Battle Mountain District Office
| Contacts: | Schirete Zick | , 775-635-4067 |
BLM Seeks Public Comment on Extension of Withdrawal at Forest Service Austin Administrative Site
Tonopah, Nev.—The U.S. Forest Service is seeking a 20-year extension of a withdrawal of a 30-acre parcel near Austin, Nev., from location under Federal mining laws, but not from mineral leasing laws. In a notice published in the Federal Register on Sept. 11, 2009, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a 90-day public comment period on the proposed withdrawal extension and opportunity to request a public meeting on the proposal. Comments will be accepted until Dec. 10.
The Austin Administrative Site on Humboldt-Toiyable National Forest lands was initially withdrawn for 20 years by Public Land Order No. 6760 in 1989. The withdrawal was necessary to ensure the land remains in Federal ownership and to protect the Federal investment in facilities located on the parcel. That withdrawal will expire on Dec. 28, unless extended.
The site contains the Austin Ranger District offices, family housing for permanent and temporary employees, trailer sites with utilities, visitor and employee vehicle parking areas, warehouse and horse corrals.
Mail written comments and requests for a public meeting to: Field Manager, BLM Tonopah Field Office, P.O. Box 911, Tonopah, NV 89049. If a public meeting will be held, notice will be provided in local newspaper at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
The BLM manages more land - 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Battle Mountain District Office 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820