SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management proposes to extend a 25-year public land withdrawal for continued military use and training at Fort Irwin National Training Center in San Bernardino County. Federal Register publication of Notice of the Army's withdrawal extension application initiates a public comment period that will end on Oct. 24.

Fort Irwin National Training Center supports a key area for conducting arms military training, development, and testing of military equipment. The order affects approximately 117,700 acres of public land, which would remain closed to settlement, sale, location, and entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws.

The BLM and the U.S. Army welcome public comments on the proposed order and will host a public meeting regarding this proposal on Wed., Aug. 28, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. at the Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311.

The BLM and the U.S. Army will provide information on the process and comment period. The public can either attend in person or call in for questions/comments. The BLM will publish instructions for access to call-in information in the local newspaper and on the agency website a minimum of 30 days prior to the meeting. The BLM must receive all comments by Oct. 24.

Written comments should be sent to Sarah Naranjo, Realty Specialist at BLM California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way W-1928, Sacramento, CA 95825-1886, or by email at [email protected].

The BLM is responsible for administering the Department of the Interior's land withdrawal program and for processing all withdrawal-related applications or proposals for public lands. For more information, please contact Sarah Naranjo, Realty Specialist, Bureau of Land Management, California State Office at [email protected].