[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27065-27066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12847]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-985-0777-66; WYW-138720]


Realty Action; Direct Sale of Public Land; Cody Resource Area, 
Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of realty action.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management has determined that the 
following land is suitable for direct sale to Peter M. Scripps under 
Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
(FLPMA) of 1976, (90 STAT. 2750, 2757), (43 U.S.C. 1713, 1719), (43 CFR 
2711.3-3 [1] and [5]) and (43 CFR 270) at not less than fair market 
value. The land will not be offered for sale until at least 60 days 
after the date this notice is published in the Federal Register.

Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming

T. 51 N., R. 102 W.,
    Tract 72C.

    Containing 9 acres more or less.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duane Whitmer, Area Manager, Bureau of 
Land Management, Cody Resource Area, P.O. Box 518, Cody, Wyoming 82414-
0518, 307-587-2216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The land described is hereby segregated from 
appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws, 
pending disposition of this action, or 270 days from the date of 
publication of this notice, which ever occurs first. The land would be 
offered by direct sale to Peter M. Scripps, an adjacent private 
landowner, at fair market value. Mr. Scripps would pay almost all of 
the administrative costs of the sale. This sale is consistent with 
Bureau of Land Management policies and the Cody Resource Management 
Plan (RMP) approved November 8, 1990. As indicated in the Cody RMP, the 
preferred method of land disposal to a private landowner is by 
exchange. However, because of the small acreage and relatively low 
dollar value involved, BLM believes a sale is more appropriate.
    The purpose of this sale is to resolve a conflict with an 
inadvertent placement of a private water well on public lands, to 
consolidate Mr. Scripps' holdings, and to dispose of an isolated parcel 
of public land that is difficult and uneconomical to manage. The 9 acre 
tract is adjoined on two sides by Mr. Scripps' land, and by state of 
Wyoming land on the other two sides. There is virtually no public 
access to the tract, except by foot or horseback across 0.75 to 1.5 
miles of public and state land to the north and east. The unfenced 
tract consists of a moderately steep hillside covered with mostly 
sagebrush, grasses, and some trees. Little, if any, use of the land by 
the public has occurred in the past because of the isolated location. A 
public scoping notice regarding this proposed sale was published in the 
Cody Enterprise for three consecutive weeks from July 29, 1996 to 
August 12, 1996. No adverse comments were received.

[[Page 27066]]

    Mr. Scripps would be required to submit a nonrefundable application 
fee of $50.00 in accordance with 43 CFR 2720, for conveyance of all 
unreserved mineral interests in the lands. There are no grazing 
privileges associated with the land.
    Any patent issued will be subject to all valid existing rights. 
Specific patent reservations include:
    1. A right-of-way thereon for ditches or canals constructed by the 
authority of the United States pursuant to the Act of August 30, 1890 
(43 U.S.C. 945).
    2. All oil and gas will be reserved to the United States, together 
with the right to prospect for, mine, and remove the same.
    3. All other existing rights of record.
    The fair market value, planning document, and environmental 
assessment covering the proposed sale will be available for review at 
the Bureau of Land Management, Cody Resource Area, 1002 Blackburn, 
Cody, Wyoming 82414.
    For a period of 45 days from the date this notice is published in 
the Federal Register, interested parties may submit comments to the 
Cody Resource Area, P.O. Box 518, Cody, Wyoming 82414-0518. Any adverse 
comments will be evaluated by the State Director, who may vacate or 
modify this realty action and issue a final determination. In the 
absence of any action by the State Director, this realty action will 
become the final determination of the Department of Interior.
    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondent will 
be available for public review at the Cody Resource Area Office, 1002 
Blackburn, Cody, Wyoming during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday, except holidays. Individual 
respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your 
name or address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom 
of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of 
your comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by 
law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from 
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of 
organizations or businesses, will be made available for public 
inspection in their entirety.

    Dated: May 6, 1997.
Darrell Barnes,
Worland District Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-12847 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P