Land Management Bureau July 21, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw approximately 633,547 acres of public lands and 360,002 acres of National Forest System lands for up to 20 years from location and entry under the Mining Law of 1872, 30 U.S.C. 22 et seq., on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service. The purpose of the withdrawal, if determined to be appropriate, would be to protect the Grand Canyon watershed from adverse effects of locatable hardrock mineral exploration and mining. This notice segregates the lands from location and entry under the 1872 Mining Law for up to 2 years to allow time for various studies and analyses, including appropriate National Environmental Policy Act analysis. These actions will support a final decision on whether or not to proceed with a withdrawal. The lands will remain open to the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, mineral materials, and public land laws.