[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 58 (Friday, March 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 14750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7391]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[UT080-09-1060-00]


Bonanza Herd Area, UT; Wild Horse Maintenance; Environmental 
Impact Statement

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish a Herd Management Area (HMA) for 
wild horses including establishing the appropriate management level 
(AML) of wild horses within the Bonanza Herd Area (HA) and notice of 
intent to amend the Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan (RMP).

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SUMMARY: This notice is intended to inform the public of an intent to 
establish an HMA within the Bonanza HA for the maintenance of wild 
horses. The number or AML of wild horses to be managed will also be 
determined and any adjustments in forage allocation. Forage allocation 
adjustments shall take into consideration the needs of wildlife and 
livestock. These proposed actions would require an amendment to the 
Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan (RMP).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The May, 1985, Record of Decision for the 
Book Cliffs Resource Management Plan called for gathering and removing 
all wild horses within the Bonanza HA. In 1986, the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) conducted a roundup to completely remove all of the 
horses. Ownership of the gathered wild horses was challenged by members 
of the Ute Tribe. Wild Horse Organized Assistance (WHOA) also 
challenged BLM's action to remove all wild horses from the Bonanza HA 
and pending a resolution, wild horses were returned to the range. Since 
1986, the HA has been evaluated to determine its potential for long-
term management of wild horses in terms of existing land ownership 
pattern, present, and planned uses. This data indicates that the HA is 
capable of supporting a viable wild horse population. The RMP amendment 
will be prepared under 43 CFR part 1610 to meet the requirement of 
section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and section 
102 of the National Environmental Policy Act. This revision is 
necessary to update the decisions in the existing land use plan. 
Decisions generated during this planning process will supersede 
affected land use planning decisions presented in the 1985 Book Cliffs 
RMP that affects public lands within the Bonanza HA.
    Public participation is being actively sought at this time to 
ensure the analysis address all issues, problems, and concerns from 
those interested and affected in the management of these public lands. 
The RMP amendment is a public process and the public is invited and 
encouraged to assist in the identification of issues and the scope of 
the planning amendment. A public open house will be held on April 9, 
1999, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Vernal Field Office, 170 S. 
500 E., Vernal, Utah to discuss planning issues. Written comments may 
also be submitted to: Bureau of Land Management, Vernal Field Office, 
170 S. 500 E., Vernal, Utah 84078-2799, web site http://ww.blm.gov/
utah/vernal, or Fax: (435) 781-4410.
    Written comments will be received through April 30, 1999. The open 
house also will be announced in local newspapers and through other 
local media.
    Planning amendment documents will be prepared by an 
interdisciplinary team which includes specialists in rangeland, wild 
horses, minerals, vegetation, riparian values, cultural resources, 
recreation, wildlife habitats and special status animal and plant 
species. Other disciplines may be represented as necessary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean L. Evans, Resource Advisor, 
Vernal Field Office, 170 South 500 East, Vernal, Utah 84078. Business 
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
legal holidays, telephone (435) 781-4430, fax (435) 781-4410.
Douglas M. Koza,
Acting State Director, Utah.
[FR Doc. 99-7391 Filed 3-25-99; 8:45 am]
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