[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 132 (Friday, July 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37407-37409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18336]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-040-06-1610-00]


Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Green River Resource Area, 
Rock Springs District, Wyoming, announces: (1) the availability of the 
Record of Decision (ROD) for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the Green River Resource Management Plan (RMP), (2) the approved 
Green River RMP, and (3) notice of off-road vehicle designations for 
the Green River Resource Area.

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SUMMARY: The ROD identifies the selection and approval of the Green 
River RMP. The Green River RMP presents multiple use management 
prescriptions for about 3.6 million acres of public land surface and 
3.7 million acres of Federal mineral estate, administered by the BLM, 
in portions of Sweetwater, Fremont, Lincoln, Uinta, and Sublette 
counties in southwest Wyoming.
    The draft EIS for the Green River RMP was made available for public 
review and comment in November of 1992. Comments received on the draft 
EIS were considered in preparing the proposed Green River RMP and final 
EIS which was made available for public review and protest in May of 
1996.
    Management prescriptions are presented in the Green River RMP for 
all BLM-administered public land and resource uses and values found 
within the planning area, including the following: air quality, 
cultural resources, fire management, forests and woodlands, hazardous 
materials, lands and realty management, livestock grazing, minerals, 
off-road vehicles, outdoor recreation, special status species, 
vegetation, visual resources, watershed, wild horses, wildlife, and 
special management areas. Since wilderness values are addressed in 
other documents, the Green River RMP does not address them.
    The Green River RMP is a comprehensive multiple-use land use plan. 
It is a refinement of the preferred alternative presented in the draft 
EIS and the proposed RMP presented in the final EIS. While the intent 
and content of the Green River RMP are not different from the proposed 
RMP, comments from the public, review by BLM staff, and new information 
obtained since the distribution of the final EIS have prompted some 
wording clarifications in the RMP.
    This Federal Register Notice serves as the notice for the off-road 
vehicle (ORV) designations for the Green River Resource Area as 
identified in the Green River RMP. The ORV designations are described 
underSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION in this notice.
    This notice also serves to meet the criteria for public 
notification of linear or site rights-of-way within floodplains as 
required by BLM Manual 7221 except for those associated with perennial 
streams. The BLM will solicit public comment on site facilities or 
major

[[Page 37408]]

linear rights-of-way along perennial streams unless another agency 
(Federal, State, or local) already has solicited such comments.

ADDRESSES: Information on the Green River RMP may be obtained from the 
Green River Resource Area Office, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, 
Wyoming 82901, (307) 352-0256.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan McKee, Green River Resource Area 
Manager, or Renee Dana, Green River RMP Team Leader, at the Rock 
Springs BLM District Office, 280 Highway 191 North, Rock Springs, 
Wyoming 82901, (307) 352-0256. Copies of the ROD and Green River RMP 
are available from the Green River Resource Area Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Eight protests were submitted during the 30-
day protest period for the proposed Green River RMP. All of the 
protests were responded to and resolved by the Director of the Bureau 
of Land Management (BLM). Resolution of the protests required some 
minor corrections and wording clarification but did not result in 
changing any of the proposed Green River RMP decisions.
    The Green River RMP provides the interim management direction for 
those BLM-administered public lands along waterways that were 
determined to meet the suitability factors for further consideration 
for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System (WSRS). Seven 
parcels of BLM-administered lands, along a total of about 9.7 miles of 
the Sweetwater River, have been found to meet the suitability factors 
to be given further consideration for inclusion in the WSRS. Tentative 
classifications of the various parcels include wild (about 5.8 miles), 
scenic (about 0.5 miles), and recreational (about 3.4 miles). The 
interim management of these parcels will continue until Congress 
decides to consider them further for possible inclusion in the WSRS.
    The Green River RMP includes identification of the Federal coal 
lands in the Green River Resource Area that are acceptable for further 
leasing consideration.
    The Green River RMP includes designations of Areas of Critical 
Environmental Concern (ACEC). Seven prior ACEC designations are 
retained (or modified):

--Cedar Canyon ACEC (approximately 2,550 acres) with management 
priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing important 
cultural, scenic, and wildlife habitat values.
--Greater Red Creek ACEC (approximately 131,890 acres--the original Red 
Creek ACEC of 55,880 acres was expanded to include the Currant Creek 
and Sage Creek drainages) with management priority and emphasis given 
to maintaining or enhancing fragile soils, Colorado River cutthroat 
trout, and water quality values.
--Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (approximately 38,650 acres) with management 
priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing unique and 
unusual geological features associated with the sand dunes and Boars 
Tusk, and the diverse biological interrelationships supported by the 
sand dunes, especially the dependent plants and animals.
--Natural Corrals ACEC (approximately 1,276 acres) with management 
priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing the unique and 
important cultural, historical, recreational, and geological values.
--Oregon Buttes ACEC (approximately 3,450 acres) with management 
priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing the historic 
landmark, significant wildlife values, and the scenic integrity.
--Pine Springs ACEC (expanded from 90 acres to approximately 6,030 
acres to include adjacent relevant and important values) with 
management priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing the 
important cultural, historic, and prehistoric resource values.
--White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC (approximately 20 acres) with 
management priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing the 
educational opportunities and important cultural, wildlife, scenic, and 
Native American values.

    Three new areas are designated ACECs:

--South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC (approximately 53,780 acres) with 
management priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing the 
visual and historical integrity of historic trails and their 
surrounding viewscape.
--Special Status (Candidate) Plants ACEC (four separate locations 
totalling approximately 900 acres) with management priority and 
emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing these species and their 
habitats.
--Steamboat Mountain ACEC (approximately 43,270 acres) with management 
priority and emphasis given to maintaining or enhancing the wildlife 
habitats and vegetation communities.

    The management actions for each ACEC include conditional 
requirements for surface disturbing activities and other land uses such 
as limitations on oil and gas and coal exploration and development 
activities, geophysical exploration, right-of-way construction, and 
vehicular travel. Portions of the ACECs may be closed to future 
locatable mineral exploration and development subject to valid existing 
rights. The level of these vary in each ACEC.
    Six areas are designated Special Recreation Management Areas 
(SRMAs):

--The Greater Sand Dunes (about 38,650 acres).
--The Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, and Pony Express National 
Historic Trails (about 125 miles).
--The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Continental 
Divide Snowmobile Trail (about 24 miles).
--The Green River (about 4,048 acres).
--The Wind River Front (about 261,080 acres).

The remainder of the BLM-administered public lands in the Green River 
Resource Area are designated an Extensive Recreation Management Area 
(ERMA).
    Five backcountry byways are also designated: the Tri-Territory 
Loop, the Lander Road, Red Desert, Fort LaClede Loop, and the Firehole-
Little Mountain Loop.
    Management of wilderness values is not addressed in the Green River 
RMP. The twelve wilderness study areas (WSAs) within the Green River 
Resource Area are addressed in the ``Rock Springs District Wilderness 
Final EIS,'' September 1990, and the ``Adobe Town-Ferris Mountains 
Wilderness Final EIS,'' December 1987.
    The Green River RMP includes the following Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) 
designations: areas open to off-road vehicular use, areas with use 
limitations (i.e., limited to seasonal use, limited to existing roads 
and trails, and limited to designated roads and trails), and areas 
closed to vehicular use. (Note: The areas designated as limited 
seasonally and limited to designated roads and trails, overlap one 
another as do the areas designated as limited seasonally and limited to 
existing roads and trails.) Maps of the ORV designations are on file in 
the Green River Resource Area Office.
    Specific designations are as follows:
    A. Open Designation (approximately 10,500 acres). Vehicle travel is 
permitted both on and off roads in the eastern portion of the Greater 
Sand Dunes Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) (about 10,500 
acres).

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Vehicle use is confined to the active sand dunes within the 10,500 
acres.
    B. Limited Designations:
    1. Motorized vehicle travel is limited to existing roads and trails 
except during certain periods of the year when areas may be closed to 
all vehicles (approximately 1,627,955 acres). Acres may not total 
because of overlap.
    a. Big game crucial winter ranges (about 1,500,000 acres) are 
limited through seasonal closures (November 15-April 30 as needed) to 
reduce stress on wintering animals. Closure to over-the-snow vehicles 
will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with the 
Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
    b. Deer parturition areas (about 40,880 acres) are limited through 
seasonal closures (May 1 to June 30 as needed) to reduce stress on 
deer.
    c. Elk calving areas (about 85,830 acres) are limited through 
seasonal closures (to be decided by biologist--May 1 to June 30 as 
needed) to reduce stress on elk.
    d. Moose calving areas (about 410 acres) are limited through 
seasonal closures (to be decided by biologist--May 1 to June 30 as 
needed) to reduce stress on moose.
    e. Raptor nesting areas (about 835 acres) are limited through 
seasonal closures (February 1 through July 31 as needed) to protect 
nesting raptors.
    f. Steamboat Mountain (about 15,981 acres) is limited through 
seasonal closures (to be determined, but usually between May 1 and June 
30) to protect wildlife values (big game birthing areas are of 
particular concern).
    2. Motorized vehicle travel is limited to designated roads and 
trails only on approximately 1,006,336 acres. Vehicle use in these 
areas will be managed the same as under the existing roads and trails 
designation until the designation is implemented on the ground (i.e., 
until the designated roads are identified and signs or notices are put 
in place). Acres may not total because of overlap.
    a. Adobe Town-Haystacks (about 54,000 acres) to protect fragile and 
highly erodible soils.
    b. Cedar Canyon ACEC (about 2,550 acres) to protect wildlife and 
cultural values (includes over-the-snow vehicles).
    c. Dug Springs Stage Station (about 10 acres) to protect historic 
values.
    d. Greater Red Creek ACEC (about 123,870 acres) (includes the 
Currant Creek and Sage Creek watersheds, and remainder of Red Creek 
watershed) to protect watershed values.
    e. An area adjacent to the Green River city limits (about 4,500 
acres within a 2-mile radius around the city limits) to reduce impacts 
from ORV freeplay.
    f. LaBarge Bluff Petroglyphs (about 100 acres within \1/2\ mile 
surrounding the petroglyphs) to protect cultural values.
    g. LaClede Stage Station (about 10 acres) to protect historic 
values.
    h. Monument Valley (about 69,940 acres) to protect paleontological 
resource values and watershed values.
    i. Natural Corrals ACEC (about 1,300 acres) to protect cultural, 
historic, and geologic resource values.
    j. North and South Table Mountains (about 1,280 acres) to protect 
cultural and wildlife values.
    k. Parting of the Ways (about 40 acres) to protect historical 
values.
    l. Pine Mountain (about 64,200 acres) to protect watershed values.
    m. Red Desert (about 245,480 acres) to protect scenic resource 
values.
    n. South Pass (about 33,700 acres) to protect cultural values.
    o. Steamboat Mountain ACEC (about 43,270 acres) to protect wildlife 
values.
    p. Steep slopes of White Mountain (about 68,640 acres) to protect 
watershed and visual values.
    q. Sugarloaf Basin (about 85,880 acres) to protect watershed 
values.
    r. Sugarloaf Petroglyphs (about 350 acres within \1/2\ mile radius) 
to protect cultural values.
    s. Tolar Petroglyphs (about 310 acres within \1/2\ mile radius) to 
protect cultural values.
    t. White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC (about 480 acres within \1/2\ 
mile surrounding the petroglyphs) to protect cultural values.
    u. Wind River Front Special Recreation Management area (about 
260,580 acres) to protect the nearby Class I airshed, scenic, 
watershed, and wildlife values; recreation use; and riparian and 
vegetation resources.
    3. Motorized vehicle travel is limited to existing roads and trails 
on approximately 2,436,595 acres. Acres may not total because of 
overlap.
    a. General Green River Resource Area (about 2,436,595 acres) to 
reduce resource damage.
    b. Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (Eastern Portion) (about 5,810 acres of 
stabilized dunes) to protect resource values.
    c. Pine Springs ACEC (about 730 acres outside the WSA and original 
90-acre site) to protect resource values.
    d. Riparian areas (about 8,730 acres) to protect riparian and 
watershed values. During muddy conditions, vehicle travel may be 
limited to protect soil and watershed values.
    C. Closed Designations (approximately 181,570 acres). Acres may not 
total because of overlap.
    1. The following areas are closed to vehicle use.
    a. Crookston Ranch (about 40 acres) in the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC 
to protect cultural and historic site.
    b. Dry Sandy Swales (about 20 acres) to protect integrity of 
setting and soils.
    c. Road around Boars Tusk and the Boars Tusk (about 90 acres) to 
preserve its value as a geologic feature.
    d. LaBarge Bluffs Petroglyphs (about 20 acres) to protect cultural 
values.
    e. Natural Corrals National Register of Historic Places site (about 
20 acres and the trail [about \1/2\ mile] to the spring) to protect 
wildlife and cultural values.
    f. Oregon Buttes (about 3,450 acres) to protect historic, wildlife, 
and scenic resource values, and adjacent WSA values.
    g. Pine Springs (about 5,390 acres within the Pine Springs ACEC) to 
protect cultural, historic, and prehistoric resource values.
    h. Prehistoric Quarry site (about 160 acres) to protect cultural 
values.
    i. Special Status Plant Species (about 3,610 acres) to protect 
plant populations.
    j. Sugarloaf Petroglyph site (about 20 acres) to protect cultural 
values.
    k. Tolar Petroglyph site (about 20 acres) to protect cultural 
values.
    l. Wilderness Study Areas (to protect naturalness, solitude, and 
opportunities for unconfined recreation):

Buffalo Hump: 10,300 acres
South Pinnacles: 10,800 acres
Sand Dunes: 27,109 acres
Alkali Basin-East Sand Dunes: 12,800 acres
Alkali Draw: 16,990 acres
Red Lake: 9,515 acres
Honeycomb Buttes: 41,188 acres
Oregon Buttes: 5,700 acres
Whitehorse Creek: 4,002 acres
Devils Playground-Twin Buttes: 23,841 acres
Red Creek Badlands: 8,020 acres

    Parties who are interested in and who wish to be involved in future 
activity planning and implementation of management actions that may 
involve or affect the resource values addressed in the Green River RMP 
are requested to identify themselves. Please contact the Green River 
Resource Area Office at the above address and request to be placed on a 
future contact list for activity planning and implementation activities 
concerning the Green River RMP.

    Dated: July 2, 1998.
Alan R. Pierson,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 98-18336 Filed 7-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P