[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 20158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9587]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ 400-02-1610-DO-089A]


Sonoran Desert National Monument

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Field Office, Phoenix, AZ, 
Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sonoran Desert 
National Monument, designated January 17, 2001. These lands are located 
in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona.

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SUMMARY: This document provides notice that the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM), Phoenix Field Office intends to prepare a RMP with an 
associated EIS. This planning activity encompasses approximately 
486,603 acres of public land in the Sonoran Desert National Monument. 
The plan will fulfill the needs and obligations set forth by the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act (FLPMA), the monument proclamation, and BLM management 
policies. The BLM will work closely with interested parties to identify 
the management decisions that are best suited to the needs of the 
public. This collaborative process will take into account local, 
regional, and national needs and concerns. The first phase of the 
planning process is scoping which includes an evaluation of the 
existing RMP in the context of the needs and interests of the public 
and protection of the objects of historic and scientific interest 
specified in the proclamation, the identification of issues that should 
be addressed in the planning process, and development of planning 
criteria.

DATES: The scoping comment period will commence with the publication of 
this notice. Formal scoping will last a minimum of 60 days.
    Public Participation: Public meetings will be held throughout the 
plan scoping and preparation period. In order to ensure local community 
participation and input, public meeting locations will be rotated among 
the towns of Gila Bend, Casa Grande, Yuma, Phoenix, and Tucson, 
Arizona. Early participation by all those interested is encouraged and 
will help determine the future management of the Sonoran Desert 
National Monument. At least 15 days public notice will be given for 
activities where the public is invited to attend. Written comments will 
be accepted throughout the planning process. Meetings and comment 
deadlines will be announced through the local news media, newsletters, 
and the BLM web site (www.az.blm.gov). In addition to the ongoing 
public participation process, formal opportunities for public 
participation will be provided upon publication of the draft RMP/EIS.

ADDRESSES: Sonoran Desert NM Planning, Bureau of Land Management, 
Phoenix Field Office, 21605 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027; Fax 623-
580-5580. For further information and/or to have your name added to our 
mailing list, contact Mike Brown, Telephone 623-580-5503, or Karen 
Kelleher, Telephone 623-580-5566.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preliminary issues and management concerns 
have been identified by BLM personnel, other agencies, and in meetings 
with individuals and user groups. They represent the BLM's knowledge to 
date on the existing issues and concerns with current management. 
Additional issues and modifications to known issues will be identified 
during public scoping. The major issues that will be addressed in the 
plan effort include, but are not limited to management and protection 
of public land resources, including wildlife management and wilderness; 
recreation/visitor use and safety; access and transportation on the 
public lands; location and management of utility corridors; suitability 
and management of grazing; and integration of monument management with 
state, local community, tribal, and other agency needs and plans.
    After gathering public comments on what issues the plan should 
address, the suggested issues will be placed in one of three 
categories:
    1. Issues to be resolved in the plan;
    2. Issues resolved through policy or administrative action; or
    3. Issues beyond the scope of this plan.
    Rationale will be provided in the plan for each issue placed in 
category two or three. In addition to these major issues, a number of 
management questions and concerns will be addressed in the plan. The 
public is encouraged to help identify these questions and concerns 
during the scoping phase.
    An interdisciplinary approach will be used to develop the plan in 
order to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns 
identified. Disciplines involved in the planning process will include 
rangeland management, minerals and geology, outdoor recreation, 
archaeology, wildlife, wilderness, lands and realty, hydrology, soils, 
sociology, and economics. Where necessary, outside expertise may be 
used.

Elaine Marquis-Brong,
Director, National Landscape Conservation System.
[FR Doc. 02-9587 Filed 4-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P