[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10540-10541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3266]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-020-00-1610-DH]


Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Finding of No Significant 
Impacts (FONSI) and the Proposed Lower Gila Resource Planning Area 
Amendment (Proposed Plan) and Final Environmental Assessment to the 
Lower Gila North Management Framework Plan and the Lower Gila South 
Resource Management Plan, La Paz, Yuma, Yavapai, Maricopa, Pinal and 
Pima Counties, Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The BLM, in response to the need to resolve pertinent issues 
and to enhance management of critical resources, has prepared a FONSI 
and proposed plan in compliance with the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976, as amended, and section 102(2)(c) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. An analysis of potential 
environmental impacts found that impacts would not be significant 
leading to a FONSI. Because of the FONSI, an environmental impact 
statement is not required to support the proposed plan.

DATES: Protests on the proposed plan must be postmarked no later than 
March 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Protests on the proposed plan must be sent to the Director 
(210), BLM Planning, Assessment & Community Support Group, 1849 C 
Street NW, MS: 1050-LS/BLM, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hector Abrego, Team Leader, BLM, 
Phoenix Field Office, 2015 West Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027 or 
telephone (623) 580-5500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Description of the proposed action: 
Establishes five well-blocked public land management areas for long-
term management of resources and public land uses. Land tenure 
adjustment: Identifies approximately 34,100 acres available for 
disposal, establishes guidelines for acquisition of high resource value 
lands, allows for exchanges within management areas for repositioning 
lands with high resource values and establishes the framework to 
dispose of federal minerals under nonfederal surface estate and to 
acquire nonfederal minerals estate under federal surface estate. Desert 
tortoise habitat management: Standardizes habitat management by 
incorporating the goals and objectives in ``Desert Tortoise Habitat 
Management on Public Lands: a Rangewide Plan'' (BLM 1988) and 
``Strategy for Desert Tortoise Habitat Management on Public Lands in 
Arizona'' (BLM 1990). Desert bighorn sheep augmentation and 
reestablishment: Expands areas where sheep augmentation and 
reestablishment may occur on a case-by-case basis. Wild horse and burro 
management: Establishes the Harquahala, Little Harquahala and Painted 
Rock herd areas as herd management areas. These areas, along with the 
existing Alamo Herd Management Area, will be managed to support 
populations of wild burros in a thriving natural ecological balance. 
Recreation management: Provides for resource-based recreational 
opportunities which range from recreational site facilities to remote 
primitive areas, establishes off-highway and special recreation vehicle 
designations and management, designates special recreation management 
areas, establishes camping stay limits and establishes guidance to 
address special uses and scarce opportunities. Oil and gas development: 
Establishes an orderly oil and gas exploration and development process 
and identifies 375,000 acres of wilderness as closed to oil and gas 
leasing.
    Alternatives analyzed: A no action--current guidance alternative 
was analyzed in the plan amendment. Under this alternative, management 
of the six issues would remain status quo. No management areas would be 
established. Land tenure adjustment: Approximately 62,260 acres would 
remain available for disposal and approximately 10,735 acres of state 
lands are identified for acquisition. Desert tortoise habitat 
management: Management would be guided through ``Desert Tortoise 
Habitat Management on Public Lands: A Rangewide Plan'' (BLM 1988) and 
``Strategy for Desert Tortoise Habitat Management on Public Lands in 
Arizona'' (BLM 1990). Desert bighorn sheep augmentation and 
reestablishment: Reestablishment could occur only in the Black 
Mountains and augmentations would be authorized on a case-by-case 
basis. Wild horse and burro management: Continue managing burros and 
related issues on a case-by-case basis within the Harquahala, Little 
Harquahala and Painted Rocks herd areas. Burros in the Alamo Herd 
Management Area would be managed using valid existing decisions. 
Recreation management: The 14-day

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camping stay will remain in effect and off-highway vehicles in Lower 
Gila North will remain undesignated (except for wildernesses, which are 
closed), off-highway vehicles in Lower Gila South will remain 
designated as limited to existing and/or designated roads, trails and 
vehicle routes and off-highway vehicles in the Barry M. Goldwater Range 
will remain limited to designated routes. Oil and gas development: 
Public requests for oil and gas exploration or development leases would 
be handled on a case-by-case basis and require a plan amendment for 
each request.
    The proposed plan has a 30-day protest period as required by BLM 
planning regulations (43 CFR 1610.5-2). Any person who participated in 
this process and has an interest that may be adversely affected by the 
proposed decision may submit a protest. Following the protest 
resolution and the Governor's consistency review, the proposed plan 
will be approved and implemented. A decision record which documents the 
BLM's decision will become available.
    Public reading copies may be reviewed at the following BLM 
locations:
    1. Phoenix Field Office, 2015 West Deer Valley Road, Phoenix, 
Arizona;
    2. Arizona State Office, Public Room, 222 North Central Avenue, 
Phoenix, Arizona.

    Dated: January 20, 2000.
Michael A. Taylor,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-3266 Filed 2-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P