[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33391-33393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15544]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NM-070-1050-00]


Cultural Resource Areas Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) 
for the Farmington District, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The BLM, Farmington District announces the availability of a 
Proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment/Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) and supporting Environmental Assessment 
(EA). This document discusses the designation of 44 new ACECs, 
including the expansion of three existing Special Management Area and 
their designation as ACECs. 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. The Proposed Plan is a modified version of 
the Preferred Alternative presented in the Draft. The Proposed RMP 
Amendment/FONSI and supporting EA is available for public review. A 30-
day protest period is provided, as required, by BLM planning 
regulations (43 CFR 1610.5-2).

DATES: Protests on the Proposed Plan must be postmarked on or before 
July 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Protests must be sent to Director (WO-210), Bureau of Land 
Management, ATTN: Brenda Williams, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 
20240.

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 or 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: Toh-la-kai, Bee Burrow, Indian Creek, Upper Kin 
Klizhin, Bis sa'ani, Morris 41, Andrews Ranch and Church Rock Outlier.
    Management prescriptions for Chacoan Outliers vary slightly with 
the needs of each site, but in general they include preparation of 
Cultural Resource 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 of 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: North Road, Ah-shi-sle-pah Road, and Crownpoint 
Steps and Herradura.
    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 
data, 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: Deer House, NM 01-39344, 
Kachina Mask, Hummingbird, Blanco Mesa, Ye'is-in-Row, Kiva, Pretty 
Woman and Gomez Point.
    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

[[Page 33392]]

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 structures 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: Gould Pass Camp and Superior 
Mesa Community.
    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 authorized in existing right-of-way 
disturbance, coordinate with existing 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: Pregnant Basketmaker, Encierro 
Canyon, NM 01-39236, Delgadita/Pueblo Canyons, Cibola Canyon, Bi Yaazh, 
Four Ye'i, Largo Canyon Star Ceiling, Star Spring, Blanco Star Panel, 
Shield Bearer, Big Star, Rabbit Tracks, Carrizo Cranes, and Martinez 
Canyon.
    Management prescriptions for Petroglyph and Pictograph 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.
    Recent land survey in the Pregnant Basketmaker proposed ACEC 
determined that the boundaries needed to be adjusted. The revised legal 
description of this 10 acre proposed ACEC is T30N R8W Section 35. E/
2NE/4SW/4SW/4 and S/2NW/4SE/4SW/4
    Six Historic Sites have been identified and are proposed for ACEC 
designation. They are: Dogie Canyon School, Rock House--Nestor Martin 
Homestead, Gonzales Canyon--Senon S. Vigil Homestead, Martin Apodaco 
Homestead, Margarita Martinez Homestead and Santos Peak.
    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 Cho'li'i 
[Gobernador Knob].
    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 proposed 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.
    Any person who is on record for participating in the planning 
process and has an interest that may be adversely affected may be 
adversely affected may protest approval of the Plan Amendment. Protest 
should be made to the Director with the following information : (1) 
Name, mailing address, telephone number, and interest of the person 
filing the protest; (2) a statement of the concern or concerns being 
protested; (3) a statement of the part or parts being protested; (4) a 
copy of all documents addressing the concern or concerns that were 
submitted during the planning process by the protesting party or an 
indication of the date the concern or concerns were discussed for the 
records; and (5) a concise statement explaining why the BLM New Mexico 
State Director's decision is wrong. At the end of the 30-day protest 
period, the Proposed Plan, excluding any portions under protest, will 
become final. Approval will be withheld on any portion of the Plan 
under protest until final action has been completed on such protest. 
Individuals not wishing to protest the Plan, but wanting to comment, 
may send comments to the BLM, Farmington District Office, 1235 La Plata 
Highway, Farmington, New Mexico 87401. All comments received will be 
considered in preparation of the Decision Record.
    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will 
be available for public review at the BLM Farmington District Office, 
1235 La Plata Highway, Farmington, New Mexico, during regular business 
hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday, except holidays, 
and may be published as part of the RMP Amendment/EA. Individuals 
respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your 
name or street address from public review or from disclosure under the 
Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the 
beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the 
extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of

[[Page 33393]]

organizations or businesses, will be made available for public 
inspection in their entirety.
    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. A notice of 
a 60-day comment period on the designation of the ACECs and a Notice of 
Availability of the draft RMP Amendment/preliminary FONSI and 
supporting EA was published in the Federal Register (Vol. 62, No. 247, 
pages 67402-67405) on December 24, 1997. Affected individuals and 
companies along with those known to have concern with cultural 
resources or the planning process on public lands in northwest New 
Mexico were notified of the availability of the draft RMP Amendment/
preliminary FONSI and supporting EA by mail. Several public meetings 
and briefing were conducted during the comment period to solicit 
comments and ideas, or to familiarize various groups with the proposal 
and the BLM planning process. Comments received during the 60-day 
comment period were considered in preparation of the Proposed RMP 
Amendment and supporting EA. Single copies of the proposed RMP 
Amendment/FONSI and supporting EA for the Cultural Resource ACECs may 
be obtained from the BLM Farmington District Office, 1235 La Plata 
Highway, 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: June 8, 1998.
Lee Otteni,
District Manager, Farmington.
[FR Doc. 98-15544 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-FB-P