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

The MMS is seeking interested and qualified individuals to serve on its OCS SC during the period of April 29, 2008 through April 28, 2010. The initial 2-year term may be renewable for up to an additional 4 years. The OCS SC is chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to advise the Secretary of the Interior through the Director of the MMS on the appropriateness, feasibility, and scientific value of the OCS Environmental Studies Program (ESP) and environmental aspects of the offshore energy and marine minerals programs. The ESP, which was authorized by the OCS Lands Act as amended (Section 20), is administered by the MMS and covers a wide range of field and laboratory studies in biology, chemistry, and physical oceanography, as well as studies of the social and economic impacts of OCS energy and marine minerals development. Currently, the work is conducted through award of competitive contracts and interagency and cooperative agreements. The OCS SC reviews the relevance of the information being produced by the ESP and may recommend changes in its scope, direction, and emphasis. The OCS SC comprises distinguished scientists in appropriate disciplines of the biological, physical, chemical, and socioeconomic sciences. Currently, the OCS SC has four vacancies in the following disciplines: Biological oceanography/marine biology; economics; and physical oceanography. The selections are based on maintaining disciplinary expertise in all areas of research, as well as geographic balance. Demonstrated knowledge of the scientific issues related to OCS oil and gas development is essential. Selections are made by the Secretary of the Interior on the basis of these factors.

The following applicants have applied for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

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) Southwest Resource Advisory Council (SWRAC) Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (Monument) Subgroup, will meet as directed below.

Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended) and the implementing regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service has prepared, in conjunction with the California State Lands Commission as co-lead agency, the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for restoring the Giacomini Wetlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (north district), administered by Point Reyes National Seashore. The Regional Director, Pacific West Region has approved the Record of Decision and supporting Statement of Findings for Wetlands and Floodplains for this restoration project. The formal no-action period was officially initiated June 27, 2007, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final EIS. Decision: As soon as practicable the Seashore will begin to implement restoration efforts of the ``environmentally preferred'' Alternative D as detailed in the Final EIS. The selected plan maximizes ecological restoration while providing public access and overlooks for viewing the restoration area. Work elements include removal of earthern levees and appurtenant infrastructure, and recreation of tidal channels and freshwater breeding habitat for California red-legged frogs. Certain public access features will be maintained or enhanced, and additionally the Seashore will collaborate with the County of Marin (including further conservation planning as appropriate) on additional public access facilities on the southern perimeter of the project area in furtherance of the Countywide Plan. As documented in the Final EIS, this course of action was deemed to be ``environmentally preferred''. The preferred plan and four alternatives were identified and analyzed in the Final EIS, and previously in the Draft EIS (the latter was distributed in December, 2006). The full spectrums of foreseeable environmental consequences were assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures identified, for each alternative. Beginning with early scoping, through the preparation of the Draft and Final EIS, numerous public meetings were hosted. Approximately 200 oral and written comments were received during the scoping phase or in response to the Draft EIS. Key consultations or other contacts which aided in preparing the Draft and Final EIS involved (but were not limited to) the California Coastal Commission, Department of Fish and Game, and State Historic Preservation Office, the Marin County Parks and Open Space, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. Local communities, county and city officials, and interested organizations were contacted extensively during initial scoping and throughout the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process. Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of Decision may obtain a complete copy by contacting the Superintendent, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA 94956; or via telephone request at (415) 464-5100.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Pub. L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the General Management Plan, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona. On August 21, 2007, the Regional Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the FEIS issued on March 19, 2007. Three alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statementsa no-action and two action alternatives, including the National Park Service preferred alternative. The preferred alternative would preserve untrailed expanses, unfragmented natural systems, and relatively pristine conditions throughout much of the park. It would protect Walnut Canyon as a critical wildlife corridor. Visitation would be managed with the goal of providing quality learning opportunities in an intimate atmosphere while maintaining the health of the canyon ecosystem. The natural soundscape and tranquil setting of the canyon would be enhanced through strategic placement of facilities. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating measures were identified. The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding of no impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in the decision-making process.

On September 11, 2007, the State of Utah, School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (State) filed indemnity selection application UTU-85820, to have the surface and mineral estate of 281.72 acres of Federal land transferred to the State pursuant to Sections 2275 and 2276 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (43 U.S.C. 851-852). The lands have been selected by the State in lieu of school section lands granted to the State pursuant to the Utah Enabling Act of July 16, 1894, but for which title could not pass because the lands were otherwise encumbered or reserved at the time of statehood.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Special Status Species Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA)/Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for portions of the Carlsbad and Roswell Field Offices in New Mexico.

The Department of the Interior (Department), acting through the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), has issued a final environmental impact statement (Final EIS) on the proposed adoption of specific Colorado River Lower Basin shortage guidelines and coordinated reservoir management strategies to address operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead, particularly under low reservoir conditions. This action is proposed in order to provide a greater degree of certainty to U.S. Colorado River water users and managers of the Colorado River Basin by providing detailed and objective guidelines for the operation of Lake Powell and Lake Mead, thereby allowing water managers and water users in the Lower Basin to know when, and by how much, water deliveries will be reduced in drought and other low reservoir conditions. The Department proposes that these guidelines be interim in duration and extend through 2026. Cooperating agencies are the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Western Area Power Administration, and the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission.