Notice of Proposed Extension of Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Nevada

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NV-930-1430-01; NV-16095]

Notice of Proposed Extension of Withdrawal and Opportunity for

Public Meeting; Nevada

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 3,038,698 acres of public land for the Nellis

Air Force Range. The land was originally withdrawn by Public Law 99-606

of November 6, 1986 (2,945,726 acres). There were additions in 1988

(89,000 acres) and 1995 (3,972 acres). 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currently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public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.

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

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Nevada State Director, BLM,

1340 Financial Blvd., P.O. Box 12000, Reno, Nevada 89520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis J. Samuelson, BLM Nevada State

Office, 702-861-6532.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 21, 1998, the Department of the

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

Air Force Range. The Air Force has determined there is a continuing

military need for the land and filed the application for extension in

accordance with Section 8(a)(1) and (2) of Public Law 99-606. The legal

description for the Range is as published in the 52 FR 2772, January

26, 1987, FR Doc. 87-1596; the 53 FR 38099, September 29, 1988, FR Doc.

88-22253; and the 60 FR 18030, April 10, 1995, FR Doc. 95-8756. The

area described contains 3,038,698 acres in Clark, Lincoln, and Nye

Counties.

A copy of the legal description is available by contacting Dennis

J. Samuelson at the address or phone number listed above.

The Range is used by the Air Force as a national test and training

facility for military equipment and personnel. The Range provides for

realistic, secure, simulation of a battle area, complete with surface

and air defense systems, command/control systems, and targets. These

activities need to be performed in a secure area to ensure public

safety.

This withdrawal extension requires legislative action by Congress

pursuant to the Act of February 28, 1958, 43 U.S.C. 155-158.

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 the Nevada State Director of the

Bureau of Land Management.

There will be seven public meetings. 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 begin with an open house at 6:30 p.m. The

purpose of the open house is for people to gather information on the

proposed land withdrawal extension and ask questions. A formal public

hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. for each meeting and will continue

until 10:00 p.m. 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.

The seven meetings will be conducted at the following locations on

the dates indicated:

[[Page 53097]]

November 9, 1998, Indian Springs Community Center, Indian Springs, NV.

November 10, 1998, Eldorado High School, Las Vegas, NV.

November 11, 1998, Caliente Youth Center, Caliente, NV.

November 12, Pahrump Valley High School, Pahrump, NV.

November 13, Beatty High School, Beatty, NV.

November 16, Tonopah Convention Center, Tonopah, NV.

November 17, Airport Plaza Hotel, Reno, NV.

Dated: September 28, 1998.

Michael R. Ford,

Deputy State Director, Natural Resources, Lands and Planning.

[FR Doc. 98-26403 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P