[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 178 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 48161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23330]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[UT-080-96-1040-08]


Notice: Notice of Intent To Amend Diamond Mountain Resource 
Management Plan and Price River Management Framework Plan, Vernal and 
Price Field Offices, Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to amend the Diamond Mountain Resource 
Management Plan, Vernal Field Office, and the Price River Management 
Framework Plan, Price field Office, Utah to provide management of 
acquired lands in the Nine Mile Canyon area and prepare the associated 
Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) 
and the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.5-5), 
notice is given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will consider 
proposed amendments to the 1994 Diamond Mountain Resource Management 
Plan and the 1983 Price River Management Framework Plan.
    The proposed plan amendment would address future management of 
acquired lands within the Nine Mile Canyon area of the Vernal and Price 
Field Offices. An environmental assessment would be prepared to 
identify the environmental consequences of this action and determine 
whether an Environmental Impact Statement is needed. Public comment 
will be actively solicited throughout the planning and environmental 
assessment processes.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1993 BLM received as a donation 762.44 
acres, more or less, from Pacific Enterprises Oil Company, Dallas, 
Texas. These lands are situated in Townships 11 and 12 South, Range 18 
East, Salt Lake Base and Meridian, sections 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, and 
section 3, respectively. Generally these lands are located near the 
confluence of Nine Mile Creek and the Green River, in northeastern 
Utah. All but 40 acres of the involved acres are within Uintah County; 
the remaining acreage is within Carbon County, Utah. This proposed 
amendment is necessary to update and expand the decisions in existing 
plans to include these donated lands. Decisions generated during this 
planning process would address the acquired land and could supersede 
some affected land use planning decisions presented in the RMP and MFP. 
At this time general planning issues to be addressed include:
    1. Should the area, especially the riparian areas, be grazed, and 
if so, to what extent?
    2. What special management is needed within the Desolation Canyon 
National Historic Landmark?
    3. What amount and type of access should be allowed, including 
access to private minerals?
    4. Are these lands suitable for inclusion as wilderness?
    5. What is the functionality and condition of riparian lands within 
these acquired lands? What management should be determined to maintain 
and/or enhance the riparian resource?
    Public scoping meetings will be held in Price and Roosevelt, Utah. 
These meetings will be announced in local newspapers and through other 
local media. Formal public participation will be requested for review 
of the preliminary and final RMP and MFP in 1997. Notice of 
availability of these documents will be published at the appropriate 
times.
    These documents will be prepared by an interdisciplinary team which 
includes specialists in vegetation, cultural resources, recreation, 
wildlife/fisheries habitats, realty, and minerals. Other disciplines 
may be represented as necessary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Trogstad, Project Leader, Vernal 
Office, 170 South, 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078. Business hours are 
from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal 
holidays, telephone (801) 781-4460, fax (801) 781-4410.

    Dated: September 4, 1996.
David E. Little,
Associate State Director, Utah.
[FR Doc. 96-23330 Filed 9-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-M