[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 24754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11621]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[AK-932-1410-EU; FF-93920]


Notice of Application for a Recordable Disclaimer of Interest for 
Lands Underlying a Portion of the Black River, the Black River Slough, 
the Salmon Fork, the Grayling Fork, and Bull Creek Located in 
Northeastern Alaska

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The State of Alaska has submitted an application for a 
recordable disclaimer of interest from the United States pursuant to 
Section 315 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 
U.S.C. 1745 (1994) and the regulations contained in 43 CFR part 1864. A 
recordable disclaimer of interest for these lands, if issued, will 
confirm the United States has no valid interest in the subject lands. 
This Notice is intended to notify the public of the pending application 
and the State's grounds for supporting it.

DATES: For a period of 90 days from the date of publication of this 
Notice, all interested parties may submit comments on the State's 
application, BLM Casefile FF-93920. A final decision on the merits of 
the application will not be made until 90 days has elapsed from the 
date of publication of this Notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Chief, Branch of Lands and 
Realty, BLM Alaska State Office, 222 West 7th Avenue, No. 13, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Haskins, Branch of Lands and 
Realty, BLM Alaska State Office, 907-271-3351.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 14, 2003, the State of Alaska 
filed an application for a recordable disclaimer of interest affecting 
five water bodies described below. The State asserts these water bodies 
are navigable and, under the Equal Footing Doctrine, the State of 
Alaska gained title to lands underlying navigable waters upon 
statehood. The State's evidence of navigability of the Black River, the 
Salmon Fork, the Grayling Fork, and Bull Creek include administrative 
determinations made by the BLM, dated March 28, 1980, and July 22, 
1983. A decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth 
Circuit, Alaska v. United States, 201 F.3d 1154 (9th Cir. 1997), which 
discusses the historic uses of the Black River, was also submitted as 
evidence with the application.
    The water bodies included in the application are that portion of 
the bed of the Black River and Black River Slough, between the ordinary 
high water marks on its banks from its confluence with the Porcupine 
River, within T. 21 N., R. 13 E., Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska, to its 
confluence with the Wood River within T. 13 N., R. 27 E., Fairbanks 
Meridian; the Salmon Fork to the International Boundary; the Grayling 
Fork to the International Boundary; Bull Creek to Section 5, T. 13 N., 
R. 31 E., Fairbanks Meridian. Also included within the State's 
application are all interconnecting sloughs associated with these water 
bodies.
    The State of Alaska did not identify any known adverse claimant or 
occupant of the affected lands.

    Dated: May 1, 2003.
Mike Haskins,
Chief, Branch of Lands and Realty, Division of Resources, Lands, and 
Planning.
[FR Doc. 03-11621 Filed 5-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P