directly 
affected. Two public meetings, in Gila Bend and Phoenix, Arizona, were 
held. A total of 14 individuals participated in these meetings and 
providing comments; eight written comments were also received. Comments 
were analyzed and appear in the final plan. Some changes were made due 
to the comments. Most notable are: The addition of a management action 
to disallow the construction of future livestock watering facilities 
within the wilderness; the addition of some mechanized wildlife 
management activities; and changes to the Naturalness Alternative and 
associated impact analysis.

NEXT STEP IN THE PLANNING PROCESS: The decision to adopt this plan is 
subject to appeal for a period of 30 days following the publication of 
this notice. Barring appeal, implementation will follow. Appeals must 
be filed in accordance with the procedures found in 43 CFR 4.4110 
through 4.415.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Jamrog, Bureau of Land 
Management, Phoenix District Office, Lower Gila Resource Area, 2015 
West Deer Valley [[Page 31491]] Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, telephone 
602-780-8090.

    Date June 8, 1995.

Gordon L. Cheniae,

District Manager.

[FR Doc. 95-14643 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-32-P