Department of the Interior July 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 151 - 181 of 181
Incidental Take Permit Application for Construction and Operation of Seven Meteorological Towers on Lanai, Hawaii
Castle and Cooke Resorts, LLC (Applicant), has submitted an application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (permit) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The Applicant is requesting a permit because incidental take of four species listed under the ESA may occur as a result of construction and operation of seven meteorological towers on the island of Lanai, Hawaii: The endangered Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), endangered Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus), and the threatened Newell's (Townsend's) shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli). Six of the seven towers have already been constructed. If approved, the permit would authorize take, incidental to otherwise lawful activities. The permit application includes a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that describes the Applicant's actions and the measures the Applicant will implement to minimize, mitigate, and monitor take of listed species. The Service also announces the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that has been prepared in response to the permit application in accordance with requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We are making the permit application package available for public review and comment.
Alaska Native Claims Selection
As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving the subsurface estate in certain lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to The Aleut Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Umnak Island, Alaska, and are located in:
Drafting of U.S. Nominations to the World Heritage List
This notice constitutes the Second Notice referred to in Sec. 73.7(c) of the World Heritage Program regulations (36 CFR Part 73), and sets forth the decision to request that draft World Heritage nominations for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Hawaii, and Mount Vernon, Virginia, be prepared. On March 19, 2008, the Department of the Interior requested public comment on whether any properties identified on the U.S. Tentative List should be nominated to the World Heritage List, and in particular whether Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Hawaii, and Mount Vernon, Virginia, should be nominated. After review of the comments provided by the public and consultation with the Federal Interagency Panel on World Heritage, the Department, in accordance with 36 CFR part 73, has selected Papahanaumokuakea National Monument and Mount Vernon as proposed nominations to the World Heritage List. With the assistance of the Department, the owners of these sites are encouraged to prepare complete nomination documents for the sites in accordance with 36 CFR Part 73 and the nomination format required by the World Heritage Committee. A discussion of the decision and comments received follows.
Federal Land Managers' Air Quality Related Values Work Group (FLAG)
The National Park Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, is announcing the availability of, and accepting comments on, the draft FLAG Phase I ReportREVISED. The Federal Land Managers' Air Quality Related Values Work Group (FLAG) was formed (1) to develop a more consistent and objective approach for the Federal Land Managers (FLMs), i.e., National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, to evaluate air pollution effects on their air quality related values (AQRVs); and (2) to provide State permitting authorities and potential permit applicants consistency on how to assess the impacts of new and existing sources on AQRVs. The FLAG effort focuses on the effects of the air pollutants that could affect the health and status of resources in areas managed by the three agencies, primarily such pollutants as ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrates, and sulfates. FLAG formed subgroups that concentrated on four issues: (1) Terrestrial effects of ozone; (2) aquatic and terrestrial effects of wet and dry pollutant deposition; (3) visibility; and (4) process and policy issues. In December 2000, after undergoing a public review and comment process that included a 90-day public comment period announced in the Federal Register and a public meeting, the FLMs published a final Phase I report (FLAG 2000), along with an accompanying ``Response to Public Comments'' document. FLAG 2000 has been a useful tool to the FLMs, State permitting authorities, and permit applicants. It was intended to be a working document that would be revised as necessary as the FLMs learn more about how to better assess the health and status of AQRVs. Based on knowledge gained and regulatory developments since FLAG 2000, the FLMs believe certain revisions to FLAG 2000 are now appropriate. The draft revised report now available for public review and comment (FLAG 2008) reflects those changes. The most significant changes proposed in the draft FLAG 2008 revision are summarized as follows: Adopts similar criteria derived from EPA's 2005 Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) guidelines for the Regional Haze Rule to screen out from AQRV review those sources with relatively small amounts of emissions located a large distance from a Class I area (i.e., Q/D
Notice of Realty Action: Recreation and Public Purposes Act Classification of Public Lands in Carbon County, WY
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended, approximately 140 acres of public land in Carbon County, Wyoming. The City of Rawlins proposes to continue the use of the land as the Rawlins landfill.
Safe Harbor Agreement for the Northern Spotted Owl for Fred M. van Eck Forest Foundation, Humboldt County, CA
This notice advises the public that the Fred M. van Eck Forest Foundation (Applicant) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The permit application includes a proposed Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) between the Applicant and the Service for the threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caruina). The proposed Agreement and permit would remain in effect for 90 years. We request comments from the public on the permit application and an Environmental Action Statement that has been prepared to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Final Supplementary Rules on Public Land in Humboldt, Pershing and Washoe Counties, NV
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca Field Office, Nevada, and Surprise Field Office, California, are issuing new supplementary rules for the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area (NCA), associated designated wilderness, and other contiguous lands as identified in the 2004 Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Record of Decision. These supplementary rules are needed to protect the area's natural and cultural resources and provide for public health and safety on public lands. These supplementary rules do not propose or implement any land use limitation or restrictions other than those limitations or restrictions included within the decisions in the RMP or allowed for by existing law or regulation.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Removal of the Concho Water Snake (Nerodia paucimaculata) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Removal of Federally Designated Critical Habitat
The best available scientific and commercial data indicate that the Concho water snake (Nerodia paucimaculata) has recovered. Therefore, under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) propose to remove (delist) the Concho water snake (Nerodia paucimaculata) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, and accordingly, also remove its federally designated critical habitat. This determination is based on a thorough review of all available information, which indicates that the threats to this species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species has recovered and no longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered under the Act. The Concho water snake is a reptile endemic to central Texas. It was listed as threatened on September 3, 1986, due to threats of habitat modification and destruction (51 FR 31412). Through implementation of recovery efforts, the Service has determined that this species has been recovered and no longer meets the definition of threatened or endangered.
Corrected Notice of Realty Action: Recreation and Public Purposes Act Classification of Public Lands in Sweetwater County, WY
This notice corrects the legal description of the Notice of Realty Action published on May 23, 2002, which classified land under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act in Sweetwater County for a county jail facility.
Notice To Extend Public Scoping Comment Period for Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement To Evaluate Solar Energy Development and Announcement of Additional Public Scoping Meetings
DOE and BLM (the Agencies) are extending the comment period for public scoping for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to Evaluate Solar Energy Development and have added three meetings to the previously announced public scoping meeting schedule.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians Fee-to-Trust Acquisition and Casino-Hotel Project, Sonoma County, CA
This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency, with the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians (Tribe) as a cooperating agency, intends to gather information necessary for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed 79 acre fee-to-trust acquisition and casino and hotel project to be located within the City of Cloverdale's Sphere of Influence, in an unincorporated area of Sonoma County, California. The purpose of the proposed action is to help promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and a strong tribal government. This notice also announces a public scoping meeting to identify potential issues, concerns and alternatives to be considered in the EIS.
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Proclamation Provisions
NOAA and the USFWS are proposing regulations to establish a ship reporting system for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. This action would implement measures adopted by the International Maritime Organization requiring notification by ships passing through the Monument without interruption. A draft environmental assessment has been prepared for this proposed action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. A copy of the draft environmental assessment is available for public review at https:// hawaiireef.noaa.gov/ and comment concurrently with this proposed rule.
Coal Lease Exploration License, WY
Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 CFR 3410, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Kiewit Mining Properties Inc. on a pro rata cost sharing basis in its program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described land in Campbell County, WY:
Pinedale Anticline Working Group and Task Groups-Notice of Renewal
This notice is published in accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Public Law 92-463). Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior has renewed the Pinedale Anticline Working Group and Task Groups (PAWG). The purpose of the Working Group and Task Groups will be to advise the Bureau of Land Management, Pinedale Field Office Manager, regarding recommendations on matters pertinent to the Bureau of Land Management's responsibilities related to the Pinedale Anticline Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision.
Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge, Hyde County, NC
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge for public review and comment. In this Draft CCP/EA, we describe the alternative we propose to use to manage this refuge for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.
Flight 93 National Memorial Advisory Commission
This notice sets forth the date of the August 2, 2008 meeting of the Flight 93 Advisory Commission.
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Resource Management Plan Amendment and Associated Environmental Assessment for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District Deschutes Resource Area, and a Proposed Classification of Lands as Suitable for Disposal
This document provides notice that the BLM intends to prepare an amendment to the Upper Deschutes Resource Management Plan for the Prineville District, Deschutes Resource Area and an associated Environmental Assessment (EA). The proposed amendment would reclassify some lands designated for BLM retention and management (Z-1) in the existing Resource Management Plan (RMP) as suitable for disposal (Z-3). The BLM is also providing notice of the proposed classification of these same lands under Section 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act as suitable for disposal. These classifications are required to allow consideration of transfer of these lands to the State of Oregon (``the State'') under the State Indemnity Selection process. When Oregon was admitted into the Union in 1859, the Federal government granted sections 16 and 36 within every township to the State for support of public schools. However, if the Federal government had already disposed of these specific sections or reserved them for some other purpose, the State is allowed to select other public lands ``in-lieu'' of the unavailable sections. To date the State has received approximately 3,000 of the 5,202 acres owed. The State of Oregon Department of State Lands has selected parcels with potential to produce income for the Common School Fund through subsequent development of the lands. The planning area is located in Deschutes County, Oregon and is described as follows:
Sonoma County Office of Education Habitat Conservation Plan, Dutton Avenue School, City of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, CA
The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE or applicant) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for a 5-year incidental take permit for two 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 one listed animals and one listed plant. The applicant would implement a conservation program to minimize and mitigate the project activities, as described in the SCOE Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan (plan). We request comments on the applicant's application and plan, and the preliminary determination that the plan qualifies as a ``low-effect'' habitat conservation plan, eligible for a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). We discuss our basis for this determination in our Environmental Action Statement (EAS), which is also available for public review.
Amended Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Colorado Coal Resources, LLC; COC-73016; Colorado
Pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920, as amended, and to Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 3410, members of the public are hereby invited to participate with Colorado Coal Resources, LLC, in a program for the exploration of unleased coal deposits owned by the United States of America containing approximately 3,980.0 acres in Routt County, Colorado.
Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease; Nevada
Pursuant to the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease NVN-74775 for lands in Eureka County, Nevada, was timely filed and was accompanied by all the required rentals accruing from August 1, 2006, the date of termination. No valid lease has been issued affecting the lands. The lessee, Newmont Mining Corporation has agreed to new lease terms for rentals and royalties at rates of $10 per acre or fraction thereof and 16\2/3\ percent, respectively. Newmont Mining Corporation has paid the required $500 administrative fee and has reimbursed the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the cost of this Federal Register notice. Newmont Mining Corporation has met all the requirements for reinstatement of the lease as set out in Sections 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188), and the BLM is proposing to reinstate the lease effective August 1, 2006, subject to the original terms and conditions of the lease and the increased rental and royalty rates cited above.
Class III Tribal State Gaming Compact Process
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) proposes to establish procedures for Indian tribes and States to submit Tribal-State compacts and compact amendments, governing the conduct of class III gaming activities on the tribe's Indian lands located within that State, for review and approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 243. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. We changed the title of this ICR to clarify the regulatory language we are covering under 30 CFR part 243. The previous title of this ICR was ``30 CFR 243Suspensions Pending Appeal and BondingMinerals Revenue Management (Forms MMS-4435, Administrative Appeal Bond; MMS-4436, Letter of Credit; and MMS-4437, Assignment of Certificate of Deposit).'' The new title of this ICR is ``30 CFR Part 243Suspensions Pending Appeal and BondingMinerals Revenue Management.''
MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0141, 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Oil and Gas Drilling Operations, Extension of a Collection; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart D, Oil and Gas Drilling Operations. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.
MMS Information Collection Activity: 1010-0068-30 CFR Part 250, Subpart M, Unitization, Extension of a Collection; Submitted for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request
To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 250, Subpart M, Unitization. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permits
We announce our receipt of applications to conduct certain activities pertaining to enhancement of survival of endangered species.
Alaska Native Claims Selection
As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to St. George Tanaq Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Unalaska Island, Alaska, and are located in:
Meeting Announcement: North American Wetlands Conservation Council
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This meeting is open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements.
Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0036
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request approval to continue the collection of information under 30 CFR part 780, Surface Mining Permit ApplicationsMinimum Requirements for Reclamation and Operation Plans. This information collection activity was previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and assigned clearance number 1029-0036.
Alaska Native Claims Selection
As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision adjusting the entitlement granted to the Native village of Chickaloon by Section 12(a) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Chickaloon Moose Creek Native Association, Inc. The adjustment is made pursuant to Sec. 12(a)(3) of the Act of January 2, 1976, and Section 4(a) of the Act of October 4, 1976. The adjusted entitlement is as follows:
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