Proposed Withdrawal; Opportunity for Public Meeting; Colorado

AGENCY:

Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to withdraw approximately 5,922 acres of public lands for 20 years to protect the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge. This notice closes these lands to operation of the public land laws including location and entry under the mining laws for up to two years. The lands have been and remain open to mineral leasing.

DATES:

Comments on this proposed withdrawal must be received on or before October 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should be sent to the Colorado State Director, BLM, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215-7076.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Doris E. Chelius, 303-239-3706.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On June 12, 2000, a petition was approved allowing the Fish and Wildlife Service to file an application to withdraw the following described public lands from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, subject to valid existing rights, and transfer administrative jurisdiction to the Fish and Wildlife Service:

Sixth Principal Meridian

T. 10 N., R 102 W.,

Sec. 18, lots 7 and 8, E1/2SW1/4, SW1/4SE1/4, and those portions of lots 6 and 9, SW1/4NE1/4, SE1/4NW1/4, NW1/4SE1/4, and NE1/4SE1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 19, lots 5, 6, and 12, NW1/4NE1/4, SW1/4NE1/4, NE1/4NW1/4 and those portions of lot 10 and SE1/2NE1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 20, SW1/4SW1/4 and those portions of the SW1/4NW1/4, NW1/4SW1/4, NE1/4SW1/4, and SE1/4SW1/4, lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 29, SW1/4, W1/2NW1/4, SE1/4NW1/4, and those portions of the SW1/4NE1/4, NE1/4NW1/4, NW1/4SE1/4, SW1/4SE1/4, and SE1/4SE1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 32, lot 3, NW1/4NE1/4 and that portion of lot 1 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318.

T. 10 N., R. 103 W.,

Sec. 4, SW1/4SW1/4, and those portions of the SW1/4NW1/4, NW1/4SW1/4, NE1/4SW1/4, SE1/4SW1/4, and SW1/4SE1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 5, lots 7 and 8, S1/2, S1/2NW1/4, SW1/4NE1/4, and those portions of lots 5 and 6, and SE1/4NE1/4, lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 6, lots 8, 9, 21,and 22, SE1/4NE1/4, NE1/4SE1/4, and S1/2SE1/4;

Sec. 7, N1/2NE1/4;

Sec. 8, N1/2N1/2;

Sec. 9, N1/2NW1/4, NW1/4NE1/4, and that portion of the NE1/4NE1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 10, SW1/4NW1/4, SW1/4, SW1/4SE1/4, and those portions of the N1/2NW1/4, SW1/4NE1/4, NW1/4SE1/4, SE1/4SE1/4, and NE1/4SW1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 11, that portion of the S1/2S1/2 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 12, that portion of the SW1/4SW1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 13, S1/2, S1/2NW1/4, and that portion of the NW1/4NE1/4, N1/2NW1/4, and S1/2NE1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318;

Sec. 14, N1/2, SE1/4, and N1/2SW1/4;

Sec. 23, NE1/4;

Sec. 24, N1/2.

T. 10 N., R 104 W.,

Sec. 1, lots 9, 10, 11, 14 thru 19 inclusive, E1/2SW1/4.

T. 11 N., R. 103 W.,

Sec 31, S1/2SE1/4 lying south of the centerline of County Highway 318;

Sec 32, S1/2SW1/4 lying south and west of the centerline of County Route 318.

T. 11 N., R. 104 W.,

Sec. 24, lot 4 and SE1/4SW1/4;

Sec. 25, lots 1 thru 5 inclusive, 7, 12, 22, 24, and 25, and SW1/4SW1/4;

Sec. 36, lots 1, 2, 8 thru 13 inclusive, and 20 thru 25 inclusive, and NE1/4NW1/4.

The area described contains approximately 5,922 acres in Moffat County.

For a period of 90 days from the date of publication of this notice, all parties who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with this proposed action, may present their views in writing to the Colorado State Director. A public meeting will be scheduled and held, the meeting will be conducted in accordance with 43 CFR 2310.3-1(c)(2).

This application will be processed in accordance with the regulations set forth in 43 CFR Part 2310.

For a period of two years from the date of publication in the Federal Register, these lands will be segregated as specified above unless the application is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. During this period the Bureau of Land Management, in conjunction with the Fish and Wildlife Service, will continue to manage this land.