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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise the currently designated critical habitat for Cirsium loncholepis (La Graciosa thistle) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 38,447 acres (ac) (15,559 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of this proposed revised critical habitat designation. The proposed revision is to critical habitat located in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, California.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), intend to serve as the lead agency, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, in the preparation of a joint EIS/EIR for the California Department of Fish and Game's (CDFG) Fish Hatchery and Stocking Program (Program). Under the Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFRA), FWS currently proposes to fund actions associated with the operation of CDFG's 13 trout hatcheries (listed below) and the Mad River anadromous fish hatchery, including stocking from those 14 hatcheries. The Federal action would not include funding CDFG's private stocking permit program. The CDFG will serve as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analyzing the hatcheries' operations funded by the SFRA, as well as CDFG's entire fish hatchery program. This notice announces two public scoping meetings on our intended actions.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR Part 1320, Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on a reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection of information for which approval has expired (OMB 1024-0216).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 417,577 acres (ac) (168,992 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The critical habitat is located in Tuolumne, Mono, Fresno, Inyo, and Tulare Counties, California. We also are finalizing the revision of taxonomy of the listed entity from a distinct population segment (DPS) of California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) to subspecies, Ovis canadensis sierrae, based on recent published information.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Bureau of Indian Affairs has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for approval and renewal of information collections, OMB Control No. 1076-0017, Financial Assistance and Social Service Program application form 5-6601.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the Interior, is issuing public notice of its intent to amend 2 existing Privacy Act system of records notices to add a new routine use to authorize the disclosure of records to individuals involved in responding to a breach of Federal data.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northeast California Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

We, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft revised recovery plan for the Mojave population of the desert tortoise for public review and comment.

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.