Water Rights Under the Wilderness Act

SUMMARY: The Departments of Agriculture and the Interior are extending

until June 1, 1994 the period for public comment on a reevaluation of

the Federal position on interpreting the Wilderness Act of 1964 in

relation to water rights. The Departments had previously sought public

comment until April 1, 1994. See 58 FR 68629 (December 28, 1993).

DATES: Comments are requested by June 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to James Gilliland, General

Counsel, Department of Agriculture, Room 107W, Administration Building,

14th and Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-1401, or to John

D. Leshy, Solicitor, Department of the Interior, MS 6352, 1849 C St.

NW., Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

James Gilliland, 202-720-3351, or John D. Leshy, 202-208-4423.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Departments of Agriculture and the

Interior, in consultation with the Department of Justice, are

undertaking to reexamine the position of their agencies not to file

claims for water rights under federal law based upon congressional

designation of federal lands as part of the National Wilderness

Preservation System. Pending that reevaluation, a Department of the

Interior Solicitor's Opinion reaching that conclusion (#M-36914 (Supp.

III) (July 26, 1988), overruling a portion of Solicitor's Opinion M-

36914, 86 I.D. 553 (June 25, 1979), has been withdrawn, as has the

concurrence of the Attorney General in the 1988 Opinion.

Bonnie L. Luken,

Deputy General Counsel, Department of Agriculture.

John D. Leshy,

Solicitor, Department of the Interior.

[FR Doc. 94-9915 Filed 4-22-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-17-M