Department of the Interior March 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Post-delisting Monitoring Plan for Eggert's sunflower (Helianthus eggertii) (Monitoring Plan). The status of Eggert's sunflower will be monitored over a 5-year period from 2006 through 2010, through annual evaluation of information routinely being collected by seven agencies that have entered into long-term management agreements with us covering 27 populations of Eggert's sunflowers, combined with a total census of these populations during the second and fifth year of the monitoring period.

Minerals Management Service (MMS), in accordance with Federal Regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), announces the availability of NEPA-related Site-Specific Environmental Assessments (SEA) and Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI), prepared by MMS for the following oil and gas activities proposed on the Gulf of Mexico OCS.

This notice announces the receipt of an application from the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water District (Flood Control District) and the availability of the final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan and Natural Community Conservation Plan (Plan), and Implementing Agreement (IA) for public review and comment. A notice of availability of the draft EIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on September 2, 2005. The application described in that notice did not include the Flood Control District, which has since been added to the list of proposed permittees. The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is considering the proposed action of issuing a 30- year incidental take permit for 28 species in response to the application. The proposed permittees are: Contra Costa County (County); the cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Oakley, and Pittsburg (cities); the Flood Control District; East Bay Regional Park District; and an Implementing Entity to be formed by the County and the cities to implement certain aspects of the Plan. The proposed permit would authorize the incidental take of individual members of species listed under the ESA. The permit is needed because take of species could occur during proposed urban development activities, rural infrastructure projects, and preserve management activities within a 174,018-acre planning area located in eastern Contra Costa County, California.

To comply with CFR 8340, Off-Road Vehicles, and land use planning for the Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix District, Hassayampa Field Office, Arizona, three route designation public meetings will be held. The purpose of these meetings is to inform the public of the process that will be used, the type of input from the public that would be helpful, and the general schedule leading to final route designations. Maps will be available. Input from the public regarding route connectivity, existing conflicts, and current or desired access will be taken.

On March 7, 2007, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management jointly published a final rule (72 FR 10308). The dates heading on page 10308 incorrectly set out the effective date as April 6, 2007. The correct effective date of the final rule is May 7, 2007, consistent with the chart on page 10328.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) with Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) concurrence is terminating the exclusion from valuation under the rules at 30 CFR 206.172 for gas produced from the Ute allotted leases in the Uintah and Ouray Reservation (Reservation), Utah. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1999 (64 FR 43506).

The Copper Mountain Community College District (District) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are considering issuing a 16-year permit to the District that would authorize take of the federally threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the expansion of their existing campus onto 71.57 acres of their 156.53-acre property. We are requesting comments on the permit application, Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan), Environmental Assessment (EA), and Implementing Agreement (IA). The District's Plan describes the mitigation and minimization measures they would implement, as required in Section 10(a)(2)(B) of the Act, to address the effects of the project on the desert tortoise (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). The EA describes the project's impacts on the human environment and analyzes the significance of those impacts. The IA describes the roles and responsibilities of District, the Service, and Joshua Tree National Park (Park) in implementation of the Plan. The draft Plan, EA, and IA are available for public review.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-109 section 102(2)(C)), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of a Draft General Management Plan (GMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (NHS), located in the town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York. Consistent with National Park Service rules, regulations, and policies, and the park's mission, the Draft GMP/EIS describes and analyzes two action alternatives to guide the management and development of Sagamore Hill NHS over the next 15 to 20 years. The action alternatives incorporate various management prescriptions to ensure protection and enjoyment of the park's resources. A status quo alternative (see below) is also evaluated. The Draft GMP/EIS evaluates potential environmental consequences of implementing the alternatives. Impact topics include cultural and natural resources, visitor experience, park operations, and the socioeconomic environment.

The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is proposing to amend several existing procedural regulations governing appeals to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) and to adopt new regulations governing consolidation, extensions of time, intervention, and motions.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3507) and 5 CFR Part 1320, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comment on an extension of a currently approved collection of information (OMB No. 1024-0022)

Under provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on an extension of a currently approved collection of information (OMB No. 1024-0236).

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Windsor Wyoming LLC, Discovery Exploration, Inc., Krislen Energy, LC, and The Dean Sanditen Marital Trust for competitive oil and gas lease WYW151267 for land in Park County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

In accordance with section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and 43 CFR part 3809, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Elko Field Office will be preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to update the cumulative effects analysis for Newmont Mining Corporation's South Operations Area Project Amendment (SOAPA) gold mine in Elko County, Nevada. The project was authorized in 2002. The BLM is asking the public for information on any new or proposed projects within the cumulative effects areas which could contribute cumulative effects. We are also asking the public to review the cumulative effects areas as defined in the 2002 SOAPA EIS. This EIS can be reviewed on or downloaded from the Elko BLM's Web page, https://www.nv.blm.gov/elko.

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6733 for an additional 20-year period. PLO No. 6733 withdrew 100 acres of National Forest System land in Gunnison County, Colorado, from location and entry under the general mining laws for the protection of the Bureau of Reclamation Silver Jack Recreation Area. This notice gives the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The title of this information collection request (ICR) is ``30 CFR Part 206Product Valuation, Subparts F and J; Part 210Forms and Reports, Subparts E and H; and Part 218Collection of Royalties, Rentals, Bonuses and Other Monies Due the Federal Government, Subpart E.'' We changed the title of this ICR to clarify the regulatory language we are covering under 30 CFR parts 206, 210, and 218 and to reflect OMB consolidation approval of two solid mineral-related ICRs. Those ICRs were titled: 1010-0074: 30 CFR Part 206Product Valuation, Subpart J Indian Coal (Forms MMS-4292, Coal Washing Allowance Report, and MMS- 4293, Coal Transportation Allowance Report); and 1010-0120: 30 CFR Part 206, Subpart FFederal Coal and Subpart JIndian Coal; Part 210, Subpart BOil, Gas, and OCS Sulfur General, Subpart ESolid Minerals, General, Subpart HGeothermal Resources; Part 218, Subpart BOil and Gas, General, Subpart ESolid MineralsGeneral (Form MMS-4430, Solid Minerals Production and Royalty Report). In the two ICRs, much of the general information was repeated and cross referenced. This consolidated ICR 1010-0120 eliminates that duplication of effort and redundancy of data and also provides for review of all solids and geothermal information collection requirements on a MMS Solids and Geothermal Compliance and Asset Management program- wide basis. The current ICR does not expire until October 31, 2007 and has a total of 1,751 burden hours as of OMB Notice of Change dated December 9, 2005, which consolidated the burden hours from ICRs 1010- 0074 and 1010-0120.

The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (MCNCA) Advisory Council will hold four meetings, scheduled on March 22, 2007; June 21, 2007; September 20, 2007; and December 13, 2007. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. and will be held at the Mesa County Administration Building; 544 Rood Avenue, Grand Junction, CO.

Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the corresponding Council of Environmental Quality implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the National Park Service and Bureau of Reclamation, as lead agencies for the Department of Interior, announce the availability of the Clean Water Coalition Systems Conveyance and Operations Program (SCOP) Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS). The SCOP Final EIS completes the evaluation of potential environmental impacts associated with a proposed pipeline alternative, two additional pipeline alternatives, and the baseline No Action alternative (and also presents a Process Improvements option derived from the No Action Alternative). The purpose of implementing the proposal is to put into operation a treatment and conveyance system that will allow for flexible management of wastewater flow in the Las Vegas Valley, while maintaining water quality standards. Clark County, Nevada is one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S., with a projected population in the area of approximately 3,130,000 by 2035. The quantity of effluent treated and discharged in the Las Vegas Valley will increase with the Valley populations. The treatment and conveyance facilities must accommodate the additional flows while continuing to meet current or future water quality standards for Las Vegas Wash and Bay, and Lake Mead. The Final EIS evaluates effects of the alternatives on both visitor experience and park resources including: surface water hydrology, groundwater, water quality, biological resources/endangered species, cultural resources, recreation, land use, air quality, noise, socioeconomics, and other appropriate resource issues identified during the public scoping phase. An impairment analysis was also completed by the National Park Service (NPS) for the portion of the proposed actions that would impinge upon this unit of the National Park System.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Bureau of Reclamation (we, our, or us) intends to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Certification Summary Form, Reporting Summary Form for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426 and 43 CFR part 428, OMB Control Number: 1006-0006. This information collection is required under the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA), Acreage Limitation Rules and Regulations, 43 CFR part 426, and Information Requirements for Certain Farm Operations In Excess of 960 Acres and the Eligibility of Certain Formerly Excess Land, 43 CFR part 428. We request your comments on the revised RRA forms and specific aspects of the information collection.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Bureau of Reclamation (we, our, or us) intends to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Individual Landholder's and Farm Operator's Certification and Reporting Forms for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426 and 43 CFR part 428, OMB Control Number: 1006-0005. This information collection is required under the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA), Acreage Limitation Rules and Regulations, 43 CFR part 426, and Information Requirements for Certain Farm Operations In Excess of 960 Acres and the Eligibility of Certain Formerly Excess Land, 43 CFR part 428. We request your comments on the revised RRA forms and specific aspects of the information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we), extended the public comment period on the proposed rule to remove the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), more commonly known as the West Virginia northern flying squirrel (WVNFS), on February 21, 2007 (72 FR 7852). However, we inadvertently left out the e-mail address to which the public could send comments. This document corrects that error.

Lee Combs (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE-141705-0) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of five years, would authorize incidental take of the Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and occupation of commercial development on Lot 2, a 0.75- acre property located on Highway 71 in the Tahitian Village Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas. We invite public comment.

CA 1100, LTD. (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE-139553-0) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of 30 years, would authorize incidental take of the golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and occupation of a residential development on 176 acres of the Shadow Canyon property, Williamson County, Texas. We invite public comment.

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

The Associate Deputy Secretary made a final agency determination to acquire approximately 3.519 acres of land into trust for the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma on February 9, 2007. This notice is published in the exercise of authority delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Principal Deputy Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs by 209 Departmental Manual 8.