81 FR 45303 - Notice of Proposed Withdrawal for Simpson Springs Recreation Management Area and Historic Site and Opportunity for a Public Meeting; Utah

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 134 (July 13, 2016)

On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management proposes to withdraw, subject to valid existing rights, 747.10 acres of public land from settlement, sale, location and entry under the public land laws, including the United States mining laws, the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, and disposal under the Materials Act of 1947, for a period of 20 years. The proposed withdrawal is needed to protect the unique recreational, historical, and visual resources, and the Federal financial investment at the Simpson Springs Recreation Management Area (SSRMA) and Historic Site in Tooele County, Utah. This notice temporarily segregates the land for up to 2 years from settlement, sale, location and entry under the public land laws, including the United States mining laws, the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, and disposal under the Material Act of 1947, while the application is processed. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on or request a public meeting in connection with the proposed withdrawal.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45303-45304]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16560]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[16X L1109AF LLUTW0000000 LR14400000.ET0000; UTU-88639 24 1 A]


Notice of Proposed Withdrawal for Simpson Springs Recreation 
Management Area and Historic Site and Opportunity for a Public Meeting; 
Utah

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the 
Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management 
proposes to withdraw, subject to valid existing rights, 747.10 acres of 
public land from settlement, sale, location and entry under the public 
land laws, including the United States mining laws, the mineral and 
geothermal leasing laws, and disposal under the Materials Act of 1947, 
for a period of 20 years. The proposed withdrawal is needed to protect 
the unique recreational, historical, and visual resources, and the 
Federal financial investment at the Simpson Springs Recreation 
Management Area (SSRMA) and Historic Site in Tooele County, Utah. This 
notice temporarily segregates the land for up to 2 years from 
settlement, sale, location and entry under the public land laws, 
including the United States mining laws, the mineral and geothermal 
leasing laws, and disposal under the Material Act of 1947, while the 
application is processed. This notice also gives an opportunity to 
comment on or request a public meeting in connection with the proposed 
withdrawal.

DATES: Comments and public meeting requests must be received on or 
before October 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the Utah 
State Director, BLM, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, 
Utah 84101-1345.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shauna Derbyshire, BLM, Utah State 
Office, 801-539-4132, [email protected].
    Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to 
contact the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. 
You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM filed an application requesting the 
Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management to withdraw, 
subject to valid existing rights, the following described public land 
from settlement, sale, location and entry under the public land laws, 
including the United States mining laws, the mineral and geothermal 
leasing laws, and disposal under the Materials Act of 1947, to protect 
the unique recreational, historical, and visual resources, and the 
Federal financial investment at the SSRMA and Historic Site:

Salt Lake Meridian, Utah

T. 9 S., R. 8 W.,
    Sec. 7, lot 4, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, W\1/2\NW\1/4\ and NW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, lots 1 thru 3, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE1/4SW\1/4\, 
and N\1/2\SE\1/4\.

    The area described contains 747.10 acres in Tooele County.

    The Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management approved 
the BLM's petition/application. Therefore, the petition/application 
constitutes a withdrawal proposal of the Secretary of the Interior (43 
CFR 2310.1-3(e)).
    The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to protect the SSRMA's 
unique recreational opportunities, protect the historic significance of 
the site and to preserve the visual and natural resources of the area, 
as well as to ensure that Federal investments used in developing and 
maintaining the site are protected.
    The use of a right-of-way, interagency agreement, cooperative 
agreement, Special Recreation Management Area designation, or an Area 
of Critical Environmental Concern designation would not provide 
adequate protection.
    There are no suitable alternative sites available. The historical, 
visual, and recreational resources are located at the site proposed for 
withdrawal.
    The Simpson Springs has historically been a vital resource of this 
area. Simpson Springs is within the proposed withdrawal area, as are 
the developed facilities, which allow the water to be used for 
recreational, livestock, wildlife and other uses. The BLM has acquired 
a State of Utah water right, which allows development and use of the 
water produced by the springs.
    Records relating to the application may be examined by contacting 
the BLM at the above address and phone number.
    For a period until October 11, 2016, all persons who wish to submit 
comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the proposed 
withdrawal may present their views in writing to the BLM Utah State 
Director at the address above. Electronic mail, facsimile, or telephone 
comments will not be considered properly filed.
    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, and 
records relating to the application will be available for public review 
at the BLM-Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake 
City, Utah, during regular business hours. Before including your 
address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying 
information in your comments, be advised that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Notice is hereby given that an opportunity for a public meeting is 
afforded in connection with the proposed withdrawal. All interested 
parties who desire a public meeting for the purpose of being heard on 
the proposed withdrawal must submit a written request to the BLM State 
Director at the address indicated above by October 11, 2016. 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 and a local newspaper at least 30 days before the scheduled 
date of the meeting.

[[Page 45304]]

    For a period until July 13, 2018, subject to valid existing rights, 
the public land described in this notice will be segregated from 
location and entry under the United States mining laws, the mineral and 
geothermal leasing laws, and disposal under the Materials Act of 1947, 
unless the application is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is 
approved prior to that date.
    Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements or discretionary land use 
authorizations of a temporary nature that would not impact the site may 
be allowed with the approval of an authorized officer of the BLM during 
the temporary segregative period.
    The application will be processed in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR 2300.

Jenna Whitlock,
Acting State Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-16560 Filed 7-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DQ-P