[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31490-31491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14643]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[AZ-020-00-1210-00; AZA-25486, 25487, 25489, 25490]
Notice of Approval of the Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management
Plan
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: The Maricopa Complex Wilderness Management Plan is approved. In
accordance with 43 CFR part 4, this action is subject to appeal for a
period of 30 days from the date of this notice. Barring appeal, the
plan will be implemented.
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SUMMARY: (1) Scope of the Approved Plan: The plan prescribes actions
and policies for the management of four Wilderness Areas: the Sierra
Estrella, the North Maricopa Mountains, South Maricopa Mountains and
the Table Top for a period of ten years. An environmental assessment
document was prepared describing the impacts of the plan along with
three other alternatives.
(2) Geographic Areas Involved: Four separate wilderness areas,
totaling 172,100 acres in the Sonoran Desert of Southwestern Arizona,
southern Maricopa and western Pinal Counties, and 12 to 45 miles south
of the metropolitan Phoenix. Other nearby towns are Gila Bend,
Maricopa, Casa Grande, and Buckeye, Arizona.
(3) Summary of Plan Actions: Seventy nine miles of former vehicle
ways reclaimed; 16 miles converted to pedestrian and/or equestrian
trails. Three access routes may be shortened slightly. Twenty five
vehicle barriers constructed. Four new trails and seven trailheads
established and one existing trail and trailhead improved and
maintained. Signs, defined parking areas, and minimal camping
facilities provided at some trailheads. Maps and other information
provided. Two vehicle safety shoulders may be created along Interstate
8. Commercial recreation outfitters may be permitted. Six wildlife
water catchments and associated fencing modified, and along with two
others, maintained. One wildlife well pump replaced. Transplants of
desert bighorn sheep and aircraft telemetry following sanctioned.
Installation of future wildlife catchments evaluated on a case-by-case
basis. Non-mechanized animal damage control allowed. Five earthen
livestock water tanks abandoned. Thirteen livestock control fences
maintained. No new livestock watering facilities constructed.
Coordination with multi-jurisdictional law enforcement and search and
rescue agencies and organizations improved. Five thousand seven hundred
and sixty two acres of State of Arizona surface and subsurface
inholdings identified for acquisition plus some access easements. All
wildfire suppressed; protocol for fire suppression activities
established. Reduction in low-level civilian aircraft flights
encouraged. Thirty three instances of motorized/mechanized use allowed
annually over 9 years dropping to 22 per year thereafter, to: maintain
8 livestock fences, modify 6 wildlife catchments, maintain and haul
water to these and two other catchments, pump one well for wildlife,
census or track wildlife, check wildlife water levels in wildlife
catchments, respond to life-threatening emergencies, rescue sick
livestock, and pursue felons or major game violators. Monitoring
standards adopted and response actions described.
(4) Proposed Restrictions: Campfires, charcoal fires, wood
gathering or wood cutting, and other surface disturbances are
prohibited. Dogs are prohibited on one trail; horses on another.
Camping within 200 feet or within sight of established trails is
prohibited; camping at some trailheads will be limited to a five day
period. Pack stock associated with permitted activities confined to
naturally hardened areas during long rest periods. Pack stock feed
provided by outfitters.
(5) Summary of Alternatives Analyzed: A visitor use and wildlife
enhancement alternative with additional hiking and/or riding trails and
wildlife developments; a naturalness enhancement alternative without
maintained trails, with mostly non-mechanized maintenance of
developments, and 15 instances of low level aircraft use occurring
yearly for wildlife census, checking water levels of wildlife water
catchments and hauling water; and a no action alternative.
(6) Extent of Public Comment: A draft plan with an environmental
assessment document was distributed for public review and comment for a
45 day period on September 13, 1994. Availability notice was via the
Federal Register and local media. More than 400 copies of the draft
plan were mailed to a wide spectrum of publics, governing bodies,
organizations, and institutions expressing interest or directly
affected. Two public meetings, in Gila Bend and Phoenix, Arizona, were
held. A total of 14 individuals participated in these meetings and
providing comments; eight written comments were also received. Comments
were analyzed and appear in the final plan. Some changes were made due
to the comments. Most notable are: The addition of a management action
to disallow the construction of future livestock watering facilities
within the wilderness; the addition of some mechanized wildlife
management activities; and changes to the Naturalness Alternative and
associated impact analysis.
NEXT STEP IN THE PLANNING PROCESS: The decision to adopt this plan is
subject to appeal for a period of 30 days following the publication of
this notice. Barring appeal, implementation will follow. Appeals must
be filed in accordance with the procedures found in 43 CFR 4.4110
through 4.415.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Jamrog, Bureau of Land
Management, Phoenix District Office, Lower Gila Resource Area, 2015
West Deer Valley [[Page 31491]] Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, telephone
602-780-8090.
Date June 8, 1995.
Gordon L. Cheniae,
District Manager.
[FR Doc. 95-14643 Filed 6-14-95; 8:45 am]
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