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

We, the Federal Subsistence Board, are extending the comment period through November 9, 2006, on the proposed rule that would amend the regulations governing subsistence use of fish and wildlife in Alaska by creating an additional subsistence resource region for the Kenai Peninsula.

We, the Federal Subsistence Board, are withdrawing the direct final rule that would have amended the regulations governing subsistence use of fish and wildlife in Alaska by creating an additional subsistence resource region for the Kenai Peninsula. We predicate this withdrawal on the fact that we have received significant adverse comments, specifically relating to the lack of public input on this issue.

Public comment period is being extended on the Proposed Clark, Lincoln, and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project. The comment period is being extended due to extensive public comment and a high level of public interest.

We invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

Pursuant to the regulations implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will hold Public Hearings to solicit comments on the Draft EIS for the Proposed 2007-2012 OCS Oil and Gas 5-Year Leasing Program, as announced in the Federal Register notifying the availability of the Draft EIS on August 25, 2006. Statements, both oral and written, will be received at the venues listed below. Persons wishing to speak may be put on the speakers' list by the MMS contacts in advance of the specific public hearing or may sign up at the hearing. Time limits may be set on oral testimony to allow time for all speakers to participate. The following Public Hearings are planned for the DEIS.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on the proposal to designate critical habitat for Astragalus ampullarioides (Shivwits milk-vetch) and Astragalus holmgreniorum (Holmgren milk-vetch) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of the draft economic analysis for the proposed designation of critical habitat for Holmgren and Shivwits milk-vetches. The draft economic analysis finds that, over 20 years, post-designation costs for Holmgren and Shivwits milk-vetch conservation-related activities are estimated to range between $8.8 and $14.1 million in undiscounted 2006 dollars. In discounted terms, potential post- designation economic costs are estimated to be $8.5 to $13.0 million (using a 3 percent discount rate) or $8.2 to $12.1 million (using a 7 percent discount rate). In addition, we announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment that has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ) (NEPA). Finally, we propose to revise boundary descriptions for two critical habitat subunits: Holmgren milk-vetch's Unit 2a (Stucki Spring) and Unit 2b (South Hills).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the northern Mexican gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops) as threatened or endangered with critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The petitioners provided three listing scenarios for consideration by the Service: (1) Listing the United States population as a Distinct Population Segment (DPS); (2) listing Thamnophis eques megalops throughout its range in the United States and Mexico based on its rangewide status; or (3) listing Thamnophis eques megalops throughout its range in the United States and Mexico based on its status in the United States. After thorough analysis and review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing of the subspecies, under any of the three scenarios, is not warranted. Of the three listing scenarios specified above, we found scenario two provided the most rigorous evaluation of the status of the northern Mexican gartersnake and herein provide detailed discussion of our conclusions in that context. We also provide additional discussion of our evaluation of scenarios (1) listing the United States population as a DPS and (3) listing Thamnophis eques megalops throughout its range in the United States and Mexico based on its status in the United States.

Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201 (b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3410, all interested qualified parties, as provided in 43 CFR 3472.1, are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Campbell County, Wyoming:

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council (Council) was established by the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-320) (Act) to receive reports and advise Federal agencies on implementing the Act. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Bureau of Reclamation announces that the Council will meet as detailed below. Dates and Location: The Council will conduct its annual meeting at the following time and location: Wednesday, October 25, 2006Scottsdale AZThe meeting will be held at the Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 North Scottsdale Road. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m., recess at approximately 1 p.m., and reconvene briefly the following day at 1 p.m.

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2006-07 migratory bird hunting seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which commences on September 23, 2006. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons and to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations.

Notice is hereby given of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) implementation of the Recreation Resource Advisory Committee provisions of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Pursuant to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and a signed Interagency Agreement between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, the BLM will utilize existing BLM Resource Advisory Councils to make recommendations on BLM and Forest Service recreation fee issues in the following States: Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah. Both the BLM and the FS will use new Recreation RACs, chartered by the FS, for the Pacific Northwest Region (Oregon and Washington), the Pacific Southwest Region (California), the State of Colorado, and for the Eastern and Southern Regions (these represent most States east of the Rockies). Any of the existing BLM Resource Advisory Councils or the new FS- chartered RRACs may also establish Subcommittees for recreation fee- related matters.

The purpose of this notice is to announce an upcoming meeting of the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area Advisory Committee Meeting. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide informed advice to the Safford Field Manager on management of public lands in the Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area in southeastern Arizona. The meeting will be held at the Bureau of Land Management Safford Field Office on October 18, 2006, commencing at 8 a.m. and ending at approximately 4 p.m. The meeting will serve as an orientation for the newly appointed representatives to the seven-member committee, and will include a field trip to the Gila Box. The entire meeting is open to the public, but those wishing to accompany the Committee on the field trip must provide their own transportation. The public can speak before the Committee at 9 a.m.

In compliance with the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) planning regulations, Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1610.2(f)(3) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations, Title 40 CFR 1502.9(a), the BLM hereby gives notice that the LHFO PRMP/FEIS is available for public review and comment. The planning area encompasses more than 1.3 million acres of BLM- administered lands.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), will be developing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer and the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge (Refuges). We also announce four public open house meetings. We furnish this notice in order to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions and obtain public comments, suggestions, and information on the scope of issues to include in the Refuges' CCP/EIS.

Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d), Baldwin Exploration Corp. timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease NDM 94458, Mountrail County, North Dakota, together with a request for a rental and royalty reduction allowed under 43 CFR 3108.2-3(f). The lessee paid the required rental at the rate provided in the original lease terms. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The lessee paid the $500 administration fee for the reinstatement of the lease and $163 cost for publishing this Notice. The lessee met the requirements for reinstatement of the lease per Sec. 31 (d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188). We are proposing to reinstate the lease, effective the date of termination subject to the original terms and conditions of the lease.

Mr. Harlow Brown (Applicant/Cooperator) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an Enhancement of Survival Permit (ESP) for the Utah prairie dog (UPD) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This permit application includes a Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) between the Applicant and the Service. The Service requests information, views, and opinions from the public via this notice. Further, the Service is soliciting information regarding the adequacy of the SHA as measured against the Service's Safe Harbor Policy and the regulations that implement it.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this information collection.

Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a White-tailed Deer Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC. The purpose of this plan and EIS is to develop a deer management plan that supports long-term protection, preservation, and restoration of native vegetation and other natural and cultural resources within the park. A scoping brochure will be prepared that details the issues identified to date, and possible alternatives to be considered. Copies of the brochure may be obtained from Rock Creek Park Natural Resources Division or the NPS Web site (https://www.nps.gov/rocr).

These interim final supplementary rules, applicable to specified public lands administered by BLM's Moab Field Office, require the possession, set up for usage, and use of portable toilets for individuals and groups camping on public lands administered by the Moab Field Office in the White Wash Sand Dunes area of Grand County Utah. This action is necessary to protect public health and maintain public land recreation opportunities in the area.

Pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201 (b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3410, all interested qualified parties, as provided in 43 CFR 3472.1, are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in its program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Campbell County, WY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the Recovery Plan for Camissonia benitensis (San Benito evening-primrose). This plant species is found primarily in the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) in San Benito County, California; the CCMA is managed by the Hollister Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management.