[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 The land was withdrawn in 1994 for three years by PLO 7069. 
The extension will keep the land withdrawn and closed to application, 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