[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5798-5799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3302]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[ES-030-6-1430-02]


Notice of Intent; Prepare Michigan Lighthouse Planning Analysis/
Environmental Assessment

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Milwaukee District, is 
initiating the preparation of a Michigan Lighthouse Planning Analysis/
Environmental Assessment (PA/EA) to address the future management and 
treatment of properties withdrawn for lighthouse purposes in the State 
of Michigan.
    This notice is issued pursuant to Title 43, CFR, Sec. 1610.2 (C). 
The planning effort will follow the procedures set forth in 43 CFR, 
Subpart 1600.
    The public is invited to participate in this land use planning 
effort. The BLM is seeking written comments providing suggestions, 
solutions and criteria for the long-term management of the public 
domain tracts withdrawn for lighthouse purposes in the State of 
Michigan.


[[Page 5799]]

DATES: Comments relating to the identification of additional issues and 
long-term management criteria will be accepted until March 14, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Bureau of Land Management, 
Milwaukee District Office, P.O. Box 631, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-
0631.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Johnson at 414-297-4413 or Ed 
Ruda at 703-440-1671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Coast Guard (USCG) 
currently has jurisdictional authority over a number of parcels of 
public domain lands withdrawn between 1850 and 1920 for lighthouse 
purposes. The USCG has determined that these withdrawals are no longer 
needed for lighthouse purposes and has filed notices of relinquishment 
with the BLM under 43 CFR 2370.
    The BLM has completed, or will be conducting, suitability 
determinations under 43 CFR 2372. These suitability determinations will 
decide whether all, or some, of the withdrawn parcels are suitable for 
return to the public domain. Those withdrawals found to be unsuitable 
for return to the public domain will be referred to the General 
Services Administration for disposal. Any withdrawn lands found to be 
suitable for return to the public domain will become the administrative 
responsibility of the BLM until such time that a decision is made on 
the disposition of the property. If the decision is made to dispose, 
transfer, or lease the lighthouse properties, the Michigan Lighthouse 
PA/EA will provide BLM managers with the authority to finalize these 
actions.
    The plan will also consider alternatives which include management 
of the properties through partnership agreements with other Federal or 
State agencies, local governments, private historic preservation, 
recreational or conservation groups.
    The issues BLM has identified thus far include:
    1. How will significant historic, archaeological, and natural 
resources be protected?
    2. Should BLM continue to manage the stations by itself or through 
partnerships with other government agencies, local lighthouse 
preservation, historical societies or conservation groups?
    3. Should the lands be transferred to another Federal agency, such 
as the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service or Forest 
Service?
    4. Should the lands be transferred, leased or sold out of Federal 
Ownership?
    Listed are those properties, to date, for which BLM has received 
notices from the USCG relinquishing their management responsibilities:

Big Sable (MIES-012614)
    Section 7, T.19N., R.18W., Mason County, MI
Eagle Harbor (MIES-047394)
    Section 6, T.58N., R.30W., Keweenaw County, MI
Grand Traverse (MIES-016817)
    Lots 2 & 3, Section 6, T.32N., R.10W., Leelanau County, MI
Manitou Island Lighthouse (MIES-019212)
    Section 15, T.58N., R.26W., Keweenaw County, MI
Manitou Island (MIES-002777)
    Section 17, 20 & 21, T.58N., R.26W., Keweenaw County, MI
Passage Island (MIES-010244)
    Section 18, T.67N., R.32W., Keweenaw County, MI
Point Betsie (MIES-033804)
    Lot #5, Section 4, T.26N., R.16W., Benzie County, MI
Poverty Island (MIES-002537)
    Section 8 & 9, T.36N., R.19W., Delta County, MI
Presque Isle (MIES-017076)
    Section 8, T.34N., R.8E., Presque Isle County, MI
Thunder Bay (MIES-012677)
    Section 3, T.30N., R.10E., and Lot #5, Section 33, Fractional 
Section 34, T.31N., R.10E., Alpena County, MI
Whitefish Point (MIES-047725)
    Section 32, T.51N., R.5W., Chippewa County, MI

    As additional relinquishment notices are received, the management 
decisions relating to the withdrawn lighthouse properties will be made 
using the same criteria as described in the final Michigan Lighthouse 
PA/EA document.
    The planning issues and long-term management solutions will be 
available for public comment and subject to change based upon such 
public comments. The planning team, consisting of a number of Eastern 
States' technical specialists, will seek public involvement throughout 
the planning process. Currently, the BLM does not plan to hold public 
meetings. BLM will consider holding public meetings if significant 
public interest is expressed.
    Complete records of all phases of the planning process will be 
available for public review and comment at the Bureau of Land 
Management, Milwaukee District Office, 310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 
450, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Draft and final documents will be available 
upon request.

    Dated: February 2, 1996.
Chris Hanson,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-3302 Filed 2-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-P