Department of the Interior August 1, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Section 18 of the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1344) requires the Department of the Interior to solicit information from interested and affected parties during the preparation of a 5-year OCS oil and gas leasing program. The current 5-year program covers the period July 2007 to June 30, 2012. The Department's MMS is soliciting information on whether to begin a new Program for mid-2010 to mid-2015 (approximate dates) to succeed the current one. Section 18 requires completion of a multi-step process of public consultation and analysis before the Secretary of the Interior may approve a new 5-Year Program. The section 18 process includes the following required steps: This initial solicitation of comments; development of a draft proposed program, a proposed program, a proposed final program; and Secretarial approval. If the decision is made to prepare a new 5-Year Program, the MMS will also prepare appropriate NEPA analysis documents. The public will have opportunities to comment on the draft proposed program, the draft EIS or other NEPA documents, and the proposed program. This Notice in particular requests comments on areas that are restricted from leasing by Congressional Moratoria but were removed from Presidential Withdrawal on July 14, 2008.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer by non- competitive sale one parcel of land in northwest Las Vegas, Nevada totaling approximately 5.19 acres to Nevada Power Company (NPC). This land has been examined and found suitable for disposal utilizing direct sale procedures. The authority for the sale is under Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719, respectively, and BLM land sale and mineral conveyance regulations at 43 CFR 2710 and 2720.

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 Mendas Cha-Ag Native Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Healy Lake, Alaska, and are located in:

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management policies, the BLM announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Truckhaven Geothermal Leasing Area, Imperial County, managed by the El Centro Field Office. The El Centro Field Manager has signed the ROD, which constitutes the final decision of the BLM.

Pursuant to Public Law 106-503, the Interim Steering Committee for the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center will hold a meeting to discuss priority wildlife climate change research needs of land management and natural resources agencies. Agenda topics will be provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. Meetings of the Interim Steering Committee for the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center are open to the public.