Bureau of Land Management 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

This final rule replaces Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 3, Site Security (Order 3), with new regulations codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The final rule establishes minimum standards for oil and gas facility site security, and includes provisions to ensure that oil and gas produced from Federal and Indian (except Osage Tribe) oil and gas leases are properly and securely handled, so as to ensure accurate measurement, production accountability, and royalty payments, and to prevent theft and loss. The BLM developed this rule based on the proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2015, and tribal and public comments the BLM received on the proposed rule. This rule strengthens the BLM's policies governing production verification and accountability by updating and replacing the existing requirements of Order 3 to address changes in technology and industry practices that have occurred in the 25 years since Order 3 was issued, and to respond to recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with respect to the BLM's production verification efforts. Like the proposed rule, the final rule addresses Facility Measurement Points (FMPs), site facility diagrams, the use of seals, bypasses around meters, documentation, recordkeeping, commingling, off- lease measurement, the reporting of incidents of unauthorized removal or mishandling of oil and condensate, and immediate assessments for certain acts of noncompliance. The final rule also establishes a process for the BLM to consider variances from the requirements of the final regulation. Some of the key changes from the proposed rule that are incorporated into the final rule include: Additional exemptions from the final rule's commingling requirements; a streamlined FMP application and approval process; simplified site facility diagram submissions; and clarifications to tank gauging procedures and frequency. The BLM believes that this final rule, as well as the final rules to update and replace Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 4 (Order 4), related to measurement of oil, and Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 5 (Order 5), related to measurement of gas enhance the BLM's overall production verification and accountability program.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is scheduled to file plats of survey thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication in the BLM Wyoming State Office, Cheyenne, Wyoming. The surveys were executed at the request of the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service and are necessary for the management of these lands. The lands surveyed are: The plat and field notes representing the dependent resurvey of a portion of the west boundary, Tracts 37, 38 and 40, portions of Tract 41, and portions of the subdivisional lines, and the survey of the subdivision of section 27, Township 13 North, Range 101 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming, Group No. 937, was accepted November 8, 2016. The plat and field notes representing the dependent resurvey of portions of the west and north boundaries, and portions of the subdivisional lines, and the survey of the subdivision of section 6, Township 26 North, Range 71 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming, Group No. 941, was accepted November 8, 2016. The plat and field notes representing the dependent resurvey of portions of Tracts 37 and 38, and portions of the subdivisional lines, and the survey of the subdivision of sections 12, 26 and 27, Township 26 North, Range 72 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming, Group No. 942, was accepted November 8, 2016. The plat and field notes representing the dependent resurvey of portions of the west boundary and subdivisional lines, the survey of the subdivision of section 18, and the survey of the meanders of portions of the left bank of Belle Fourche River, Township 53 North, Range 65 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming, Group No. 945, was accepted November 8, 2016. The plat and field notes representing the dependent resurvey of portions of the subdivisional lines and the survey of the subdivision of sections 12 and 13, Township 53 North, Range 66 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Wyoming, Group No. 945, was accepted November 8, 2016.

Notice is hereby given that an emergency closure is in effect on public lands administered by the Marys Peak Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to provide for public health and safety during operations of the Fall-Cole Timber Sale.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC) will meet as indicated below:

Notice is hereby given that a two-year motor vehicle closure is in effect for a one-quarter mile section of the Point Barr Road (BLM 5969), located on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Royal Gorge Field Office. The motorized vehicle road closure is needed to protect the public and property due to unsafe road conditions. The public is permitted to use this road during the closure period without the use of a motorized vehicle. Access by foot, horse or bicycle travel is allowed. Heavy rains and flash flooding in late summer 2015 caused a constructed road retention wall to fail, making this and other portions of the road unsafe for motorized vehicle traffic.

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

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) Dominguez- Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) Advisory Council (Council) will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing a supplementary rule addressing conduct on public lands in the vicinity of Corona Arch and Gemini Bridges in Grand County, Utah. The proposed supplementary rule would prohibit roped activities around Corona Arch and Gemini Bridges. Such activities involve the use of ropes or other climbing aids, and include, but are not limited to, ziplining, highlining, slacklining, traditional rock climbing, sport rock climbing, rappelling, and swinging.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 3 Bars Ecosystem and Landscape Restoration Project (3 Bars Project) and by this notice is announcing its availability.

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) (43 U.S.C. 1711-1712), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Farmington Field Office, Farmington, New Mexico is preparing a Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of a scoping process to solicit public comments and to identify issues specifically related to analysis of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) managed mineral leasing and associated activity decisions pursuant to 25 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200 et seq. as part of the EIS for the Farmington RMPA.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer by competitive sale three parcels of public land totaling 165.92 acres in Lincoln County, Nevada, at no less than the appraised fair market values (FMV) of $154,000 for N-89778, containing 12.20 acres; $145,000 for N-89322 containing 143.72 acres; and $140,000 for N-89336 containing 10.00 acres. The sale will be subject to the applicable provision of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and applicable BLM land sale regulations.

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 that enables the BLM to evaluate and process applications for commercial, competitive, and organized group recreational uses of the public lands, and individual use of special areas. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has assigned control number 1004-0119 to this collection.

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.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (State) has filed a petition for classification and application to obtain public lands and mineral estate in lieu of lands to which the State was entitled, but did not receive under its Statehood Act. The State did not receive title because the lands had previously been appropriated. Under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to classify sufficient acreage of public lands/minerals in Montana for title transfer to the State to satisfy this obligation to the State. Of the area proposed for State Indemnity Selection, 10,560 acres are designated as greater sage-grouse General Habitat Management area.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended; the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended; and the National Forest Management Act of 1976, as amended (NFMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have participated as cooperating agencies with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the preparation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project (MVP) and Equitrans Expansion Project (Equitrans) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Draft EIS addresses the impacts of these projects, the associated draft Jefferson National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) amendments of the USFS, and the application to the BLM for a right-of-way grant sought by Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC (Mountain Valley) for the MVP project. With this agency-specific Notice of Availability, the BLM and the USFS are announcing the opening of the FERC comment period. Comments need to be timely and specific, showing a direct relationship to the proposal and include supporting reasons.

A Notice of Amended Proposed Withdrawal was published in the Federal Register (FR) on September 30, 2016 for approximately 5,216.18 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed public domain and revested Oregon California Railroad lands and 95,805.53 acres of National Forest System lands (80 FR 37015). The amended application increased the proposed withdrawal term from 5 years to 20 years, and added the purpose of protecting the Southwestern Oregon watershed from possible adverse effects of mineral development. The amended application does not affect the current segregation, which expires June 28, 2017, unless the application is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. This notice announces the date, time, and location of a public meeting to be held for the amended application.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Office is publishing this notice to inform the public of the intent to officially file the survey plats listed below and afford a proper period of time to protest this action prior to the plat filing. During this time, the plats will be available for review in the BLM Colorado State Office.

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 regarding the construction and maintenance of range improvement projects. The respondents include holders of BLM grazing permits or grazing leases; affected individuals and households; and affected tribal, state, and county agencies. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) previously approved this information collection activity, and assigned it control number 1004-0019.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM), Las Cruces 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 Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Advisory Committee (GSENMAC) will meet as indicated below.

The October 2016 Utah Resource Advisory Council meeting has been postponed.

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

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Desert District Advisory Council (DAC) will meet as indicated below.

This final rule updates the fees set forth in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mineral resources regulations for the processing of certain minerals program-related actions. It also adjusts certain filing fees for minerals-related documents. These updated fees include those for actions such as lease renewals and mineral patent adjudications.