Long-Term Experimental Plan for the Operation of Glen Canyon Dam and Other Associated Management Activities, 8062-8063 [E8-2534]
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8062
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 12, 2008 / Notices
do so. All submissions from
organizations and businesses, or from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, will be
available for public inspection in their
entirety.
A draft EIS will be prepared for public
review and comment. The comment
period on the draft EIS will be 45 days
from the date the Environmental
Protection Agency publishes the notice
of availability in the Federal Register. It
is very important that those interested
in this proposed action participate by
the close of the 45-day comment period
so that substantive comments and
objections are made available to the
Bureau of Land Management at a time
when it can meaningfully consider them
and respond to them in the final EIS.
To assist the agencies in identifying
and considering issues and concerns on
the proposed action, comments on the
draft EIS should be as specific as
possible. It is also helpful if comments
refer to specific pages or chapters of the
draft statement. Comments may also
address the adequacy of the draft EIS or
the merits of the alternatives formulated
and discussed in the statement.
Reviewers may wish to refer to the
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of the National
Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR
1503.3 in addressing these points.
The lead agencies believe, at this early
stage, it is important to give reviewers
notice of several court rulings related to
public participation in the
environmental review process. First,
reviewers of draft EISs must structure
their participation in the environmental
review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the
reviewer’s position and contentions.
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v.
NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also,
environmental objections that could be
raised at the draft EIS stage but that are
not raised until after completion of the
final EIS may be waived or disregarded
by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel,
803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986); and
Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980).
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22;
Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section
21; BLM/DOI NEPA Handbook 516 DM).
Preliminary Issues
Issues and alternatives to be evaluated
in the analysis for the Greens Hollow
coal lease tract will be determined
through public scoping. The major
issues are expected to include water
resources, wildlife and wildlife habitat,
vegetation, cultural/paleontological
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resources, employment in the local area,
and economic viability of the local and
regional areas.
Permits or Licenses Required
The operator must obtain a permit
from the Secretary of the Interior prior
to commencing mining, contingent
upon review and acceptance of the
mining and reclamation plan in
accordance with Surface Mining Control
and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA)
and the requirements of 30 CFR 700 to
end.
Dated: January 29, 2008.
Selma Sierra,
Utah State Director, BLM.
Dated: January 29, 2008.
Howard Sargent,
Forest Supervisor, Manti-La Sal National
Forest.
[FR Doc. E8–2557 Filed 2–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Superintendent Bruce Jacobson, (617)
223–8667.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Advisory Council was appointed by the
Director of National Park Service
pursuant to Public Law 104–333. The 28
members represent business,
educational/cultural, community and
environmental entities; municipalities
surrounding Boston Harbor; Boston
Harbor advocates; and Native American
interests. The purpose of the Council is
to advise and make recommendations to
the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership
with respect to the development and
implementation of a management plan
and the operation of the Boston Harbor
Islands NRA.
Dated: January 14, 2008.
Bruce Jacobson,
Superintendent, Boston Harbor Islands NRA.
[FR Doc. E8–2561 Filed 2–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–86–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Boston Harbor Islands National
Recreation Area Advisory Council;
Notice of Public Meeting
Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, Boston Harbor
Islands National Recreation Area.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a
meeting of the Boston Harbor Islands
National Recreation Area Advisory
Council will be held on Wednesday,
March 5, 2008, at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at
University of Massachusetts—Boston,
100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus
Center, 3rd floor Bayview Room,
Boston, MA.
This will be the annual meeting of the
Council. The agenda will include a
presentation on the development of a
new guide book: Discovering the Boston
Harbor Islands, membership review and
election of officers, ‘‘park report card’’
update and public comment.
The meeting will be open to the
public. Any person may file with the
Superintendent a written statement
concerning the matters to be discussed.
Persons who wish to file a written
statement at the meeting or who want
further information concerning the
meeting may contact Superintendent
Bruce Jacobson at (617) 223–8667.
DATE: March 5, 2007 at 6 p.m.
ADDRESSES: University of
Massachusetts—Boston, 100 Morrissey
Boulevard, Campus Center, 3rd floor
Bayview Room, Boston, MA.
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Bureau of Reclamation
Long-Term Experimental Plan for the
Operation of Glen Canyon Dam and
Other Associated Management
Activities
Office of the Secretary, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: In a Federal Register notice
published on November 6, 2006 (71 FR
64982–64983), and pursuant to section
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and 40
CFR 1508.22, the Department of the
Interior, acting through the Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation), provided
notice of its intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
and conduct public scoping meetings
for the adoption of a Long-Term
Experimental Plan for the operation of
Glen Canyon Dam and other associated
management activities. This Federal
Register notice provides updated
information and additional background
on the status and development of the
Long-Term Experimental Plan, as well
as information regarding shorter term
proposed flow experiments related to
the operation of Glen Canyon Dam.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Dennis
Kubly, Bureau of Reclamation,
telephone (801) 524–3715; faxogram
(801) 524–3858; e-mail at
GCDExpPlan@uc.usbr.gov.
In a
Federal Register notice published on
November 6, 2006 (71 FR 64982–64983),
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\12FEN1.SGM
12FEN1
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 12, 2008 / Notices
and pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, and 40 CFR 1508.22,
the Department of the Interior, acting
through Reclamation, provided notice of
its intent to prepare an EIS and conduct
public scoping meetings for the
adoption of a Long-Term Experimental
Plan for the operation of Glen Canyon
Dam and other associated management
activities.
In a Federal Register notice published
on December 12, 2006, (71 FR 74556–
74558), Reclamation provided notice of
public scoping meetings on the
adoption of a Long-Term Experimental
Plan for the operation of Glen Canyon
Dam and other associated management
activities. Accordingly, public scoping
meetings were held in December 2006
and January 2007. Reclamation
published a March 2007 scoping report
following the conclusion of the scoping
process. This report is available on
Reclamation’s internet site at: https://
www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/gcdltep/scoping/
FinalScopingReport.pdf.
During 2006 and 2007, a significant
volume of sediment has been carried by
storms into the mainstem of the
Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam
and sediment retention in the Grand
Canyon below Glen Canyon Dam was
higher than anticipated, leading to the
largest accumulation of sediment in this
reach of the Colorado River since 1998.
During this period, important new
information has become available
regarding the stabilizing and improving
status of the endangered humpback
chub. As a result, in December 2007,
Reclamation re-initiated Endangered
Species Act Section 7 consultation with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on
the operation of Glen Canyon Dam.
Reclamation’s December 2007 Biological
Assessment filed with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is available on
Reclamation’s Internet site at: https://
www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/ba/gcExpFlow/2007BA.pdf.
The Section 7 consultation is based
on a proposed short-term set of
experimental flow actions to be initiated
beginning in March 2008 to, in part,
capitalize on a unique experimental
opportunity that will utilize the recent
high sediment input to the Grand
Canyon. A proposed March 2008 highflow release would build on knowledge
gained through previous high flow
experiments in 1996 and 2004.
Beginning in September 2008,
Reclamation proposes to initiate steady
flow operations for a period of two
months (September–October) during
each of the next five years (2008 through
2012). These proposed steady flow
releases would build on knowledge
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:46 Feb 11, 2008
Jkt 214001
gained through previous steady flow
experiments in 2000. These
experimental high and steady flows
have been designed and proposed to
assist in—and assess the long term
benefits of—the conservation of
endangered humpback chub and fine
sediment along the Colorado River
downstream of Glen Canyon Dam.
As of the date of this Federal Register
notice, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is preparing a Biological
Opinion on the proposed short-term
experimental flow actions, and
Reclamation is preparing an
Environmental Assessment on the
proposed action. A final decision on
whether to conduct the proposed
experimental flow actions is expected to
be made in February 2008, after
appropriate environmental compliance
activities are complete. After
completion of these ongoing
environmental compliance activities,
Reclamation will reassess the proposed
Long-Term Experimental Plan and any
other associated environmental
compliance activities. The Long-Term
Experimental Plan approach will then
be updated to integrate any decisions
that are reached regarding Reclamation’s
proposed short-term experimental flow
actions.
Dated: February 4, 2008.
Larry Walkoviak,
Regional Director, UC Region, Bureau of
Reclamation.
[FR Doc. E8–2534 Filed 2–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement
Notice of Proposed Information
Collection for 1029–0067
Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing
its intention to request renewed
authority for the collection of
information for 30 CFR part 705 and the
Form OSM–23, Restriction on financial
interests of State employees.
DATES: Comments on the proposed
information collection must be received
by April 14, 2008, to be assured of
consideration.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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8063
Comments may be mailed to
John A. Trelease, Office of Surface
Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,
1951 Constitution Ave., NW., Room
202—SIB, Washington, DC 20240.
Comments may also be submitted
electronically to jtrelease@osmre.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request a copy of the information
collection requests, explanatory
information and related forms, contact
John A. Trelease, at (202) 208–2783.
You may also review the collection
request at https://www.reginfo.gov/
public/do/PRAMain.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office
of Management and Budget (OMB)
regulations at 5 CFR 1320, which
implement provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13),
require that interested members of the
public and affected agencies have an
opportunity to comment on information
collection and recordkeeping activities
[see 5 CFR 1320.8 (d)]. This notice
identifies an information collection that
OSM will be submitting to OMB for
approval. This collection is contained in
30 CFR part 705 and the Form OSM–23,
Restriction on financial interests of State
employees. OSM will request a 3-year
term of approval for this information
collection activity.
Comments are invited on: (1) The
need for the collection of information
for the performance of the functions of
the agency; (2) the accuracy of the
agency’s burden estimates; (3) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity
of the information collection; and (4)
ways to minimize the information
collection burden on respondents, such
as use of automated means of collection
of the information. A summary of the
public comments will accompany
OSM’s submission of the information
collection request to OMB.
The following information is provided
for the information collection: (1) Title
of the information collection; (2) OMB
control number; (3) summary of the
information collection activity; and (4)
frequency of collection, description of
the respondents, estimated total annual
responses, and the total annual
reporting and recordkeeping burden for
the collection of information.
Title: Restrictions on financial
interests of State employees, 30 CFR
705.
OMB Control Number: 1029–0067.
Summary: Respondents supply
information on employment and
financial interests. The purpose of the
collection is to ensure compliance with
section 517(g) of the Surface Mining
control and Reclamation Act of 1977,
which placed an absolute prohibition on
ADDRESSES:
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8062-8063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2534]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Long-Term Experimental Plan for the Operation of Glen Canyon Dam
and Other Associated Management Activities
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In a Federal Register notice published on November 6, 2006 (71
FR 64982-64983), and pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and 40 CFR 1508.22, the
Department of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation
(Reclamation), provided notice of its intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) and conduct public scoping
meetings for the adoption of a Long-Term Experimental Plan for the
operation of Glen Canyon Dam and other associated management
activities. This Federal Register notice provides updated information
and additional background on the status and development of the Long-
Term Experimental Plan, as well as information regarding shorter term
proposed flow experiments related to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Dennis Kubly, Bureau of Reclamation, telephone
(801) 524-3715; faxogram (801) 524-3858; e-mail at
GCDExpPlan@uc.usbr.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a Federal Register notice published on
November 6, 2006 (71 FR 64982-64983),
[[Page 8063]]
and pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended, and 40 CFR 1508.22, the Department of the
Interior, acting through Reclamation, provided notice of its intent to
prepare an EIS and conduct public scoping meetings for the adoption of
a Long-Term Experimental Plan for the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and
other associated management activities.
In a Federal Register notice published on December 12, 2006, (71 FR
74556-74558), Reclamation provided notice of public scoping meetings on
the adoption of a Long-Term Experimental Plan for the operation of Glen
Canyon Dam and other associated management activities. Accordingly,
public scoping meetings were held in December 2006 and January 2007.
Reclamation published a March 2007 scoping report following the
conclusion of the scoping process. This report is available on
Reclamation's internet site at: https://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/gcdltep/
scoping/FinalScopingReport.pdf.
During 2006 and 2007, a significant volume of sediment has been
carried by storms into the mainstem of the Colorado River below Glen
Canyon Dam and sediment retention in the Grand Canyon below Glen Canyon
Dam was higher than anticipated, leading to the largest accumulation of
sediment in this reach of the Colorado River since 1998.
During this period, important new information has become available
regarding the stabilizing and improving status of the endangered
humpback chub. As a result, in December 2007, Reclamation re-initiated
Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service on the operation of Glen Canyon Dam. Reclamation's
December 2007 Biological Assessment filed with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is available on Reclamation's Internet site at: http:/
/www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/ba/gc-ExpFlow/2007BA.pdf.
The Section 7 consultation is based on a proposed short-term set of
experimental flow actions to be initiated beginning in March 2008 to,
in part, capitalize on a unique experimental opportunity that will
utilize the recent high sediment input to the Grand Canyon. A proposed
March 2008 high-flow release would build on knowledge gained through
previous high flow experiments in 1996 and 2004. Beginning in September
2008, Reclamation proposes to initiate steady flow operations for a
period of two months (September-October) during each of the next five
years (2008 through 2012). These proposed steady flow releases would
build on knowledge gained through previous steady flow experiments in
2000. These experimental high and steady flows have been designed and
proposed to assist in--and assess the long term benefits of--the
conservation of endangered humpback chub and fine sediment along the
Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam.
As of the date of this Federal Register notice, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is preparing a Biological Opinion on the proposed
short-term experimental flow actions, and Reclamation is preparing an
Environmental Assessment on the proposed action. A final decision on
whether to conduct the proposed experimental flow actions is expected
to be made in February 2008, after appropriate environmental compliance
activities are complete. After completion of these ongoing
environmental compliance activities, Reclamation will reassess the
proposed Long-Term Experimental Plan and any other associated
environmental compliance activities. The Long-Term Experimental Plan
approach will then be updated to integrate any decisions that are
reached regarding Reclamation's proposed short-term experimental flow
actions.
Dated: February 4, 2008.
Larry Walkoviak,
Regional Director, UC Region, Bureau of Reclamation.
[FR Doc. E8-2534 Filed 2-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MN-P