[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 45 (Monday, March 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10741-10742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5097]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[ES-032-4-1430-ES]


Realty Action; Recreation and Public Purpose Act Classification; 
Benzie 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 Frankfort in 
Benzie County, Michigan have been examined and found suitable for 
classification for lease or conveyance to Benzie County, 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. 26 N., R. 16 W.
    Lot 10 and Lot 12, Section 4.

    The area described contains 4.05 acres in Benzie County

    Benzie County proposes to manage the lands as a historic site. This 
action classifies the lands identified above for disposal through the 
R&PP Act of 1926 (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.) to protect the historic 
lighthouse, lighthouse related structures 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Salvatore, Realty Specialist, 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Milwaukee Field Office, 626 East 
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, (414) 297-
4413.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Executive Order dated July 24, 
1875, a parcel of public land totaling 9.52

[[Page 10742]]

acres located in Benzie County was reserved for lighthouse purposes. 
The parcel contained the Point Betsie Light Station located on the 
eastern shore of Lake Michigan near the city of Frankfort. The original 
parcel has subsequently been resurveyed and divided into three (3) 
separate lots: Lot 10--1.70 acres, Lot 11--3.52 acres and Lot 12--2.35 
acres.
    The Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard, 
submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to relinquish custody, 
accountability and control of Lot 10 on January 6, 1984. A second NOI 
to relinquish custody, accountability and control was submitted for Lot 
12 on August 12, 1998. The BLM has recommended that Lot 10 and Lot 12 
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 partially 
revoking the Executive Order. Public land order 7249 dated March 18, 
1997, returned Lot 10 to its former status as public land. A proposed 
public land order to return Lot 12 to its former status as public land 
currently is pending and awaiting action within the Department.
    Benzie County has applied for patent to the land under the R&PP Act 
of 1926.
    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, 626 East 
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
    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 management as a 
historic site, 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 management as a 
historic site.
    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: January 20, 2004.
Chris E. Hanson,
Acting Milwaukee Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 04-5097 Filed 3-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-PN-P