[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 232 (Monday, December 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 63860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30578]


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DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NM-038-1110-00; NMNM95104]


Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; Devil's 
Backbone Bighorn Sheep Habitat Area, New Mexico

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The BLM proposes to withdraw 5,607.52 acres of public land in 
Socorro County, New Mexico to protect State endangered desert bighorn 
sheep habitat in the Devil's Backbone Bighorn Sheep Habitat Area. This 
notice closes the land for up to 2 years from surface entry and mining. 
The land will remain open to mineral leasing.

DATES: Comments and requests for a public meeting should be received on 
or before March 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments and meeting requests should be sent to the Socorro 
Resource Area Manager, 198 Neel Avenue, Socorro, New Mexico 87801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lois Bell, BLM, Socorro Resource Area Office, 198 Neel Ave, NW, 
Socorro, New Mexico 87801, or telephone (505) 835-0412.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 22, 1996, a petition was 
approved allowing the BLM to file an application to withdraw the 
following described public land from settlement, sale, location and 
entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, subject 
to valid existing rights:

New Mexico Principal Meridian

T. 5 S., R. 3 W.,
    Sec. 16, lots 5 to 8, inclusive, N\1/2\, and N\1/2\S\1/2\;
    Secs. 21, 28, 29, and 32.
T. 6 S., R. 3 W.,
    Sec. 4, lots 3 and 4, and SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 9, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 15, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 16;
    Sec. 22, E\1/2\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and E\1/2\SW\1/
4\.
T. 5 S., R. 4 W.,
    Sec. 25, E\1/2\.

    The area described aggregates 5,607.52 acres in Socorro County, 
New Mexico.

    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 may present their 
views in writing to the BLM Socorro Resource Area Manager. Notice is 
hereby given that an opportunity for a public meeting is afforded in 
connection with the proposed withdrawal. All interested persons who 
desire a public meeting for the purpose of being heard on the proposed 
withdrawal must submit a written request to the BLM Socorro Resource 
Area Manager within 90 days from the date of publication of this 
notice. Upon determination by the authorized officer that a public 
meeting will be held, a notice of time and place will be published in 
the Federal Register at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the 
meeting.
    The application will be processed in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR 2300. For a period of 2 years from the 
date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register, the land 
will be segregated as specified above unless the application is denied 
or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. The 
temporary uses which will be permitted during this segregative period 
are leases, permits, and rights-of-way.

    Dated: November 22, 1996.
Josie Banegas,
Acting District Manager.
[FR Doc. 96-30578 Filed 11-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-M