[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19203-19204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5477]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[CA-180-06-1430-EQ; CACA 46909]


Notice of Realty Action; Non-Competitive Land Use Authorization 
for Public Lands in Yuba County, CA

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of realty action.

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SUMMARY: The Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Joint Apprenticeship 
Training Committee has submitted a written proposal to the Bureau of 
Land Management (BLM) to utilize portions of the following described 
lands in Yuba County, California for the purposes of constructing and 
operating a training facility for heavy equipment operators:

T. 16 N., R. 5 E., Mount Diablo Meridian
    Sec. 27, Lots 4, 5, and 12, S\1/2\N\1/2\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, S\1/
2\NE\1/4\SW\1/4\.

    The BLM has reviewed the proposal and has determined that the land 
would be suitable for a non-competitive land use authorization under 
the provisions of Section 302 of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act.

DATES: Interested parties may submit comments in writing to BLM at the 
address below not later than May 15, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management, Field Office Manager, Folsom 
Field Office, 63 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jodi Lawson, Realty Specialist, at 
address given above, or by telephone at (916) 985-4474.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal is to utilize 57 acres of 
public land for the construction and operation of an apprenticeship 
training center for heavy equipment operators. The training center 
would consist of two 2,400 square-foot stationary buildings, one for 
maintenance and one for equipment/vehicle washing; and five portable 
trailers that would serve as classrooms, a restroom, and an 
administrative building. The training center would require 
approximately 9,500 square feet of unpaved parking and unpaved roads 
connecting the parking area to Hammonton Road. Approximately 20 pieces 
of heavy equipment would be stored on-site within the unpaved parking 
area which would be fenced to control access and prevent unauthorized 
entry.
    The training center would provide training opportunities in 6-week 
classes with 20 students at a time. Students would be trained in the 
use of heavy equipment in rock, sand and gravel operations. The center 
would also offer 2-week classes for upgrading journeyman equipment 
operator's skills.
    BLM has assessed the proposal and determined the proposed use would 
be in conformance with the Sierra Planning Area Management Framework 
Plan, under 43 CFR 1610.8. The site is suitable for the requested land 
use due to past industrial mining operations that has previously 
severely disturbed the environment on most of the site. A non-
competitive land use authorization may be employed due to the absence 
of any competitive interest past or present for use of the land for 
such a purpose.
    An environmental analysis was completed in connection with the 
proposal. The analysis indicated the project would have positive 
economic impacts and no significant environmental impacts.
    Yuba County, in which the area is located, is one of the more 
economically depressed counties in California. Nearly 21% of the 
county's population lives below the poverty line and per capita income 
is one third less than the state average. Projects with positive 
economic impacts are highly sought after by local government. For this 
reason and others, the Yuba County Board of Supervisors supports the 
project and has passed two resolutions indicating their support of the 
project.
    Environmental impacts are benign due largely to the fact that the 
area in which heavy equipment would be operated has previously been 
mined. The land was mined by large gold dredges that literally turned 
the landscape upside down.
    On October 13, 2005 a public meeting was held in Marysville, 
California to discuss the project and the environmental assessment. The 
meeting was attended by over 120 people. Twenty-five speakers spoke in 
favor, one in opposition. One speaker spoke in favor but asked for 
minor amendments to the project specifications. Two current members of 
the Yuba County Board of Supervisors and one past board member made 
comments in favor of the project. Six written comments were provided to 
the BLM at the public meeting, all but one was in support. The letter 
of opposition was from Western Aggregates, L.L.C. a mining company with 
substantial interests in this area.
    The 45-day public comment period on the environmental assessment 
yielded five public comments. One was extensive and critical of the 
environmental assessment. It was provided by the attorney for Western 
Aggregates, L.L.C. A comment letter was received from the Corps of 
Engineers which pointed out their omission as an agency with an 
interest in the area, and a letter was received from the State of 
California indicating compliance with California State Clearinghouse 
procedures. The final two comment letters were from individuals 
supporting the project, though one letter requested certain mitigation 
measures.
    Following publication of this notice, and pursuant to the 
regulations at 43 CFR part 2920, BLM will accept for processing an 
application filed by the Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Joint 
Apprenticeship Training Center for a non-competitive land use 
authorization for the above described public land for use as proposed 
herein. Copies of the environmental analysis of this proposed action 
are available for review at the Folsom Field Office.
    Comments on BLM's determination of the availability and suitability 
of the subject lands for the proposed use described herein and its 
decision to accept an application from the Operating Engineers Local 
Union No. 3 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee for a non-
competitive land use authorization may be submitted to the BLM at the 
address stated above within 30 days following publication of this 
notice. All comments will be evaluated by the BLM Folsom Field Office 
Manager prior to making a final decision on whether or not to authorize 
use of the property for a heavy equipment operator training area.


[[Page 19204]]


    Dated: February 2, 2006.
J. Anthony Danna,
Deputy State Director, Natural Resources (CA-930).
[FR Doc. E6-5477 Filed 4-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-40-P