Establishment of Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee, 11373-11374 [E7-4545]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 13, 2007 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [USCG–2007–27372] Towing Safety Advisory Committee AGENCY: ACTION: Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of meetings. SUMMARY: The Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) will meet to discuss matters relating to these specific issues of towing safety. The meetings will be open to the public. The Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group will meet on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meetings may close early if all business is finished. Written material and requests to make oral presentations should reach the Coast Guard on or before March 14, 2007. Requests to have a copy of your material distributed to each member of the Working Group should reach the Coast Guard on or before March 14, 2007. DATES: The Working Group will meet at the Westin Arlington Gateway, 801 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22203. Send written material and requests to make oral presentations to Mr. Gerald Miante, Commandant (CG– 3PSO–1), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593–0001. This notice and related documents are available on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov under the docket number USCG–2007–27372. Procedural The meetings are open to the public. Please note that the meetings may close early if all business is finished. At the Chair’s discretion, members of the public may make oral presentations during the meeting. If you would like to make an oral presentation at the meeting, please notify the Assistant Executive Director (as provided above in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) no later than March 14, 2007. Written material for distribution at the meeting should reach the Coast Guard no later than March 14, 2007. Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact Mr. Miante at the number listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT as soon as possible. Dated: February 28, 2007. J.G. Lantz, Director of Standards, Assistant Commandant for Prevention. [FR Doc. E7–4469 Filed 3–12–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–15–P ADDRESSES: Mr. Gerald Miante, Assistant Executive Director of TSAC, telephone 202–372– 1401, fax 202–372–1926, or e-mail Gerald.P.Miante@uscg.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Notice of these meetings is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770, as amended). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Agenda of Working Group Meetings The agenda for the Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group tentatively includes the following items: (1) Review draft sections of potential regulations currently under development; (2) Develop recommendations concerning the draft sections for TSAC’s consideration. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:58 Mar 12, 2007 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary Establishment of Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee Office of the Secretary, Interior. Notice of Establishment and Call for Nominations. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior, after consultation with the General Services Administration, has established the Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities. DATES: Requests to participate on this Committee must be postmarked by April 12, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send resumes and explanations of interest to Susan L. Goodwin, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 500, Washington DC 20006, e-mail address susan_goodwin@ios.doi.gov, fax number 202/327–5390. PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 11373 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan L. Goodwin, 202/327–5346. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are publishing this notice in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) (FACA). The Secretary of the Interior certifies that he has determined that the formation of the Committee is necessary and is in the public interest. The Committee will conduct its operations in accordance with the provisions of the FACA. It will report to the Secretary of the Interior through the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will function solely as an advisory body. The Committee will provide recommendations and advice to the Department and the Service on developing effective measures to protect wildlife resources and enhance potential benefits to wildlife that may be identified. The Secretary will appoint members who can effectively represent the varied interests associated with wind energy development and its potential impacts to wildlife species and their habitats. Members will represent stakeholders, Federal and State agencies, and tribes. Members will be senior representatives of their respective constituent groups with knowledge of: wind energy facility location, design, operation, and transmission requirements; wildlife species potentially affected and potential positive and negative impacts; wildlife survey techniques; applicable laws and regulations; and current research on wind/wildlife interactions. The Secretary may appoint Committee members based on nominations submitted by interested parties, including but not limited to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other Federal agencies, States, tribes, wind energy development organizations, nongovernmental conservation organizations, and local regulatory/ licensing commissions. The Committee will also include independent experts in wind energy/wildlife interactions, appointed as special Government employees, to provide technical advice. The Secretary may also appoint alternate members to serve in the event that a member cannot attend a meeting. Parties interested in participating on this Committee should send their resumes and explanations of interest to Susan L. Goodwin, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, at the contact address listed in ADDRESSES, by the date specified in DATES. The Committee is expected to meet approximately four times per year. All Committee members serve without E:\FR\FM\13MRN1.SGM 13MRN1 11374 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 13, 2007 / Notices compensation. Travel costs will be provided for Committee members who are special Government employees. The Service will provide necessary support services to the Committee. Committee meetings will be open to the public. Notice of committee meetings will be published in the Federal Register at least 15 days before the date of the meeting. The public will have an opportunity to provide input at these meetings. The Committee is expected to exist for 2 years. Its continuation is subject to biennial renewal. In accordance with FACA, we will file a copy of the Committee’s charter with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration; Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate; Committee on Resources, United States House of Representatives; and the Library of Congress. The Certification for establishment is published below. Certification I hereby certify that the Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee is necessary and is in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department of the Interior by Public Laws 16 U.S.C. 703–712, Migratory Bird Treaty Act; 16 U.S.C. 668–668d, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531–1544, Endangered Species Act; and 42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq., National Environmental Policy Act. The Committee will assist the Department of the Interior by providing advice and recommendations on developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their habitats. Dated: February 28, 2007. Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior. [FR Doc. E7–4545 Filed 3–12–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P AGENCY: Availability of Documents Individuals wishing copies of the application, proposed Plan, and Screening Form should immediately contact the Service by telephone at (760) 431–9440 or by letter to the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. Copies of the proposed Plan and Screening Form also are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES). SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the San Diego Gas Background Section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et. seq.) and its implementing Federal regulations prohibit the take of animal species listed as endangered or DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Low-Effect Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan for the San Diego Gas and Electric Company, San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties, CA cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES and Electric Company (Applicant) for a 40-year incidental take permit for one covered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the federally endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) associated with the operation and maintenance of the existing gas and electric system, and construction of new facilities. A conservation program to mitigate for the project activities would be implemented by the Applicant as described in the Quino Checkerspot Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan for the San Diego Gas and Electric Company, San Diego, Riverside and Orange Counties, California (Plan), which would be implemented by the Applicant. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on the preliminary determination that the proposed Plan qualifies as a ‘‘loweffect’’ Habitat Conservation Plan, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The basis for this determination is discussed in the Environmental Action Statement and the associated Low Effect Screening Form (Screening Form), which is also available for public review. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 12, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to the Field Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011. Written comments may be sent by facsimile to (760) 431–5901. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Chris Otahal, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone (760) 431–9440. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:58 Mar 12, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 threatened. Take is defined under the Act as to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect listed animal species, or to attempt to engage in such conduct (16 U.S.C. 1538). However, under section 10(a) of the Act, the Service may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is defined by the Act as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species, respectively, are found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 17.22 and 50 CFR 17.32. The Applicant is seeking a permit for take of the Quino checkerspot butterfly during the life of the permit. This species is referred to as the ‘‘QCB’’ in the proposed Plan. The Applicant proposes to grade existing gas and electrical transmission line access roads, many of which have not been graded in a number of years and now support QCB habitat, and conduct other activities such as construction of new facilities, equipment repair and replacement, insulator washing, tree trimming, maintenance of fire control areas, pole in-setting, and pole brushing. With the exception of road grading and construction of new facilities, operation and maintenance activities are expected to result in temporary impacts to QCB habitat. The Applicant proposes habitat restoration and enhancement in areas temporarily impacted, where appropriate, as specified in the Plan. Additionally, the Applicant’s operation and maintenance activities typically result in minor impacts to the landscape (i.e., impacts are usually measured in square-feet) and are spread over a broad area, which will reduce the level of significance of potential impacts to QCB habitat. Impacts of maintenance and operation activities will also spread over a 40-year period, thus providing an opportunity for habitat re-establishment and, in some areas, minimizing potential take from repetitive impacts within the same location. Up to 33 acres of QCB habitat may be lost through implementation of the Plan over 40 years. The Applicant estimates 15 of the 33 acres of potential impacts to QCB habitat will result from road grading, and that other activities (e.g., new construction, pole brushing, and pole in-setting) will account for the remaining 18 acres of potential impact. These impacts would occur in unoccupied QCB habitat; occupied QCB habitat; and QCB critical habitat as outlined in the Plan. E:\FR\FM\13MRN1.SGM 13MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11373-11374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4545]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Establishment of Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment and Call for Nominations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior, after consultation with the 
General Services Administration, has established the Wind Turbine 
Guidelines Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on 
developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife 
and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities.

DATES: Requests to participate on this Committee must be postmarked by 
April 12, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send resumes and explanations of interest to Susan L. 
Goodwin, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, U.S. 
Department of the Interior, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 500, 
Washington DC 20006, e-mail address susan_goodwin@ios.doi.gov, fax 
number 202/327-5390.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan L. Goodwin, 202/327-5346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are publishing this notice in accordance 
with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) (FACA). The Secretary of the Interior certifies that he has 
determined that the formation of the Committee is necessary and is in 
the public interest.
    The Committee will conduct its operations in accordance with the 
provisions of the FACA. It will report to the Secretary of the Interior 
through the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will function 
solely as an advisory body. The Committee will provide recommendations 
and advice to the Department and the Service on developing effective 
measures to protect wildlife resources and enhance potential benefits 
to wildlife that may be identified.
    The Secretary will appoint members who can effectively represent 
the varied interests associated with wind energy development and its 
potential impacts to wildlife species and their habitats. Members will 
represent stakeholders, Federal and State agencies, and tribes. Members 
will be senior representatives of their respective constituent groups 
with knowledge of: wind energy facility location, design, operation, 
and transmission requirements; wildlife species potentially affected 
and potential positive and negative impacts; wildlife survey 
techniques; applicable laws and regulations; and current research on 
wind/wildlife interactions. The Secretary may appoint Committee members 
based on nominations submitted by interested parties, including but not 
limited to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other Federal 
agencies, States, tribes, wind energy development organizations, 
nongovernmental conservation organizations, and local regulatory/
licensing commissions. The Committee will also include independent 
experts in wind energy/wildlife interactions, appointed as special 
Government employees, to provide technical advice. The Secretary may 
also appoint alternate members to serve in the event that a member 
cannot attend a meeting. Parties interested in participating on this 
Committee should send their resumes and explanations of interest to 
Susan L. Goodwin, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute 
Resolution, at the contact address listed in ADDRESSES, by the date 
specified in DATES.
    The Committee is expected to meet approximately four times per 
year. All Committee members serve without

[[Page 11374]]

compensation. Travel costs will be provided for Committee members who 
are special Government employees. The Service will provide necessary 
support services to the Committee. Committee meetings will be open to 
the public. Notice of committee meetings will be published in the 
Federal Register at least 15 days before the date of the meeting. The 
public will have an opportunity to provide input at these meetings.
    The Committee is expected to exist for 2 years. Its continuation is 
subject to biennial renewal.
    In accordance with FACA, we will file a copy of the Committee's 
charter with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services 
Administration; Committee on Environment and Public Works, United 
States Senate; Committee on Resources, United States House of 
Representatives; and the Library of Congress.
    The Certification for establishment is published below.

Certification

    I hereby certify that the Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory 
Committee is necessary and is in the public interest in connection with 
the performance of duties imposed on the Department of the Interior by 
Public Laws 16 U.S.C. 703-712, Migratory Bird Treaty Act; 16 U.S.C. 
668-668d, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 
Endangered Species Act; and 42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq., National 
Environmental Policy Act. The Committee will assist the Department of 
the Interior by providing advice and recommendations on developing 
effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their 
habitats.

    Dated: February 28, 2007.
Dirk Kempthorne,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. E7-4545 Filed 3-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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