[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 19272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10187]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[MT-060-08-1610-00, 1613P]


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Area of Critical Environmental 
Concern Plan Amendment for the Judith-Valley-Phillips Resource 
Management Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) will amend the Judith-Valley-Phillips Resource Management Plan 
(RMP). The Bureau of Land Management is amending the RMP to address 
special management for two potential Areas of Critical Environmental 
Concern (ACEC); Bitter Creek and Mountain Plover. The public land being 
considered is located in Valley County, Montana. An environmental 
assessment will be prepared by the Valley Resource Area to analyze the 
impacts of this proposal and any alternatives.

DATES: Comments and recommendations on this notice to amend the Judith-
Valley-Phillips RMP should be received on or before May 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Richard M. 
Hotaling, Area Manager, Valley Resource Area, RR1-4775, Glasgow, MT 
59230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Majerus, 406-538-7461.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An ACEC is an area within the public lands 
where special management attention is required to protect important 
historic, cultural or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources or 
other natural systems, or to protect life and safety from natural 
hazards.
    In November 1990, the BLM received the Mixed Grass Prairie ACEC 
nomination which encompasses approximately 350,000 acres of public land 
in north Valley County. This area was nominated by several 
organizations for its natural integrity, scenic values, vegetation and 
on the basis that it is one of the largest and most intact sections of 
prairie remaining in the United States and a continuation of the 
Canadian Grasslands National Park. The BLM evaluated this nomination to 
determine it met both the relevance and importance criteria as outlined 
in the BLM's procedural guidance to ACECs (BLM Manual 1613). In 
summary, the entire nomination area was found to be relevant in terms 
of the scenic, cultural, and wildlife resources. In addition, two areas 
of approximately 100,000 acres in size were found relevant from a 
natural process or systems perspective. However, only the Bitter Creek 
Wilderness Study Area (WSA) (59,660 acres) was found to meet the 
importance criteria due to the scenic diversity and variety of 
vegetation types and wildlife habitats. The Bitter Creek WSA does 
qualify for further consideration as an ACEC.
    In addition to the Mixed Grass Prairie nomination, the BLM 
previously evaluated the Mountain River (9,600 acres) nomination in 
south Valley County and determined it is a potential ACEC. This area 
was nominated for the mountain plover, a candidate species identified 
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The area provides natural 
habitat for the mountain plover which is not associated with black-
tailed prairie dogs. It is one of the last areas of native plover 
habitat and is more than locally significant.
    The next step before either of these areas could become designated 
ACEC's is to determine if they require special management. Alternatives 
for special management will be considered through this plan amendment 
to the Judith-Valley-Phillips RMP. Meetings for the plan amendment are 
not yet scheduled. If meetings are scheduled, the public will be 
notified through an informational letter and/or local news releases.
    The BLM is seeking comments from individuals, organizations, and 
agencies who may be interested or affected by the potential ACECs. 
Specifically, comments on nominations, issues, concerns or alternatives 
that should be addressed in the plan amendment.
    This notice meets the requirements of 43 CFR 1610.7-2 for 
designation of ACECs.

(Authority: Sec. 202, Pub. L. 94-579, 90 Stat. 2747 (43 U.S.C. 
1712))

    Dated: April 9, 1998.
Scott Haight,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-10187 Filed 4-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-M