03-17391. Notice of Proposed Extension of Public Land Order No. 6578; Opportunity for Public Meeting; WY

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to extend Public Land Order No. 6578 for a 20-year period. This order withdrew public lands from settlement, sale, location, and entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, to protect the Castle Gardens Recreation Area in Washakie County. The lands have been and will remain open to mineral leasing. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

DATES:

Comments and requests for a public meeting must be received by October 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the BLM Wyoming State Director, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003-1828.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Janet Booth at 307-775-6124.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Bureau of Land Management proposes to extend Public Land Order No. 6578. This withdrawal was made to protect the important recreational and aesthetic values as well as the capital investments of the Castle Gardens Recreation Area. Public Land Order No. 6578 will expire on November 22, 2004.

The withdrawal comprises approximately 110.00 acres of public land as described below:

Sixth Principal Meridian

T. 46 N., R. 89 W.,

Sec. 15, SE1/4NW1/4, S1/2NE1/4NW1/4, NE1/4SW1/4NW1/4, E1/2NW1/4SW1/4NW1/4, S1/2SE1/4NW1/4NW1/4, NE1/4SE1/4NW1/4NW1/4, N1/2SE1/4SW1/4NW1/4, SE1/4SE1/4SW1/4NW1/4, and N1/2NE1/4SW1/4.

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 extension may present their views in writing to the undersigned officer of the BLM.

Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the Worland Field Office, 101 South 23rd Street, Worland, Wyoming, during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety.

Notice is hereby given that an opportunity for a public meeting is afforded in connection with the proposed extension. All interested persons who desire a public meeting for the purpose of being heard on the proposed extension should submit a written request to the Wyoming State Director within 90 days from the date of publication of this notice. If the authorized officer determines 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.

This extension will be processed in accordance with the regulations set forth in 43 CFR 2310.4.

Dated: July 1, 2003.

Robert A. Bennett,

State Director.