82 FR 6639 - Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public Meeting; Minnesota

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 12 (January 19, 2017)

Page Range		6639-6640
FR Document		2017-01202

The United States Forest Service (USFS) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting that the Secretary of the Interior withdraw, for a 20-year term, approximately 234,328 acres of National Forest System lands within the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest from disposition under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years from the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws while the withdrawal application is being processed.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6639-6640]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01202]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MNES-058247]


Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public 
Meeting; Minnesota

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The United States Forest Service (USFS) has filed an 
application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting that 
the Secretary of the Interior withdraw, for a 20-year term, 
approximately 234,328 acres of National Forest System lands within the 
Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest from disposition 
under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to 
valid existing rights. Publication of this notice temporarily 
segregates the lands for up to 2 years from the United States mineral 
and geothermal leasing laws while the withdrawal application is being 
processed.

DATES: Comments regarding this withdrawal proposal must be received by 
April 19, 2017. The BLM and the USFS will hold a public meeting in 
connection with the proposed withdrawal on March 16, 2017, from 5 p.m. 
to 7:30 p.m. Central Time (CT) at the Duluth Entertainment and 
Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802. During this 90-
day comment period, the BLM and USFS will hold additional meetings in 
other areas of the State, notices of which will be provided in local 
newspapers or on agency Web sites. The USFS' 90-day scoping period 
associated with preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) was 
announced on January 13, 2017 in the Federal Register. The EIS will 
analyze the impacts of the proposed withdrawal and an amendment to the 
Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Additional 
opportunities for public comment will be provided during the 
preparation of that EIS.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this withdrawal proposal should be sent 
to the Deputy State Director of Geospatial Services, Bureau of Land 
Management, Eastern States Office, 20 M Street SE., Suite 950, 
Washington, DC 20003; or by facsimile at 202-912-7710. Comments sent by 
email will not be accepted. The March 16, 2017, BLM and USFS public 
meeting location is the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, 350 
Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dominica VanKoten, BLM Eastern States 
Office, 202-912-7756 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual. The Service 
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or 
question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant is the USFS. The application 
requests the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw National Forest 
System lands in the Superior National Forest from disposition under the 
United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws for a period of 20 
years to protect and preserve the natural resources and waters located 
within the Rainy River Watershed that flow into the Boundary Waters 
Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area 
Wilderness Mining Protection Area (MPA) in northeastern Minnesota. The 
lands will remain open to other forms of use and disposition as may be 
allowed by law on National Forest System lands, including the 
disposition of mineral materials.
    All the National Forest System Lands identified in the townships 
below and any lands acquired by the Federal government within the 
exterior boundaries described below are included in the withdrawal 
application. This area excludes the BWCAW and the Boundary Waters Canoe 
Area Wilderness MPA, as depicted on the map entitled Appendix B: 
Superior National Forest, dated December 5, 2016. This map is available 
from the BLM Eastern States Office at the address listed above, and 
from the USFS Superior National Forest office, 8901

[[Page 6640]]

Grand Ave. Pl, Duluth, Minnesota, 55808.

National Forest System Lands

Superior National Forest

4th Principal Meridian, Minnesota

Tps. 61 and 62 N., Rs. 5 W.
Tps. 60 to 62 N., Rs. 6 W.
Tps. 59 and 61 N., Rs. 7 W.
Tps. 59 to 61 N., Rs. 8 W.
Tps. 58 to 61 N., Rs. 9 W.
Tps. 57 to 62 N., Rs. 10 W.
Tps. 57 to 63 N., Rs. 11 W.
Tp. 59 N., R. 12 W.
Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 12 W.
Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 13 W.
Tp. 63 N., R. 15 W.
Tp. 63 N., R. 16 W.
Tps. 65 to 67 N., Rs. 16 W.
Tp. 64 N., R. 17 W.

    The areas described contain approximately 234,328 acres of 
National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis 
Counties, Minnesota, located adjacent to the BWCAW and the MPA.

    Non-Federal lands within the area proposed for withdrawal total 
approximately 190,321 acres in Cook, Lake and Saint Louis Counties. As 
non-Federal lands, these parcels would not be affected by the temporary 
segregation or proposed withdrawal unless they are subsequently 
acquired by the Federal Government. The temporary segregation and 
proposed withdrawal are subject to valid existing rights, which would 
be unaffected by these actions.
    As stated in the application, the purpose of the requested 
withdrawal is to protect and preserve the natural resources and waters 
within the Rainy River Watershed that flow into the BWCAW and the MPA 
from the effects of mining and mineral exploration. Congress designated 
the BWCAW and established the MPA to protect and preserve the 
ecological richness of the lakes, waterways, and forested wilderness 
along the Canadian border. The protection of the Rainy River Watershed 
would extend the preservation of the BWCAW and MPA as well as Voyageurs 
National Park and Canada's Quetico Provincial Park, which are all 
interconnected through the unique hydrology of this region.
    The application further states that the use of a right-of-way, 
interagency agreement, or cooperative agreement would not adequately 
constrain mineral and geothermal leasing to provide adequate protection 
throughout this pristine natural area.
    According to the application, no alternative sites are feasible 
because the lands subject to the withdrawal application are the lands 
for which protection is sought from the impacts of exploration and 
development under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing 
laws. No water will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the requested 
withdrawal.
    The USFS will serve as the lead agency for the EIS analyzing the 
impacts of the proposed withdrawal. The USFS will designate the BLM as 
a cooperating agency. The BLM will independently evaluate and review 
the draft and final EISs and any other documents needed for the 
Secretary of the Interior to make a decision on the proposed 
withdrawal.
    Records related to the application may be examined by contacting 
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section 
above.
    For a period until April 19, 2017, all persons who wish to submit 
comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the withdrawal 
application may present their views in writing to the BLM Deputy State 
Director of Geospatial Services at the BLM Eastern States Office 
address noted in the ADDRESSES section above. Comments, including the 
names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public 
review at that address during regular business hours.
    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 to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Notice is hereby given that a public meeting in connection with the 
application for withdrawal will be held at Duluth Entertainment and 
Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, Minnesota 55802 on March 
16, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT. The USFS will publish a notice 
of the time and place in a local newspaper at least 30 days before the 
scheduled date of the meeting. During this 90-day comment period, the 
BLM and USFS will hold additional meetings in other areas of the State, 
notices of which will be provided in local newspapers or on agency Web 
sites.
    For a period until January 21, 2017, subject to valid existing 
rights, the National Forest System lands described in this notice will 
be temporarily segregated from the United States mineral and geothermal 
leasing laws, unless the application is denied or canceled or the 
withdrawal is approved prior to that date. All other activities 
currently consistent with the Superior National Forest Land and 
Resource Management Plan could continue, including public recreation, 
mineral materials disposition and other activities compatible with 
preservation of the character of the area, subject to USFS 
discretionary approval, during the segregation period.
    The application will be processed in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR 2300.

Karen E. Mouritsen,
State Director, Eastern States Office.
[FR Doc. 2017-01202 Filed 1-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices 6639

THENCE South 00°06′00″ West along said above. Before including your address, Register. The EIS will analyze the
west line, a distance of 2502.98 feet to the phone number, email address, or other impacts of the proposed withdrawal and
point of beginning; personal identifying information in your an amendment to the Superior National
THENCE South 89°07′50″ East, a distance Forest Land and Resource Management
comment, you should be aware that
of 805.67 feet;
THENCE South 15°34′27″ West, a distance your entire comment, including your Plan. Additional opportunities for
of 1473.72 feet to the point of intersection personal identifying information, may public comment will be provided
with the east and west center line of the be made available to the public at any during the preparation of that EIS.
southwest 1⁄4 of said Section 1; time. While you can ask in your ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this
THENCE North 88°24′21″ West, along said comment to withhold your personal withdrawal proposal should be sent to
east and west center line, a distance of 415.55 identifying information from public the Deputy State Director of Geospatial
feet to the point of intersection with the review, we cannot guarantee that we Services, Bureau of Land Management,
aforementioned west line of the east 1210.00 will be able to do so. Eastern States Office, 20 M Street SE.,
feet of the west 1⁄2 of Section 1;
THENCE North 00°06′00″ East along said Authority: 43 CFR 2720.1–1. Suite 950, Washington, DC 20003; or by
west line, a distance of 1420.32 feet to the facsimile at 202–912–7710. Comments
Leon Thomas, sent by email will not be accepted. The
point of beginning.
Containing 59.80 acres of land. Phoenix District Manager. March 16, 2017, BLM and USFS public
[FR Doc. 2017–01203 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am] meeting location is the Duluth
Parcel No. 2
BILLING CODE 4310–32–P Entertainment and Convention Center,
Sec. 1, lots 1 and 2, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802.
NE1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, S1⁄2NW1⁄4SE1⁄4,
N1⁄2SW1⁄4SE1⁄4, SW1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4, and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Dominica VanKoten, BLM Eastern
N1⁄2SE1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4.
Containing 224.56 acres of land. Bureau of Land Management States Office, 202–912–7756 during
regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30
Parcel No. 3 [MNES–058247] p.m. Monday through Friday, except
Sec. 12, E1⁄2SE1⁄4. holidays. Persons who use a
Containing 80.00 acres of land. Notice of Application for Withdrawal telecommunications device for the deaf
and Notification of Public Meeting; (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
The areas described for Parcels Nos. 1 Minnesota
through 3 aggregate 364.36 acres. Service at 1–800–877–8339 to contact
Section 209(b) of the FLPMA AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, the above individual. The Service is
authorizes the conveyance of the Interior. available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
federally owned mineral interests in ACTION: Notice. to leave a message or question. You will
land to the surface owner when the receive a reply during normal business
surface interest is not federally owned, SUMMARY: The United States Forest hours.
upon payment of administrative costs. Service (USFS) has filed an application SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
The objective is to allow consolidation with the Bureau of Land Management applicant is the USFS. The application
of the surface and mineral interests (BLM) requesting that the Secretary of requests the Secretary of the Interior to
when either one of the following the Interior withdraw, for a 20-year withdraw National Forest System lands
conditions exist: (1) There are no known term, approximately 234,328 acres of in the Superior National Forest from
mineral values in the land; or (2) Where National Forest System lands within the disposition under the United States
continued Federal ownership of the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior mineral and geothermal leasing laws for
mineral interests interferes with or National Forest from disposition under a period of 20 years to protect and
precludes appropriate non-mineral the United States mineral and preserve the natural resources and
development and such development is a geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid waters located within the Rainy River
more beneficial use of the land than existing rights. Publication of this notice Watershed that flow into the Boundary
mineral development. temporarily segregates the lands for up Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
The applicant has deposited, a sum of to 2 years from the United States (BWCAW) and the Boundary Waters
funding sufficient to cover mineral and geothermal leasing laws Canoe Area Wilderness Mining
administrative costs, but not limited to, while the withdrawal application is Protection Area (MPA) in northeastern
the cost for the mineral potential report. being processed. Minnesota. The lands will remain open
Subject to valid existing rights, on DATES: Comments regarding this to other forms of use and disposition as
January 19, 2017 the federally owned withdrawal proposal must be received may be allowed by law on National
mineral interests in the land described by April 19, 2017. The BLM and the Forest System lands, including the
above are hereby segregated from all USFS will hold a public meeting in disposition of mineral materials.
forms of appropriation under the public connection with the proposed All the National Forest System Lands
lands laws, including the mining laws, withdrawal on March 16, 2017, from 5 identified in the townships below and
while the application is being processed p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Central Time (CT) at any lands acquired by the Federal
to determine if either one of the two the Duluth Entertainment and government within the exterior
specified conditions exists and, if so, to Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, boundaries described below are
otherwise comply with the procedural Duluth, MN 55802. During this 90-day included in the withdrawal application.
requirements of 43 CFR part 2720. The comment period, the BLM and USFS This area excludes the BWCAW and the
segregative effect shall terminate upon: will hold additional meetings in other Boundary Waters Canoe Area
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

(1) Issuance of a patent or other areas of the State, notices of which will Wilderness MPA, as depicted on the
document of conveyance as to such be provided in local newspapers or on map entitled Appendix B: Superior
mineral interests; (2) Final rejection of agency Web sites. The USFS’ 90-day National Forest, dated December 5,
the application; or (3) January 22, 2019, scoping period associated with 2016. This map is available from the
whichever occurs first. preparing an environmental impact BLM Eastern States Office at the address
Please submit all comments in writing statement (EIS) was announced on listed above, and from the USFS
to Benedict Parsons at the address listed January 13, 2017 in the Federal Superior National Forest office, 8901

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6640 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices

Grand Ave. Pl, Duluth, Minnesota, leasing laws. No water will be needed materials disposition and other
55808. to fulfill the purpose of the requested activities compatible with preservation
National Forest System Lands withdrawal. of the character of the area, subject to
The USFS will serve as the lead USFS discretionary approval, during the
Superior National Forest agency for the EIS analyzing the impacts segregation period.
4th Principal Meridian, Minnesota of the proposed withdrawal. The USFS The application will be processed in
Tps. 61 and 62 N., Rs. 5 W. will designate the BLM as a cooperating accordance with the regulations set
Tps. 60 to 62 N., Rs. 6 W. agency. The BLM will independently forth in 43 CFR 2300.
Tps. 59 and 61 N., Rs. 7 W. evaluate and review the draft and final
Tps. 59 to 61 N., Rs. 8 W. EISs and any other documents needed Karen E. Mouritsen,
Tps. 58 to 61 N., Rs. 9 W. for the Secretary of the Interior to make State Director, Eastern States Office.
Tps. 57 to 62 N., Rs. 10 W. a decision on the proposed withdrawal. [FR Doc. 2017–01202 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am]
Tps. 57 to 63 N., Rs. 11 W. Records related to the application BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
Tp. 59 N., R. 12 W.
Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 12 W.
may be examined by contacting the
Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 13 W. individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
Tp. 63 N., R. 15 W. INFORMATION CONTACT section above. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Tp. 63 N., R. 16 W. For a period until April 19, 2017, all
Tps. 65 to 67 N., Rs. 16 W. persons who wish to submit comments, Bureau of Land Management
Tp. 64 N., R. 17 W. suggestions, or objections in connection
The areas described contain approximately with the withdrawal application may [LLNM004000 L91450000.EJ000
234,328 acres of National Forest System present their views in writing to the 16X.LVDIG16ZGK00]
lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis BLM Deputy State Director of Geospatial
Counties, Minnesota, located adjacent to the Notice of Application for a Recordable
Services at the BLM Eastern States
BWCAW and the MPA. Disclaimer of Interest: Dimmit County,
Office address noted in the ADDRESSES
Non-Federal lands within the area Texas
section above. Comments, including the
proposed for withdrawal total names and street addresses of AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
approximately 190,321 acres in Cook, respondents, will be available for public Interior.
Lake and Saint Louis Counties. As non- review at that address during regular ACTION: Notice.
Federal lands, these parcels would not business hours.
be affected by the temporary segregation Before including your address, phone SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
or proposed withdrawal unless they are number, email address, or other Management (BLM) received an
subsequently acquired by the Federal personal identifying information in your application for a Recordable Disclaimer
Government. The temporary segregation comment, you should be aware that of Interest (Disclaimer of Interest) from
and proposed withdrawal are subject to your entire comment—including your Gringita, Ltd. pursuant to the Federal
valid existing rights, which would be personal identifying information—may Land Policy and Management Act of
unaffected by these actions. be made publicly available at any time. 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and the
As stated in the application, the While you can ask us to withhold your regulations in 43 CFR subpart 1864, for
purpose of the requested withdrawal is personal identifying information from certain mineral estate in Dimmit
to protect and preserve the natural public review, we cannot guarantee that County, Texas. This notice is intended
resources and waters within the Rainy we will be able to do so. to inform the public of the pending
River Watershed that flow into the Notice is hereby given that a public application, give notice of BLM’s
BWCAW and the MPA from the effects meeting in connection with the intention to grant the requested
of mining and mineral exploration. application for withdrawal will be held Disclaimer of Interest, and provide a
Congress designated the BWCAW and at Duluth Entertainment and public comment period for the proposed
established the MPA to protect and Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Disclaimer of Interest.
preserve the ecological richness of the Duluth, Minnesota 55802 on March 16,
DATES: Comments on this action should
lakes, waterways, and forested 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT. The
be received by April 19, 2017.
wilderness along the Canadian border. USFS will publish a notice of the time
The protection of the Rainy River and place in a local newspaper at least ADDRESSES: Written comments must be
Watershed would extend the 30 days before the scheduled date of the sent to the Deputy State Director, Lands
preservation of the BWCAW and MPA meeting. During this 90-day comment and Resources, BLM, New Mexico State
as well as Voyageurs National Park and period, the BLM and USFS will hold Office, P.O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM
Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park, additional meetings in other areas of the 87502–0115.
which are all interconnected through State, notices of which will be provided FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
the unique hydrology of this region. in local newspapers or on agency Web Ledbetter, Realty Specialist, BLM
The application further states that the sites. Oklahoma Field Office, (405) 579–7172.
use of a right-of-way, interagency For a period until January 21, 2017, Additional information pertaining to
agreement, or cooperative agreement subject to valid existing rights, the this application can be reviewed in case
would not adequately constrain mineral National Forest System lands described file TXNM114510 located in the
and geothermal leasing to provide in this notice will be temporarily Oklahoma Field Office, 201 Stephenson
adequate protection throughout this segregated from the United States Parkway, Room 1200, Norman,
pristine natural area. mineral and geothermal leasing laws, Oklahoma 73072–2037. Persons who
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

According to the application, no unless the application is denied or use a telecommunications device for the
alternative sites are feasible because the canceled or the withdrawal is approved deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
lands subject to the withdrawal prior to that date. All other activities Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
application are the lands for which currently consistent with the Superior contact the above individual during
protection is sought from the impacts of National Forest Land and Resource normal business hours. The Service is
exploration and development under the Management Plan could continue, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
United States mineral and geothermal including public recreation, mineral to leave a message or question with the

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Document Created: 2018-02-01 15:16:12
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 15:16:12

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.
Dates		Comments regarding this withdrawal proposal must be received by April 19, 2017. The BLM and the USFS will hold a public meeting in connection with the proposed withdrawal on March 16, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Central Time (CT) at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802. During this 90- day comment period, the BLM and USFS will hold additional meetings in other areas of the State, notices of which will be provided in local newspapers or on agency Web sites. The USFS' 90-day scoping period associated with preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) was announced on January 13, 2017 in the Federal Register. The EIS will analyze the impacts of the proposed withdrawal and an amendment to the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Additional opportunities for public comment will be provided during the preparation of that EIS.
Contact		Dominica VanKoten, BLM Eastern States Office, 202-912-7756 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual. The Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
FR Citation		82 FR 6639

82 FR 6639 - Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public Meeting; Minnesota

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBureau of Land Management

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 12 (January 19, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management