Department of the Interior May 16, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), propose to remove the plant Erigeron maguirei (commonly referred to as Maguire daisy) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. The best scientific and commercial data available indicate that this species has recovered and no longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered under the Act. Our review of the status of this species shows that populations are stable, threats have been addressed, and adequate regulatory mechanisms ensure the species is not currently and is not likely to again become an endangered species within the foreseeable future in all or a significant portion of its range. We seek information, data, and comments from the public regarding E. maguirei, this proposal to delist, and the Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan. This proposed rule completes the 5-year status review initiated on April 7, 2006 (71 FR 17900).

On June 13, 2007, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (FS), published in the Federal Register [72FR32679] a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a joint Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to analyze the leasing of BLM- and FS- administered lands with potential for geothermal resources in 11 western states and Alaska. The Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) requires the BLM to develop land use plans, also known as Resource Management Plans (RMPs), to guide the BLM's management of the public lands. The BLM's land use planning regulations, which implement FLPMA, require the BLM to publish, and provide for public review of, the proposed planning criteria that will guide the BLM's land use planning process. The purpose of this Information Notice is to identify the RMPs that the BLM may amend and set out the proposed planning criteria that would guide the BLM's planning amendment process. Please note that while the preparation of the PEIS is a joint project with the FS, this Notice applies only to public lands that the BLM manages and does not apply in any way to lands that the FS administers. The FS manages lands that are under its jurisdiction under a separate statutory and regulatory framework.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the Draft Bexar County Karst Invertebrates Recovery Plan. We are soliciting review and comment from the public on this draft recovery plan.

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Gardner Auditorium, Boston, MA 02133. This will be a quarterly meeting of the Council. The agenda will include a discussion of a proposal for a learning center, next steps for the council, report from the Superintendent, and public comment. 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.

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Advisory Commission will be held at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, July 25, 2008, at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Headquarters, 1850 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740.

Williamson County, Texas (Applicant), has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE- 181840-0) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which would be in effect for a period of 30 years, if granted, would authorize incidental take of the following federally listed species: Golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), and Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus). The proposed take would occur in Williamson County, Texas, as a result of activities including, but not limited to, road construction, maintenance, and improvement projects; utility construction and maintenance; school development and construction; public or private construction and development; and land clearing. Such actions cause effects to upland (bird) and underground (karst) habitats. Williamson County has completed a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (dHCP) as part of the application package. We have issued a draft environmental impact statement (dEIS) that evaluates the impacts of, and alternatives to, possible issuance of an incidental take permit (ITP).

The National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) will meet on June 3-4, 2008 in the 2nd Floor Boardroom of the American Institute of Architects Building, 1735 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20006. The NGAC, which is composed of representatives from governmental, private sector, non-profit, and academic organizations, has been established to advise the Chair of the Federal Geographic Data Committee on management of Federal geospatial programs, the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16. Topics to be addressed at the meeting include: Discussion of NGAC Bylaws/NGAC Mission Geospatial Line of Business/OMB Circular A-16 Imagery for the Nation Subcommittee Reports National Geospatial Strategy Design The meeting will include an opportunity for public comment during the morning of June 4. Comments may also be submitted to the NGAC in writing. While the meeting will be open to the public, seating may be limited due to room capacity.