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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, located in Colorado and Austin Counties, Texas. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.

Various populations of light geese (greater and lesser snow geese and Ross's geese) have undergone rapid growth during the past 30 years, and have become seriously injurious to their habitat, habitat important to other migratory birds, and agricultural interests. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes that several of these populations have exceeded the long-term carrying capacity of their breeding and/or migration habitats and must be reduced. This final rule sets forth regulations that authorize measures to increase harvest of certain populations of light geese. In addition, the rule revises the regulations for the management of overabundant light goose populations and modifies the conservation order that will increase take of birds from such populations. The Record of Decision is also published here.

This notice provides the names of individuals who have been appointed to serve as members of the 2008 Department of the Interior Performance Review Board.

The SEORAC will be briefed on BLM's wild horse and burro program, BLM's sagebrush habitat treatments and the current status of the Oregon Explorer grant. Council members will also provide orientation to new members, conduct chair elections, establish their 2009 annual work plan and meeting schedule, receive information from designated federal officials, give constituent updates, implement a subgroup establishment process, present active subgroup reports and identify agenda items for the next meeting. Any other matters that may reasonably come before the SEORAC may also be addressed. The public is welcome to attend all portions of the meeting and may contribute during the public comment period at 11:30 a.m. on November 14, 2008. Those who verbally address the SEORAC during the public comment period are asked to provide a written statement of their comments or presentation. Unless otherwise approved by the SEORAC chair, the public comment period will last no longer than 30 minutes, and each speaker may address the SEORAC for a maximum of five minutes. For Further Information Contact: Program information, meeting records and a roster of council members may be obtained from Scott Stoffel, public affairs specialist, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630, (541) 947-6237. The meeting agenda will be posted at https://www.blm.gov/or/rac/seorrac-minutes.php when available. Should you require reasonable accommodation, please contact the Lakeview District BLM at (541) 947-2177 as soon as possible.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') is amending the regulations on resident Canada goose management. This final rule clarifies the requirements for use of expanded hunting methods during special September hunting seasons. One requirement in the regulations has been misinterpreted, and we are taking this action to make sure that our regulations are clear for the States and the public.

This notice sets forth the dates of March 19, 2009 and September 10, 2009 of the Gettysburg National Military Park Advisory Commission.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Part 1500-1508), the National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, has prepared a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for updating the General Management Plan (GMP) for San Juan Island National Historical Park located in San Juan County, Washington. The current GMP was prepared in 1979. This FEIS describes and analyzes three GMP alternatives that respond to both NPS planning requirements and to the public's concerns and issues, identified during the scoping and public involvement process. Each alternative presents management strategies for resource protection and preservation, education and interpretation, visitor use and facilities, land protection and boundaries, and long-term operations and management of the park. The potential environmental consequences of all the alternatives, and mitigation strategies, are identified and analyzed in the FEIS. In addition to a ``no-action'' alternative, an ``environmentally preferred'' alternative is identified. Proposed Plan and Alternatives: Alternative A constitutes the ``no- action'' alternative and assumes a continuation of existing management and trends at San Juan Island National Historical Park. The primary emphasis in current management is placed on the protection and preservation of cultural resources. Since 1966, the park has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. The management of cultural landscapes around the immediate encampment areas at American Camp and English Camp would continue to emphasize cultural landscape management while respecting the natural environment and natural processes. No new construction would be authorized. Alternative B would increase visitor opportunities and outreach at both English Camp and American Camp, as well as in the town of Friday Harbor through additional visitor facilities, recreational opportunities, programs, and services. Natural and cultural resources interpretation would be enhanced through more extensive facilities and programs. At English Camp, the road system would be reconfigured as a one-way loop road by connecting a road segment approximately one-fifth mile long from the entrance road to the administrative road. The road would follow the existing historic road alignment where possible. The Crook house would be rehabilitated as a visitor contact facility on the ground floor and for administrative use on the second floor. At American Camp, the 1979 double-wide trailer that serves as the temporary visitor center at American Camp would be removed, the site restored to natural conditions, and a new enlarged visitor center would be constructed north of the redoubt. The new visitor center would include space for a collections study room for natural and cultural resource items, including a portion of the military-era collections. The existing road to the redoubt off Pickett's Lane would be removed and converted to a trail. The cultural landscapes would be enhanced to aid visitor understanding and interpretation through a variety of techniques. The prairie would be restored to native plant species. Off- island interpretation would be enhanced through partnerships. The park would propose boundary adjustments at both sites to include important natural and cultural resources related to the purpose of the park. Alternative C is the agency-preferred alternative as it would broaden the scope of resource management and interpretation programs to emphasize connections and interrelationships between the park's natural and cultural resources. New facilities, trails and programs provide opportunities for visitors to understand the importance of the park's natural resources in defining the cultural landscapes and influencing the settlement and historic events of San Juan Island. At English Camp, the Crook house would be retained, stabilized, and used as an exterior exhibit while the hospital would be rehabilitated and opened to the public for interpretation. The 1979 double-wide trailer that serves as the temporary visitor center at American Camp would be removed and replaced with a permanent, enlarged visitor center at the existing site, allowing for improved exhibits and staff space. A collections study room for natural and cultural resource items, including a portion of the military-era collections would be relocated to the park. Additional buildings would be open to the public for interpretation as well as research and academic study. As in Alternative B, the existing road to the redoubt would be removed and converted to a trail and the prairie would be restored to native plant species. Historic buildings from the encampment period still existing on the island would be repatriated back to their original locations within the camps. Off-island interpretation would be enhanced through partnerships. Finally, the park would also propose adjusting the boundary at both sites to include important natural and cultural resources related to the purpose of the park. Alternative C is deemed to be the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Avalanche Hazard Reduction by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) in Glacier National Park (GNP) and Flathead National Forest, Montana, Final Environmental Impact Statement. On September 12, 2008, the Regional Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of Decision. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the FEIS issued on August 2, 2008. Four alternatives were analyzed and Alternative B was identified as the preferred which will include the following actions: GNP will issue a special use permit to BNSF for non-explosive snow stability testing, installation of a weather station and other avalanche forecasting equipment and detection devices in the Middle Fork area within the park. All installations will be painted to blend in and reduce their visibility. GNP will not permit the use of explosives for avalanche hazard reduction within the park except during emergency extenuating circumstances after all other options, including railroad delays, have been exercised. GNP recommends that BNSF build snowsheds in areas of the John Stevens Canyon that currently do not have them. GNP also recommends that BNSF lengthen existing snowsheds that do not provide sufficient protection from avalanche activity. In the event that BNSF constructs snowsheds, GNP recommends that wildlife crossings be incorporated into the structures where appropriate. Wildlife specialists from GNP, FNF and the USFWS will work closely with BNSF to assist with this effort. GNP also recommends that BNSF design historically compatible extensions on the existing historic snowsheds. Cultural Resource Specialists from both GNP and FNF will assist with this effort. Other alternatives analyzed were: (1) No ActionBNSF would continue to use avalanche forecasting, travel restrictions, and delays to protect employees, freight, equipment and Amtrak passengers; (2) Alternative C-GNP would permit explosive use for up to ten years for avalanche hazard reduction after a commitment from BNSF to build snowsheds and fund a 15 year resource monitoring program; and (3) Alternative D-GNP would permit BNSF to conduct a permanent explosive avalanche hazard reduction program using military artillery in the park. Construction of less than one mile of snowsheds offers the best avalanche protection for Amtrak passengers, BNSF employees, equipment, and freight. Explosive avalanche hazard reduction is an inappropriate use of park lands and may have unacceptable impacts on park resources and values, as defined in the 2006 NPS Management Policies. GNP along with Waterton Lakes National Park is the world's first International Peace Park, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a World Heritage Site. Three comments were received on the Final EIS supporting the preferred alternative. Over 13,000 comments were received on the Draft EIS in addition to 1,100 comments received during scoping. The public as well as other agencies and tribes were overwhelmingly in support of the preferred alternative. The Record of Decision includes a description of the decision, key actions and mitigation measures, a synopsis of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, findings on impairment, unacceptable impacts and appropriate use of park resources and values, a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, and an overview of public and agency involvement in the decision-making process.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. The lands are in the vicinity of Ambler, Alaska, and are located in:

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease COC70014 from Nobel Energy, Inc., for lands in Garfield County, Colorado. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.