[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39467-39468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19146]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[AZ-050-06-1220-00-1610-00]


Arizona: Intent to Prepare a Resource Management Plan Amendment 
(Yuma Desert) and Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare a Resource Management Plan 
Amendment/Environmental Assessment and Invitation to Participate in the 
Identification of Issues; Yuma District, AZ.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management, Yuma District (BLM), is 
preparing an Amendment/Environmental Assessment to the Yuma District 
and Lower Gila South (Goldwater Amendment) Resource Management Plans 
(RMP). The Goldwater Amendment established the 84,500-acre Yuma Desert 
and Sand Dunes Habitat Management Area and the 25,500-acre Gran 
Desierto Dunes Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), 
emphasizing protection and enhancement of flat-tailed horned lizard 
habitat and a unique dune system. The proposed Amendment would expand 
these boundaries to form the Yuma Desert Management Area, modify and 
expand management prescriptions throughout the management area, 
designate a utility corridor between Interstate 8 and the Southerly 
International Boundary, and establish a mitigation and compensation 
policy within flat-tailed horned lizard habitat in Yuma District.

DATES: Written comments related to the identification of issues will be 
accepted until August 28, 1996. Due to the noncontroversial nature of 
the proposal, no public meetings are scheduled.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Bureau of Land Management, Yuma District 
Office, Attention: Brenda Smith, 2555 East Gila Ridge Road, Yuma, 
Arizona 85365.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Smith, Renewable Resources 
Advisor, Yuma District Office, Yuma, Arizona. Telephone (520) 317-3216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BLM has been working with U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (FWS) and several other agencies to develop a 
conservation agreement to alleviate threats to the flat-tailed horned 
lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii), a species proposed for listing as 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act. As part of the management 
strategy for this species, these agencies have proposed establishing a 
management area for the flat-tailed horned lizard in the Yuma Desert, 
Yuma

[[Page 39468]]

County, Arizona. BLM currently administers a portion of this management 
area as the Yuma Desert and Sand Dunes Habitat Management Area and the 
Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC. BLM proposes to expand the Yuma Desert and 
Sand Dunes Habitat Management Area to include the remaining flat-tailed 
horned lizard habitat within the Barry M. Goldwater Range, Yuma County, 
Arizona.
    Existing management prescriptions for the Yuma Desert and Sand 
Dunes Habitat Management Area and Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC would be 
modified to further limit surface disturbances within the expanded 
management area. These modifications would exclude Federally-owned 
lands within the management area from disposal, place additional limits 
on land-use authorizations and camping within the area, prohibit 
commercial collection or sales of native plant products, prescribe fire 
suppression methods, and limit other discretionary actions that may 
result in loss or degradation of flat-tailed horned lizard habitat.
    There is no designated utility corridor between Interstate 8 and 
the Southerly International Boundary in Yuma County. The Amendment 
would designate one right-of-way corridor and limit new utilities and 
roads to this corridor.
    In addition, the amendment would establish a policy for mitigating 
and compensating for impacts to flat-tailed horned lizards from 
projects within flat-tailed horned lizard habitat. Mitigation and 
compensation would be applied both within and outside of the Yuma 
Desert and Sand Dunes Habitat Management Area.
    Possible adverse socioeconomic impacts to Yuma County government 
and private entities may result from increased costs associated with 
development activities on Federal lands. Lands within the management 
area would not be available for lease or disposal. Possible benefits 
would be alleviation of threats to the flat-tailed horned lizard in 
this area and conservation of the species and its habitat.
    Complete records of all phases of the planning process will be 
available for public review at the Yuma District Office, 2555 East Gila 
Ridge Road, Yuma, Arizona.
    This notice is published under the authority found in 43 CFR 
1610.2(c).

    Dated: July 23, 1996
David Daniels,
Surface Protection Specialist/Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-19146 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-M