Salt Lake District Fire Management Plan Preparation

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

(UT-020-07-2811-00)

Salt Lake District Fire Management Plan Preparation

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a fire management plan and

associated environmental analysis and plan amendment.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake District, will be

preparing a Fire Management Plan (FMP) to address the management of

wildland fire within the Salt Lake District. The purpose of the FMP is

to provide the framework for the reintroduction of fire into the

ecosystem while maintaining first priority on protection of human life,

and secondary priority on protection of property and natural and

cultural resources. An Environmental Assessment (EA), will be prepared

for the FMP and amendment of existing land use plans, Box Elder and

Pony Express Resource Management Plans and the Randolph and Park City

Management Framework Plans.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted throughout the process of

modifying plans and preparation of the EA. However, comments received

after December 1, 1997 may not be reflected in the EA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Scott, Fire Management Officer,

Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake District, 2370 South 2300 West,

Salt Lake City, UT 84119, telephone (801) 977-4344. Existing planning

documents and information are available at the above address or

telephone number. Comments on the proposed plan amendment should be

sent to the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Salt Lake District is proposing to

develop a FMP which sets objectives for integrating wildland fire into

resource management. These objectives include wildfire suppression,

prescribed fire use, and fuels management targets.

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Some goals of the FMP are to identify fire management strategies to

achieve desired resource conditions, and reduce the potential for

catastrophic wildfires through the management of fuels, while reducing

overall wildland fire management costs.

The public is invited to participate in the identification of

issues related to the management of fire in the Salt Lake District.

Anticipated issues for the plan amendment are:

Protection of human life.

Protection of property.

Protection of natural/cultural resources.

Safe re-introduction of fire into natural ecosystems.

Reducing the cost of fire suppression.

Integration of fire and resource management strategies.

Air Quality.

Recreation.

Watershed management.

Livestock grazing.

Visual resources.

Wildlife habitat.

An EA will be prepared to analyze the impacts of this proposal and

alternatives. Public participation is being sought at this initial

stage in the planning process to ensure the amendment addresses all

issues, problems and concerns from those interested in the management

of lands within the Salt Lake District.

Dated: September 30, 1997.

Douglas M. Koza,

Acting State Director, Utah.

[FR Doc. 97-26498 Filed 10-6-97; 8:45 am]

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