[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7036-7037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3733]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-930-1430-01-WARD; CACA 30534-01]
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Opportunity for
Public Meeting; California
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: To allow the Department of the Interior and the public
adequate time to fully evaluate the State's proposal to transfer lands
to the State for a low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) facility at Ward
Valley, California, the Bureau of Land Management proposes to extend a
withdrawal of 1,000 acres of public land in San Bernardino County for
two years, thereby preserving the land's current status pending a final
decision. The land was withdrawn in 1994 for three years by PLO 7069.
The extension will keep the land withdrawn and closed to application,
location and entry under the agricultural land laws and the mining
laws. The land is open to mineral leasing, and will remain so.
DATES: Comments and requests for a public meeting on this withdrawal
extension to maintain the status quo pending a final decision must be
mailed, sent or submitted by May 15, 1997 at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management (CA-930), 2135 Butano Drive,
Sacramento, California, 95825-0451.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Information Section, 2135
Butano Drive, Sacramento, California, 95825-0451, (916) 979-2800.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 4, 1997, a petition was
approved, allowing the Bureau of Land Management to file an application
to extend the withdrawal for two years on the following described
public land from operation of the agricultural land laws and the mining
laws, subject to valid existing rights:
San Bernardino Meridian
T. 9 N., R. 19 E.,
Sec. 26, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
Sec. 27, S\1/2\S\1/2\;
Sec. 34;
Sec. 35, W\1/2\W\1/2\.
The area described contains 1,000 acres in San Bernardino
County.
The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to allow two additional
years for the Department of the Interior and the public to fully
evaluate the State's proposal to license and locate a low-level nuclear
waste facility in Ward Valley, California. Analysis as incorporated in
the 1991 EIR/EIS found Ward Valley to be the superior alternative.
Neither a right-of-way nor a cooperative agreement would preserve the
current status of the land, and therefore they cannot substitute for a
withdrawal.
The withdrawal does not authorize any activities on the lands in
and of itself. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, or
discretionary land use authorizations of a temporary nature may be
allowed, but only with the approval of an authorized officer of the
Bureau of Land Management during the segregative period.
Water is not needed to fulfill the purpose of the requested
withdrawal action.
Notice is hereby given that an opportunity for a public meeting is
afforded in connection with the proposed withdrawal extension. All
interested persons who desire a public meeting for the purpose of being
heard on the proposed withdrawal extension must submit a request with
their reasons for a public meeting to the California State Office (CA-
930) by May 15, 1997. 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.
Until May 15, 1997, all persons who wish to submit comments,
suggestions, or objections in connection with the
[[Page 7037]]
proposed extension of the withdrawal may present their views in writing
to the address above.
The application case file is available for public inspection at the
address above and at the California Desert District, 6221 Box Springs
Blvd., Riverside, CA 92507.
The application will be processed in accordance with the
regulations set forth in 43 CFR Part 2300.
David McIlnay,
Chief, Branch of Lands.
[FR Doc. 97-3733 Filed 2-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P
