[Federal Register: June 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 111)] [Notices] [Page 31287-31288] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr10jn99-113] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO-935-1430-01; COC-62995] Notice of Proposed Withdrawal; Colorado AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw approximately 165,000 acres of Federal lands and 6,400 acres of reserved Federal minerals to protect nationally significant scientific and cultural resource values, and the ecological diversity of the Yellow Jacket Canyon region of southwestern Colorado. This notice segregates the lands and minerals described below for up to 2 years from surface entry, mineral material sales, and mining. The lands will remain open to mineral leasing. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Stiles, Southwest Center Manager, Bureau of Land Management, 2465 South Townsend, Montrose, Colorado 81401, 970-240-5300. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to protect the nationally significant scientific and cultural resource values and the ecological diversity of the Yellow Jacket Canyon area while the lands are under study for additional protection through some form of special designation. The area represents the focus of northern Anasazi development, with more than 100 sites per square mile in many areas, representing the highest known archaeologic site density of any area in the nation. The total number of sites on public lands within the area is estimated at nearly 20,000. In 1985, the Bureau of Land Management's Resource Management Plan for the San Juan/San Miguel Planning Area designated the area as the Anasazi Culture Multiple Use Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in recognition of the tremendous cultural values present. Approximately 90 percent of the land proposed for withdrawal is currently leased for oil and gas under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920. Approximately 74 producing oil, gas, and carbon dioxide wells maintain these leases. The temporary segregation and subsequent withdrawal would not affect existing mineral leases or any of the associated facilities or authorizations currently in place, nor would it affect the ability of the Bureau of Land Management to authorize actions typically associated with oil and gas development (such as [[Page 31288]] the drilling of new wells, re-drilling or re-completion of wells, construction of collection systems, and plugging and abandonment). Development of oil and gas resources in this area has been carefully managed over the years to mitigate potential impacts to cultural resources and other values. Effective mitigation of such potential impacts would continue to be emphasized during the temporary segregation period and under the proposed withdrawal. The proposal, if finalized, would withdraw the following described Federal lands and minerals, subject to valid existing rights, from settlement, sale, location, and entry under the general land laws, including the mining and mineral material sales laws, but not the mineral leasing laws. The proposal includes withdrawing the reserved Federal mineral interest underlying private surface within the ACEC, but would not affect surface rights of those private lands. The allowance of any temporary land use permits, rights-of-way or cooperative agreements would be authorized only when necessary to accommodate valid existing rights and previously authorized actions. New Mexico Principal Meridian T. 35 N., R. 16 W., Sec. 6. T. 35 N., R. 17 W., Secs. 1, 12, and 13. T. 35 N., R. 19 W., Secs. 3 to 10, inclusive, secs.15 to 22, inclusive, and secs. 28 to 30, inclusive. T. 35 N., R. 20 W., Secs. 1 to 3, inclusive, secs.10 to 15, inclusive, secs. 22 to 27, inclusive, secs. 34 and 35. T. 36 N., R. 16 W., Secs. 18 to 20, inclusive, and secs. 29 to 32, inclusive. T. 36 N., R. 17 W., Secs. 4, secs. 8 to11, inclusive, secs. 13 to 30, inclusive, and sec. 36. T. 36 N., R. 18 W., Secs. 1 to 32, inclusive; sec. 36, N\1/2\. T. 36 N., R. 19 W., Secs. 1 to 34, inclusive, and sec. 36. T. 36 N., R. 20 W., Secs. 1 to 3, inclusive, secs. 10 to 15, inclusive, secs. 22 to 27, inclusive, and secs. 34 to 36, inclusive. T. 37 N., R. 17 W., Secs. 3, 4, secs. 8 to 10, inclusive, secs. 16 to 20, inclusive, and secs. 30 and 31. T. 37 N., R. 18 W., Secs. 1 to 36, inclusive. T. 37 N., R. 19 W., Secs. 1 to 36, inclusive. T. 37 N., R. 20 W., Secs. 1 to 3, inclusive, secs. 10 to 15, inclusive, secs. 22 to 27, inclusive, and secs. 34 to 36, inclusive. T. 38 N., R. 17 W., Secs. 33 and 34. T. 38 N., R. 18 W., Secs. 13 to 15, inclusive, and secs.17 to 35, inclusive. T. 38 N., R. 19 W., Secs. 2 to 36, inclusive. T. 38 N., R. 20 W., Secs. 1 to 3, inclusive, secs.10 to 15, inclusive, secs. 22 to 27, inclusive, and secs. 34 to 36, inclusive. T. 39 N., R. 18 W., Secs. 6, 7, secs. 17 to 20, inclusive, and secs. 29 and 30. T. 39 N., R. 19 W., Secs. 1 to 3, inclusive, secs. 5, 7, 8, secs. 10 to 15, inclusive, secs. 18, 19, and secs. 21 to 28, inclusive, sec. 30, and secs. 32 to 34, inclusive. T. 39 N., R. 20 W., Secs. 13, 14, secs. 23 to 27, inclusive, and secs. 34 to 36, inclusive. The areas described aggregate approximately 165,000 acres of Federal lands and 6,400 acres of reserved Federal mineral estate underlying privately held surface in Montezuma and Dolores Counties. For a period of 2 years from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, the Federal lands and minerals will be segregated from settlement, sale, location, and entry under the general land laws, including the mining and mineral material sales law, subject to valid existing rights, unless the proposal is canceled or unless the withdrawal is finalized prior to the end of the segregation. Further, the segregation does not preclude issuance of land use permits, rights- of-way or other authorizations that are needed to accommodate valid existing rights and previously authorized actions under the Mineral Leasing Act and other public land laws. All previously authorized activities and permitted uses of the segregated lands may be continued in accordance with the terms of the authorization. Dated: June 8, 1999. Ray Brady, Manager, Lands and Realty Group. [FR Doc. 99-14917 Filed 6-9-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P