[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 28 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 6910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3346]
[[Page 6910]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[NM-030-1430-00; NMNM 35829]
Proposed Extension of Withdrawal; McGregor Range, New Mexico
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army has filed an application to extend
the withdrawal of 608,384.87 acres of public land for the McGregor
Range, located in Otero County, New Mexico. The land was originally
withdrawn by Public Law 99-606 of November 6, 1986. The withdrawal will
expire on November 5, 2001, unless extended. This withdrawal extension
requires legislative action by Congress pursuant to the Act of February
28, 1958, 43 U.S.C. 155-158, commonly known as the Engle Act. The land
is currently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public
land laws, the mining laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the
geothermal leasing laws pursuant to Public Law 99-606.
DATES: Comments regarding the proposed extension must be received on or
before May 1, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the BLM Las Cruces Field Office,
1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Hanley at the address above or
at (505) 525-4342.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 13, 1998, the Department of the
Army filed an application to extend the withdrawal for the McGregor
Range. The Army has determined there is a continuing military need for
the land and filed the application for extension in accordance with
Section 8(a)(1) and (2) of Public Law 99-606.
The legal description for McGregor Range is published in the
Federal Register Vol. 52, No. 133, July 13, 1987, pages 26188 and 26189
and Vol. 62, No. 209, October 29, 1997, page 56153. The area described
contains 608,384.87 acres in Otero County. A copy of the legal
description is available by contacting Theresa Hanley at the BLM Las
Cruces Field Office.
McGregor Range is used by the Army for testing and training for
aerial bombing, missile firing, tactical maneuvering and air support,
and other defense related purposes. There is also a need to protect the
public's health and welfare from the hazardous operations conducted by
the Army. The land is contaminated with unexploded ordnance.
Three public scoping meetings were afforded in connection with the
proposed withdrawal extension. The objective of the public meetings was
to solicit public comments and meet the regulatory requirement for
proposed extension of withdrawals that exceed 5,000 acres (43 CFR
2310.3-1(b)(2)(v)). A notice of the time and place was published in the
Federal Register and a newspaper in the general vicinity of the lands
to be withdrawn at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the
meetings.
The Draft Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was
released on October 27, 1998. Three public hearings were held in
January 1999, for the purpose of receiving oral public comments on the
Draft Legislative EIS and to meet National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) requirements for the proposed withdrawal extension.
From the date of publication of this notice to May 1, 1999, all
persons who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or objections in
connection with the proposed withdrawal extension may present their
views in writing to the BLM Las Cruces Field Office.
Dated: February 5, 1999.
Linda S.C. Rundell,
Field Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 99-3346 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P
