Notice of Intent To Amend a Resource Management Plan and Prepare an Associated Environmental Assessment; Notice of Realty Action: Proposed Sale of Public Land in Nye County, Nevada, 54033-54036 [2024-14176]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2024 / Notices days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 shall be deemed to have waived their rights. Notices of appeal transmitted by facsimile will not be accepted as timely filed. Heidi C. Wanner, Supervisory Land Law Examiner, Adjudication Section. [FR Doc. 2024–14230 Filed 6–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4331–10–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Seward Meridian, Alaska Bureau of Land Management [BLM_AK_FRN_MO4500178354; F–14916–A] Alaska Native Claims Selection AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. ACTION: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface estate in certain lands to Oscarville Native Corporation for the Native village of Oscarville, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA). The subsurface estate in the same lands will be conveyed to Calista Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to Oscarville Native Corporation. SUMMARY: Any party claiming a property interest in the lands affected by the decision may appeal the decision in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 within the time limits set out in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. DATES: You may obtain a copy of the decision from the Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, AK 99513–7504. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Colburn, Land Law Examiner, BLM Alaska State Office, 907–271– 5067, or mcolburn@blm.gov. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point of contact in the United States. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Jun 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that the BLM will issue an appealable decision to Oscarville Native Corporation. The decision approves conveyance of the surface estate in certain lands pursuant to ANCSA (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.), as amended. As provided by ANCSA, the subsurface estate in the same lands will be conveyed to Calista Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to Oscarville Native Corporation. The lands are located in the vicinity of Oscarville, Alaska, and are described as: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The decision addresses public access easements, if any, to be reserved to the United States pursuant to sec. 17(b) of ANCSA (43 U.S.C. 1616(b)), in the lands described above. The BLM will also publish notice of the decision once a week for four consecutive weeks in the The Delta Discovery newspaper. Any party claiming a property interest in the lands affected by the decision may appeal the decision in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 within the following time limits: 1. Unknown parties, parties unable to be located after reasonable efforts have been expended to locate, parties who fail or refuse to sign their return receipt, and parties who receive a copy of the decision by regular mail which is not certified, return receipt requested, shall have until July 29, 2024 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4 shall be deemed to have waived their rights. Notices of appeal transmitted by facsimile will not be accepted as timely filed. Eileen M. Ford, Chief, Branch of Adjudication. [FR Doc. 2024–14219 Filed 6–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4331–10–P PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [BLM_NV_FRN_MO#4500176314] Notice of Intent To Amend a Resource Management Plan and Prepare an Associated Environmental Assessment; Notice of Realty Action: Proposed Sale of Public Land in Nye County, Nevada Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of realty action. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada State Director intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) for the non-competitive direct sale of 248.74 acres of public land in rural east-central Nye County, Nevada to Foreland Refining Corporation (Foreland) (N– 100365/NVNV105851725). The sale would be for no less than the appraised fair market value. The sale would be subject to the applicable provisions of section 203 of FLPMA and the BLM land sale regulations. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues, provides the planning criteria for public review, and announces a comment period on the proposed realty action offering the sale of public land. DATES: Interested parties may submit written comments concerning the proposed land sale, scope of the analysis, potential alternatives, and identification of relevant information and studies by August 12, 2024. To afford the BLM the opportunity to consider issues raised by commenters in the Draft RMP Amendment and EA, please ensure your comments are received prior to the close of the 45-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments concerning the realty action and on issues and planning criteria related to the proposed RMP Amendment and non-competitive direct sale of public land in Nye County, Nevada, by any of the following methods: • Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/ eplanning-ui/project/2024259/510. • Email: egilseth@blm.gov. SUMMARY: T. 7 N., R. 69 W., Secs. 10 and 15. Containing 696.23 acres. 54033 E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 54034 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2024 / Notices • Fax: 775–482–7810. • Mail: BLM, Tonopah Field Office, P.O. Box 911 (1553 South Main Street), Tonopah, Nevada 89049. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at https:// eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ project/2024259/510 and at the Tonopah Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Marcell, Lead Realty Specialist, Nevada State Office; telephone 202 912–7339; email at fmarcell@blm.gov; or Perry Wickham, Field Manager, telephone 775–482– 7801; Tonopah Field Office, P.O. Box 911 (1553 South Main Street), Tonopah, Nevada 89049; email pwickham@ blm.gov. Contact Mr. Wickham to have your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. This document provides notice that the BLM Nevada State Director proposes to segregate the identified public land and prepare an RMP Amendment with an associated EA for the non-competitive direct sale of public land in Nye County, Nevada, and announces the beginning of the scoping process to seek public input on issues and planning criteria. The RMP Amendment would change the existing 1997 Tonopah Field Office Record of Decision and Approved RMP. The RMP Amendment is being considered to evaluate whether the subject parcel of public land meets the disposal criteria described in section 203 of FLPMA. Foreland holds a right-of-way grant (N–41035/NVNV105896178) on the northwestern 40-acre portion of the proposed sale parcel, which contains the Eagle Springs Refinery. The purpose of the sale would be to protect existing Eagle Springs Refinery improvements consisting of fencing, underground phone lines, roads, multiple buildings, an on-site water well, propane tank, and septic system, and the refinery’s oil delivery/distribution systems for refining operations, and to allow for future expansion of the refinery. The sale would be subject to the applicable provisions of Section 203 of FLPMA and the BLM land sale regulations. The subject parcel was not previously identified for disposal in the RMP; khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Jun 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 therefore, the BLM must amend the RMP for the proposed sale to proceed. The BLM will examine the following described public land for disposal suitability: Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada, T. 9 N., R. 56 E., Sec. 24, S1⁄2NE1⁄4SE1⁄4 and SE1⁄4SE1⁄4; Sec. 25, E1⁄2NE1⁄4. T. 9 N., R. 57 E., Sec. 19, lot 4; Sec. 30, lots 1 and 2. The area described contains 248.74 acres, according to the official plats of the surveys on file with the BLM. Upon publication of this Notice in the Federal Register, the public land described above will be segregated from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws, except for the sale provisions of FLPMA. The segregation will terminate upon (1) issuance of a conveyance document; (2) publication in the Federal Register terminating the segregation; or (3) two years from publication of this notice, unless extended by the BLM Nevada State Director in accordance with 43 CFR 2711.1–2(d). In addition, upon publication of this notice and until completion of this sale, the BLM will no longer accept land-use applications affecting the identified public land, except applications to amend previously filed right-of-way applications or existing authorizations to modify grant terms in accordance with 43 CFR 2807.15 and 43 CFR 2886.15. The BLM will analyze the parcel and develop an EA to evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed RMP Amendment and the sale criteria under FLPMA Section 203(a)(3) and 43 CFR 2710.0–3(a)(3) to ensure the disposal of the tract will serve important public objectives, including for the conveyance out of Federal ownership of a parcel of public land that, because of its location or other characteristics, is difficult and uneconomic to manage as part of the public lands and is not suitable for management by another Federal department or agency. After the BLM has analyzed public scoping comments and prepared the analysis, the EA will be available for a 30-day comment period. The parcel being considered for direct sale is not required for any other Federal purpose. Regulations contained in 43 CFR 2710.0–6(c)(3)(iii) and 2711.3–3(a)(3) make allowances for direct sales where necessary to protect existing equities in the public land and where there is a need to recognize an authorized use such as an existing business that could PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 suffer a substantial economic loss if the tract were purchased by other than the authorized user. The BLM will consider selling this parcel if it is determined that the public interest would best be served by selling the BLM-administered land for the fair market value and ensure the Federal Government receives fair compensation for the sale of the parcel. The subject parcel is located on both sides of United States Highway 6, which allows access to the area from either Tonopah or Ely, Nevada. The BLM has determined the parcel is not an access point for recreation in accordance with Secretary’s Order 3373, Evaluating Public Access in Bureau of Land Management Public Disposal and Exchanges. Disposal of this parcel will have no anticipated impacts on recreational access to adjacent parcels of publicly accessible lands. The conveyance document, if issued, will contain the following reservations, terms, and conditions: (1) The reservation of 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). (2) The reservation of all the mineral deposits in the land so patented pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1719), including, without limitation, substances subject to disposition under the general mining laws, the general mineral leasing laws, the Materials Act, and the Geothermal Steam Act, and to it, its permittees, licensees, lessees, and mining claimants, the right to prospect for, mine, and remove the minerals owned by the United States under applicable law and such regulations as the Secretary of the Interior may prescribe. This reservation includes necessary access and exit rights and the right to conduct all necessary and incidental activities including, without limitation, all drilling, underground, open pit or surface mining operations, storage, and transportation facilities deemed reasonably necessary. Unless otherwise provided by separate agreement with the surface owner, mining claimants, permittees, licensees, and lessees of the United States shall reclaim disturbed areas to the extent prescribed by regulations issued by the Secretary of the Interior. All causes of action brought to enforce the rights of the surface owner under the regulations above referred to shall be instituted against mining claimants, permittees, licensees, and lessees of the United States, and the United States shall not be liable for the acts or E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2024 / Notices omissions of its mining claimants, permittees, licensees, and lessees. (3) The conveyance document would be subject to all valid existing rights. (4) The parcel is subject to reservations for roads and public utilities. (5) An appropriate indemnification clause protecting the United States from claims arising out of the patentee’s use, occupancy, or occupation on the patented lands. (6) Additional terms and conditions that the authorized officer deems appropriate. The BLM will publish this notice once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Tonopah Times-Bonanza & Goldfield News. Comments will be accepted as discussed in the ADDRESSES section above. Any adverse comments regarding the sale will be reviewed by the BLM Nevada State Director or other authorized official of the Department of the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify this realty action in response to such comments. In the absence of adverse comments, this realty action will become the final determination of the Department of the Interior. The planning area is in Nye County, Nevada and encompasses approximately 248.74 acres of public land. The scope of this land use planning process does not include addressing the evaluation or designation of areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs), and the BLM is not considering ACEC nominations as part of this process. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Purpose and Need The purpose of the Federal action is to consider an RMP Amendment to make available by direct sale BLMadministered public lands that are not currently identified for disposal in the Tonopah RMP, as well as to respond to Foreland’s request for a FLPMA direct land sale. The need for the action is established by BLM’s responsibility under section 203 of FLPMA and 43 CFR 2711.1–1(c) to respond to a request for a land sale, and to ensure compliance with the Tonopah RMP Management Decisions. Preliminary Alternatives There are currently no alternatives other than the no action alternative. The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives as well as suggestions for additional alternatives. Planning Criteria The planning criteria guides the planning effort and lays the groundwork for effects analysis by identifying the preliminary issues and their analytical VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Jun 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 frameworks. Preliminary issues for the planning area have been identified by BLM personnel and from early engagement conducted for this planning effort with Federal, Tribal, State, and local agencies, and other stakeholders. The planning criteria are available for public review and comment at the BLM National NEPA Register (see ADDRESSES). Public Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping period and public review of the planning criteria, which guide the development and analysis of the RMP Amendment and EA. The BLM does not intend to hold any public meetings, in-person or virtual, during the public scoping period. Should the BLM later determine to hold public meetings, the specific date(s) and location(s) of any meeting will be announced at least 15 days in advance through the local media, newspapers, and the project’s web page on the BLM National NEPA Register. Sale Notifications The notification of the proposed RMP Amendment and EA and, if applicable, signed finding of no significant impact (FONSI) would begin a 30-day protest period subject to BLM Manual Section 2711.1 step 4(d) on the land-sale decision. The BLM Nevada State Director will review all protests and may sustain, vacate, or modify the RMP Amendment and land sale, in whole or in part. In the absence of any protests, the BLM may select the approved RMP Amendment alternative and prepare a decision record which would document the final determination of the Department of the Interior for the land sale. Any other subsequent notices related to the RMP Amendment and land sale may also be published in the local newspaper. Interdisciplinary Team The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be involved in this planning effort: outdoor recreation, archaeology, lands and realty, sociology, cultural resources, paleontological resources, Native American coordination and consultation, environmental justice, social and economic values, recreational resources, visual resources, wilderness, geology, minerals, wastes—hazardous or solid, wildlife, threatened and endangered species, special status species, migratory PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54035 birds, noise, wild horses and burros, water quality/quantity, wetlands and/or riparian zones, wild and scenic rivers, floodplains, grazing management, noxious weeds and invasive non-native species, human health and safety, soils, vegetation, forestry, air quality, and land use authorization. Additional Information The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed plan amendment and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not already included in the proposed plan amendment or alternatives. Mitigation may include avoidance, minimization, rectification, reduction or elimination over time, and compensation; and it may be considered at multiple scales, including the landscape scale. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA and land use planning processes for this planning effort to help support compliance with applicable procedural requirements under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public involvement requirements of Section 106. The information about historic and cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the area potentially affected by the proposed plan will assist the BLM in identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources. The BLM will consult with local Tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM Manual 1780, and other Departmental policies. Tribal concerns, including impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with Indian Tribal Nations and stakeholders that may be interested in or affected by the proposed sale of public land in Nye County, Nevada and the proposed RMP Amendment, and accompanying Record of Decision that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis as a cooperating agency. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 54036 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 125 / Friday, June 28, 2024 / Notices 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. (Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9, 43 CFR 1610.2, and 43 CFR 2710) Jon K. Raby, State Director. [FR Doc. 2024–14176 Filed 6–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4331–21–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–SERO–NCPTT–38001; PPWOCRADTI, PCU00PT14.GT0000] Preservation Technology and Training Board Notice of Public Meeting National Park Service, Interior. Meeting notice. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, as amended, the National Park Service (NPS) is hereby giving notice that the Preservation Technology and Training Board (Board) of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) will meet as indicated below. DATES: The in-person meeting will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central) or until business is completed on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Central) on Thursday, July 18, 2024. ADDRESSES: The Board will meet at The University of Texas at San Antonio downtown campus, 501 W Cesar Chavez Boulevard, Frio Street Building, San Antonio, Texas 78207. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anyone interested in attending should contact Kirk A. Cordell, Executive Director, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, 645 University Parkway, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457, by telephone (318) 356–7444, or by email kirk_cordell@ nps.gov. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board was established by Congress to provide khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:25 Jun 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 leadership, policy advice, and professional oversight to the NCPTT in compliance with section 404 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 305303). All meetings are open to the public and will have time allocated for public comment. Purpose of the Meeting: The Board meeting will consist of the following proposed agenda items: 1. Review and Comment on NCPTT FY 2023 Accomplishments, and Operational Priorities for FY 2024 2. FY 2023 and FY 2024 NCPTT Budget and Initiatives 3. Research Activities 4. Training Activities 5. Public Comments 6. Adjournment The final agenda will be posted on the Board’s website at https://www.nps.gov/ subjects/ncptt/ptt-board.htm. Interested persons may present, either orally or through written comments, information for the Board to consider during the public meeting. Written comments will be accepted prior to, during, or after the meeting. Members of the public may submit written comments by mailing them to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Due to time constraints during the meeting, the Board is not able to read written public comments submitted into the record. Individuals or groups requesting to make oral comments at the public Board meeting will be limited to no more than three minutes per speaker. All comments will be made part of the public record and will be electronically distributed to all Board members. Detailed minutes of the meeting will be available for public inspection within 90 days of the meeting. Requests for Accommodations: The meeting is open to the public. Please make requests in advance for sign language interpreter services, assistive listening devices, language translation services, or other reasonable accommodations. We ask that you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice at least seven (7) business days prior to the meeting to give the Department of the Interior sufficient time to process your request. All reasonable accommodation requests are managed on a case-by-case basis. Public Disclosure of Comments: Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your written comments, you should be aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying information will be publicly available. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 5 U.S.C. ch. 10. Alma Ripps, Chief, Office of Policy. [FR Doc. 2024–14221 Filed 6–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–52–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–ACR–NPS0035530; 5038 PPSESEROR4 PX.P0318045B.00.1; OMB Control Number 1024–NEW] Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Application for the Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative National Park Service, Interior. Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we, the National Park Service (NPS), are proposing a new information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before August 27, 2024. ADDRESSES: Please provide a copy of your comments to the NPS Information Collection Clearance Officer (ADIR– ICCO), 13461 Sunrise Valley Drive, (MS–244) Herndon, VA 20171 (mail); or to phadrea_ponds@nps.gov (email). Please reference OMB Control Number 1024–NEW (LMDI) in the subject line of your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Cynthia Walton, Branch Manager, Archeological and Historic Preservation Partnerships to cynthia_walton@nps.gov (email) or at 404–354–6072 (telephone). Please reference OMB Control Number 1024– NEW (LMDI) in the subject line of your comments. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54033-54036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14176]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[BLM_NV_FRN_MO#4500176314]


Notice of Intent To Amend a Resource Management Plan and Prepare 
an Associated Environmental Assessment; Notice of Realty Action: 
Proposed Sale of Public Land in Nye County, Nevada

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of realty action.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada 
State Director intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
Amendment with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) for the non-
competitive direct sale of 248.74 acres of public land in rural east-
central Nye County, Nevada to Foreland Refining Corporation (Foreland) 
(N-100365/NVNV105851725). The sale would be for no less than the 
appraised fair market value. The sale would be subject to the 
applicable provisions of section 203 of FLPMA and the BLM land sale 
regulations. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping period 
to solicit public comments and identify issues, provides the planning 
criteria for public review, and announces a comment period on the 
proposed realty action offering the sale of public land.

DATES: Interested parties may submit written comments concerning the 
proposed land sale, scope of the analysis, potential alternatives, and 
identification of relevant information and studies by August 12, 2024. 
To afford the BLM the opportunity to consider issues raised by 
commenters in the Draft RMP Amendment and EA, please ensure your 
comments are received prior to the close of the 45-day scoping period 
or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments concerning the realty action 
and on issues and planning criteria related to the proposed RMP 
Amendment and non-competitive direct sale of public land in Nye County, 
Nevada, by any of the following methods:
     Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024259/510.
     Email: [email protected].

[[Page 54034]]

     Fax: 775-482-7810.
     Mail: BLM, Tonopah Field Office, P.O. Box 911 (1553 South 
Main Street), Tonopah, Nevada 89049.
    Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined online at 
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024259/510 and at the 
Tonopah Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Marcell, Lead Realty 
Specialist, Nevada State Office; telephone 202 912-7339; email at 
[email protected]; or Perry Wickham, Field Manager, telephone 775-482-
7801; Tonopah Field Office, P.O. Box 911 (1553 South Main Street), 
Tonopah, Nevada 89049; email [email protected]. Contact Mr. Wickham to 
have your name added to our mailing list. Individuals in the United 
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech 
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services relay services. Individuals outside 
the United States should use the relay services offered within their 
country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the 
United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document provides notice that the BLM 
Nevada State Director proposes to segregate the identified public land 
and prepare an RMP Amendment with an associated EA for the non-
competitive direct sale of public land in Nye County, Nevada, and 
announces the beginning of the scoping process to seek public input on 
issues and planning criteria. The RMP Amendment would change the 
existing 1997 Tonopah Field Office Record of Decision and Approved RMP. 
The RMP Amendment is being considered to evaluate whether the subject 
parcel of public land meets the disposal criteria described in section 
203 of FLPMA.
    Foreland holds a right-of-way grant (N-41035/NVNV105896178) on the 
northwestern 40-acre portion of the proposed sale parcel, which 
contains the Eagle Springs Refinery. The purpose of the sale would be 
to protect existing Eagle Springs Refinery improvements consisting of 
fencing, underground phone lines, roads, multiple buildings, an on-site 
water well, propane tank, and septic system, and the refinery's oil 
delivery/distribution systems for refining operations, and to allow for 
future expansion of the refinery. The sale would be subject to the 
applicable provisions of Section 203 of FLPMA and the BLM land sale 
regulations. The subject parcel was not previously identified for 
disposal in the RMP; therefore, the BLM must amend the RMP for the 
proposed sale to proceed.
    The BLM will examine the following described public land for 
disposal suitability:

Mount Diablo Meridian, Nevada,

T. 9 N., R. 56 E.,
    Sec. 24, S\1/2\NE\1/4\SE\1/4\ and SE\1/4\SE\1/4\;
    Sec. 25, E\1/2\NE\1/4\.
T. 9 N., R. 57 E.,
    Sec. 19, lot 4;
    Sec. 30, lots 1 and 2.[FEDREG][VOL]*[/VOL][NO]*[/NO][DATE]*[/
DATE][NOTICES][NOTICE][PREAMB][AGENCY]*[/AGENCY][SUBJECT]*[/
SUBJECT][/PREAMB][SUPLINF][HED]*[/HED][EXTRACT][P]*[/P]?>

    The area described contains 248.74 acres, according to the 
official plats of the surveys on file with the BLM.

    Upon publication of this Notice in the Federal Register, the public 
land described above will be segregated from all forms of appropriation 
under the public land laws, including the mining laws, except for the 
sale provisions of FLPMA. The segregation will terminate upon (1) 
issuance of a conveyance document; (2) publication in the Federal 
Register terminating the segregation; or (3) two years from publication 
of this notice, unless extended by the BLM Nevada State Director in 
accordance with 43 CFR 2711.1-2(d).
    In addition, upon publication of this notice and until completion 
of this sale, the BLM will no longer accept land-use applications 
affecting the identified public land, except applications to amend 
previously filed right-of-way applications or existing authorizations 
to modify grant terms in accordance with 43 CFR 2807.15 and 43 CFR 
2886.15.
    The BLM will analyze the parcel and develop an EA to evaluate the 
environmental effects of the proposed RMP Amendment and the sale 
criteria under FLPMA Section 203(a)(3) and 43 CFR 2710.0-3(a)(3) to 
ensure the disposal of the tract will serve important public 
objectives, including for the conveyance out of Federal ownership of a 
parcel of public land that, because of its location or other 
characteristics, is difficult and uneconomic to manage as part of the 
public lands and is not suitable for management by another Federal 
department or agency. After the BLM has analyzed public scoping 
comments and prepared the analysis, the EA will be available for a 30-
day comment period. The parcel being considered for direct sale is not 
required for any other Federal purpose. Regulations contained in 43 CFR 
2710.0-6(c)(3)(iii) and 2711.3-3(a)(3) make allowances for direct sales 
where necessary to protect existing equities in the public land and 
where there is a need to recognize an authorized use such as an 
existing business that could suffer a substantial economic loss if the 
tract were purchased by other than the authorized user. The BLM will 
consider selling this parcel if it is determined that the public 
interest would best be served by selling the BLM-administered land for 
the fair market value and ensure the Federal Government receives fair 
compensation for the sale of the parcel.
    The subject parcel is located on both sides of United States 
Highway 6, which allows access to the area from either Tonopah or Ely, 
Nevada. The BLM has determined the parcel is not an access point for 
recreation in accordance with Secretary's Order 3373, Evaluating Public 
Access in Bureau of Land Management Public Disposal and Exchanges. 
Disposal of this parcel will have no anticipated impacts on 
recreational access to adjacent parcels of publicly accessible lands.
    The conveyance document, if issued, will contain the following 
reservations, terms, and conditions:
    (1) The reservation of 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).
    (2) The reservation of all the mineral deposits in the land so 
patented pursuant to the Act of October 21, 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1719), 
including, without limitation, substances subject to disposition under 
the general mining laws, the general mineral leasing laws, the 
Materials Act, and the Geothermal Steam Act, and to it, its permittees, 
licensees, lessees, and mining claimants, the right to prospect for, 
mine, and remove the minerals owned by the United States under 
applicable law and such regulations as the Secretary of the Interior 
may prescribe. This reservation includes necessary access and exit 
rights and the right to conduct all necessary and incidental activities 
including, without limitation, all drilling, underground, open pit or 
surface mining operations, storage, and transportation facilities 
deemed reasonably necessary.
    Unless otherwise provided by separate agreement with the surface 
owner, mining claimants, permittees, licensees, and lessees of the 
United States shall reclaim disturbed areas to the extent prescribed by 
regulations issued by the Secretary of the Interior.
    All causes of action brought to enforce the rights of the surface 
owner under the regulations above referred to shall be instituted 
against mining claimants, permittees, licensees, and lessees of the 
United States, and the United States shall not be liable for the acts 
or

[[Page 54035]]

omissions of its mining claimants, permittees, licensees, and lessees.
    (3) The conveyance document would be subject to all valid existing 
rights.
    (4) The parcel is subject to reservations for roads and public 
utilities.
    (5) An appropriate indemnification clause protecting the United 
States from claims arising out of the patentee's use, occupancy, or 
occupation on the patented lands.
    (6) Additional terms and conditions that the authorized officer 
deems appropriate.
    The BLM will publish this notice once a week for three consecutive 
weeks in the Tonopah Times-Bonanza & Goldfield News. Comments will be 
accepted as discussed in the ADDRESSES section above.
    Any adverse comments regarding the sale will be reviewed by the BLM 
Nevada State Director or other authorized official of the Department of 
the Interior, who may sustain, vacate, or modify this realty action in 
response to such comments. In the absence of adverse comments, this 
realty action will become the final determination of the Department of 
the Interior.
    The planning area is in Nye County, Nevada and encompasses 
approximately 248.74 acres of public land. The scope of this land use 
planning process does not include addressing the evaluation or 
designation of areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs), and the 
BLM is not considering ACEC nominations as part of this process.

Purpose and Need

    The purpose of the Federal action is to consider an RMP Amendment 
to make available by direct sale BLM-administered public lands that are 
not currently identified for disposal in the Tonopah RMP, as well as to 
respond to Foreland's request for a FLPMA direct land sale. The need 
for the action is established by BLM's responsibility under section 203 
of FLPMA and 43 CFR 2711.1-1(c) to respond to a request for a land 
sale, and to ensure compliance with the Tonopah RMP Management 
Decisions.

Preliminary Alternatives

    There are currently no alternatives other than the no action 
alternative. The BLM welcomes comments on all preliminary alternatives 
as well as suggestions for additional alternatives.

Planning Criteria

    The planning criteria guides the planning effort and lays the 
groundwork for effects analysis by identifying the preliminary issues 
and their analytical frameworks. Preliminary issues for the planning 
area have been identified by BLM personnel and from early engagement 
conducted for this planning effort with Federal, Tribal, State, and 
local agencies, and other stakeholders. The planning criteria are 
available for public review and comment at the BLM National NEPA 
Register (see ADDRESSES).

Public Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping period and public 
review of the planning criteria, which guide the development and 
analysis of the RMP Amendment and EA.
    The BLM does not intend to hold any public meetings, in-person or 
virtual, during the public scoping period. Should the BLM later 
determine to hold public meetings, the specific date(s) and location(s) 
of any meeting will be announced at least 15 days in advance through 
the local media, newspapers, and the project's web page on the BLM 
National NEPA Register.

Sale Notifications

    The notification of the proposed RMP Amendment and EA and, if 
applicable, signed finding of no significant impact (FONSI) would begin 
a 30-day protest period subject to BLM Manual Section 2711.1 step 4(d) 
on the land-sale decision. The BLM Nevada State Director will review 
all protests and may sustain, vacate, or modify the RMP Amendment and 
land sale, in whole or in part. In the absence of any protests, the BLM 
may select the approved RMP Amendment alternative and prepare a 
decision record which would document the final determination of the 
Department of the Interior for the land sale.
    Any other subsequent notices related to the RMP Amendment and land 
sale may also be published in the local newspaper.

Interdisciplinary Team

    The BLM will use an interdisciplinary approach to develop the plan 
to consider the variety of resource issues and concerns identified. 
Specialists with expertise in the following disciplines will be 
involved in this planning effort: outdoor recreation, archaeology, 
lands and realty, sociology, cultural resources, paleontological 
resources, Native American coordination and consultation, environmental 
justice, social and economic values, recreational resources, visual 
resources, wilderness, geology, minerals, wastes--hazardous or solid, 
wildlife, threatened and endangered species, special status species, 
migratory birds, noise, wild horses and burros, water quality/quantity, 
wetlands and/or riparian zones, wild and scenic rivers, floodplains, 
grazing management, noxious weeds and invasive non-native species, 
human health and safety, soils, vegetation, forestry, air quality, and 
land use authorization.

Additional Information

    The BLM will identify, analyze, and consider mitigation to address 
the reasonably foreseeable impacts to resources from the proposed plan 
amendment and all analyzed reasonable alternatives and, in accordance 
with 40 CFR 1502.14(e), include appropriate mitigation measures not 
already included in the proposed plan amendment or alternatives. 
Mitigation may include avoidance, minimization, rectification, 
reduction or elimination over time, and compensation; and it may be 
considered at multiple scales, including the landscape scale.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA and land use planning 
processes for this planning effort to help support compliance with 
applicable procedural requirements under the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1536) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 
(54 U.S.C. 306108) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), including public 
involvement requirements of Section 106. The information about historic 
and cultural resources and threatened and endangered species within the 
area potentially affected by the proposed plan will assist the BLM in 
identifying and evaluating impacts to such resources.
    The BLM will consult with local Tribes on a government-to-
government basis in accordance with Executive Order 13175, BLM Manual 
1780, and other Departmental policies. Tribal concerns, including 
impacts on Indian trust assets and potential impacts to cultural 
resources, will be given due consideration. Federal, State, and local 
agencies, along with Indian Tribal Nations and stakeholders that may be 
interested in or affected by the proposed sale of public land in Nye 
County, Nevada and the proposed RMP Amendment, and accompanying Record 
of Decision that the BLM is evaluating, are invited to participate in 
the scoping process and, if eligible, may request or be requested by 
the BLM to participate in the development of the environmental analysis 
as a cooperating agency.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that

[[Page 54036]]

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.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9, 43 CFR 1610.2, and 43 CFR 2710)

Jon K. Raby,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2024-14176 Filed 6-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4331-21-P

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