[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