Record of Decision for the Final “Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf”, 1894-1895 [E8-210]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
1894
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 7 / Thursday, January 10, 2008 / Notices
is contained in an Environmental
Action Statement which also is
available for public review.
DATES: All comments from interested
parties must be received on or before
February 11, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Please address written
comments to Patrick Leonard, Field
Supervisor, Pacific Islands Fish and
Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana
Boulevard, Room #3–122, Honolulu, HI
96850. You may also send comments by
facsimile at (808) 792–9580.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
Newman, Assistant Field Supervisor
(see ADDRESSES), telephone (808) 792–
9400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
yshivers on PROD1PC62 with NOTICES
Availability of Documents
Copies of the draft documents and
permit applications are available for
public inspection, by appointment
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
at the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife
Office (see ADDRESSES). You may also
request copies of the documents by
contacting the Service’s Pacific Island
Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). We are
furnishing this notice to provide the
public, other state and Federal agencies,
and tribes an opportunity to review and
comment on these documents. Before
including your address, phone number,
e-mail 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.
Background
A SHA encourages private
landowners to conduct voluntary
conservation activities and assures them
that they will not be subjected to
increased listed species restrictions
should their beneficial stewardship
efforts result in increased numbers of
listed species. As long as enrolled
landowners maintain agreed-upon
baseline responsibilities, they may make
any other lawful use of the enrolled
property during the permit term, even if
such use results in the take of
individuals of the Federally listed
species named within the permit.
Application requirements and issuance
criteria for enhancement of survival
permits and SHAs are found in 50 CFR
17.22(c). The primary objective of this
proposed SHA is to establish a breeding
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:29 Jan 09, 2008
Jkt 214001
population of Guam rails on Cocos
Island by providing a predatorcontrolled habitat.
The private lands subject to this
proposed SHA and permit consist of
83.1 acres of mixed forest and beach
strand habitat on Cocos Island, Guam.
Current land use practices include the
operation of a day resort for tourists and
overnight camping. Habitat conditions
vary from manicured lawn surrounding
the buildings to mixed native forest
with invasive vines. The Guam rail was
last observed in the wild on Northern
Guam in the mid-1980s; therefore, the
baseline for the species is zero, and
there are no prohibitions on the use of
the property or responsibilities for
protecting existing individuals of the
Guam rail or its habitat. However,
management activities by the
Applicants and other cooperators to
encourage the establishment and
survival of Guam rails on the enrolled
lands during the term of the proposed
SHA and the permit include: (1)
Eradicating rats and mice and control
monitor lizard population on Cocos
Island prior to release of Guam rail; (2)
reducing likelihood of reintroduction of
rats, mice, and the introduction of the
brown treesnake; (3) developing and
implementing a forest enhancement
plan to reduce invasive plant species
and increase native plant species on
Cocos Island; (4) releasing Guam rails
and monitoring survivorship, breeding
behavior, habitat preference, and
nesting success; and (5) creating
materials to promote understanding of
wildlife recovery and invasive species
issues for Cocos Island staff and visitors.
Based upon the probable species’
response, we estimate it will take 10
years of implementing the planned
conservation measures to fully reach a
net conservation benefit for the Guam
rail; some level of benefit is expected
within a shorter period of time as a
result of predator control and habitat
restoration effort. The duration of the
SHA and permits will be for a term of
10 years, although both may be renewed
upon approval by the Service.
We believe that approval of the
proposed SHA may qualify for a
categorical exclusion under NEPA, as
provided by the Department of Interior
Manual (516 DM 2, Appendix 1 and 516
DM 6, Appendix 1) Based on the
following criteria: (1) Implementation of
the SHA would result in minor or
negligible effects on federally listed,
proposed, and candidate species and
their habitats; (2) implementation of the
SHA would result in minor or negligible
effects on other environmental values or
resources; and (3) impacts of the SHA,
considered together with the impacts of
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
other past, present and reasonably
foreseeable similarly situated projects,
would not result, over time, in
cumulative effects to environmental
values or resources which would be
considered significant. This is more
fully explained in our draft EAS. We
will consider public comments in
making its final determination on
whether to prepare such additional
NEPA documentation.
This notice is provided pursuant to
section 10(c) of the ESA and NEPA
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The
Service will evaluate the permit
application, associated documents, and
comments submitted thereon to
determine whether the proposed
Agreement and permit application
meets the requirements of section 10(a)
of the ESA and NEPA regulations. The
final NEPA and permit determinations
will not be completed until after the end
of the 30-day comment period and will
fully consider all comments received
during the comment period.
Dated: December 31, 2007.
Jeff Newman,
Acting Field Supervisor, Pacific Islands Fish
and Wildlife Office, Honolulu, Hawaii.
[FR Doc. E8–254 Filed 1–9–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Record of Decision for the Final
‘‘Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement for Alternative Energy
Development and Production and
Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer
Continental Shelf’’
Minerals Management Service
(MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a
Record of Decision (ROD).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: MMS prepared the ROD for
the establishment of an alternative
energy and alternate use (AEAU)
program on the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS), as authorized by Section 388 of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct),
and codified in subsection 8(p) of the
OCS Lands Act. In accordance with the
regulations implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
MMS is announcing the availability of
this ROD. The decision is to select the
Preferred Alternative described in the
Final Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). This decision
establishes an AEAU program for the
issuance of leases, easements and rightsof-way (ROW) for alternative energy
activities and the alternate use of
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 7 / Thursday, January 10, 2008 / Notices
structures on the OCS and the
promulgation of regulations to govern
the program. Selection of the Preferred
Alternative also provides MMS the
option to authorize individual projects
on a case-by-case basis before
promulgation of the final rule. The
Director, MMS signed the ROD on
December 21, 2007.
Authority: This NOA is published
pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR 1506.6)
implementing the provisions of the NEPA of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.).
This ROD
was developed through the preparation
of the final Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement
Alternative Energy Development and
Production and Alternate Use of
Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf
(Final Programmatic EIS). The
environmental impacts from potential
activities that may arise from the AEAU
program in the reasonably foreseeable
future are assessed in the Final
Programmatic EIS, which was prepared
in accordance with the NEPA. Section
388 of the EPAct grants the Secretary of
the Interior (Secretary) discretionary
authority to issue leases, easements, or
ROWs for activities on the OCS that
produce or support production,
transportation, or transmission of energy
from sources other than oil and gas, and
are not otherwise authorized by law.
Examples of the general types of
alternative energy project activities that
MMS has the discretion to authorize
may include, but are not limited to:
Wind energy, wave energy, ocean
current energy, solar energy, and
hydrogen production. The Secretary
delegated this authority to MMS.
Section 388 of the EPAct also grants
the Secretary authority to issue leases,
easements, or ROWs for other OCS
project activities that make alternate use
of existing OCS facilities for ‘‘energyrelated purposes or for other authorized
marine-related purposes,’’ to the extent
such activities are not otherwise
authorized by law. Such activities may
include, but are not limited to: Offshore
aquaculture, research, education,
recreation, and support for operations
and facilities authorized under the OCS
Lands Act. The Secretary delegated this
authority to MMS as well.
The MMS selected the Preferred
Alternative that establishes an AEAU
program for the issuance of leases,
easements, and ROWs on the OCS for
alternative energy activities and the
alternate use of structures on the OCS.
Selection of the Preferred Alternative
also provides MMS the option to
authorize, on a case-by-case basis,
individual AEAU projects that are in the
yshivers on PROD1PC62 with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:29 Jan 09, 2008
Jkt 214001
national interest prior to promulgation
of the final rule. At the same time, the
MMS will vigorously pursue its efforts
to complete a comprehensive program
with regulations for authorizing and
managing AEAU activities on the OCS.
Upon promulgation of the final rule,
MMS leases, easements, and ROWs for
AEAU activities on the OCS would be
issued subject to the rule’s provisions.
As initial mitigation measures, this
decision also adopts the interim policies
provided in Attachment A of the ROD
and initial best management practices
(BMPs) in Attachment B of the ROD.
Two of the proposed BMPs were not
adopted as explained in the ROD. The
interim policies will guide and inform
MMS’ decision-making when
considering any proposal for an AEAU
project on the OCS. In addition, the
MMS will consider and, on a case-bycase basis, may select one or more of the
BMPs as appropriate to be included as
a binding stipulation in any lease,
easement or ROW for AEAU activities
that it issues. MMS will employ and act
by these policies when considering
projects submitted under the AEAU
program.
ROD Availability: To obtain a single
printed copy of the ROD, you may
contact the Minerals Management
Service, Alternative Energy and
Alternate Use Program (MS 4080), 381
Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170.
An electronic copy of the ROD is
available at MMS’s EIS Web site at:
ocsenergy.anl.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Minerals Management Service, Ms.
Maureen Bornholdt, Alternative Energy
and Alternate Use Program (MS 4080),
381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia
20170, or by phone at (703) 787–1300.
Dated: January 4, 2008.
Chris C. Oynes,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals
Management.
[FR Doc. E8–210 Filed 1–9–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Job Corps; Advisory
Committee on Job Corps; Meeting
Office of Job Corps.
Notice of Advisory Committee
Meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: On August 22, 2006, the
Advisory Committee on Job Corps
(ACJC) was established in accordance
with the provisions of the Workforce
Investment Act and the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1895
Committee was established to advance
Job Corps’ new vision for student
achievement aimed at 21st century highgrowth employment. This Committee
will also evaluate Job Corps program
characteristics, including its purpose,
goals, and effectiveness, efficiency, and
performance measures in order to
address the critical issues facing the
provision of job training and education
to the youth population that it serves.
The Committee may provide other
advice and recommendations with
regard to identifying and overcoming
problems, planning program or center
development or strengthening relations
between Job Corps and agencies,
institutions, or groups engaged in
related activities.
DATES: The meeting will be held on
January 23–24, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 4
p.m.
ADDRESSES: The Advisory Committee
meeting will be held at the Omni Austin
Hotel at Southpark, 4140 Governor’s
Row, Austin, Texas 78744. Telephone:
(512) 448–2222.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Crystal Woodard, Office of Job Corps,
202–693–3000 (this is not a toll-free
number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August
22, 2006 the Advisory Committee on Job
Corps (71 FR 48949) was established in
accordance with the provisions of the
Workforce Investment Act, and the
Federal Advisory Committee Act. The
Committee was established to advance
Job Corps’ new vision for student
achievement aimed at 21st century highgrowth employment. This Committee
will also evaluate Job Corps program
characteristics, including its purpose,
goals, and effectiveness, efficiency, and
performance measures in order to
address the critical issues facing the
provision of job training and education
to the youth population that it serves.
The Committee may provide other
advice and recommendations with
regard to identifying and overcoming
problems, planning program or center
development or strengthening relations
between Job Corps and agencies,
institutions, or groups engaged in
related activities.
Agenda: The agenda for the meeting
will the full committee voting on draft
recommendations of the three
subcommittees.
Public Participation: The meeting will
be open to the public. Seating will be
available to the public on a first-come
first-served basis. Seats will be reserved
for the media. Individuals with
disabilities should contact the Job Corps
official listed above, if special
accommodations are needed.
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 7 (Thursday, January 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1894-1895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-210]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Minerals Management Service
Record of Decision for the Final ``Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement for Alternative Energy Development and Production and
Alternate Use of Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf''
AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision (ROD).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: MMS prepared the ROD for the establishment of an alternative
energy and alternate use (AEAU) program on the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS), as authorized by Section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EPAct), and codified in subsection 8(p) of the OCS Lands Act. In
accordance with the regulations implementing the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), the MMS is announcing the availability of this ROD.
The decision is to select the Preferred Alternative described in the
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This decision
establishes an AEAU program for the issuance of leases, easements and
rights-of-way (ROW) for alternative energy activities and the alternate
use of
[[Page 1895]]
structures on the OCS and the promulgation of regulations to govern the
program. Selection of the Preferred Alternative also provides MMS the
option to authorize individual projects on a case-by-case basis before
promulgation of the final rule. The Director, MMS signed the ROD on
December 21, 2007.
Authority: This NOA is published pursuant to the regulations (40
CFR 1506.6) implementing the provisions of the NEPA of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321, et seq.).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This ROD was developed through the
preparation of the final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
Alternative Energy Development and Production and Alternate Use of
Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf (Final Programmatic EIS). The
environmental impacts from potential activities that may arise from the
AEAU program in the reasonably foreseeable future are assessed in the
Final Programmatic EIS, which was prepared in accordance with the NEPA.
Section 388 of the EPAct grants the Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary) discretionary authority to issue leases, easements, or ROWs
for activities on the OCS that produce or support production,
transportation, or transmission of energy from sources other than oil
and gas, and are not otherwise authorized by law. Examples of the
general types of alternative energy project activities that MMS has the
discretion to authorize may include, but are not limited to: Wind
energy, wave energy, ocean current energy, solar energy, and hydrogen
production. The Secretary delegated this authority to MMS.
Section 388 of the EPAct also grants the Secretary authority to
issue leases, easements, or ROWs for other OCS project activities that
make alternate use of existing OCS facilities for ``energy-related
purposes or for other authorized marine-related purposes,'' to the
extent such activities are not otherwise authorized by law. Such
activities may include, but are not limited to: Offshore aquaculture,
research, education, recreation, and support for operations and
facilities authorized under the OCS Lands Act. The Secretary delegated
this authority to MMS as well.
The MMS selected the Preferred Alternative that establishes an AEAU
program for the issuance of leases, easements, and ROWs on the OCS for
alternative energy activities and the alternate use of structures on
the OCS. Selection of the Preferred Alternative also provides MMS the
option to authorize, on a case-by-case basis, individual AEAU projects
that are in the national interest prior to promulgation of the final
rule. At the same time, the MMS will vigorously pursue its efforts to
complete a comprehensive program with regulations for authorizing and
managing AEAU activities on the OCS. Upon promulgation of the final
rule, MMS leases, easements, and ROWs for AEAU activities on the OCS
would be issued subject to the rule's provisions.
As initial mitigation measures, this decision also adopts the
interim policies provided in Attachment A of the ROD and initial best
management practices (BMPs) in Attachment B of the ROD. Two of the
proposed BMPs were not adopted as explained in the ROD. The interim
policies will guide and inform MMS' decision-making when considering
any proposal for an AEAU project on the OCS. In addition, the MMS will
consider and, on a case-by-case basis, may select one or more of the
BMPs as appropriate to be included as a binding stipulation in any
lease, easement or ROW for AEAU activities that it issues. MMS will
employ and act by these policies when considering projects submitted
under the AEAU program.
ROD Availability: To obtain a single printed copy of the ROD, you
may contact the Minerals Management Service, Alternative Energy and
Alternate Use Program (MS 4080), 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia
20170. An electronic copy of the ROD is available at MMS's EIS Web site
at: ocsenergy.anl.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Minerals Management Service, Ms.
Maureen Bornholdt, Alternative Energy and Alternate Use Program (MS
4080), 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170, or by phone at (703)
787-1300.
Dated: January 4, 2008.
Chris C. Oynes,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. E8-210 Filed 1-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
