[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34443-34444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16756]


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[[Page 34444]]


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-066-06-1610-00]


Proposed South Coast Resource Management Plan Amendment, 
Riverside County

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) will prepare an environmental assessment addressing a proposed 
amendment to the South Coast Resource Management Plan affecting public 
lands within Riverside County. Under the proposed plan amendment, 
parcels previously available only for exchanges to acquire land in the 
Potrero Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) could also be 
used to acquire habitat for the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat, consistent with 
the Habitat Conservation Plan for the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat. Lands 
that are acquired under these exchanges would be managed in accordance 
with the Habitat Conservation Plan, and the plan amendment would also 
address such management issues as designation of a habitat management 
area, right of way avoidance area and mineral entry conflicts.

DATES: Citizens are requested to help identify significant issues 
related to the proposed plan amendment. Written comments must be 
submitted no later than August 1, 1996, to: Ms. Julia Dougan, Area 
Manager, Bureau of Land Management Palm Springs--South Coast Resource 
Area, P.O. Box 2000, North Palm Springs, CA 92258-2000. Anyone 
submitting comments will receive a copy of the proposed plan amendment 
and environmental assessment when available.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elena Misquez, Bureau of Land 
Management Palm Springs--South Coast Resource Area, P.O. Box 2000, 
North Palm Springs, CA 92258-2000; telephone (619) 251-4826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The South Coast Resource Management Plan 
designated 4,957 acres of federal land as available only for exchanges 
to acquire land at the Potrero ACEC. Subsequently, in 1996, the Habitat 
Conservation Plan for the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat established a regional 
system of seven core reserves, but did not include the Potrero ACEC as 
a core reserve. The proposed plan amendment would give BLM the 
flexibility to exchange federal lands to acquire lands in and around 
the seven core reserves, while retaining the option of acquiring lands 
in the Potrero ACEC. Once the acquisition objectives of the Habitat 
Conservation Plan for the Stephens' Kangaroo Rat have been met, the 
federal lands would be available for exchanges to meet Resource 
Condition Objectives in the South Coast Resource Management Plan. (40 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2).
Julia Dougan,
Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-16756 Filed 7-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P