[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 32820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15917]



[[Page 32820]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[(CA-067-1430-00); CACA-22644]


Notice of Realty Action; Classification of Public Lands for 
Conveyance Under the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act; and 
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: A preliminary examination of the following described lands in 
Imperial County, California, has found the lands suitable for 
conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes 
Act of June 14, 1926, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).

San Bernardino Meridian

T. 11 S., R. 9 E.
    Secs. 2,4,6,10;
    Sec. 12, S\1/2\;
    Secs. 14,22,24,26;
T. 11 S., R. 10 E.
    Secs. 6,8,18,20,28,30,32,34;
    Secs. 22 and 26; portions lying west of Hwy 86
    T. 12 S., R. 9 E.
    Secs. 2,4,6,8,10,12;
    Secs. 14 and 18; portions lying north of Hwy 78
    T. 12 S., R. 10 E.
    Secs. 2,4,6,8,10,12;
    Sec. 9, E\1/2\NW\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Secs. 14 and 18; portions lying north of Hwy 78
    T. 12 S., R. 11 E.
    Sec. 6; portion lying west of Hwy 86
    Sec. 18; portion lying north of Hwy 78 and west of Hwy 86

Containing 21,000 acres, more or less.

    This classification action is in response to an application filed 
by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Ocotillo Wells 
State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). California State Parks proposes 
to use the lands to expand the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, a facility for off-
highway vehicle recreational use and activities. Off-highway vehicle 
(OHV) recreation activity is presently taking place on the subject 
lands. The intent of California State Parks is to allow the existing 
OHV recreation activity to continue as it presently occurs on the same 
existing roads and trails. Although California State Parks intends to 
only develop a minimum number of new trails and routes of travel, new 
connecting roads and trails would be constructed to facilitate 
circulation and emergency access. California State Parks would improve 
the existing operation of the subject lands by providing sanitary 
facilities, which include toilets, and trash bins. Additional 
improvements would include signage and protection of resources. A small 
service yard may be necessary to meet maintenance needs.
    The lands are in a checkerboard area of ownership, restricting 
BLM's ability to effectively manage the lands and protect the 
resources. Conveyance is consistent with current BLM land use planning 
and would be in the public interest. The lands are not needed for 
Federal purposes.
    Conveyance of the lands will be subject to the following terms, 
conditions and reservations:

    1. Provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act and to 
all applicable regulations of the Secretary of the Interior.
    2. A right-of-way for ditches and canals constructed by the 
authority of the United States (26 Stat. 391; 43 U.S.C. 945).
    3. All minerals shall be reserved to the United States, together 
with the right to prospect for, mine, and remove the minerals.
    4. All valid existing rights documented on the official public 
land records at the time of patent issuance.
    5. Any other reservations that the authorized officer determines 
appropriate to ensure public access and proper management of Federal 
lands and interests therein.

    Upon publication of this notice in the Federal Register, the lands 
will be segregated from all other forms of appropriation under the 
public land laws, including the general mining laws, except for 
conveyance under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act and leasing 
under the mineral leasing laws. For a period of 45 days from the date 
of publication of this notice, interested parties may submit comments 
regarding the proposed classification of the lands to the Area Manager, 
Bureau of Land Management, 1616 South 4th Street, El Centro, CA 92243. 
Comments on the classification are restricted to whether the land is 
physically suited for the proposal, whether the use will maximize the 
future use or uses of the lands, whether the use is consistent with 
local planning and zoning, or if the use is consistent with State and 
Federal programs. Any adverse comments will be reviewed by the State 
Director. In the absence of any adverse comments, the classification 
will become effective 60 days from the date of publication of this 
notice.
    Comments are also being requested to help identify significant 
issues or concerns related to the specific use proposed in the 
application and plan of development, and to determine the scope of the 
issues that need to be analyzed in the environmental assessment.
    A public scoping meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 1997, 
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the BLM, El Centro Resource Area Office, 1661 
South 4th St., El Centro, CA, 92243.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynda Kastoll, Realty Specialist, at 
the above address, or telephone (760) 337-4421.

    Dated: June 10, 1997.
Thomas F. Zale,
Acting Area Manager.
[FR Doc. 97-15917 Filed 6-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P