Bureau of Land Management – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This order revokes Public Land Order No. 3708, insofar as it affects 709.17 acres of public lands near Fairbanks, Alaska, which reserved lands for use by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NOAA has determined the lands are no longer needed for the purpose for which they were withdrawn.

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 proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Recreational Target Shooting in the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM) and by this Notice is announcing its availability.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), are proposing to renew an information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), are proposing to renew an information collection.

Pursuant to 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), through the Worland Field Office, Worland, Wyoming, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Alkali Creek Reservoir Project (Project). The BLM, through this Notice, is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has canceled its withdrawal application and the withdrawal proposal relating to approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest system lands located within Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFAs) in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. The BLM has determined that the lands are no longer needed in connection with the proposed withdrawal. The BLM has also terminated the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement evaluating this application and proposal.

On March 31, 2017, the United States District Court for the District of Nevada held that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) violated the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (NEPA) by failing to prepare a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the designation of Sagebrush Focal Areas (SFA) in the Nevada and Northeastern California Greater Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment in Nevada. In order to comply with the court's order and to address issues raised by various interested parties, the BLM intends to consider the possibility of amending some, all or none of the BLM land use plans that were amended or revised in 2014 and 2015 regarding Greater Sage-Grouse conservation in the States of California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Montana (``2015 Sage-Grouse Plans''). By this Notice the BLM is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments on Greater Sage-Grouse land management issues that could warrant land use plan amendments.

The plats of survey described below are scheduled to be officially filed in the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Santa Fe, New Mexico, thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication.

On November 18, 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published in the Federal Register a final rule entitled, ``Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation'' (2016 final rule). The BLM is now proposing to temporarily suspend or delay certain requirements contained in the 2016 final rule until January 17, 2019. The BLM is currently reviewing the 2016 final rule and wants to avoid imposing temporary or permanent compliance costs on operators for requirements that may be rescinded or significantly revised in the near future.

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's (BLM) Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board (Advisory Board) will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Buffalo Field Office, proposes to lease a parcel of public land totaling 0.87 acres in Johnson County, Wyoming, for residential purposes. The subject parcel was inadvertently developed by the adjacent landowner (proposed lessee) as a residence without authorization. The area has a long history of occupancy and the proposed lease would provide the BLM with a reasonable option to resolve the continued unauthorized use of the affected public land. The BLM proposes to lease the lands for not less than the fair market value to N. Pearl Ross. The BLM Buffalo Resource Management Plan, dated September 22, 2015, does not exclude the subject parcel from the authorized officer's discretion to consider lease proposals in the subject area.

As required under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, Emerald WB LLC and Continental Resources Inc. timely filed a petition for reinstatement of competitive oil and gas leases NDM 94704, NDM 94705, and NDM 94706, McKenzie County, North Dakota. The lessees paid the required rentals and back royalties accruing from the date of termination. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The BLM proposes to reinstate the leases.

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), Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council (EWRAC) will meet as indicated below.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) John DaySnake 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's (BLM), San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC) will meet as indicated below:

The plats of survey of the following described lands were officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona State Office, Phoenix, Arizona, on the dates indicated. Surveys announced in this notice are necessary for the management of lands administered by the agencies indicated.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), are proposing renew an information collection with revisions.

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

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 meet as indicated below.

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) Mount Lewis Field Office, Battle Mountain, Nevada, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and is announcing the beginning of the public comment period to solicit public comments on the Draft EIS. Newmont USA Limited (Newmont) is proposing to expand its existing Phoenix Mine, which is located approximately 12 miles southwest of the Town of Battle Mountain in Lander County, Nevada. The Greater Phoenix Project (Project) includes expanding the life of the Phoenix mine from 2040 to 2063; expanding the boundary of the mine by 10,611 acres from 8,228 acres to 18,839 acres; and increasing surface disturbance by 3,497 acres, from 8,374 to 11,871 acres, of which 5,896 acres involve public lands and 5,975 acres are private land.

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.