Department of the Interior November 22, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), MMS is notifying the public that it has submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements under the Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions, issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries) and are titled: ``Notices to Lessees and Operators (NTLs)Implementation of Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Program; Vessel Strike Avoidance and Injured/Dead Protected Species Reporting; and, Marine Trash and Debris Awareness and Elimination.'' This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge in Union and Ouachita Parishes are available for distribution. The plan was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and describes how the refuge will be managed for the next 15 years. The compatibility determinations for big game hunting, small game hunting, migratory bird hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation, trapping of selected furbearers, and horseback riding are also available within the plan.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Draft White-tailed Deer Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Catoctin Mountain Park, Thurmont, Maryland. The purpose of the DEIS is to identify a preferred white-tailed deer management plan from a range of alternatives that supports forest regeneration and provides for long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of native species and cultural resources. The DEIS evaluates four alternatives for managing white-tailed deer in the park. The document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of three action alternatives and the no-action alternative. When implemented, the plan will guide deer management actions over the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley sandwort), Castilleja cinerea (ash-gray Indian paintbrush), and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum (southern mountain wild-buckwheat) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total approximately 1,511 acres (ac) (611 hectares (ha)) of land in San Bernardino County, California, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation for these three plant species. The majority of the lands within the proposed designation are under Federal ownership (1,394 ac (564 ha)); however, some State (4 ac (2 ha)) and private lands (112 ac (45 ha)) are also included.