[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 185 (Friday, September 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 57369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24368]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-010-1220-DH]


Notice of Availability of a Proposed Resource Management Plan 
Amendment (RMPA) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) ; 
Albuquerque Field Office, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Albuquerque Field Office 
has completed a Proposed RMPA/FEIS. This document contains a 20-year 
strategy for managing the El Malpais National Conservation Area (NCA) 
and contiguous lands. The document also addresses activity level plans 
for these lands and as required by P.L. 100-225 makes a recommendation 
of the suitability/nonsuitability of the Chain of Craters Wilderness 
Study Area for inclusion in the wilderness system. The document also 
recommends to Congress the inclusion of certain additional contiguous 
acres in the Cebolla Wilderness and the addition of other acres to the 
NCA.
    Copies are available for review at public libraries in Albuquerque 
and nearby cities or towns. Additional copies are available at the 
following BLM Offices: Albuquerque Field Office, 435 Montanno Road NE, 
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107; New Mexico State Office, 1474 Rodeo 
Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. The document will also be available 
on the internet at www.nm.blm.gov.

DATES: Protests related to decisions at the Resource Management Plan 
level must be filed in writing to: Director (WO-210), Bureau of Land 
Management, Attention: Ms. Brenda Williams, 1849 C Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20240. Protests must be postmarked no later than October 
30, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Hamilton, Planning and 
Environmental Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 435 Montano Road 
NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107-4935, Telephone (505) 761-8746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposed RMPA /FEIS is a plan for 
managing NCA and contiguous public lands and resources. The plan 
addresses the following public land issues that amend the Rio Puerco 
RMP: Recreation (Visual Resource Management), Access and 
Transportation, Wilderness Suitability, and Boundary and Land Tenure 
Adjustments. Issues addressed at the activity plan level are: 
Recreation, Facility Development, Access and Transportation, Wilderness 
Management, Wilderness Suitability, American Indian Uses and 
Traditional Cultural Practices, Cultural Resources, Wildlife Habitat, 
Vegetation, and Boundary & Land Ownership Adjustments.
    Under the Proposed Plan BLM would provide:
    <bullet> A combination of developed and dispersed recreational 
opportunities.
    <bullet> Approximately 105,000 acres closed to vehicle and 
mechanical access.
    <bullet> Approximately 273 miles of designated vehicle routes.
    <bullet> Approximately 101,000 acres of designated wilderness with 
approximately 4,000 additional acres recommended for designation.
    <bullet> Emphasis to cultural resource conservation for future use 
and recommend additional acreage for inclusion in the NCA to provide 
for cultural resource management.
    <bullet> Management of wildlife habitat for habitat improvement.
    <bullet> Vegetative management practices to emphasize health of the 
land and improvement of ecological conditions.
    <bullet> Recommendations to Congress for boundary changes that will 
provide for more effective resource management.
    Public input has occurred throughout the planning process and 
public comments and BLM's responses to these comments are included as 
an important part of this proposed plan.

    Dated: September 18, 2000.
Edwin J. Singleton,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 00-24368 Filed 9-21-00; 8:45 am]
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