Notice of Intent To Revise the 1997 Programmatic Agreement With the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, 68862-68863 [E9-30771]

Download as PDF 68862 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 29, 2009 / Notices E-mail: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Humboldt Bay CCP’’ in the subject line. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA 95825–1846. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 707–733–5406 to make an appointment during regular business hours at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, CA 95551–9633. Local Library or Libraries: The document(s) are also available for review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric T. Nelson, Project Leader, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 576, Loleta, CA 95551–9633, phone (707) 733–5406 or Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA, 95825, phone (916) 414–6503. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Humboldt Bay NWR is located on Humboldt Bay on California’s north coast near Eureka and Arcata. In 1971, the Humboldt Bay NWR was established to conserve coastal habitats for a great diversity of animals and plants, especially migratory birds. The Refuge Complex also includes Castle Rock NWR, a 14-acre island located in Del Norte County, less than a mile offshore, northwest of Crescent City. This refuge hosts one of the largest and most diverse colonies of breeding seabirds on the Pacific coast and provides a roost for approximately 20,000 Aleutian cackling geese during their migration. The Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) were available for a 45-day public review and comment period, which was announced via several methods including news releases; updates to constituents; and in the Federal Register (74 FR 6301 February 6, 2009). The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock Refuges for the next 15 years. The Service received 35 comment letters on the Draft CCP/EA during the review period. The comments received were incorporated into the CCP, when possible, and responses are included in an appendix to the CCP. In the FONSI, Alternative C for both Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock NWRs was selected for implementation and is the basis for the CCP. The FONSI documents the Library 500 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Arcata, CA 95501 190 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA 95331 753 14th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 1313 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521 USFWS–NCTC, 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Dated: December 16, 2009. Ren Lohoefener, Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. E9–30563 Filed 12–28–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO240LL11100000] pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Public Availability of Documents In addition to the methods in you can view or obtain documents at the following locations: • Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/ humboldtbay/ccp.html. • Public Libraries: during regular library hours, at the following libraries: ADDRESSES, Address Arcata Library ..................................................... College of the Redwoods Library ....................... Del Norte County Public Library ......................... Fortuna Library ................................................... Humboldt County Library .................................... Humboldt State University Library ...................... Conservation Library .......................................... decision of the Service based on the information and analysis contained in the EA. Under the selected alternative, the Refuges would achieve an optimal balance of biological resource objectives and visitor services opportunities. Habitat management and associated biological resources monitoring would be improved. For Humboldt Bay NWR, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation, photography, and hunting programs would be improved or expanded. For Castle Rock NWR, a recommendation for wilderness designation, if approved by the Service’s Director, would afford additional protections. The selected alternative best meets the Refuges’ purposes, vision and goals; contributes to the Refuge System mission; addresses the significant issues and relevant mandates; and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife management. Notice of Intent To Revise the 1997 Programmatic Agreement With the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Dec 28, 2009 Jkt 220001 ACTION: Phone number Notice of intent. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intent to revise the 1997 National Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) regarding the manner in which the BLM meets its responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act. DATES: You may submit written comments to help inform the PA revision process by January 28, 2010. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Robin Burgess, BLM Preservation Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 204–LS, Washington, DC 20240 or PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 707–822–5954 707–476–426 707–464–9793 707 725–3460 707–269–1900 707–826–3441 304–876–7304 robin_burgess@blm.gov. Copies of the existing PA, the addendum to the PA, and draft revision strategy are available upon request from this address and are also available at https://www.blm.gov/ wo/st/en/prog/more/CRM/ historic_preservationx.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Burgess, BLM Preservation Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW., Mail Stop 204–LS, Washington, DC 20240, telephone: (202) 912–7241, or e-mail: robin_burgess@blm.gov. The BLM 1997 National PA authorizes the BLM to follow an alternative to the process in the ACHP’s regulations, 36 CFR part 800, for meeting its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1 pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 29, 2009 / Notices Historic Preservation Act (Pub. L. 89– 665, October 15, 1966; 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) (NHPA) for consulting with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) and the ACHP. Development of such alternative processes are provided for in 36 CFR part 800.14. The key goals of the PA are to make the process under Section 106 more efficient, and to strengthen the partnerships between the BLM and the states, especially those states in which public lands represent a high percentage of land within the state, to facilitate and conduct preservation activities of mutual interest. The PA does not apply to tribal lands and does not alter the BLM’s tribal consultation policies and procedures outlined in BLM Manual Section 8120 and BLM Handbook Section H–8120–1, as revised in December 2004. The PA provides that signatories are to review its implementation biennially and meet to resolve objections. The signatories may revise or amend the PA by mutual agreement, or terminate the PA following 90 days notice. The NCSHPO, its BLM task force, and the BLM have worked closely to identify ideas for improved implementation of the PA. A joint working group developed a list of recommendations, which the BLM Preservation Board endorsed and the BLM is in the process of implementing those recommendations. The ACHP, its Native American Advisory Group, the National Congress of American Indians, and others believe that tribes would benefit from playing a greater role in the PA. In response, the BLM wrote to tribal leaders and held a series of eight regional listening sessions to discuss its tribal consultation guidance and the PA. Tribes were asked to share their ideas on how to improve the BLM’s relationship with their tribes and how to make tribal consultation more effective, including specific revisions to the PA, protocols, or agency policies. The final result of this outreach will be used to develop a series of recommendations for BLM leadership to improve tribal consultation generally and revise the PA. On February 4, 2009, the BLM, ACHP, and NCSHPO executed an addendum to the PA (dated January 5, 2009) that outlined a series of major milestones for completing the BLM’s ongoing tribal consultation outreach effort, consolidating the results of that effort, and developing revisions to the PA as informed by the results of this outreach to Native Americans. This notice fulfills one of those milestones—formal initiation of the public notification process for revising the PA. VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Dec 28, 2009 Jkt 220001 In addition to this notice, the BLM has mailed a summary report on the BLM 2008–09 listening sessions and a draft strategy revising the PA, taking into account the results of the BLM’s tribal consultation outreach initiative. The draft strategy identifies the following key goals for a revised PA: • Ensure terminology is consistent with definitions in 36 CFR 800.16 (definitions section); • Elaborate what the tribal role in the NHPA Section 106 process is; • Specify alternative procedures for undertakings excepted from the normal alternative process; • Incorporate a process for partnering with tribes through individual protocols between a tribe and the BLM state office(s). BLM–SHPO protocols authorized by the current PA streamline BLM–SHPO consultation to allow individualized arrangements, but do not alter the BLM’s tribal consultation requirements; • Clarify the roles of consulting parties and expectations for public outreach processes; • Integrate the concept of phased Section 106 compliance into the PA to clarify how the BLM meets its compliance obligations for large scale projects and programs; • Provide clear guidance on when new alternative procedures require ACHP involvement; • Incorporate communication processes for collaborating on NHPA Section 110 and other proactive work, including coordination with state preservation plans and priorities; • Include a process for using the 36 CFR part 800 procedures as an alternative to the PA; • Review the process for development of BLM policy affecting Section 106 activities and general management, as outlined in Component 5.f of the 1997 PA, and clarify the role of the BLM Preservation Board; • Establish PA monitoring milestones and processes, including periodic tribal consultation; clarification of field office certification process; and standardized annual reports to states and PA signatories; • Identify opportunities for participation of tribes, states, and the ACHP in BLM training related to cultural resources planning, compliance, and management; • Develop a schedule for review and revision of state protocols; and • Increase the efficiency of the annual reporting process by aligning it with other reporting requirements, such as the Secretary of the Interior’s Report to Congress on Federal Archaeological Activities. PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68863 Written comments on the BLM’s plan to revise the PA should be specific and confined to the PA revision. Where possible, comments should reference the specific section or paragraph of the draft strategy that the commenter is addressing. 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. Richard C. Hanes, Acting Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning. [FR Doc. E9–30771 Filed 12–28–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service National Register of Historic Places; Weekly Listing of Historic Properties Pursuant to (36 CFR 60.13(b,c)) and (36 CFR 63.5), this notice, through publication of the information included herein, is to apprise the public as well as governmental agencies, associations and all other organizations and individuals interested in historic preservation, of the properties added to, or determined eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places from October 5, to October 9, 2009. For further information, please contact Edson Beall via: United States Postal Service mail, at the National Register of Historic Places, 2280, National Park Service, 1849 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20240; in person (by appointment), 1201 Eye St. NW., 8th floor, Washington DC 20005; by fax, 202–371–2229; by phone, 202–354– 2255; or by e-mail, Edson_Beall@nps.gov. Dated: December 16, 2009. J. Paul Loether, Chief, National Register of Historic Places/ National Historic Landmarks Program. KEY: State, County, Property Name, Address/ Boundary, City, Vicinity, Reference Number, Action, Date, Multiple Name ARKANSAS Faulkner County Hardy Cemetery, 722 AR 225 E., Centerville, 09000798, LISTED, 10/08/09 E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68862-68863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30771]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLWO240LL11100000]


Notice of Intent To Revise the 1997 Programmatic Agreement With 
the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National 
Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intent to 
revise the 1997 National Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Advisory 
Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the National Conference of 
State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) regarding the manner in 
which the BLM meets its responsibilities under the National Historic 
Preservation Act.

DATES: You may submit written comments to help inform the PA revision 
process by January 28, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Robin Burgess, BLM Preservation 
Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 
1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 204-LS, Washington, DC 20240 or robin_burgess@blm.gov. Copies of the existing PA, the addendum to the PA, and 
draft revision strategy are available upon request from this address 
and are also available at https://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/CRM/historic_preservationx.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Burgess, BLM Preservation 
Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 
1849 C Street NW., Mail Stop 204-LS, Washington, DC 20240, telephone: 
(202) 912-7241, or e-mail: robin_burgess@blm.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM 1997 National PA authorizes the BLM 
to follow an alternative to the process in the ACHP's regulations, 36 
CFR part 800, for meeting its responsibilities under Section 106 of the 
National

[[Page 68863]]

Historic Preservation Act (Pub. L. 89-665, October 15, 1966; 16 U.S.C. 
470 et seq.) (NHPA) for consulting with State Historic Preservation 
Officers (SHPOs) and the ACHP. Development of such alternative 
processes are provided for in 36 CFR part 800.14. The key goals of the 
PA are to make the process under Section 106 more efficient, and to 
strengthen the partnerships between the BLM and the states, especially 
those states in which public lands represent a high percentage of land 
within the state, to facilitate and conduct preservation activities of 
mutual interest. The PA does not apply to tribal lands and does not 
alter the BLM's tribal consultation policies and procedures outlined in 
BLM Manual Section 8120 and BLM Handbook Section H-8120-1, as revised 
in December 2004.
    The PA provides that signatories are to review its implementation 
biennially and meet to resolve objections. The signatories may revise 
or amend the PA by mutual agreement, or terminate the PA following 90 
days notice. The NCSHPO, its BLM task force, and the BLM have worked 
closely to identify ideas for improved implementation of the PA. A 
joint working group developed a list of recommendations, which the BLM 
Preservation Board endorsed and the BLM is in the process of 
implementing those recommendations.
    The ACHP, its Native American Advisory Group, the National Congress 
of American Indians, and others believe that tribes would benefit from 
playing a greater role in the PA. In response, the BLM wrote to tribal 
leaders and held a series of eight regional listening sessions to 
discuss its tribal consultation guidance and the PA. Tribes were asked 
to share their ideas on how to improve the BLM's relationship with 
their tribes and how to make tribal consultation more effective, 
including specific revisions to the PA, protocols, or agency policies. 
The final result of this outreach will be used to develop a series of 
recommendations for BLM leadership to improve tribal consultation 
generally and revise the PA.
    On February 4, 2009, the BLM, ACHP, and NCSHPO executed an addendum 
to the PA (dated January 5, 2009) that outlined a series of major 
milestones for completing the BLM's ongoing tribal consultation 
outreach effort, consolidating the results of that effort, and 
developing revisions to the PA as informed by the results of this 
outreach to Native Americans. This notice fulfills one of those 
milestones--formal initiation of the public notification process for 
revising the PA.
    In addition to this notice, the BLM has mailed a summary report on 
the BLM 2008-09 listening sessions and a draft strategy revising the 
PA, taking into account the results of the BLM's tribal consultation 
outreach initiative. The draft strategy identifies the following key 
goals for a revised PA:
     Ensure terminology is consistent with definitions in 36 
CFR 800.16 (definitions section);
     Elaborate what the tribal role in the NHPA Section 106 
process is;
     Specify alternative procedures for undertakings excepted 
from the normal alternative process;
     Incorporate a process for partnering with tribes through 
individual protocols between a tribe and the BLM state office(s). BLM-
SHPO protocols authorized by the current PA streamline BLM-SHPO 
consultation to allow individualized arrangements, but do not alter the 
BLM's tribal consultation requirements;
     Clarify the roles of consulting parties and expectations 
for public outreach processes;
     Integrate the concept of phased Section 106 compliance 
into the PA to clarify how the BLM meets its compliance obligations for 
large scale projects and programs;
     Provide clear guidance on when new alternative procedures 
require ACHP involvement;
     Incorporate communication processes for collaborating on 
NHPA Section 110 and other proactive work, including coordination with 
state preservation plans and priorities;
     Include a process for using the 36 CFR part 800 procedures 
as an alternative to the PA;
     Review the process for development of BLM policy affecting 
Section 106 activities and general management, as outlined in Component 
5.f of the 1997 PA, and clarify the role of the BLM Preservation Board;
     Establish PA monitoring milestones and processes, 
including periodic tribal consultation; clarification of field office 
certification process; and standardized annual reports to states and PA 
signatories;
     Identify opportunities for participation of tribes, 
states, and the ACHP in BLM training related to cultural resources 
planning, compliance, and management;
     Develop a schedule for review and revision of state 
protocols; and
     Increase the efficiency of the annual reporting process by 
aligning it with other reporting requirements, such as the Secretary of 
the Interior's Report to Congress on Federal Archaeological Activities.
    Written comments on the BLM's plan to revise the PA should be 
specific and confined to the PA revision. Where possible, comments 
should reference the specific section or paragraph of the draft 
strategy that the commenter is addressing.
    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.

Richard C. Hanes,
Acting Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning.
[FR Doc. E9-30771 Filed 12-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P

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