Page 11 Biological Resources Public lands identified by the USF&WS and CDF&G as important for the recovery of Federally listed species would be managed as conserved lands (see "A Conservation Strategy for Threatened and Endangered Species in the San Joaquin Valley" in RMP Chapter 9). These areas would be managed in a manner consistent with the direction established by the USF&WS and CDF&G through the Kern Valley Floor HCP and any pertinent recovery plans, and would complement local conservation plans. Lands within threatened and endangered species range would be available for oil, gas, and geothermal leasing subject to the limited surface use threatened and endangered species stipulation, with the exception of lands within Bittercreek SMA, which is closed to leasing, and Alkali Sink and Goose Lake ACECs which are open to leasing subject to NSU (see Map packet). Land Tenure Adjustments Approximately 80,000 acres (250 parcels) would be identified for local repositioning through land exchanges to consolidate natural resource values, with an emphasis on meeting conservation needs identified in species recovery plans and county habitat conservation plans. See RMP Chapter 4 for detailed information. Approximately 7,000 acres would be identified as suitable for New Managers where lands would be transferred to other parties as follows: Approximately 5,500 acres would be targeted for transfer to the U.S. Forest Service. Approximately 1,500 acres would be targeted for transfer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Bittercreek National Wildlife Refuge. These lands would be managed to serve as a threatened and endangered species conservation area. Approximately 5,400 acres in the Kettleman Hills would be cooperatively managed with the BLM Hollister Resource Area. Livestock Grazing Approximately 275,000 acres of the public land within the Valley Management Area would be available for livestock grazing. Of this figure, 270,200 acres lie within existing allotments, and 4,800 acres are currently unalloted and would be available for application for livestock grazing. The remainder of the public lands in the Management Area, approximately 18,000 acres, would be classified as unavailable for livestock grazing. Authorizations will only be made on lands available for grazing. The following criteria are used to identify lands unavailable for grazing: Unalloted lands which have known sensitive resource concerns would be considered closed to new grazing authorizations. Unalloted lands which are inaccessible to livestock due to heavy brush, steep slopes, rough terrain, or are too far from water sources would be considered unsuitable for new grazing authorizations. Livestock grazing would continue to be authorized on 270,200 acres of public land in 54 allotments at levels shown in RMP Chapter 6. Page 12 New grazing applications may be authorized if residual impacts to sensitive resources are not significant. Applications or new grazing allotments would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis following the criteria listed in RMP Chapter 6. Mulch, utilization and seasonal use restrictions would be consistent with guidelines used for existing allotments found in RMP Chapter 6. Minerals Fluid Minerals The Valley Management Area contains a total of 397,300 acres of mineral estate of which a total of 136,000 acres are currently leased. Approximately 24,700 acres within the existing Caliente Mountain WSA are closed to leasing. The remaining 253,200 acres in the management area are unleased. Public acreage that is currently leased will not be subject to additional stipulations; however, if leases expire, and new leasing occurs, special stipulations may be applied. Approximately 5,800 BLM acres at Bittercreek SMA would be closed to oil and gas leasing. Approximately 500 BLM acres in Goose Lake and Alkali Sink ACEC would be open to oil and gas leasing with a No Surface Use Stipulation (NSU). Approximately 300 acres are currently leased. Approximately 18,000 acres would be open to oil and gas leasing under standard terms and conditions. Approximately 348,300 acres would be open to oil and gas leasing with a Limited Surface Use (LSU) stipulation; of that total, approximately 136,000 acres are currently under lease. Special categories of the LSU stipulations include: 212,300 acres would be subject to the LSU-Protected Species stipulation of which 136,000 acres are currently leased. 300 acres would be subject to the LSU-Critical Habitat stipulation. 126,500 acres would be subject to the LSU-Sensitive Species stipulation, of which 42,100 acres are currently leased. 113,100 acres would be subject to the LSU-Raptor stipulation of which 26,500 acres are currently leased. Areas within the Valley Management Area that would be subject to more than one category of the LSU stipulations include: the Carrizo Plain Natural Area ACEC where protected species, sensitive species and raptor stipulations apply; Lokern ACEC, where both protected species and sensitive species stipulations apply; and Kettleman Hills where protected species and raptor stipulations apply. The 16,600 acres of Federal mineral estate under the administration of the Department of Defense (DOD at Lemoore Naval Air Station) would be open to oil and gas leasing subject to the LSU-Defense stipulation. Solid Minerals Approximately 7,900 acres are proposed for withdrawal from entry under the mining law in four areas. These areas would include the Alkali Sink, Carrizo Plain Natural Area (Soda Lake only), Chico Martinez and Goose Lake ACECs. The remaining 389,400 acres within the Valley Management Area would remain open to solid mineral and mineral material exploration and development under existing laws and regulations. Management objectives and guidelines would be utilized to evaluate applications for development of the solid mineral and mineral material resources. Page 13 Return to Chapter 2 - Management Objectives & Allocations Return to Table of Contents
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