[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54451-54452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21391]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ES-032-0-1430-EU]


Realty Action: Recreation and Public Purpose Act Classification; 
Mason County, MI

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of realty action; Recreation and Public Purposes Act 
(R&PP) classification; Michigan.

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SUMMARY: The following public lands near the community of Ludington in 
Mason County, Michigan have been examined and found suitable for 
classification for lease or conveyance to the State of Michigan, 
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), under the provisions of the 
Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act of 1926, as amended (43 
U.S.C. 869 et seq.). Therefore, in accordance with Section 7 of the Act 
of June 28, 1934, as amended (43 U.S.C. 315f) and EO 6964, the 
following described lands are hereby classified as suitable for 
disposal under the provisions of the R&PP Act of 1926, as amended (43 
U.S.C. 869 et seq.) and, accordingly, opened for only that purpose.

Michigan Meridian

T. 19 N., R. 18 W.,
    S \1/2\ Lot 1 and Lot 2, Section 7

The above lands aggregate 57.5 acres in Mason County, Michigan.

    This action classifies the lands identified above for disposal 
through the R&PP Act to protect the historic lighthouse and the 
surrounding lands. The subject land was identified in the Michigan 
Resource Management Plan Amendment, approved June 30, 1997, as not 
needed for Federal purposes and having potential for disposal to 
protect the historic structures and surrounding lands. Lease or 
conveyance of the land for recreational and public purpose use would be 
in the public interest. Detailed information concerning this action is 
available for review at the office of the Bureau of Land Management, 
Milwaukee Field Office, Wisconsin.
    The Michigan DNR has applied for patent to the land under the R&PP 
Act, as an addition to Ludington State Park.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Salvatore, Realty Specialist, 
Bureau of Land Management, Milwaukee Field Office, 310 West Wisconsin 
Avenue, Suite 450, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203, (414) 297-4413.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to an Executive Order dated October 
16, 1866, public land in Mason County, Michigan was reserved for 
lighthouse purposes. The Big Sable Lighthouse is located within this 
parcel on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan near the city of 
Ludington.
    On May 22, 1926, through an Act of Congress, the Secretary of 
Commerce was authorized to dispose of that portion of the Big Sable 
lighthouse reservation no longer needed for lighthouse purposes to 
Mason County, Michigan for public park purposes. The portion of the 
reservation to be conveyed was described as section 6, lots 1 through 
4; section 7, E\1/2\, lots 1 through 3; section 18, NE\1/4,\ W\1/2\ 
SE\1/4\ and lot 1; T. 19 N., R. 18 W., Michigan Meridian and comprised 
799.62 acres.
    The remaining land described as S\1/2\ Lot 1 and Lot 2, section 7, 
T. 19 N., R. 18 W., Michigan Meridian, continued to

[[Page 54452]]

be reserved by the 1866 Executive Order after 1926. The Department of 
Transportation, United States Coast Guard has submitted a Notice of 
Intent (NOI) to relinquish custody, accountability and control of the 
remaining 57.5 acres. The Bureau of Land Management has recommended 
that the remaining lands be determined suitable for return to their 
former status as public lands, such determination to be made by the 
Secretary of the Interior and accomplished by the issuance of a public 
land order revoking the Executive Order as to the remaining lands. A 
proposed public land order for this purpose currently is pending and 
awaiting action within the Department.
    The State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources has applied 
for patent to the land under the R&PP Act of 1926, as an addition to 
Ludington State Park.
    The lease/patent when issued, will be subject to the following 
terms, conditions and reservations:
    1. Provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1926, as 
amended, and to all applicable regulations of the Secretary of the 
Interior.
    2. Valid existing rights.
    3. All minerals are reserved to the United States, together with 
the right to prospect for, mine and remove the minerals.
    4. Terms and conditions identified through the site specific 
environmental analysis.
    5. Any other rights or reservations that the authorized officer 
deems appropriate to ensure public access and proper management of 
Federal lands and interest therein.
    Upon publication of this Notice in the Federal Register, the above 
described lands will be segregated from all forms of disposal or 
appropriation under the public land laws, except for lease or 
conveyance under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act and leasing 
under the mineral leasing laws. For a period of 45 days after issuance 
of this notice, interested parties may submit comments regarding the 
proposed conveyance or classification of the lands to the Field 
Manager, Milwaukee Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, 310 West 
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 450, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203.

Classification Comments

    Interested parties may submit comments involving the suitability of 
the land for R&PP Act classification, and particularly, whether the 
land is physically suited for inclusion in the state park, whether the 
use will maximize future use or uses of the land, whether the use is 
consistent with local planning and zoning, or if the use is consistent 
with state and federal programs.

Application Comments

    Interested parties may submit comments regarding the specific use 
proposed in the application, the development plan, the management plan, 
whether the BLM followed proper administrative procedures in reaching 
the decision, or any other factor not directly related to the 
suitability of the land for inclusion in the state park.
    Any adverse comments will be evaluated by the State Director who 
may sustain, vacate, or modify this realty action. In the absence of 
any adverse comments, the classification will become effective 60 days 
from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    Dated: August 1, 2002.
James W. Dryden,
Milwaukee Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 02-21391 Filed 8-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-PN-P