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Notice of Intent to Prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment; Las Cruces Field Office, New Mexico

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: January 26, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 17)]
[Notices]
[Page 4257-4258]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26ja00-81]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-030-2810-AF]


Notice of Intent to Prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP)
Amendment; Las Cruces Field Office, New Mexico

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

ACTION:  Notice of intent to prepare an RMP amendment and invitation to
participate in identification of issues and planning criteria.

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SUMMARY:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Cruces Field Office,
New Mexico, is initiating the preparation of an RMP Amendment which
will include an environmental assessment (EA). The Amendment would
allow the implementation of the Fire Management Plan, Phase I. The Plan
would guide Fire Management Policy and Practices on public land
administered by the Las Cruces Field Office. These lands include
approximately 5.9 million acres in Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Dona
Ana, and Otero Counties in southwestern New Mexico. A map of this area
is available at the Las Cruces Field Office. The public is invited to
participate in the planning process, beginning with the identification
of issues and planning criteria.

DATES:  Comments relating to the identification of issues and planning
criteria will be accepted until February 28, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Comments should be sent to: Helen Graham, Team Leader,
Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess, Las
Cruces, New Mexico 88005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jim McCormick, Assistant Field
Manager, Renewable Resources or Helen Graham, Team Leader, Las Cruces
Field Office at (505) 525-4300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The Fire Management Plan would amend the
White Sands RMP and the Mimbres RMP.
    Anticipated issues to be addressed in the development of the
amendment include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (1) The impact of smoke from wildfire and prescribed fire;
    (2) The impact of wildfire, prescribed fire, and suppression
activity on soil erosion and surface water quality;
    (3) The impact of fire suppression activity on resource values;
    (4) The impact of wildfire, prescribed fire, and suppression
activity on wildlife, and special status species;
    (5) The impact of wildfire, prescribed fire, and suppression
activity on vegetation;
    (6) The impact of wildfire, prescribed fire, and suppression
activity on cultural resources;
    (7) The proliferation of undesirable, non-native species due to
fire and/or fire exclusion;
    (8) The risks associated with hazardous fuel (grass, brush, etc.)
accumulation in the vicinity of urban interface, sensitive features,
and other improvements; These issues are not final and may be refined
or expanded through active public input.
    The RMP Amendment will be developed by an interdisciplinary team
using representation from the Team Leader, Fire Management Specialist,
Range Management Specialist, Wildlife Biologist(s), Archeologist, Soil
Scientist, Hydrologist, Outdoor Recreation/Wilderness Planner, and
Writer-Editor. Additional technical support will be provided by other
specialists as needed.
    Public participation activities during the planning process will
include consultation with cooperating agencies, mail outs, media
notices, Federal Register notices, and public meetings.
    Three public scoping meetings will be held to obtain public input
regarding the RMP Amendment. The public scoping meeting will be held at
the following times and locations:

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                  Date                                  Time                                                  Location
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February 15, 2000.......................  7:00-9:00 p.m..................  BLM, Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, NM.
February 16, 2000.......................  7:00-9:00 p.m..................  Lordsburg Civic Center, 313 East Fourth St., Lordsburg, NM.
February 17, 2000.......................  7:00-9:00 p.m..................  Otero County Courthouse, Commission Chambers, Room 253, 1000 New York Ave.,
                                                                            Alamogordo, NM.
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[[Page 4258]]

    Complete records of the planning process will be available for
public review at the BLM, Las Cruces Field Office at the address above.

Joseph B. Peterson,
Acting Field Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 00-1763 Filed 1-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P

 
 

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