Bureau of Land Management August 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting that the Secretary of the Interior extend the duration of the withdrawal created by Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7296 for an additional 20-year term subject to valid existing rights. PLO No. 7296 withdrew approximately 2,489.40 acres of National Forest System land from mining, but not from mineral leasing, to protect the scientific values of the Sacramento Peak Observatory located in the Lincoln National Forest. PLO No. 7296 will expire on November 28, 2017, unless extended. This notice gives the public an opportunity to comment on the application and to request a public meeting. This notice also amends the number of acres subject to PLO No. 7296. The number of acres that are subject to the withdrawal has been increased due to previously unsurveyed sections being surveyed since the withdrawal was originally created.

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), and the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) Boundary Modification Act of 2017 (Modification Act), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reconsidering the decision to approve a Right-of-Way (ROW) application for Segments 8 and 9 of the Gateway West 500-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project (Project). By this Notice the BLM announces the beginning of scoping to solicit public comments and identify issues associated with such reconsideration, including the potential amendment of several Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and Management Framework Plans (MFPs) in the project area. The BLM analyzed the impacts of the alternative that it is reconsidering in the 2016 Gateway West Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The BLM will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to reconsider the January 19, 2017 Decision, including the land use plan amendments associated with a specific action alternative identified in the Supplemental EIS.

As required under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, Emerald Oil, Inc. timely filed a petition for reinstatement of competitive oil and gas lease NDM 94112, McKenzie County, North Dakota. The lessee paid the required rental and royalties accruing from the date of termination. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The Bureau of Land Management proposes to reinstate the lease.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska State Office is issuing a call for nominations and comments on all unleased tracts for the upcoming National Petroleum ReserveAlaska (NPR-A) Oil and Gas Lease Sale, including tracts currently unavailable for leasing under the 2013 NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is scheduled to file plats of survey 30 calendar days from the date of this publication in the BLM Wyoming State Office, Cheyenne, Wyoming. The surveys, which were executed at the request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the BLM, are necessary for the management of these lands.