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

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/ EIS), Pipestone National Monument (national monument), Minnesota. On September 30, the Midwest Regional Director approved the ROD for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the preferred alternative contained in the final EIS. The NPS will implement the preferred alternative as described in the Final GMP/EIS issued on March 28, 2008. Alternative 1, the preferred alternative, will reduce the development in the heart of the national monument, preserving its setting, site history, and spiritual significance as the source of pipestone. The NPS will remove the visitor center and parking, enabling visitors to see the site much as it appeared prior to 1937. The national monument will acquire a parcel of school district land to the northeast and will seek a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to coordinate management of the 100- acre Pipestone Wildlife Management Area. American Indian ceremonial use of the Three Maidens area will be unchanged. The Hiawatha Club will continue to use the Three Maidens as a backdrop for its pageant under permit restrictions, and the area will be restored to prairie. Sun Dances will continue, but modifications of use might be made on the basis of impact and the sustainability of resources. Quarries will continue to be allocated by permit. The GMP/EIS evaluated this course of action and two other action alternatives, and a no action alternative. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences were assessed and appropriate mitigating measures were identified. The ROD includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in the decisionmaking process.

NOAA and the USFWS are publishing final regulations to establish a ship reporting system for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. This action implements measures adopted by the International Maritime Organization requiring notification by ships passing through the Monument without interruption.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (FLREA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Twin Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

Under the provisions of Public Law 97-451, the Bureau of Land Management-Eastern States (BLM-ES) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease LAES 51206 from Rhumba Operating, LLC for lands in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the black-tailed prairie dog may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a status review of the species to determine if listing the species is warranted. To ensure that the review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding this species.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, theNational Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan for Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the DEIS is to evaluate a range of alternatives for establishing a white-tailed deer management plan that supports forest regeneration and provides for long-term protection, preservation, and restoration of native vegetation and other natural and cultural resources. The DEIS evaluates four alternatives for managing white-tailed deer in the park. Alternatives for response to chronic wasting disease (CWD) have been integrated into each deer management alternative to address the elevated risk of disease in proximity to the park and because of the efficiencies and cost savings associated with incorporating CWD response into the deer management plan. The DEIS describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of three action alternatives and the no-action alternative. When approved, the plan will guide deer management actions over the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for the James Campbell and Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuges (refuges). We will also prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the effects of various CCP alternatives. This notice also announces two public open house meetings; see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for the details. Both refuges are located on the island of O`ahu, HI. We furnish this notice in compliance with CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.