[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 240 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64453-64454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30864]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management


Notice of Realty Action for Proposed Land Use Permit on Public 
Lands Near Fairbanks, AK

    Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1732.

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice to the public that certain public lands are available 
for a non-Federal use.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Gas Producers Pipeline Team is comprised of BP Exploration 
(Alaska), Inc.; ExxonMobil Production Company; and Phillips Alaska, 
Inc. The Gas Producers Pipeline Team has applied for a permit to use 
public lands near Fairbanks, Alaska, for a non-Federal purpose. The 
Bureau of Land Management has determined the lands are available for 
this use and that publication of this Notice of Realty Action is 
necessary pursuant to BLM manual 2920.4.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Robert 
Schneider, Field Manager, Northern Field Office, BLM, 1150 University 
Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99709-3844.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lon Kelly, 907-474-2368.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gas Producers Pipeline Team has applied 
for a permit to use public lands for certain trials of trenching 
technology. The BLM has determined the lands are available for this 
non-Federal use. The decision on authorization of the non-Federal use 
will be made after an evaluation of the application. The application 
has been assigned the serial number FF093460.
    The proposed permit would grant exclusive use of specific public 
lands for a period of time not to exceed one year, and non-exclusive 
use for an additional period. The permit would authorize the use of 
these public lands to conduct trials of trenching machines and related 
techniques. This work would help assess the potential of trenching 
technology for use in the

[[Page 64454]]

eventual construction of a gas pipeline in Alaska.
    The proposed action is in conformance with the White Mountains 
National Recreation Area Resource Management Plan, dated February 6, 
1986.
    The parcel proposed for permitting under provisions of section 302 
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 and 43 
CFR 2920 is described as follows:

Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska

T.4 N., R.2W., secs. 25 and 31

    The parcel affected by the proposed permit is near Washington 
Creek, just off the Elliott Highway, approximately 20 statute miles 
north of Fairbanks, Alaska. The test trench site is approximately 800 
feet by 2000 feet and encompasses about 36.7 acres. A driveway about 
200 feet long will connect the test site with the Elliott Highway. The 
lands are currently undeveloped. The proposed permit would authorize 
the digging and rehabilitation of 13 trenches, requiring the removal 
and replacement of 45,000 cubic yards of material for the trenches. 
Rent would not be less than the appraised fair market value.
    For a period of 25 days from the date of publication of this Notice 
in the Federal Register, interested parties may submit comments to the 
Northern Field Office Manager at the above address. The 25-day comment 
period, rather than the customary 45-day period, is necessary to allow 
expedited evaluation of comments and processing of the permit so work 
can begin during February 2002, if the application is approved. The 
work must be conducted in typical winter conditions if the necessary 
data are to be collected, and a later start would amount to a one-year 
delay. The BLM manual requires notices of realty action to be published 
in the Federal Register, and then published in a local newspaper for 
the following three weeks.
    In the absence of adverse comments, the application for the 
proposed use will be processed in accordance with normal procedures.

    Dated: December 10, 2001.
Carson W. Culp,
Assistant Director, Minerals, Realty & Resource Protection.
[FR Doc. 01-30864 Filed 12-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P