[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39886-39887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19616]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-010-98-1150-00]


Arizona: Amend the Arizona Strip Resource Management Plan, 
Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice to amend.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management has proposed to amend the 
Arizona Strip Resource Management Plan (RMP-1992), to modify RMP 
decisions to comply with the Endangered Species Act and to achieve the 
goals and objectives of the recovery plan for the Mojave population of 
desert tortoises, listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as 
threatened. Since the signing of the Record of Decision for the RMP, 
critical habitat has been designated, and the Desert Tortoise Recovery 
Plan (1994) has been approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 
(USFWS).
    This amendment also addresses conservation and recovery of three 
other species federally listed as endangered: southwestern willow 
flycatcher, Virgin River chub, and woundfin minnows. Management of 
Virgin River chub and woundfin were addressed in the 1992 RMP. The RMP 
did not address southwestern willow flycatchers because the listing of 
southwestern willow flycatchers as endangered did not occur until 1995, 
after the RMP was finalized. Critical habitat for southwestern willow 
flycatchers was designated in 1997.
    The proposed Decision Record documents approval of an amendment to 
the Arizona Strip Resource Management Plan. This amendment supercedes 
decisions in the RMP. Decisions contained in the amendment apply only 
to areas that are: within desert tortoise habitat as categorized by the 
Bureau in the RMP; within critical habitat as designated by USFWS; 
within any one of the four Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 
(ACECs); or within pastures of livestock grazing allotments containing 
tortoise habitat (including portions of Nevada and Lake Mead NRA that 
are administered by the Arizona Strip BLM).
    The proposed decision is to implement the Proposed Action as 
described in Environmental Assessment AZ-010-95-01, with additional 
terms and conditions from USFWS biological opinion 2-21-96-F-132. The 
Proposed Action is designed to address tortoise recovery goals and 
objectives while reducing impacts on local communities and human 
activities that occur in the Mojave Desert.
    BLM is proposing to designate three ACECs encompassing 169,300 
acres (264.5 sq. miles) to be managed primarily for recovery of desert 
tortoises, and modify the prescriptions for the Virgin River ACEC 
(8,100 acres). Beaver Dam Slope ACEC: This would expand the existing 
ACEC to include tortoise habitat on public lands in Arizona north of I-
15 and the Virgin River but outside the Beaver Dam Wilderness Area, as 
categorized in the RMP. This area would complement management in Nevada 
and Utah and contain approximately 51,400 acres (80.3 sq. miles) in 
Arizona.
    Virgin Slope ACEC: This area would include most tortoise habitat on 
public lands in Arizona between the Virgin River (or I-15) and the 
Virgin Mountains, as categorized in the RMP. A small portion of the 
Mesquite Community Allotment in Nevada would be managed consistent with 
the ACEC. This ACEC would contain approximately 41,375 acres (64.6 sq. 
miles) in Arizona.
    Pakoon ACEC: This would include tortoise habitat on public lands in 
the Pakoon Basin. This area would contain approximately 76,525 acres 
(119.6 sq. miles). Activities administered by the Arizona Strip on Lake 
Mead NRA and on public lands in Nevada would be managed in accordance 
with ACEC prescriptions. This ACEC would be closed to livestock 
grazing.
    Virgin River ACEC: There would be no change in the boundary of this 
ACEC (8,100 ac), although prescriptions would be modified to be 
consistent with the tortoise ACECs. BLM proposes to manage the 
following resources to reduce impacts on listed species and their 
habitats: mineral exploration and development, fire suppression, 
livestock grazing, vegetation harvest, lands and realty, transportation 
and access, off-highway vehicles, recreation, wild, free-roaming 
burros, wildlife management, and other surface-disturbing activities 
(such as military maneuvers and airports). Outside of the four ACECs 
there would be no change to decisions in the RMP, except that grazing 
would be managed in accordance with the grazing decisions issued August 
11, 1995.
    Management of the ACECs would be consistent with the 
recommendations found in the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan. Land use 
prescriptions within ACECs would affect livestock grazing, lands and 
realty actions, wild burros, recreation, and other activities.

DATES: BLM proposes to implement the proposed action on August 31, 
1998. Closure of the Pakoon ACEC to grazing would occur following a 
two-year notification period.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Protest procedures described in 43 CFR 
1610.5-2 give the public an opportunity to seek administrative review 
of perceived oversights or inadequacies in a proposed plan. Any 
proposed decision in the resource management plan amendment may be 
protested. The

[[Page 39887]]

protest may only raise issues that were submitted for the record while 
the plan amendment was being prepared. Any party who has participated 
in the planning process may file a letter of protest.
    For proposed decisions in an EA-level plan amendment, a letter of 
protest to the Director must be filed within 30 days of this Federal 
Register notice. Letters of protest must be complete and respond to the 
content requirements established in 43 CFR 1610.5-2(a)(2).
    If you wish to protest the proposed plan amendment, letters of 
protest must be mailed to: Director, Bureau of Land Management, 
Attention: Ms. Brenda Williams, Protests Coordinator, WO-210/LS-1075, 
Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.
    The overnight mail address is: Director, Bureau of Land Management, 
Attention: Ms. Brenda Williams, Protests Coordinator WO-210, 1620 L 
Street, N.W., Room 1075, Washington, DC 20240 [Phone: 202 452-5110].
    Letters of protest must be filed within 30 days of this Federal 
Register notice. To expedite consideration, in addition to the original 
sent by mail or overnight mail, a copy of the protest may be sent by 
fax to 202/452-5112 or e-mail to [email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray Mapston, Program Manager, BLM 
Arizona Strip, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790, (435) 
688-3200.
Roger G. Taylor,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-19616 Filed 7-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P