Notice of Intent To Amend the 1985 Wisconsin Resource Management Plan and Prepare an Associated Environmental Analysis and Notice of Realty Action for the Direct (Non-Competitive) Sale of Reversionary Interests, Oneida County, Wisconsin, 40504-40505 [2013-16130]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Land Management

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 129 (Friday, July 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40504-40505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-16130]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLES003420.L14300000.EU0000;WIES-057676]


Notice of Intent To Amend the 1985 Wisconsin Resource Management 
Plan and Prepare an Associated Environmental Analysis and Notice of 
Realty Action for the Direct (Non-Competitive) Sale of Reversionary 
Interests, Oneida County, Wisconsin

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent and Notice of Realty Action.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
(FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
Northeastern States Field Office (NSFO) intends to amend the 1985 
Wisconsin Resource Management Plan (RMP) and prepare an associated 
Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, to consider the direct 
sale of reversionary interests in approximately 0.81 acres of lands 
patented under provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) 
Act, as amended, to the Unity Point Improvement Association, a 
nonprofit organization. By this notice, the BLM NSFO is announcing the 
beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and 
identify issues.

DATES: Comments on issues for the RMP amendment may be submitted in 
writing until August 19, 2013. The date(s) and location(s) of any 
scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through 
the local news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/es/st/en.html. In order to be included in the analysis, all 
comments must be received prior to the close of the 45-day scoping 
period or 30 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. 
The NSFO will provide additional opportunities for public participation 
as appropriate.
    This notice also initiates the public comment period for the 
proposed sale of reversionary interest in lands patented to the Unity 
Point Improvement Association pending approval of the plan amendment. 
Written comments regarding the proposed sale must be received by the 
BLM on or before August 19, 2013. If the proposed sale is determined 
suitable for disposal, the reversionary interest will not be conveyed 
until at least September 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria 
related to the 1985 Wisconsin RMP Amendment and/or the proposed sale by 
any of the following methods:
     Web site: https://on.doi.gov/J10kUe.
     Email: cgrundma@blm.gov.
     Fax: 414-297-4409.
     Mail: BLM Northeastern States Field Office, 626 East 
Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-4617.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM 
Northeastern States Field Office, 626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, 
Milwaukee, WI 53202-4617.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Grundman, Realty Specialist, 
telephone 414-297-4447; address BLM Northeastern States Field Office, 
626 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-4617; 
email cgrundma@blm.gov. 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 the above individual during normal business 
hours. The FIRS 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: This document provides notice that the BLM 
NSFO, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, intends to prepare an RMP amendment with an 
associated EA for the public lands within the State of Wisconsin, 
announces the beginning of the scoping process, and seeks public input 
on issues and planning criteria. The two parcels of land with 
reversionary interest is located in Oneida County, Wisconsin, and 
encompasses approximately 0.81 acres of public land. The purpose of the 
public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will 
influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including 
alternatives, and guide the planning process. Preliminary issues for 
the plan amendment area have been identified by BLM personnel; Federal, 
State, and local agencies; and other stakeholders. The issues include: 
Impact of the proposed amendment on land use values, ownership, and 
potential development; impact of the proposed amendment on cultural 
resources, such as archeological sites and historic trails; and impact 
of the proposed amendment on wildlife. Preliminary planning criteria 
include: BLM planning regulations at 43 CFR 1600; Section 203 of FLPMA 
sale criteria (43 U.S.C. 1713) and regulations found at 43 CFR 2710; 
and BLM policy

[[Page 40505]]

and other applicable laws and regulations.
    The BLM will determine as a result of the proposed plan amendment 
and associated EA whether the reversionary interest in the lands are 
suitable for disposal, then the BLM NESO, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, intends 
to convey the reversionary interests in the lands patented to the Unity 
Point Improvement Association, Oneida County, Wisconsin, to allow and 
achieve the highest and best use of the lands without the threat of a 
reversion of title for breach of patent conditions. The lands are not 
needed for Federal purposes and the United States has no present 
interest in the properties other than the reservation of the mineral 
interests to the United States and whether a direct sale of the 
reversionary interest is appropriate under Section 203 of FLPMA. The 
proposed action is consistent with Federal laws, State and local 
planning and zoning ordinances. If it is determined through the 
planning process the lands are suitable, the reversionary interests in 
the lands will be offered by direct sale to the Unity Point Improvement 
Association for the appraised fair market value of $78,000 at least 
October 3, 2013.
    Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the original patents dated 
July 25, 1966, and October 5, 1972, the United States retains and 
continues to hold reversionary interests in the following lands:

4th Principal Meridian

T. 37 N., R. 8 E.,
    Sec. 33, lots 6 and 13.

    The area described contains 0.81 acres per the official survey, 
approved April 23, 1928.

    The lands were conveyed to the Unity Point Improvement Association 
for the purpose of providing public recreation and lake access, but 
this use is no longer needed because the State of Wisconsin developed 
facilities for recreation and lake access in the immediate area. 
Development of the lands for recreation have been limited by the small 
area and location of the parcels on a densely subdivided narrow 
peninsula with inadequate access along a private single lane dirt road. 
The BLM received a request from the Unity Point Improvement Association 
to purchase the reversionary interests held by the United States to 
allow the lands to be used for purposes otherwise restricted by the 
reversionary clause in the patents under the R&PP authority. The sale 
of reversionary interests will eliminate management oversight for lands 
that have been underutilized and undeveloped for public recreation as 
intended by the terms and conditions of the R&PP Act conveyance.
    If the plan amendment is approved, the reversionary interests in 
the lands will be offered by direct sale procedures in accordance with 
regulations at 43 CFR 2711.3-3(a)(1)(3) and (4). The direct sale of 
reversionary interest to Unity Point Improvement Association would be 
appropriate to protect the landowner from economic loss and retain sale 
and release of the reversionary interests in the 0.81 acres will be 
made in accordance with Section 203 of FLPMA, applicable regulations of 
the Secretary of the Interior, and the following:
    1. A condition that the conveyance be subject to all valid existing 
rights of record;
    2. An appropriate indemnification clause protecting the United 
States from claims arising out of the patentee's use, occupancy, or 
operations on the patented lands;
    3. The terms and conditions of the United States patent 1239859 and 
patent 1242505 reserving mineral deposits in the lands, together with 
the right to mine and remove the same, under applicable laws and such 
regulations to be established by the Secretary of the Interior;
    4. No representation, warranty, or covenant of any kind, express or 
implied, is given or made by the United States as to access to or from 
any parcel of land, the title, whether or to what extent the lands may 
be developed, physical condition, present or potential uses, or any 
other circumstance or condition; and
    5. Additional terms and conditions that the authorized officer 
deems appropriate to ensure proper land use and protection of the 
public interest.
    Detailed information concerning the proposed sale, including the 
appraisal, planning and environmental documents, are available for 
review at the NSFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section 
above.
    You may submit comments on issues and planning criteria and/or the 
proposed direct sale in writing to the BLM at any public scoping 
meeting, or you may submit them to the BLM using one of the methods 
listed in the ADDRESSES section above. To be most helpful, you should 
submit comments by the close of the 45-day scoping period or within 30 
days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The minutes and 
list of attendees for each scoping meeting will be available to the 
public and open for 30 days after the meeting to any participant who 
wishes to clarify the views he or she expressed.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware 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 your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan 
amendment and associated EA in order to consider the variety of 
resource issues and concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in 
the following disciplines will be involved in the planning process: 
Archaeology, wildlife and fisheries, and lands and realty.
    Any adverse written comments received regarding the proposed sale 
will be reviewed by the BLM State Director, Eastern States, who may 
sustain, vacate, or modify the realty action. In the absence of adverse 
comments and with the approval of the amendment, the proposed realty 
action will become the final determination of the Department of the 
Interior.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7; 43 CFR 1610.2; 2711.1-2(a)(c).

John G. Lyon,
State Director, Eastern States.
[FR Doc. 2013-16130 Filed 7-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-P