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

Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), revise our February 2, 2005 (70 FR 5404), proposed rule to remove the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (Preble's) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. We now propose to amend the listing for the Preble's meadow jumping mouse to specify over what portion of its range the subspecies is threatened. The best scientific and commercial data available demonstrates that: The Preble's meadow jumping mouse is a valid subspecies and should not be delisted based upon taxonomic revision; the subspecies is not threatened throughout all of its range; and the portion of the current range of the subspecies located in Colorado represents a significant portion of the current range where the Preble's meadow jumping mouse is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future, and the subspecies in that portion of its range should retain its threatened status. We seek comments from the public regarding this revised proposal. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they have already been incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final determination.

The MMS has prepared a final programmatic EIS in support of the establishment of a program for authorizing alternative energy and alternate use activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), as authorized by Section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), and codified in subsection 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Pursuant to the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the MMS is announcing the availability of this final programmatic EIS. As part of its efforts to develop a regulatory program for alternative energy and alternate use activities, this final programmatic EIS examines the potential environmental effects of the program on the OCS and identifies policies and best management practices that may be adopted for the program. Several alternatives available to the MMS for implementing an alternative energy and alternate use program on the OCS are analyzed in this final programmatic EIS, including the ``no action'' alternative. The MMS intends to prepare a separate NEPA analysis, tiered from this EIS, to evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed rule for alternative energy and alternate use activities on the OCS. Further, separate lease sale, activity-specific, and proposal-specific NEPA analyses will be prepared as appropriate.

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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are revising the designation of critical habitat for the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 84,865 acres (ac) (34,344 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the designation. The critical habitat is located in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

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 Charter for the Science Technical Advisory Panel for the North Slope Science Initiative is amended to reflect the implementing legislative language in section 348(d), Energy Policy Act of 2005, establishing the Science Technical Advisory Panel. This amendment is a minor technical change in accordance with 41 CFR 102- 3.80(1). The North Slope Science Initiative is also seeking nominations for five, three-year appointments to the North Slope Science Technical Advisory Panel. Any individual or organization may nominate one or more persons to serve on the Science Technical Advisory Panel. Individuals may nominate themselves for Science Technical Advisory Panel membership. The purpose of the Science Technical Advisory Panel is to provide advice on proposed inventory, monitoring and research functions related to the North Slope Science Initiative.

The Bureau of Land Management, El Centro Field Office (BLM), is providing notice pursuant to Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 8364.1 (Closure and Restriction Orders), which provides, in part, for the Authorized Officer to close or restrict use of designated public lands for the protection of persons, property, and public lands and resources. Notice is hereby given that the El Centro Field Office (BLM) will immediately close selected public lands to public access in Eastern San Diego County, CA. Due to extreme fire conditions currently in this area and in the interest of public safety, the following areas will be temporarily closed until the end of the current fire emergency. (1) McCain Valley Conservation Area (22,852 acres) to include Cottonwood Campground, Lark Canyon Campground and Lark Canyon Day Use OHV Area, Boulevard, CA. (2) Buck Canyon (2,763 acres), Ranchita, CA. (3) Chariot Canyon/Rodriguez Canyon (6,870 acres), Julian, CA. (4) San Felipe Hills (5,278 acres), Ranchita, CA.

The National Park Service is seeking public comments and suggestions on the planning of the 2007 Lighting of the National Christmas Tree and the subsequent 26-day event.

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership Office, 408 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor Conference Room, Boston, MA. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the summer season, discuss the report card project, and plan for the annual meeting of the council. The meeting will be open to the public. Any person may file with the Superintendent a written statement concerning the matters to be discussed. Persons who wish to file a written statement at the meeting or who want further information concerning the meeting may contact Superintendent Bruce Jacobson at (617) 223-8667.

The following corrections are made: Three scoping meetings (West Jordan, Tooele, and Nephi, Utah) will be held during the scoping period. The Mona to Oquirrh Transmission Line project Web site is https://www.monatransmission.com. All other information within the Notice of Intent (10/16/07) remains unchanged.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on a proposed new collection of information (1024-xxxx).

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.

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approximately 944,343 acres of public lands from settlement, sale, location, entry, or patent under the United States mining laws, for a period of 2 years for the BLM to protect desert tortoise habitat, archaeological and cultural resources, and special wildlife and riparian values on 24 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). This notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws while a proposed 20-year withdrawal application is being processed in accordance with Sec. 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of October 21, 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714 (2000).

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (FLREA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) and Recreation RAC Subcommittee will meet as indicated below.

This notice provides the name of individuals who have been appointed to serve as members of the Department of the Interior Performance Review Board.

This publication supersedes in its entirety the previous publication dated October 18, 2007, found on page 59110, Volume 72, Number 201. The surface owner of the lands described in this notice, aggregating approximately 25 acres, has filed an application for the purchase of the Federally-owned mineral interests in the lands. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the mineral interest from appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining law.