Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee; Announcement of Public Meeting, 39714-39715 [E8-15665]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 39714 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 133 / Thursday, July 10, 2008 / Notices of the NWRS and will continue to be administered and managed by the Service in accordance with the NWRS Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd– ee, as amended), and all other applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. On June 19, 2008, the AFA was signed by the Tribal Chairman and the Director of the Service, and endorsed by the following senior Department of the Interior management officials: The Secretary of the Interior, Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and Acting Director, Office of Economic Development, on behalf of the Office of the Acting Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. Copies of the AFA have been forwarded to the U.S. Congress for a 90-day review period, pursuant to the implementing regulations at 25 CFR 1000.177–178. DATES: The AFA term is October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2011. The Parties may agree in writing to extend the term for performing any Activity covered by the AFA, as provided at 25 CFR 1000.146, and subject to applicable Federal laws and regulations. All of the terms and conditions of the AFA will apply during any extension. The Parties may modify the Activities covered by the AFA or the consideration paid by the Service to the CSKT for performing an Activity only by amendment as provided in Section 21.A of the AFA. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the AFA and Attachments A–D at any of the following Internet or U.S. mail addresses: 1. Internet—https://mountainprairie.fws.gov/cskt-fws-negotiation. 2. Montana—National Bison Range Headquarters, 132 Bison Range Road, Moiese, Montana 59824. 3. Denver—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, National Wildlife Refuge System—MountainPrairie Region, P.O. Box 25486, DFC, Denver, Colorado 80225. 4. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, P.O. Box 278, Pablo, Montana 59855. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Rundle, Refuge Supervisor, at (303) 236–4306. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: What is the NBRC? Located in northwestern Montana, the NBRC is part of the NWRS and consists of the National Bison Range, the Pablo and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuges, and that portion of the Northwest Montana Wetland Management District that lies in Lake County. Established in 1908 to conserve the American Bison, the NBRC provides important habitat for a variety of species VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:58 Jul 09, 2008 Jkt 214001 such as elk, pronghorn antelope, and migratory birds. How Was the AFA Developed? The Service and the CKST negotiated in accordance with 25 CFR part 1000. What Events Led to this AFA? In January 2008, at the request of Department of the Interior and Service leadership, representatives of the Parties entered into a facilitated process to create a framework for negotiating an AFA pursuant to the Indian SelfDetermination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93–638). The overarching goal of this process and the subsequent negotiations was to build trust and ensure a solid understanding of both Parties’ interests and intentions with regard to the long-term conservation and stewardship of the NBRC. Throughout the period of JanuaryJune 2008, the parties engaged in government-to-government negotiations, led by professional, field-level staff, to draft the AFA in a manner that balanced the intent and function of the SelfGovernance Act and the NWRS Administration Act, as well as other applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. Following the conclusion of negotiations in June 2008, the Service and the Department of the Interior conducted an extensive legal and policy review of the AFA to ensure it met all applicable requirements before signing the AFA on behalf of the United States. What is the Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994? The Tribal Self-Governance Act (codified at 25 U.S.C. 458aa–458hh) was enacted as an amendment to Public Law 93–638 (codified as the Indian SelfDetermination Act, 25 U.S.C. 450–450n) and incorporated as Title IV of that Law. The Tribal Self-Governance Act allows qualifying tribes the opportunity to request AFAs with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and non-BIA bureaus within the Department of the Interior. When dealing with non-BIA bureaus, including the Service, qualifying tribes may enter into AFAs that allow them to conduct certain activities of such nonBIA bureaus. Eligible activities include Indian programs (programs created for the benefit of Native Americans because of their status as Native Americans); activities otherwise available to Native American tribes (any activity that a Federal agency might otherwise contract to outside entities); and activities that have a special geographic, historical, or cultural significance to the Indian tribe requesting a compact. Public Law 93– 638 and the implementing regulation at 25 CFR 1000.129 prohibit the inclusion of Activities in an AFA that are inherently Federal functions. The NBRC has no special Tribal programs. All PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 activities conducted by the Service on national wildlife refuges are for the benefit of the fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and the American public. Activities that may have a special relationship with a tribe are the most promising for inclusion in an AFA. Whether to enter into an AFA with a tribe for these activities is discretionary on the part of the Service. The Service recognizes that the CSKT has a cultural, historical, and/or geographical connection to the lands and resources of the NBRC. The proposed AFA provides for the CSKT to perform certain Activities for the NBRC during a 3-year period. What Happens Now? As noted above, the AFA has been signed by the Director of the Service, and endorsed by senior Department of the Interior management. In accordance with 25 CFR 1000.177, the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks has forwarded copies of the AFA to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the House Subcommittee on Native American and Insular Affairs, as well as other Congressional committees with jurisdictions related to the NWRS and the Service. If there are no objections to the AFA, the agreement will take effect 90 days after submission to Congress. Dated: June 27, 2008. Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. E8–15685 Filed 7–9–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R9–FHC–2008–N0174; 94300–1122– 0000–Z2] Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee; Announcement of Public Meeting Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), will host a Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting, on July 23–24, 2008. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda will include reports from the Subcommittees on Existing Guidelines, Legal, Landscape Habitat (Mapping), Science Tools and Procedures, and Other Models/Uncertainty; and briefings from E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 133 / Thursday, July 10, 2008 / Notices Service regional offices on wind/ wildlife issues. DATES: The meeting will take place on July 23–24, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: South Interior Auditorium, South Interior Building, 1951 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20240. For more information, see ‘‘Public Workshop and Meeting Location Information’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel London, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, (703) 358–2161. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Background On March 13, 2007, the Department of the Interior (Interior) published a notice of establishment of the Committee and call for nominations in the Federal Register (72 FR 11373). The Committee’s purpose is to 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. The Committee is expected to exist for 2 years and meet approximately four times per year. Its continuation is subject to biennial renewal. All Committee members serve without compensation. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), a copy of the Committee’s charter has been filed with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration; Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate; Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives; and the Library of Congress. The Secretary appointed 22 individuals to the Committee on October 24, 2007, representing the varied interests associated with wind energy development and its potential impacts to wildlife species and their habitats. The USFWS has held Committee meetings in February, April, and June of 2008. All Committee meetings are open to the public. The public has an opportunity to comment at all Committee meetings. Meeting Location Information Please note that the South Main Interior auditorium is accessible to wheelchair users. If you require additional accommodations, please notify us by July 16, 2008. All persons planning to attend the meeting will be required to present photo identification when entering the VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:58 Jul 09, 2008 Jkt 214001 building. Because of building security in the Department of the Interior, we recommend that persons planning to attend the workshop and/or meeting register at https://www.fws.gov/ habitatconservation/windpower/ wind_turbine_advisory_committee.html by July 16, 2008, to allow us sufficient time to provide the building security staff with a list of persons planning to attend. You may still attend if you register after July 16, 2008; however, seating is limited due to room capacity. We will give preference to registrants based on date and time of registration. There will be standing room available if all seats are filled. Dated: July 26, 2008. Rachel London, Alternate Designated Federal Officer, Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee. [FR Doc. E8–15665 Filed 7–9–08; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s Proposed 151.87–Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer, Reservation Proclamation, and CasinoResort Project, Clark County, WA Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice of extension of the date of issuance of the Record of Decision and reopening of the comment period. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Bureau of Indian Affairs is extending the date of issuance of the Record of Decision and reopening the comment period originally announced on May 30, 2008 (73 FR 31143) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s Proposed 151.87-acre fee-to-trust transfer, reservation proclamation, and casino-resort project, in Clark County, Washington. DATES: The Record of Decision on the proposed action will be issued on or after August 12, 2008. Any comments on the FEIS must arrive by August 11, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand carry written comments to Mr. Stanley Speaks, Northwest Regional Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northwest Region, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232. Please include your name, return address and the caption, ‘‘FEIS Comments, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Trust Acquisition and Casino Project,’’ on the first page of your written comments. Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 The FEIS will be available for public review at the following Fort Vancouver Public Library branches: La Center Community Library, 1402 East Lockwood Creek Road, La Center, Washington 98629; Ridgefield Community Library, 210 North Main Avenue Ridgefield, Washington 98642. General information for the Fort Vancouver Public Library system can be obtained by calling (360) 659–1561. The FEIS is also available on the following Web site: https://www.cowlitzeis.org. To obtain copies of the FEIS, please provide your name and address in writing or by voicemail to Dr. B.J. Howerton, Environmental Protection Specialist, at the BIA address above or at the telephone number provided below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: B.J. Howerton, (503) 321–6749. The BIA published its Notice of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe on May 30, 2008, in the Federal Register (73 FR 31143). Please refer to that notice for project details. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE 4310–55–P PO 00000 39715 Sfmt 4703 Public Comment Availability Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the mailing addresses shown in the ADDRESSES section, during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comments-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. Authority: This notice is published in accordance with section 1503.1 of the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508) implementing the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.), and the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 1–6), and is in the exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8. Dated: July 1, 2008. George T. Skibine, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, for Policy and Economic Development—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. E8–15741 Filed 7–9–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–02–P E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 133 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39714-39715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15665]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R9-FHC-2008-N0174; 94300-1122-0000-Z2]


Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee; Announcement of 
Public Meeting

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), will host a 
Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting, on July 
23-24, 2008. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda will 
include reports from the Subcommittees on Existing Guidelines, Legal, 
Landscape Habitat (Mapping), Science Tools and Procedures, and Other 
Models/Uncertainty; and briefings from

[[Page 39715]]

Service regional offices on wind/wildlife issues.

DATES: The meeting will take place on July 23-24, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: South Interior Auditorium, South Interior Building, 1951 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20240. For more information, 
see ``Public Workshop and Meeting Location Information'' under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel London, Division of Habitat and 
Resource Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of 
the Interior, (703) 358-2161.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 13, 2007, the Department of the Interior (Interior) 
published a notice of establishment of the Committee and call for 
nominations in the Federal Register (72 FR 11373). The Committee's 
purpose is to 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. The Committee is expected to exist for 2 years 
and meet approximately four times per year. Its continuation is subject 
to biennial renewal. All Committee members serve without compensation. 
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), 
a copy of the Committee's charter has been filed with the Committee 
Management Secretariat, General Services Administration; Committee on 
Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate; Committee on Natural 
Resources, U.S. House of Representatives; and the Library of Congress. 
The Secretary appointed 22 individuals to the Committee on October 24, 
2007, representing the varied interests associated with wind energy 
development and its potential impacts to wildlife species and their 
habitats. The USFWS has held Committee meetings in February, April, and 
June of 2008. All Committee meetings are open to the public. The public 
has an opportunity to comment at all Committee meetings.

Meeting Location Information

    Please note that the South Main Interior auditorium is accessible 
to wheelchair users. If you require additional accommodations, please 
notify us by July 16, 2008.
    All persons planning to attend the meeting will be required to 
present photo identification when entering the building. Because of 
building security in the Department of the Interior, we recommend that 
persons planning to attend the workshop and/or meeting register at 
https://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/windpower/wind_turbine_
advisory_committee.html by July 16, 2008, to allow us sufficient time 
to provide the building security staff with a list of persons planning 
to attend. You may still attend if you register after July 16, 2008; 
however, seating is limited due to room capacity. We will give 
preference to registrants based on date and time of registration. There 
will be standing room available if all seats are filled.

    Dated: July 26, 2008.
Rachel London,
Alternate Designated Federal Officer, Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory 
Committee.
 [FR Doc. E8-15665 Filed 7-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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