FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to extend a San Francisco Peaks mineral withdraw for an additional 20 years and is seeking public comments regarding the extension.

Public Land Order 7467 withdrew 74,689 acres in the SF Peaks/Mt Elden recreation area in 2000 from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land and mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral leasing laws. The order expires Oct. 15, 2020, but an extension would continue the withdrawal to protect the cultural significance, capital investments and dispersed recreation values in the defined recreation area.

BLM provided notice of application in the Federal Register on June 16, which provides the public the opportunity to comment on the withdrawal extension application.

Coconino NF will be hosting a virtual public meeting August 17 at 5 p.m., and the public can attend this online meeting by sending an email to

comments-southwestern-coconino-flagstaff@usda.gov with “Withdrawal” in the subject line to receive a meeting invite with an online link.

The public can also provide comments to the BLM by mail, fax, or email. All comments should be sent to the BLM Arizona State Office, One North Central, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona, 85004; faxed to 602-417-9452; or sent by email to BLM_AZ_Withdrawal_Comments@blm.gov. The BLM will not consider comments received via telephone calls.