Department of the Interior August 25, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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) has prepared the Ring of Fire Proposed Resource Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for public lands and resources administered by the Bureau of Land Management's Anchorage Field Office.

The Department is rescinding the February 5, 1992, CAP Water Reallocation Decision that modified the March 24, 1983, CAP Water Allocation Decision. The Department is publishing a Final Decision of CAP Water Reallocation in accordance with the Arizona Water Settlements Act (Settlements Act).

The Bureau of Land Management has examined and found suitable for classification for lease/conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.) 1.65 acres of public land in La Plata County, Colorado. The Upper Pine Fire Protection District proposes to use the land for a fire station along U.S. Highway 160, approximately six miles west of Bayfield, Colorado.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease or conveyance to the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended, (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.) 9.4 acres of public land in Baker County, Oregon. The Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation proposes to use the land as part of the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Azachorok Incorporated. The lands are in the vicinity of the Native village of Mountain Village, Alaska, and are located in: U.S. Survey No. 4055, Alaska.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requests comments and suggestions to assist in the writing of a proposed rule to establish a commercial leasing program for oil shale. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) Complete a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for a commercial leasing program for oil shale and tar sands resources on public lands, with emphasis on the most geologically prospective lands within Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, and (2) Publish a final rule establishing such program, not later than 180 days after completion of the PEIS. On May 18, 2006, BLM published a final rule for the leasing of tar sands. As an aid in preparing the proposed rule to establish an oil shale commercial leasing system and regulate oil shale mining operations, we encourage members of the public to provide comments and suggestions on the following key components; royalty rate; fair market value for conversion of preference right acreage and for commercial leasing; diligence; royalty determination point; and small tract leasing. See Section III for a list of specific questions relating to these topics.