[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7824-7825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3827]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[UT-98-040-1430-00]


Notice of Intent To Conduct a Plan Amendment Within the Dixie 
Resource Area, Washington County, Utah, and Call for Information

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

SUMMARY: The Dixie Resource Area of the Cedar City Field Office, 
intends to initiate a plan amendment through a joint planning effort 
with Zion National Park. The purpose is to conduct wild and scenic 
river studies on five specific tracts of BLM-managed public land. The

[[Page 7825]]

tracts are all contiguous to the Park's northern boundary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Mermejo, Natural Resource 
Specialist at (435) 688-3216.

DATES: Information regarding river values on the specific public land 
tracts identified in this notice should be submitted on or before March 
19, 1998 and sent to Lauren Mermejo, Dixie Resource Area, 345 East 
Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal land management agencies are 
directed by Section 5(d)(1) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 
to consider the potential for national wild, scenic and recreational 
river areas in all planning for the use and development of water and 
related land resources. The Dixie Resource Area is in the final stages 
of completing a Resource Management Plan for public lands in Washington 
County. When river segments on three, small, isolated tracts of BLM-
managed public land contiguous to Zion National Park were evaluated in 
the early 1990's as part of the Dixie planning effort, they were 
determined by BLM not be eligible for further study. These river 
segments are Willis Creek (T. 38 S., R. 11 W., Sec. 27: SWSW--40 acres 
affected), Beartrap Canyon (T. 39 S., R. 11 W., Sec. 3: SWNW--40 acres 
affected), and Goose Creek (T. 39 S., R. 10 W., Sec. 31: NESE, S2SE--
120 acres affected). Contiguous river segments within the Park were not 
evaluated at that time.
    Zion National Park is currently preparing a General Management Plan 
and as part of that effort is conducting a wild and scenic study of 
river segments within the Park. The Park's study provides a timely, 
efficient way for BLM and the National Park Service to evaluate the 
streams throughout their reaches across contiguous Federal lands.
    Thus, for purposes of wild and scenic river study only, BLM will 
serve as a co-lead agency in the development of the General Management 
Plan for Zion National Park and in the preparation of any associated 
environmental document. BLM and Zion National Park will cooperate as 
partners and will strive to reach a joint conclusion as to eligibility, 
tentative classification, and suitability for each river segment where 
public lands are involved.
    It is recognized that although the BLM-managed river segments 
identified above may not be eligible for further study when considered 
on their own, they may be eligible when considered in conjunction with 
contiguous segments in the Park. Two additional public land parcels at 
the head of the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek (T. 38 S., R. 11 W., Sec. 
30: SWNW--40 acres), and at the head of Kolob Creek Narrows (T. 39 S., 
R. 10 W., Sec. 30: portions thereof--80 acres), may also be affected 
should the streams (that are within the Park) be determined suitable 
for Congressional designation into the National Wild and Scenic River 
System. Thus, any river values involving these parcels will also be 
addressed at this time.
    The Dixie Resource Area and Zion National Park have prepared a 
Memorandum of Understanding regarding this joint planning effort. Wild 
and scenic evaluations will be made by Zion National Park, the BLM, and 
other experts in accordance with the interagency guidelines of July 
1996 titled ``Wild and Scenic River Review in the State of Utah, 
Process and Criteria for Interagency Use.'' BLM will prepare its own 
Record of Decision regarding stream segments that cross or otherwise 
affect BLM-managed public lands. Such decision will constitute a plan 
amendment for BLM's Virgin River Management Framework Plan or the Dixie 
Resource Management Plan, whichever is in effect at the time the 
decision is made.
    Public input is being sought for information regarding river values 
within the five identified public land tracts. Provide river 
nominations and information about the existence or lack of free-flowing 
and outstandingly remarkable values. Information should include 
detailed maps and descriptions of the river and any significant river-
related values.
G. William Lamb,
Utah State Director.
[FR Doc. 98-3827 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P