[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 13872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7390]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[CA-017-1920-4686; CACA 36507]


Notice of Intent To Amend Bishop Resource Management Plan, 
Bakersfield District, California; Notice of Exchange Proposal: Manzanar 
Exchange, California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to amend the Bishop Resource Management Plan's 
list of public land disposal parcels, adding a 275 acre parcel and a 
Notice of Exchange Proposal for the Manzanar Exchange involving public 
and private lands in Inyo County, CA.

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SUMMARY: On March 3, 1992, the President signed the Manzanar Natural 
Historic Site Act which authorized the acquisition of 500 acres of land 
at the historic site only by donation or exchange. The site is owned by 
the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). In April 
1995 the National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
and the LADWP entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 
regarding an exchange of public land for the Manzanar Site. The General 
Management Plan for Manzanar identified 585 acres for inclusion in the 
site and an additional 215 acres having historic value is desired to 
expand the site to a total of 800 acres more or less. As per the MOU, 
LADWP would select and receive public land identified in the Bishop 
Resource Management Plan (RMP) for disposal. The Notice of Intent to 
amend the Bishop RMP resulted from the selection process by LADWP. A 
portion of the public land selected by LADWP for the Manzanar exchange 
is 275 acres having a portion of the dry Owens River. This river 
portion is also part of the Owens River rewatering project, a project 
agreed to by LADWP and the County of Inyo. Both LADWP and the County 
have indicated that ownership of this river portion should be by LADWP 
which would simplify administering the rewatering project. It is in the 
public interest to amend the Bishop RMP and identify this 275 acres 
parcel for disposal thereby facilitating the Manzanar exchange. The 
Notice of Exchange Proposal is for the Manzanar exchange. In the 
exchange LADWP would transfer up to 800 acres more or less of the 
Manzanar site to the NPS and the BLM would exchange public land to the 
LADWP. LADWP has agreed that the long-term intent is to release the 
identified exchange land in the Independence area or more suitable land 
into private ownership for community development. It is in the public 
interest to proceed with the exchange thereby acquiring the Manzanar 
Site for the NPS and implementing a portion of the Bishop RMP (Land 
Disposal). The exchange involves the following lands located in the 
County of Inyo, California: Offered Non-Federal Lands, to be Conveyed 
to the United States. These lands are known as the Manzanar Historic 
Site and are located within the following general description:

Mount Diablo Meridian, California

T. 14 S., R. 35 E.,
    Sec. 9, E\1/2\E\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, All;
    Sec. 11, W\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 14, NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 15, N\1/2\, N\1/2\S\1/2\;
    Sec. 16, E\1/2\E\1/2\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\.

    Containing 800 acres more or less.

    Selected Federal Lands, to be Patented to the City of Los Angeles:

Mount Diablo Meridian, California

T. 11S., R. 35 E.,
    Sec. 30, Lots 1 and 2, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/
4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 31, Lot 8, W\1/2\W\1/2\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/
4\.
    Containing 275 acres more or less. Known as the Owens River 
parcel.
T. 13 S., R. 35 E.,
    Sec. 18, S\1/2\ of Lot 2 of NW\1/4\, Lot 1 and 2 of SW\1/4\, 
SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\.

    Containing 282.81 acres. Known as the Independence parcel.

    Additional Federal Lands which could be selected for equal value 
adjustment. These lands are identified in the Bishop RMP for disposal 
and are located in:

Mount Diablo Meridian, California

T. 7 S., R. 33 E.,
    Sec. 30,
    Sec. 31.
T. 13 S., R. 35 E.,
    Sec. 29.
T. 14 S., R. 36 E.,
    Sec. 31.

Supplemental Information: Final determination on the exchange and the 
RMP amendment will made using public comments and an environmental 
assessment. Public land within any Wilderness Study Area will not be 
involved in this exchange. The value of the lands to be exchanged will 
be approximately equal. The conveyance document (patent) for the 
Federal public lands will include the following reservations to the 
United States:

    1. ``A right-of-way thereon for ditches or canals constructed by 
the authority of the United States. Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C. 
945).''

    2. ``Authorized rights-of-way and other valid third party rights 
will be recognized. The Proponent will negotiate new easement/permit 
agreements with third party rights. Patents to selected public lands 
will be issued subject to any third party rights not successfully 
negotiated and replaced by a Proponent easement or permit.''

    Upon publication of this Notice in the Federal Register, the public 
lands described above are segregated from all forms of appropriation 
under the public land laws, including the mineral laws for a period of 
five years from the date of publication. The segregative effect shall 
terminate as provided by 43 CFR 2201.1(c).

    Detailed information concerning the RMP amendment or the Manzanar 
exchange is available at the Bishop Resource Area Office, 785 N. Main 
St. Suite E, Bishop, Ca 93514 or by contacting Larry Primosch at (619) 
872-4881.

Comments: On or before March 13, 1996, interested parties may submit 
valid comments on the Bishop RMP amendment or the Manzanar Exchange to 
the Bishop Resource Area Manager, 785 N. Main St. Suite E, Bishop, CA 
93514.

    Dated: March 21, 1996.

Genivieve D. Rasmussen,

Area Manager, Bishop Resource Area.

[FR Doc. 96-7390 Filed 3-27-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-40-P