Intent To Amend Two Land Use Plans for a Proposed Withdrawal

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

NV-050-4210-06, N-57922

Intent To Amend Two Land Use Plans for a Proposed Withdrawal

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent and Scoping Period.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of land Management (BLM) is proposing to amend the

Caliente Management Framework Plan (MFP) and the Nellis Air Force Range

Resources Plan (RP) to analyze a proposed withdrawal by the Nellis Air

Force Base. The withdrawal would involve 3,972 acres of public land in

the White Sides Area of the BLM's Caliente Resource Area, Lincoln

County, Nevada. This amendment is proposed to be an environmental

assessment (EA) level amendment.

A 30 day scoping period is being conducted to give the public an

opportunity to comment on this proposed amendment and the following

tentative issues: (1) Oil and gas leasing; (2) Off-road vehicle use;

(3) Locatable minerals; and (4) Access. In addition to the proposed

withdrawal and the no action alternative, the public is also invited to

suggest alternatives to be analyzed in this amendment.

DATES: A 30 day scoping period is scheduled from June 24, 1994, to July

25, 1994.

ADDRESSES: All comments and concerns the public may have with this

proposed amendment and EA must be mailed to: Bureau of Land Management,

Attention: District Manager, P.O. Box 26569, Las Vegas, Nevada 89126,

or delivered to the Las Vegas District Office, 4765 W. Vegas Drive, Las

Vegas, Nevada.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Gary Ryan, Acting District Manager, at

the above address or telephone (702) 647-5000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed withdrawal of

the White Sides area, located adjacent to the Nellis Air Force Range,

is to provide a security buffer to the Nellis Air Force Range.

The White Sides area is currently managed by the Caliente MFP. The

adjacent Nellis Air Force Range is withdrawn for military purposes (see

Public Laws 99-606 and 100-338) and its natural and cultural resources

are managed by the BLM through the Nellis Air Force Range Resource Plan

(RP). If this area is to be withdrawn, its management would be similar

to that of this RP. Therefore, it is proposed that the Caliente MFP be

amended to not include the management of the subject 3,972 acres and

the Nellis Air Force Range RP be amended to include the management of

the subject 3,972 acres.

Management of resources that may be changed by this amendment

include: (1) Oil and gas leasing; (2) Off-road vehicle use; (3)

Locatable minerals; and (4) Access. Thus, they become tentative issues

that will be addressed in one or more of the alternatives of the

amendment. Issue 1. Oil and gas leasing: The area is currently open to

leasing under the Caliente MFP Minerals decision 2.0. The proposed

withdrawal could impact oil and gas exploration and development. Issue

2. Locatable minerals: The subject area is open to locatable mining

under the Caliente Minerals decision 1.1. The proposed withdrawal would

close the land under the mining laws. Issue 3. Recreation/Off-Road

Vehicle Use: The subject area is currently open to sight-seeing,

recreational, and off-road vehicle use under Caliente MFP Recreation

Decision R-2. The proposed withdrawal would close the area to public

access.

This amendment will analyze the impacts of several alternatives to

the proposed withdrawal, including the no action alternative.

Federal, state and local agencies, and other individuals or

organizations who are interested in/or affected by aspects of the

proposed amendment and environmental assessment, are invited to

participate in this planning process. Comments and recommendations will

be accepted only on those subjects being addressed by this amendment.

Dated: June 15, 1994.

Ronald B. Wenker,

Acting State Director, Nevada.

[FR Doc. 94-15117 Filed 6-21-94; 8:45 am]

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