[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14691-14692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7169]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[OR-025-02-1430-EU: GP0-0086]


Realty Action: Direct Sale of Public Land in Harney County, OR

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Burns District.

ACTION: Notice of Realty Action, Direct Sale of Public Land, OR-56570.

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SUMMARY: The following described public land in Harney County, Oregon, 
has been examined and found suitable

[[Page 14692]]

for sale under Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2750, 43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719), at not 
less than the appraised market value:

Willamette Meridian

T. 20 S., R. 36 E.,
    sec. 3, W\1/2\NW\1/4\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\SW\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 25 acres, more or less in Harney 
County, Oregon. The appraised market value for this parcel has been 
determined to be $5000.
    This land is being considered for direct sale to the adjacent 
landowners, Tom and Kathleen Turner, to resolve a long-term, 
inadvertent, unauthorized occupancy of the public land. The 
encroachment involves outbuildings, fences, equipment storage, and 
other uses associated with the adjacent Turner Ranch headquarters that 
were inadvertently placed on public land many years ago prior to the 
Turner's ownership of the ranch. The parcel is the minimum size 
possible to ensure that all of the encroachments are included while 
utilizing an aliquot part description to avoid the need for an 
expensive land survey.
    In accordance with 43 CFR 2710.0-6(c)(3)(iii) direct sale 
procedures are appropriate to resolve an inadvertent unauthorized 
occupancy of the land and to protect existing equities in the land.
    The Turners will be allowed 30 days from receipt of a written offer 
to submit a deposit of at least 20 percent of the appraised market 
value of the parcel, plus administrative costs and 180 days thereafter 
to submit the balance. Federal regulations describe procedures to 
address unauthorized use which include provisions to reimburse BLM for 
administrative costs.
    The following rights, reservations, and conditions will be included 
in the patent conveying the land:
    1. A reservation to the United States for a right-of-way for 
ditches and canals constructed by the authority of the United States, 
Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C. 945).
    2. A right-of-way for buried communication cable purposes granted 
to CenturyTel of Oregon, Inc., its successors or assigns, by right-of-
way No. OR 54973, pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 
1761).
    3. A right-of-way for public road and highway purposes granted to 
Harney County, its successors or assigns, by right-of-way No. OR 57062, 
pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761), as amended.
    The patent would also include a notice and indemnification 
statement under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation 
and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9620) holding the United States 
harmless from any release of hazardous materials that may have occurred 
as a result of the unauthorized use of the property by other parties.
    A successful bid constitutes an application for conveyance of the 
mineral interests also being offered under the authority of section 
209(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. In 
addition to the full purchase price, a nonrefundable fee of $50 will be 
required from the prospective purchaser for purchase of the mineral 
interests to be conveyed simultaneously with the sale of the land.
    The land described is segregated from appropriation under the 
public land laws, including the mining laws, pending disposition of 
this action or 270 days from the date of publication of this notice, 
whichever occurs first.

DATES: This office has prepared Documentation of Land Use Plan 
Conformance and National Environmental Policy Act Adequacy to evaluate 
the proposal. On or before 45 days from the date of publication in the 
Federal Register interested persons may submit written comments. In the 
absence of any objections, this proposal will become the determination 
of the Department of the Interior.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to the Joan Suther, 
Three Rivers Resource Area Field Manager, 28910 Hwy 20 West, Hines, 
Oregon 97738.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Detailed information concerning this 
land sale is available from Skip Renchler, Realty Specialist at the 
above address, phone (541) 573-4443.

    Dated: February 12, 2003.
Joan M. Suther,
Three Rivers Resource Area Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 03-7169 Filed 3-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-33-P