[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 44716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21970]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[MT-962-1430-00-CCAM]


Notice of Availability for the Cooke City Area Mineral Withdrawal 
Record of Decision; Montana

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture; Bureau of Land Management, 
Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Record of Decision (ROD) on the final environmental impact 
statement (EIS) for the Cooke City Area Mineral Withdrawal is 
available. The ROD documents the selection of the Preferred 
Alternative, the mineral withdrawal of approximately 22,065 acres of 
Federal land, and provides background information and rationale for the 
decision. The ROD also documents the decision to amend the Custer and 
Gallatin Forest Plans to reflect the intent of the mineral withdrawal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Thompson, BLM Co-Lead, or Larry 
Timchak, FS Co-Lead, CCAM, BLM Montana State Office, PO Box 36800, 
Billings, Montana 59107-6800, 406-255-0322.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS for the Cooke City Area 
Mineral Withdrawal was released and made available for a 30-day public 
availability period on July 11, 1997. The final EIS documents the 
effects of withdrawing from federal mineral location and entry 22,065 
acres of federal mineral estate near Cooke City, Montana. The mineral 
withdrawal would also apply to hardrock minerals acquired by the United 
States and managed as leasable minerals. The mineral withdrawal would 
be subject to review after 20 years. Forest plans for the Custer and 
Gallatin National Forests would be amended to reflect the intent of the 
mineral withdrawal. Unpatented mining claims with valid existing rights 
and private lands would not be affected. The decisions are not subject 
to administrative appeal or protest under Forest Service and BLM 
regulations.

    Dated: August 12, 1997.
James R. Lyons,
Under Secretary Natural Resources and Environment.

Bob Armstrong,
Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Lands and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 97-21970 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-DN-P