Department of the Air Force June 25, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice is being issued pursuant to Section 3031(b)(5)(B) of the Military Lands Withdrawal Act (MLWA) of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-65, Title XXX) regarding opportunities for public review and comment on a Public Report that is being prepared in association with an update of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR), Arizona. The process to update the 2007 BMGR INRMP is being initiated by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. The Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a) provides that INRMPs must be reviewed as to their operation and effect not less often than every five years. The BMGR INRMP will be updated in accordance with this Sikes Act provision and will be prepared in coordination with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Director of Arizona Game and Fish Department. In accordance with the MLWA and in support of the INRMP update, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps are also preparing a Public Report to summarize current military use of the BMGR, changes in military use of the lands since the 2007 INRMP was implemented, and efforts related to the management of natural and cultural resources and environmental remediation of the lands during the previous five years. Two public meetings are scheduled to familiarize the public with progress made in the management of natural resources since completion of the 2007 INRMP, to seek review and input on the Public Report to guide development of the INRMP update, and to share information about projects planned to support natural resource management during the next five years. The meeting scheduled for 17 July 2012 in Yuma, Arizona will focus on BMGR West and a second meeting focused on BMGR East is scheduled for 18 July 2012 in Gila Bend, Arizona. Public meetings will be announced in the following Arizona newspapers: Yuma Sun, West Valley View (Glendale), the Gila Bend Sun, Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), and the Ajo Copper News. Federal, state, and local agencies; Native American tribes; and interested individuals are encouraged to take these opportunities to participate in the INRMP update process.