[Federal Register: April 13, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 71)]
[Notices]
[Page 19203-19204]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[CA-180-06-1430-EQ; CACA 46909]

Notice of Realty Action; Non-Competitive Land Use Authorization for Public Lands in Yuba County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of realty action.

SUMMARY: The Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Joint Apprenticeship
Training Committee has submitted a written proposal to the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) to utilize portions of the following described
lands in Yuba County, California for the purposes of constructing and
operating a training facility for heavy equipment operators:

T. 16 N., R. 5 E., Mount Diablo Meridian
Sec. 27, Lots 4, 5, and 12, S\1/2\N\1/2\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, S\1/
2\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\.

The BLM has reviewed the proposal and has determined that the land
would be suitable for a non-competitive land use authorization under
the provisions of Section 302 of the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act.

DATES: Interested parties may submit comments in writing to BLM at the
address below not later than May 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management, Field Office Manager, Folsom
Field Office, 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jodi Lawson, Realty Specialist, at
address given above, or by telephone at (916) 985-4474.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal is to utilize 57 acres of
public land for the construction and operation of an apprenticeship
training center for heavy equipment operators. The training center
would consist of two 2,400 square-foot stationary buildings, one for
maintenance and one for equipment/vehicle washing; and five portable
trailers that would serve as classrooms, a restroom, and an
administrative building. The training center would require
approximately 9,500 square feet of unpaved parking and unpaved roads
connecting the parking area to Hammonton Road. Approximately 20 pieces
of heavy equipment would be stored on-site within the unpaved parking
area which would be fenced to control access and prevent unauthorized
entry.

The training center would provide training opportunities in 6-week
classes with 20 students at a time. Students would be trained in the
use of heavy equipment in rock, sand and gravel operations. The center
would also offer 2-week classes for upgrading journeyman equipment
operator's skills.

BLM has assessed the proposal and determined the proposed use would
be in conformance with the Sierra Planning Area Management Framework
Plan, under 43 CFR 1610.8. The site is suitable for the requested land
use due to past industrial mining operations that has previously
severely disturbed the environment on most of the site. A non-
competitive land use authorization may be employed due to the absence
of any competitive interest past or present for use of the land for
such a purpose.

An environmental analysis was completed in connection with the
proposal. The analysis indicated the project would have positive
economic impacts and no significant environmental impacts.
Yuba County, in which the area is located, is one of the more
economically depressed counties in California. Nearly 21% of the
county's population lives below the poverty line and per capita income
is one third less than the state average. Projects with positive
economic impacts are highly sought after by local government. For this
reason and others, the Yuba County Board of Supervisors supports the
project and has passed two resolutions indicating their support of the
project.

Environmental impacts are benign due largely to the fact that the
area in which heavy equipment would be operated has previously been
mined. The land was mined by large gold dredges that literally turned
the landscape upside down.

On October 13, 2005 a public meeting was held in Marysville,
California to discuss the project and the environmental assessment. The
meeting was attended by over 120 people. Twenty-five speakers spoke in
favor, one in opposition. One speaker spoke in favor but asked for
minor amendments to the project specifications. Two current members of
the Yuba County Board of Supervisors and one past board member made
comments in favor of the project. Six written comments were provided to
the BLM at the public meeting, all but one was in support. The letter
of opposition was from Western Aggregates, L.L.C. a mining company with
substantial interests in this area.

The 45-day public comment period on the environmental assessment
yielded five public comments. One was extensive and critical of the
environmental assessment. It was provided by the attorney for Western
Aggregates, L.L.C. A comment letter was received from the Corps of
Engineers which pointed out their omission as an agency with an
interest in the area, and a letter was received from the State of
California indicating compliance with California State Clearinghouse
procedures. The final two comment letters were from individuals
supporting the project, though one letter requested certain mitigation
measures.

Following publication of this notice, and pursuant to the
regulations at 43 CFR part 2920, BLM will accept for processing an
application filed by the Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Joint
Apprenticeship Training Center for a non-competitive land use
authorization for the above described public land for use as proposed
herein. Copies of the environmental analysis of this proposed action
are available for review at the Folsom Field Office.

BILLING CODE 4310-40-P