[Federal Register: January 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 8)] [Notices] [Page 2229-2230] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr13ja99-67] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Scoping and Public Meetings on Proposed Withdrawal of Public Lands; Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of scoping and public meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has filed an application to withdraw 5,360 acres of reserved Federal minerals from mining and 9,459.66 acres of public lands from surface entry and mining as part of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nye County, Nevada. This land has been and will remain open to mineral leasing. The reserved Federal minerals and public lands proposed for withdrawal are located within the existing boundary of the refuge. The withdrawal has been proposed for a period of 20 years to protect seeps, springs, and associated habitats for at least 24 plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. No private lands or valid existing mineral rights would be affected by the proposed withdrawal. This notice advises that the Service has scheduled a series of meetings to inform the public of the proposed withdrawal. The [[Page 2230]] Service is seeking suggestions and information from the public and other agencies on the scope of issues related to the proposed withdrawal, including the range of alternatives that should be considered in the environmental review documents required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Service is also seeking comments on other elements related to the future of the refuge including, but not limited to, habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection, public use, cultural resources, refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. Information on dates and deadlines is provided below. DATES: Comments should be received on or before March 12, 1999. The meeting dates are: 5. Wednesday, February 17, 1999, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Las Vegas, NV. 2. Thursday, February 18, 1999, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pahrump, NV. 3. Thursday, February 18, 1999, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Amargosa Valley, NV. ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the scope of the environmental review document and other issue related to the future of the refuge should be sent to the Division of Refuge Planning (ARW/RPL), Fish and Wildlife Service , 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181. See Supplementary Information section for electronic access and filing addresses. The meeting locations are: 1. Las Vegas, NV--Las Vegas Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 4765 Vegas Drive. 5. Pahrump, NV--Bob Ruud Community Center, 150 East Basin Road at Highway 160. 5. Amargosa Valley, NV--Amargosa Valley Community Center, 821 East Farm Road. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles J. Houghten, 503-232-2231. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Information On July 22, 1998 a petition was approved allowing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to file an application to withdraw 5,360 acres of reserved Federal minerals from location and entry under the mining laws, but not the mineral leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights, and 9,459.66 acres of public lands from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, but not the mineral leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. The legal description of these lands is as published in 63 FR 43190, August 12, 1998. A copy of the legal description is available by contacting Charles J. Houghten at the address or phone number listed above. The public lands and reserved minerals proposed for withdrawal are within the existing boundary of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nye County, Nevada. Private lands within the existing boundary are not affected by the proposed withdrawal. The Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Amargosa Valley northwest of Pahrump, Nevada, was established in 1984. The primary purpose of the refuge is to provide for the protection and recovery of endangered fish and plants. At least 24 plants and animals that occur here are found nowhere else in the world. This diversity of native life distinguishes the Ash Meadows ecosystem as having a greater concentration of endemic species than any other local area in the United States, and the second greatest in all of North America. Twelve of these species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Service believes that settlement, sale, location, entry, and other mining activities would disturb, degrade, or destroy critical surface habitat within the refuge. The purpose of the proposed 20-year withdrawal is to protect seeps, springs, and associated habitats for the 24 plants and animals that are unique to the Ash Meadows ecosystem. In addition, by Federal law all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an approved Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). The CCP guides management decisions and identifies refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. This planning process may consider many elements, including habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection, public use, and cultural resources. Public input into this planning process is essential. Although a decision to develop a CCP for this refuge at this time has not been made, the Service is soliciting information from the public regarding issues that should be addressed should the decision be made to proceed with the development of a CCP. A formal notice of any decision to prepare a CCP will be made at a future date. Scoping and Public Meetings Three public meetings have been scheduled. The purpose of these meetings is to provide an opportunity for interested persons and agencies to comment on the scope of the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement and issues related to the proposed withdrawal. Each meeting will have an open house format. A brief overview of the proposed withdrawal will be presented at the opening of the meeting. After this presentation, refuge management, planning, and environmental compliance staff will be available to discuss and receive comments on the proposed withdrawal. Electronic Access and Filing Addresses You may submit comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to: r1planning__guest@fws.gov (Please type ``Ash Meadows'' in the subject line). Authority This notice is published in accordance with the regulations set forth in 43 CFR part 2300, and pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), (NEPA Regulations 40 CFR parts 1500-1508) to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues and alternatives that would be analyzed or considered in preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, and other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, including the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Executive Order 12996, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations. Dated: January 7, 1999. Dan Walsworth, Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 99-727 Filed 1-12-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P