83 FR 19094 - Notice of Application for Withdrawal in Nye County, Nevada
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 84 (May 1, 2018)
Bureau of Land Management
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 84 (May 1, 2018)
| Page Range | 19094-19095 | |
| FR Document | 2018-09180 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 19094-19095] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-09180] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNVB02000-L19200000-ET0000; N-94970; LR0RF1709500; MO# 4500111101] Notice of Application for Withdrawal in Nye County, Nevada AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The United States Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management (DOE) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), requesting that the Secretary of the Interior withdraw 361 acres of public lands to assist the DOE to carry out its responsibilities regarding public health, safety, and national security in connection with a past underground nuclear detonation in Hot Creek Valley, Nye County, Nevada. Publication of this Notice temporarily segregates the lands, subject to valid existing rights, for up to two years from all forms of appropriation or other disposition under the public land laws, including the mining laws and the mineral-leasing laws. The two-year segregation will provide the BLM and the DOE sufficient time to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) which will analyze the environmental effects of the requested withdrawal and any alternatives in order for the BLM to make a recommendation to the Secretary of Interior on the requested withdrawal. DATES: Comments regarding this withdrawal proposal must be received by July 30, 2018. The BLM welcomes comments regarding the environmental consequences of the proposed withdrawal, for consideration in preparation of the EA. ADDRESSES: Comments pertaining to this Notice should be submitted by any of the following methods:Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_Tonopah_Withdrawal@blm.gov. Fax: 775-482-7810. Mail: BLM Nevada State Director, Attn: NV 930 CNTA Withdrawal, Bureau of Land Management, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89520. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Seley, Project Lead, Tonopah Field Office, Attn: DOE Withdrawal, 1553 South Main Street, P.O. Box 911, Tonopah, NV 89049; email: wseley@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-775-861-6511 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: In order to fulfill its obligations under the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2201) regarding public health, safety, and national security in connection with a past underground nuclear detonation, the DOE requests that the 361 acres of public lands be withdrawn from all forms of appropriation or other disposition under the public land laws, including the mining laws and mineral leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. The AEA requires the DOE to take necessary measures to protect human health and the environment from nuclear contamination, and provides broad authority for the DOE to do so. The AEA states, in part, that DOE may ``establish by rule, regulation, or order, such standards and instructions to govern the possession and use of special nuclear material, source material, and byproduct material as the Commission may deem necessary or desirable to promote the common defense and security or to protect health or to minimize danger to life or property'' (42 U.S.C. 2201(b)). This application is to withdraw lands adjacent to and surrounding land and interests withdrawn under Public Land Order (PLO) No. 4338, published in the Federal Register Volume 32, No. 241, December 14, 1967. The PLO established the Central Nevada Test Area (CNTA) for an underground nuclear test. The test, which was conducted in 1968, resulted in a determination that the site was unsuitable for further nuclear tests. DOE requests a new withdrawal of lands adjacent to and surrounding the 1967 withdrawal in order to prevent disturbance to residual subsurface contamination. The BLM will hold a 90-day scoping period to identify issues and begin preparing an EA to analyze the impacts of the proposed withdrawal. As required by section 204(b)(1) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. 1714(b)(1), and the BLM regulations at 43 CFR part 2310.3-1, the BLM is publishing the Notice that DOE has requested the withdrawal of the following described lands: Mount Diablo Meridian T. 9 N. R. 51 E., Unsurveyed, Sections 14, 15, 22, and 23. It is an irregular bounded portion of land being described as follows: BEGINNING at a point which is north 35[deg]15'30'' west, 14,986.1 feet from the southeast corner of township 9 north, range 51 east. THENCE, north 89[deg]43'10'' west, a distance of 6602.5 feet. THENCE, north 0[deg]16'30'' east, a distance of 6602.6 feet. THENCE, south 89[deg]43'10'' east, a distance of 6602.5 feet. THENCE, south 0[deg]17'20'' west, a distance of 6602.6 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING. BASIS OF BEARING: Mean geodetic bearings referenced to the true meridian. EXCEPTING those portions withdrawn by PLO No. 4338 (UC-1 withdrawal). The area encumbered by the existing withdrawal contains approximately 640 acres. The area encumbered by the new withdrawal is 361 acres in Nye County. This proposed withdrawal would fully encompass the use-restriction and compliance boundaries established by DOE. The objective of the compliance boundary is to protect the public and environment from exposure to groundwater contamination by the underground nuclear test. The objective of the use-restriction boundary is to restrict access to subsurface materials, including groundwater. The proposed withdrawal for 20 years would maintain the physical integrity of the subsurface environment, and would ensure that DOE's ongoing, long-term site characterization studies of the CNTA are not invalidated or otherwise adversely affected. The use of a right-of-way, interagency agreement, or cooperative agreement would not adequately constrain non-discretionary uses which could result in permanent loss of significant values and threaten public health, safety, and Federal investment in the long-term monitoring program established for the CNTA. There are no suitable alternative sites because the lands contain the specific area surrounding the underground nuclear test site, and Federal improvements described in the application. No water rights will be required for this withdrawal. The legal descriptions and the maps depicting the lands are available for public inspection at the following offices: BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada [[Page 19095]] 89502; BLM Tonopah Field Office, 1553 South Main Street, Tonopah, Nevada 89049. Information regarding the proposed withdrawal will be available for public review at the BLM's Tonopah Field Office, during regular business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personally identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask the BLM in your comment to withhold your personally identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. For a period until May 1, 2020, subject to valid existing rights, the public lands described in this Notice is segregated, for up to two years, from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws and the mineral-leasing laws, unless the application/proposal is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. Licenses, permits, cooperative agreements, or discretionary land use authorizations may be allowed during the period of segregation, but only with the approval of the authorized officer and, as appropriate, with the concurrence of DOE. Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1714(b)(1) and 43 CFR 2300 Michael J. Herder, Acting State Director, Nevada. [FR Doc. 2018-09180 Filed 4-30-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P
![19094 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2018 / Notices
land, subject to valid existing rights, the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 43 CFR part 2310.3–1, the BLM is
provisions of existing withdrawals, Wendy Seley, Project Lead, Tonopah publishing the Notice that DOE has
other segregations of record, and the Field Office, Attn: DOE Withdrawal, requested the withdrawal of the
requirements of applicable law. 1553 South Main Street, P.O. Box 911, following described lands:
Tonopah, NV 89049; email: wseley@ Mount Diablo Meridian
Joseph R. Balash,
blm.gov. Persons who use a
Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals telecommunications device for the deaf T. 9 N. R. 51 E., Unsurveyed,
Management. Sections 14, 15, 22, and 23. It is an
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay irregular bounded portion of land being
[FR Doc. 2018–09184 Filed 4–30–18; 8:45 am]
Service (FRS) at 1–775–861–6511 to described as follows:
BILLING CODE 3411–16–P contact the above individual during BEGINNING at a point which is north
normal business hours. The FRS is 35°15′30″ west, 14,986.1 feet from the
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, southeast corner of township 9 north, range
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 51 east.
to leave a message or question with the
above individual. You will receive a THENCE, north 89°43′10″ west, a distance
Bureau of Land Management of 6602.5 feet.
reply during normal business hours.
[LLNVB02000–L19200000–ET0000; N– THENCE, north 0°16′30″ east, a distance of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to 6602.6 feet.
94970; LR0RF1709500; MO# 4500111101]
fulfill its obligations under the Atomic THENCE, south 89°43′10″ east, a distance
Notice of Application for Withdrawal in Energy Act (AEA) of 1954 (42 U.S.C. of 6602.5 feet.
Nye County, Nevada 2201) regarding public health, safety, THENCE, south 0°17′20″ west, a distance
and national security in connection of 6602.6 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, with a past underground nuclear BASIS OF BEARING: Mean geodetic
Interior. detonation, the DOE requests that the bearings referenced to the true meridian.
361 acres of public lands be withdrawn EXCEPTING those portions withdrawn by
ACTION: Notice.
PLO No. 4338 (UC–1 withdrawal).
from all forms of appropriation or other The area encumbered by the existing
SUMMARY: The United States Department disposition under the public land laws, withdrawal contains approximately 640
of Energy Office of Legacy Management including the mining laws and mineral acres.
(DOE) has filed an application with the leasing laws, subject to valid existing The area encumbered by the new
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), rights. withdrawal is 361 acres in Nye County.
requesting that the Secretary of the The AEA requires the DOE to take
Interior withdraw 361 acres of public This proposed withdrawal would
necessary measures to protect human fully encompass the use-restriction and
lands to assist the DOE to carry out its health and the environment from
responsibilities regarding public health, compliance boundaries established by
nuclear contamination, and provides DOE. The objective of the compliance
safety, and national security in broad authority for the DOE to do so.
connection with a past underground boundary is to protect the public and
The AEA states, in part, that DOE may environment from exposure to
nuclear detonation in Hot Creek Valley, ‘‘establish by rule, regulation, or order,
Nye County, Nevada. Publication of this groundwater contamination by the
such standards and instructions to underground nuclear test. The objective
Notice temporarily segregates the lands, govern the possession and use of special
subject to valid existing rights, for up to of the use-restriction boundary is to
nuclear material, source material, and restrict access to subsurface materials,
two years from all forms of byproduct material as the Commission
appropriation or other disposition under including groundwater. The proposed
may deem necessary or desirable to withdrawal for 20 years would maintain
the public land laws, including the promote the common defense and
mining laws and the mineral-leasing the physical integrity of the subsurface
security or to protect health or to environment, and would ensure that
laws. The two-year segregation will minimize danger to life or property’’ (42
provide the BLM and the DOE sufficient DOE’s ongoing, long-term site
U.S.C. 2201(b)). characterization studies of the CNTA are
time to prepare an Environmental This application is to withdraw lands
Assessment (EA) which will analyze the not invalidated or otherwise adversely
adjacent to and surrounding land and affected.
environmental effects of the requested interests withdrawn under Public Land The use of a right-of-way, interagency
withdrawal and any alternatives in Order (PLO) No. 4338, published in the agreement, or cooperative agreement
order for the BLM to make a Federal Register Volume 32, No. 241, would not adequately constrain non-
recommendation to the Secretary of December 14, 1967. The PLO discretionary uses which could result in
Interior on the requested withdrawal. established the Central Nevada Test permanent loss of significant values and
DATES: Comments regarding this Area (CNTA) for an underground threaten public health, safety, and
withdrawal proposal must be received nuclear test. The test, which was Federal investment in the long-term
by July 30, 2018. The BLM welcomes conducted in 1968, resulted in a monitoring program established for the
comments regarding the environmental determination that the site was CNTA.
consequences of the proposed unsuitable for further nuclear tests. DOE There are no suitable alternative sites
withdrawal, for consideration in requests a new withdrawal of lands because the lands contain the specific
preparation of the EA. adjacent to and surrounding the 1967 area surrounding the underground
ADDRESSES: Comments pertaining to this withdrawal in order to prevent nuclear test site, and Federal
Notice should be submitted by any of disturbance to residual subsurface improvements described in the
the following methods: contamination. The BLM will hold a 90- application.
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
• Email: BLM_NV_BMDO_Tonopah_ day scoping period to identify issues No water rights will be required for
Withdrawal@blm.gov. and begin preparing an EA to analyze this withdrawal.
• Fax: 775–482–7810. the impacts of the proposed withdrawal. The legal descriptions and the maps
• Mail: BLM Nevada State Director, As required by section 204(b)(1) of the depicting the lands are available for
Attn: NV 930 CNTA Withdrawal, Federal Land Policy and Management public inspection at the following
Bureau of Land Management, 1340 Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. offices: BLM Nevada State Office, 1340
Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89520. 1714(b)(1), and the BLM regulations at Financial Boulevard, Reno, Nevada
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:12 Apr 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_19178/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 1, 2018 / Notices 19095
89502; BLM Tonopah Field Office, 1553 Reservoir and Dam Safety contains another 10 to 15 feet of soft,
South Main Street, Tonopah, Nevada Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). silty sand. Below depths of 25 to 43 feet,
89049. Through this Notice, the BLM is it is estimated that the foundation of the
Information regarding the proposed announcing the beginning of the reservoir consists of landslide deposits,
withdrawal will be available for public scoping process to solicit public which generally include cobbles,
review at the BLM’s Tonopah Field comments and identify issues. bounders, and large rock beds. The dam
Office, during regular business hours, DATES: This Notice initiates the public is an earthen dam which consists of
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through scoping process for the EIS. Comments loose rock placed on the downstream
Friday, except Federal holidays. Before may be submitted in writing until May face.
including your address, phone number, 31, 2018. The date(s) and location(s) of The dam and spillway at Hult
email address, or other personally any scoping meetings will be Reservoir were originally constructed in
identifying information in your announced at least 15 days in advance 1950 to create a holding pond for logs
comment, you should be aware that through email and the ePlanning by the Hult Timber Company. These
your entire comment—including your website. In order to be included in the lands were transferred to the BLM in
personally identifying information— Draft EIS, all comments must be 1994. During severe winter weather, the
may be made publicly available at any received prior to the close of the 30-day amount of rainfall in the catchment area
time. While you can ask the BLM in scoping period or 15 days after the last contributes substantially to the water
your comment to withhold your public meeting, whichever is later. The levels in the reservoir. The dam requires
personally identifying information from BLM will provide additional constant monitoring and adjustment of
public review, we cannot guarantee that opportunities for public participation the outflow valve by BLM engineers to
we will be able to do so. upon publication of the Draft EIS. avoid overwhelming the current water
For a period until May 1, 2020, level controls in place. Since the
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
subject to valid existing rights, the transfer of ownership, costly
related to the EIS by any of the renovations to the dam (e.g., grouting,
public lands described in this Notice is following methods: reinforcement structures, and
segregated, for up to two years, from all • Email: blm_or_no_
forms of appropriation under the public monitoring devices) have been ongoing
publiccomments_nepa@blm.gov; ATTN:
land laws, including the mining laws to address structural and safety
Panchita Paulete, Hult Dam and
and the mineral-leasing laws, unless the concerns.
Reservoir Safety EIS. In July 2012, the BLM completed a
application/proposal is denied or • Fax: 541–683–6981; ATTN: Comprehensive Dam Evaluation on the
canceled or the withdrawal is approved Panchita Paulete, Planning and
prior to that date. dam and spillway at Hult Reservoir,
Environmental Coordinator. which found eleven potential failure
Licenses, permits, cooperative • Mail: Bureau of Land Management,
agreements, or discretionary land use modes presenting unacceptable high
3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite E,
authorizations may be allowed during risks for dam failure, five of which
Springfield, OR 97477–7909.
the period of segregation, but only with warrant expedited action to address.
Documents pertinent to this proposal
the approval of the authorized officer These evaluations of the dam
may be examined at the Northwest
and, as appropriate, with the infrastructure also identified that the
Oregon District’s Springfield
concurrence of DOE. dam and spillway are currently at an
Interagency Office located at 3106
elevated cumulative risk posed by all
Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1714(b)(1) and 43 CFR Pierce Parkway in Springfield, Oregon.
possible failure modes and associated
2300 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: potential life loss. In 2016, the BLM
Panchita Paulete, Planning and implemented improvements to the dam
Michael J. Herder,
Environmental Coordinator; 541–683– infrastructure, which improved some
Acting State Director, Nevada. 6976; blm_or_no_publiccomments_
[FR Doc. 2018–09180 Filed 4–30–18; 8:45 am]
elements presenting cumulative risk.
nepa@blm.gov Contact Ms. Paulete if However, there is still a need to address
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P you wish to add your name to our the remaining cumulative safety risks
mailing list. Persons who use a associated with the dam at Hult
telecommunications device for the deaf Reservoir.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (TDD) may call the Federal Relay The purpose of this project is to
Service (FRS) at 1(800) 877–8339 to reduce the risk of infrastructure failure
Bureau of Land Management
contact the above individual during at Hult Dam from excessive water and
[LLORN03000.L63100000.DB0000. normal business hours. The FRS is sediment loading, within the scope of
17XL1116AF.252Z.HAG 17–0170] available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, what the BLM could reasonably fund
to leave a message or question with the and within the scope of the BLM’s
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Hult above individual. You will receive a
Reservoir and Dam Safety jurisdiction.
reply during normal business hours. The EIS will analyze a range of
Environmental Impact Statement in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Hult alternatives to provide for a long-term
Lane County, Oregon
Reservoir is located within the Lake management approach. The EIS will
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Creek fifth-field watershed, near the analyze a No Action alternative that
Interior. community of Horton, Oregon, within would analyze the continued
ACTION: Notice of Intent. the Siuslaw Field Office of the management and standard maintenance
Northwest Oregon District at Township of Hult Dam in the current conditions.
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY: In accordance with the 15S, Range 7W, Sections 23 and 26, in Some potential action alternatives
National Environmental Policy Act Lane County, Oregon. include:
(NEPA) of 1969 and the Federal Land The Hult Reservoir is a 41-acre man- • Improving the existing dam
Policy and Management Act of 1976, the made lake, approximately a half-mile infrastructure: This alternative would
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) long and less than a quarter-mile wide. retain all existing dam infrastructure,
Siuslaw Field Office, Northwest Oregon The reservoir’s depth ranges from but would implement patches,
District, intends to prepare the Hult approximately 15 feet to 35 feet, and reinforcements, or other additions
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:12 Apr 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_19178/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-05-01 00:24:25
Document Modified: 2018-05-01 00:24:25
| 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 July 30, 2018. The BLM welcomes comments regarding the environmental consequences of the proposed withdrawal, for consideration in preparation of the EA. | |
| Contact | Wendy Seley, Project Lead, Tonopah Field Office, Attn: DOE Withdrawal, 1553 South Main Street, P.O. Box 911, Tonopah, NV 89049; email: [email protected] Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-775-861-6511 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 | 83 FR 19094 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR