[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 151 (Monday, August 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 40655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19737]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-066-06-1610-00]


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

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: On March 15, 1996, notice was published in the Federal 
Register announcing availability of the Proposed California Desert 
Conservation Area Plan Amendment and Environmental Assessment for a 60-
day public review period. In this document, two plan amendments were 
proposed. Amendment One proposes to expand the Big Morongo Canyon Area 
of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) from 3,075 to 29,000 acres to 
provide more effective management of bighorn sheep habitat, wetlands, 
riparian areas, wildlife corridors and other sensitive resources. The 
Big Morongo Canyon ACEC is located six miles north of Interstate 10, 
just east of Highway 62, straddling the San Bernardino-Riverside County 
line. Amendment Two proposes to expand the Salt Creek Desert Pupfish/
Rail Habitat ACEC from 4,288 to 14,880 acres to protect palm oases, 
cultural resources, wildlife corridors, wetlands, endangered species 
habitat and other sensitive resources. The Salt Creek ACEC would also 
be renamed the Dos Palmas ACEC. The Salt Creek ACEC is located three 
miles northwest of the Salton Sea, Riverside County, California.
    BLM received 12 public comment letters. BLM has reviewed these 
letters and has incorporated the comments into the proposed plan. BLM 
is prepared to proceed with the proposed Dos Palmas ACEC expansion 
(Amendment Two) and Big Morongo Canyon ACEC expansion (Amendment One). 
In accordance with title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations part 
1610.5-2, citizens with standing may protest the proposed decisions.

DATES: Protests must be submitted in writing no later than 30-days from 
the date of this notice to the following address: Area Manager, Bureau 
of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Resource Area, 690 Garnet 
Avenue, North Palm Springs, CA 92258-2000.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Elena Misquez, Bureau of Land 
Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Resource Area, 690 Garnet Avenue, 
North Palm Springs, CA 92258-2000; telephone (619) 251-4826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Nothing in this Proposed Plan shall have the 
effect of terminating any validly issued rights-of-way or customary 
operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement activities in such 
rights-of-ways within the ACEC boundaries in accordance with Sections 
509(a) and 701(a) of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976.

    Dated: July 26, 1996.
Julia Dougan,
Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-19737 Filed 8-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P