Withdrawal and reservation of lands: New Mexico,

[Federal Register: February 11, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 28)]

[Notices]

[Page 6910]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11fe99-82]

[[Page 6910]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-030-1430-00; NMNM 35829]

Proposed Extension of Withdrawal; McGregor Range, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army has filedan application to extend the withdrawal of 608,384.87 acres of public land for the McGregor Range, located in Otero County, New Mexico. The land was originally withdrawn by Public Law 99-606 of November 6, 1986. The withdrawal will expire on November 5, 2001, unless extended. This withdrawal extension requires legislative action by Congress pursuant to the Act of February 28, 1958, 43 U.S.C. 155-158, commonly known as the Engle Act. The land is currently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, the mining laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the geothermal leasing laws pursuant to Public Law 99-606.

DATES: Comments regarding the proposed extension must be received on or before May 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the BLM Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Hanley at the address above or at (505) 525-4342.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 13, 1998, the Department of the Army filedan application to extend the withdrawal for the McGregor Range. The Army has determined there is a continuing military need for the land and filedthe application for extension in accordance with Section 8(a)(1) and (2) of Public Law 99-606.

The legal description for McGregor Range is published in the Federal Register Vol. 52, No. 133, July 13, 1987, pages 26188 and 26189 and Vol. 62, No. 209, October 29, 1997, page 56153. The area described contains 608,384.87 acres in Otero County. A copy of the legal description is available by contacting Theresa Hanley at the BLM Las Cruces Field Office.

McGregor Range is used by the Army for testing and training for aerial bombing, missile firing, tactical maneuvering and air support, and other defense related purposes. There is also a need to protect the public's health and welfare from the hazardous operations conducted by the Army. The land is contaminated with unexploded ordnance.

Three public scoping meetings were afforded in connection with the proposed withdrawal extension. The objective of the public meetings was to solicit public comments and meet the regulatory requirement for proposed extension of withdrawals that exceed 5,000 acres (43 CFR 2310.3-1(b)(2)(v)). A notice of the time and place was published in the Federal Register and a newspaper in the general vicinity of the lands to be withdrawn at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the meetings.

The Draft Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released on October 27, 1998. Three public hearings were held in January 1999, for the purpose of receiving oral public comments on the Draft Legislative EIS and to meet National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for the proposed withdrawal extension.

From the date of publication of this notice to May 1, 1999, 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 Las Cruces Field Office.

Dated: February 5, 1999. Linda S.C. Rundell, Field Manager, Las Cruces.

[FR Doc. 99-3346Filed2-10-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P