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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the draft economic analysis and draft environmental assessment, the reopening of the public comment period, and a public hearing on the proposed revised designation of critical habitat for the wintering population of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are reopening the public comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule and the associated draft economic analysis and draft environmental assessment. The draft economic analysis finds that costs associated with conservation activities for the wintering population of the piping plover in North Carolina are forecasted to range from $0 to $12.2 million in lost consumer surplus and $0 to $21.1 million in lost trip expenditures in undiscounted dollars over the next 20 years, with an additional $32,000 to $79,000 in administrative costs. Discounted impacts are estimated to range from $0 to $6.2 million in lost consumer surplus and $0 to $10.6 million in lost trip expenditures over 20 years using a real rate of seven percent, with an additional $17,000 to $42,000 in administrative costs. This amounts to $0 to $503,000 in lost consumer surplus and $0 to $861,000 in lost trip expenditures, annually. Using a real rate of three percent, discounted impacts are estimated at $0 to $8.9 million in lost consumer surplus and $0 to $15.4 million in lost trip expenditures over the next 20 years, with an additional $24,000 to $59,000 in administrative costs. This amounts to $2,000 to $600,000 in lost consumer surplus and $0 to $1.0 million in lost trip expenditures, annually. The draft environmental assessment finds that designation of critical habitat would not impose any physical alteration of the physical or biological communities used by the wintering population of the piping plover, nor would it alter any social, cultural, or recreational resources or the use of such resources beyond current conditions or existing management strategies. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the public record and fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Special Resource Study (SRS) for the Delaware Coastal Area in the state of Delaware. This SRS was authorized in Public Law 109-338 including its mandate for conformance with section 8(c) of Public Law 91-383. The purpose of an SRS is to determine the degree and kind of Federal actions that may be desirable for the management and protection of an area considered to have potential for addition to the National Park System. This is an SRS of the coastal region of the state of Delaware, and a study of the many themes that relate to how those resources were used throughout history in that region. The study area will include the entire coastal area of the state of Delaware. Additional sites or locations in Delaware may also need to be considered during the study process. The SRS/EIS will address a range of alternatives including any potential roles for the NPS in preservation and interpretation of the resources of the study area. Alternatives to be considered include: No action, the potential for congressional designation of all or part of the study area as a unit of the National Park system, and any other appropriate alternative that may arise during the study process. The EIS will assess the impacts of the alternatives presented in the SRS. The public scoping meetings will include a discussion of the SRS and the EIS process including ways that the public can be involved in providing and receiving information, and reviewing and commenting upon the draft study and associated draft EIS. The purpose of the meeting is to solicit public input prior to formally undertaking the study.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(c)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Quarry Visitor Center at Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement contains five alternatives. Alternative ANo Action. The Quarry Visitor Center (QVC) was closed to the staff and public because of serious life safety issues caused by building instability on July 12, 2006. The QVC protected 1,500 dinosaur fossils in situ and provided access to the park's primary resource. The building would remain closed to the public; functions would remain displaced; and critical resources would be threatened. Alternative BPreferred AlternativeRehabilitate the Exhibit Hall and Construct a New Facility Off-site. The existing exhibit hall would be rehabilitated to adequately protect fossil resources and provide access to the public. Currently displaced functions would be constructed at a location off-site that has stable soil. Alternative CRetain the Exhibit Hall and Construct a New Facility at the Quarry Visitor Center. The exhibit hall would be rehabilitated to protect fossil resources and provide access to the public, and the currently displaced functions would be reconstructed on the unstable soil that has caused building movement for more than 50 years. Alternative DRetain the Exhibit Hall and Construct Wings Similar. The exhibit hall would be rehabilitated to protect fossil resources and provide access to the public. The remaining portions of the building would be reconstructed in the original footprint and dysfunctional configuration on the unstable soil that has caused building movement for more than 50 years. Alternative EDemolish the Entire Facility and Construct a New Facility at the QVC Site. The entire building would be demolished and rebuilt on the unstable soil that has caused building movement for more than 50 years. General Assumptions/Conditions that Apply to all Alternatives Engineers and architects estimate that only 10% of the historic fabric could be used for any of the alternatives. All alternatives would result in reconstruction, which is not an approved treatment under the Secretary's guidelines. Thus, the National Historic Landmark designation cannot be preserved under any alternative.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly (Icaricia shasta charlestonensis) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a status review of this subspecies, and we will issue a 12- month finding to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the status review of the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial data regarding this subspecies. A determination on critical habitat will be made if and when a listing action is initiated for this subspecies.

The following permits were issued.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Montana State Office, Billings, Montana, (30) days from the date of publication in the Federal Register>.

The San Juan Public Lands Center, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is giving notice that public lands near the Silverton Ski Area as described below, will be seasonally closed to all entry, from November 1 through the end of the seasonal ski area operation, but not later than June 15 of each year. This closure is necessary to protect skiers within the ski area boundaries and the general public during periods of avalanche control work as authorized under BLM permit/lease. The lands affected by this closure are described as a portion of those federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management within sections 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 of protracted Township 42 N., R.7 W., New Mexico Principal Meridian. These lands are further described as: beginning at a point 0.5 mile north of Cascade Gulch and extending northeasterly along the east side of Colorado State highway 110A to the junction of San Juan County 52, thence southeasterly along the Middle Fork of Cement Creek to the divide between the Middle Fork Cement Creek and the South Fork of the Animas River, thence south along the ridge line forming the Colorado Basin to Storm Peak, thence west along a descending ridge line to the tree line between Grassy Gulch and Cascade Gulch, thence, northwest to the point of the beginning. The BLM will post closure signs in this area. You may obtain maps of the closure area and information from the San Juan Public Lands Center in Durango, CO. Discussion of the Rule: Under the authority of 43 CFR 9268.3(d)(1)(I) and 43 CFR 8364.1(a), the BLM will enforce the following rule on public lands within the closed area as described above: You must not enter the closed area between November 1st through the end of the seasonal ski area operation, or June 15 of each year whichever is the last date of seasonal operation. Exemptions: Persons who are exempt from these rules include any Federal, State, or local officer or employee in the scope of their duties; Members of any organized rescue or fire-fighting force in performance of an official duty; and any person authorized in writing by the Bureau of Land Management. Penalties: The authorities for this closure are section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a), 43 CFR 9268.3(a)(4) and 43 CFR 8360.0-7. Any person who violates this closure may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

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 analyze the environmental effects of the proposed amendment to the Plan of Operations for the Goldstrike Mine also known as the Betze Project, 25 miles north of Carlin, Nevada. The original EIS was completed in 1991. The Goldstrike Mine has continued in operation since that date.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability of the revised Recovery Plan for the Whooping Crane (Grus americana). This is the third revision of the recovery plan for this species; the original was completed in 1980. The whooping crane is found in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and in central Canada. This revision to the recovery plan was developed by an international team and will be jointly adopted by the United States and Canada.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Department of the Interior, BLM John Day Snake RAC will meet as indicated below: The John Day/Snake RAC is scheduled to meet on June 27, 2007, at the Walla Walla Suites at 7 E. Oak Street in Walla Walla, WA 99362. The meeting time will be from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A public comment period will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 1:15 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time).The meeting may include such topics as off-highway vehicle and travel management, noxious weeds, planning, Sage grouse, and other matters as may reasonably come before the council. Meeting Procedures: The meeting is open to the public. The public may present written comments to the RAC. Depending on the number of persons wishing to provide oral comments and agenda topics to be covered, the time to do so may be limited. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance such as sign language interpretation, tour transportation or other reasonable accommodations, should contact the BLM representative indicated below. For a copy of the information to be distributed to the RAC members, please submit a written request to the BLM Prineville District Office 10 days prior to the meeting.

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Public Laws 92-463 and 94-579, that the California Desert District Advisory Council to the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, will participate in a field tour of BLM-administered public lands on Friday, June 22, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and meet in formal session on Saturday, June 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historic Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92501. The Council and interested members of the public will depart for the field tour at 8 a.m. from the lobby of the Mission Inn. The public is welcome to participate in the tour but should plan on providing their own transportation, lunch, and beverage. Agenda topics for the formal session on Saturday will include updates by Council members and reports from the BLM District Manager and five field office managers. Additional agenda topics are being developed. Once finalized, the field tour and meeting agendas will be published in a news release prior to the meeting and posted on the BLM California state Web site at https://www.blm.gov/ca/news/rac.html.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 3507) and 5 CFR part 1320, this notice announces the National Park Service's (NPS) intention to request an extension for eight currently approved information collections (ICR) for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (L&WCF) and Urban Park and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) grant programs. 1. L&WCF Description and Notification (DNF) Form. The DNF is necessary to provide data input into the NPS Automated Project information system which provides timely data on projects funded over the life of the L&WCF program. 2. L&WCF Program Performance Report. As required by OMB Circular A- 102, grantees must submit performance reports which describe the status of the work required under the project scope. 3. L&WCF Project Agreement and Amendment Form. The Project Agreement and Amendment forms set forth the obligations assumed by the State through its acceptance of Federal assistance under the L&WCF Act and any special terms and conditions. 4. L&WCF On-Site Inspection Report. The On-Site Inspection Reports are used to ensure compliance by grantees with applicable Federal and program guidelines, and to ensure the continued viability of the funded site. 5. L&WCF Conversion of Use Provisions. To convert assisted sites to other than public outdoor recreation, L&WCF project sponsors must provide relevant information necessary to comply with Section 6(f)(3) of the L&WCF Act of 1965. 6. UPARR Project Performance Report. As required by OMB Circular A- 102, grant recipients must submit performance reports which describe the status of the work required under the project scope. 7. UPARR Conversion of Use Provisions. To convert assisted sites to other than public recreation, UPARR project sponsors must provide relevant information necessary to comply with the Section 1010 of the UPARR Act of 1978. 8. UPARR Project Agreement and Amendment Form. The Project Agreement and Amendment Forms set forth the obligations assumed by grant recipients through their acceptance of Federal assistance under the UPARR Act and any special terms and conditions.

Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Vernal and Price Field Offices, Utah, are preparing Supplemental Draft Resource Management Plans/Environmental Impact Statements (Draft RMP/EIS) to include additional information and analyses of wilderness characteristics on lands outside existing Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs). This information and analysis includes multiple areas in both the Vernal and Price Field Office planning areas.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and determined that one parcel of public land approximately 103.88 acres, located in Custer County, Idaho is suitable for disposal by modified competitive sale to all qualified members of the public, pursuant to Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended.

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 4,138 acres of public lands for a period of 20 years to protect scenic, recreation, water quality, and wildlife habitat values in Routt County, Colorado. This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, and the mineral and geothermal leasing laws while the 20- year withdrawal application is being processed.

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

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), proposes to amend its regulations at 43 CFR part 3130 pertaining to oil and gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The proposed rule would make oil and gas administrative procedures in NPR-A consistent with Section 347 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The proposed rule would amend the administrative procedures for the efficient transfer, consolidation, segregation, suspension, and unitization of Federal leases in the NPR-A. The rule would also make changes to the way the BLM processes lease renewals, lease extensions, lease expirations, lease agreements, exploration incentives, lease consolidations, and termination of administration for conveyed lands in the NPR-A. Finally, the rule would make the NPR-A regulation on additional bonding consistent with the regulations that apply outside of the NPR-A.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the ROD for the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas Field Development Project, Carbon County, Wyoming.

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

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is scheduled to file the plats of survey of the lands described below thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication in the BLM Wyoming State Office, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The MMS announces the availability of the proposed Notice of Sale for proposed Sale 205 in the Central GOM OCS. This Notice is published pursuant to 30 CFR 256.29(c) as a matter of information to the public. With regard to oil and gas leasing on the OCS, the Secretary of the Interior, pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act, provides the affected States the opportunity to review the proposed Notice. The proposed Notice sets forth the proposed terms and conditions of the sale, including minimum bids, royalty rates, and rentals.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we, our) is gathering the information needed to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated environmental assessment (EA) for Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck and Featherstone National Wildlife Refuges (NWR), two of the three refuges in the Potomac River NWR Complex. We publish this notice in compliance with our policy of advising other agencies and the public of our intentions to conduct detailed planning on refuges and obtain suggestions and information about the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.

The Bureau of Land Management is publishing this notice under section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and BLM regulations found at 43 CFR Subpart 1784. The notice requests the public to submit nominations for membership on the Canyons of the Ancients Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee is necessary to advise the Secretary and BLM on resource management issues associated with Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.