Department of the Interior June 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 51 - 100 of 164
Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease, Utah
In accordance with Title IV of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (Pub. L. 97-451), Synergy Operating LLC timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease UTU79168 for lands in Emery County, Utah, and it was accompanied by all required rentals and royalties accruing from December 1, 2006, the date of termination.
Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Kane Springs Valley Groundwater Development Project, Nevada
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), as amended; and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Nevada Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to consider whether or not to grant a right-of- way for groundwater development facilities. This notice announces the opening of the comment period on the DEIS.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Advisory Committee; Notice of Renewal
This notice is published in accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, Public Law 92-463. Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) has renewed the BLM's Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to provide counsel and advice to the Secretary through the BLM concerning development and implementation of a management plan developed in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, for public lands within the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
Information Collection Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; OMB Control Number 1018-0123; International Conservation Grant Programs
We (Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. The ICR, which is summarized below, describes the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. This ICR is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2007. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. However, under OMB regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is pending at OMB.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Desert Rock Energy Project and the Navajo Mine Extension Project, San Juan County, NM
This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as lead agency, with the Navajo Nation, U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as cooperating agencies, intends to file a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) with the EPA for the proposed Desert Rock Energy and Navajo Mine Extension projects. The purpose of the proposed action is to help meet the economic development needs of the Navajo Nation. This notice also announces a series of public hearings to receive comments on the DEIS.
Notice of Availability of the Final Supplement to the 2004 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement To Remove or Modify the Survey and Manage Mitigation Measure Standards and Guidelines.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), and the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA, 16 U.S.C. 1600-1614 et seq.), the FS and BLM (collectively the Agencies) have prepared a Final Supplement to the 2004 Final Environmental Impact Statement To Remove or Modify the Survey and Manage Mitigation Measure Standards and Guidelines (2004 FSEIS). The Agencies are supplementing the analyses contained in the 2004 FSEIS, which proposes to amend Land and Resource Management Plans on National Forests and BLM Districts within the range of the northern spotted owl in western Oregon, western Washington and northwestern California. The Final Supplement is now available. Requests to receive copies of the Final Supplement should be sent to the addresses listed below. Alternately, the Final Supplement is available on the Internet at https://www.reo.gov/s-m2006. Copies are also available for inspection at FS and BLM offices in western Washington, western Oregon and northwestern California.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Guajo
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a revised proposed critical habitat designation for the guaj[oacute]n (Eleutherodactylus cooki). We are reopening the public comment period to accept comments on proposed additional critical habitat units and revised required determinations, and also to announce the availability of and accept comments on our draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are allowing all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the original proposed rule, the proposed additional critical habitat units, the revised required determinations, and the associated draft economic analysis. If you submitted comments previously on the original proposed rule, you need not resubmit them, as we will incorporate them into the public record and fully consider them as we prepare the final rule. We are proposing five additional critical habitat units totaling 43.4 acres (ac) (17.5 hectares (ha)). With their inclusion, we are proposing 17 critical habitat units for the species, for a total of 260.6 ac (105.6 ha). The amendments we propose in this document are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the proposed designation we published in our original proposed rule of October 5, 2006. The draft economic analysis, that includes the additional units, finds that potential future costs associated with conservation activities for the guaj[oacute]n are estimated at $4.34 million in undiscounted dollars, $4.28 million when discounted at 3 percent, and $4.23 million when discounted at 7 percent over the 20 year period 2007-2026. Annualized future costs are $288,000 and $399,000 using a 3 percent and 7 percent discount rate, respectively.
Notice of the Annual Price Threshold Determination
This notice provides the official MMS documentation of which Gulf of Mexico price thresholds have been exceeded by annual market prices for oil or gas, by lease vintage, for calendar year 2006. This notice also explains in detail how MMS calculates the annual oil and gas prices and applicable price thresholds used to determine whether royalty relief applies in calendar year 2006 for our various deepwater and deep depth royalty relief programs.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Critical Habitat for the San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus)
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise currently designated critical habitat for the San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Currently, approximately 33,295 acres (ac) (13,485 hectares (ha)) are designated as critical habitat for the San Bernardino kangaroo rat in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California. Under this proposal, approximately 9,079 ac (3,674 ha) of land located in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California would fall within the boundaries of the revised critical habitat designation. Further, of the 9,079 ac of revised critical habitat, we are proposing to exclude 2,544 ac (1,029 ha) of land covered by the Woolly-Star Preserve Area Management Plans, the Former Norton Air Force Base Conservation Management Plan, the Cajon Creek Habitat Conservation Management Area Habitat Enhancement and Management Plan, and the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan from the final designation under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.
Regional Water Management Plan for the Sacramento River Contractors
The Regional Water Management Plan for the Sacramento River Contractors (Regional Plan) is available for review. Participating Contractors include: Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District Meridian Farms Water Company Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District Sutter Mutual Water Company Provident Irrigation District Pelger Mutual Water Company Princeton-Codora-Glenn Irrigation District Natomas Central Mutual Water Company Reclamation District No. 108 Reclamation District No. 1004 Under the authority of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA) and the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) developed and published the Regional Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans for the Sacramento River Contractors (Regional Criteria) in 2004. The development and implementation of the Regional Criteria for the Sacramento Valley was an alternative pilot program to the current Standard Criteria for Evaluating Water Management Plans (Standard Criteria), as stated in the Water Conservation Administrative Proposal dated March 20, 1997. If the Contracting Officer deems this pilot program to be unsuccessful, the Regional Criteria will be discontinued. All subsequent Plans would then be evaluated under the current Standard Criteria. The above entities have developed the Regional Plan, which Reclamation has evaluated and preliminarily determined to meet the requirements of the Regional Criteria.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council; Notice of Meeting
The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee.
Wyoming: Proposed Conversion of Unpatented Oil Placer Mining Claim Buffalo 19 WMC-71464 to Noncompetitive Oil and Gas Lease
The Mineral Leasing Act provides a means by which a mining claimant may seek to convert an oil placer mining claim to a noncompetitive oil and gas lease if the claim was deemed conclusively abandoned because of the claimant's failure to timely file certain assessment work filings required by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). 30 U.S.C. 188(f). Since 1993, Congress has required annual maintenance fees in lieu of the assessment work filings required by FLPMA. On August 31, 1994, MW Petroleum Corporation and its co-claimants failed to pay the annual maintenance fee for oil placer mining claim, WMC-71464. On May 31, 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) notified MW Petroleum and its co-claimants that the oil placer mining claim was null and void by operation of law. On August 24, 1995, in accordance with the requirements outlined in 30 U.S.C. 188(f), MW Petroleum Corporation filed a petition for conversion of the abandoned unpatented oil placer mining claim to a noncompetitive oil and gas lease. The claim to be converted is the Buffalo 19 unpatented oil placer mining claim, which is located in Park County, Wyoming. The description of the land is as follows:
Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Oxbow Mining, LLC. COC-071108; Colorado
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, Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 3410, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Oxbow Mining, LLC, on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of unleased coal deposits owned by the United States of America in Gunnison County, Colorado:
Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Bowie Resources, LLC. COC-070996; Colorado
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, Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 3410, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Bowie Resources, LLC, on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of unleased coal deposits owned by the United States of America in Delta County, Colorado:
Geological and Geophysical (G&G) Explorations of the Outer Continental Shelf-Changing Proprietary Term of Certain Geophysical Information
The MMS proposes to extend the proprietary term of certain reprocessed geophysical information submitted to MMS under a permit. The proposed rule would give up to 5 years of additional protection to reprocessed vintage geophysical information that MMS retained and, under the current rule, is subject to release by MMS 25 years after issuing the germane permit. The extension would provide incentives to permittees and third parties to reprocess, market, or in other ways use geophysical information that may not otherwise be reprocessed without the term extension.
Department of the Interior Implementation of OMB Guidance on Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension
The Department of the Interior (Department) proposes to remove its regulations implementing the government-wide common rule on nonprocurement debarment and suspension, and to adopt in their place the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) guidance. This regulatory action would implement OMB's initiative to streamline and consolidate all federal regulations on nonprocurement debarment and suspension into one part of the CFR. The Department does not intend to modify any of its current policy.
Receipt of Applications for Permit
The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and marine mammals.
Maryland Regulatory Program
We are approving an amendment to the Maryland regulatory program (the Maryland program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The program amendment consists of changes to the Maryland Annotated Code (MAC) to increase the end of month balance cap of the Bond Supplement Reserve (Reserve) within the Bituminous Coal Open-Pit Mining Reclamation Fund. The amendment is intended to improve the ability of the Maryland Department of the Environment to finance reclamation projects by increasing the amounts available in the Reserve.
Kentucky Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AMLR) Plan
We are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Kentucky Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation (AMLR) Plan under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The amendment makes several revisions to Kentucky's AMLR Plan and is intended to update and improve the effectiveness of the AMLR plan. Kentucky submitted the amendment in response to the passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2006. This document gives the times and locations that the Kentucky program and this submittal are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.
Filing of Plats of Survey; Nevada
The purpose of this notice is to inform the public and interested State and local government officials of the filing of Plats of Survey in Nevada.
Notice of Availability of Proposed Resource Management Plans and Associated Final Environmental Impact Statements for Three Bureau of Land Management Field Offices in Northeast California and Northwest Nevada: The Eagle Lake Field Office, the Alturas Field Office and the Surprise Field Office
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared three Proposed Resource Management Plans/Final Environmental Impact Statements (PRMPs/FEISs) for public lands managed by the Eagle Lake Field Office, Susanville, California; the Alturas Field Office, Alturas, California; and the Surprise Field Office, Cedarville, California. These plans are now available for public review.
Alaska Native Claims Selection
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 Pitka's Point Native Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of the Native village of Pitka's Point, Alaska, and are located in:
Migratory Bird Permits; Religious or Spiritual Use of Feathers by Native Americans
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering amending its migratory bird regulations to allow Native Americans to acquire parts and feathers from birds other than eagles for religious or spiritual use. No current regulations govern the acquisition and possession of migratory bird parts and feathers of birds other than eagles for Native American religious or spiritual use. We have a compelling interest in protecting the traditional religious and spiritual resource values of Native Americans as part of our trust relationship with federally recognized Native American tribes. We recognize the need to balance this compelling reason against the equally compelling basis for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We seek information necessary to prepare an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations for a possible proposed rule.
Notice of Public Meeting, Alaska Resource Advisory Council
In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.
Chukchi Sea Planning Area Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 and Seismic Surveying Activities in the Chukchi Sea
The proposed federal action addressed in this FEIS (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-026) is to offer for lease areas in the Chukchi Sea Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that might contain recoverable oil and gas resources. This lease sale would provide qualified bidders the opportunity to bid on certain blocks in the Chukchi Sea OCS to gain conditional rights to explore, develop, and produce oil and natural gas. This FEIS is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis to enable the MMS to make informed decisions on the configuration of the lease sale and the applicable mitigation measures. In the FEIS, the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of the sale, including estimated exploration and development and production activities related to the sale, on the physical, biological, and human environments in the Chukchi Sea area are analyzed. The FEIS also provides NEPA evaluation for exploration activities in the Chukchi Sea, including seismic survey geophysical permitting (30 CFR part 251), ancillary activities (30 CFR 250.207), and exploration plans (30 CFR 250.214). In addition, the FEIS provides information that the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) may possibly use for issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorizations to the seismic-survey industry to take marine mammals by harassment, incidental to conducting prelease and ancillary on-lease oil and gas seismic surveys in the Chukchi Sea. To address its NEPA responsibilities, the NMFS is a cooperating agency (as that term is defined in 40 CFR 1501.6).
Draft Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a 60-day extension of the comment period for the Draft Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) (northern spotted owl).
Notice of Realty Action: Direct Sale of Federal Interest in Public Lands in Clark County, NV (N-62824)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer the Federal interest in public lands consisting of a reversionary interest, by direct sale, containing approximately 60 acres. The public lands have been designated for disposal within Clark County, Nevada, to Basic Management Incorporated (BMI) and will be offered for direct sale. The interest in land proposed for sale has been authorized and designated for disposal under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2343), as amended (hereinafter ``SNPLMA''). The reversionary interest in the lands will be offered noncompetitively in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719), and FLPMA's implementing regulations, in particular 43 CFR 2711.3-3. The environmental assessment, map, approved appraisal report and other supporting documentation are available for review at the BLM, Las Vegas Field Office (LVFO), Las Vegas, Nevada.
Submission to Office of Management and Budget-Information Collection, OMB Control Number 1004-0119
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has submitted a request for an extension of an approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.
Notice of Realty Action: Recreation and Public Purposes Act Classification and Conveyance; Beaverhead County, MT
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for conveyance to Beaverhead County under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, two parcels of public lands located near Dillon, in Beaverhead County, Montana. One of the parcels has been leased under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act to the Dillon Rifle and Pistol Club for use as a shooting range since 1965. Beaverhead County intends to further develop and expand the existing shooting range facility.
Record of Decision for the Bair Island Restoration and Management Plan and a Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Bair Island State Ecological Reserve, San Mateo County, CA
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the decision and availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Bair Island Restoration and Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. A thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations was completed and presented in the Final EIS. The Final EIS was released to the public and a Notice of Availability was published in the Federal Register on July 28, 2006. The ROD documents the Service's decision to adopt and implement Alternative 1, Tidal Marsh Restoration with Moderate Public Access for the Bair Island Restoration and Management Plan.
Notice of Public Meeting: Joint Recreation Resource Advisory Council Subcommittee to the Boise and Twin Falls Districts, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boise and Twin Falls District Recreation Resource Advisory Council (Rec-RAC) Subcommittee, will hold a meeting as indicated below.
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Leasing of Geothermal Resources
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) will prepare a joint Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze the leasing of BLM- and USFS-administered lands with moderate to high potential for geothermal resources in eleven western states and Alaska.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for a Petition To List the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout as Threatened or Endangered
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 12-month finding for a petition to list the Colorado River cutthroat trout (CRCT) (Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus) as a threatened species throughout its range in the United States, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. After a thorough review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the CRCT as either threatened or endangered is not warranted at this time. We ask the public to continue to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of or threats to the subspecies. This information will help us to monitor and encourage the ongoing conservation of this subspecies.
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties, WI
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and associated Environmental Impact Statement are available for the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This notice is furnished in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of their opportunity to comment on the draft documents.
Proposed Low Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Crown Enterprise Site, City of Rialto, County of San Bernardino, CA
Crown Enterprises (applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for a 3-year incidental take permit for one covered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the endangered Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis) associated with the proposed commercial development on a 3.2-acre site in the City of Rialto, San Bernardino County, California. A conservation program to mitigate for the project activities would be implemented as described in the proposed 3.2-acre Crown Enterprise Site, City of Rialto, San Bernardino County, California Low Effect Habitat Conservation Plan (proposed HCP), which would be implemented by the applicant. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on the preliminary determination that the proposed HCP qualifies as a ``Low- effect'' Habitat Conservation Plan, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The basis for this determination is discussed in the Environmental Action Statement (EAS) and the associated Low Effect Screening Form, which are also available for public review.
Proposed Information Collection; OMB Control Number 1018-0135; Electronic Duck Stamp Pilot Program
We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) 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 IC. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Alaska Native Claims Selection
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 St. Mary's Native Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of St. Mary's, Alaska, and are located in:
Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
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 of oil and gas lease COC63509 from Beartooth Oil and Gas Company, for lands in Moffat County, Colorado. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Authentic Native Handicrafts
The National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 encourages the sale of authentic United States Indian, Alaska Native, Native Samoan and Native Hawaiian handicrafts relating to the cultural, historical, and geographic characteristics of units of the national park system. This final rule implements the requirements of the act.
Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey; New Mexico
The plats of survey described below are scheduled to be officially filed in the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Santa Fe, New Mexico, (30) thirty calendar days from the date of this publication.
General Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
Pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan and Wilderness Study, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado. The NPS preferred alternative was developed with substantial public, interagency, and staff participation between 2002 and 2006. The NPS preferred option includes options for new trails to allow for dispersed hiking and horseback riding and educational opportunities on the expansion lands. Cooperative or joint facilities, such as future access routes and trailheads with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private partners are emphasized. A large portion of the park expansion lands was studied and will be recommended for future wilderness designation. Additional wilderness in the Sand Dunes National Park was very popular with the public.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Marin Headlands-Fort Baker, Transportation Infrastructure and Management Plan, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County, CA; Notice of Availability
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, January 1, 1970, as amended), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508), the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Marin Headlands-Fort Baker Transportation Infrastructure and Management Plan. The project would provide greater access to and within the Marin Headlands and Fort Baker areas for a variety of users in a way that minimizes or avoids impacts to the rich natural diversity and cultural resources of these areas within Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Roadway infrastructure would be rehabilitated or reconstructed with non-character altering roadway widening, and parking facilities would be improved. Additional transit options would be provided to and within areas to improve access to visitor sites. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities would be improved through closure and rerouting of existing trails and construction of new trails. A successful project would meet the following goals: (1) Promote public transit, pedestrian, and bicycle travel to and within GGNRA to improve visitor experience and enhance environmental quality; (2) Rehabilitate the Marin Headlands-Fort Baker transportation road and trail infrastructure in a manner that protects resources and improves safety and circulation; (3) Reduce traffic congestion at key GGNRA locations and connecting roads. Proposal and Alternatives: As noted, this Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes and analyzes four alternatives. Alternative 1, the No Action Alternative, would not deviate from the existing management direction; it serves as an environmental baseline from which potential effects of the three ``action'' alternatives may be compared. Alternative 2 would provide basic multi-modal access. Roadway infrastructure would be rehabilitated within the existing roadway width; parking facilities would be improved; transit service to the Marin Headlands would be expanded on weekends; and minor pedestrian and bicycle facility enhancements would be implemented to improve access to these GGNRA areas. Alternative 4 would provide maximum multi- modal access. Roadway infrastructure would be reconstructed throughout the study area, and parking facilities would be improved. Transit options would include the addition of connections to regional transit centers outside of GGNRA. Extensive pedestrian and bicycle facility enhancements would be implemented, including closure and rerouting of existing trails, construction of new trails, and road widening to allow for bicycle lane construction on nearly all major roads. Alternative 3 is the Agency Preferred alternative. Alternative 3 would provide enhanced multi-modal access. Roadway infrastructure would be rehabilitated or reconstructed with non-character altering roadway widening, and parking facilities would be improved. Additional transit options would be provided to and within the Marin Headlands and Fort Baker (MH/FB) areas to improve access. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities would be improved through closure and rerouting of existing trails and construction of new trails. Key project elements include the following: Roadways and Vehicular Circulation: At selected sites within the area of potential effect, roads and intersections will be modified to improve safety and operations. Modifications include widening the road widths from two to four feet to allow for the provision of Class 2 bicycle lanes or improved safety on Class 3 bike routes, and reconstructing intersections from a ``Y'' to a ``T'' configuration. In addition GGNRA would implement a wayfinding program and ``intelligent transportation system'' (ITS) technologies to improve visitor information and reduce traffic congestion at key locations. Parking Management and Fees: In many MH/FB locations parking areas would be reconfigured, delineated, and formalized, in order to improve parking operations, reduce congestion, better match parking supply with demand, and reduce natural resource impacts. A parking fee program would be implemented to provide enhanced transit service operations. Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements: Class 1 bicycle path and Class 2 bicycle lanes would be added in several locations, and extensive improvements to pedestrian trails would be implemented. A new bicycle/ pedestrian trail would be constructed to provide a separate facility connecting Fort Baker to the bike lanes at Barry-Baker tunnel and the Marin Headlands. Rodeo Valley Trail would be widened with a hardened surface between Capehart Housing and Bunker Road at Rodeo Lagoon to provide a Class 1 bicycle path and hiking trail. The Coastal Trail would be rerouted from its current interior Rodeo Valley alignment to a more coastal alignment with spectacular views. Transit Services: Existing transit services in the MH/FB areas would be enhanced to improve access to and within these areas. The goal would be to provide transit access seven days a week by expanding MUNI and Golden Gate Transit service on existing routes, and by implementing additional park shuttle service. Car-Free Days and Special Events: A program of car-free days would be established on selected days on a trial basis; after review of the demonstration program, GGNRA may adjust the number of car-free days or the scheduled times and operations. This program would allow visitors to experience these areas with minimal vehicular traffic and would encourage visitors to use alternative modes of transportation to access and travel within GGNRA. Natural Resource Enhancements: Efforts to protect and enhance natural resources would include restoring the wetland community at the unpaved parking lot at Rodeo Beach; repairing gullies that have eroded due to past poor drainage along Conzelman roadway; and removing fill and restoring wetlands along Rodeo Lagoon/Lake on selected portions of Smith and Bunker Roads. Scoping and Public Involvement: The Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on April 10, 2002. Early in the EIS scoping phase three public meetings were hosted in San Francisco, Marin City, and Oakland. The San Francisco meeting occurred on March 26, 2002 during a meeting of the GGNRA Advisory Committee (approximately ten members of the public attended the meeting). The Marin City meeting occurred on April 10, 2002 at the Manzanita Community Center in Marin City (approximately 20 members of the public attended). The Oakland meeting occurred on April 11, 2002 at the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Auditorium in Oakland. Three members of the public attended, along with several agency staff members. In addition GGNRA hosted two Alternatives Refinement Workshops for the public in order to solicit early feedback on the four preliminary alternatives. The workshops were conducted on November 19, 2002 at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley (approximately 11 community members attended) and on November 26, 2002 at GGNRA Headquarters in San Francisco (approximately 15 community members attended). GGNRA staff prepared and distributed announcements of the meetings to 2,000 individuals and organizations (and these were also distributed at Marin Headlands Visitor Center and posted widely on bulletin boards in Marin County). Summaries of oral comments received at each workshop and written comments from the public have been documented (``Summary of November 2002 Alternatives Refinements Workshops'', Nelson/Nygaard 2003). Comments from these workshops were used to further refine the alternatives and identify the main issues to be addressed in finalizing the Draft EIS. GGNRA also hosted a public forum March 14, 2003 to review initial findings of the Fort Baker Cultural Landscape Report and Marin Headlands-Fort Baker Historic Roads Characterization Study (two individuals attended). The most recent public outreach efforts included updates on project alternatives at the last four of GGNRA's quarterly public meetings beginning with a May 16, 2006 meeting at the Mill Valley Community Center. Regular posting of information updates occurs on GGNRA's Web site (https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/goga). Comments: Copies of the Draft EIS will be sent to affected Federal, Tribal, State and local government agencies, to all interested parties, and those requesting copies. Printed and digital copies (compact disc) of the Draft EIS will be available at GGNRA headquarters and at local libraries. The complete document will be posted on GGNRA's Web site (noted above). All written comments must be postmarked or transmitted no later than sixty days from the date of EPA's notice of filing published in the Federal Register (as soon as this occurs, the confirmed closing date for the comment period will be posted on GGNRA's Web site, and also publcized in all other GGNRA announcements). Written comments may be sent by letter addressed to: General Superintendent, GGNRA, Fort Mason, Bldg. 201, San Francisco, CA 94123 (Attn: MH-FB Transportation Plan). Comments will also be accepted via the Internet at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/goga (click on the project title and follow instructions) or e-mail at gogaplanning@nps.gov. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives of or officials of organizations or businesses, are maintained in the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection in their entirety. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire responseincluding your personal identifying informationmay be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. A public meeting will be scheduled to hear comments on the Draft EIS, approximately 30 days after publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Please visit GGNRA's Web site (noted above) to learn more about the project or the conservation planning/environmental impact analysis process, or to obtain information updates regarding the logistics of the public meeting. Questions regarding the Draft EIS may also be directed at any time to Mr. Steve Ortega at (415) 561-4841 (or gogaplanning@nps.gov. Decision Process: Following the careful analysis of all comments received concerning the Draft EIS, it is anticipated that the Final EIS for the proposed Transportation Infrastructure and Management Plan would be completed in fall 2007. Availability of the Final EIS will be announced in the Federal Register, and also publicized via local and regional press media, direct mailings, and Web site postings. Not sooner than thirty days after release of the Final EIS, a Record of Decision may be executed (at this time it is anticipated that a recommended decision would be developed during winter 2007-08). As a delegated EIS the approving official is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently, the official responsible for implementation of the approved plan will be the General Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
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