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

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 Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to MTNT, Ltd., Successor in Interest to Chamai, Incorporated. The lands are in the vicinity of McGrath, Alaska, and are located in:

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) Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) subcommittee will meet as indicated below.

Pursuant to the provisions of 43 CFR 3108.2-3(b)(2), Energy Equities, Inc. timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease TXNM 115039 for lands in Shelby County, Texas, and was accompanied by all required rentals and royalties accruing from December 1, 2006, the date of termination.

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, (43 U.S.C. 869, et seq.) as amended, approximately 34.38 acres of public land in Do[ntilde]a Ana County, New Mexico. The City of Las Cruces (City) proposes to use the land as a community park and related facilities.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Montana State Office, Billings, Montana, (30) days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are to designate which roads or trails on federal lands administered by the BLM and the Forest Service within the Gunnison Field Office area and the Gunnison National Forest are open to motorized and/or mechanized travel. In so doing, both agencies will meet commitments set forth in the 2001 Gunnison Interim Travel Management Plan to further evaluate and analyze motorized travel needs on a route-by-route basis and comply with requirements of the Forest Service 2005 Travel Management Rule (36 CFR part 212) as well as policies for Public Lands found in the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1). As a result of these travel management decisions, the Forest Service will produce a Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) depicting those routes on the Gunnison National Forest and the Gunnison Field Office Public lands that will remain open to motorized and/or mechanized travel. The MVUM will be the primary tool used to determine compliance and enforcement with motorized and mechanized vehicle use designations on the ground. Those existing routes and other user-created routes not designated open on the MVUM will be legally closed to motorized and mechanized travel. The decisions on motorized and mechanized travel do not include over-snow travel or existing winter- use recreation. Background Information: The Gunnison Interim Travel Management Plan (2001), as an interim plan, was intended to be replaced by a more definitive and comprehensive designated system of routes to be maintained and remain open for motorized travel. The Gunnison Interim Travel Plan did not address whether specific routes were needed or were not needed to provide a manageable and sustainable transportation system on the Gunnison National Forest and Gunnison Field Office Public Lands. Nor did it fully evaluate the desired use by vehicle type or season of use on a route-by-route basis. The 2001 travel plan was implemented as an interim measure intended to halt the proliferation of user-created routes and attempt to restrict motorized travel to the then existing roads and trails. The 2001 travel plan needs to be amended, changed or superseded. In addition to the 2001 commitment by both agencies to complete further travel management planning, the Forest Service 2005 Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212) requires each National Forest unit to complete travel management planning that will include the designation of routes open to motorized travel culminating with the completion and publication of a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). The Chief of the Forest Service has set a 4-year target to complete these initial motorized use designations that will define the MVUM. It is understood that the BLM will also include their route-by- route designations for motorized and mechanized travel on roads and trails traversing public lands in the Gunnison Field Office area on the Forest Service MVUM. National Forest System (NFS) lands are lands managed by the Forest Service. Public lands are lands managed by BLM. Both National Forest System lands and public lands in the Gunnison Basin will be addressed in this effort. Proposed Action: The proposed action is to designate selected roads and trails open to motorized and/or mechanized travel (wheeled vehicles only) on the Gunnison National Forest (NFS lands) and Gunnison Area public lands (BLM). Where it is appropriate and necessary, the designations will also set specific seasons (i.e., yearlong, summer, fall-summer-spring) of use and type of use (e.g., full-sized vehicles, ATV's, motorcycles, or mountain bikes) for those routes. The Forest Service will produce a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) depicting those routes which are open to the general public for motorized and/or mechanized travel. Possible Alternatives: Alternatives to the proposed action will be considered and evaluated. The No Action alternative would be to adopt the September 1, 2000 map of existing roads and trails as those routes open to motorized and mechanized travel. Alternatives to the Proposed Action and No Action will depict differing combinations of routes to remain open to motorized and/or mechanized travel. The Proposed Action and the alternative actions will provide a system of routes that differ from existing conditions and the No Action alternative. Less restrictive alternatives would generally entail designating a greater number of miles of road or trail to be open for motorized and mechanized travel than the Proposed Action. Alternatives considered to be less restrictive could also include fewer constraints on season of use or vehicle types allowed on designated routes. The less restrictive alternative would generally provide for more motorized and mechanized recreational use opportunities. More restrictive alternatives would generally entail designating fewer miles of road or trail to be open for motorized and mechanized travel than the Proposed Action or have more constraints on season of use and vehicle types using designated routes. The more restrictive alternative(s) would provide motorized and mechanized recreational opportunities yet there may be a greater emphasis on non-motorized recreational opportunities. A consequence of designating routes open for motorized and/or mechanized travel is that those existing routes not designated as open would be identified as closed to motorized and/or mechanized travel. Road closure procedures that involve ground disturbing activities would not be a part of the Proposed Action or alternatives and would generally require separate and distinct site-specific NEPA decisions regarding the implementation aspects of road closures. The environmental consequences of having routes closed to motorized and/or mechanized travel will be evaluated in this environmental assessment. Identification of new routes that would meet the goals and objectives for a motorized and/or mechanized transportation system on both Public lands and NFS lands will be, as appropriate, a part of this travel management planning, but would require separate, site-specific NEPA decisions to implement ground disturbing activities associated with new route construction. Lead Agencies: The Forest Service and the BLM are joint lead agencies (CEQ Sec. 1506.2). USDA, Forest Service, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest. USDI, Bureau of Land Management, Gunnison Field Office. Responsible Officials: The Responsible Official for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest is Charles Richmond, Forest Supervisor, GMUG National Forest, 2250 Highway 50, Delta, CO 81401. The Responsible Official for the BLM Gunnison Field Office is Kenny McDaniel, Manager, Gunnison Field Office, 216 North Colorado, Gunnison, CO 81230. Nature of Decisions To Be Made: Based on the purpose and need for the proposed action, the Forest Supervisor and the Field Office Manager will evaluate the Proposed Action and other alternatives in order to make the following decisions for the specific federal lands they have authority over: Those roads or trails that will be designated as open to the public for motorized and/or mechanized travel; and, The allowed season and/or type of use for those routes open to motorized and/or mechanized travel. Federal land managers are directed (Executive Order 11644, 36 CFR 212, and 43 CFR 8342.1) to ensure that the use of motorized vehicles and off-road vehicles will be controlled and directed so as to protect the resources of those lands, to promote the safety of users, minimize conflicts among the various uses of the federal lands, and to provide for public use of roads and trails designated as open. Permits or Licenses Required: No other permits or licenses are required to be obtained by either the Forest Service or the BLM to make decisions regarding motorized and/or mechanized travel on federal lands managed by the two agencies. Scoping Process: Preliminary public involvement was initiated in the summer 2006 in an effort to educate the public and stakeholders on the objectives of travel management. The public was also asked to provide input to the Forest Service and BLM on routes they wanted to remain open and/or those routes that may be in conflict with other desired conditions sought by the public on Forest and BLM lands. This initial comment period ended in October 2006 with the agencies receiving numerous comments on individual routes, a few general comments and some area-wide comments on travel. There were over 800 route specific comments, many of which addressed the same route(s). This initial public input will help the Forest Service and BLM to develop a preliminary route-by-route proposed action that will be utilized in a more formal scoping process. The Forest Service and the BLM will jointly conduct the following public meetings to solicit for comments and concerns from the public and interested parties on motorized and/or mechanized travel on National Forest System (NFS) lands and Public Lands:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Jarbidge Field Office, in order to protect natural resources and stabilization treatments conducted following the 2006 Sailor Cap Fire, is implementing an emergency temporary closure to all motorized vehicle traffic off established roads which are capable of being traveled by full size vehicles (e.g. all-terrain vehicles, pickups, motorcycles, sport utility vehicles, snowmobiles, etc.) within the fire perimeter and along fenced livestock allotments. The closure area follows the most logical boundaries according to transportation routes (please refer to supplementary information for description of closure area). The purpose of the closure is to restrict off-road vehicle use while providing continued public access to and through the area. Vehicles traveling cross-country in a burned area may damage reemerging plants, increase erosion and spread noxious weeds. Motorized vehicles may continue to use established roads capable of being traveled by full size vehicles.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is scheduled to file the plat of survey of the lands described below thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication in the BLM Wyoming State Office, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

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) Boise District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will hold a meeting as indicated below.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to K'oyit[lstrok]'ots'ina, Limited, Successor in Interest to Bin Googa, Inc. The lands are in the vicinity of Huslia, Alaska, and are located in:

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) Idaho Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

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) has examined and determined that 50 acres of public land (2 parcels) located in Grand County, Utah are suitable for disposal by direct (non-competitive) sale to the Palladium Foundation LLC, the adjacent landowner, at no less than the appraised fair market value, pursuant to Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended. The parcels are isolated from other public lands by adjacent private land and topography and are difficult to manage as part of the public lands. It has been determined that resource values will not be affected by the disposal of the two parcels as mitigated in the patent. The non- competitive sale is justified by lack of physical access to the lands by anyone other than the adjacent landowner. Disposal of the parcels will resolve historic use of the lands for livestock grazing and hay production which have been authorized by BLM under land use permit UTU- 64085 since 1989. The permit will be terminated at the time of sale.

This notice consolidates and clarifies current stay limits on occupancy and/or property on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Existing limits vary among field offices and states. This notice will establish stay limits on all public lands managed by the BLM as required by 43 CFR 8365 1-2. The proposed stay limits are necessary to protect the natural resources, provide public health, and to provide orderly, equal and consistent use for the public. These proposed stay limits will supersede all existing camping stay limits for BLM administered public lands in Montana, North Dakota & South Dakota published previously.

The Department of the Interior proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6665 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6665 withdrew 180 acres of public lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the United States mining laws to protect the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Britton Springs Administrative Site and Crooked Creek Natural Area. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting. The lands have been and will remain open to mineral leasing.

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), together with the City of Palm Springs, has prepared a Draft EIS/EIR for the Mountain View IV Wind Energy Project and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period. The BLM is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of this EIS in compliance with the requirements of NEPA. The City of Palm Springs is the lead agency for the State of California for the preparation of this EIR in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

This notice is to request nominations for the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Advisory Board. The seven member terms on the Board expired December 29, 2006. The Board provides advice and recommendations to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on resource management issues associated with the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) planning regulations, the BLM hereby gives notice that the Socorro DRMPR/DEIS is available for public review and comment.

On Friday, March 2, 2007, the Bureau of Land Management's Las Vegas Field Office published a Federal Register Notice (72FR9583) soliciting public comments through April 2, 2007, regarding a proposed shooting closure on approximately 11,000 acres of selected BLM-managed public lands in Nye County, Nevada. This Notice hereby extends that public comment period 30 days. Date and Time: Written public comments may be mailed or hand delivered to the Bureau of Land Management, Las Vegas Field Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130. Comments also may be submitted electronically at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. All comments must be received by Wednesday, May 2, 2007.

Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Maysdorf Coal Lease Application FEIS. The lease tract is being considered for sale as a result of a coal lease application received from Cordero Mining Company (CMC), operator of the adjacent Cordero Rojo Mine in Campbell County, Wyoming.

The plats of survey of the following described lands were officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington State Office, Portland, Oregon, on February 7, 2007.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving the surface estate in certain lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to The Aleut Corporation. The lands are located in the vicinity of Atka, Alaska. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Anchorage Daily News.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Maserculiq, Incorporated. The lands are in the vicinity of the Native village of Marshall, Alaska, and are located in:

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188 (d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Ryder Oil and Gas LLC for noncompetitive oil and gas lease WYW137943 for land in Fremont County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.