[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39535-39536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18683]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[UT-020-07-1610-00]
Availability of Proposed Plan Amendment Regarding Areas of
Critical Environmental Concern for the Box Elder Resource Management
Plan, Salt Lake District, UT
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed plan amendment.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake District, has
completed an Environmental Analysis/Finding of No Significant Impact of
the Proposed Plan Amendment to the Box Elder Resource Management Plan
(RMP). This notice of availability addresses designation of two new
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and proposes to amend
two existing ACECs.
DATES: The protest period for the proposed ACECs will commence with the
date of publication of this notice and last for 30 days. Protests must
be received on or before August 22, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Protests must be addressed to the Director (WO-210), Bureau
of Land Management, Attn: Brenda Williams, 1849 C Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Stephenson, Environmental
Specialist/Planner, Salt Lake District Office, 2370 South 2300 West,
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84119, (801) 977-4317. Copies of the
Environmental Assessment and Proposed Plan Amendment are available for
review at the Salt Lake District Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed plan amendment designates two
new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Salt Wells Wildlife
Habitat Area (WHA) and Blue Springs WHA, and amends two existing ACECs,
Donner Creek/Bettridge Creek, and Central Pacific Railroad Grade. Salt
Wells WHA, 5,389 public areas, and Blue Springs WHA, 5,715 public
areas, provide crucial habitat for numerous wildlife species. The
Donner/Bettridge Creek ACEC would be increased by a 40 acre parcel, and
all current management decisions would apply to this parcel. The
Central Pacific Railroad Grade ACEC would be modified to encompass the
grade for a width of 400 feet, for 90 miles from Golden Spike National
Historical Site (Golden Spike) to Lucin, from Golden Spike on the west
to Stinky Springs on the east (13.5 miles), and 232 acres of land which
involves the Union Pacific Railroad grade. This ACEC designation
protects the historical integrity and associated values of the grades,
townsites, and artifacts located in the vicinity of the grades.
The following management prescriptions are proposed for each ACEC.
Salt Wells ACEC Prescriptions
Grazing: The livestock grazing season of use would be changed to
the winter period, if the permittee agrees to the change. If sping
grazing continues, the area should be fenced to create pastures for the
Salt Wells Allotments. If grazing permits are relinquished within the
Salt Wells WHA, these areas would be closed to grazing to protect the
wetland values.
Mineral Development: Oil & gas leasing would be subject to Category
3 (No Surface Occupancy) stipulation. A land withdrawal from the
operation of the public land laws and location and entry under the
United States Mining laws is proposed.
Off Highway Vehicle (OHV): The Salt Wells WHA (excluding the county
roads) would be ``closed'' to OHV use.
Blue Springs ACEC Prescriptions
Land Tenure Adjustments: Acquired lands within the state managed
Public Shooting Grounds Wildlife Management Area would only be
available for disposal to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
through an exchange where similar wildlife habitat or habitat of T&E or
sensitive wildlife species is acquired by the BLM.
Grazing: Grazing would continue at current levels, class of
livestock and season of use as that described in the Box Elder RMP for
those lands located within the Blue Springs WHA. If grazing permits are
relinquished within the Blue Springs WHA, these areas would be closed
to grazing to protect the wetland values.
Mineral Development: Oil & gas leasing would be subject to Category
3 (No Surface Occupancy) stipulation. A land withdrawal from the
operation of the public land laws and location and entry under the
United States Mining laws is proposed.
Off Highway Vehicle (OHV): The Blue Springs WHA would be ``closed''
to OHV use.
Donner/Bettridge Creek ACEC Prescriptions
This parcel is located adjacent to the existing ACEC and would be
managed according to the goals and objectives of the existing
management plan, and have the same restrictions or limitations to
[[Page 39536]]
the use of those lands as described in the respective plan.
OHV Use: The parcel would be limited to OHV use on designated roads
and trails year round.
Central Pacific Railroad Grade ACEC Prescriptions
The expansion of the ACEC would be managed according to the goals
and objectives of the existing management plan, and have the same
restrictions or limitations to the use of those lands as described in
the respective plan.
Livestock: Livestock grazing would continue at current levels,
class of livestock and season of use as that described in the Box Elder
RMP for those lands located within the wetlands portions of the eastern
CPR grade.
If spring grazing continues, the area should be fenced to create
pastures for the Golden Spike Allotment. If grazing permits are
relinquished within the wetland areas of the lands associated with the
eastern and western portions of the CPRR/UPR grades, then these areas
would be closed to grazing to protect the wetland values. Grazing would
only then be authorized if the grazing could be used to achieve
management objectives.
Mineral Development: Oil & gas leasing would be subject to Category
3 (No Surface Occupancy) stipulation. A land withdrawal from the
operation of the public land laws and location and entry under the
United States Mining laws is proposed.
Off Highway Vehicle (OHV): OHV use would be limited to existing
roads and trails throughout the year on the east and west portions of
the CPRRG which do not involve wetlands, while the wetland portions of
the CPRRG would be ``closed'' to OHV use.
Dated: July 9, 1997.
Linda Colville,
Associate State Director, Utah.
[FR Doc. 97-18683 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P