00-32760. Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Nevada

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Land Management proposes to withdraw 277.046 acres of public lands for a period of 20 years to protect the historic town of Rhyolite. This notice closes the lands for up to 2 years from surface entry and mining while various studies and analyses are made to make a final decision.

DATES:

Comments and requests for meeting should be received on or before March 22, 2001.

ADDRESS:

Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the Nevada State Director, BLM, 1340 Financial Blvd., P.O. Box 12000, Reno, Nevada 89520-0006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dennis J. Samuelson, BLM Nevada State Office, 775-861-6532.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On December 8, 2000, a petition was approved allowing the Bureau of Land Management to file an application to withdraw the following described public lands from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, subject to valid existing rights:

Mount Diablo Meridian

T. 12 S., R. 46 E.,

secs. 9 and 16 (within).

The areas described aggregate 277.046 acres in Nye County. For a more complete description, you may contact Dennis J. Samuelson at the phone number or address listed above.

The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is for the Bureau of Land Management to protect the historic town of Rhyolite, which contains numerous cultural resources. The most prominent resource is a train depot built in 1906. The lands will be managed for historic and recreation purposes. Rhyolite is located about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas near the town of Beatty.

For a period of 90 days from the date of publication of this notice, all persons who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the proposed withdrawal may present their views in writing to the Nevada State Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

Notice is hereby given that an opportunity for a public meeting is afforded in connection with the proposed withdrawal. All interested persons who desire a public meeting for the purpose of being heard on the proposed withdrawal must submit a written request to the Nevada State Director within 90 days from the date of publication of this notice. Upon determination by the authorized officer that a public meeting will be held, a notice of the time and place will be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the meeting.

The application will be processed in accordance with the regulations set forth in 43 CFR Part 2300.

For a period of 2 years from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, the lands will be segregated as specified above unless the application is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. Other uses which will be permitted during this segregative period are rights-of-way, leases, and permits.

Date: December 18, 2000.

Margaret L. Jensen,

Deputy State Director, Natural Resources, Lands, and Planning.