[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 10722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03732]



[[Page 10722]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLNVB02000-L19200000-ET0000; N-94970; LR0RF1709500; MO#4500132064]


Public Land Order No. 7891; Withdrawal of Public Lands, Central 
Nevada Test Area; Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Public Land Order.

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SUMMARY: This Order withdraws 361 acres of public land from all forms 
of appropriation and disposition under the public lands, including the 
mining laws and the mineral leasing laws for a period of 20 years to 
assist the United States Department of Energy Office of Legacy 
Management to carry out its responsibilities regarding public health, 
safety, and national security in connection with a past underground 
nuclear detonation in Hot Creek Valley, Nye County, Nevada.

DATES: This Public Land Order takes effect on February 25, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Seley, Realty Specialist, Bureau 
of Land Management, Tonopah Field Office, 1553 S. Main St., P.O. Box 
911, Tonopah, Nevada 89049; telephone: 775-482-7805; email: 
[email protected]; or write: Field Manager, BLM Tonopah Field Office, 1553 
S. Main St., P.O. Box 911, Tonopah, Nevada 89049. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Ms. Seley. The FRS is 
available 24 hours a day, 7-days a week, to leave a message or 
question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to fulfill its obligations under 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2201) regarding public health, 
safety, and national security in connection with a past underground 
nuclear detonation, the United States Department of Energy Office of 
Legacy Management requests that the 361 acres of public lands be 
withdrawn.

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, it is ordered as follows:
    1. Subject to valid existing rights, the following described public 
lands are hereby withdrawn from all forms of appropriation and other 
disposition under the public land laws, including the mining laws and 
the mineral-leasing laws, in order to protect the physical integrity of 
the subsurface environment and to ensure that the Department of 
Energy's ongoing, long-term site characterization studies of the 
Central Nevada Test Area are not invalidated or otherwise adversely 
affected.

Mount Diablo Meridian

    T. 9 N. R. 51 E., Unsurveyed
    Sections 14, 15, 22, and 23. It is an irregular bounded portion 
of land being more particularly described as follows:
    Beginning at a point which is north 35[deg]15'30'' west, 
14,986.1 feet from the southeast corner of township 9 north, range 
51 east.
    Thence, north 89[deg]43'10'' west, a distance of 6602.5 feet.
    Thence, north 0[deg]16'30'' east, a distance of 6602.6 feet.
    Thence, south 89[deg]43'10'' east, a distance of 6602.5 feet.
    Thence, south 0[deg]17'20'' west, a distance of 6602.6 feet to 
the POINT OF BEGINNING.
    Basis of Bearing: Mean geodetic bearings referenced to the true 
meridian.
    Excepting those portions withdrawn by PLO 4338 (UC-1 
withdrawal).
    The area described is 361 acres, in Nye County.

    2. The withdrawal made by this Order does not alter the 
applicability of those public land laws governing the use of the land 
under lease, license, or permit, or governing the disposal of the 
mineral or vegetative resources other than under the mining laws and 
the mineral leasing laws. However, leases, licenses, or permits will be 
issued only if the Department of Energy finds that the proposed use of 
the lands will not interfere with the protection of human health and 
safety or the minimization of danger to life or property.
    3. This withdrawal will expire on February 25, 2040, unless, as a 
result of a review conducted before the expiration date pursuant to 
Section 204(f) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 
43 U.S.C. 1714(f), the Secretary determines that the withdrawal shall 
be extended.

    Dated: February 14, 2020.
Timothy R. Petty,
Assistant Secretary for Water and Science.
[FR Doc. 2020-03732 Filed 2-24-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-HC-P