Bureau of Land Management 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Wyoming State Office, has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Overland Pass Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Project. The FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of a proposed 760-mile long, 14-inch and 16-inch diameter natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline on Federal, State, and private land.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Alaska State Office, is issuing the Northeast National Petroleum ReserveAlaska (NPR-A) Supplemental Draft Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/EIS) for public comment and announces pending Draft IAP/ EIS public meetings/ANILCA subsistence hearings to receive comments on the IAP/EIS and its findings regarding the ANILCA Sec. 810 analysis of impacts to subsistence use.

Members of the public are hereby invited to participate with Dakota Westmoreland Corporation in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in lands located in Mercer County, North Dakota, encompassing 640.00 acres.

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Advisory Committee (Monument Advisory Committee) will meet as indicated below.

The State of Alaska (State) has filed applications for Recordable Disclaimers of Interest from the United States in those lands underlying Little Scottie Creek and Scottie Creek, located in the Tanana River region in Interior, Alaska. The State asserts that Scottie Creek and Little Scottie Creek were navigable and unreserved at the time of statehood; therefore, title to the submerged lands passed to the State at the time of statehood (1959). A portion of these lands are within the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

An application has been filed by East Bay Group, Inc. (East Bay Group) for a Recordable Disclaimer of Interest from the United States on 8.14 acres of land located in La Paz County, Arizona. A Recordable Disclaimer of Interest, if issued, estops the United States from asserting a claim to an interest in or the ownership of lands that are being disclaimed (43 CFR 1864.0-2(b)). This notice is intended to notify the public of the pending application.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer for sale by public auction 31 parcels of Federal public land totaling approximately 167.5 acres in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada. The sale will be conducted under the authority of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 (SNPLMA), 112 Stat. 2343, as amended. The SNPLMA sale will be subject to the applicable provisions of Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719, respectively, and BLM land sale and mineral conveyance regulations at 43 CFR Parts 2710 and 2720.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Air Force, the Bureau of Land Management proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6677 for an additional 20-year term. This order withdrew 2.5 acres of public land from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the United States mining laws [30 U.S.C. Ch. 2] and from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, to protect a United States Air Force radio relay site. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

A 1,356.55 acre parcel of public land in Owyhee County, Idaho is being considered for non-competitive (direct) sale to Owyhee County under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, at no less than the appraised fair market value.

The surface owner of the land described in this notice, aggregating approximately 260 acres, has filed an application for the purchase of the Federally-owned mineral interests. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the mineral interest from appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease and subsequent conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended, approximately 207.15 acres of public land in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. The Clark County School District proposes to use the lands for nine public schools. This land disposal action has been coordinated with Clark County, in whose jurisdiction such lands are located for joint selection purposes pursuant to Sec. 4(d)(1) of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, Pub. L. 105-263, (112 Stat. 2345).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer for sale competitively one parcel of federally owned land in Lincoln County located southeast of Alamo, Nevada, which totals approximately 159 acres, more or less. The sale is authorized under sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) 43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719, respectively.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to sell a 217 acre parcel (N-80737) of federally owned lands in Lincoln County, located south of Alamo, Nevada. These public lands have been examined and found suitable for disposal utilizing direct sale procedures. The authority for the sale is established under section 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Office, Kingman, Arizona intends to prepare an amendment to the Kingman Resource Management Plan (RMP) to determine if a parcel of public lands (identified below) should be classified under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act (43 U.S.C. 315f) and Executive Order No. 6910, for actions under the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).

Notice is hereby given that approximately 560 acres of public lands have been temporarily closed to all public use. This closure is made under the authority of 43 CFR 8364.1 Closure and Restriction Orders. The closed area is in the vicinity of Kaweah, California in Tulare County and is within sections 13, 23, 24, and 26 T. 16S.R.28E. Mount Diablo Baseline and Meridian. All entry will be restricted during this emergency closure to protect persons, property, public lands, and natural resources. Closure signs will be posted at main entry points to this area. Gates and fencing will be installed to exclude vehicular entry and parking.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Buffalo Field Office, Wyoming, proposes to amend its 1985 Resource Management Plan (RMP) because of changes in circumstances and proposed actions that may result in changes in the scope of resource uses and/or changes in decisions of the approved plan. The BLM will evaluate the following: (1) Management guidance for the Fortification Creek area, (2) Designation of an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in the Fortification Creek area, and (3) a potential land exchange with the State of Wyoming to consolidate ownership and facilitate management of the Fortification Creek area. The BLM may consider further land use planning decisions for the area surrounding the proposed ACEC.

In accordance with Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2), the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee will meet as indicated below:

The public comment period is being reopened to allow the public to submit comments on the proposed ACECs in the PRMPA/FEIS in an electronic format as well as in writing.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease or conveyance to Washoe County, Nevada under the authority of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act as amended, approximately 343 acres of public land in Washoe County, Nevada. Washoe County proposes to use the land for a regional park.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for conveyance under section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act, 43 U.S.C. 315f, and the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended, 10 acres of public land in Tulare County, California. Tulare County has filed an application to purchase the 10-acre parcel of BLM land that contains a closed, solid waste landfill facility.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for Alabama and Mississippi and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet on September 6, 2007, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the BLM National Training Center located at 9828 North 31st Avenue in Phoenix from 8 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. Morning agenda items include: Review of the June 8, 2007, meeting minutes for RAC and Recreation Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) business; BLM State Director's update on statewide issues; presentations on: the BLM wilderness program in Arizona, how recreation benefits communities, and Arizona water rights; RAC questions on BLM Field Managers Rangeland Resource Team proposals; and, reports by RAC working groups. A public comment period will be provided at 11:30 a.m. on September 6, 2007, for any interested publics who wish to address the Council on BLM programs and business. Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the RAC has been designated the RRAC, and has the authority to review all BLM and Forest Service (FS) recreation fee proposals in Arizona. The afternoon meeting agenda on September 6 will include discussion and review of the Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) Working Group Report, the Fiscal Year 2008 (Tentative) quarterly schedule for BLM and FS recreation fee proposals, and one FS fee proposal in Arizona: (1) Upper Salt River Canyon Wilderness Private River Permit System(Tonto National Forest). The Forest Service is considering a change for the Private Permit Fees for running the Upper Salt River through the Salt River Canyon Wilderness from March 1 to May 15 each year. The application fee of $10 will remain the same. The permit fee is proposed from the current $75 to a fee of $125. The purpose of the proposed fee increase is to help better cover the cost of managing the river program for the Upper Salt River Canyon Wilderness. The proposed fees are in line with those charged by other Forest Service and Federal Government agencies for similar river permits in the western United States. Following the FS proposals, the RRAC will open the meeting to public comments on the fee proposal. After completing their RRAC business, the BLM RAC will reconvene to provide recommendations to the RAC Designated Federal Official on the fee proposal and discuss future RAC meetings and locations.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) gives notice of revised policies and procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended, Executive Order (E.O.) 11514, as amended, E.O. 12114, and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA. These final implementing procedures are being issued as Chapter 11 of the Department of the Interior's Departmental Manual Part 516 (516 DM 11) and supersedes previous implementation guidance. These revisions update the procedures used to implement NEPA for actions taken in managing public lands. The BLM's NEPA compliance procedures can be found at the Department of the Interior (DOI) Electronic Library of Interior Policies (ELIPS) https:// elips.doi.gov. The following sections in 516 DM 11 (dated 5/27/04) are affected by this Federal Register notice: Purpose (11.1); NEPA Responsibilities (11.2); External Applicant's Guidance (11.3); General Requirements (11.4), Parts A-G; Plan Conformance (11.5); Existing Documentation (11.6), Parts A-E; Actions Requiring an Environmental Assessment (11.7), Parts A-E; and Actions Eligible for Categorical Exclusions (11.9), categories B-D and G-J. New sub-parts have been added to the Oil, Gas and Geothermal Energy (B), Forestry (C), and Rangeland Management (D) categories. Two new categories have been added: Recreation Management (H) and Emergency Stabilization (I). Transportation category sub-parts G(1), (2), and (3) have been expanded to include trails.

This order extends the withdrawal created by Public Land Order No. 6652 for an additional 20-year period. This extension is necessary to continue protection of the Petersburg Administrative Site in Siskiyou County.