[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 21902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8704]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 Forest Service


State of Alaska--Termination of Withdrawal

SUMMARY: The Act of March 22, 1944 (58 Stat. 119) withdrew 
approximately 3,235 acres of land within the Cascade Creek watershed of 
the Tongass National Forest as a municipal watershed for the City and 
Borough of Sitka. The Act provided that the withdrawal would terminate 
upon a finding by the Secretary of Agriculture of an abandonment and 
nonuse for a period of two years. With the concurrence of the City and 
Borough of Sitka, a finding of such abandonment and nonuse is being 
made and the withdrawal terminated.

DATES: This finding is effective on the date of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louise Herrera, USDA Forest Service, 
Washington, DC 20250. Phone: (202) 205-1255, E-mail: 
[email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday 
through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Act of March 22, 1944 (58 
Stat. 119), certain lands within the Tongass National Forest in the 
State of Alaska comprising approximately 3,235 acres in the watershed 
of Cascade Creek were withdrawn from all forms of location, entry or 
appropriation under the mineral and nonmineral land laws of the United 
States and were set aside as a municipal water supply reserve for the 
use and benefit of the City of Sitka. The Act further provides that the 
right of the City of Sitka to use the reserved land for watershed 
purposes shall terminate upon the abandonment of the use by such 
municipality upon a finding of the Secretary of Agriculture of such 
nonuse or abandonment for a period of two years. In such case, the 
reservation created by the Act shall terminate to the extent of the 
lands involved.
    The City and Borough of Sitka has notified the Forest Service by 
letter dated January 22, 2007, that it relinquishes any interests in 
the lands identified in the Cascade Creek. This relinquishment is a 
restatement of an earlier relinquishment dated December 23, 1996, but 
heretofore not acted upon. The City states that it has developed a 
primary municipal water supply from Blue Lake as well as a secondary 
emergency water supply from Indian River. Therefore, Cascade Creek is 
no longer needed for such purposes.
    Based on the foregoing, as authorized by section 2 of the Act of 
March 22, 1944 (58 Stat. 119), I find that the lands described in 
section 1 of said Act, comprising approximately 3,235 acres of the 
Cascade Creek watershed in the Tongass National Forest, have not been 
used for a period of at least 2 years by the City and Borough of Sitka, 
Alaska, and that the City and Borough have effectively abandoned such 
use as indicated by letters to the Forest Service dated December 23, 
1996 and January 22, 2007. Therefore, the reservation established by 
said Act of March 22, 1944 is hereby terminated.

    Dated: April 9, 2008.
Paul K. Brewster,
Deputy Regional Forester.
 [FR Doc. E8-8704 Filed 4-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M