[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 71 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18022-18023]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8876]



[[Page 18022]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-660-02-1610-DO]


Proposed California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment Palm 
Springs-South Coast Field Office, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This notice is an addendum to the notice of intent published 
June 28, 2000 (pages 39920-39922) for the Coachella Valley Multiple 
Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) and California Desert 
Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan Amendment. In compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Federal Land 
Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and the Code of Federal 
Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2), notice is hereby given that 
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in collaboration with the 
Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), is preparing a 
joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/
EIR) for the CVMSHCP and CDCA Plan Amendment. The CDCA Plan Amendment 
planning boundary extends beyond the CVMSHCP planning boundary 
(described below), incorporating BLM-managed public lands within the 
Santa Rosa Wilderness and public lands surrounding Coyote Canyon in 
Riverside County, and those portions of the San Gorgonio Wilderness and 
Big Morongo Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) within 
San Bernardino County. The CDCA Plan Amendment does not include lands 
within BLM's South Coast planning area.
    The BLM invites the public to participate in this planning and NEPA 
process. Citizens are requested to help identify significant issues or 
concerns to be addressed in the draft CDCA Plan amendment and to 
provide input on BLM's proposed planning criteria described below under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

DATES: All comments received shall be taken into consideration prior to 
issuance of the Record of Decision. Please submit any scoping or 
proposed planning criteria comments in writing, 30-days from the date 
of this notice to ensure inclusion in the draft plan/EIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be forwarded to the following address: 
Mr. James G. Kenna, Field Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Palm 
Springs-South Coast Field Office, 690 W. Garnet Ave., PO Box 581260, 
North Palm Springs, CA 92258-1260. Citizens submitting written comments 
will automatically be included in the mailing list to receive an 
electronic copy of the Draft CVMSHPC/CDCA Plan Amendment and joint EIS/
EIR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elena Misquez, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-
South Coast Field Office, telephone (760) 251-4800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CVMSHCP planning boundary encompasses 
1,205,780 acres located in the central portion of Riverside County, 
California. The CVMSHCP planning boundary generally is defined by the 
ridgelines of the San Jacinto, Santa Rosa and Little San Bernardino 
Mountains, extending to the Imperial and San Diego County lines from 
the Cabazon/San Gorgonio Pass area in the northwest to and including, 
portions of the Salton Sea to the southeast. Approximately 24 percent 
of the planning area consists of BLM-managed public lands, while 
private lands total about 43 percent. The remaining 33 percent includes 
Native American, State and other public and quasi-public lands.
    The CDCA Plan Amendment planning boundary extends beyond the 
CVMSHCP planning boundary, incorporating BLM-managed public lands 
within the CDCA boundary in Riverside County in the vicinity of Coyote 
Canyon and the Santa Rosa Wilderness (Township 8 South, Ranges 4 and 5 
East), and those portions of the San Gorgonio Wilderness and Big 
Morongo Canyon ACEC within San Bernardino County (Townships 1 North and 
1 South, Ranges 3, 4 and 5 East.).
    Proposals and alternatives (including the ``no action'' 
alternative) to be addressed include opportunities for new off-highway 
vehicle open areas, wind energy projects, saleable minerals extraction 
and communication sites, establishment of air quality and fire 
management guidelines for the public lands, identification of changes 
in land use classification, new ACEC designations and public lands 
available for disposal, a re-evaluation of the wild horse and burro 
program in Palm Canyon and grazing in the Whitewater Canyon allotment, 
in addition to the multiple species conservation program being 
considered for the Coachella Valley. To ensure the aforementioned 
proposals are in conformance with the CDCA Plan, an amendment to the 
CDCA Plan is required.
    The following types of issues are anticipated to be addressed 
through this planning process: (1) Recovery of threatened and 
endangered species and the avoidance of future listings, (2) 
identifying compatible multiple uses within and outside the CVMSHCP 
reserve areas, (3) improving quality of life in the Coachella Valley by 
implementing practices which promote a healthy environment and by 
providing safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities, (4) designate 
routes of travel for motorized vehicle access, (5) address management 
of grazing and wild horse and burros in the mountains surrounding the 
Coachella Valley.
    In compliance with 43 CFR 1610.4-2, the BLM requests public input 
on the following proposed planning criteria, which will guide 
development and establish ``sideboards'' for preparation of the CDCA 
Plan Amendment. Please submit any comments in writing to the BLM 
address listed above no later than 30 days from the date of this 
Federal Register notice. Development of the CDCA Plan Amendment shall 
be conducted:
     In compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and 
policies which address such pertinent topics as BLM's multiple use 
mandate, valid existing rights, the Bureau's energy policy, ACECs, 
threatened and endangered species, route designation, land health, 
habitat and range management, cultural resources, Native American 
consultation, water quality, air quality, wilderness and other topics.
     In close coordination with the local jurisdictions, 
State and other Federal agencies to ensure consistency with the 
CVMSHCP. BLM shall also consider updating its ACEC and Wildlife Habitat 
Management Plans to ensure consistency with the CVMSHCP.
     To the extent practicable, without revising proposed 
decisions made through the Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Plan.
     Considering relevant plans such as Recovery Plans 
prepared by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Agua Caliente Band of 
Cahuilla Indians Land Management Plan, and other plans.
     Such that nothing in the proposed plan amendment shall 
have the effect of terminating any validly issued rights-of-way or 
customary operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement activities in 
such rights-of-ways in accordance with sections 509(a) and 701(a) of 
FLPMA.
    Selection of the preferred alternative will be based on the 
following proposed planning criteria:
     Promote long-term recovery and viability of native 
flora and fauna.

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     Do not unduly burden Bureau resources and funding 
capability, including maintenance activities.
     Consider the manageability and implementability of 
approved actions relative to the urban/wildland interface and the 
public/private interface.
     Provide for multiple-use opportunities on the public 
lands throughout the Coachella Valley landscape, including recreation 
and energy-related projects.
     Seek to achieve common goals set forth in the CVMSHCP, 
selection of the preferred alternative shall be conducted in close 
coordination with the local jurisdictions to promote land management 
consistency, effectiveness and cost efficiency across jurisdictional 
boundaries.
    An interdisciplinary team of BLM staff and contract specialists has 
been assembled to work on the plan amendment, representing the 
following disciplines: Wind energy, communications, socio-economics, 
minerals management, lands and realty, range management, recreation, 
wildlife, botany, cultural resources, air, water, soils, wilderness, 
wild and scenic rivers, planning, NEPA and other disciplines.
    Citizens who wish to be actively involved with development of the 
CVMSHCP and CDCA Plan Amendment are encouraged to attend the Project 
Advisory Group (PAG) meetings held generally every fourth Thursday of 
the month starting at 9 a.m. in the CVAG conference room, 73-710 Fred 
Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Please contact the CVAG office at 
(760) 346-1127 for specific meeting dates.

    Dated: February 7, 2002.
James G. Kenna,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-8876 Filed 4-11-02; 8:45 am]
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