81 FR 12938 - Notice of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment, California
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 48 (March 11, 2016)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 48 (March 11, 2016)
| Page Range | 12938-12943 | |
| FR Document | 2016-05562 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 12938-12943] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-05562] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLCA932000.L13400000.DP0000.LXSSB0020000.16X] Notice of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment, California AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced availability of the Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment (LUPA) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) with a Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register on November 13, 2015 (80 FR 70254). The Proposed LUPA would amend the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan and the Bakersfield and Bishop Resource Management Plans (RMPs). The Proposed DRECP LUPA/Final EIS considers designation of 134 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). In order to comply with Federal Regulations at 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b), the BLM through this notice is announcing a 60-day public comment period on those 134 ACECs. The 134 ACECs listed in this notice are identical to those identified in the alternatives found within the Proposed DRECP LUPA/Final EIS addressed by the publication of the Federal Notice of Availability on November 13, 2015. The scope of this 60-day comment period is [[Page 12939]] limited to these 134 ACEC designations. Comments on other topics are outside the scope of this public comment process DATES: The comment period pertaining to these ACEC designations closes on May 10, 2016. All comments must be in writing and must be postmarked no later than the close of the last day of the comment period. The BLM provided a 152-day comment period on the Draft DRECP LUPA and Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/EIS. All comments received on the Draft DRECP were considered while developing the Proposed LUPA/Final EIS. As such, the BLM is only seeking comments on the 134 ACECs included in the Proposed LUPA/Final EIS, which are listed in this notice. While the BLM will consider all such comments, it does not intend to respond to each comment individually. ADDRESSES: Comments must be in writing and must be sent to Vicki Campbell, DRECP Program Manager, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825; or email [email protected]. Copies of the DRECP Proposed LUPA/Final EIS were sent to affected Federal, State, and local government agencies, affected tribal governments, and to other stakeholders concurrent with the November 13, 2015 Notice of Availability. The environmental analysis for the DRECP, including the Draft DRECP and the DRECP Proposed LUPA/Final EIS, is available for review online at www.drecp.org and www.blm.gov/ca/drecp. Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below for a list of locations where copies of the DRECP Proposed LUPA/Final EIS are available for public inspection. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vicki Campbell, Program Manager, DRECP, telephone 916-978-4401; address BLM California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1623, Sacramento, CA 95825; email [email protected]. To request a DVD, please send an email to drecp.info@energy.ca.gov">drecp.info@energy.ca.gov or call 916-978-4401 and include the mailing address in the message. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DRECP was developed with broad public participation through an 6-year collaborative planning process, beginning with publication of a Notice of Intent to amend the CDCA Plan in the Federal Register on November 20, 2009 (74 FR 60291). Subsequently, the BLM and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as co- lead agencies jointly published on July 29, 2011 a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the proposed DRECP (76 FR 45606). The BLM published a third Notice of Intent on April 4, 2012 (77 FR 20409), amending the November 20, 2009, and July 29, 2011, notices to include the Bishop, Caliente/Bakersfield, and Eastern San Diego County RMPs in the DRECP LUPA. As explained in more detail below, the Draft DRECP, which included a Draft BLM LUPA for the CDCA Plan, and the Bishop and Caliente/ Bakersfield RMPs, was published on September 26, 2014, (76 FR 57971). The Notice of Availability for the DRECP Proposed LUPA and Final EIS was published on November 13, 2015. In each of these documents and at associated public meetings, the BLM presented a robust discussion of ACECs. The Draft DRECP identified 147 ACECs (58 new and 89 existing), while the Proposed LUPA/Final EIS considered 134 ACECs (all of which are listed below) based on cooperator and stakeholder comments. The Draft DRECP was developed by the BLM, USFWS, California Energy Commission, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (collectively, ``DRECP Partner Agencies'') to: (1) Advance Federal and State natural resource conservation goals and other Federal land management goals; (2) Meet the requirements of the Federal Endangered Species Act, California Endangered Species Act, Natural Community Conservation Planning Act, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act in the Mojave and Colorado/Sonoran desert region of Southern California; and (3) Facilitate the timely and streamlined permitting of renewable energy projects. In December 2012, the DRECP Partner Agencies published the Description and Comparative Evaluation of Draft DRECP Alternatives to inform the public about the status of the DRECP alternatives. Members of the public were invited to provide input regarding the development scenarios, conservation designations, and BLM LUPA alternatives, as well as other specific elements presented. Specific to the LUPA, this document included maps showing existing and proposed ``Desert Conservation Lands'' (existing and proposed ACECs, proposed National Conservation Lands, and proposed Wildlife Allocations), as well as areas managed for recreation and existing and proposed Special Recreation Management Areas. The BLM also disclosed that the land use plan amendments would identify: (1) Desired outcomes expressed as specific goals and objectives; and (2) Allowable uses and management actions designed to achieve those specific goals and objectives. The public was especially encouraged to provide input about the differences among the alternatives. The Draft DRECP included a strategy that identified and mapped potential areas for renewable energy development and areas for long- term natural resource conservation. The Draft DRECP was released for comment on September 26, 2014, with comments being accepted until February 23, 2015. It included a Draft BLM LUPA for the CDCA Plan, and the Bishop and Caliente/Bakersfield RMPs. The Draft BLM LUPA included six alternatives for the expansion, reduction, modification, and creation of ACECs, ranging from 3,308,000 acres (including 1,048,000 acres within Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) and Wilderness Areas (No Action)) to 6,199,000 acres (including 1,209,000 acres within WSAs and Wilderness Areas (Alternative 3)). The Preferred Alternative proposed 6,077,000 acres of ACEC (including 1,209,000 acres within WSAs and Wilderness Areas). The Draft DRECP also proposed Conservation and Management Actions (CMAs) to manage ACECs. CMAs included various resource use limitations. The Draft DRECP included 147 ACECs. Of these, 58 were newly proposed ACECs, and 89 were existing. The alternatives considered a range of footprints and CMAs for both existing and newly proposed ACECs. Maps of each ACEC were included in Appendix L of the Draft DRECP. CMAs were listed in Volume II, with management specific to individual ACECs listed in Appendix L. In March 2015, the DRECP Partner Agencies announced a phased approach to completing the DRECP. As part of the approach, the BLM component of the DRECP (the LUPA) is being finalized first in Phase I, outlining important designations for conservation and renewable energy on public lands. The Proposed DRECP LUPA would amend the CDCA Plan for the entire CDCA, and the RMPs for portions of the Bishop and Bakersfield Field Offices. This includes the Mojave Desert and Colorado/Sonoran Desert ecoregion subareas in California. The DRECP Plan Area includes all or a portion of the following counties: Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego. The DRECP LUPA Area covers approximately 10,869,000 of [[Page 12940]] BLM-administered lands. The Proposed LUPA also included six alternatives for the expansion, reduction, modification, and creation of ACECs. The 134 ACECs listed in this notice include all the ACECs identified within the range of alternatives analyzed in the Final EIS. Based on comments received on the Draft DRECP, the Proposed LUPA would designate 130 ACECs covering approximately 5,976,000 acres (including 1,101,000 acres within WSAs and Wilderness Areas) and includes CMAs and resource use limitations to manage those ACECs. Those 130 ACECs are a subset of the 134 listed below. The Proposed LUPA clarifies CMAs as they applied to the ACECs. It includes a detailed methodology for implementing and managing for ground disturbance caps in ACECs, including the addition of ground disturbance mitigation. As part of the Proposed LUPA, additional areas were moved into proposed conservation that were not included in the preferred alternative in the Draft EIS, including Silurian Valley, Cadiz Valley, the entirety of the Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area, the Palen-Ford cultural and sand resources areas. Some ACECs included in the Draft DRECP were combined with, or subsumed by other existing ACECs for manageability in the Proposed LUPA. Small amounts of acres were removed from the ACECs to ensure that boundaries were manageable and enforceable, and to remove active mining areas from the ACECs in the Proposed LUPA. The Notice of Availability for the DRECP Proposed LUPA and Final EIS was published on November 13, 2015, (80 FR 70254), which initiated a 30-day protest period. During the initial review of protest letters received, the BLM determined that it had missed a regulatory requirement, stated in 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b), to specifically list in a Federal Register Notice the proposed ACECs being considered. In order to fulfill this regulatory requirement, the BLM is releasing this NOA to identify the 134 ACECs and associated resource use limitations considered in the Proposed LUPA/Final EIS, and providing an additional 60-day public comment period on those ACECs. The BLM accepted and considered input from the public on ACEC values and potential designation during scoping for the LUPA, during public comment on the Description and Comparative Evaluation of Draft DRECP Alternatives published in December 2012, and during the five- month comment period on the Draft DRECP LUPA and EIR/EIS. The alternatives analyzed in the Draft DRECP and EIR/EIS varied in number and size of potential ACECs as discussed above. The BLM then considered comments on the Draft DRECP in the development of the DRECP Proposed LUPA and Final EIS. Of the ACECs analyzed in the draft plan, the Proposed LUPA would designate 130 of the 134 area listed below as ACECs with their associated management and resource use limitations. The remaining four areas identified as potential ACECs were determined to not be appropriate for designation at this time. Resource use limitations were included in Volume II and Appendix L of the Draft DRECP. The BLM considered public comments received during the comment period and refined the CMAs included in the Proposed LUPA. Special Unit Management Plans were developed specific for each ACEC and are contained in Appendix L of the DRECP Proposed LUPA and Final EIS. The BLM evaluated each proposed and existing ACEC within the DRECP to determine if special management was needed for the following resources and uses:Soil, water, air; Vegetation--including special status species; Fish and wildlife--including special status species; Cultural resources; Paleontology; Trails and travel management; Recreation; Land tenure; Rights of way; Minerals (including locatable minerals, mineral materials, and non[hyphen]energy leasables); and Wild horses and burros. Where special management, including resource use limitations, is proposed for a specific ACEC, it is identified in that unit's Special Unit Management Plan. The proposed resource use limitations for all ACECs listed below include limitations on ground disturbing activities. Ground disturbing activities in ACECs would be constrained by specified disturbance caps, which limit the total ground disturbance in the area. The specific ACEC disturbance caps were first disclosed in the Draft DRECP LUPA, are defined in the individual Special Unit Management Plans (Appendix L for the Draft DRECP LUPA and Proposed LUPA/Final EIS), and range from 1.0 percent to 0.1 percent. The methodology for applying the disturbance caps is listed in CMAs ACEC-DIST-1 through ACEC-DIST-3 in Section II.3.4 of the Proposed DRECP LUPA/Final EIS. Other resource use limitations include limitations on rights-of-way (including prohibition of renewable energy activities and right-of-way avoidance or exclusion for all other rights-of-way), specific design features and mitigation measures to protect cultural and biological resources. These CMAs are listed in Section II.3.4.2.2 and II.3.4.2.4 of the Proposed LUPA/Final EIS. The DRECP Proposed LUPA includes the following ACECs (note that acreage figures are rounded to the nearest 1000, 100, or 10, as appropriate) (due to rounding and designation overlap, columns do not sum to the total acreage figures discussed above): ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acres Proposed ACEC Acres (No (Proposed Relevant and important values Action) LUPA) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Afton Canyon............................... 8,800 8,800 Hydrologic and geologic features, paleontological resources, cultural values, wildlife resources. Alligator Rock............................. 6,800 6,800 Cultural values. Amargosa North............................. 7,100 115,900 Wildlife resources, plant assemblages, riparian resources, cultural values (includes portions of the existing Amargosa River ACEC). Amargosa South............................. 19,500 147,900 Wildlife resources, plant assemblages, riparian resources, cultural values (includes portions of the existing Amargosa River ACEC). Amboy Crater National Natural Area......... 600 600 Plant assemblage. Avawatz Mountains Wilderness Study Area.... 0 49,800 Wildlife resources. Ayers Rock................................. 0 1,600 Cultural values. Barstow Carbonate Endemic Plants Research 4,400 5,000 Vegetative resources, wildlife Natural Area. resources. [[Page 12941]] Barstow Woolly Sunflower................... 19,100 19,100 Vegetative resources, wildlife resources. Bedrock Spring............................. 800 800 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Bendire's Thrasher......................... 11,700 9,800 Wildlife resources (portions of existing ACEC are proposed to be managed as part of the Jawbone/ Butterbredt ACEC). Big Morongo Canyon......................... 24,900 24,900 Wildlife and vegetative resources, cultural values, riparian resources. Big Rock Creek Wash........................ 0 300 Geologic features, vegetative resources, wildlife resources. Bigelow Cholla............................. 100 4,400 Wildlife and vegetative resources. Black Mountain Cultural Area............... 51,300 51,300 Cultural values, wildlife and vegetative resources. Brisbane Valley Monkey Flower.............. 0 11,700 Vegetative resources. Bristol Mountains.......................... 0 214,200 Wildlife resources, plant assemblages, cultural values. Cadiz Valley............................... 0 190,800 Wildlife resources, unique plant assemblages. Cady Mountains Wilderness Study Area....... 0 101,400 Wildlife resources. Calico Early Man Site...................... 800 800 Cultural values. Caliente Creek Area of Ecological 0 0 Wildlife resources (Note--this area Importance. is being identified as important for wildlife, but not as an ACEC in the Proposed LUPA). Castle Mountain............................ 0 22,900 Unique plant assemblage, wildlife resources, cultural values. Cerro Gordo-Conglomerate Mesa.............. 9,000 12,100 Cultural values, rare plant and animal species and habitat. Cerro Gordo Wilderness Study Area.......... 0 600 Cultural values, desert wildlife species. Chemehuevi................................. 818,900 875,400 Wildlife resources, usual plant assemblages, cultural values. Christmas Canyon........................... 3,400 3,400 Cultural values. Chuckwalla................................. 493,600 514,400 Cultural values, scenic values, vegetative and wildlife resources. Chuckwalla to Chemehuevi Tortoise Linkage.. 0 319,900 Wildlife resources, cultural values. Chuckwalla Valley Dune Thicket............. 2,200 2,200 Vegetation resources, cultural values. Clark Mountain............................. 4,300 0 The majority of this ACEC is now within the Mojave National Preserve. Lands outside the Preserve are proposed to be managed within the Ivanpah ACEC. Coachella Valley Fringe-toad Lizard........ 10,300 10,300 Unique geologic features, wildlife resources, cultural values. Coolgardie Mesa............................ 9,800 9,800 Vegetative resources. Corn Springs............................... 2,500 2,500 Cultural values, hydrologic features, wildlife and vegetation resources. Coyote Mountains Fossil Site............... 5,900 5,900 Geologic features, paleontological resources, wildlife resources, cultural values. Crater Mountain Wilderness Study Area...... 0 1,000 Wildlife resources. Cronese Basin.............................. 8,500 8,500 Cultural values. Dagget Ridge Monkey Flower................. 26,000 26,000 Vegetative resources. Dead Mountains............................. 27,200 27,200 Cultural values. Death Valley Wilderness Study Area......... 0 47,900 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Denning Springs............................ 400 400 Cultural values. Desert Lily Preserve....................... 2,100 2,100 Vegetative resources. Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area...... 22,200 22,200 Wildlife resources. Dos Palmas................................. 8,300 8,300 Unique geologic features, wildlife and fish resources, cultural values. Eagles Flyway.............................. 0 11,000 Wildlife resources. East Mesa.................................. 42,100 88,500 Cultural values, wildlife resources. El Paso to Golden Valley Wildlife.......... 0 57,900 Wildlife resources, geologic features, vegetative resources. Fossil Falls............................... 1,600 1,600 Wildlife resources, prehistoric and historic cultural values, unique geological features. Fremont-Kramer............................. 311,500 310,200 Wildlife resources. Granite Mountain Wildlife Linkage.......... 0 39,300 Wildlife resources, plant assemblages. Great Falls Basin Argus Range Wilderness 0 10,300 Wildlife resources. Study Area. Halloran Wash.............................. 1,700 1,700 Cultural values. Harper Dry Lake............................ 500 500 Riparian resources, wildlife resources. Horse Canyon............................... 1,500 1,500 Cultural values, paleontological resources, vegetative resources. Independence Creek Wilderness Study Area... 0 6,800 Wildlife resources. Indian Pass................................ 1,900 1,900 Cultural values, vegetative resources. Ivanpah.................................... 35,000 78,300 Wildlife resources, cultural values. Jawbone/Butterbredt........................ 147,800 153,200 Wildlife resources, cultural values, vegetative resources. Juniper Flats Cultural Area................ 2,400 2,400 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Kelso Creek Monkeyflower................... 1,900 1,900 Vegetative resources. [[Page 12942]] Kingston Range............................. 18,900 18,900 Wildlife and vegetative resources, cultural values. Kingston Range Wilderness Study Area....... 0 40,000 Wildlife resources. Lake Cahuilla.............................. 14,000 8,600 Cultural values. Last Chance Canyon......................... 5,100 5,100 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Manix Paleontological Area................. 2,900 2,900 Paleontological resources, cultural values, wildlife resources. Manzanar................................... 0 500 Cultural values. Marble Mountain Fossil Bed................. 200 200 Geologic features, paleontological resources. McCoy Valley............................... 0 26,200 Wildlife resources. McCoy Wash................................. 0 6,400 Plant assemblage, wildlife resources. Mesquite Hills/Crucero..................... 5,000 5,000 Cultural values. Mesquite Lake.............................. 6,700 6,700 Cultural values. Middle Knob................................ 17,800 17,800 Vegetative resources. Mojave Fishhook Cactus..................... 600 600 Vegetative resources. Mojave Fringe-toad Lizard.................. 22,200 22,400 Wildlife and vegetative resources. Mojave Ground Squirrel..................... 0 198,600 Wildlife and vegetative resources. Mopah Spring............................... 1,900 1,900 Wildlife resources, cultural values. Mountain Pass Dinosaur Trackway............ 600 600 Paleontological resources. Mule McCoy Linkage......................... 0 51,500 Wildlife resources, plant assemblage, cultural values. Mule Mountains............................. 4,100 4,100 Wildlife resources. North Algodones Dunes...................... 0 0 During the DRECP process, this ACEC designation was removed through the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) Management Plan ROD (June 2013). It is reflected in the range of alternatives. The Proposed LUPA would adopt the decision made in the ISDRA ROD. Northern Lucerne Wildlife Linkage.......... 0 21,900 Wildlife resources, plant assemblages. Ocotillo................................... 0 14,600 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Olancha Greasewood......................... 0 25,600 Unusual plant assemblage. Old Woman Springs Wildlife Linkage......... 0 56,000 Wildlife resources. Ord-Rodman................................. 218,800 230,900 Wildlife resources. Owens Lake................................. 0 10,300 Cultural values, wildlife and plant resources. Palen Dry Lake............................. 0 3,600 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Palen Ford Playa Dunes..................... 0 41,400 Playa/dune system, wildlife resources, cultural values. Panamint and Argus......................... 0 125,500 Desert wetland communities, cultural values. Parish's Phacelia.......................... 500 500 Vegetative resources. Patton Military Camps...................... 3800 16,500 Cultural values. Picacho.................................... 0 184,500 Wildlife and vegetative resources, cultural values. Pilot Knob................................. 900 900 Cultural values. Pinto Mountains............................ 110,000 110,000 Wildlife resources. Pipes Canyon............................... 0 8,500 Cultural values. Pisgah Research Natural Area............... 18,100 42,100 Wildlife resources, plant assemblages. Piute-Fenner............................... 151,900 155,700 Wildlife resources, cultural resources. Plank Road................................. 300 300 Cultural values. Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon................... 4,100 4,100 Wildlife resources, geologic features, paleontological resources. Red Mountain Spring........................ 700 700 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Rodman Mountains Cultural Area............. 6,200 6,200 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Rose Spring................................ 800 800 Cultural values. Saline Valley.............................. 1,400 1,400 Cultural values, wildlife resources, unique vegetation communities. Salt Creek Hills........................... 2,200 2,200 Vegetation resources, riparian resources, cultural values. Salton Seas Hazardous...................... 0 7,100 Public hazard. San Sebastian Marsh/San Felipe Creek....... 6,500 6,500 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Sand Canyon................................ 2,600 2,600 Wildlife and vegetative resources, cultural values. Santos Manuel.............................. 0 27,500 Wildlife resources, cultural values. Shadow Valley.............................. 95,800 197,500 Wildlife resources, cultural values. Shoreline.................................. 11,600 35,800 Cultural values. Short Canyon............................... 800 800 Wildlife and vegetative resources. Sierra Canyons............................. 0 26,400 Cultural values, wildlife resources. Singer Geoglyphs........................... 1,900 1,900 Cultural values, vegetative resources. Soda Mountain Expansion.................... 0 16,700 Wildlife resources, cultural values. Soda Mountains Wilderness Study Area....... 0 88,800 Cultural values, wildlife and vegetative resources. Soggy Dry Lake Creosote Rings.............. 200 200 Unusual plant assemblage. Southern Inyo Wilderness Study Area........ 0 2,900 Wildlife resources. Steam Well................................. 40 40 Cultural values. Superior-Cronese........................... 404,800 397,400 Wildlife resources. Surprise Canyon............................ 4,600 4,600 Wildlife resources, riparian resources. Symmes Creek Wilderness Study Area......... 0 8,400 Wildlife resources, cultural values. Tehachapi Linkage.......................... 0 0 Wildlife resources (Note--this area is being identified as important for wildlife, but not as an ACEC in the Proposed LUPA.). [[Page 12943]] Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark.. 4,000 4,000 Unique geologic features, wildlife resources. Turtle Mountains........................... 50,400 50,400 Wildlife resources. Upper Johnson Valley Yucca Rings........... 300 300 Unusual plant assemblage. Upper McCoy................................ 0 37,300 Wildlife resources, cultural values, unusual plant assemblage. Warm Sulfur Springs........................ 300 300 Desert marsh habitat, unique geologic and hydrologic features, cultural values. West Mesa.................................. 20,300 82,600 Wildlife resources, cultural values. West Paradise.............................. 200 200 Vegetative resources. Western Rand Mountains..................... 31,100 30,300 Wildlife resources. Whipple Mountains.......................... 2,800 2,800 Geologic features, cultural values. White Mountain City........................ 800 800 Cultural values. White Mountains Wilderness Study Area...... 0 8,800 Wildlife resources. Whitewater Canyon.......................... 14,000 14,000 Riparian resources, wildlife resources, scenic resources, cultural values. Yuha Basin................................. 68,300 77,300 Cultural values, vegetative and wildlife resources. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copies of the DRECP Proposed LUPA/Final EIS are available for public inspection at the following locations: BLM California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W- 1623, Sacramento, CA; BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553; BLM Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311; BLM El Centro Field Office, 1661 S. 4th Street, El Centro, CA 92243; BLM Needles Field Office, 1303 S. Highway 95, Needles, CA 92363; BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 S. Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555; BLM Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308; and BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 93514. Before including your phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment letter--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5, 43 CFR 1610.7-2(b) Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. 2016-05562 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
![12938 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Notices
Controlled substance means any substance State, or local government officer or (including chemical) device on public lands.
so designated by law whose availability is employee in the scope of their duties; This prohibition includes, but is not limited
restricted, including, but not limited to, members of any organized law enforcement, to, any homemade or manufactured bomb,
narcotics, stimulants, depressants, rescue, or fire-fighting force in performance cannon, mortar, or similar device.
hallucinogens, and marijuana. of an official duty; and any person whose
Destructive device means any type of activities are authorized in writing by the Enforcement
weapon, by whatever name known, which Bureau of Land Management. Any person who violates any of these
will, or which may be readily converted to 4. All persons must abide by all Federal supplementary rules may be tried before a
expel a projectile by the action of an and State laws, rules, and regulations United States Magistrate and fined in
explosive or other propellant, the barrel or pertaining to firearms and weapons for all accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned
barrels of which have a bore of more than shooting activities on public lands. no more than 12 months under 43 U.S.C.
0.60 caliber, except a shotgun or shotgun 5. No person shall, unless it is posted as 1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360.0–7, or both. In
shell, which is generally recognized as allowed, target shoot with a weapon within accordance with 43 CFR 8365.1–7, State or
particularly suitable for sporting purposes. 50 feet of the center line of any public road. local officials may also impose penalties for
Developed recreation area/site means any 6. No person shall shoot or discharge any violations of California law.
site or area that contains structures or capital weapon across any public road or signed
improvements primarily used by the public trail. Joe Stout,
for recreation purposes. Such areas or sites 7. No person shall, unless it is posted as Acting BLM California State Director.
may include such features as: Delineated allowed, shoot or discharge any weapon [FR Doc. 2016–05400 Filed 3–10–16; 8:45 am]
spaces for parking, camping, boat launching, within 150 yards of any developed recreation BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
sanitary facilities, potable water, grills, fire area/site.
rings, tables, or controlled access. 8. No person shall shoot or discharge any
Explosive, chemical, or incendiary device weapon toward or in the direction of any
means any tracer round, incendiary bomb, public road, signed trail, or developed
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
grenade, fire bomb, chemical bomb, or device recreation area/site where this action could
which consists of or includes a breakable or create a hazard to life or property.
Bureau of Land Management
non-breakable container including a 9. No person shall consume or be under the [LLCA932000.L13400000.DP0000.LXSSB
flammable liquid or compound, or any influence of an alcoholic beverage or a 0020000.16X]
breakable container which consists of or controlled substance while shooting or
includes a chemical mixture that explodes discharging any weapon on public lands.
with fire or force and can be shot at or shot Notice of Areas of Critical
10. No person shall shoot or discharge any Environmental Concern in the Desert
from a firearm, carried, or thrown. A firearm loaded with tracer bullets on public
cartridge containing or carrying an explosive Renewable Energy Conservation Plan
lands.
agent and bullet is not an explosive device Proposed Land Use Plan Amendment,
11. No person shall shoot or discharge any
as that term is used here. California
weapon at any construction materials, office
Firearm means an instrument used in the
products, or household items including, but AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
propulsion of shot, shell, or bullets by the
not limited to, appliances, furniture, Interior.
action of gunpowder exploded within it.
electronic waste, or other objects containing
Loaded firearm means a firearm that has an ACTION: Notice.
unexpended cartridge of powder and a bullet glass on public lands. Targets designed,
manufactured, or built specifically for the
or shot in or attached in any manner to the SUMMARY: In accordance with the
firearm including, but not limited to, in the purpose of target shooting and which can be
completely removed following use are National Environmental Policy Act of
firing chamber, magazine, or clip thereof 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land
attached to the firearm or a muzzle loader allowed.
12. No person shall shoot or discharge any Policy and Management Act of 1976, as
firearm that is capped or primed and has a
powder charge and ball or shot in the weapon at clay pigeons on public lands. amended, the Bureau of Land
cylinder or barrel. 13. No person shall shoot or discharge any Management (BLM) announced
Target means items designed, weapon at any tree, cactus, shrub, or similar availability of the Proposed Land Use
manufactured, or built specifically for the vegetative object, fence post, or any other Plan Amendment (LUPA) and Final
purpose of target shooting which can be public lands infrastructure. This includes the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
completely removed following use. use of these objects to support targets.
for the Desert Renewable Energy
Target shooting means shooting a weapon 14. Persons shooting or discharging any
weapon on public lands are required to Conservation Plan (DRECP) with a
for recreational purposes when game is not Notice of Availability published in the
being legally pursued. remove and properly dispose of all shooting
Public lands means any lands or interest in materials, including targets, shell boxes, shell Federal Register on November 13, 2015
lands managed by the BLM. casings, hulls, and brass. (80 FR 70254). The Proposed LUPA
Pyrotechnic device means any device 15. No person shall transport in a vehicle would amend the California Desert
manufactured or used to produce a visible or or conveyance or its attachments on any Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan and the
audible effect by combustion, deflagration, or public land, or roads, a firearm, unless it is Bakersfield and Bishop Resource
detonation. This includes, but is not limited unloaded or dismantled. Management Plans (RMPs). The
to, such devices as exploding targets that are 16. No person shall have a loaded firearm
Proposed DRECP LUPA/Final EIS
detonated when struck by a projectile such on display when in any developed recreation
area. considers designation of 134 Areas of
as a bullet fired from a firearm.
Weapon means any firearm, cross bow, 17. No person shall shoot or discharge any Critical Environmental Concern
bow and arrow, paint gun, fireworks, or weapon from a powerboat, sailboat, motor (ACECs). In order to comply with
explosive device capable of propelling a vehicle, or aircraft. Federal Regulations at 43 CFR 1610.7–
projectile either by means of an explosion, 18. No person shall, except with a valid 2(b), the BLM through this notice is
compressed gas, or by string or spring. permit, carry a concealed firearm on public announcing a 60-day public comment
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
1. These supplementary rules apply, except lands. period on those 134 ACECs. The 134
as specifically exempted, to all shooting 19. No person shall possess or use any ACECs listed in this notice are identical
activities on public lands administered by pyrotechnic device on public lands. This
to those identified in the alternatives
the Hollister Field Office, California. prohibition includes, but is not limited to,
2. These supplementary rules are in effect devices such as exploding targets that are found within the Proposed DRECP
year-around and will remain in effect until detonated when struck by a projectile such LUPA/Final EIS addressed by the
modified by the State Director. as a bullet fired from a firearm. publication of the Federal Notice of
3. The following persons are exempt from 20. No person shall possess or use any Availability on November 13, 2015. The
these supplementary rules: Any Federal, destructive, explosive, or incendiary scope of this 60-day comment period is
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Notices 12943
Acres
Acres
Proposed ACEC (Proposed Relevant and important values
(No Action) LUPA)
Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark ............... 4,000 4,000 Unique geologic features, wildlife resources.
Turtle Mountains ........................................................... 50,400 50,400 Wildlife resources.
Upper Johnson Valley Yucca Rings ............................. 300 300 Unusual plant assemblage.
Upper McCoy ................................................................ 0 37,300 Wildlife resources, cultural values, unusual plant as-
semblage.
Warm Sulfur Springs .................................................... 300 300 Desert marsh habitat, unique geologic and hydrologic
features, cultural values.
West Mesa .................................................................... 20,300 82,600 Wildlife resources, cultural values.
West Paradise .............................................................. 200 200 Vegetative resources.
Western Rand Mountains ............................................. 31,100 30,300 Wildlife resources.
Whipple Mountains ....................................................... 2,800 2,800 Geologic features, cultural values.
White Mountain City ..................................................... 800 800 Cultural values.
White Mountains Wilderness Study Area ..................... 0 8,800 Wildlife resources.
Whitewater Canyon ...................................................... 14,000 14,000 Riparian resources, wildlife resources, scenic re-
sources, cultural values.
Yuha Basin ................................................................... 68,300 77,300 Cultural values, vegetative and wildlife resources.
Copies of the DRECP Proposed LUPA/ DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR variety of planning and management
Final EIS are available for public issues associated with public land
inspection at the following locations: Bureau of Land Management management in Arizona. Planned
• BLM California State Office, 2800 [LLAZ910000.L12100000.XP0000 15X agenda items include: A Welcome and
Cottage Way, Suite W–1623, 6100.241A] Introduction of Council Members; BLM
Sacramento, CA; State Director’s Update on BLM
State of Arizona Resource Advisory Programs and Issues; Threatened and
• BLM California Desert District Council Meeting Endangered Species Program Overview;
Office, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Update on Northstar 2025 Project; RAC
Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553; AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Review of the Paria Canyon/Coyote
• BLM Barstow Field Office, 2601 Interior. Buttes Special Management Area
Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311; ACTION: Notice of public meetings. Proposed Business Plan; RAC
• BLM El Centro Field Office, 1661 S. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Committee Reports; RAC Questions on
4th Street, El Centro, CA 92243; Federal Land Policy and Management BLM District Manager Reports and other
items of interest to the RAC. Members
• BLM Needles Field Office, 1303 S. Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. of the public are welcome to attend the
Highway 95, Needles, CA 92363;
Department of the Interior, Bureau of RAC Business meeting. A public
• BLM Palm Springs South Coast comment period is scheduled from 1:45
Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Land Management (BLM), Arizona
Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will to 2:15 p.m. and again around 3:00
Palm Springs, CA 92262; during the Recreation RAC Session for
meet in Phoenix, Arizona, as indicated
• BLM Ridgecrest Field Office, 300 S. below. any interested members of the public
Richmond Road, Ridgecrest, CA 93555; who wish to address the Council on
DATES: The Arizona RAC Business
• BLM Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 BLM programs and business. Depending
meeting will take place April 28, 2016,
Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308; on the number of persons wishing to
from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
and speak and time available, the time for
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at individual comments may be limited.
• BLM Bishop Field Office, 351 Pacu the BLM Arizona State Office located at Written comments may also be
Lane, Suite 100, Bishop, CA 93514. One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, submitted during the meeting for the
Before including your phone number, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. RAC’s consideration. The final meeting
email address, or other personal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: agenda will be available two weeks
identifying information in your Dorothea Boothe, Arizona RAC prior to the meeting and posted on the
comment, you should be aware that Coordinator at the Bureau of Land BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/
your entire comment letter—including Management, Arizona State Office, One az/st/en/res/rac.html. Additionally,
your personal identifying information— North Central Avenue, Suite 800, directions to the meeting site and
may be made publicly available at any Phoenix, Arizona 85004–4427, 602– parking information may be found on
time. While you can ask us in your 417–9500. Persons who use a the BLM Web site at: http://
comment to withhold your personal telecommunications device for the deaf www.blm.gov/az/st/en/res/pub_room/
identifying information from public (TDD) may call the Federal Information location.html. Individuals who need
review, we cannot guarantee that we Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 special assistance, such as sign language
to contact the above individual during interpretation or other reasonable
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
will be able to do so.
normal business hours. The FIRS is accommodations, should contact the
Authority: 43 CFR 1610.2, 43 CFR 1610.5,
43 CFR 1610.7–2(b)
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, RAC Coordinator listed above no later
to leave a message or question with the than two weeks before the start of the
Thomas Pogacnik, above individual. You will receive a meeting.
Deputy State Director, Bureau of Land reply during normal business hours. Under the Federal Lands Recreation
Management. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15- Enhancement Act, the RAC has been
[FR Doc. 2016–05562 Filed 3–10–16; 8:45 am] member Council advises the Secretary designated as the Recreation RAC and
BILLING CODE 4310–40–P of the Interior, through the BLM, on a has the authority to review all BLM and
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Document Created: 2016-03-11 01:50:49
Document Modified: 2016-03-11 01:50:49
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | The comment period pertaining to these ACEC designations closes on May 10, 2016. All comments must be in writing and must be postmarked no later than the close of the last day of the comment period. The BLM provided a 152-day comment period on the Draft DRECP LUPA and Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/EIS. All comments received on the Draft DRECP were considered while developing the Proposed LUPA/Final EIS. As such, the BLM is only seeking comments on the 134 ACECs included in the Proposed LUPA/Final EIS, which are listed in this notice. While the BLM will consider all such comments, it does not intend to respond to each comment individually. | |
| Contact | Vicki Campbell, Program Manager, | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 12938 |
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