[Federal Register: August 6, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 151)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42960-42961]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06au99-82]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-670-1430-00; CACA-39853]

 
Notice of Public Meeting on Proposed Withdrawal of Public Lands; 
Indian Pass Withdrawal, Imperial County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management has filed an application to 
withdraw 9,360.74 acres of public lands in Imperial County, California, 
to protect the archaeological and cultural resources located in the 
Indian Pass Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Expanded 
Management Area (collectively the ``Indian Pass area''). The lands will 
be withdrawn from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the 
general land laws, including the mining laws, but not the mineral 
leasing, geothermal leasing, or the material sales laws, subject to 
valid existing rights. This notice advises that the Bureau of Land 
Management has scheduled a meeting to inform the public of the proposed 
withdrawal and to seek suggestions and information from the public and 
other agencies on the scope of issues related to the proposed 
withdrawal that should be considered in the environmental review 
document.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before September 30, 
1999. Comments previously submitted in response to the Notice of 
Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting, 63 FR 58752, 
November 2, 1998, will be considered. The meeting date is Tuesday, 
September 7, 1999, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the scope of the environmental 
review document should be sent to the Bureau of Land Management, 1661 
South 4th Street, El Centro, California 92243. The meeting location is 
at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynda Kastoll, BLM, El Centro Field 
Office, (760) 337-4421.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 26, 1998, a petition was approved 
allowing the Bureau of Land Management to file an application to 
withdraw 9,360.74 acres of public lands

[[Page 42961]]

from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, 
including the mining laws, subject to valid existing rights. The lands 
have been and will remain open to the operations of the mineral 
leasing, geothermal leasing, and material sales laws. No private lands 
or valid existing mineral rights would be affected by the proposed 
withdrawal.
    The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to protect the 
archaeological and cultural resources in the Indian Pass area, which is 
considered to be a sacred site by the Quechan people.
    The legal description of the lands proposed for withdrawal is as 
published in 63 FR 58752, November 2, 1998. A copy of the legal 
description is available by contacting Lynda Kastoll at the address or 
phone number listed above.
    The lands have been temporarily segregated as specified above until 
November 2, 2000, to allow for various studies and analyses. No action 
as to the proposed withdrawal shall be taken until these studies and 
analyses are completed. This notice is published in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR part 2300, and pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the 
public on the scope of issues that would be analyzed or considered in 
preparation of an environmental assessment.

    Dated: August 2, 1999.
Robert Zimmer,
Acting Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-20260 Filed 8-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P