[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1496-1498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-582]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[CA-940-5700-00; CACA 39112]


Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; 
California

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management proposes to withdraw 57,459.18 
acres of National Forest System lands in Fresno and Tulare Counties to 
protect 24 groves of Giant Sequoia trees. The proposed withdrawal is 
mandated by Presidential Proclamation Number 6457 of July 14, 1992. 
This notice closes the lands for up to 2 years from mining, and the 
operation of the mineral leasing laws and the Materials Act of 1947.

DATES: Comments and requests for a public meeting must be received by 
April 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: State Director, BLM (CA-931), 2135 Butano Drive, Sacramento, 
California 95825-0451.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Either Duane Marti, BLM California 
State Office, 916-978-4675, or Erik T. Ostly, Sequoia National Forest, 
Forest Service, 209-784-1500, extension 1136.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 30, 1997, the Sequoia National 
Forest, Forest Service, filed an application to withdraw the following 
described National Forest System lands from location and entry under 
the United States mining laws (30 U.S.C. Ch. 2), and from the operation 
of the mineral leasing laws and the Materials Act of 1947, subject to 
valid existing rights:

Mount Diablo Meridian, California

(a). Converse Basin Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 27 E.,
    Sec. 1, lots 9 to 12, inclusive, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 2, lots 9 to 12, inclusive, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 11, all;
    Sec. 12, all;
    Sec. 13, all;
    Sec. 14, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 24, N\1/2\.
T. 12 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 31, SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, SW\1/4\.
T. 13 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 4, lots 1 to 20, inclusive, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, and E\1/2\SE\1/
4\;
    Sec. 5, lots 1 to 20, inclusive, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 6, lots 13 to 22, inclusive, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 7, lots 1, 3, and 4, NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/
4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 17, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 18, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, E\1/2\, and E\1/2\W\1/2\;
    Sec. 19, lot 1.

    The area described contains 8,776.21 acres in Fresno County.

(b). Agnew Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 29 E.,
    Sec. 13, all;
    Sec. 23, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, N\1/2\.

    The area described contains 1,000 acres in Fresno County.

(c). Evans Complex Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 29 E.,
    Sec. 7, Lots 3 and 4, E\1/2\, and E\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, all;
    Sec. 9, S\1/2\;
    Sec. 10, SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 15, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 16, all;
    Sec. 17, all;
    Sec. 18, lots 1 and 2, E\1/2\, and E\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 20, N\1/2\;
    Sec. 21, N\1/2\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 22, all;
    Sec. 23, SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, W\1/2\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, all;
    Sec. 28, all;
    Sec. 34, N\1/2\ and N\1/2\S\1/2\;
    Sec. 35, N\1/2\.

    The area described contains 7,959.29 acres in Fresno County.

(d). Cherry Gap Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 19, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/
4\;
    Sec. 20, S\1/2\NW\1/4\ and SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, N\1/2\NE\1/4\ and NE\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 800 acres in Fresno County.

(e). Landslide Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 29 E.,
    Sec. 29, SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, lots 3 and 4, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 31, lots 1 and 2, NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 838.92 acres in Fresno County.

(f). Indian Basin Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 4, E\1/2\SW\1/4\ and W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 9, all;
    Sec. 16, NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, NE\1/4\.

    The area described contains 1,440 acres in Fresno County.

(g). Abbott Creek Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 30, lots 3 and 4, and E\1/2\SW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 159.95 acres in Fresno County.

(h). Grant Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 27 E.,

[[Page 1497]]

    Sec. 25, S\1/2\;
    Sec. 36, all.

    The area described contains 960 acres in Fresno County.

(i). Bearskin Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 13 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 34, S\1/2\NE\1/4\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, S\1/2\NW\1/4\ and SW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 480 acres in Fresno County.

(j). Big Stump Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 14 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 7, lots 1 to 4, 7 to 8, 13 to 16, all inclusive, and E\1/
2\W\1/2\;
    Sec. 18, lots 1 and 2, NE\1/4\, and E\1/2\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 765.75 acres in Tulare County.

(k). Redwood Mountain Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 14 S., R. 28 E.,
    Sec. 10, N\1/2\ and portion of N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 16, NE\1/4\ and W\1/2\;
    Sec. 17, SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 20, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 21, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/
4\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, portion of NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, S\1/2\SW\1/
4\, and portion of SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 28, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/
4\.

    The areas described aggregate 2,310 acres in Tulare County.

(l). Dillonwood Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 19 S., R. 30 E.,
    Sec. 2, E\1/2\ and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 4, lots 3 and 6, W\1/2\, NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, and W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 9, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 11, E\1/2\NW\1/4\ and SW\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 2,108 acres in Tulare County.

(m). Mountain Home Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 19 S., R. 30 E.,
    Sec. 13, E\1/2\,
    Sec. 23, N\1/2\SW\1/4\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, NE\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 25, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, N\1/2\NE\1/4\ and E\1/2\W\1/2\;
    Sec. 27, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, and NE\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 36, W\1/2\SW\1/4\.
T. 20 E., R. 30 E.,
    Sec. 1, S\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 2, lots 1 to 3, inclusive, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, 
N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/
4\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 3, SE\1/4\.
T. 19 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 7, lots 3 and 4, and E\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, lots 1 and 2, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and 
SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 19, lots 1 and 2, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, and E\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 20, N\1/2\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 28, SE\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and S\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\ and S\1/2\S\1/2\;
    Sec. 30, E\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 31, E\1/2\ and E\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, N\1/2\ and SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 33, N\1/2\.
T. 20 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 5, lots 3 and 4, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 6, lots 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, 
E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\.

    The areas described aggregate 6,617.34 acres in Tulare County.

(n). Alder Creek Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 20 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 8, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 9, NW\1/4\ and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 17, E\1/2\.

    The area described contains 1,120 acres in Tulare County.

(o). Belknap Complex Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 20 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 34, E\1/2\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/
4\, and S\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, W\1/2\ and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 36, all except for portion of W\1/2\.
T. 21 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 1, lots 5 to 7, inclusive, portions of Tracts 37, 39, 41, 
and 42, Tracts 38 and 40;
    Sec. 2, lots 1 to 14, inclusive, portions of Tracts 39 and 42, 
Tract 43, and SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 3, lots 1 to 7, inclusive, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, 
E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, lots 1 and 2, NE\1/4\, and E\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 11, lots 1 and 2, portion of Tract 42, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, and 
NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 12, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, portions of Tracts 41 and 42, 
S\1/2\N\1/2\, and SE\1/4\.
T. 21 S., R. 32 E.,
    Sec. 6, lots 7 to 15, inclusive, portions of Tracts 37 and 40, 
and Tract 39;
    Sec. 7, lots 5 to 14, inclusive, Tracts 41 to 43, inclusive, and 
SE\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, lots 5 to 10, inclusive, Tracts 42 and 43, and SE\1/
4\NE\1/4\.

    The area described contains 6,412.38 acres in Tulare County.

(p). Freeman Creek Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 20 S., R. 32 E.,
    Sec. 20, SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 21, S\1/2\;
    Sec. 22, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, W\1/2\W\1/2\;
    Sec. 28, all;
    Sec. 29, NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 32, all;
    Sec. 33, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\W\1/2\E\1/2\NW\1/
4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\E\1/2\E\1/2\NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\NW\1/
4\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 34, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\.
T. 21 S., R. 32 E.,
    Sec. 2, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 3, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 4, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 5, lots 8 and 9;
    Sec. 9, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 10, N\1/2\;
    Sec. 11, NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 5,728.83 acres in Tulare County.

(q). Black Mountain Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 21 S., R. 30 E.,
    Sec. 1, lots 12 to 14, inclusive, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and W\1/
2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 11, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 12, lots 1 to 11, inclusive, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\, and 
NW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 13, lot 1;
    Sec. 14, lot 1.
T 20 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 31, S\1/2\SW\1/4\ and W\1/2\SE\1/4\.
T. 21 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 5, lot 4, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 6, lots 5 to 10, inclusive, Tract 44, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 7, Tracts 45 to 47, inclusive, W\1/2\SE\1/4\, and S\1/
2\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 8, NE\1/4\, N\1/2\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/
4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 9, S\1/2\NW\1/4\ and W\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 16, N\1/2\N\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, N\1/2\N\1/2\N\1/2\;
    Sec. 18, lots 5, 7, and 9, N\1/2\NE\1/4\NE\1/4\

    The area described contains 3,699.17 acres in Tulare County.

(r). Red Hill Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 21 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 21, lot 7;
    Sec. 22, lots 3 to 5, inclusive, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, and SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 23, lots 3 and 4, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and S\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, W\1/2\E\1/2\, and E\1/2\W\1/
2\;
    Sec. 28, lots 5 to 8, inclusive.

    The area described contains 1,148.01 acres in Tulare County.

(s). Peyrone Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 21 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 33, lot 8;
    Sec. 34, lots 4 to 7, inclusive, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/
4\;
    Sec. 35, lot 4, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and NW\1/4\SW\1/4\.
T. 22 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 2, lots 3 and 4, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and NW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 3, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, S\1/2\N\1/2\, SW\1/4\, SW\1/
4\SE\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 4, lots 7 to 10, inclusive;
    Sec. 9, lots 5, 7, and 8;
    Sec. 10, N\1/2\NW\1/4\ and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 15, N\1/2\N\1/2\;
    Sec. 16, lot 5.

    The areas described aggregate 1,827.95 acres in Tulare County.

(t). Long Meadow Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 22 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 26, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 27, SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 34, E\1/2\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, N\1/2\ and N\1/2\S\1/2\.

    The area described contains 1,120 acres in Tulare County.

(u). Cunningham Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 22 S., R. 32 E.,

[[Page 1498]]

    Sec. 30, S\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 31, N\1/2\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 160 acres in Tulare County.

(v). Starvation Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 23 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 9, lot 4;
    Sec. 10, S\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 15, lots 3 to 6, inclusive;
    Sec. 16, lots 1 to 3, W\1/2\E\1/2\.

    The area described contains 559.80 acres in Tulare County.

(w). Packsaddle Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 23 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 13, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 14, E\1/2\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 23, lots 1 and 8;
    Sec. 24, lots 2 to 7, inclusive.

    The area described contains 1,160.29 acres in Tulare County.

(x). Deer Creek Giant Sequoia Grove

T. 23 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 34, lot 7;
    Sec. 35, lot 1.
T. 24 S., R. 31 E.,
    Sec. 2, lot 4, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, and NW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 3, lot 1, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, and NE\1/4\SE\1/4\.

    The area described contains 307.29 acres in Tulare County.

    The purpose of the proposed withdrawal is to protect 24 naturally 
occurring old-growth Giant Sequoia groves, pursuant to Presidential 
Proclamation Number 6457 of July 14, 1992.
    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 California State Director of the Bureau of Land 
Management.
    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 California 
State Director 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 the 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 lands 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 may be permitted 
during this segregative period are those which are determined to be 
compatible with the use of the lands by the Forest Service.

    Dated: December 29, 1997.
David McIlnay,
Chief, Branch of Lands.
[FR Doc. 98-582 Filed 1-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P