National Wildlife Refuge System; Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Use of Genetically Modified Crops in National Wildlife Refuge Farming Programs in Region 4 (Southeast Region) of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Discontinuation of Preparation of NEPA Document, 32409-32410 [2015-13842]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 109 / Monday, June 8, 2015 / Notices (OMB) for review, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days of public comment. DATES: Comments Due Date: July 8, 2015. Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: HUD Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; fax: 202–395–5806. Email: OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Pollard, Reports Management Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20410; email at Colette Pollard@hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the tollfree Federal Relay Service at (800) 877– 8339. This is not a toll-free number. Copies of available documents submitted to OMB may be obtained from Ms. Pollard. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice informs the public that HUD has submitted to OMB a request for approval of the information collection described in Section A. The Federal Register notice that solicited public comment on the information collection for a period of 60 days was published on March 13, 2015 at 80 FR 13413. ADDRESSES: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES A. Overview of Information Collection Title of Information Collection: Multifamily Financial Management Template. OMB Approval Number: 2502–0551. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Form Numbers: None. Description of the need for the information and proposed use: Owners of certain HUD-insured and HUDassisted properties are required to submit annual financial statements to HUD via the Internet in the HUDprescribed format and chart of accounts, and in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Respondents: Owners of certain HUDinsured and HUD-assisted properties. Estimated Number of Respondents: 20,527. Estimated Number of Responses: 20,527. Frequency of Response: Annually. Average Hours per Response: 14. Total Estimated Burdens: 287,378. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:09 Jun 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 32409 B. Solicitation of Public Comment This notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected parties concerning the collection of information described in Section A on the following: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. HUD encourages interested parties to submit comment in response to these questions. effects of the cultivation and use of genetically modified crops (GMCs) on certain refuges in the Southeast Region to meet wildlife management objectives. As part of the settlement agreement, we also agreed to discontinue cultivating and using the GMCs in the Southeast Region after the 2012 crop year and to refrain from such activities until 90 days after completion of an appropriate NEPA analysis of such activities. On July 17, 2014, the Chief of the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System issued a memorandum announcing that the use of GMCs to meet wildlife management objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System (System) would be phased out and discontinued by January 2016. Accordingly, we have concluded that our NEPA process is no longer necessary and, therefore, are notifying the public that we are discontinuing preparation of the PEA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom MacKenzie, by email at tom_ mackenzie@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Introduction Dated: May 29, 2015. Colette Pollard, Department Reports Management Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. On April 30, 2013, we published a notice in the Federal Register (78 FR 25297) announcing and inviting comments on our intention to prepare a PEA on the effects of the cultivation and use of GMCs on certain refuges in the Southeast Region. The Southeast Region is comprised of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the Caribbean. GMCs were primarily used on certain refuges in Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina, to meet Service goals and objectives to provide migratory birds, especially waterfowl, with dependable high-energy food during the winter months. In 2011, three national nonprofit organizations, the Center for Food Safety, Beyond Pesticides, and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, sued the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, the Director of the Service, and the Service in Center for Food Safety, et al. v. Salazar, et al., Civil Action No. 11–1457 (DC 2011), on the Service’s decision to allow GMCs to be cultivated on some 44,000 acres of refuge land in the Southeast Region. On November 5, 2012, the Court entered an Order adopting the negotiated settlement agreement of the Parties, which included a prohibition on the use of GMCs in the Southeast Region unless and until ninety (90) days after completion of appropriate NEPA analysis on such use. [FR Doc. 2015–13912 Filed 6–5–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–R–2014–N021; FXRS12610400000S3–145–FF04R02000] National Wildlife Refuge System; Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Use of Genetically Modified Crops in National Wildlife Refuge Farming Programs in Region 4 (Southeast Region) of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Discontinuation of Preparation of NEPA Document Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of discontinuation of preparation of NEPA Document. AGENCY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in accordance with the negotiated settlement of a lawsuit, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a notice in the Federal Register on April 30, 2013, announcing and inviting comments on our intention to develop a draft programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) of the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\08JNN1.SGM 08JNN1 32410 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 109 / Monday, June 8, 2015 / Notices Background In our April 30, 2013, Federal Register notice, we invited public input on our intent to prepare a PEA and requested submissions in the form of information and suggestions on the issues that should be considered during the NEPA planning process and in the PEA. We held five scoping meetings in Columbia, North Carolina; Decatur, Alabama; Dyersburg, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; and Alexandria, Louisiana. We also created a Web site on which the public could submit comments and suggestions. After the scoping meetings and receipt of comments via the Web site, we began drafting the PEA, and were engaged in doing so when the Chief of the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System issued the July 17, 2014, memorandum announcing the phasing out of the use of GMCs to achieve wildlife management objectives throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System by January 2016. Upon issuance of the memorandum, we determined that the need to prepare the PEA no longer existed and abandoned such preparation. Authority This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). Dated: March 27, 2015. Michael Oetker, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2015–13842 Filed 6–5–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey [GX15EN05ESB0500] Reopening of Nomination Period for Members of the Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science U.S. Geological Survey, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The U.S. Department of the Interior published a notice inviting nominations for non-Federal members of the Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science (Committee). The closing date for nominations was June 1, 2015. This Federal Register Notice reopens the nomination and comment period for 30 days. If you have already submitted information to be considered for mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:09 Jun 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 appointment to the Committee you do not have to resubmit it. DATES: Written nominations must be received by July 8, 2015. ADDRESSES: Send nominations to: Robin O’Malley, Policy and Partnership Coordinator, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 516, Reston, VA 20192, romalley@usgs.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin O’Malley, Policy and Partnership Coordinator, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 516, Reston, VA 20192, romalley@usgs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 30, 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) published a notice inviting nominations for the Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science (Committee). The Committee provides advice on matters and actions relating to the establishment and operations of the U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the DOI Climate Science Centers. See: https://nccwsc.usgs.gov/acccnrs for more information. The Department has determined that additional time is required to enable members to be nominated for the committee. We are seeking nominations for individuals involved in specific interests, noted below, to be considered as Committee members. Nominations should include a resume that describes the nominee’s qualifications in enough detail to enable us to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Committee and to contact a potential member. Members of the Committee will be composed of approximately 25 members from both the Federal Government, and the following interests: (1) State and local governments, including state membership entities; (2) Nongovernmental organizations, including those whose primary mission is professional and scientific and those whose primary mission is conservation and related scientific and advocacy activities; (3) American Indian tribes and other Native American entities; (4) Academia; (5) Individual landowners; and (6) Business interests. In addition, the Committee may include scientific experts, and will include rotating representation from one or more of the institutions that host the DOI Climate Science Centers. PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Committee will meet approximately 2–4 times annually, and at such times as designated by the DFO. The Secretary of the Interior will appoint members to the Committee. Members appointed as special Government employees are required to file on an annual basis a confidential financial disclosure report. No individual who is currently registered as a Federal lobbyist is eligible to serve as a member of the Committee. Robin O’Malley, Designated Federal Officer, ACCCNRS. [FR Doc. 2015–13859 Filed 6–5–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4311–MP–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary [XXXD5198NI DS61100000 DNINR0000.000000 DX61104] Meetings; Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee Office of the Secretary, Interior. Meeting notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee. DATES: June 29, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Conference Room, Grace Hall, 4230 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Philip Johnson, Department of the Interior, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, 1689 ‘‘C’’ Street, Suite 119, Anchorage, Alaska, (907) 271– 5011. SUMMARY: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee was created by Paragraph V.A.4 of the Memorandum of Agreement and Consent Decree entered into by the United States of America and the State of Alaska on August 27, 1991, and approved by the United States District Court for the District of Alaska in settlement of United States of America v. State of Alaska, Civil Action No. A91–081 CV. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee Meeting agenda will focus on review of the current draft of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council’s Fiscal Year 2017–2021 Invitation for Proposals. An opportunity for public comments will be provided. The final agenda and materials for the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08JNN1.SGM 08JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32409-32410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13842]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2014-N021; FXRS12610400000S3-145-FF04R02000]


National Wildlife Refuge System; Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for the Use of Genetically Modified Crops in National 
Wildlife Refuge Farming Programs in Region 4 (Southeast Region) of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Discontinuation of Preparation 
of NEPA Document

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of discontinuation of preparation of NEPA Document.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
in accordance with the negotiated settlement of a lawsuit, we, the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a notice in the Federal 
Register on April 30, 2013, announcing and inviting comments on our 
intention to develop a draft programmatic environmental assessment 
(PEA) of the effects of the cultivation and use of genetically modified 
crops (GMCs) on certain refuges in the Southeast Region to meet 
wildlife management objectives. As part of the settlement agreement, we 
also agreed to discontinue cultivating and using the GMCs in the 
Southeast Region after the 2012 crop year and to refrain from such 
activities until 90 days after completion of an appropriate NEPA 
analysis of such activities. On July 17, 2014, the Chief of the 
Service's National Wildlife Refuge System issued a memorandum 
announcing that the use of GMCs to meet wildlife management objectives 
within the National Wildlife Refuge System (System) would be phased out 
and discontinued by January 2016. Accordingly, we have concluded that 
our NEPA process is no longer necessary and, therefore, are notifying 
the public that we are discontinuing preparation of the PEA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom MacKenzie, by email at 
tom_mackenzie@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    On April 30, 2013, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(78 FR 25297) announcing and inviting comments on our intention to 
prepare a PEA on the effects of the cultivation and use of GMCs on 
certain refuges in the Southeast Region. The Southeast Region is 
comprised of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the 
Caribbean. GMCs were primarily used on certain refuges in Alabama, 
Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North 
Carolina, to meet Service goals and objectives to provide migratory 
birds, especially waterfowl, with dependable high-energy food during 
the winter months.
    In 2011, three national nonprofit organizations, the Center for 
Food Safety, Beyond Pesticides, and Public Employees for Environmental 
Responsibility, sued the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, 
the Director of the Service, and the Service in Center for Food Safety, 
et al. v. Salazar, et al., Civil Action No. 11-1457 (DC 2011), on the 
Service's decision to allow GMCs to be cultivated on some 44,000 acres 
of refuge land in the Southeast Region. On November 5, 2012, the Court 
entered an Order adopting the negotiated settlement agreement of the 
Parties, which included a prohibition on the use of GMCs in the 
Southeast Region unless and until ninety (90) days after completion of 
appropriate NEPA analysis on such use.

[[Page 32410]]

Background

    In our April 30, 2013, Federal Register notice, we invited public 
input on our intent to prepare a PEA and requested submissions in the 
form of information and suggestions on the issues that should be 
considered during the NEPA planning process and in the PEA. We held 
five scoping meetings in Columbia, North Carolina; Decatur, Alabama; 
Dyersburg, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; and Alexandria, Louisiana. 
We also created a Web site on which the public could submit comments 
and suggestions.
    After the scoping meetings and receipt of comments via the Web 
site, we began drafting the PEA, and were engaged in doing so when the 
Chief of the Service's National Wildlife Refuge System issued the July 
17, 2014, memorandum announcing the phasing out of the use of GMCs to 
achieve wildlife management objectives throughout the National Wildlife 
Refuge System by January 2016. Upon issuance of the memorandum, we 
determined that the need to prepare the PEA no longer existed and 
abandoned such preparation.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 
seq.).

    Dated: March 27, 2015.
Michael Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-13842 Filed 6-5-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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