[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 127 (Monday, July 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 34553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16260]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[ES-020-05-1610-00]


Florida Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision

agency: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

summary: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Eastern States, Jackson 
District, has completed the Florida Resource Management Plan (RMP) and 
Record of Decision (ROD). This document, prepared in accordance with 
section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and 
section 202(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
provides land use decisions and guidance for managing BLM-administered 
public lands throughout the State of Florida.
    The Florida RMP/ROD is the result of a three year planning process 
involving significant public participation. The decisions described in 
the Florida RMP/ROD constitute final agency action for the Department 
of the Interior in accordance with 43 CFR 1610.5-2(b) and are not 
appealable. The public is invited to participate during implementation 
of these decisions.
    Copies of the Florida RMP/ROD will be available upon request.

for further information contact: Robert V. Abbey, District Manager, 
U.S.D.I, Bureau of Land Management, Jackson District, 411 Briarwood 
Drive, Suite 404, Jackson, MS 39206.

supplementary information: The RMP/ROD provides land use decisions and 
guidance for managing BLM-administered public lands throughout the 
State of Florida. These lands include approximately 395,000 acres of 
split-estate federal mineral ownership (FMO), where federal ownership 
is limited to mineral interests and the surface estate is owned by 
either the State of Florida or private interests, and several hundred 
acres of public land comprised of small tracts and located in seven 
counties throughout the State. Under the RMP/ROD, federally-owned 
minerals underlying state-owned lands will be available to the State of 
Florida in exchange for lands identified for acquisition by the U.S. 
Department of the Interior and/or the U.S. Forest Service. The FMO 
underlying the Withlacoochee State Forest will be temporarily closed to 
limestone sales in order to allow for the exchange of the FMO to the 
State of Florida. Otherwise, FMO will be available for development as 
described below.
    FMO is available for oil and gas leasing as follows: 175,149 acres 
subject to no surface occupancy stipulations. 123,011 acres subject to 
seasonal restrictions and/or controlled surface use stipulations. 
25,476 acres subject solely to standard management.
    FMO is available for phosphate leasing as follows: 294,947 acres 
subject to development constraints. 91,885 acres subject solely to 
standard management.
    FMO is available for limestone sales as follows: 269,340 acres 
temporarily closed and/or subject to development constraints. 46,219 
acres subject solely to standard management.
    A portion (approximately 60 acres) of the Jupiter Inlet tract, 
located in Palm Beach County, is designated an Area of Critical 
Environmental Concern (ACEC). The ACEC will be managed to maintain a 
viable scrub vegetation community and improve habitat conditions for 
Florida scrub jay, gopher tortoise, and other endemic scrub species, 
and to interpret natural and cultural resources to provide recreation 
opportunities. Motorized vehicle use will be limited to designated 
routes. The ACEC will te withdrawn from entry under the 1872 mining 
law, closed to mineral material sales and mineral lease, and will be an 
avoidance area for rights-of-way. The ACEC will be available for 
cooperative management with other government agencies and/or private 
organizations, or for conveyance under the Recreation and Public 
Purposes Act, provided that the proposed use follows the stated 
management objectives and land-use allocations.
    The Cape San Blas tract, located in Gulf County, is also identified 
for ACEC designation. The tract will be managed to protect the coastal 
dune habitat. The tract will be closed to motorized vehicle use, will 
be classified as an avoidance area for rights-of-way, will be withdrawn 
from entry under the 1872 mining law, and closed to mineral material 
sales and lease of solid minerals. Oil and gas leasing will be subject 
to a no surface occupancy stipulation. The tract will be available for 
cooperative management with other government agencies and/or private 
organizations,or for conveyance under the Recreation and Public 
Purposes Act, provided that the proposed use follows the stated 
management objectives and land-use allocations.
    The Walton Beach tracts will be managed for enhancement of dune 
system habitat. The tracts will be available for a Recreation and 
Public Purposes Act (R&PP) lease, or for exchange to the State of 
Florida to accomplish Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program 
objectives.

    Dated: June 22, 1995.
Robert V. Abbey,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 95-16260 Filed 6-30-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-M