Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Notice of Public Meetings; Arizona

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AZ 950-5700-77; AZA 9973]

Notice of Proposed Withdrawal Extension and Notice of Public

Meetings; Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force has filed an application to

extend the withdrawal of 2,668,100 acres of public land for the Barry

M. Goldwater Air Force Range. The land is currently withdrawn by Public

Law 99-606 of November 6, 1986. The withdrawal will expire on November

5, 2001, unless extended. This withdrawal extension requires

legislative action by Congress pursuant to the Act of February 28,

1958, 43 U.S.C. 155-158, commonly known as the Engle Act. The land is

currently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public

land laws, the mining laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the

geothermal leasing laws pursuant to Public Law 99-606.

This notice provides an opportunity for the public to submit

comments, suggestions, or objections and announces the time and place

for public meetings that will provide an opportunity for public

involvement regarding the Department of the Air Force's proposed

extension of the land withdrawal.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before December 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Linda Woestendiek, BMGR LEIS,

P.O. Box 67132, Phoenix, AZ 85082-7132.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gene Dahlem, BLM Phoenix Field Office,

602-580-5500.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 17, 1998, the Department of the

Air Force filed an application to extend the withdrawal for the Barry

M. Goldwater Air Force Range. The Air Force has determined there is a

continuing military need for the land and in accordance with section

8(a)(1) and (2) of Public Law 99-606, has filed the application to

extend the withdrawal on the following described land:

Gila and Salt River Meridian

T. 7 S., R. 1 W.,

Secs. 13 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 8 and 9 S., R. 1 W.

T. 7 S., R. 2 W.,

Secs. 13 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 8 and 9 S., R. 2 W.

T. 7 S., R. 3 W.,

Secs. 13 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 8 and 9 S., R. 3 W.

T. 10 S., R. 3 W., unsurveyed,

Secs. 4 to 9 inclusive;

Secs. 16 to 21, inclusive;

Secs. 28 to 33, inclusive.

T. 7 S., R. 4 W.,

Secs. 13 to 36 inclusive.

Tps. 8, 9, and 10 S., R. 4 W.

T. 6 S., R. 5 W.,

Sec. 13;

Sec. 14, E\1/2\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\;

Secs. 15, 16, and 17 inclusive;

Sec. 18, lots 3 and 4, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, SE\1/

4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;

Secs. 19 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 7 to 10 S., R. 5 W.

T. 6 S., R. 6 W.,

Sec. 13, E\1/2\SE\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;

Sec. 22, E\1/2\SE\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, and S\1/2\SW\1/4\;

Sec. 23, S\1/2\, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\NW\1/

4\;

Secs. 24 to 27, inclusive;

Secs. 34 to 36, inclusive.

T. 7 S., R. 6 W.,

Secs. 1 to 3, inclusive,

Secs. 10 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 8, 9 and 10 S., R. 6 W.

T. 11 S., R. 6 W.,

Sec. 3, lot 4, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and W\1/2\SW\1/4\;

Secs. 4 to 9, inclusive;

Sec. 10, W\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\;

Secs. 13 to 21, inclusive;

Sec. 22, W\1/2\;

Sec. 24, W\1/2\W\1/2\;

Sec. 25, W\1/2\NW\1/4\;

Sec. 26, S\1/2\;

Sec. 27, NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;

Secs. 28 to 30, inclusive.

T. 7 S., R. 7 W.,

Secs. 13 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 8 to 10 S., R. 7 W.

Tps. 11 and 12 S., R. 7 W., unsurveyed.

T. 14 S., R. 7 W.,

Secs. 6, 7, and 18.

T. 6 S., R. 8 W., partially surveyed,

Sec. 26, SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;

Secs. 27 to 31, all that portion lying south of the railroad

right-of-way, as more particularly defined and described on official

records of the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Office;

Secs. 32, 33, and 34;

Sec. 35, W\1/2\, and W\1/2\SE\1/4\.

T. 7 S., R. 8 W.,

Sec. 2, lots, 2, 3 and 4, and S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and

S\1/2\;

Secs. 3 to 11, inclusive;

Sec. 12, S\1/2\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\ and W\1/2\SW\1/4\;

Secs. 13 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 8 and 9 S., R. 8 W., unsurveyed.

T. 10 S., R. 8 W.

Tps. 11 and 12 S., R. 8 W., unsurveyed.

T. 13 S., R. 8 W., unsurveyed,

Secs. 2 to 11, inclusive;

Secs. 14 to 36, inclusive.

T. 14 S., R. 8 W., unsurveyed.

Secs. 1 to 21, inclusive.

Secs. 28 to 33, inclusive.

T. 15 S., R. 8 W., unsurveyed,

Secs. 4 to 9, inclusive;

Secs. 16 to 21, inclusive;

Secs. 28 to 33, inclusive.

T. 16 S., R. 8 W., unsurveyed,

Secs. 4 to 9, inclusive;

Secs. 16 to 21, inclusive;

Secs. 28 to 33, inclusive.

T. 17 S., R. 8 W., unsurveyed,

Secs. 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9.

T. 6 S., R. 9 W.,

Secs. 33, 34, and 35, all that portion lying south of the

railroad right-of-way, as more particularly identified and described

on the official records of the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona

State Office.

T. 7 S., R. 9 W.,

Secs. 1 to 4, inclusive;

Secs. 9 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 8 to 17 S., R. 9 W., unsurveyed.

Tps. 8 and 9 S., R. 10 W.

Tps. 10 to 16 S., R 10 W., unsurveyed.

Tps. 8 to 10 S., R. 11 W.

Tps. 11 to 16 S., R. 11 W., unsurveyed.

Tps. 8 and 9 S., Rs. 11\1/2\ and 12 W.

T. 10 S., R. 12 W.

Tps. 11 to 15 S., R. 12 W., unsurveyed.

T. 8 S., R 13 W., all that portion lying south of the railroad

right-of-way, as more particularly identified and described on the

official records of the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State

Office.

T. 9 and 10 S., R. 13 W.

Tps. 11 to 15 S., R. 13 W., unsurveyed.

T. 8 S., R. 14 W., all that portion lying south of the railroad

right-of-way, as more particularly identified and described on the

official records of the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State

Office.

Tps. 9 and 10 S., R. 14 W.

Tps. 11 to 15 S., R. 14 W., unsurveyed.

T. 8 S., R. 15 W.,

Secs. 33 to 36, inclusive.

T. 9 and 10 S., R. 15 W.

Tps. 11 to 14 S., R. 15 W., unsurveyed.

T. 9 S., R. 16 W.,

Secs. 1 and 2;

Secs. 7 to 36, inclusive.

T. 10 S., R 16 W.

Tps. 11 to 14 S., R. 16 W., unsurveyed.

T. 9 S., R. 17 W., partially surveyed,

Secs. 12 to 16, inclusive; Sec. 17, S\1/2\;

Secs. 19 to 36, inclusive.

T. 10 S., R. 17 W.

Tps. 11 to 14 S., R. 17 W., unsurveyed.

T. 9 S., R. 18 W.,

Sec. 21, SE\1/4\;

Sec. 22, S\1/2\;

Secs. 23 to 36, inclusive.

T. 10 S., R. 18 W.

Tps. 11 to 13 S., R. 18 W., unsurveyed.

T. 9 S., R. 19 W.,

Secs. 25 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 10 to 13 S., R. 19 W., unsurveyed.

T. 9 S., R. 20 W.,

[[Page 53096]]

Secs. 25 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 10 to 12 S., R. 20 W., unsurveyed.

T. 9 S., R. 21 W.,

Secs. 25 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 10 to 12 S., R. 21 W.

T. 9 S., R. 22 W.,

Secs. 25 to 28, inclusive;

Sec. 29, E\1/2\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\;

Secs. 32 to 36, inclusive.

T. 10 S., R. 22 W.,

Secs. 1 to 5, inclusive;

Sec. 6, E\1/2\;

Secs. 7 to 36, inclusive.

Tps. 11 and 12 S., R. 22 W.

The area described above contains 2,668,100 acres, more or less,

in Maricopa, Pima, and Yuma Counties, Arizona, of which

approximately 83,625 are owned by the Department of the Air Force.

The Range is used by the Air Force for testing and training for

aerial bombing, missile firing, tactical maneuvering and air support,

and other defense related purposes. There is also a need to protect the

public's health and welfare from the hazardous operations conducted by

the Air Force. The land is contaminated with unexploded ordnance.

For a period of 90 days from the date of publication of this

notice, all persons who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or

objections in connection with the proposed withdrawal extension may

present their views in writing to Linda Woestendiek, BMGR LEIS, P.O.

Box 67132, Phoenix, AZ 85082-7132.

Notice is hereby given that seven public meetings will be held. The

purpose of these meetings is for interested persons to comment on the

proposed extension of the withdrawal and the associated draft

legislative environmental impact statement. Each meeting will involve

an open house, followed by a formal public hearing. The purpose of the

open house is for people to gather information on the proposed land

withdrawal extension and ask questions. People interested in the

proposed extension of the land withdrawal and the associated draft

legislative environmental impact statement will have the opportunity to

make formal remarks at the hearing.

The seven meetings will be conducted as shown below:

Monday, November 9, 1998, Sinagua High School Cafeteria, 3950 E. Butler

Ave., Flagstaff, AZ, Open house-5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m, Hearing-7:00

p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 10, 1998, Palo Verde Building, Adult Center, 7121 N.

57th Ave., Glendale, AZ, Open house-5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Hearing-

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 12, 1998, El Rio Center Multi-Purpose Room, 1390 W.

Speedway, Tucson, AZ, Open house-5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Hearing-7:00

p.m. to 9:00

Friday, November 13, 1998, Casa Grand Union High School, 2730 N.

Trekell Rd., Casa Grande, AZ, Open house-5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,

Hearing-7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 14, 1998, Tohono O'odham Tribal Headquarters, Tribal

Council Chambers, Sells, AZ, Open house-2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.,

Hearing-3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday, November 16, 1998, Yuma High School Cafeteria, 400 6th Ave.,

Yuma, AZ, Open house-5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Hearing-7:00 p.m. to 9:00

p.m.

Tuesday, November 17, 1998, Ajo Community Center, Bud Walker Park 290

E. 5th Street, Ajo, AZ, Open house-5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Hearing-7:00

p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Dated: September 22, 1998.

Michael A. Ferguson,

Deputy State Director, Resources Division.

[FR Doc. 98-25811 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-32-P