Department of the Interior August 26, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) amends a procedural regulation pertaining to the issuance of patents for public lands leased on or before November 9, 1988, for solid waste disposal or related purposes. The existing regulation requires the express approval of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) before the lessee may receive a patent to such lands. In 1992, when the regulation was promulgated, most of the BLM's employees with the necessary expertise were centralized in the BLM's headquarters in Washington, DC, and express approval by the Director was deemed necessary. This is no longer the case, since employees with the necessary expertise are now located in State Offices of the BLM. Consistent with Department of the Interior policy to delegate responsibility to the lowest appropriate organizational levels, this rule removes the requirement for express approval by the Director. As this administrative final rule amends an internal agency procedure, it is exempt from the usual requirement for notice and an opportunity for public comment, under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Pursuant to Public Law 96-472, the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (NEPEC) will hold a meeting. The meeting location is the Hilton Palm Springs Resort, 400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California 92262-6605. The Committee is comprised of members from academia and the Federal Government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on proposed earthquake predictions, on the completeness and scientific validity of the available data related to earthquake predictions, and on related matters as assigned by the Director. The Council will receive a briefing on the Colaboratory for Study of Earthquake Predictability (CSEP), a report on a workshop on Episodic Tremor and Slip held last winter, and short reports and updates on several other topics. The Council will also discuss the potential need to provide advisory reports on short notice if natural observations suggest an increased earthquake risk, and the form and content of such reports. Meetings of the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council are open to the public.

We are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Montana regulatory program (hereinafter, the ``Montana program'') under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (``SMCRA'' or ``the Act''). Montana proposes to clarify ambiguities. This document gives the times and locations that the Montana program and proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c) the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Draft General Management Plan (GMP) for Fort Stanwix National Monument, located in the city of Rome, New York. Consistent with National Park Service rules, regulations, and policies, and the park's mission, the Draft GMP/EIS describes and analyzes two alternatives to guide the management and development of Fort Stanwix National Monument over the next 15 to 20 years. The alternatives incorporate various management prescriptions to ensure protection and enjoyment of the park's resources. The Draft GMP/EIS evaluates potential environmental consequences of implementing the alternatives. Impact topics include cultural and natural resources, visitor experience, park operations, and the socioeconomic environment. NPS regional planning staff and staff at Fort Stanwix NM collaborated in the development of the Draft GMP/EIS. The main issues that the Draft GMP/EIS has focused on have included protection of cultural resources, visitor services, partnership opportunities, carrying capacity, and the lack of a properly defined boundary. Alternative 1: No Action focuses on basically maintaining current management, protection, and interpretive practices and interpreting the siege of Fort Stanwix in the Revolutionary War. Alternative 2: Action Alternative seeks to broaden interpretation of Fort Stanwix in the context of the Northern Frontier, the Mohawk Valley, and American Indian history; forge new partnerships; upgrade exhibits and waysides; expand the interpretive role of the Marinus Willett Center; and develop an 18th-century cultural landscape treatment plan for the site. After public review of the Draft GMP/EIS, the National Park Service will consider public comments, and a Final GMP/EIS will be prepared. The Final GMP/EIS is scheduled for completion in 2008.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period and the scheduling of public hearings on our October 10, 2007, proposed revision to critical habitat for the Peninsular bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In this document, we propose to add approximately 36,240 acres (ac) (14,667 hectares (ha)) to our proposed revision of critical habitat. We also announce the availability of the draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed revision to critical habitat and amended required determinations. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed revisions to critical habitat, the associated DEA, and the amended required determinations section. Please do not resend comments that you submitted on the October 10, 2007, proposed rule. We considered those comments in our revisions to the proposed critical habitat that are set forth in this supplemental proposed rule. Comments previously submitted are included in the public record for this rulemaking.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for Acanthomintha ilicifolia (San Diego thornmint) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 671 acres (ac) (272 hectares (ha)) of land in San Diego County, California, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation.