Black Hills National Forest; South Dakota and Wyoming; Inyan Kara and Jewel Cave Mineral Withdrawal, 14636-14637 [05-5704]

Download as PDF 14636 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices (RBS) is to assist farmer-owned cooperatives in improving the economic well being of their farmer-members. To facilitate the program’s mission and activities as authorized by the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926, RBS collects, maintains, and analyzes data pertaining to farmer cooperatives. Information is collected through an annual survey mailed to all cooperatives. Need and Use of the Information: The information collected by RBS will be used to comply with the agency’s mission to acquire and report such information. In addition to monitoring and reporting the progress of cooperatives in global markets, RBS will use the data in economic/market research and will also produce educational materials about cooperatives. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit. Number of Respondents: 105. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually. Total Burden Hours: 105. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 05–5715 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–XT–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer, South Dakota 57730; or, at aaallen@fs.fed.us. protecting cultural, historic, and prehistoric resources at the site. Purpose and Need for Action Lead and Cooperating Agencies This action is needed to protect unique resource values (FSM 2761.03 (1)), i.e., cave resources and prehistoric and historic cultural properties from disturbance and adverse effects associated with mineral extraction. Currently the Forest has no authority to deny mining projects in these areas. This proposal is consistent with direction in the Black Hills National Forest Revised Forest Plan to pursue mineral withdrawals where appropriate (Standard 1509). The USDA Forest Service is the lead agency for this action. The USDI Bureau of Land Management and USDI National Park Service are cooperating agencies. Proposed Action The Black Hills National Forest proposes to recommend withdrawal of two areas of National Forest system lands from mineral entry. The first area contains lands (~4,696 acres) adjacent to Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota. The Jewel Cave withdrawal area is located about 10 miles west of Custer, SD on the Hell Canyon Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota. The second area is a disjunct section of NFS lands (~1,278 acres) in the vicinity of Inyan Kara Mountain, Wyoming. The Inyan Kara withdrawal area is located about 12 miles south of Sundance, WY on the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, Wyoming. Forest Service Possible Alternatives Black Hills National Forest; South Dakota and Wyoming; Inyan Kara and Jewel Cave Mineral Withdrawal In addition to the proposed action, the Forest Service also evaluated two alternatives: No Action Alternative—This alternative is required as a comparison to the action alternatives. Under the No Action alternative, the existing withdrawal at Jewel Cave would remain in effect. No additional area would be withdrawn. No withdrawal would take place at Inyan Kara. Mining activities could occur at either site. Alternative 3—Under this alternative, only about 1,064 acres would be withdrawn near Jewel Cave. This alternative addresses public concerns that the withdrawal area under the Proposed Action is larger than necessary to protect the cave resources and would adversely affect mining opportunities. Fewer acres would be withdrawn allowing greater potential for mineral development. Under Alternative 3 the Inyan Kara withdrawal area would remain the same as the Proposed Action. All of Inyan Kara is considered sacred by Native Americans. Reducing the acreage of the proposed withdrawal would not meet the purpose of Forest Service, USDA. Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Black Hills National Forest proposes to recommend withdrawal of two areas of National Forest System lands from mineral entry. The proposed action would recommend the withdrawal of these lands from mineral exploration and development under the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended. DATES: A public meeting will be held to explain the project and take public comment. The meeting will be held at the Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office on April 26, 2005, at 7 p.m. m.d.t. ADDRESSES: The Supervisor’s Office is located at 25041 North Highway 16, Custer, South Dakota. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, mail correspondence to Alice Allen, Project Leader, Black Hills National Forest, 330 VerDate jul<14>2003 16:27 Mar 22, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Responsible Official The Forest Service official who will make the recommendation to the BLM on this withdrawal proposal is the Rocky Mountain Regional Forester. The Responsible Officials for any USDI– BLM decision to withdraw lands from mineral entry are as follows. For the Jewel Cave withdrawal, the responsible Official is the Montana State Director, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Billings, MT. For the Inyan Kara withdrawal, the responsible Official is the Wyoming State Director, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Cheyenne, WY. Nature of Decision To Be Made The USDI Bureau of Land Management is a cooperating agency and is responsible for the final decision regarding this mineral withdrawal. Mineral withdrawals fall under the administrative responsibilities of the USDI Bureau of Land Management (43 CFR 2310.1). Section 104 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 gives the Secretary of the Interior general authority to make, modify, extend, or revoke most withdrawals on public or reserved Federal lands. The Forest Service must apply to the Secretary of the Interior for withdrawal actions on National Forest System lands (FSM 2761.01). The Forest Service initiates an application with the BLM for a mineral withdrawal. The BLM publishes notice of an application and withdrawal proposal in the Federal Register. The Forest Service then completes an environmental assessment (EA) and supporting specialist reports to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (1969). This EA is not a decision document. Based upon the effects of the alternatives, the Recommending FS official will recommend to the BLM an alternative to limit disturbance to protect the cave and archeological resources and provide supporting rationale. The Director of the BLM makes the final decision on the proposed withdrawal and publishes notice of the decision in the Federal Register. Thus, the Forest Service recommendation is not appealable (36 CFR 215.12(h)). The Recommending Forest Service official in this case will E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 23, 2005 / Notices be the Rocky Mountain Regional Forester (FSM 2761.04). The BLM Responsible Officials will decide (1) if mineral withdrawals are necessary to protect the significant resources located at Jewel Cave and at Inyan Kara, and (2) if so, what the appropriate size of those withdrawals should be. Scoping Process The proposal was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions on October 2004. The proposal was provided to the public and other agencies for comment during scoping November 3 through December 5, 2004. In addition, as part of the public involvement process, the agency provided maps and information on the Black Hills National Forest Web site (https://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills). Preliminary Issues The Forest Service identified one topic raised during scoping. This issue is: The size of the withdrawals is too large and will have adverse effects on mining opportunities. Dated: March 17, 2005. Dorothy FireCloud, Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–5704 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee will be meeting to review 2004 projects, receive reports on the Forest Plan Revision, discuss public outreach methods, and hold a short public forum (question and answer session). The meeting is being held pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–393). The meeting is open to the public. DATES: The meeting will be held on March 22, 2005, 6:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Ravalli County Administration Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton, Montana. Send written comments to Daniel Ritter, Acting District Ranger, Stevensville Ranger District, 88 Main Street, Stevensville, MT 59870, by VerDate jul<14>2003 16:27 Mar 22, 2005 Jkt 205001 facsimile (406) 777–7423, or electronically to dritter@fs.fed.us. Public Affairs Officer Louis J. Haynes at (530) 233–8846. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Ritter, Acting District Ranger, Stevensville District Ranger and Designated Federal Officer, Phone: (406) 777–5461. Stanley G. Sylva, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–5705 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am] Dated: March 15, 2005. David T. Bull Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 05–5686 Filed 3–22–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service RIN 0596–AC02 BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Resource Advisory Committee Meeting Modoc Resource Advisory Committee, Alturas, California, USDA Forest Service. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authorities in the Federal Advisory Committees Act (Pub. L. 92–463) and under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106– 393) the Modoc National Forest’s Modoc Resource Advisory Committee will meet Monday, April 4th, 2005, May 2nd, 2005 and June 6th, 2005 in Alturas, California for business meetings. The meetings are open to the public. The business meeting April 4th begins at 6 p.m., at the Modoc National Forest Office, Conference Room, 800 West 12th St., Alturas. Agenda topics will include existing and future projects that meet the intent of Pub. L. 106–393. Time will also be set aside for public comments at the beginning of the meeting. The business meeting May 2nd begins at 6 p.m.; at the Modoc National Forest Office, Conference Room, 800 West 12th St., Alturas. Agenda topics will include existing and future projects that meet the intent of Pub. L. 106–393. Time will also be set aside for public comments at the beginning of the meeting. The business meeting June 6th begins at 6 p.m.; at the Modoc National Forest Office, Conference Room, 800 West 12th St., Alturas. Agenda topics will include existing and future projects that meet the intent of Pub. L. 106–393. Time will also be set aside for public comments at the beginning of the meeting. Stan Sylva, Forest Supervisor and Designated Federal Officer, at (530) 233–8700; or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 National Forest System Land Management Planning Directives Forest Service, USDA. Notice of issuance of agency interim directives; request for comment. AGENCY: ACTION: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Ravalli County Resource Advisory Committee 14637 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: The Forest Service has issued twelve (12) interim directives to Forest Service Manuals 1330, 1900, and 1920 and Forest Service Handbook 1909.12 establishing procedures and responsibilities for implementing the National Forest land management planning regulation set out at 36 CFR part 219. The planning regulation was published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2005 (70 FR 1023). The intended effect of issuance of these IDs is to provide consistent overall guidance to Forest Service line officers and agency employees in developing, amending, or revising land management plans for units of the National Forest System. Public comment is invited and will be considered in developing final directives. DATES: Interim directive no. 1330–2005– 1, 1900–2005–1, 1920–2005–1, 1909.12– 2005–1, 1909.12–2005–2, 1909.12– 2005–3, 1909.12–2005–4, 1909.12– 2005–5, 1909.12–2005–6, 1909.12– 2005–7, 1909.12–2005–8, and 1909.12– 2005–9 is effective March 23, 2005. Comments must be received in writing by June 21, 2005. ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning these interim directives through one of the following methods: Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments; E-mail: planningdirectives @contentanalysis group.com. Include ‘‘RIN 0596-AC02’’ or ‘‘planning directives’’ in the subject line of the message. Fax: (801) 397–2601. Please identify your comments by including ‘‘RIN 0596–AC02’’ or ‘‘planning directives’’ on the cover sheet or the first page. Mail: USDA Forest Service Planning Directives, c/o Content Analysis Group, PO Box 2000, Bountiful, UT 84011–2000. For detailed instructions on submitting comments E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14636-14637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5704]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Black Hills National Forest; South Dakota and Wyoming; Inyan Kara 
and Jewel Cave Mineral Withdrawal

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Black Hills National Forest proposes to recommend 
withdrawal of two areas of National Forest System lands from mineral 
entry. The proposed action would recommend the withdrawal of these 
lands from mineral exploration and development under the General Mining 
Law of 1872, as amended.

DATES: A public meeting will be held to explain the project and take 
public comment. The meeting will be held at the Black Hills National 
Forest Supervisor's Office on April 26, 2005, at 7 p.m. m.d.t.

ADDRESSES: The Supervisor's Office is located at 25041 North Highway 
16, Custer, South Dakota.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, mail 
correspondence to Alice Allen, Project Leader, Black Hills National 
Forest, 330 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer, South Dakota 57730; or, at 
aaallen@fs.fed.us.

Purpose and Need for Action

    This action is needed to protect unique resource values (FSM 
2761.03 (1)), i.e., cave resources and prehistoric and historic 
cultural properties from disturbance and adverse effects associated 
with mineral extraction. Currently the Forest has no authority to deny 
mining projects in these areas. This proposal is consistent with 
direction in the Black Hills National Forest Revised Forest Plan to 
pursue mineral withdrawals where appropriate (Standard 1509).

Proposed Action

    The Black Hills National Forest proposes to recommend withdrawal of 
two areas of National Forest system lands from mineral entry. The first 
area contains lands (4,696 acres) adjacent to Jewel Cave National 
Monument in South Dakota. The Jewel Cave withdrawal area is located 
about 10 miles west of Custer, SD on the Hell Canyon Ranger District, 
Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota. The second area is a 
disjunct section of NFS lands (1,278 acres) in the vicinity of Inyan 
Kara Mountain, Wyoming. The Inyan Kara withdrawal area is located about 
12 miles south of Sundance, WY on the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black 
Hills National Forest, Wyoming.

Possible Alternatives

    In addition to the proposed action, the Forest Service also 
evaluated two alternatives:
    No Action Alternative--This alternative is required as a comparison 
to the action alternatives. Under the No Action alternative, the 
existing withdrawal at Jewel Cave would remain in effect. No additional 
area would be withdrawn. No withdrawal would take place at Inyan Kara. 
Mining activities could occur at either site.
    Alternative 3--Under this alternative, only about 1,064 acres would 
be withdrawn near Jewel Cave. This alternative addresses public 
concerns that the withdrawal area under the Proposed Action is larger 
than necessary to protect the cave resources and would adversely affect 
mining opportunities. Fewer acres would be withdrawn allowing greater 
potential for mineral development. Under Alternative 3 the Inyan Kara 
withdrawal area would remain the same as the Proposed Action. All of 
Inyan Kara is considered sacred by Native Americans. Reducing the 
acreage of the proposed withdrawal would not meet the purpose of 
protecting cultural, historic, and prehistoric resources at the site.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The USDA Forest Service is the lead agency for this action. The 
USDI Bureau of Land Management and USDI National Park Service are 
cooperating agencies.

Responsible Official

    The Forest Service official who will make the recommendation to the 
BLM on this withdrawal proposal is the Rocky Mountain Regional 
Forester. The Responsible Officials for any USDI-BLM decision to 
withdraw lands from mineral entry are as follows. For the Jewel Cave 
withdrawal, the responsible Official is the Montana State Director, 
USDI Bureau of Land Management, Billings, MT. For the Inyan Kara 
withdrawal, the responsible Official is the Wyoming State Director, 
USDI Bureau of Land Management, Cheyenne, WY.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The USDI Bureau of Land Management is a cooperating agency and is 
responsible for the final decision regarding this mineral withdrawal. 
Mineral withdrawals fall under the administrative responsibilities of 
the USDI Bureau of Land Management (43 CFR 2310.1). Section 104 of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 gives the Secretary of 
the Interior general authority to make, modify, extend, or revoke most 
withdrawals on public or reserved Federal lands. The Forest Service 
must apply to the Secretary of the Interior for withdrawal actions on 
National Forest System lands (FSM 2761.01). The Forest Service 
initiates an application with the BLM for a mineral withdrawal. The BLM 
publishes notice of an application and withdrawal proposal in the 
Federal Register. The Forest Service then completes an environmental 
assessment (EA) and supporting specialist reports to meet the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (1969).
    This EA is not a decision document. Based upon the effects of the 
alternatives, the Recommending FS official will recommend to the BLM an 
alternative to limit disturbance to protect the cave and archeological 
resources and provide supporting rationale. The Director of the BLM 
makes the final decision on the proposed withdrawal and publishes 
notice of the decision in the Federal Register. Thus, the Forest 
Service recommendation is not appealable (36 CFR 215.12(h)). The 
Recommending Forest Service official in this case will

[[Page 14637]]

be the Rocky Mountain Regional Forester (FSM 2761.04).
    The BLM Responsible Officials will decide (1) if mineral 
withdrawals are necessary to protect the significant resources located 
at Jewel Cave and at Inyan Kara, and (2) if so, what the appropriate 
size of those withdrawals should be.

Scoping Process

    The proposal was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions on 
October 2004. The proposal was provided to the public and other 
agencies for comment during scoping November 3 through December 5, 
2004. In addition, as part of the public involvement process, the 
agency provided maps and information on the Black Hills National Forest 
Web site (https://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills).

Preliminary Issues

    The Forest Service identified one topic raised during scoping. This 
issue is: The size of the withdrawals is too large and will have 
adverse effects on mining opportunities.

    Dated: March 17, 2005.
Dorothy FireCloud,
Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 05-5704 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P

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