Department of the Interior February 26, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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

The following permits were issued.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Appendix (1988)), that the Preservation Technology and Training Board (Board) of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), National Park Service will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15-16, 2008, in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The Board was established by Congress to provide leadership, policy advice, and professional oversight to the National Park Service's National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (National Center) in compliance with section 404 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 470x-2(e)). The Board will meet at Lee H. Nelson Hall, the headquarters of NCPTT, at 645 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71457telephone (318) 356-7444. The meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 15 and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 16. The Board's meeting agenda will include: review and comment on National Center FY2007 accomplishments and operational priorities for FY2008; FY2008 and FY2009 National Center budget and initiatives; proposed Conference on Sustainability in Preservation; revitalization of the Center's Friends group, and Board workgroup reports. The Board meeting is open to the public. Facilities and space for accommodating members of the public are limited, however, and persons will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. Any member of the public may file a written statement concerning any of the matters to be discussed by the Board. Persons wishing more information concerning this meeting, or who wish to submit written statements, may contact: Mr. Kirk A. Cordell, Executive Director, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 645 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71457telephone (318) 356-7444. In addition to U.S. Mail or commercial delivery, written comments may be sent by fax to Mr. Cordell at (318) 356-9119. Minutes of the meeting will be available for public inspection no later than 90 days after the meeting at the office of the Executive Director, National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 645 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA 71457telephone (318) 356-7444.

The Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG) affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River (California) restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council (TMC). The meeting is open to the public.

The National Park Service announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Saguaro National Park, Arizona. This action follows the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(c). The document will provide a framework for management, visitor use, and facility development of the national park by the National Park Service for the next 15 to 25 years. The document describes three management alternatives including a no-action alternative and the preferred alternative of the National Park Service. In addition, the National Park Service analyzes anticipated environmental impacts of the alternatives. The National Park Service considered comments from the public, from traditionally associated American Indian tribes, and from government agencies on the draft plan when preparing the final.

This notice advises the public and other interested parties that the comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), Incidental Take Permit (ITP) application, and Implementing Agreement (IA) regarding the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's (OPRD) HCP for the western snowy plover is reopened for fifteen days. The original notice contains additional information and was published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2007 (72 FR 62485). The OPRD has submitted an application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an ITP pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). As required by section 10(a)(2)(B) of the ESA, the OPRD has also prepared an HCP that describes the proposed actions and measures the applicant will implement to minimize and mitigate take of the threatened western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). The permit application is related to public use, recreation, beach management, and resource management activities along Oregon's coastal shores. The Service generally allows 45 days for public comment on a DEIS which evaluates the impacts of a proposed HCP and associated ITP on the human environment. The original comment period on the DEIS was from November 5, 2007, to January 4, 2008, and extended over several Federal holidays so the Service provided a 60-day comment period. However, during that period, the Pacific Northwest coast experienced extreme weather with coastal wind damage and flooding, potentially affecting the ability of interested parties to obtain necessary documents for review. Since the area damaged by severe weather encompassed the area potentially affected by the proposed HCP, we are reopening the public comment period for 15 days following publication of this notice. Comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. For locations to review the documents, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.