Arizona: Intent to Amend the Yuma District Resource Management Plan

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]

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