Tribal and Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects; Eligibility Criteria, 2436-2437 [2020-00529]

Download as PDF 2436 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 10 / Wednesday, January 15, 2020 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [L10300000.PH0000 19X LLWO220000] Tribal and Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects; Eligibility Criteria Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is establishing eligibility and selection criteria for Tribal Biomass Demonstration Project and Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Project proposals submitted for BLM-managed lands, as authorized by the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017. DATES: This Notice takes effect on January 15, 2020. ADDRESSES: Additional information about this notice and program may be obtained on the internet at https:// www.blm.gov/https%3A//www.blm.gov/ programs/natural-resources/forests-andwoodlands/biomass-and-bioenergy/ tribal-biomass. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Tague, Division Chief, Forest, Range, Riparian, and Plant Conservation, telephone (202) 912–7222; email, jtague@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunication device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact Mr. Tague during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question regarding the project. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Background Section 202 of Public Law 115–325 amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115(a) et seq.) for the purpose of establishing tribal and Alaska Native biomass demonstration projects for federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native corporations to promote biomass energy production by providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands. For Tribal Biomass Demonstration Projects, the Act requires, for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into stewardship contracts or similar agreements (excluding direct service contracts) with Indian tribes to carry out VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:18 Jan 14, 2020 Jkt 250001 at least four new demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production (including biofuel, heat, and electricity generation) on Indian forest land and in nearby communities by providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from Federal land. For Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects, the Act requires, for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement or contract with an Indian tribe or a tribal organization to carry out at least one new demonstration project to promote biomass energy production (including biofuel, heat, and electricity generation) by providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from Federal land. Indian tribe means: Any Indian tribe, band, nation or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)). Eligibility To establish eligibility for a Tribal Biomass Demonstration Project, an Indian tribe (as defined at (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)) must submit an application with the following information: (1) A description of the Indian forest land under the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe; (2) A description and location of the biomass utilization facility including its annual biomass consumption and details related to the application evaluation criteria; (3) A map depicting the BLM lands being proposed for harvest; and (4) A harvest plan proposing the means to carry out the biomass harvest. To establish eligibility for an Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Project, an Indian tribe (as defined at (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)) needs to submit an application with the following information: (1) A description and location of the biomass utilization facility, including its annual biomass consumption and details related to the application evaluation criteria; (2) A map depicting the BLM lands being proposed for harvest; and (3) A harvest plan proposing the means to carry out the biomass harvest. The statute allows the Secretary of the Interior to establish additional criteria as needed. Such additional criteria will be posted on the website established for this purpose (see ADDRESSES). PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The eligibility applications comprise a collection of information that requires a control number from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501–3521). An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. For this reason, the BLM will request an OMB control number for these applications. Application Evaluation Criteria In accordance with the Act, the BLM will evaluate applications by assessing whether the proposed project would: (1) Increase the reliability of local or regional energy; (2) Enhance the economic development of the Indian tribe; (3) Result in or improve the connection of electric power transmission facilities serving the Indian tribe with other electric transmission facilities; (4) Improve the forest health or watersheds of Federal land or Indian forest or rangeland; or (5) Otherwise promote the use of woody biomass. Contracts and Agreements Selection In accordance with the Act, when evaluating applications the BLM will also take into consideration the following factors: (1) The status of the Indian tribe as an Indian tribe; (2) The trust status of the Indian forest land or rangeland of the Indian tribe; (3) The cultural, traditional, and historical affiliation of the Indian tribe with the land subject to the proposal; (4) The treaty rights or other reserved rights of the Indian tribe relating to the land subject to the proposal; (5) The indigenous knowledge and skills of members of the Indian tribe; (6) The features of the landscape of the land subject to the proposal, including watersheds and vegetation types; (7) The working relationships between the Indian tribe and Federal agencies in coordinating activities affecting the land subject to the proposal; and (8) The access by members of the Indian tribe to the land subject to the proposal. In accordance with the Act, the contract or agreement for a project must exclude from consideration any merchantable logs that have been identified for commercial sale. E:\FR\FM\15JAN1.SGM 15JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 10 / Wednesday, January 15, 2020 / Notices Submitting an Application A federally recognized tribe may submit an application to the BLM field office that has jurisdiction over the land where the project would occur. The application should contain the information outlined in the eligibility section of this notice. Additional Information for Contract or Agreement Development After receiving an application to verify eligibility, the BLM will work with the tribe as appropriate to obtain additional information necessary to develop the contract or agreement. The information may include, but is not limited to: (1) A description of the harvesting methods, annual harvest tonnage, and transportation routes; (2) A start date and duration of source area usage; and (3) Information relevant to any necessary analysis of the project under the National Environmental Policy Act. Casey Hammond, Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2020–00529 Filed 1–14–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–84–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Dated: January 8, 2020. David L. Bernhardt, Secretary of the Interior. National Park Service [FR Doc. 2020–00478 Filed 1–14–20; 8:45 am] [NPS–WASO–D–COS–POL–29039; PPWODIREP0; PPMPSPD1Y.YM0000] BILLING CODE 4312–52–P National Park System Advisory Board; Charter Renewal DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Charter renewal. AGENCY: The Secretary of the Interior intends to renew the National Park System Advisory Board, in accordance with section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This action is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of statutory duties imposed upon the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Winchell, Staff Director for the National Park System Advisory Board, Office of Policy, National Park Service, 202–513–7053. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board is authorized by 54 U.S.C. 102303 (part of the 1935 Historic Sites, Buildings and Antiquities Act) and has been in existence almost continuously since 1935. Pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 102303, the legislative authorization for the Board expired January 1, 2010. However, due SUMMARY: jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES to the importance of the issues on which the Board advises, the Secretary of the Interior exercised the authority contained in 54 U.S.C. 100906 to reestablish and continue the Board as a discretionary committee from January 1, 2010, until such time as it may be legislatively reauthorized. The advice and recommendations provided by the Board and its subcommittees fulfill an important need within the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, and it is necessary to re-establish the Board to ensure its work is not disrupted. The Board’s members are balanced to represent a cross-section of disciplines and expertise relevant to the National Park Service mission. The renewal of the Board comports with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended. Certification: I hereby certify that the renewal of the National Park System Advisory Board is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department of the Interior by the National Park Service Organic Act (54 U.S.C. 100101(a) et seq.), and other statutes relating to the administration of the National Park Service. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:18 Jan 14, 2020 Jkt 250001 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket ID BOEM–2019–0070] Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Oil and Gas Lease Sales for 2020 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Department of the Interior (DOI). ACTION: Notice to Rescind Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: This Notice advises the public that BOEM is rescinding the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the OCS Gulf of Mexico (GOM) lease sales for 2020 and subsequent GOM lease sales through 2022. DATES: This Notice takes effect on January 15, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the status of the environmental review for the 2020 GOM oil and gas lease sales or BOEM’s SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 2437 policies associated with this Notice, please contact Ms. Helen Rucker, Chief, Environmental Assessment Section, Office of Environment (GM 623E), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, New Orleans Office, 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70123–2394, telephone 504–736–2421, or email at helen.rucker@boem.gov. On December 26, 2018, BOEM published a NOI to initiate the environmental review to inform the decisions for the two proposed lease sales scheduled in 2020 and the subsequent lease sales through 2022. The proposed lease sales include the Western and Central Planning Areas, and a small portion of the Eastern Planning Area not subject to Congressional moratorium. At the time of publication, BOEM anticipated the first GOM lease sale of 2020 would be conducted under the 2019–2024 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program and planned to prepare a Supplemental EIS for the proposed lease sales scheduled in 2020 through 2022. However, development of the 2019– 2024 Program has been delayed, and BOEM has decided not to prepare a Supplemental EIS at this time, because it is not making any substantial changes in the proposed actions that are relevant to environmental concerns. As a result, it has determined that no new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts have arisen. Thus, under the standards of 40 CFR 1502.9(c), there is nothing triggering the need for a Supplemental EIS. Accordingly, BOEM has determined NEPA adequacy on the use of the 2018 GOM Supplemental EIS for Lease Sale 254, which tiers from and updates the 2017–2022 GOM Multisale EIS. BOEM is hereby rescinding the December 26, 2018, Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental EIS. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: This Notice to rescind the NOI is published pursuant to 43 U.S.C. 1337, 40 CFR 1508.22, and 43 CFR 46.415. Michael A. Celata, Regional Director, New Orleans Office, Department of the Interior Regions 1, 2, 4, and 6, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2020–00500 Filed 1–14–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P E:\FR\FM\15JAN1.SGM 15JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2436-2437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00529]



[[Page 2436]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[L10300000.PH0000 19X LLWO220000]


Tribal and Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects; 
Eligibility Criteria

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is establishing 
eligibility and selection criteria for Tribal Biomass Demonstration 
Project and Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Project proposals 
submitted for BLM-managed lands, as authorized by the Indian Tribal 
Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017.

DATES: This Notice takes effect on January 15, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Additional information about this notice and program may be 
obtained on the internet at https://www.blm.gov/https%3A//www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/forests-and-woodlands/biomass-and-bioenergy/tribal-biomass.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Tague, Division Chief, Forest, 
Range, Riparian, and Plant Conservation, telephone (202) 912-7222; 
email, [email protected].
    Persons who use a telecommunication device for the deaf may call 
the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact Mr. Tague 
during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, to leave a message or question regarding the project. You 
will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 202 of Public Law 115-325 amends the Tribal Forest 
Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115(a) et seq.) for the purpose of 
establishing tribal and Alaska Native biomass demonstration projects 
for federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native corporations 
to promote biomass energy production by providing reliable supplies of 
woody biomass from Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands.
    For Tribal Biomass Demonstration Projects, the Act requires, for 
each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021, the Secretary of Agriculture 
and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into stewardship contracts 
or similar agreements (excluding direct service contracts) with Indian 
tribes to carry out at least four new demonstration projects to promote 
biomass energy production (including biofuel, heat, and electricity 
generation) on Indian forest land and in nearby communities by 
providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from Federal land.
    For Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects, the Act requires, 
for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021, the Secretary of 
Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an 
agreement or contract with an Indian tribe or a tribal organization to 
carry out at least one new demonstration project to promote biomass 
energy production (including biofuel, heat, and electricity generation) 
by providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from Federal land.
    Indian tribe means: Any Indian tribe, band, nation or other 
organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or 
regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as 
eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United 
States to Indians because of their status as Indians. (25 U.S.C. 
5304(e)).

Eligibility

    To establish eligibility for a Tribal Biomass Demonstration 
Project, an Indian tribe (as defined at (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)) must submit 
an application with the following information:
    (1) A description of the Indian forest land under the jurisdiction 
of the Indian tribe;
    (2) A description and location of the biomass utilization facility 
including its annual biomass consumption and details related to the 
application evaluation criteria;
    (3) A map depicting the BLM lands being proposed for harvest; and
    (4) A harvest plan proposing the means to carry out the biomass 
harvest.
    To establish eligibility for an Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration 
Project, an Indian tribe (as defined at (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)) needs to 
submit an application with the following information:
    (1) A description and location of the biomass utilization facility, 
including its annual biomass consumption and details related to the 
application evaluation criteria;
    (2) A map depicting the BLM lands being proposed for harvest; and
    (3) A harvest plan proposing the means to carry out the biomass 
harvest.
    The statute allows the Secretary of the Interior to establish 
additional criteria as needed. Such additional criteria will be posted 
on the website established for this purpose (see ADDRESSES).
    The eligibility applications comprise a collection of information 
that requires a control number from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521). An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. For this reason, the BLM will 
request an OMB control number for these applications.

Application Evaluation Criteria

    In accordance with the Act, the BLM will evaluate applications by 
assessing whether the proposed project would:
    (1) Increase the reliability of local or regional energy;
    (2) Enhance the economic development of the Indian tribe;
    (3) Result in or improve the connection of electric power 
transmission facilities serving the Indian tribe with other electric 
transmission facilities;
    (4) Improve the forest health or watersheds of Federal land or 
Indian forest or rangeland; or
    (5) Otherwise promote the use of woody biomass.

Contracts and Agreements Selection

    In accordance with the Act, when evaluating applications the BLM 
will also take into consideration the following factors:
    (1) The status of the Indian tribe as an Indian tribe;
    (2) The trust status of the Indian forest land or rangeland of the 
Indian tribe;
    (3) The cultural, traditional, and historical affiliation of the 
Indian tribe with the land subject to the proposal;
    (4) The treaty rights or other reserved rights of the Indian tribe 
relating to the land subject to the proposal;
    (5) The indigenous knowledge and skills of members of the Indian 
tribe;
    (6) The features of the landscape of the land subject to the 
proposal, including watersheds and vegetation types;
    (7) The working relationships between the Indian tribe and Federal 
agencies in coordinating activities affecting the land subject to the 
proposal; and
    (8) The access by members of the Indian tribe to the land subject 
to the proposal.
    In accordance with the Act, the contract or agreement for a project 
must exclude from consideration any merchantable logs that have been 
identified for commercial sale.

[[Page 2437]]

Submitting an Application

    A federally recognized tribe may submit an application to the BLM 
field office that has jurisdiction over the land where the project 
would occur. The application should contain the information outlined in 
the eligibility section of this notice.

Additional Information for Contract or Agreement Development

    After receiving an application to verify eligibility, the BLM will 
work with the tribe as appropriate to obtain additional information 
necessary to develop the contract or agreement. The information may 
include, but is not limited to:
    (1) A description of the harvesting methods, annual harvest 
tonnage, and transportation routes;
    (2) A start date and duration of source area usage; and
    (3) Information relevant to any necessary analysis of the project 
under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Casey Hammond,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2020-00529 Filed 1-14-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-84-P


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