Bureau of Land Management August 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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) Palm Springs/South Coast Field Office, Palm Springs, California, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) considering proposed amendments to the Blythe Solar Power Project (BSPP) right-of-way (ROW) grant (CACA-048811). The amendments include a change in technology, reduced project footprint, and operation by a different project owner. By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues for the EIS.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Visual Resources Management and Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Draft Amendment for the Rawlins Field Office, Wyoming, and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

This notice announces the relocation of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) San Pedro Project Office (SPPO), temporary closure of the office during the relocation, and reopening in its new location. Both current and new offices are in the Sierra Vista area within Cochise County, Arizona. On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at the close of business (4 p.m.), the BLM SPPO will close for the purpose of relocation. The SPPO provides support staff for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and fire and resource management for the area. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2013, at its new address. The SPPO telephone number will remain the same: 520-439-6400.

The purpose of this notice is to request public nominations to fill vacant positions on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah Resource Advisory Council (RAC), which has two positions with terms expiring on January 12, 2014. The RAC provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on land use planning and management of the National System of Public Lands within Utah. The BLM will accept public nominations for 30 days after the publication of this notice.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision will be issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to Sea Lion Corporation. The decision approves the surface estate in the lands described below for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.). The subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to Calista Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to Sea Lion Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Hooper Bay, Alaska, and are located in:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue the collection of information from individuals, households, farms, and businesses interested in cooperating with the BLM in constructing or maintaining range improvement projects that enhance or improve livestock grazing management, improve watershed conditions, enhance wildlife habitat, or serve similar purposes. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has assigned control number 1004- 0019 to this collection.

This order partially modifies a withdrawal created by an Executive Order insofar as it affects 264.21 acres of public lands withdrawn from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the public land laws, including location for non-metalliferous minerals under the United States mining laws, for protection of springs and waterholes and designated as Public Water Reserve No. 107. This order opens the lands only to exchange under the authority of the Utah Recreational Land Exchange Act of 2009.

The United States Forest Service (USFS) filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw approximately 541 acres of National Forest System lands in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest for a period of 20 years, from location and entry under the United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral or geothermal leasing laws. The purpose of the withdrawal would be to protect the cultural, recreational, and biological resources within and along the Trinity River Wild and Scenic River (TRWSR) located in Trinity County, California. This notice temporarily segregates the lands from location and entry under the United States mining laws for up to 2 years while the withdrawal application is considered. This notice also gives the public an opportunity to comment on the withdrawal application and to request a public meeting.

Notice is hereby given that a closure to target shooting is in effect on public lands administered by the Wenatchee Field Office, Spokane District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). After review and coordination with special interest groups at the local, State, and Federal levels, this temporary closure is in response to target shooting on public lands that poses immediate, serious risks to the safety of nearby residents and participants themselves. The temporary closure is enacted to protect public health and safety.

This final rule amends the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mineral resources regulations to update some fees that cover the BLM's cost of processing certain documents relating to its minerals programs and some filing fees for mineral-related documents. These updated fees include those for actions such as lease renewals and mineral patent adjudications.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and the Alaska National Lands Interest Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arctic Field Office, Fairbanks, Alaska, intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for development of petroleum resources in the Greater Mooses Tooth (GMT) Unit, at the proposed GMT1 drilling and production pad. The Supplemental EIS is being prepared for the limited purpose of supplementing the Alpine Satellite Development Plan (ASDP) Final EIS, dated September 2004, regarding the establishment of satellite oil production pads and associated infrastructure within the Alpine field.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) intends to extend the scoping period for an additional 30 days for the ongoing Rock Springs RMP, which was initiated on February 2, 2011, to address wild horse and burro management in the Rock Springs Field Office and to amend the 2008 Approved Rawlins RMP for the Adobe Town Herd Management Area in the Rawlins Field Office in Wyoming. The BLM, by this notice, is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the planning process for wild horse and burro management.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue an appealable decision to convey certain lands to Oceanside Corporation. The decision approves the surface estate in the lands described below for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq). The subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to Bristol Bay Native Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to Oceanside Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Perryville, Alaska, and are located in:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM-Eastern States office in Springfield, Virginia, 30 calendar days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget proposes to withdraw on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 2,924.65 acres of public lands and 440 acres of federally reserved mineral interests underlying non-Federal lands in Eddy County, New Mexico, to protect highly significant caves and their associated resources. This notice segregates the public lands and reserved mineral interests for up to 2 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws and gives the public an opportunity to comment on the application and to request a public meeting.

Notice is hereby given that certain coal resources in the Hay Creek II Coal Tract described below in Campbell County, Wyoming, will be offered for competitive lease by sealed bid in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended.

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.

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

Notice is hereby given to change the dates of the seasonal closure of public land in the Bald Ridge Area that was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, August 5, 1999 (64 FR 42711). The previous closure was in effect from December 15 through April 30 each winter and spring season to all use, except for specifically authorized vehicles. Pursuant to this Notice, the Bald Ridge area located south of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River and west and north of Hogan Reservoir of Park County, Wyoming on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cody Field Office, is now closed from January 1 through April 30 of each winter and spring season to all use (such as human presence, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, cross-country skiing, and all motorized use), except for specifically authorized activities. The total acreage of this closure is 6,036 acres. This action is being taken for resource protection of essential wintering habitat for elk and mule deer. No access into this area will be allowed unless permitted by the Authorized Officer (BLM, Cody Field Manager).

This notice publishes the legal description of the boundaries of the Federal lands to be held by the Secretary of the Interior in trust for the benefit of the Pechanga Band of Luise[ntilde]o Mission Indians of the State of California and the Federal lands transferred to San Diego Gas & Electric Company as mandated by Congress in Section 2(f) of the Pechanga Band of Luise[ntilde]o Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2007.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to sell a 5-acre public land parcel located in the southern portion of the Las Vegas Valley in Clark County, Nevada, under the authorities of Sections 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and the BLM land sale conveyance regulations. In compliance with Section 7b of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 (SNPLMA), the BLM proposes that the parcel be sold by direct sale to the Nevada Housing Division, a division of the State of Nevada, Department of Business and Industry, at a discounted rate based upon the appraised fair market value (FMV).