BLM seeks public comment on U.S. Forest Service application for land withdrawal near Superior, Arizona
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PHOENIX — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a request from the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw 276 acres of land in the Tonto National Forest. The requested withdrawal would protect the lands from new mining claims under the U.S. mining laws and certain mining-related development pending sale of the land to the town of Superior, Arizona.
Congress directed the sale of the land to Superior in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. The acreage requested for withdrawal includes lands within the town limits located near the Superior Municipal Airport as well as the town-managed Fairview Cemetery.
The U.S. Forest Service has applied for a 20-year withdrawal of the lands the from the U.S. mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights.
A Notice of Withdrawal Application will be published in tomorrow’s Federal Register; this publication segregates the lands from the laws specified in the notice for two years, initiates a 90-day public comment period, and announces an opportunity to request a public meeting. The public may submit comments and requests for a public meeting on the withdrawal application from today until October 18, 2022. Comments may be emailed to BLM_AZ_Withdrawal_Comments@blm.gov or sent through the mail to:
Bureau of Land Management, Arizona
Attn: Michael Ouellett
One North Central Avenue
Suite 800
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
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 manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.