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

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we will submit to OMB a new information collection request (ICR) for review and approval. This notice provides the public an opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this collection.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) gives notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address potential effects of a proposed project by NorthWestern Energy to build and operate a new 500 kV electric transmission line requiring a special use permit, right-of-way grant, and/or temporary use permit for construction, operation, and maintenance of a 500kV electric transmission line and associated substation, including new access roads. The transmission line is known as the Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI) Project. NorthWestern Energy's three project alternatives range from 390 to 430 miles in length, but additional alternatives or variations on alternatives may be developed through the environmental review process. Alternatives for the proposed transmission line would pass over private, state, and federally managed lands in Montana and Idaho. Federally managed lands include lands administered by the BLM, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory. Authorization of this proposal may require the amendment of the BLM and the USFS land use plans (Forest Plans, Management Framework Plans, and Resource Management Plans).

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Federal lead agency and the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (COMB) is the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) State lead agency. Together, these agencies have made available for public review and comment the draft EIS/EIR. The South Coast Conduit (SCC)/Upper Reach Project involves installation of a second water pipeline for improving water supply reliability to Cachuma Project (CP) and State Water Project (SWP) customers on the south coast of Santa Barbara County. This draft EIS/ EIR addresses changes to the physical, natural, and human environment that would occur as a result of installing and operating the second pipeline.

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 Alakanuk Native Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Alakanuk, Alaska, and are located in:

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 Iqfijouaq Company. The lands are in the vicinity of Eek, Alaska, and are located in:

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.

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 Beaver Kwit'chin Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Beaver, Alaska, and are located in:

Porter-Livingston Development, Inc., a California-based corporation, and O'Hara-Balfour LP, a California Limited Partnership, (Applicants), have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') for an incidental take permit (permit) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are considering issuing a 10-year permit to the Applicants that would authorize take of the federally endangered Ohlone tiger beetle (Cicindela ohlone) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the construction of nine new single-family residences on 2.96 acres of a 58.5-acre property in Aptos, Santa Cruz County, California. Effects from covered activities on, and conservation measures for, the federally threatened Santa Cruz tarplant (Holocarpha macradenia) and the non-listed Gairdner's yampah (Perideridia gairdneri ssp. gairdneri) are also being considered. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on our preliminary determination that the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) qualifies as a ``low-effect'' HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. We explain the basis for this possible determination in a draft Environmental Action Statement (EAS) and associated Low Effect Screening Form. The Applicants' low effect HCP describes the mitigation and minimization measures they would implement, as required in section 10(a)(2)(B) of the Act, to address the effects of the project on the Ohlone tiger beetle, Santa Cruz tarplant, and Gairdner's yampah. These measures are outlined in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. The draft HCP and EAS are available for public review.

Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act request for lease and subsequent conveyance of approximately 5 acres of public land in the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. The City of Las Vegas proposes to use the land for a public park.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively, ``Services'' or ``we'') propose to amend regulations governing interagency cooperation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Services are proposing these changes to clarify several definitions, to clarify when the section 7 regulations are applicable and the correct standards for effects analysis, and to establish time frames for the informal consultation process.

In accordance with the Record of Decision for the Pinedale Anticline Environmental Impact Statement (2000) the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) will conduct its annual tour of the Pinedale Anticline Project Area in Pinedale, Wyoming on Friday, September 26th, 2008. The tour is open to the public and will begin at the BLM Pinedale field office at 8:30 a.m. To take part in the tour, an RSVP is required no later than Friday, September 19th, 2008.

The following public lands in Big Horn County have been found suitable for conveyance to Big Horn County for airport purposes under the Act of May 24, 1928, as amended and 49 U.S.C. 47125 (2006).

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC. This IC is scheduled to expire on February 28, 2009. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Hanford Reach National Monument (Monument). In this final CCP/EIS, we describe how the Monument will be managed for the next 15 years.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Central California Resource Advisory Council Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Subcommittee will meet as indicated below.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for Poa atropurpurea and Taraxacum californicum under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Approximately 2,489 acres (ac) (1,009 hectares (ha)) of land in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties, California, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation for P. atropurpurea, and approximately 1,914 ac (775 ha) of land in San Bernardino County, California, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation for T. californicum.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, change the regulations governing migratory bird permitting. We amend 50 CFR part 21 to allow the export of lawfully-acquired, captive-bred raptors without obtaining a migratory bird export permit; to resolve problems related to export of species covered by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permits or certificates; to allow the importation and possession without an import permit of legally-acquired migratory game birds in the families Anatidae, Columbidae, Gruidae, Rallidae, or Scolopacidae that were lawfully hunted in a foreign country; to extend the maximum time for which an import and export permit is valid from 3 to 5 years; and to reorganize and reword the regulations to make them easier to understand.