[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 28 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 6910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3346]



[[Page 6910]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[NM-030-1430-00; NMNM 35829]


Proposed Extension of Withdrawal; McGregor Range, New Mexico

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army has filed an application to extend 
the withdrawal of 608,384.87 acres of public land for the McGregor 
Range, located in Otero County, New Mexico. The land was originally 
withdrawn by Public Law 99-606 of November 6, 1986. 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is currently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public 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 regarding the proposed extension must be received on or 
before May 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the BLM Las Cruces Field Office, 
1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Hanley at the address above or 
at (505) 525-4342.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 13, 1998, the Department of the 
Army filed an application to extend the withdrawal for the McGregor 
Range. The Army 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 McGregor Range is published in the 
Federal Register Vol. 52, No. 133, July 13, 1987, pages 26188 and 26189 
and Vol. 62, No. 209, October 29, 1997, page 56153. The area described 
contains 608,384.87 acres in Otero County. A copy of the legal 
description is available by contacting Theresa Hanley at the BLM Las 
Cruces Field Office.
    McGregor Range is used by the Army for testing and training for 
aerial bombing, missile firing, tactical maneuvering and air support, 
and other defense related purposes. There is also a need to protect the 
public's health and welfare from the hazardous operations conducted by 
the Army. The land is contaminated with unexploded ordnance.
    Three public scoping meetings were afforded in connection with the 
proposed withdrawal extension. The objective of the public meetings was 
to solicit public comments and meet the regulatory requirement for 
proposed extension of withdrawals that exceed 5,000 acres (43 CFR 
2310.3-1(b)(2)(v)). A notice of the time and place was published in the 
Federal Register and a newspaper in the general vicinity of the lands 
to be withdrawn at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the 
meetings.
    The Draft Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was 
released on October 27, 1998. Three public hearings were held in 
January 1999, for the purpose of receiving oral public comments on the 
Draft Legislative EIS and to meet National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) requirements for the proposed withdrawal extension.
    From the date of publication of this notice to May 1, 1999, 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 BLM Las Cruces Field Office.

    Dated: February 5, 1999.
Linda S.C. Rundell,
Field Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. 99-3346 Filed 2-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VC-P