Department of the Interior January 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 250, ``Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of-Way,'' and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 280, ``Prospecting for Minerals other than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf,'' and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

In order to implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention), the Parties to the Convention meet periodically to review which species in international trade should be regulated and other aspects of the implementation of CITES. The fourteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP14) is tentatively scheduled to be held June 3-15, 2007, in The Hague, Netherlands. Therefore, with this notice we are soliciting recommendations for amending Appendices I and II of CITES at CoP14. We are also soliciting recommendations for resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion at CoP14. We invite you to provide us with information and recommendations on animal and plant species that should be considered as candidates for U.S. proposals to amend CITES Appendices I and II. Such amendments may concern the addition of species to Appendix I or II, the transfer of species from one Appendix to another, or the removal of species from Appendix II. We also invite you to provide us with information and recommendations on possible resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion at the upcoming meeting. Finally, with this notice we also describe the U.S. approach to preparations for CoP14.

The National Park Service Director has determined that Garden Canyon, located within Fort Huachuca, Cochise County, Arizona, appears to meet the criteria for national significance and proposes to recommend the site for designation as a National Natural Landmark. The public is invited to comment on this recommendation. This proposal will be considered by the National Park System Advisory Board at a meeting to be held on March 21 and 22, 2006, at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, in the Ribault Club, 11241 Fort George Rd., Jacksonville, Florida.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge are available for review and comment. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a comprehensive conservation plan is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, plans identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), with and on behalf of other joint-lead agencies (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [Corps], Department of Defense; and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission [Commission], State of New Mexico), has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to assess the consequences of proposed changes to water operations in the Rio Grande basin above Fort Quitman, Texas. The DEIS is programmatic and is not intended to authorize specific projects that may also be applied to the upper Rio Grande system. It is anticipated that a plan for water operations at existing Reclamation and Corps facilities will be developed. The DEIS presents alternatives with respect to water operations and evaluates the environmental, economic, and social effects of these alternatives. Some of the alternatives considered include changing the channel capacity criteria at Albuquerque, storage or non-storage of Rio Grande water in authorized San Juan-Chama space in Abiquiu Reservoir, and operation of the Low Flow Conveyance Channel.

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) Alaska Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is contemplating awarding co-exclusive licenses to: Columbia Analytical Services, Inc., 1317 South 13th Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626 and EON Products, Inc., P.O. Box 443, Snellville, GA 30078 on U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/ 767,496, entitled ``Porous Polyethylene Diffusion Sampler for Ground Water.`` Inquiries: If other parties are interested in similar activities, or have comments related to the prospective awards, please contact Neil Mark, USGS, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 201, Reston, Virginia 20192, voice (703) 648-4344, fax (703) 648-7219, or e-mail nmark@usgs.gov.

The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Final Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Denali National Park and Preserve. The document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a preferred alternative and three other action alternatives for managing the park and preserve's backcountry. A no action alternative also is evaluated.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces an extension of the public comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Report for Vegetation Treatments on Public Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the Western United States, Including Alaska. The draft national programmatic EIS and environmental report on vegetation treatments involves the use of chemical herbicides and other methods on the public lands administered by BLM in 17 western states, including Alaska.

Pursuant to the National Trails System Act of 1968 (Pub. L. 90-543), as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service (NPS) are initiating preparation of a Comprehensive Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement (CMP/EIS) for the Old Spanish National Historic Trail in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California.

The Supplement to the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released to the public on December 5, 2005, (70 FR 72462, December 5, 2005) for a 60- day review and comment period ending February 3, 2006. Due to public and elected official requests, the comment period for the Supplement is being extended 30 days.

Ocean Shore Estates, LLC (Applicant) requests an incidental take permit (ITP) for a duration of five years, pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The Applicant anticipates destroying about 1.8 acres of occupied Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens (scrub- jay) habitat in Section 21, Township 13 South, Range 32 East, Volusia County, Florida. Habitat destruction would be expected due to vegetation clearing and the subsequent construction of infrastructure and single-family homes. One scrub-jay family could be taken as a result of the Applicant's proposed actions. The Applicant's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) describes the alternatives considered, as well as mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the effects of the project on the scrub- jay. These measures are also outlined in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. We announce the availability of the ITP application, HCP, and an environmental assessment. Copies of the application, HCP, and environmental assessment may be obtained by making a request to the Southeast Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). Requests must be in writing to be processed. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10 of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

The following permits were issued.

This notice announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge are available for review and comment. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a comprehensive conservation plan is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the plan identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment to address offering the sale of public lands within Ada, Canyon, Payette, and Valley Counties, Idaho not currently identified for disposal.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is seeking comments from the public on an extension of an information collection from persons seeking proof of American Indian or Alaska Native blood, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The information collected under OMB Control Number 1076-0153 will be used to establish that the applicants meet requirements for official recognition as an American Indian or Alaska native for purposes of eligibility determination and participation in programs administered through the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

We announce our receipt of applications to conduct certain activities pertaining to enhancement of survival of endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has issued the following permits.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for the Coeur d'Alene Field Office.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and associated regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that evaluates, analyzes, and discloses to the public direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of a proposal to further develop the Jonah natural gas field through infill drilling in Sublette County, Wyoming.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the stream management plan, abbreviated final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Iowa.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 3507) and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on an extension of a currently approved information collection (OMB 1024-0009).

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 3507) and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record keeping Requirements, the National Park Service invites public comments on a submitted request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve an extension of a currently approved collection (OMB 1024-1018). The primary purpose of the Information Collection Request is to nominate properties for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation's cultural resources worthy of preservation, which public law requires that the Secretary of the Interior maintain and expand. Properties are listed in the National Register upon nomination by State Historic Preservation Officers and Federal Preservation Officers. Law also requires Federal agencies to request determinations of eligibility for property under their jurisdiction or affected by their programs and projects. The forms provide the historic documentation on which decisions for listing and eligibility are based.