[Federal Register: February 16, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 33)]
[Notices]               
[Page 10737-10738]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16fe01-106]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ-010-1210-ET; AZA-31344]

 
Cancellation of Proposed Withdrawal; Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice terminates the segregative effect of a proposed 
withdrawal of 299,952.41 acres of lands requested by the Bureau of Land 
Management at the Paria Plateau. On November 9, 2000, the Vermilion 
Cliffs National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation 
No. 7374, so the withdrawal is not needed. This notice opens the lands, 
that are not located within the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, to 
surface entry and mining.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 19, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Ford, BLM Arizona Strip Field 
Office, 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790, 435-688-3200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Proposed Withdrawal was 
published in the Federal Register, FR 00-20678, August 15, 2000, which 
temporarily segregated the lands described therein from location and 
entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, subject 
to valid existing rights. The new Vermilion Cliffs National Monument 
includes most of the lands proposed for withdrawal, so the Bureau of 
Land Management has determined that the proposed withdrawal is not 
needed and has cancelled its application.
    At 9 a.m. on March 19, 2001, the lands that were described in the 
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal in the Federal Register, FR 00-20678, 
August 15, 2000, that are not located within the Vermilion Cliffs 
National Monument, will be opened to operation of the public land laws 
generally, subject to valid existing rights, the provision of

[[Page 10738]]

existing withdrawals, other segregations of record, and the 
requirements of applicable law. All valid applications received at or 
prior to 9 a.m. on March 19, 2001, shall be considered as 
simultaneously filed at that time. Those received thereafter shall be 
considered in the order of filing.
    At 9 a.m. on March 19, 2001, the lands that were described in the 
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal in the Federal Register, FR 00-20678, 
August 15, 2000, that are not located within the Vermilion Cliffs 
National Monument will be opened to location and entry under the United 
States mining laws, subject to valid existing rights, the provision of 
existing withdrawals, and other segregations of record. Appropriation 
of any of the lands referenced in this order under the general mining 
laws prior to the date and time of restoration is unauthorized. Any 
such attempted appropriation, including attempted adverse possession 
under 30 U.S.C. 38 (1994), shall vest no rights against the United 
States. Acts required to establish a location and to initiate a right 
of possession are governed by State law where not in conflict with 
Federal law. The Bureau of Land Management will not intervene in 
disputes between rival locators over possessory rights since Congress 
has provided for such determinations in local courts.

    Dated: February 5, 2001.
Michael A. Ferguson,
Deputy State Director, Resources Division.
[FR Doc. 01-3893 Filed 2-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P