[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67402-67405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33540]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[NM-070-1050-00]


Cultural Resources Areas Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) 
for the Farmington District, NM

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and 60-day comment period.

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SUMMARY: The BLM, Farmington District announces the availability of a 
draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment/preliminary Finding of 
No Significant Impact and Supporting Environmental Assessment (EA). 
This document discusses the designation of 44 new ACESs including the 
expansion of three existing Special Management Area and their 
designation as ACESs. Approximately 10,592.76 federal acres are 
identified for designation. In addition to designation, the plan 
amendment, when approved, will guide the BLM programs and management 
practices within the ACECs.

DATES: Written comments relating to the designation of ACECs, 
management activities within the ACECs, and the EA will be taken for 
the next 60 days. Comments must be postmarked on or before March 11, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to District Manager, BLM Farmington 
District, 1235 La Plata Highway, Suite A, Farmington, New Mexico 87401.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Otteni, District Manager, BLM 
Farmington District at (505) 599-6300 or Peggy Gaudy, Project Leader, 
Farmington District at (505) 599-6337.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACECs are land designations unique to the 
BLM. The purpose of ACECs is to recognize, protect, and manage unique 
or sensitive resources of potential hazards to the public. Each area 
receives management or protection based on its unique needs, in 
consultation and coordination with the public. The Farmington District 
has completed inventories of areas containing unique or sensitive 
cultural resources and has designated a sample as ACECs. In addition 
the District has reviewed nominations both internally and from the 
public to consider several areas as ACECs based on cultural values.
    The draft document discusses two alternatives, the No Action 
Alternative and the Proposed Action. The BLM's preferred alternative is 
to implement the Proposed Action by designating and managing 44 new 
ACECs, including the expansion of three existing Special Management 
Areas and their designation as ACECs. These management prescription 
proposals represent the highest level of resource protection and 
continued public use.
    The proposed ACECs represent seven site types: Chacoan Outliers, 
Chacoan Roads, Navajo Refugee (Pueblito) Sites, Navajo Habitation Sites 
(Non-pueblito), Pictograph and Petroglyph Sites, Historic Sites, and 
Native American Traditional Use and Sacred Areas. Management 
prescriptions are site specific depending on both the site type and the 
current development in each proposed ACEC.
    Eight Chacoan Outliers have been identified and proposed for ACEC 
designation. They are:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Name                                                             Legal description            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toh-la-kai..............................  T16N R18W                    Sec. 33 SW/4SE/4SE/4.                    
Bee Burrow..............................  T19N R11W                    Sec. 27 W/2SW/4, S/2NW/4.                
                                                                       Sec. 28 SE/4, S/2NE/4.                   
                                                                       Sec. 29 SW/4SE/4.                        
                                                                       Sec. 33 N/2N/2NE/4.                      
Indian Creek............................  T20N R13W                    Sec. 7 S/2NW/4, W/2SW/4NE/4.             
Upper Kin Klizhin.......................  T20N R11W                    Sec. 22 NE/4NE/4.                        
                                                                       Sec. 23 W/2NW/4NW/4.                     
Bis sa' ani.............................  T21N R9W                     Sec. 3 portions of N/2NW/4.              
                                                                       Sec. 4 portions of N/2N/2.               
Morris 41...............................  T32N R13W                    Sec. 15 SE/4SW/4, portions of NE/4SW/4,  
                                                                        portions of W/2SW/4SE/4.                
Andrews Ranch...........................  T14N R11W                    Sec. 32 NE/4NE/4SE/4, S/2SE/4NE/4.       
                                                                       Sec. 33 all.                             
                                                                       Sec. 34 SW/4, NE/4SE/4, S/2SW/4NE/4, W/  
                                                                        2NE/4SE/4, SW/4SE/4NE/4.                
Church Rock Outlier.....................  T16N R16W                    Sec. 20 SE/4.                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Management prescriptions for Chacoan Outliers vary slightly with 
the needs of each site, but in general they include preparation of 
Cultural Resources Management Plans at sites without existing plans, 
designation as ``closed'' or ``limited'' Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) 
areas, if possible acquisition of non-federal minerals, withdrawal from 
mineral leasing or sale, coordination with lease holders to minimize 
resource damage and withdrawal from land or resource modification or 
sale. No new rights-of-way will be issued. The only exception is where 
a new right-of-way will be issued in existing disturbance at Church 
Rock Outlier. The BLM will coordinate with existing right-of-way and 
easement holders, and continue monitoring and patrol programs. Also 
proposed is complete Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) 
documentation on sites which have not been documented, stabilize 
structures as needed, conduct cultural inventories, complete cadastral 
survey and fences as needed, nominate to the National Register of 
Historic Places and World Heritage List, consolidate previous research 
data, and designate as Class I Visual Resource Management areas. Church 
Rock Outlier will be proposed for inclusion as a Chaco Culture 
Archaeological Protection Site. Private and state lands have been 
identified for acquisition at Andrews Ranch if there are willing 
participants.
    Three Chacoan Roads have been identified and proposed for ACEC 
designation. They are:

[[Page 67403]]



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                  Name                                                             Legal description            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Road:.............................                                                                        
    Segment 1...........................  T23N R10W                    Sec. 17 W/2W/2SW/4.                      
                                                                       Sec. 18 W/2W/2W/2.                       
                                          ...........................  Sec. 19 W/2W/2W2.                        
                                                                       Sec. 30 W/2W/2W2.                        
                                          T23N R11W                    Sec. 12 SE/4.                            
                                                                       Sec. 13 E/2.                             
                                                                       Sec. 24 E/4.                             
                                                                       Sec. 25 SE/4.                            
    Segment 2...........................  T23N R10W                    Sec. 6 W/2W/2.                           
                                          T23N R11W                    Sec. 1 N/2SE/4, SW/4SE/4, N/2SE/4SE/4.   
                                          T24N 410W                    Sec. 31 W/2W/2.                          
                                          T24N R11W                    Sec. 36 E/2.                             
    Segment 3...........................  T24N R10W                    Sec. 7 W/2W/2.                           
                                                                       Sec. 18 W/2W/2.                          
                                                                       Sec. 19 W/2W/2.                          
                                                                       Sec. 30 NW/4NW/4.                        
                                          T24N R11W                    Sec. 12 E/2SE/4.                         
    Segment 4...........................  T24N R11W                    Sec. 1 E/2SE/4.                          
    Segment 5...........................  T25N R10W                    Sec. 30 SW/4.                            
                                                                       Sec. 31 NW/4.                            
    Segment 6...........................  T25N R10W                    Sec. 19 E/2NW/4, E/2NW/4NW/4, E/2SW/4NW/ 
                                                                        4, W/2W/2NE/4.                          
    Segment 7...........................  T25N R10W                    Sec. 6 E/2NW/4, E/2SW/4, W/2SE/4.        
                                                                       Sec. 7 E/2W/2W/2.                        
                                          T26N R10W                    Sec. 6 E/2.                              
                                                                       Sec. 18 E/2.                             
                                                                       Sec. 19 W/2E/2, W/2E/2E/2, E/2E/2W/2.    
                                                                       Sec. 30 W/2E/2, W/2E/2E/2, E/2E/2W/2.    
                                                                       Sec. 31 W/2E/2, E/2W/2.                  
                                          T27N R10W                    Sec. 31 E/2.                             
Ah-shi-sle-pah Road.....................  T22N R11W                    Sec. 6 all.                              
Crownpoint Steps and Herradura..........  T16N R12W                    Sec. 6 all.                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Management prescriptions for Chacoan Roads vary slightly with the 
needs of each site, but in general they include preparation of Cultural 
Resource Management Plans, designation as ``closed'' or ``limited'' 
Off-Highway Vehicle areas, if possible acquisition of minerals which 
are not under federal ownership, withdrawal from oil and gas leasing or 
sale under 160 acres, with other ``no surface occupancy'' lease 
stipulation on other parcels, withdrawal from other mineral entry, 
withdrawal from land or resource modification or sale, coordination 
with existing lease holders to minimize resource damage, and 
acquisition of identified private lands. No new rights-of-way will be 
issued in the 160 acres containing Halfway House or the Crownpoint 
Steps and Herradura parcel, or across parallel roads and the ``Quads.'' 
In other areas, rights-of-way will only be authorized with intensive 
roads inventory. The BLM will coordinate with existing right-of-way 
holders. Also proposed is to conduct roads inventories, nominate to 
National Register of Historic Places, consolidate previous research 
date, and designate as Class II Visual Resource Management areas (the 
40 acres containing Halfway House in Segment 6 have already been 
designated and will remain a Class I area).
    Nine Navajo Refugee (Pueblito) Sites have been identified and 
proposed for ACEC designation. They are:

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                   Name                                                            Legal description            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deer House...............................  T24N R7W                   Sec. 15 NW/4NW/4.                         
NM 01-39344..............................  T27N R7W                   Sec. 33 NE/4SW/4, NW/4SE/4.               
Kachina Mask.............................  T28N R8W                   Sec. 11 SW/4SE/4SW/4.                     
Hummingbird..............................  T24N R6W                   Sec. 29 NW/4SW/4.                         
Blanco Mesa..............................  T26N R8W                   Sec. 12 S/2NW/4SE/4, N/2SW/4SE/4, S/2NE/  
                                                                       4SW/4, SE/4NW/4SW/4, E/2SW/4SW/4, NE/4SE/
                                                                       4SW/4, W/2SE/4SW/4.                      
Ye'is-in-Row.............................  T28N R6W                   Sec. 20 NW/4NE/4.                         
Kiva.....................................  T26N R7W                   Sec. 14 W/2NE/4NE/4, E/2NW/4NE/4.         
Pretty Woman.............................  T25N R8W                   Sec. 21 E/2E/2NE/4.                       
                                                                      Sec. 22 W/2W/NW/4.                        
Gomez Point..............................  T27N R7W                   Sec. 1 S/2SW/4NW/4, N/2SW/4SW/4, SW/4SE/  
                                                                       4NW/4, NW/4NE/4SE/4.                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Management prescriptions for Navajo Refugee (Pueblito) Sites vary 
slightly with the needs of each site, but in general they include 
preparation of Cultural Resource Management Plans, designation as 
``closed'' or ``limited'' Off-Highway Vehicle areas, no surface 
occupancy oil and gas lease stipulation withdrawal from non-oil and gas 
mineral leasing or sale, coordination with lease holders to minimize 
resource damage, and withdrawal from land or resource modification or 
sale. New rights-of-way will only be authorized in existing right-of-
way disturbance and the BLM will coordinate with existing right-of-way 
and easement holders. Also proposed is complete Historic America 
Building Survey documentation, nominate to National Register of 
Historic Places, and stabilize structure as needed. The proposed ACECs 
will be designated as Class II Visual Resource Management areas.
    Two Navajo Habitation Sites (Non-pueblito) have been identified and 
proposed for ACEC designation. They are:

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                   Name                                                            Legal description            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gould Pass Camp..........................  T27N R7W                   Sec. 6 W/2SW/4NW/4.                       

[[Page 67404]]

                                                                                                                
                                           T27N R8W                   Sec. 1 E/2SE/4NE/4.                       
Superior Mesa Community..................  T26N R7W                   Sec. 26 W/2W/2, W/2NE/4NW/4, W/2SE/4NW/4, 
                                                                       W/2SNE/4SW/4, W/2SE/4SW/4.               
                                                                      Sec. 27 E/2E/2                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Management prescriptions for the Navajo Habitation Sites (Non-
pueblito) include preparation of Cultural Resource Management Plans, 
designation as ``closed'' OHV area at Gould Pass Camp and ``limited'' 
OHV area at Superior Mesa Community, no surface occupancy oil and gas 
lease stipulation, withdrawal from non-oil and gas mineral leasing or 
sale, coordination with lease holders to minimize resource damage, and 
withdrawal from land or resource modification or sale. Also proposed is 
that new rights-of-way will only be authized in existing right-of-way 
disturbance, coordinate with exiting right-of-way holders, and 
designate as Class II Visual Resource Management areas. The ACECs will 
be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
    Fifteen Petroglyph and Pictograph Sites have been identified and 
proposed for ACEC designation. They are:

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                   Name                                                            Legal description            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pregnant Basketmaker.....................  T30N R8W                   Sec. 35 S/2SW/4NE/4SW/4, N/2NW/4SE/4SW/4. 
Encierro Canyon..........................  T28N R6W                   Sec. 29 S/2NE/4.                          
NM 01-39236..............................  T27N R6W                   Sec. 6 NW/4NW/4SW/4.                      
Delgadita/Pueblo Canyons.................  T28N R7W                   Sec. 16 W/2NE/4, N/2N/2SW/4, S/2S/2NW/4, N/
                                                                       2N/2SE/4.                                
Cibola Canyon............................  T26N R7W                   Sec. 36 S/2SE/4SW/4.                      
                                           T25N R7W                   Sec. 1 N/2NE/4NW/4.                       
Bi Yaazh.................................  T24N R7W                   Sec. 23 E/2NW/4NW/4, W/2NE/4NW/4.         
Four Ye'i................................  T24N R6W                   Sec. 10 SE/4NW/4SE/4,SW/4NE/4SE/4, NE/4SW/
                                                                       4SE/4, NW/4SE/4SE/4.                     
Largo Canyon Star Ceiling................  T27N R8W                   Sec. 3 N/2SE/4SE/4.                       
Star Spring..............................  T29N R8W                   Sec. 35 E/2SE/4NE/4.                      
                                                                      Sec. 36 W/2W/2SW/4NW/4.                   
Blanco Star Panel........................  T28N R9W                   Sec. 26 S/2SE/4SW/4.                      
Shield Bearer............................  T30N R8W                   Sec. 34 SE/4NE/4NE/4, NE/4SE/4NE/4.       
                                                                      Sec. 35 SW/4NW/4NW/4, NW/4SW/4NW/4.       
Big Star.................................  T27N R7W                   Sec. 3 SE/4SE/4.                          
Rabbit Tracks............................  T27N R6W                   Sec. 6 S/2NE/4NW/4NW/4, N/2SE/4NW/4NW/4.  
Carrizo Cranes...........................  T27N R6W                   Sec. 6 NE/4NE/4SW/4, N/2SE/4NE/4SW/4.     
Martinez Canyon..........................  T27N R6W                   Sec. 10 W/2SW/4SE/4, E/2SE/4SW/4.         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Management prescriptions for Petroglyph and Piectograh Sites vary 
slightly with the needs of each site, but in general they include 
preparation of Cultural Resource Management Plans, designation as 
``closed'' or ``limited'' Off-Highway Vehicle areas, no surface 
occupancy oil and gas lease stipulation, withdrawal from non-oil and 
gas mineral leasing or sale, coordination with lease holders to 
minimize resource damage, and withdrawal from land or resource 
modification or sale. State land and minerals at two sites and private 
surface at one site have been identified for acquisition if there are 
willing participants. New rights-of-way will only be authorized in 
existing right-of-way disturbance and the BLM will coordinate with 
existing right-of-way holders. Also proposed is nomination to the 
National Register of Historic Places, Class III cultural inventories 
including detail documentation of images, withdrawal of 55 acres from 
grazing, and designation as Class II Visual Resource Management areas.
    Six Historic Sites have been identified and are proposed for ACEC 
designation. They are:

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                  Name                                                             Legal description            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dogie Canyon School.....................  T26N R6W                     Sec. 19 NW/4NE/4SW/4.                    
Rock House--Nestor Martin Homestead.....  T25N R6W                     Sec. 27 W/2SW/4SW/4.                     
                                                                       Sec. 28 E/2E/2SE/4SE/4.                  
Gonzales Canyon--Senon S................  T25N R6W                     Sec. 23 E/2SE/4NE/4.                     
                                                                       Sec. 24 W/2SW/4NW/4.                     
Martin Apodaco Homestead................  T25N R6W                     Sec. 35 NW/4NE/4SW/4, N/2NW/4SW/4, SE/4NW/
                                                                        4, S/2SW/4NW/4.                         
Margarita Martinez Homestead............  T24N R6W                     Sec. 10 SE/4NW/4NW/4.                    
Santos Peak.............................  T27N R5W                     Sec. 6 SE/4SE/4, S/2NE/4SE/4, SE/4NW/4SE/
                                                                        4, E/2,SW/4NE/4.                        
                                                                       Sec. 7 N/2NE/4NE/4, NE/4NW/4NE/4.        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Management prescriptions for Historic Sites vary slightly with the 
needs of each site, but in general they include preparation of Cultural 
Resource Management Plans, designation as ``closed'' or ``limited'' 
Off-Highway Vehicle areas, no surface occupancy oil and gas lease 
stipulation, withdrawal from non-oil and gas mineral leasing or sale, 
coordination with lease holders to minimize resource damage, and 
withdrawal from land or resource modification or sale. New rights-of-
way will only be authorized in existing rights-of-way disturbance and 
the BLM will coordinate with existing right-of-way and easement 
holders. Also proposed is nomination to the National Register of 
Historic Places, conduct stabilization of structures as needed, 
withdrawal of 35 acres from grazing and designation as Class II Visual 
Resource Management area. Private minerals have been identified for 
acquisition at three sites.
    One Native American Traditional Use and Sacred Area has been 
identified and is proposed for ACEC designation. It is:

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                  Name                                                             Legal description            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cho'li'i [Gobernador Knob]..............  T28N R5W                     Sec. 22 SE/4SE/4.                        

[[Page 67405]]

                                                                                                                
                                                                       Sec. 23 S/2SW/4.                         
                                                                       Sec. 26 NW/4.                            
                                                                       Sec. 27 E/2NE/4.                         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Management prescriptions for the Native American Traditional use 
and Sacred Area include preparation of a Cultural Resource Management 
Plan, designation as a ``limited'' Off-Highway Vehicle area, no surface 
occupancy oil and gas lease stipulation, withdrawal from non-oil and 
gas mineral leasing or sale, coordination with lease holders to 
minimize resource damage, and withdrawal from land or resource 
modification or sale. New rights-of-way will only be authorized in 
existing right-of-way disturbance and the BLM will coordinate with 
existing right-of-way holders. Also proposes is nomination to the 
National Register of Historic Places, conduct Class III cultural and 
ethnographic inventories, and designation as Class II Visual Resource 
Management area. The area will remain open for Native American 
religious practices.
    Additional data on management prescriptions for individual ACECs 
can be found in this RMP amendment.
    Public participation has occurred throughout the RMP Amendment 
process. A Notice of Intent was filed in the Federal Register (Vol. 61, 
No. 39 Pages 7273-7274) on February 27, 1996. An article was published 
in the Farmington Daily Times on March 6, 1996, notifying the public 
that the BLM was requesting public input on proposed ACECs. Comments 
received during this 60-day comment period will be considered in 
preparation of the Farmington RMP Amendment and supporting EA. Copies 
have been sent to identified concerned and affected publics. A public 
meeting on this document is scheduled for February 10, 1998. Single 
copies of the draft Farmington RMP Amendment/Preliminary Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) and supporting EA for the 44 ACECs may be 
obtained from the BLM Farmington District, 1235 La Plata Highway, Suite 
A, Farmington, NM 87401. A public reading copy is available for review 
at the BLM New Mexico State Office, 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico.

    Dated: December 22, 1997.
Lee Otteni,
District Manager, Farmington.
[FR Doc. 97-33540 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-M