[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24489-24490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11451]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[15X.LLAZ920000.L71220000.EU0000.LVTFA1580000.241A; AZA-36768]


Notice of Realty Action: Non-Competitive (Direct Sale) and 
Conveyance of Public Land and Mineral Interests of Public Land in 
Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of realty action.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a 
noncompetitive (direct) sale of 3,180.35 acres of public land in 
Maricopa County, Arizona, and 200.64 acres of public land in Pinal 
County, Arizona, a total of 3,380.69 acres at no less than the 
appraised fair market value to the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC). 
The sale is subject to the provisions of Sections 203 and 209 of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA). 
Because disposal of these lands is restricted to Federal, State, local, 
and tribal governments and agencies, the publication of this notice 
represents a formal opportunity for any qualified purchasers to express 
interest in the subject lands. If interest in purchase, at fair market 
value, is indicated by another qualified party, the BLM will proceed 
with a modified competitive sale of the lands. If no qualified parties 
express interest, the BLM will proceed with a noncompetitive sale.

DATES: The BLM is seeking comments from the public and interested 
parties regarding the noncompetitive (direct) sale and comments must be 
received by the BLM within 45 days of the date this notice is published 
in the Federal Register. In addition to this opportunity to provide 
written comments, public meetings will be held in the vicinity of the 
sale within the 45-day comment period. These meetings will be announced 
by publication in local newspapers and other media outlets at least 2 
weeks prior to being held.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the noncompetitive (direct) sale 
should be sent to Edward J. Kender, Field Manager, BLM Lower Sonoran 
Field Office, Phoenix District Office, 21605 North 7th Avenue, Phoenix, 
AZ 85027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lane Cowger, Project Manager, Arizona 
State Office at 602-417-9612 or by email at [email protected] or 
[email protected]. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during 
normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a 
week to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will 
receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM has received a proposal from the 
GRIC to purchase the public lands described in this Notice at fair 
market value. The lands are located in Maricopa and Pinal Counties and 
are being considered for noncompetitive (direct) sale under the 
authority of Sections 203 and 209 of FLPMA (90 Stat. 2750, 43 U.S.C. 
1713 and 1719), and the regulations at 43 CFR 2710 and 2720.

Gila and Salt River Meridian, Arizona

Maricopa County

T. 2 S., R. 1 W.,
    Section 1, lots 1-4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, SE\1/
4\;
    Section 2, lots 1-4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, SE\1/
4\;
    Section 3, lots 1-4, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\, SE\1/
4\;

[[Page 24490]]

    Section 11;
    Section 12.

Pinal County

T. 5 S., R. 5 E.,
    Section 16, lot 4;
    Section 17, NE\1/4\.
    The areas described aggregate approximately 3,380.69 acres. The 
Sections noted above in T. 2 S., R. 1 W., are located in Maricopa 
County and are on the western border of the Gila River Indian 
Reservation. The Sections within the above T. 5 S., R. 5 E., are in 
Pinal County and lie along the Reservation's southern border. The lands 
surrounding the parcels are non-BLM lands, including lands owned by 
GRIC. Section 203 of FLPMA establishes the criteria under which a sale 
of public land is permitted. The sale is in conformance with the Lower 
Sonoran Record of Decision (ROD) and Resource Management Plan (RMP), 
approved on September 14, 2012. The parcels are identified for disposal 
in the RMP Record of Decision (LR-2.1.1). The RMP limits the disposal 
of these parcels to Federal, State, local, or tribal governmental 
entities. These governmental entities will be notified of the proposed 
sale to allow them the opportunity to express an interest in 
participating in a modified competitive sale.
    Consistent with the RMP, the subsurface estate will be included in 
this sale, as no mineral values have been identified in the project 
environmental analysis. Regulations contained at 43 CFR 2711.3-3(a) 
provide for a noncompetitive (direct) sale when the public interest 
would best be served to protect existing equities. However, after the 
public comment period is over the BLM will determine whether or not to 
pursue a modified competitive sale, or proceed with the noncompetitive 
(direct) sale as described in this Notice.
    The sale parcels will be analyzed in a site-specific Environmental 
Assessment (EA). In addition, other resource surveys and evaluations 
are currently being conducted and will be complete prior to BLM making 
a final decision on this proposed sale. The parcels are being offered 
in this Notice of Realty Action as a noncompetitive (direct sale) to 
protect cultural resources and archaeological sites within the parcels 
that are of cultural significance to the GRIC. These sites include 
plant, animal, raw material resources gathering areas, areas of 
cultural and religious significance, and trail systems and 
transportation routes with cultural and religious significance.
    Pursuant to 43 CFR 2711.1-2(d) and upon publication of the notice 
in the Federal Register, the described lands will be segregated from 
all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the 
mining laws. Any subsequent applications for appropriation will not be 
accepted, will not be considered as filed, and will be returned to the 
applicant. The segregation will terminate upon issuance of a patent, 
publication in the Federal Register of a termination of the 
segregation, or 2 years from the date of the publication in the Federal 
Register, whichever occurs first, unless extended by the BLM Arizona 
State Director prior to the termination date.
    In addition to the appraised fair market value, the purchaser will 
be required to pay a $50 nonrefundable filing fee for conveyance of the 
available mineral interests and the associated administrative costs.
    The following terms and conditions will be accepted and reserved to 
the United States:
    A right-of-way thereon for ditches or canals constructed by the 
authority of the United States, Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C. 945).
    And will be subject to:
    1. All valid existing rights.
    2. Those rights for a water facility granted to Maricopa County 
Flood Control, its successors or assigns, by right-of-way No. AZA-
26798, pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S. C. 1761).
    3. Those rights for power line purposes granted to Tucson Electric 
Power Company, its successors or assigns, by right-of-way No. AZA-7274, 
pursuant to the Act of March 4, 1911 (43 U.S.C. 961).
    4. Those rights for power line purposes granted to Tucson Electric 
Power Company, its successors or assigns, by right-of-way No. AZA-7872, 
pursuant to the Act of March 4, 1911 (43 U.S.C. 961).
    Information concerning the sale, including a map delineating the 
noncompetitive direct sale parcels and, when available, the appraisal 
and mineral report will be available for public review during normal 
business hours at the BLM, Lower Sonoran Field Office, located at the 
above address. Once completed, the map and EA will be viewable at 
https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do.
    Public comments concerning the noncompetitive direct sale may be 
submitted in writing to the BLM Lower Sonoran Field Manager as noted in 
the above DATES and ADDRESSES sections. Any substantive comments 
regarding the noncompetitive (direct) sale will be reviewed by the BLM 
Lower Sonoran Field Manager or other authorized official of the 
Department of the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify this 
realty action in whole or in part. Unless the BLM receives a 
substantive comment that causes the authorized official to vacate or 
modify this realty action, this notice will become the final 
determination of the Department of the Interior.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should 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.

    Authority:  43 CFR 2711.1-2 and 2720.1-1(b)

Edward J. Kender,
Field Manager, Lower Sonoran Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-11451 Filed 5-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P