Proposed Extension of Withdrawal; McGregor Range, New Mexico

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[NM-030-1430-00; NMNM 35829]

Proposed Extension of Withdrawal; McGregor Range, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army has filed an application to extend

the withdrawal of 608,384.87 acres of public land for the McGregor

Range, located in Otero County, New Mexico. The land was originally

withdrawn by Public Law 99-606 of November 6, 1986.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is currently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public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.

DATES: Comments regarding the proposed extension must be received on or

before May 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the BLM Las Cruces Field Office,

1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Hanley at the address above or

at (505) 525-4342.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 13, 1998, the Department of the

Army filed an application to extend the withdrawal for the McGregor

Range. The Army 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 McGregor Range is published in the

Federal Register Vol. 52, No. 133, July 13, 1987, pages 26188 and 26189

and Vol. 62, No. 209, October 29, 1997, page 56153. The area described

contains 608,384.87 acres in Otero County. A copy of the legal

description is available by contacting Theresa Hanley at the BLM Las

Cruces Field Office.

McGregor Range is used by the Army 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 Army. The land is contaminated with unexploded ordnance.

Three public scoping meetings were afforded in connection with the

proposed withdrawal extension. The objective of the public meetings was

to solicit public comments and meet the regulatory requirement for

proposed extension of withdrawals that exceed 5,000 acres (43 CFR

2310.3-1(b)(2)(v)). A notice of the time and place was published in the

Federal Register and a newspaper in the general vicinity of the lands

to be withdrawn at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the

meetings.

The Draft Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was

released on October 27, 1998. Three public hearings were held in

January 1999, for the purpose of receiving oral public comments on the

Draft Legislative EIS and to meet National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA) requirements for the proposed withdrawal extension.

From the date of publication of this notice to May 1, 1999, 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 BLM Las Cruces Field Office.

Dated: February 5, 1999.

Linda S.C. Rundell,

Field Manager, Las Cruces.

[FR Doc. 99-3346 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P