82 FR 52937 - Initial Classification and Extension of the Proposed Classification and Segregation for State In Lieu Selection, Montana

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 219 (November 15, 2017)

Page Range		52937-52938
FR Document		2017-24665

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (State) has filed a petition for classification and application to obtain public lands and the mineral estate in lieu of lands to which the State was entitled, but did not receive, under its Statehood Act. This classification, made under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act of June 8, 1934, partially satisfies the obligation to the State. This Notice also extends the segregation initiated by that application, and the proposed classification published in the Federal Register on October 17, 2016, for the remaining lands included in the State's application to allow continued review to determine suitability.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52937-52938]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24665]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLMT924000 L14400000.FR0000 17XL1109AF; MO#4500106754; MTM 108489]


Initial Classification and Extension of the Proposed 
Classification and Segregation for State In Lieu Selection, Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of lands suitable for conveyance.

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SUMMARY: The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 
(State) has filed a petition for classification and application to 
obtain public lands and the mineral estate in lieu of lands to which 
the State was entitled, but did not receive, under its Statehood Act. 
This classification, made under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act of 
June 8, 1934, partially satisfies the obligation to the State. This 
Notice also extends the segregation initiated by that application, and 
the proposed classification published in the Federal Register on 
October 17, 2016, for the remaining lands included in the State's 
application to allow continued review to determine suitability.

DATES: Written comments requesting administrative review regarding the 
classification of lands and minerals may be submitted to the Secretary 
of the Interior (Secretary) on or before December 15, 2017. Additional 
administrative review requirements are found in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section.

ADDRESSES: Send requests for administrative review to the Secretary of 
the Interior, 1849 C Street NW., Room 2134LM, WO-350 (Wilhight), 
Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renee Johnson, Branch of Lands, 
Realty, and Renewable Energy; telephone (406) 896-5028; email 
[email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS 
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: Sections 2275 and 2276 of the Revised 
Statutes, as amended (43 U.S.C. 851 and 852), provide authority for the 
State of Montana to receive title to public land in lieu of lands to 
which it was entitled under the Enabling Act of 1889 (25 Stat. 676) but 
did not receive because the lands were either encumbered or no longer 
held in Federal ownership.
    Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act of June 8, 1934 (43 U.S.C. 315 
et seq.) requires that such public lands and/or minerals identified for 
proposed transfers out of Federal ownership under this authority must 
first be classified. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is classifying 
these lands and minerals pursuant to 43 CFR 2400 and Section 7 of the 
Taylor Grazing Act of June 8, 1934. The BLM has completed a review and 
environmental analysis on a portion of the lands included in the 
proposed classification dated October 17, 2016 (80 FR 71529), and is 
hereby classifying 2,126.11 acres as suitable for conveyance. The 
environmental analysis resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact. 
The BLM is continuing review of the remaining 13,929.63 acres of the 
total 16,055.74 acres included in the proposed classification.
    For a period of 30 days from the date of publication of this 
Notice, this classification is subject to the exercise of 
administrative review and modification by the Secretary as provided for 
under 43 CFR 2461.3. All persons who wish to request that the Secretary 
conduct an administrative review of the finding that these lands are 
suitable for conveyance to the State may present their views to the 
address given in the ADDRESSES section above. Electronic mail, 
facsimile, or telephone requests will not be accepted. Requests for 
administrative review will be evaluated by the Secretary, or his 
delegate, who will issue a notice of determination to proceed with, 
modify, or cancel the initial classification. In the absence of any 
requests for administrative review, this initial classification will 
become final and effective on December 15, 2017.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your request to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    The lands/minerals affected by this classification are in Chouteau, 
Hill, and Custer Counties, Montana, and are described as follows:

[[Page 52938]]

Principal Meridian, Montana

T. 29 N., R. 11 E.,
    Sec. 21, N\1/2\NE\1/4\ and N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 22, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.
T. 29 N., R. 12 E.,
    Sec. 9, W\1/2\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 21, N\1/2\NE\1/4\ and N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 22;
    Sec. 28, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 29, E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\SE\1/4\.
T. 30 N., R. 12 E.,
    Sec. 35, SE\1/4\.
T. 7 N., R. 47 E.,
    tracts DD and FF.

    The areas described aggregate 2,126.11 acres.

    The BLM has examined the lands described above for evidence of 
valid existing rights and any constraints that would prevent 
conveyance. No persons other than holders of leases, permits, and 
rights-of-way, asserted a claim to, or interest in, the lands proposed 
for classification.
    When the selection is certified to the State, the document 
transferring title will contain the following reservations to the 
United States:
    1. A right-of-way thereon for ditches and canals constructed by the 
authority of the United States, pursuant to the Act of August 30, 1890, 
26 Stat. 391 (43 U.S.C. 945).
    2. A right-of-way for a storm water drainage system and all 
appurtenances thereto, through, over, and upon the land described as 
tracts DD and FF, T.7N, R.47E, Principal Meridian, Montana, including 
the right of the United States and its agents, assigns, or employees, 
to enter upon, maintain, operate, repair, or improve the same, so long 
as needed or used for or by the United States.
    The title will also be taken subject to:
    1. Those rights for a power line granted to MDU Resources Group, 
Inc., its successors or assigns, by right-of-way No. MTM 91401, 
pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761), located in 
tracts DD and FF, T. 7 N., R. 47 E., Principal Meridian, Montana.
    2. Those rights for a power line granted to Northwestern 
Corporation, its successors or assigns, by right-of-way No. MTM 108329, 
pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761), located in 
sections 21, 22, 28, and 29, T. 29 N., R. 12. E., Principal Meridian, 
Montana.
    3. Those rights for a water pipeline granted to Loma Sewer and 
Water, its successors or assigns, by right-of-way No. MTM 93467, 
pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761), located in 
the E\1/2\NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\SE\1/4\, section 29, T. 29 N., R. 12. E., 
Principal Meridian, Montana.
    Right-of-way holders will be afforded the opportunity to modify 
their existing authorization per 43 CFR 2807.15 prior to official 
transfer of the lands to the State.
    The subject lands contain grazing leases authorized under Section 
15 of the Taylor Grazing Act. The holders of the BLM grazing use 
authorizations received the required 2-year notices as outlined in 43 
CFR 4110.4-2(b). The lands will not be conveyed until expiration of the 
2-year period or receipt of a waiver from the current holder. State of 
Montana procedures provide that upon Land Board Approval, the State 
will offer 10-year grazing leases to the current holders of BLM 
permits/leases on any transferred lands.
    The lands contain no oil and gas, geothermal, or other leases 
issued under the authority of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 
U.S.C. 181 et seq.). No mining claims are recorded with the BLM on 
these lands, nor was any evidence of mining activity found on the 
ground. Title will not be subject to the agricultural leases issued 
under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1732) that expire on December 31, 2017.
    This Notice also extends the proposed classification and 
segregation of the land contained in the State's application, but not 
yet found suitable for conveyance, for a period of 2 additional years 
through December 1, 2019. These lands remain segregated from all forms 
of disposal under the public land laws, including the mining laws, 
except for the form of land disposal specified in the notice of 
proposed classification. This publication does not alter the 
applicability of the public land laws governing the use of the lands 
under lease, license, or permits or governing the disposal of their 
mineral and vegetative resources, other than under the mining laws.
    The segregative effect of this extension will terminate in one of 
the following ways:
    (1) Classification of the lands within 2 years of publication of 
this notice of extension of the proposed classification in the Federal 
Register;
    (2) Publication of a notice of termination of the proposed 
classification in the Federal Register;
    (3) An Act of Congress; or
    (4) Expiration of the additional 2-year period extending the 
proposed classification afforded by publication of this Notice.

    Authority: 43 CFR parts 2400 and 2621.

Jon K. Raby,
Acting State Director, Montana/Dakotas.
[FR Doc. 2017-24665 Filed 11-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 15, 2017 / Notices 52937

Service will evaluate each permit DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR in lieu of lands to which it was entitled
application that we receive on an under the Enabling Act of 1889 (25 Stat.
individual basis. We will also conduct Bureau of Land Management 676) but did not receive because the
a tiered review under the National [LLMT924000 L14400000.FR0000 lands were either encumbered or no
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 17XL1109AF; MO#4500106754; MTM longer held in Federal ownership.
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA) and produce 108489] Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act of
a finding identifying whether any June 8, 1934 (43 U.S.C. 315 et seq.)
additional actions or assessments are Initial Classification and Extension of requires that such public lands and/or
needed. the Proposed Classification and minerals identified for proposed
Segregation for State In Lieu Selection, transfers out of Federal ownership
The proposed action and the preferred Montana under this authority must first be
alternative in the EA address the need classified. The Bureau of Land
of the Service to maintain cormorant AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Management (BLM) is classifying these
populations and process depredation Interior.
lands and minerals pursuant to 43 CFR
permit applications for the lethal take of ACTION: Notice of lands suitable for 2400 and Section 7 of the Taylor
cormorants to: (1) Alleviate damage at or conveyance. Grazing Act of June 8, 1934. The BLM
near aquaculture facilities; (2) protect has completed a review and
SUMMARY: The Montana Department of
human health and safety; (3) protect environmental analysis on a portion of
Natural Resources and Conservation
threatened and endangered species (as the lands included in the proposed
(State) has filed a petition for
listed under the Endangered Species Act classification and application to obtain classification dated October 17, 2016 (80
of 1973, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 1531 et public lands and the mineral estate in FR 71529), and is hereby classifying
seq.)); and (4) alleviate damage to lieu of lands to which the State was 2,126.11 acres as suitable for
property. The geographic scope of the entitled, but did not receive, under its conveyance. The environmental
EA is limited to 37 central and eastern Statehood Act. This classification, made analysis resulted in a Finding of No
States and the District of Columbia, as under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Significant Impact. The BLM is
identified in the EA. This EA assists Act of June 8, 1934, partially satisfies continuing review of the remaining
with our compliance with NEPA and the obligation to the State. This Notice 13,929.63 acres of the total 16,055.74
aids us in making a determination as to also extends the segregation initiated by acres included in the proposed
whether the actions could that application, and the proposed classification.
‘‘significantly’’ impact the human classification published in the Federal For a period of 30 days from the date
environment, which includes ‘‘the Register on October 17, 2016, for the of publication of this Notice, this
natural and physical environment and remaining lands included in the State’s classification is subject to the exercise of
the relationship of people with that application to allow continued review administrative review and modification
to determine suitability. by the Secretary as provided for under
environment’’ (40 CFR 1508.14).
43 CFR 2461.3. All persons who wish to
Based on the independent analysis DATES: Written comments requesting
request that the Secretary conduct an
within the EA, the Service has found administrative review regarding the
administrative review of the finding that
that this action would not constitute a classification of lands and minerals may
these lands are suitable for conveyance
major Federal action significantly be submitted to the Secretary of the
to the State may present their views to
affecting the quality of the human Interior (Secretary) on or before
the address given in the ADDRESSES
December 15, 2017. Additional
environment. A FONSI has been signed section above. Electronic mail,
administrative review requirements are
for the proposed action of making facsimile, or telephone requests will not
found in the SUPPLEMENTARY
decisions on depredation permit be accepted. Requests for administrative
INFORMATION section.
applications to manage cormorant review will be evaluated by the
ADDRESSES: Send requests for Secretary, or his delegate, who will
damage related to human health and
administrative review to the Secretary of issue a notice of determination to
safety, aquaculture facilities, protection
the Interior, 1849 C Street NW., Room proceed with, modify, or cancel the
of threatened and endangered species,
2134LM, WO–350 (Wilhight), initial classification. In the absence of
and property damage and is now
Washington, DC 20240. any requests for administrative review,
available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: this initial classification will become
Authority Renee Johnson, Branch of Lands, Realty, final and effective on December 15,
and Renewable Energy; telephone (406) 2017.
This notice is published under the 896–5028; email rrjohnso@blm.gov. Before including your address, phone
authority of the National Environmental Persons who use a telecommunications number, email address, or other
Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 device for the deaf (TDD) may call the personal identifying information in your
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800– comment, you should be aware that
Dated: October 27, 2017. 877–8339 to contact the above your entire comment—including your
Gregory J. Sheehan, individual during normal business personal identifying information—may
hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a be made publicly available at any time.
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message While you can ask us in your request to
Wildlife Service.
or question with the above individual. withhold your personal identifying
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

[FR Doc. 2017–24702 Filed 11–14–17; 8:45 am]
You will receive a reply during normal information from public review, we
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P business hours. cannot guarantee that we will be able to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sections do so.
2275 and 2276 of the Revised Statutes, The lands/minerals affected by this
as amended (43 U.S.C. 851 and 852), classification are in Chouteau, Hill, and
provide authority for the State of Custer Counties, Montana, and are
Montana to receive title to public land described as follows:

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52938 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 15, 2017 / Notices

Principal Meridian, Montana authorization per 43 CFR 2807.15 prior DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
T. 29 N., R. 11 E., to official transfer of the lands to the
Sec. 21, N1⁄2NE1⁄4 and N1⁄2NW1⁄4; State. Bureau of Land Management
Sec. 22, NW1⁄4NW1⁄4. The subject lands contain grazing [LLWO320000.17X.19900000.PO0000; OMB
T. 29 N., R. 12 E., leases authorized under Section 15 of
Sec. 9, W1⁄2 and SE1⁄4; Control Number 1004–0169]
the Taylor Grazing Act. The holders of
Sec. 21, N1⁄2NE1⁄4 and N1⁄2NW1⁄4; the BLM grazing use authorizations
Sec. 22; Agency Information Collection
Sec. 28, W1⁄2; received the required 2-year notices as Activities; Use and Occupancy Under
Sec. 29, E1⁄2NE1⁄4 and E1⁄2SE1⁄4. outlined in 43 CFR 4110.4–2(b). The the Mining Laws
T. 30 N., R. 12 E., lands will not be conveyed until
Sec. 35, SE1⁄4. expiration of the 2-year period or receipt AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
T. 7 N., R. 47 E., of a waiver from the current holder. Interior.
tracts DD and FF. State of Montana procedures provide ACTION: Notice of information collection;
The areas described aggregate 2,126.11 that upon Land Board Approval, the request for comment.
acres. State will offer 10-year grazing leases to
the current holders of BLM permits/ SUMMARY: In accordance with the
The BLM has examined the lands Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
described above for evidence of valid leases on any transferred lands.
The lands contain no oil and gas, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
existing rights and any constraints that are proposing to renew an information
would prevent conveyance. No persons geothermal, or other leases issued under
the authority of the Mineral Leasing Act collection with revisions.
other than holders of leases, permits,
of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.). No DATES: Interested persons are invited to
and rights-of-way, asserted a claim to, or
interest in, the lands proposed for mining claims are recorded with the submit comments on or before January
classification. BLM on these lands, nor was any 16, 2018.
When the selection is certified to the evidence of mining activity found on ADDRESSES: Send your comments on
State, the document transferring title the ground. Title will not be subject to this information collection request (ICR)
will contain the following reservations the agricultural leases issued under the by mail to the U.S. Department of the
to the United States: authority of the Federal Land Policy and Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
1. A right-of-way thereon for ditches Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1849 C Street NW., Room 2134LM,
and canals constructed by the authority 1732) that expire on December 31, 2017. Washington DC 20240, Attention: Jean
of the United States, pursuant to the Act This Notice also extends the proposed Sonneman; or by email to Jean
of August 30, 1890, 26 Stat. 391 (43 classification and segregation of the Sonneman at jesonnem@blm.gov. Please
U.S.C. 945). land contained in the State’s reference OMB Control Number 1004–
2. A right-of-way for a storm water application, but not yet found suitable 0169 in the subject line of your
drainage system and all appurtenances for conveyance, for a period of 2 comments.
thereto, through, over, and upon the additional years through December 1,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
land described as tracts DD and FF, 2019. These lands remain segregated
request additional information about
T.7N, R.47E, Principal Meridian, from all forms of disposal under the
this ICR, contact Adam Merrill by email
Montana, including the right of the public land laws, including the mining
at amerrill@blm.gov, or by telephone at
United States and its agents, assigns, or laws, except for the form of land
202–912–7044.
employees, to enter upon, maintain, disposal specified in the notice of
operate, repair, or improve the same, so proposed classification. This SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
long as needed or used for or by the publication does not alter the accordance with the Paperwork
United States. applicability of the public land laws Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the
The title will also be taken subject to: governing the use of the lands under general public and other Federal
1. Those rights for a power line lease, license, or permits or governing agencies with an opportunity to
granted to MDU Resources Group, Inc., the disposal of their mineral and comment on new, proposed, revised,
its successors or assigns, by right-of-way vegetative resources, other than under and continuing collections of
No. MTM 91401, pursuant to the Act of the mining laws. information. This helps us assess the
October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761), The segregative effect of this impact of our information collection
located in tracts DD and FF, T. 7 N., R. extension will terminate in one of the requirements and minimize the public’s
47 E., Principal Meridian, Montana. following ways: reporting burden. It also helps the
2. Those rights for a power line (1) Classification of the lands within public understand our information
granted to Northwestern Corporation, its 2 years of publication of this notice of collection requirements and provide the
successors or assigns, by right-of-way extension of the proposed classification requested data in the desired format.
No. MTM 108329, pursuant to the Act in the Federal Register; We are soliciting comments on the
of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761), (2) Publication of a notice of proposed ICR that is described below.
located in sections 21, 22, 28, and 29, termination of the proposed We are especially interested in public
T. 29 N., R. 12. E., Principal Meridian, classification in the Federal Register; comment addressing the following
Montana. (3) An Act of Congress; or issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to
3. Those rights for a water pipeline (4) Expiration of the additional 2-year the proper functions of the BLM; (2) will
granted to Loma Sewer and Water, its period extending the proposed this information be processed and used
classification afforded by publication of in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

successors or assigns, by right-of-way
No. MTM 93467, pursuant to the Act of this Notice. of burden accurate; (4) how might the
October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761), Authority: 43 CFR parts 2400 and 2621. BLM enhance the quality, utility, and
located in the E1⁄2NE1⁄4 and E1⁄2SE1⁄4, clarity of the information to be
section 29, T. 29 N., R. 12. E., Principal Jon K. Raby, collected; and (5) how might the BLM
Meridian, Montana. Acting State Director, Montana/Dakotas. minimize the burden of this collection
Right-of-way holders will be afforded [FR Doc. 2017–24665 Filed 11–14–17; 8:45 am] on the respondents, including through
the opportunity to modify their existing BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P the use of information technology.

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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:39:28
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:39:28

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of lands suitable for conveyance.
Dates		Written comments requesting administrative review regarding the classification of lands and minerals may be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on or before December 15, 2017. Additional administrative review requirements are found in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
Contact		Renee Johnson, Branch of Lands, Realty, and Renewable Energy; telephone (406) 896-5028; email [email protected] Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS 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.
FR Citation		82 FR 52937

82 FR 52937 - Initial Classification and Extension of the Proposed Classification and Segregation for State In Lieu Selection, Montana

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 219 (November 15, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management