Department of the Interior October 2, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Park Service (NPS) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the North Shore Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina. This document will be available for public review pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and NPS policy in Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision Making). The primary purpose of this FEIS is to finalize the documentation of the environmental analysis of the five alternatives studied in the document; to address substantive comments made on the Draft EIS; and to disclose the Agency's Preferred Alternative. The purpose of the proposed action is to discharge and satisfy any obligations on the part of the United States that presently exist as the result of the July 30, 1943, Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Swain County, North Carolina, and the State of North Carolina. The need for the project is to determine whether or not it is feasible to complete the road and to evaluate other alternatives that would satisfy the obligation. The FEIS analyzed five alternatives for meeting the purpose and need of the project. The no-action alternative would continue current management practices and policies into the future. The monetary settlement (the preferred alternative) would provide Swain County, North Carolina, with a monetary settlement to satisfy and discharge the obligations of the MOA. Each of the other three action alternatives would allow various levels of development and/or road construction within the project study area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Under the Laurel Branch Picnic Area alternative, a day-use area on the north side of existing Lake View Road would be constructed. Outdoor facilities would include a multi-use picnic shelter, picnic tables, several loop trails, drinking fountains, and restrooms. Under the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell, up to 8 miles (12.9 km) of new roadway from the existing tunnel west to the vicinity of the former Bushnell settlement would be constructed. This alternative would provide a boat-launching ramp and restricted boat dock. Located near the terminus of the new roadway would be a multi-use picnic shelter and picnic tables, a backcountry permit station, an information kiosk, restrooms, and a parking area. Exhibit/museum space would be designed to highlight local heritage of the area and could include concession opportunities. Under the Northern Shore Corridor Alternative, 29 to 34.3 miles of new roadway to the vicinity of Fontana Dam would be constructed. It would connect Lake View Road to NC Hwy. 28. This alternative would include provisions for the development of an auto- tour guide describing the historic and natural points of interest along the route. Also, restrooms would be built at appropriate locations. The NPS Preferred Alternative is the Monetary Settlement Alternative. The Monetary Settlement would ensure that resources of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail would be unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. It would fulfill project goals and objectives including the protection of natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

On July 21, 2003, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) issued an incidental take permit (ITP) associated with a habitat conservation plan (HCP) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1539), as amended, for the incidental take of the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (RCW) to the Woodlands Group, LLC (Permittee). The permit (TE037661-0) was for a period of four years and expired on July 31, 2007. The requested permit extension by the Permittee will extend the permit expiration date nine years.

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

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the information collection requirements in the regulations at 30 CFR 216MRM1.57. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. We shortened the title of this ICR to accommodate OMB requirements. The previous title was ``30 CFR 216, Subpart BOil and Gas, General, Sec. 216.57 Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction Notification.'' The new title is ``30 CFR 216.57, Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction Notification.'' Form MMS-4377, Stripper Royalty Rate Reduction Notification, is used to collect the information.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we are submitting to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart E, Oil and Gas Well-Completion Operations. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.