Department of the Interior May 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In response to the inherent risks of gaming enterprises and the resulting need for effective internal controls in Tribal gaming operations, the National Indian Gaming Commission (Commission or NIGC) first developed Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) for Indian gaming in 1999, and then later revised them in 2002. The Commission recognized from the outset that periodic technical adjustments and revisions would be necessary in order to keep the MICS effective in protecting Tribal gaming assets and the interests of Tribal stakeholders and the gaming public. To that end, the following final rule revisions contain certain corrections and revisions to the Commission's existing MICS, which are necessary to correct erroneous citations or references in the MICS and to clarify, improve, and update other existing MICS provisions. The purpose of these final MICS revisions is to address apparent shortcomings in the MICS and various changes in Tribal gaming technology and methods. Public comment to these final MICS revisions was received by the Commission for a period of 48 days after the date of their publication in the Federal Register as a proposed rule on December 1, 2004. Thereafter, the comment period was extended for an additional 31 days until February 18, 2005. After consideration of all received comments, the Commission has made whatever changes to the proposed revisions that it deemed appropriate and is now promulgating and publishing the final revisions to the Commission's MICS Rule, 25 CFR part 542.

On Monday, April 18, 2005, the Bureau of Land Management published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Alamosa River Watershed Restoration Master Plan in the Federal Register [70 FR 20171]. The notice contains two errors in the DATES section. There will be no public meeting as mentioned in the previous notice and the 30 day comment period will end on June 2, 2005 instead of April 14, 2005 as the previous notice indicated.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex are now available for public review and comment. The CCP identifies the purposes for which the refuges in the refuge complex were established, and the roles they will play in fulfilling the mission of the Service and the mission and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The EA identifies three alternatives for managing the refuge complex, and discusses how each of them will affect its physical, archaeological, historical, and socioeconomic environments. The draft states the desired future conditions for habitat, wildlife, people, and facilities on the refuge complex; ensures that the management of the refuge complex reflects the mission, goals, mandates, and policies of the NWRS; ensures that its present and future wildlife-dependent recreational uses are compatible with the purposes for which each of its refuges was established; provides long-term continuity in its management direction; provides a basis for developing its refuge budgets; outlines a plan for conserving habitat and identifies land for future protection; and, provides an understanding of its proposed management to refuge neighbors, visitors, and local officials (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below). We will develop the final CCP for the refuge complex after carefully reviewing all of the comments we receive on its draft. For details on how to submit your comments, see DATES and ADDRESSES below.

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) Central California Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

We are approving an amendment to the Kentucky regulatory program (the ``Kentucky program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Kentucky submitted examples of common husbandry practices in response to a required amendment.

We (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) have updated information on nesting of American peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus anatum) in the western United States and have determined the allowed take of nestlings in 12 western states in 2005.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) hereby provides public notice that ENVIRON-Metal, Inc., of Sweet Home, Oregon, has applied for approval of 62 percent iron, 25 percent tungsten, and 13 percent nickel shot as nontoxic for waterfowl hunting in the United States. The Service has initiated review of the shot under the criteria set out in Tier 1 of the nontoxic shot approval procedures given at 50 CFR 20.134.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Advisory Board will meet June 1, 2005, from 1 to 5 p.m. (PDT) at the Best Western Sunridge Inn, One Sunridge Way, Baker City, Oregon. Meeting topics may include the long-range marketing plan, education and outreach, the strategic plan versus budget, and other topics as may come before the board. The meeting is open to the public. Public comment is scheduled for 2 to 2:15 p.m.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145709 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time, was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated and, in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 188(i)(2) and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(f) included a request for reduced rental and royalty.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145711 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time, was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated and, in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 188(i)(2) and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(f) included a request for reduced rental and royalty.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145708 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time, was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated and, in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 188(i)(2) and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(f) included a request for reduced rental and royalty.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145695 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time, was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated and, in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 188(i)(2) and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(f) included a request for reduced rental and royalty.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145707 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time, was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated and, in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 188(i)(2) and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(f) included a request for reduced rental and royalty.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease WYW145691 for lands in Big Horn County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time, was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated and, in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 188(i)(2) and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(f) included a request for reduced rental and royalty.