Bureau of Land Management November 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, and Secretarial Order 3355, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is releasing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Crystal Peak Minerals Inc.'s (CPM) Sevier Playa Potash Project (Project), and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

In accordance 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) Wyoming Buffalo Field Office intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and potential amendment for the 2015 Buffalo Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP). The Supplemental EIS is in response to a United States District Court, District of Montana, opinion and order (Western Organization of Resource Councils, et al vs BLM). This notice announces the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues presented in the opinion and order.

In accordance with the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska State Office, Anchorage, Alaska, intends to prepare a new Integrated Activity Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/EIS) for BLM-managed lands within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the beginning of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF), Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) has filed an application with the Department of the Interior to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7419 for an additional 20-year term for the same military purpose and location. PLO No. 7419 withdrew 2,252 acres of public land from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the United States mining laws, but not the mineral leasing laws. PLO No. 7419 was issued for the United States Air Force to provide safety buffers from potentially hazardous areas, to protect populated areas, and to comply with ammunition and explosives safety standards. This Notice gives the public an opportunity to comment on the withdrawal extension application and to request a public meeting. This Notice also amends PLO No. 7419's legal land description to reflect an amended land survey plat completed in 2016.

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) California Desert District Advisory Council (DAC) will meet as indicated below.

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 BLM, are necessary for the management of these lands.

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 5683 for an additional 40-year term. PLO No. 5683 withdrew 37.50 acres of public land from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral leasing laws and reserved under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior as part of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (PINWR), administered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This Notice gives an opportunity for the public to comment on the petition/application for the proposed withdrawal extension and to request a public meeting.

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, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Socorro Field Office will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which includes a potential Plan Amendment to the 2010 Socorro Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP) for a proposed commercial wind energy project located on public lands in Catron County, New Mexico. Publication of this Notice initiates the scoping process and opens a 30-day public comment period to solicit public comments and identify issues. Publication of this Notice also serves to segregate the public lands from appropriation under the public land laws, including location under the Mining Law, but not the Mineral Leasing Act or the Materials Act, subject to valid existing rights. This Notice initiates the public scoping process and the public lands segregation.

On July 13, 2018, the Bureau of Land Management published a Notice in the Federal Register terminating the San Rafael Swell Master Leasing Plan process. The name of the master leasing plan in the Notice was incorrect. This Notice corrects the name of the master leasing plan.

In accordance 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) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Land Use Plan Amendment (LUPA) of the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan for the OMYA Direct Land Sale Project, and by this Notice is announcing the opening of a 60-day public comment period.

In accordance 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) has prepared a Record of Decision (ROD) to Authorize a Right-of-Way (ROW) and amend the California Desert Conservation Area Plan (CDCA Plan) for the EDF Renewable Energy Palen Solar Photovoltaic Project, and by this Notice is announcing its availability. The Assistant SecretaryLand and Minerals Management (ASLM) signed the ROD on October 29, 2018, which constitutes the final decision of the Department, and makes the Approved Land Use Plan Amendment to the CDCA Plan and authorization of a ROW effective immediately. This decision is not subject to appeal under Departmental regulations, and any challenge to this decision, including the BLM Authorized Officer's issuance of the ROW as directed by this decision, must be brought in Federal district court.