Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan Amendment and Associated Environmental Assessment for Coal Lease by Application ALES-55199, AL, 45265-45266 [2013-17977]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2013 / Notices described in sections 501(c)(3) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of that code. • Do not engage in commercial trade in the prohibited wildlife species, including offspring, parts, and products. • Do not propagate the prohibited wildlife species. • Have no direct contact between the public and the prohibited wildlife species. The basis for this information collection is the recordkeeping requirement that we place on accredited wildlife sanctuaries. We require accredited wildlife sanctuaries to maintain complete and accurate records of any possession, transportation, acquisition, disposition, importation, or exportation of the prohibited wildlife species as defined in the CWSA (50 CFR 14, subpart K). Records must be up to date and include: (1) the names and addresses of persons to or from whom any prohibited wildlife species has been acquired, imported, exported, purchased, sold, or otherwise transferred; and (2) the dates of these transactions. Accredited wildlife sanctuaries must: • Maintain these records for 5 years. • Make these records accessible to Service officials for inspection at reasonable hours. • Copy these records for Service officials, if requested. Comments: On February 13, 2013, we published in the Federal Register (78 FR 10200) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew approval for this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on April 15, 2013. We received the following comments in response to that notice: Comment: The recordkeeping requirement should be expanded to other exempt entities under the CWSA, including Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) licensed facilities and State—licensed wildlife rehabilitators. Response: The CWSA exempts accredited wildlife sanctuaries, if they meet certain requirements. The recordkeeping requirement enables us to confirm that the sanctuary qualifies for the exemption. The CWSA does not place requirements on the other exempt entities. Therefore, we do not have the authority to establish a recordkeeping requirement on those entities. Comment: Appropriate records should be made available to the Service on an annual basis. Response: We believe that the submission of records only on an as needed basis is adequate to substantiate that a particular wildlife sanctuary qualifies as accredited under the CWSA. The submission of records on an annual VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:54 Jul 25, 2013 Jkt 229001 basis would require an application or other mechanism to receive and evaluate those records. In the development of the regulations to implement the CWSA, we considered options for developing some type of formal accreditation mechanism for wildlife sanctuaries, but concluded that because of a lack of available staff and resources to manage the submission of records on an annual basis, such a step was not practical. Comment: Records should be made available to the public through an online database or Freedom of Information Act requests. Response: The Privacy Act has certain requirements pertaining to the release of information that would prohibit us from making these records openly available to the public. Comment: The Service should develop an electronic recordkeeping system for wildlife sanctuaries that could be accessed and used by other Federal, State or, local agencies to, among other things, reconcile the information obtained under the CWSA with that maintained by APHIS under the Animal Welfare Act. An electronic recordkeeping system for wildlife sanctuaries could alleviate the time required to maintain records. Response: We considered options for developing some type of formal electronic accreditation mechanism for wildlife sanctuaries that could be accessed by other agencies, but because of a lack of available resources and staff to adequately implement such a mechanism we determined it was not practical. Comment: Records maintained by an accredited wildlife sanctuary should identify specific prohibited species and include the date of birth, age, and date of death of the specimen, and that ‘‘otherwise transferred,’’ as stated in the requirements, should include the disposition of the specimen remains. Response: We believe that the requirements, as written, are sufficient to confirm the acquisition or disposition of specimens. Comment: Maintaining records by an accredited wildlife sanctuary should not be considered a ‘‘burden.’’ Response: We used the term ’’burden’’ in our Federal Register notice, because that is the term typically used to measure the impact (in time and dollars) of the information collection requirements on respondents. We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: • Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45265 • The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email 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 OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: July 22, 2013. Tina A. Campbell, Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2013–17955 Filed 7–25–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLES002000.L1320.DU0000] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan Amendment and Associated Environmental Assessment for Coal Lease by Application ALES–55199, AL Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is preparing a Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Associated Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider leasing Federal coal in response to lease application ALES– 55199 for Jefferson County, Alabama. Coal industry representatives, State and local governments, and the general public are encouraged to submit information to assist in determining coal development potential and possible environmental consequences, as well as development conflicts with other resources. SUMMARY: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the Draft RMP Amendment and associated EA for the lease application. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until August 26, 2013. DATES: E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM 26JYN1 45266 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 144 / Friday, July 26, 2013 / Notices Comments may be submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, Southeastern States Field Office, 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404, Jackson, MS 39206 or via email: gtaylor@blm.gov or via fax: 918–621– 4130. ADDRESSES: Gary Taylor or Randall Mills, Southeastern States Field Office at 601–977–5400 or by email at gtaylor@blm.gov or ramills@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The coal lease application, filed by Best Coal, Inc., is located in Jefferson County, Alabama. The lease application area is approximately 5 miles north of Mt. Olive, Alabama, on Glovers Bend Road. The proposed lease area, totaling 160 acres, is described as follows: Township 15 South, Range 4 West, Huntsville Meridian Section 24, SW1/4NW1/4, N1/2SW1/ 4, SE1/2SW1/4. The applicant proposes to mine the Federal coal in the lease application area by surface methods. The surface estate overlying the lease application area is privately owned. The BLM has the responsibility to address coal lease applications on Federal mineral estate under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended. The Office of Surface Mining, in coordination with the State of Alabama, has responsibility to issue Mine Permits under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. An interdisciplinary team will prepare the RMP Amendment and associated EA for the lease application. Preliminary issues, subject to change as a result of public input, are (1) Potential impacts of coal development on the surface and subsurface resources; and (2) Consideration of restrictions on lease rights to protect surface resources. Preliminary planning criteria developed to guide the preparation of the planning analysis, subject to change as a result of public input, are as follows: 1. Land use planning and environmental analysis will be conducted in accordance with laws, regulations, executive orders and manuals. Planning will be conducted for the Federal coal mineral estate (Federal leasable mineral estates such as coal are under the administration of the BLM). tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:54 Jul 25, 2013 Jkt 229001 2. A mine plan scenario will be prepared for the Federal coal resource as an analytical tool to inform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis. 3. Resource data needed to evaluate the impacts of coal mining will be collected. 4. The planning team will work cooperatively with (a) Federal, State, county, and local governments and agencies; (b) Tribal governments; (c) Groups and organizations; and (d) Individuals. Comments relating to the preliminary issues and planning criteria should be submitted in writing to the address provided above. An individual, business entity, or public body may participate in this process by providing information regarding coal or other resource information to assist in determining conflicts that may result from issuance of the coal lease. For other resource information, participants are asked to identify the particular resource value, to provide the reason that the resource would conflict with coal development and provide a map (minimal scale 1:24,000) showing the location of the resource. The information available to the interdisciplinary team will be considered in addressing the specific resources and uses identified in the 20 Unsuitability Criteria listed at 43 CFR subpart 3461. Screening of the Federal coal lands in the application area through the Unsuitable Criteria will result in a determination as to which lands are (1) Acceptable for further leasing consideration with standard stipulations; (2) Acceptable for further leasing consideration with special stipulations; or (3) Unacceptable for further consideration for leasing. Written comments should address one or more of the following: (1) Issues to be considered; (2) Whether the preliminary planning criteria are adequate for the issues; (3) Feasible and reasonable alternatives to examine; or (4) Relevant coal or other resource information. The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal consultations were conducted in accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM’s decision on this project, are invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating agency. Before including your address, phone number, email 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. Authority: 43 CFR 1610.2(c). John Lyon, State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–17977 Filed 7–25–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GJ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNM004410.L16100000.DO0000.LXSSG0 690000] Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan for the Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and an Associated Environmental Impact Statement Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCIES: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oklahoma Field Office, Tulsa, Oklahoma, intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas planning area. This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. The RMP will replace the existing Oklahoma RMP (1994), the Kansas RMP (1991), and the Texas RMP (1996), and the associated EIS for the RMP will also analyze Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) management decisions for lands and minerals managed by the BIA in the three states. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the RMP with an associated EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until August 26, 2013]. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26JYN1.SGM 26JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45265-45266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-17977]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[LLES002000.L1320.DU0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan Amendment 
and Associated Environmental Assessment for Coal Lease by Application 
ALES-55199, AL

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is preparing a Resource 
Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Associated Environmental Assessment 
(EA) to consider leasing Federal coal in response to lease application 
ALES-55199 for Jefferson County, Alabama. Coal industry 
representatives, State and local governments, and the general public 
are encouraged to submit information to assist in determining coal 
development potential and possible environmental consequences, as well 
as development conflicts with other resources.

DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the Draft 
RMP Amendment and associated EA for the lease application. Comments on 
issues may be submitted in writing until August 26, 2013.

[[Page 45266]]


ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, 
Southeastern States Field Office, 411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 404, 
Jackson, MS 39206 or via email: gtaylor@blm.gov or via fax: 918-621-
4130.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Taylor or Randall Mills, 
Southeastern States Field Office at 601-977-5400 or by email at 
gtaylor@blm.gov or ramills@blm.gov. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above 
individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours 
a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above 
individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The coal lease application, filed by Best 
Coal, Inc., is located in Jefferson County, Alabama. The lease 
application area is approximately 5 miles north of Mt. Olive, Alabama, 
on Glovers Bend Road. The proposed lease area, totaling 160 acres, is 
described as follows:
Township 15 South, Range 4 West, Huntsville Meridian
    Section 24, SW1/4NW1/4, N1/2SW1/4, SE1/2SW1/4.
The applicant proposes to mine the Federal coal in the lease 
application area by surface methods. The surface estate overlying the 
lease application area is privately owned. The BLM has the 
responsibility to address coal lease applications on Federal mineral 
estate under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended. The Office of 
Surface Mining, in coordination with the State of Alabama, has 
responsibility to issue Mine Permits under the Surface Mining Control 
and Reclamation Act.
    An interdisciplinary team will prepare the RMP Amendment and 
associated EA for the lease application. Preliminary issues, subject to 
change as a result of public input, are (1) Potential impacts of coal 
development on the surface and subsurface resources; and (2) 
Consideration of restrictions on lease rights to protect surface 
resources.
    Preliminary planning criteria developed to guide the preparation of 
the planning analysis, subject to change as a result of public input, 
are as follows:
    1. Land use planning and environmental analysis will be conducted 
in accordance with laws, regulations, executive orders and manuals. 
Planning will be conducted for the Federal coal mineral estate (Federal 
leasable mineral estates such as coal are under the administration of 
the BLM).
    2. A mine plan scenario will be prepared for the Federal coal 
resource as an analytical tool to inform the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) analysis.
    3. Resource data needed to evaluate the impacts of coal mining will 
be collected.
    4. The planning team will work cooperatively with (a) Federal, 
State, county, and local governments and agencies; (b) Tribal 
governments; (c) Groups and organizations; and (d) Individuals. 
Comments relating to the preliminary issues and planning criteria 
should be submitted in writing to the address provided above.
    An individual, business entity, or public body may participate in 
this process by providing information regarding coal or other resource 
information to assist in determining conflicts that may result from 
issuance of the coal lease. For other resource information, 
participants are asked to identify the particular resource value, to 
provide the reason that the resource would conflict with coal 
development and provide a map (minimal scale 1:24,000) showing the 
location of the resource.
    The information available to the interdisciplinary team will be 
considered in addressing the specific resources and uses identified in 
the 20 Unsuitability Criteria listed at 43 CFR subpart 3461. Screening 
of the Federal coal lands in the application area through the 
Unsuitable Criteria will result in a determination as to which lands 
are (1) Acceptable for further leasing consideration with standard 
stipulations; (2) Acceptable for further leasing consideration with 
special stipulations; or (3) Unacceptable for further consideration for 
leasing.
    Written comments should address one or more of the following: (1) 
Issues to be considered; (2) Whether the preliminary planning criteria 
are adequate for the issues; (3) Feasible and reasonable alternatives 
to examine; or (4) Relevant coal or other resource information.
    The BLM will utilize and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to 
satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided for in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3). Native American tribal consultations were conducted in 
accordance with policy, and tribal concerns will be given due 
consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, 
State, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be 
interested or affected by the BLM's decision on this project, are 
invited to participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may 
request or be requested by the BLM to participate as a cooperating 
agency.
    Before including your address, phone number, email 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.

    Authority: 43 CFR 1610.2(c).

John Lyon,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-17977 Filed 7-25-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-GJ-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.