Department of the Interior May 29, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement To Evaluate Solar Energy Development, Develop and Implement Agency-Specific Programs, Conduct Public Scoping Meetings, Amend Relevant Agency Land Use Plans, and Provide Notice of Proposed Planning Criteria
In Executive Order 13212, Actions to Expedite Energy-Related Projects, the President ordered that executive departments and agencies take appropriate actions ``to expedite projects that will increase the production, transmission, or conservation of energy.'' In addition, Title II, Section 211, of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109- 58) provides that the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) should, within 10 years of enactment of the Act, ``* * * seek to have approved non-hydropower renewable energy projects located on the public lands with a generation capacity of at least 10,000 megawatts of electricity.'' DOE and BLM (the Agencies) have identified utility-scale solar energy development as a potentially critical component in meeting these mandates. Utility-scale solar energy projects generate electricity that is distributed to consumers through the electric power transmission grid. The Agencies have determined that specific actions should be taken to further such energy development. The Agencies are considering the development and implementation of agency-specific programs that would establish environmental policies and mitigation strategies (e.g., best management practices and siting criteria) related to solar energy development in six western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah). DOE proposes to develop a solar energy program of environmental policies and mitigation strategies that would apply to the deployment of DOE supported solar energy projects on BLM-administered lands or other Federal, State, tribal, or private lands. The BLM would establish its own environmental policies and mitigation strategies to use when making decisions on whether to issue rights-of-way for utility-scale solar energy development projects on public lands administered by the BLM. The Agencies have determined that a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) is appropriate for the establishment of specific agency-wide solar energy programs and additional related policy. The Agencies are issuing this Notice of Intent to inform the public about the proposed actions; announce plans to conduct eight public scoping meetings; invite public participation in the scoping process; and solicit public comments for consideration in establishing the scope and content of the PEIS, alternatives, and environmental issues and impacts. The Agencies will prepare the PEIS in accordance with NEPA; the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508); the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.) DOE's NEPA regulations, 10 CFR Part 1021; and BLM's planning regulations, 43 CFR Part 1600.
Opening an Area to Off Road Vehicle Use on Bureau of Reclamation Lands at Belle Fourche Reservoir, SD
In accordance with 43 CFR 420 ``Off Road Vehicle Use'', the Bureau of Reclamation is opening a 35 acre area to off-road-vehicle (ORV) use at Belle Fourche Reservoir. The legal description of the ORV area is: T. 9 N., R. 4 E., Section 18, SE1/4 NE1/4 and NE1/4 SE1/4. The ORV area will allow Reclamation to direct and concentrate ORV use and effectively enforce elimination of unmanaged ORV use at other areas of the reservoir. The ORV area would be open to dirt bikes and 4-wheelers and other similar size vehicles but not to full size vehicles. Reclamation will provide for law enforcement patrols and inspections of the area. Regulations for the ORV area will be posted at the entrance. The perimeter will be marked by signs or fences. ORV use will only be allowed within this area. Outside of the ORV area, motorized vehicles will be restricted to established gravel or paved roads and must be legally licensed and operated by a licensed driver in accordance with South Dakota State law. The regulations for the Belle Fourche Reservoir ORV area are as follows: Requirementsvehicles: Each off-road vehicle that is operated on Reclamation lands shall meet the following requirements: (a) It shall conform to applicable State laws and vehicle registration requirements. (b) It shall be equipped with a proper muffler and spark arrestor in good working order and in constant operation. The spark arrestor must conform to Forest Service Spark Arrestor Standard 5100-1a, and there shall be no muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. (c) It shall have adequate brakes and, for operation from dusk to dawn, working headlights and taillights. Requirementsoperators: (a) Operators shall comply with any applicable State laws pertaining to off-road vehicles. (b) Each operator of an off-road vehicle operated on Reclamation lands shall possess a valid motor vehicle operator's permit or license; or, if no permit or license is held, he/she shall be accompanied by or under the immediate supervision of a person holding a valid permit or license. (c) During the operation of snowmobiles, trail bikes, and any other off road vehicle the operator shall wear safety equipment, generally accepted or prescribed by applicable State law or local ordinance for use of the particular activity in which he/she is participating. (d) No person may operate an off-road vehicle (1) in a reckless, careless or negligent manner; (2) in excess of established speed limits; (3) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (4) in a manner likely to cause irreparable damage or disturbance of the land, wildlife, vegetative resources, or archeological and historic values of resources; or (5) in a manner likely to become an unreasonable nuisance to other users of Reclamation or adjacent lands.
Notice of Submission of Information Collection to the Office of Management and Budget for Reinstatement
The Department of the Interior is submitting the information collection, titled the Bureau of Indian Education Higher Education Grant Application Form, OMB Control 1076-0101, for reinstatement. The Higher Education Grant Application Form needs to be reinstated because it expired during the renewal process.
Proposed Low Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Maintenance and Operations on the Calnev 8-Inch and 14-Inch Pipelines, Cajon and Lytle Creek Wash, San Bernardino County, CA
Calnev Pipeline Company LLC (applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for a 5-year incidental take permit for one covered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys Merriami parvus) associated with the proposed pipeline inspection and repair projects in the City of Rialto and unincorporated San Bernardino County, California. A conservation program to minimize and mitigate for the project activities would be implemented as described in the proposed Maintenance and Operations on the Calnev 8-inch and 14-inch Pipelines, Cajon and Lytle Creek Wash, San Bernardino County, California Habitat Conservation Plan (proposed HCP), which would be implemented by the applicant. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on the preliminary determination that the proposed HCP qualifies as a ``Low- effect'' Habitat Conservation Plan, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The basis for this determination is discussed in the Environmental Action Statement (EAS) and the associated Low Effect Screening Form, which are also available for public review.
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