[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 168 (Friday, August 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 45868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22998]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NV-930-1430-01; N-16095]


Determination Regarding Opening of Nellis Air Force Range 
Withdrawn Lands to Mineral Exploration and Development; NV

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Section 12 of Pub. L. 99-606, as amended by 
Pub. L. 100-338 in 1988, the Nevada State Director has determined, 
after conferring with the Commander, Nellis Air Force Base, that no 
withdrawn lands with in the Nellis Air Force Range are suitable to 
opening for operation under the Mining Law of 1872, The Mineral Leasing 
Act of 1920, as amended, the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands of 
1947, the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, or any one or more of such 
Acts. The Nellis Air Force Range is used as high hazard tactical and 
weapons training area and is closed to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Dwyer, District Manager, Bureau 
of Land Management, Las Vegas Field Office, 4765 West Vegas Drive, Las 
Vegas, Nevada 89108.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Military Lands Withdrawal Action of 1986 
(Pub. L. 99-606), as amended, provided for the withdrawal of lands for 
military purposes in four states, including 2,209,326 acres in Clark, 
Lincoln, and Nye Counties of Nevada for the Nellis Air Force Range (See 
53 FR 25694-25696 July 8, 1988, for the legal description of the 
affected lands). Section 12(a) requires that the Secretary of the 
Interior, with the concurrence of the Secretary of the appropriate 
military department, determine which, if any, of the withdrawn lands 
may be considered for opening to operation under the Mining Law of 
1872, the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, the Mineral Leasing 
Act for Acquired Lands of 1947, the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, or 
any one or more of such Acts. The Department of the Air Force has 
closed the Nellis Air Force Range from public access. The intent of the 
closure is threefold: to protect the public from injury due to ordnance 
hazards; to ensure that national security is not compromised; and to 
ensure that military programs can be conducted without disruption. 
Therefore, it has been determined that no withdrawn lands within Nellis 
Air Force Range are suitable to opening for mineral exploration and 
development.

    Dated: August 14, 1997.
Jean Rivers-Council,
Associate State Director, Nevada.
[FR Doc. 97-22998 Filed 8-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P