81 FR 796 - Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Notice of Public Meeting; Montana

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 4 (January 7, 2016)

The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7254, as corrected, for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 7254 withdrew 19,687 acres of public mineral estate in Toole and Liberty Counties, Montana, from location and entry under the United States mining law to provide enhanced protection of the unique resources within the Sweet Grass Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and surrounding areas. The lands have been and will remain open to the mineral and geothermal leasing laws and mineral materials disposal under the Materials Act. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 7254 will expire on April 9, 2017, unless it is extended. This notice amends the land description in PLO No. 7254 and gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action. This notice also announces the date, time, and location of the public meeting to be held in conjunction with the proposed extension.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 796-798]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00015]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMTM03000-L14400000.ET0000 16X1109AF; MTM 82330]


Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Notice of Public 
Meeting; Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals 
Management proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) 
No. 7254, as corrected, for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 7254 
withdrew 19,687 acres of public mineral estate in Toole and Liberty 
Counties, Montana, from location and entry under the United States 
mining law to provide enhanced protection of the unique resources 
within the Sweet Grass Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern 
(ACEC) and surrounding areas. The lands have been and will remain open 
to the mineral and geothermal leasing laws and mineral materials 
disposal

[[Page 797]]

under the Materials Act. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 7254 will 
expire on April 9, 2017, unless it is extended. This notice amends the 
land description in PLO No. 7254 and gives an opportunity to comment on 
the proposed action. This notice also announces the date, time, and 
location of the public meeting to be held in conjunction with the 
proposed extension.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 6, 2016. The Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) will hold a public meeting in connection with the 
proposed withdrawal extension on February 10, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the BLM Havre Field Manager, 3990 
HWY 2 West, Havre, Montana 59501.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Micah Lee, BLM Havre Field Office, 
406-262-2851, or Debby Sorg, BLM Montana/Dakotas State Office, 406-896-
5045. 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 either of the above individuals. The FIRS is available 24 
hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the 
above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business 
hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The withdrawal created by PLO No. 7254 (62 
FR 17633 (1997)), as corrected (62 FR 22964 (1997)), will expire April 
9, 2017, unless it is extended, and is incorporated herein by 
reference. The BLM has filed an application requesting that the 
Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management extend PLO No. 
7254 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 7254 withdrew 19,687 acres 
of public mineral estate in Toole and Liberty Counties, Montana, from 
location and entry under the United States mining law, subject to valid 
existing rights. This notice amends the land description as the result 
of a resurvey due to the cancellation of mineral survey 3418. The 
public mineral estate withdrawn by PLO No. 7254 is now described as 
follows:

Principal Meridian, Montana

T. 37 N., R. 1 E.,
    Sec. 1, lots 5 thru 8;
    Sec. 2, lots 5 and 6, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 11, E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 12, lots 1 thru 8, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, and S\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 13, lots 1 thru 5, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, 
SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 14, lots 1, 2, and 3, N\1/2\, SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 15, E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 22, E\1/2\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 23, lot 1, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\, S\1/
2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, lots 1 thru 4, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\, and W\1/2\SE\1/
4\;
    Sec. 25, lots 1 thru 10, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, N\1/
2\SW\1/4\, and NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 27, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and 
NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 34, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\NW\1/4\.
T. 36 N., R. 2 E.,
    Sec. 5, lot 4;
    Sec. 6, lots 1 and 2, and SW\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 23, E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\ and W\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 25, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\SE\1/4\.
T. 37 N., R. 2 E.,
    Sec. 5, lot 8;
    Sec. 6, lots 6 thru 10;
    Sec. 7, lots 1 thru 4, and E\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, W\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\SE\1/4\, and NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 19, lots 2, 3, and 4, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and 
NE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 20, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\ and N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, lots 1 thru 4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/
2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 31, lots 1, 2, and 3, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/
4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\.
T. 35 N., R. 3 E.,
    Sec. 3, lot 4 and SW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 4, lots 1 and 2, and S\1/2\NE\1/4\.
T. 36 N., R. 3 E.,
    Sec. 7, lot 2, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, 
and NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 9, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, S\1/2\SW\1/4\ and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 11, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 15, NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, lots 1 and 2, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, lots 5, 6, 11, and 12, and NW\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 19, lots 3 and 4, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 20, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, W\1/
2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 21, NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 22, NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 28, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/
4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, lots 1 and 2, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/
2\NW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 31, lots 2 and 3, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, 
W\1/2\SE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 33, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 34, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SW\1/4\.
T. 35 N., R. 4 E.,
    Sec. 2, lot 2, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and NW\1/4\SE\1/
4\.
T. 36 N., R. 4 E.,
    Sec. 1, lots 1, 2, and 3, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, and NE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 9, SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, lots 3 and 4, and E\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, lots 1 thru 4, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and NW\1/
4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 25, lots 1 thru 6, NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SW\1/
4\;
    Sec. 26, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\SE\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 34, E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and SW\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, E\1/2\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 36, lots 1, 2, 3, and 5.
T. 37 N., R. 4 E.,
    Sec. 34, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.
T. 35 N., R. 5 E.,
    Sec. 5, lot 4, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and NE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 6, lots 1, 2, and 5, and SW\1/4\NE\1/4\.
T. 36 N., R. 5 E.,
    Sec. 3, lot 1 and NE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 4, W\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 5, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 6, lot 6, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 7, lot 1, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, and NE\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and W\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 9, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 14, S\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, N\1/2\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 19, lots 1 thru 9, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, SE\1/
4\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 20, lot 1, lots 5 thru 8, N\1/2\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 21, N\1/2\NE1/4, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW1/4, N\1/2\SW\1/
4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 22, W\1/2\NW\1/4\ and E\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 23, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/
2\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, W\1/2\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/
4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 28, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, lots 1 thru 5, lots 7 thru 10, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, N\1/
2\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, lots 1 thru 4, E\1/2\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, and E\1/2\SW\1/
4\;
    Sec. 31, lots 1 thru 4, lot 6, E\1/2\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and SE\1/
4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, lots 1 thru 5, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, and SW\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 34, N\1/2\NE\1/4\.
T. 37 N., R. 5 E.,
    Sec. 29, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\.

    The areas described aggregate 19,686.09 acres of public mineral 
estate in Toole and Liberty Counties.

    The purpose of the proposed extension is to continue to protect the 
unique resources within the Sweet Grass Hills ACEC and surrounding 
areas.
    The use of a right-of-way, interagency agreement, or cooperative 
agreement would not provide adequate protection.
    There are no suitable alternative sites available where the 
withdrawal would facilitate the protection necessary.
    No water rights will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the 
requested withdrawal extension.
    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 Havre Field Manager by April 6, 2016, at 
the address above.
    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will 
be available for public review at the Havre

[[Page 798]]

Field Office, 3990 HWY 2 West, Havre, Montana 59501, during regular 
business hours.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that 
your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--
may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask 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 a public meeting in connection with the 
proposed withdrawal extension will be held at the Chester Senior 
Center, 618 E. Adams Ave., Chester, Montana 59522 on February 10, 2016 
from 3 to 5 p.m. The BLM will publish a notice of the time and place in 
at least one newspaper of general circulation no less than 30 days 
before the scheduled date of the meeting.
    This application will be processed in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR 2310.4.

Peter A. McFadden,
Chief, Branch of Realty, Lands, and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2016-00015 Filed 1-6-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P