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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for the Columbia Basin distinct population segment of the pygmy rabbit for public review and comment.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and BLM management policies, the BLM announces the availability of the RMP/ROD for the East Alaska planning area.

This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are reopening the comment period on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Proposed Desert Rock Energy Project and the Navajo Mine Extension Project, San Juan County, New Mexico, for an additional 30 days. The Notice of Availability of the DEIS, published by in the Federal Register by the BIA on June 20, 2007 (72 FR 34035), and by the EPA on June 22, 2007 (72 FR 34463), announced a closing date for comments of August 20, 2007.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) Application and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Zenodro Homes, Inc. (applicant) requests an ITP for a duration of 10 years under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant anticipates taking approximately 3.5 acres of sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi)occupied habitat incidental to constructing a 100-unit multi-family development in Lake County, Florida (project). The applicant's HCP describes the mitigation and minimization measures the applicant proposes to address the effects of the project to the sand skink.

Pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, Monocacy National Battlefield, Maryland. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan analyzes the impacts of a no-action and three action alternatives. Alternative 4 is the NPS' preferred alternative. The official responsible for this decision is the Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park Service.

Seaview Repair LLC (applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for a 10-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 threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica, ``gnatcatcher'') associated with the proposed landslide remediation project in the City of San Clemente, Orange County, California. A conservation program to minimize and mitigate for the project activities would be implemented as described in the proposed Bellota Landslide Repair and Shorecliffs Mobile Home Neighborhood Expansion 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.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare, in coordination with Santa Clara County, a joint Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on the Habitat Conservation Plan for the Santa Clara Valley (Plan). The Plan is being prepared under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, (Act). Santa Clara County (County) is facilitating preparation of the Plan with local partners and is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The County in accordance with CEQA is publishing a similar notice. The County and their local partners intend to apply for a 50-year incidental take permit from the Service and from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These permits are needed to authorize the incidental take of threatened and endangered species that could result from activities covered under the Plan. We provide this notice to (1) describe the proposed action and possible alternatives; (2) advise other Federal and State agencies, affected Tribes, and the public of our intent to prepare an EIS/EIR; (3) announce the initiation of a public scoping period; and (4) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be included in the EIS/EIR.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce availability of the draft recovery plan for the Copperbelly Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) for public review and comment. This species is federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Copperbelly Water Snake is listed as a Distinct Population Segment in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, north of 40 degrees north latitude. The purpose of this plan is to recover this species so that it can be removed from the list of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. We solicit review and comment from the public on this draft plan.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Elko Field Office has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for Newmont Mining Corporation's Leeville gold mine in Eureka and Elko counties, Nevada, and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

The City of Adrian (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed duration of the permit is 30 years. The Applicant has prepared a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to address potential impacts to the federally endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka). This notice, provided pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, advises the public and other agencies of the availability of the HCP for review and comment. The Service has made a preliminary determination that the HCP and permit application are eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The basis for this determination is contained in an Environmental Action Statement and low-effect screening form, which are also available for public review.

The following permit was issued.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of comment periods for three actions that are being promulgated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act): (1) A proposed revision of critical habitat for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and its associated draft economic analysis; (2) a proposed revision of critical habitat for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina); and (3) the development of a recovery plan for the northern spotted owl. In order to provide a combined comment period for these three actions, we are reopening the comment periods to allow additional time for interested parties to comment on any or all of these actions. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are already part of the public record and will be fully considered in preparation of any critical habitat rule(s) and the recovery plan.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in cooperation with the National Park Service, and the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, propose to reestablish the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), a Federally listed endangered fish, into its historic habitat in the Big Bend reach of the Rio Grande in Presidio, Brewster, and Terrell counties, Texas. We propose to reestablish the Rio Grande silvery minnow under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), and to classify it as a nonessential experimental population (NEP). On the Rio Grande, the geographic boundaries of the NEP would extend from Little Box Canyon downstream of Ft. Quitman, Hudspeth County, Texas, through Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, to Amistad Dam and the nearby railroad bridge (Big Bend reach of the Rio Grande). On the Pecos River, the geographic boundaries of the NEP would extend from the river's confluence with Independence Creek to its confluence with the Rio Grande. This proposed reestablishment is part of the recovery actions that the Service, Federal and State agencies, and other partners are conducting throughout the species' historic range. This proposed rule provides a plan for establishing the NEP and provides for limited allowable legal taking of Rio Grande silvery minnows within the defined NEP area. A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared on this proposed action and is available for comment (see ADDRESSES section below).

The following permits were issued.

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

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

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and BLM Policy, the BLM announces the availability of the RMP/ROD for the Coeur d'Alene Field Office located in Idaho. The Idaho State Director signed the ROD on June 29, 2007, and it is effective as of that date.