[Federal Register: December 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 231)]
[Notices]               
[Page 66561]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02de98-79]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-050-99-1150-00; 8011]

 
Arizona: Intent to Amend the Yuma District Resource Management 
Plan

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management 
proposes to change the boundaries of the Gran Desierto Dunes Area of 
Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
    The Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC is proposed to be expanded north and 
west to the northern and western boundaries of the Barry M. Goldwater 
Air Force Range, and east along the International Boundary between the 
United States and Mexico. The area includes public lands on the Barry 
M. Goldwater Air Force Range in Townships 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 South, 
Ranges. 19, 20, 21, and 22 West, Gila and Salt River Meridian, Yuma 
County, Arizona.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susanna Henry, Bureau of Land 
Management, 2555 E. Gila Ridge Road, Yuma, AZ 85365; telephone number: 
520-317-3211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 25,500-acre Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC was 
designated in 1990 as part of the Lower Gila South Resource Management 
Plan (Goldwater Amendment). The Goldwater Amendment also established 
the 84,500-acre Yuma Desert and Sand Dunes Habitat Management Area 
(HMA) adjacent to the ACEC. The Goldwater Amendment was later 
incorporated as part of the Yuma District RMP. The proposed amendment 
would expand the boundaries of the Gran Desierto Dunes ACEC to absorb 
the Yuma Desert and Sand Dunes HMA, modify and expand management 
prescriptions throughout the ACEC, designate a utility corridor between 
Interstate 8 and the International Boundary, and establish a mitigation 
and compensation policy within flat-tailed horned lizard habitat on 
public lands in Arizona.
    In 1997, the Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Rangewide Management 
Strategy (Strategy) and Conservation Agreement was signed by BLM. The 
purpose of the Strategy is to conserve viable populations of flat-
tailed horned lizards. The Strategy outlines Management Areas building 
on protection supported by existing ACESs in both Arizona and 
California. The proposed amendment to the Yuma District RMP will be 
accomplished as a joint document with the Bureau of Land Management, 
California Desert District as an amendment to the California Desert 
Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan.
    The proposed amendment to the Yuma District and CDCA Plans is being 
analyzed as part of the proposed action in an environmental assessment. 
It is anticipated that the Draft EA will be printed and made available 
to the public for comment in January 1999.

    Dated: November 23, 1998.
Maureen A. Merrell,
Assistant Field Manager, Business and Fiscal Services/Acting Field 
Manager.
[FR Doc. 98-32126 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-32-M