Department of the Interior August 19, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease and conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended, approximately 40.00 acres of public land in Lincoln County, Wyoming. The Town of Star Valley Ranch proposes to use the land for municipal and recreation purposes.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet on September 18, 2008, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the BLM National Training Center located at 9828 North 31st Avenue in Phoenix from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Morning agenda items include: Review and approval of the March 6, and June 19, 2008, meeting minutes for RAC and Recreation Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) business; BLM State Director's update on statewide issues; Update on Solar Energy Rights-of-Way Application and Processing; Presentation on OHV Ambassadors Program; RAC questions on BLM Field Managers Rangeland Resource Team proposals; and, reports by RAC working groups. A public comment period will be provided at 11:30 a.m. on September 18, 2008, for any interested publics who wish to address the Council on BLM programs and business. Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the RAC has been designated as the RRAC, and has the authority to review all BLM and Forest Service (FS) recreation fee proposals in Arizona. The afternoon meeting agenda on September 18, will include review and discussion of the Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) Working Group Report, REA Work Group meeting schedule and future BLM/FS recreation fee proposals. In addition, the following BLM and FS fee proposals will be discussed: (1) Paria Canyon/Coyote Buttes Recreation Area (BLM Arizona Strip District)The BLM proposes to increase the Paria day-use permit fee from $5 per person to $6 per person, and increase the Coyote Buttes North day-use permit fee from $5 per person to $7 per person. Implementation of these new fees is proposed to begin October 1, 2008. Funds generated through recreation fees will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of Paria Canyon/ Coyote Buttes Recreation Area. (2) Half Moon Ranch and Shaw House (Coronado National Forest)The FS is proposing to include the Half Moon Ranch and the Shaw House in the ``Rooms with a View'' Arizona Cabin Rental Program. The proposed new fee increase of $150.00 would include one night's rental at each house. Both houses are located approximately 10 miles east of Sunsites, Arizona, and can accommodate up to 10 people and 6 horses. Rental of these houses and other facilities within the Arizona National Forest has shown that the public appreciates and enjoys the availability of historic rental facilities. Funds from the rentals will be used for the continued operation and maintenance of the Half Moon Ranch and the Shaw House. (3) Apache Maid Cabin (Coconino National Forest)The FS proposes to make the historic Apache Maid Cabin available to the public as an overnight rental. The Apache Maid Cabin has served numerous functions ranging from a summer ranch headquarters to a Forest Service Ranger Station. The cabin has two bedrooms and a kitchen, an exterior vault toilet, a propane stove, and propane lighting. The cabin will accommodate a maximum of six people at a fee of $75/night. (4) Prescott National Forestwide Fee Proposal (Prescott National Forest)The FS proposes to increase fees at campgrounds from $6-15 to $10-18 and day-use sites from $2-3 to $5. Fee changes would begin in 2009 and would remain the same for the next five years. The forest is also proposing to discontinue fee collection at one campground and one- day use site. Additional components of the proposal include: (a) Camping fees would also include access to day-use sites across the Forest; (b) group sites would have two fee ranges: 1-50 people and 51- 100 people; (c) annual passes would remain at the current price of $40; however second vehicle annual passes in the same family would increase from $5 to $10; (d) an extra vehicle charge of $5 would apply to single (up to 1 vehicle, 5 people) and double (2 vehicles, 10 people) campsites. RVs towing a car count as one vehicle; and (e) Wednesday would remain a free day at day use sites. Following the BLM/FS proposals, the RRAC will open the meeting to public comments on the fee proposals. After completing their RRAC business, the BLM RAC will provide recommendations to the RAC Designated Federal Official on the fee proposal and discuss future RAC meetings and locations.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce that our Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the nine Wetland Management Districts (Districts) is available. The nine Districts include Arrowwood, Audubon, Chase Lake, Crosby, Devils Lake, J. Clark Salyer, Kulm, Lostwood, and Valley City Districts, located throughout the State of North Dakota. This Draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage these Districts for the next 15 years.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), the National Park Service (NPS) is announcing its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Special Resource Study (SRS) of the River Raisin Battlefield. Public Law 109-429, passed on December 20, 2006, directed the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an SRS of sites in Monroe County, Michigan, relating to the Battles of the River Raisin on January 18 and 22, 1813, and their aftermath. To facilitate sound planning and environmental assessment, the NPS intends to gather information necessary for the preparation of an BIS and obtain suggestions and information from other Agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the 515. Comments and participation in this scoping process are invited. Participation in the planning process will be encouraged and facilitated by various means, including newsletters and open house meetings. The NPS will conduct public scoping meetings to explain the planning process and to solicit opinions about issues to address in the SRS/EIS. Notification of all such meetings will be announced in the local press and in the NPS newsletters. Based on the information received during scoping, and the development of preliminary alternatives and impact analysis, the NPS may decide that an environmental assessment would better suit the process. The NPS would announce that decision publicly.