Department of the Interior January 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Thirty-four parcels of public land in Ada, Adams, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties, Idaho are being proposed for direct and competitive sale under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal Lands Transaction and Facilitation Act of 2000 (FLTFA) at no less than the appraised fair market value. Three parcels may be disposed of under the authority of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1926, as amended (R&PP). Five of these parcels require amendment of the Cascade Resource Management Plan (RMP) prior to sale.

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) Twin Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Kansas regulatory program (Kansas program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Kansas proposes revisions to its 2002 Kansas Revegetation Guidelines and its Normal Husbandry Practices. Kansas intends to update obsolete information used in determining the forage production success standard for warm season native grasses. Kansas also proposes to update their normal husbandry practices to increase clarity and to update references to other Agencies technical guidelines. These documents give the times and locations that the Kansas programs and proposed amendments to that program are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendments, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, initiate 5-year reviews of the endangered Peter's Mountain mallow (Iliamna corei), Jesup's milk-vetch (Astragalus robbinsii var. jesupi), James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina), sandplain gerardia (Agalinis acuta), harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum), Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah), American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana), and rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata), and the threatened Northeastern beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis) and Virginia spiraea (Spiraea virginiana) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request any new information on these species that may have a bearing on their classification as endangered or threatened. Based on the results of these 5-year reviews, we will make a finding on whether these species are properly classified under the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), are preparing a joint environmental impact report/environmental impact statement (EIR/EIS) for the Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project (Project), located in Sonoma County, California. At this early stage in the planning process, the purpose of the Project is to restore natural estuarine ecosystems on diked baylands, while providing public access and recreational and educational opportunities compatible with ecological and cultural resources protection. This scoping notice advises the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We encourage the public and other agencies to participate in the NEPA scoping process by sending written suggestions and information on the issues and concerns that should be addressed in the draft EIR/EIS, including the range of suitable alternatives, appropriate mitigation measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts. Throughout the EIR/EIS process, we will announce additional opportunities for public input.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a meeting of the Lake Champlain Sea Lamprey Control Alternatives Workgroup (Workgroup). The Workgroup's purpose is to provide, in an advisory capacity, recommendations and advice on research and implementation of sea lamprey control techniques alternative to lampricide that are technically feasible, cost effective, and environmentally safe. The primary objective of the meeting will be to discuss potential research initiatives that may enhance alternative sea lamprey control techniques. The meeting is open to the public.

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) Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

Notice is hereby given that certain coal resources in the Eagle Butte West Coal Tract described below in Campbell County, WY, will be offered for competitive lease by sealed bid in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is announcing the availability of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Cape Wind Energy Project. Cape Wind Associates, LLC (CWA) has requested a lease, easement or right-of-way pursuant to section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (43 U.S.C 1337) as amended, and proposes to construct and operate a wind energy facility on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. The purpose of the proposed project is to provide a renewable energy facility that utilizes the unique wind resources offshore of New England, using a technology that is currently available, technically feasible, and economically viable. The project ostensibly is designed to interconnect with and deliver electricity to the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) grid, making a substantial contribution to enhancing the region's electrical reliability and achieving renewable energy requirements under the Massachusetts and regional renewable portfolio standards (RPS). The draft EIS is intended to inform the public of the proposed action and alternatives, including the ``no action'' alternative; address public comment received during the scoping period; analyze the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the proposed action and each of the reasonable alternatives; and provide information to support decision-making. The MMS invites comment on the draft EIS.

A 1.08-acre parcel of public land in Granite County, Montana, is being considered for sale under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), at no less than the appraised fair market value, to resolve a longstanding, inadvertent unauthorized use.

A parcel of public land of approximately 409.34 acres in Lander County, Nevada is being considered for sale under the provisions of section 203 of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), at no less than the appraised fair market value.

The National Indian Gaming Commission (``NIGC'') announces the extension of the comment period on the proposed rule concerning Classification Standards for Bingo, Lotto, Other Games Similar to Bingo, Pull Tabs and Instant Bingo as Class II Gaming When Played Through an Electronic Medium Using ``Electronic, Computer, or Other Technologic Aids.'' The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2007 (72 FR 60483). The NIGC is extending the comment period to March 9, 2008.

This notice lists programs or portions of programs that are eligible for inclusion in Fiscal Year 2008 funding agreements with self-governance tribes and lists programmatic targets.

The National Indian Gaming Commission (``NIGC'') announces the extension of the comment period on the proposed rule concerning the Definition for Electronic or Electromechanical Facsimile. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2007 (72 FR 60482). The NIGC is extending the comment period to March 9, 2008.

Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act request for lease and subsequent conveyance of approximately 265 acres of public land in Washoe County, Nevada. The City of Sparks proposes to use the land for a regional park.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) Application and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Ladd Development Inc. (applicant) requests an ITP for a 5-year duration under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant anticipates taking approximately 5.75 acres of Florida scrub-jay (Alphelocoma coerulescens)-occupied habitat incidental to construction of an industrial center 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 scrub-jay.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public and interested State and local government officials of the filing of Plats of Survey in Nevada.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving the surface estate in certain lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Tanalian, Incorporated. The lands are in the vicinity of Port Alsworth, Alaska, and located in:

We (Department of the Interior, DOI) plan to ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. This IC is scheduled to expire March 31, 2008. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC.

The following permits were issued.

The upcoming meeting for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council is cancelled.

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) Idaho Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.