[Federal Register: September 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 170)] [Notices] [Page 46803-46804] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr02se98-97] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO-017-98-1430-00; COC-60216] Notice of Intent To Amend the White River Resource Management Plan, Colorado Notice of Exchange Proposal (COC-61936) AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent To Amend the White River Resource Management Plan; Notice of Exchange Proposal. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Bureau of Land Management, White River Resource Area, Colorado, will be preparing an Environmental Assessment-level plan amendment to the White River Resource Management Plan. The plan amendment will assess impacts of complete revocation of the Oil Shale Withdrawal (PLO 4522) as it affects lands within the jurisdictional boundaries of the White River Resource Area. The applicable decision in the Resource Management Plan, approved July 1, 1997, was to modify the withdrawal to allow discretionary actions. Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is considering an exchange of public lands in Garfield County for private lands owned by Union Oil Company of California, also in Garfield County, pursuant to Section 206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716), as amended. The following public lands are being considered for exchange by the United States: Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado T. 4 S., R. 95 W., 6th P.M., Sec. 22, W\1/2\; Sec. 23, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\; Sec. 34, SW\1/4\. T. 5 S., R. 95 W., Sec. 4, lots 5 and 7. T. 5 S., R. 96 W., Sec. 15, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\. T. 6 S., R. 96 W., Sec. 21, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. Containing 753.38 acres. The following private lands are being considered for exchange to the United States: Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado T. 4 S., R. 95 W., Sec. 35, S\1/2\S\1/2\N\1/2\, S\1/2\; Sec. 36, S\1/2\S\1/2\N\1/2\, S\1/2\. Containing 800 acres. The actual acreage transferred may be adjusted, based on values as determined by an appraisal. The above-noted environmental assessment will also address the exchange proposal. The described public lands are identified in the Resource Management Plan as Category II lands for the purposes of land tenure adjustment. They are suitable for disposal by exchange, but not by direct sale under Section 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Since the Oil Shale Withdrawal precludes disposal by any method, it must be modified or revoked to complete the proposed exchange. Based on an initial determination that the potential for non- discretionary actions within the withdrawn area is low, review of revoking the withdrawal is now deemed reasonable. If a patent to the above described public lands is issued pursuant to an exchange, it will be subject to valid existing rights, and the United States will reserve the oil, gas, and coal. Any water rights appurtenant to and used on the respective parcels would be conveyed, provided that water rights used elsewhere, or not appurtenant to the specified parcels would be reserved. Union will convey only the surface estate in the offered parcels. As a part of this exchange, Union would also convey to the United States a non-exclusive easement over segments of the Cow Creek Road crossing private parcels not subject to the exchange proposal. They would also reserve a non-exclusive easement for roads crossing the offered parcels. DATES: Written comments will be accepted for a period of 30 days following the publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Area Manager, Bureau of Land Management, White River Resource Area, 73544 Highway 64, Meeker, CO 81641. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vern Rholl, BLM White River Resource Area, 970-878-3601. [[Page 46804]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approximately 491,734 acres of public land within the White River Resource Area are withdrawn ``from lease or disposal'' and closed to the mining laws, to protect federal oil shale resources. Executive Order 5327, dated April 15, 1930, withdrew all those lands owned by the United States within the lands described in Appendix I, Table I-7, of the Draft White River Resource Management Plan. In order to perform discretionary actions, and in particular, the exchange of lands, the Resource Management Plan stated that the withdrawal would be modified. The oil shale values would still be protected from non-discretionary actions. However, in reviewing the potential for the occurrence of such actions, it is now questionable whether protection via a withdrawal is necessary. Under the actions contemplated in this notice, the Resource Management Plan would be amended to allow revocation of the withdrawal, the withdrawal would be revoked, and certain of those lands formerly protected would be exchanged for other lands, or interests in land. Dated: August 21, 1998. John J. Mehlhoff, Area Manager. [FR Doc. 98-23653 Filed 9-1-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-JB-M