[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53096-53097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26403]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

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


Notice of Proposed Extension of Withdrawal and Opportunity for 
Public Meeting; Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force has filed an application to 
extend the withdrawal of 3,038,698 acres of public land for the Nellis 
Air Force Range. The land was originally withdrawn by Public Law 99-606 
of November 6, 1986 (2,945,726 acres). There were additions in 1988 
(89,000 acres) and 1995 (3,972 acres). The withdrawal will expire on 
November 5, 2001, unless extended. This withdrawal extension requires 
legislative action by Congress pursuant to the Act of February 28, 
1958, 43 U.S.C. 155-158, commonly known as the Engle Act. The land is 
currently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public 
land laws, the mining laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the 
geothermal leasing laws pursuant to Public Law 99-606.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before December 31, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Nevada State Director, BLM, 
1340 Financial Blvd., P.O. Box 12000, Reno, Nevada 89520.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis J. Samuelson, BLM Nevada State 
Office, 702-861-6532.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 21, 1998, the Department of the 
Air Force filed an application to extend the withdrawal for the Nellis 
Air Force Range. The Air Force has determined there is a continuing 
military need for the land and filed the application for extension in 
accordance with Section 8(a)(1) and (2) of Public Law 99-606. The legal 
description for the Range is as published in the 52 FR 2772, January 
26, 1987, FR Doc. 87-1596; the 53 FR 38099, September 29, 1988, FR Doc. 
88-22253; and the 60 FR 18030, April 10, 1995, FR Doc. 95-8756. The 
area described contains 3,038,698 acres in Clark, Lincoln, and Nye 
Counties.
    A copy of the legal description is available by contacting Dennis 
J. Samuelson at the address or phone number listed above.
    The Range is used by the Air Force as a national test and training 
facility for military equipment and personnel. The Range provides for 
realistic, secure, simulation of a battle area, complete with surface 
and air defense systems, command/control systems, and targets. These 
activities need to be performed in a secure area to ensure public 
safety.
    This withdrawal extension requires legislative action by Congress 
pursuant to the Act of February 28, 1958, 43 U.S.C. 155-158.
    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 extension may 
present their views in writing to the Nevada State Director of the 
Bureau of Land Management.
    There will be seven public meetings. The purpose of these meetings 
is for interested persons to comment on the proposed extension of the 
withdrawal and the associated draft legislative environmental impact 
statement. Each meeting will begin with an open house at 6:30 p.m. The 
purpose of the open house is for people to gather information on the 
proposed land withdrawal extension and ask questions. A formal public 
hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. for each meeting and will continue 
until 10:00 p.m. People interested in the proposed extension of the 
land withdrawal and the associated draft legislative environmental 
impact statement will have the opportunity to make formal remarks.
    The seven meetings will be conducted at the following locations on 
the dates indicated:


[[Page 53097]]


November 9, 1998, Indian Springs Community Center, Indian Springs, NV.
November 10, 1998, Eldorado High School, Las Vegas, NV.
November 11, 1998, Caliente Youth Center, Caliente, NV.
November 12, Pahrump Valley High School, Pahrump, NV.
November 13, Beatty High School, Beatty, NV.
November 16, Tonopah Convention Center, Tonopah, NV.
November 17, Airport Plaza Hotel, Reno, NV.

    Dated: September 28, 1998.
Michael R. Ford,
Deputy State Director, Natural Resources, Lands and Planning.
[FR Doc. 98-26403 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P