Notice of Proposed Legislative Withdrawal and Opportunity for Public Meeting; California (Johnson Valley OHV Area)

The U.S. Department of the Navy, in accordance with the Engle Act, has filed an application requesting the Secretary of the Interior to process a proposed legislative withdrawal and reservation of public lands for military training exercises involving the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, San Bernardino County, California. The proposal seeks the transfer of jurisdiction and the withdrawal of approximately 365,906 acres of public lands and approximately 507 acres of Federal subsurface mineral estate from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including surface entry, mining, mineral leasing, and the Materials Act of 1947.

This notice temporarily segregates for two years the public lands and mineral estate described from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the public land laws, including the mining laws, and the operation of the mineral leasing laws and the Materials Act of 1947. In addition, the surface estate of the 507 acres of mineral estate and the surface and mineral estate of an approximately 72,186 acres of other non-federally owned property in the proposed withdrawal area, if they should be acquired by or returned to the United States by any means, would also be included in the proposed withdrawal and subject to the temporary segregation authorized by this notice.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before December 15, 2008. In addition, at least one public meeting will be held during the comment period to help the public understand both the proposed action and the decision-making processes. The public meeting will be announced at least 30 days in advance through local news media, public notices, mailings, and agency Web sites.

Click here to read the complete Federal Register Notice