[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 123 (Wednesday, June 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 35257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12376]



[[Page 35257]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[MT-924-1430-ET; MTM 95626]


Public Land Order No. 7676; Revocation of the Withdrawal 
Established by Executive Order Dated July 19, 1912; Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Public land order.

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SUMMARY: This order revokes a withdrawal of approximately 42,477 acres 
of public and National Forest System lands for coal classification 
purposes. The lands are no longer needed for the purpose for which they 
were withdrawn. This order will open the public lands to surface entry 
and nonmetalliferous mining subject to other segregations of record. 
The lands located within the National Forest will be opened to such 
forms of disposition as may by law be authorized on National Forest 
System lands and to nonmetalliferous mining subject to other 
segregations of record.

DATES: Effective Date: July 27, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Ward, BLM Montana State Office, 
5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101-3131, 406-896-5052.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lands have been and will continue to be 
open to mineral leasing and metalliferous mining. Copies of the 
Executive Order showing the complete legal description are available 
from the BLM Montana State Office at the above address.

Order

    By virtue of the authority vested in the Secretary of the Interior 
by Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 
43 U.S.C. 1714 (2000), it is ordered as follows:
    1. The withdrawal established by the Executive Order dated July 19, 
1912, which withdrew public and National Forest System lands for Coal 
Reserve Montana No. 9, is hereby revoked in its entirety. The area 
comprises approximately 42,477 acres in Missoula County.
    2. At 9 a.m. on July 27, 2007, subject to valid existing rights, 
the provisions of existing withdrawals, other segregations of record, 
and the requirements of applicable law, the public lands referenced in 
Paragraph 1 shall be opened to the operation of the public land laws 
generally and the National Forest System lands shall be opened to such 
forms of disposition as may by law be made of National Forest System 
lands. All valid applications received at or prior to 9 a.m. on July 
27, 2007, shall be considered as simultaneously filed at that time. 
Those received thereafter shall be considered in the order of filing.
    3. At 9 a.m. on July 27, 2007, the lands referenced in Paragraph 1 
shall be opened to location and entry under the United States mining 
laws for nonmetalliferous minerals, subject to valid existing rights, 
the provisions of existing withdrawals, other segregations of record, 
and the requirements of applicable law. Appropriation of the lands 
under the general mining laws for nonmetalliferous mining prior to the 
date and time of restoration is unauthorized. Any such attempted 
appropriation, including attempted adverse possession under 30 U.S.C. 
38 (2000), shall vest no rights against the United States. Acts 
required to establish a location and to initiate a right of possession 
are governed by State law where not in conflict with Federal law. The 
Bureau of Land Management will not intervene in disputes between rival 
locators over possessory rights since Congress has provided for such 
determinations in local courts.

    Dated: April 20, 2007.
C. Stephen Allred,
Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. E7-12376 Filed 6-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P