[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57632-57633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24312]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[SDM 104505/WYW 181986]


Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public 
Meetings; South Dakota and Wyoming

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 
(USFS) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) requesting the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw 
approximately 17,486.90 acres of National Forest System lands from the 
mining laws to protect four Research Natural Areas and seven Botanical 
Areas within the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota and 
Wyoming. This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years 
from location and entry under the United States mining laws while the 
application is being processed. This notice also gives an opportunity 
to comment on the proposed withdrawal application, and announces dates, 
time and location of two public meetings.

DATES: The USFS must receive comments on or before December 23, 2015. 
The USFS will hold public meetings in connection with the proposed 
withdrawal on October 27, 2015 and October 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Forest Supervisor, Black 
Hills National Forest, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, South Dakota 
57730 or the BLM Montana State Director, 5001 Southgate Drive, 
Billings, Montana 59101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Hunt, USFS, Rocky Mountain 
Region, 303-275-5071, [email protected], Tamara Lorenz, BLM Montana 
State Office, 406-896-5053, [email protected], or Marilyn Roth, BLM 
Wyoming State Office, 307-775-6189.
    Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to 
contact either of the above individuals. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with either of the 
above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business 
hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USFS has filed an application with the 
BLM, pursuant to Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714 requesting that the Secretary of the 
Interior withdraw, for a 20-year period, subject to valid existing 
rights, the National Forest System lands within the Black Hills 
National Forest described below, from location and entry under the 
United States mining laws:

South Dakota

Black Hills National Forest

    Black Hills Meridian

Bear and Beaver Gulches Botanical Area

T. 5 N., R. 1 E.,
    Sec. 4, lots 4 and 5, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/
4\SW\1/4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 5, lots 1 thru 4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SE\1/
4\, and SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 6, lots 1, 3 thru 9, and lots 12 thru 17;
    Sec. 8, NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 9, lots 1 thru 6, lot 8, and W\1/2\NE\1/4\;
    Sec. 16, lot 2.

T. 6 N., R. 1 E.,
    Sec. 17, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, and W\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, lot 17;
    Sec. 19, lots 1, 5, 6, and 11, and E\1/2\;
    Sec. 20, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\, and S\1/2\;
    Sec. 21, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, E\1/2\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, 
and SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, lots 1 thru 6, lots 7 and 12, and E\1/2\;
    Sec. 31, lots 1 thru 7, lots 10, 11, 12, and 14, NE\1/4\ and 
NE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, lots 1 thru 4, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, 
and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 33, lots 1 and 2, and N\1/2\SW\1/4\.

    The areas described aggregate 5,342.08 acres in Lawrence County.

Black Fox Botanical Area

T. 2 N., R. 2 E.,
    Sec. 11, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, E\1/2\SE\1/4\, and 
SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 12 lots 1 and 2, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and 
W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 13, E\1/2\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, and NE\1/
4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 14, E\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\.

T. 2 N., R. 3 E.,
    Sec. 7, lots 4 thru 7;
    Sec. 17, lots 2, 6, and 7;
    Sec. 18, lots 1, 2, 5, and 6, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and 
SE\1/4\.

    The areas described aggregate 1,618.38 acres in Pennington (909.42 
acres) and Lawrence (708.96 acres) Counties.

Canyon City Research Natural Area

T. 1 N., R. 4 E.,
    Sec. 1, lots 1, 3, and 4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, and 
NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 2, lots 1 thru 4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/
4\SW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 3, lots 5 and 6.
T. 2 N., R. 4 E.,
    Sec. 34, lot 9, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 36, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\.

    The areas described aggregate 914.26 acres in Pennington County.

Englewood Springs Botanical Area

T. 4 N., R. 3 E.,
    Sec. 29, lots 2, 6, and 7, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and 
SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 32, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 409.05 acres in Lawrence County.

Fanny Boles Gulch Research Natural Area

T. 3 S., R. 1 E.,
    Sec. 6, lots 5, 6, and 7, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and 
W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 7, lots 1 thru 4, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/
4\, and S\1/2\SE\1/4\.

    The area described contains 853.41 acres in Custer County.

Higgins Gulch Botanical Area

T. 6 N., R. 1 E.,
    Sec. 23, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 24, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, and W\1/2\SE\1/
4\;
    Sec. 25, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and W\1/2\;
    Sec. 26, E\1/2\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, 
and NW\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 27, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, N\1/2\NE\1/4\, and NE\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec 36, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, and E\1/2\NW\1/4\.

    The area described contains 1,640.00 acres in Lawrence County.

McIntosh Fen Botanical Area

T. 1 N., R. 2 E.,
    Sec. 14, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;

[[Page 57633]]

    Sec. 15, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 22, lots 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8;
    Sec. 26, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\ except for that portion within Homestead 
Entry Survey 235 subject to Patent 529631.

    The area described contains 239.60 acres in Pennington County.

North Fork of Castle Creek Area

T. 1 N., R. 2 E.,
    Sec. 2, lots 3 and 4;

T. 2 N., R. 2 E.,
    Sec. 22, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 26, W\1/2\;
    Sec. 27, E\1/2\ and E\1/2\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 34, NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, and E\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 35, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, W\1/2\, NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, and W\1/2\SE\1/
4\.

    The area described aggregates 1,681.72 acres in Pennington County.
    The areas described in South Dakota aggregate approximately 
12,698.50 acres in Custer, Lawrence, and Pennington Counties.

Wyoming

Black Hills National Forest

    Sixth Principal Meridian

Dugout Gulch Botanical Area

T. 52 N., R 60 W.,
    Sec. 19, lots 3 and 4, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, lots 1 thru 4, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, E\1/
2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 31, lot 1, NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SE\1/4\.

T. 52 N., R. 61 W.,
    Sec. 24, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 25, lots 1 thru 4, inclusive, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, and E\1/2\SE 
\1/4\;
    Sec. 36, E\1/2\NE\1/4\.

    The area described aggregates 1,515.33 acres in Crook County.

Hay Creek Research Natural Area

T. 54 N., R. 62 W.,
    Sec. 7, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, and SE\1/
4\;
    Sec. 8, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, and S\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, NW\1/4\, and N\1/2\SW\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SE\1/
4\, and W\1/2\SE \1/4\.

    The area described contains 1,080.00 acres in Crook County.

Upper Sand Creek Botanical Area

T. 51 N., R. 60 W.,
    Sec. 7, S\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 17, lots 1 and 2, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, E\1/
2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, and W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 18, lots 5 thru 8, inclusive, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/
4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\, and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 19, E\1/2\;
    Sec. 20, lot 1, W\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\, 
SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 21, lots 8 thru 11, lots 14 and 15, and NW\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 29, lots 2 and 3, N\1/2\NE\1/4\ and SW\1/4\NW\1/4\;
    Sec. 30, NE\1/4\.

    The area described contains 2,233.07 acres in Crook County.
    The total areas described in Wyoming aggregate 4,828.40 acres in 
Crook County.
    The purpose of the withdrawal is to protect the Research Natural 
Areas and Botanical Areas and allow the USFS to explore administrative 
alternatives in managing the lands.
    The use of a right-of-way, interagency agreement, or cooperative 
agreement would not provide adequate protection for these areas due to 
the broad scope and nondiscretionary nature of the general mining laws.
    No alternative sites are feasible due to the resource significance 
of the areas. No water will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the 
requested withdrawal.
    Records relating to the application may be examined by contacting 
the USFS, Rocky Mountain Region at the above address and phone number.
    For a period until December 23, 2015, all persons who wish to 
submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the 
withdrawal application may present their views in writing to the Forest 
Supervisor, Black Hills National Forest at the address indicated above.
    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will 
be available for public review at the Forest Supervisor's Office, Black 
Hills National Forest, 1019 North 5th Street, Custer, South Dakota 
57730, during regular business hours. Individual respondents may 
request confidentiality. Before including your address, phone number, 
email address, or other personal identifying information in your 
comment, be advised that your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review 
your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will 
be able to do so.
    Notice is hereby given that public meetings in connection with the 
proposed withdrawal will be held at the Mystic Ranger District, 8221 
South Hwy 16, Rapid City, South Dakota 67702 on October 27, 2015 at 6 
p.m. and at the Sundance Community Center, Basement of the Crook County 
Courthouse, 309 Cleveland St., Sundance, Wyoming 82729 on October 28, 
2015 at 6 p.m. The USFS will publish a notice of the time and place in 
a least one newspaper of general circulation no less than 30 days 
before the scheduled dates of the meetings.
    For a period until September 25, 2017, subject to valid existing 
rights, the lands will be segregated from location and entry under the 
United States mining laws, unless the application is denied or canceled 
or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. The lands will remain 
open to other uses within the statutory authority pertinent to National 
Forest lands and subject to discretionary approval.
    The application will be processed in accordance with the 
regulations set forth in 43 CFR 2310.

Peter A. McFadden,
Chief, Branch of Realty and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2015-24312 Filed 9-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P