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

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Wyoming State Office, has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Overland Pass Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Project. The FEIS analyzes the environmental consequences of a proposed 760-mile long, 14-inch and 16-inch diameter natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline on Federal, State, and private land.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Alaska State Office, is issuing the Northeast National Petroleum ReserveAlaska (NPR-A) Supplemental Draft Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (IAP/EIS) for public comment and announces pending Draft IAP/ EIS public meetings/ANILCA subsistence hearings to receive comments on the IAP/EIS and its findings regarding the ANILCA Sec. 810 analysis of impacts to subsistence use.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The DEIS analyzes the potential impacts of a proposed rule concerning excess spoil, coal mine waste, and stream buffer zones. The proposed rule, which is being published for review and comment in this edition of the Federal Register, would, if implemented, revise the permanent program regulations implementing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

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

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.

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Advisory Committee (Monument Advisory Committee) will meet as indicated below.

In this final rule, we, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), revise the regulations that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty that regulates international trade in certain protected species. CITES uses a system of permits and certificates to help ensure that international trade is legal and does not threaten the survival of wildlife or plant species in the wild. In this final rule, we have retained most of the general information in the current 50 CFR part 23, but reorganized the sections and added provisions from certain applicable resolutions and decisions adopted by the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP) at its second through thirteenth meetings (CoP2 - CoP13). The revised regulations will help us more effectively promote species conservation, continue to fulfill our responsibilities under the Treaty, and help those affected by CITES to understand how to conduct lawful international trade in CITES species.

The Bureau of Land Management, in coordination with the Salmon-Challis National Forest, has closed the Darling Creek road and associated connecting roads and trails while the agencies fight the Shower Bath Fire, approximately 10 miles north of Challis, Idaho.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Finding of No Significant Impact for Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Prepared in conformance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the plan describes how we intend to manage the refuge over the next 15 years.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Vieques National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico is 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 wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation; bicycling, horseback riding, hiking, jogging, and moped/motorcycle riding; and kayaking and canoeing are also available in the plan.

The State of Alaska (State) has filed an application for a Recordable Disclaimer of Interest from the United States in those lands underlying the Stikine River, located in Southeast Alaska. The State asserts that the Stikine River was navigable and unreserved at the time of statehood; therefore, title to the submerged lands passed to the State at the time of statehood (1959). The lands included in the application are within the exterior boundary of the Tongass National Forest, created by Presidential Proclamation of February 16, 1909, and administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture.

An application has been filed with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) by Isabelle Brown, Attorney-at-Law on behalf of April Jackson-DiWald (personal representative of the estate of Amerdine Snow McCloud, deceased), for a Recordable Disclaimer of Interest from the United States for certain land in Lake County, California.

Pursuant to Public Law 106-503, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESC) will hold its 16th meeting. The meeting location is the Paso Robles Inn, 1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles, California 93446. The Committee is comprised of members from academia, industry, and State government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on matters relating to the USGS's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. The Committee will receive updates and provide guidance on Earthquake Hazards Program activities and the status of teams supported by the Program, as well as a report from the Advanced National Seismic System steering committee. Meetings of the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee are open to the public.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise currently designated critical habitat for the bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 19,746 acres (ac) (7,990 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the proposed revised critical habitat designation. The proposed revision to critical habitat is located in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, California.

The following described public land is determined suitable for classification for leasing and subsequent conveyance to the Aztec Municipal School District 2, Aztec, New Mexico under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.). The Aztec Municipal School district 2 proposes to use the land for recreational facilities with soccer fields, softball field, restrooms, a changing room and a concession stand and a parking lot and an access road. In the future, another softball field and a baseball field may be added to serve the local children of the area. The identified lands are surrounded on three sides by private land and have a high potential for further residential development.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Air Force, the Bureau of Land Management proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6677 for an additional 20-year term. This order withdrew 2.5 acres of public land from settlement, sale, location, or entry under the general land laws, including the United States mining laws [30 U.S.C. Ch. 2] and from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, to protect a United States Air Force radio relay site. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act that meetings of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission will be held to discuss the development of the Park's general management plan. Dates and Locations: September 20, 2007, at the Warren County Government Center, 220 N. Commerce Ave., Front Royal, VA; December 13, 2007, at the Strasburg Town Hall Council Chambers, 174 East King St., Strasburg, VA; March 20, 2008, at the Middletown Town Hall Council Chambers, 7875 Church St., Middletown, VA; and June 19, 2008, at the Warren County Government Center. All meetings will convene at 9 a.m. and are open to the public.

A 1,356.55 acre parcel of public land in Owyhee County, Idaho is being considered for non-competitive (direct) sale to Owyhee County under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, at no less than the appraised fair market value.

The surface owner of the land described in this notice, aggregating approximately 260 acres, has filed an application for the purchase of the Federally-owned mineral interests. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the mineral interest from appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease and subsequent conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended, approximately 207.15 acres of public land in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. The Clark County School District proposes to use the lands for nine public schools. This land disposal action has been coordinated with Clark County, in whose jurisdiction such lands are located for joint selection purposes pursuant to Sec. 4(d)(1) of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act, Pub. L. 105-263, (112 Stat. 2345).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer for sale competitively one parcel of federally owned land in Lincoln County located southeast of Alamo, Nevada, which totals approximately 159 acres, more or less. The sale is authorized under sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) 43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719, respectively.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to sell a 217 acre parcel (N-80737) of federally owned lands in Lincoln County, located south of Alamo, Nevada. These public lands have been examined and found suitable for disposal utilizing direct sale procedures. The authority for the sale is established under section 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Office, Kingman, Arizona intends to prepare an amendment to the Kingman Resource Management Plan (RMP) to determine if a parcel of public lands (identified below) should be classified under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act (43 U.S.C. 315f) and Executive Order No. 6910, for actions under the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.).