16820 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 65 / Monday, April 6, 1998 / Notices habitats used by many other species to Abraham, K.F., R.L. Jefferies, R.F. DATES AND ADDRESS: For a period of 30 the point of desertification, soil Rockwell, and C.D. MacInnes. 1996. days from the date of publication of this salinization, and depletion of vegetative Why are there so many white geese in notice in the Federal Register, communities (Abraham and Jefferies North America? Pages 79–92 in J. Ratti interested persons may submit written 1997). The Service believes that the (editor). Proceedings of the 7th comments regarding the proposed plan MCLSG population exceeds sustainable International Waterfowl Symposium. amendment to: Ron Wenker, District levels for their arctic and subarctic Ducks Unlimited, Memphis, Tennessee. Manager, Winnemucca Field Office, breeding habitats, and the population Central and Mississippi Flyway 5100 E. Winnemucca Boulevard, must be reduced to approximately 1.5 Councils. 1982. Management guidelines Winnemucca, NV 89445. million birds to bring the population to for mid-continent snow geese in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken within long-term management objective Wildfowl Management Guidelines. 22 Detweiler, Realty Specialist, at the levels (Central/Mississippi Flyway pages. above Winnemucca Field Office address Councils 1982). The Service is also Dated: March 26, 1998. or telephone (702) 623–1500. concerned that avian cholera, a highly Donald J. Barry, contagious and deadly disease, could be Dated: March 26, 1998. transmitted to other migratory birds that Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Colin P. Christensen, Wildlife and Parks. stage with large concentrations of Acting District Manager, Winnemucca, MCLSG during spring and fall [FR Doc. 98–8553 Filed 4–3–98; 8:45 am] Nevada. migration. BILLING CODE 4310±55±P [FR Doc. 98–8861 Filed 4–3–98; 8:45 am] The Service has attempted to curb the BILLING CODE 4310±HC±P population growth of MCLSG through DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR habitat management, expansion and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR liberalization of existing seasons, and Bureau of Land Management increases in bag and possession limits, however, the population continues to [NV±930±1430±01; N±62050] Bureau of Land Management grow and the geese continue to rapidly [NV±020±1430±10] degrade their breeding habitats. Over Intent To Prepare a Planning the last year, the Service has consulted Amendment to the Sonoma-Gerlach Notice of Intent with various scientific and conservation Resource Area Management organizations in the United States and Framework Plan AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Canada and has worked in coordination AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, with the Canadian Wildlife Service to Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. bring all available scientific information ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land regarding MCLSG to decision makers. plan amendment. Under the Act, the Secretary of the Management, Winnemucca District, intends to develop an Activity Plan/ Interior has the responsibility for setting SUMMARY: The following described land appropriate regulations for the take of has been proposed for direct sale under Land Use Plan amendment for the Back migratory birds, with due regard for the authority of the Federal Land Policy Rock Desert located in the northwest maintaining such populations in a and Management Act of October 21, portion of the district. The purpose of healthy state and at satisfactory levels. 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719) to the the plan and amendment is to better As a first step in determining whether Pershing County Fair and Recreation manage the resources and increasing and how to reduce the MCLSG Board: level of activities occurring on the population to healthy and sustainable desert. Currently the Black Rock region levels, the Service will examine various Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada reflects very few man-made migratory bird regulatory alternatives T. 27 N., R. 31 E., developments and contains pristine and their impacts in an Environmental Sec. 7: E1⁄2SE1⁄4NE1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4, sections of the Applegate/Lassen 1 1 1 1 1 Assessment, a draft of which will be S ⁄2SW ⁄4SE ⁄4, E ⁄2SE ⁄4; National Historic Trail. Plan goals Sec. 8: SW1⁄4NW1⁄4, W1⁄2SW1⁄4; made available for public review. include [1] Managing the varied Sec. 18: N1⁄2NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NE1⁄4NW1⁄4. Along with the Service’s review of resources while providing for a wide regulatory alternatives, the Service will The land has not been specifically range of dispersed recreational activities develop habitat management strategies identified for disposal under the and opportunities in a prudent manner; to contribute to a reduction in the authority of the Federal Land Policy and [2] Providing economic opportunities MCLSG population. When developed, Management Act, and the proposed plan and other human values within a any proposals will be subject to amendment/environmental assessment sustainable, healthy ecosystem. compliance with the National would identify the subject lands for Competitive events and commercial Environmental Policy Act, as disposal under the authority of the uses of the desert have increased appropriate. subject Act. tremendously since the original SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lands Management Framework Plan was Literature Cited are currently under lease to the Pershing completed in 1982. Abraham, K.F., and R.L. Jefferies. County Fair and Recreation Board under During July, 1997, five public scoping 1997. High goose populations: causes, the auspices of the Recreation and meetings were held to gather public impacts, and implications. Pages 7–72 Public Purposes Act of 1926, as input as to their concerns and in B.D.J. Batt (editor). Arctic Ecosystems amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.), for a suggestions for the Black Rock Desert. in Peril: Report of the Arctic Goose golf course. Input gathered from these meetings will Habitat Working Group. Arctic Goose The Fair and Recreation Board desires be used to develop the objectives for the Joint Venture Special Publication. U.S. to purchase the lands in order to plan and to formulate the alternatives Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, provide more flexibility in procuring for the Environmental Impact Statement D.C. and Canadian Wildlife Service, financing and in management of the leading to the amendment of the Land Ottawa, Ontario. proposed golf course. Use Plan.