Department of the Interior 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 101 - 150 of 2,125
Request for Determination of Valid Existing Rights Within the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky
We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are providing opportunity for the public to comment on a request for a determination of valid existing rights (VER) to use an existing Forest Service road as a coal mine access and haul road across Federal lands within the boundaries of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Leslie County, Kentucky. The remainder of the mine would be located on privately owned land.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council; Notice of Meeting
The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council; Notice of Meeting
The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 7 Listed Species
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, initiate 5-year reviews of the endangered Appalachian monkeyface (Quadrula sparsa), the northeast population of the roseate tern (Sterna dougalii dougalli), and the shale barren rock-cress (Arabis serotina), and the threatened Cheat Mountain salamander (Plethodon nettingi), the Madison cave isopod (Antrolana lira), the sensitive joint-vetch (Aeschynomene virginica), and the Virginia sneezeweed (Helenium virginicum), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request any new information on these species that may have a bearing on their classification as endangered or threatened. Based on the results of these 5-year reviews, we will make a finding on whether these species are properly classified under the Act.
Wyoming: Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
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 from Chesapeake Exploration, LLC for competitive oil and gas lease WYW153113 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Wyoming: Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
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 from Chesapeake Exploration, LLC for competitive oil and gas lease WYW155731 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Wyoming: Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
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 from Chesapeake Exploration, LLC for competitive oil and gas lease WYW153114 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Wyoming: Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
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 from Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C. for competitive oil and gas lease WYW153112 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Wyoming: Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
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 from Chesapeake Exploration, LLC for competitive oil and gas lease WYW153111 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Notice of Public Meeting, Idaho Falls District Resource Advisory Council Meeting
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) Idaho Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.
Wyoming: Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
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 from Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C. for competitive oil and gas lease WYW172444 for land in Converse County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Interagency Cooperation Under the Endangered Species Act
With this final rule, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively, ``Services'' or ``we'') amend regulations governing interagency cooperation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). This rule clarifies several definitions, provides assistance as to when consultation under section 7 is necessary, and establishes time frames for the informal consultation process.
Proposed Wind Energy Project, Searchlight, NV
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Vegas Field Office will prepare an EIS for a wind energy project located on public lands in Clark County, Nevada.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Special Rule for the Polar Bear
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), amend the regulations at 50 CFR part 17, which implement the Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA), to create a final special rule under authority of section 4(d) of the ESA that provides measures that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). The special rule, in most instances, adopts the existing conservation regulatory requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as the appropriate regulatory provisions for this threatened species. Nonetheless, if an activity is not authorized or exempted under the MMPA or CITES and would result in an act that would be otherwise prohibited under the general prohibitions under the ESA for threatened species (50 CFR 17.31), then the prohibitions at 50 CFR 17.31 apply, and we would require authorization under 50 CFR 17.32. In addition, this special rule provides that any incidental take of polar bears that results from activities that occur outside of the current range of the species is not a prohibited act under the ESA. This special rule does not affect any existing requirements under the MMPA, including incidental take restrictions, or CITES, regardless of whether the activity occurs inside or outside the current range of the polar bear. Further, nothing in this special rule affects the consultation requirements under section 7 of the ESA.
Endangered Species Recovery Permit Applications
We invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species.
John Hay National Wildlife Refuge, Merrimack County, NH
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and an associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document for John Hay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our planning policy to advise other agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider. We are also requesting public comments.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment of the Northern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni)
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 15,225 square kilometers (km\2\) (5,879 square miles (mi\2\)) fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. The proposed critical habitat is located in Alaska.
Alaska Native Claims Selection
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 Sealaska Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Dall Island, Alaska, and are located in:
Notice of Availability for the Draft Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND
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) announces the availability of a draft Elk Management Plan (Plan) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota (Park).
Coal Exploration License, WY
Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 CFR 3410, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Kiewit Mining Properties Inc. on a pro rata cost sharing basis in its program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Campbell County, WY:
Notice of Realty Action; Proposed Sale of Public Land, California
A parcel of public land totaling 80 acres in Tehama County, California, is being considered for sale under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), at no less than the appraised fair market value.
Notice of Realty Action; Proposed Sale of Public Land, California
Four parcels of public land totaling 314.54 acres in Tehama County, California, are being considered for sale under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), at no less than the appraised fair market value.
Notice of Realty Action; Proposed Sale of Public Land, California
Three parcels of public land totaling 320 acres in Butte County, California, are being considered for direct sale to the CSU Chico Research Foundation under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), at no less than the appraised fair market value.
Meeting of the Central California Resource Advisory Council Off-Highway Vehicle Subcommittee
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.
Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease OKNM 113435
Under the Class II provisions of Title IV, Public Law 97-451, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease OKNM 113435 from the lessee, Chesapeake Energy Corporation for lands in Woods County, Oklahoma. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.
Notice of Realty Action: Competitive Sale of Public Lands in San Bernardino County, CA
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to sell a parcel of public land in San Bernardino County, California, consisting of approximately 40 acres. The sale will be conducted by the United States General Services Administration (GSA) as an online competitive bid auction, at GSA's Web site: https://www.auctionrp.com/. Interested bidders must first register to bid either at https://www.auctionrp.com or by mail and submit registration deposits, and once registered, may participate in online bidding. Bids must be equal to or greater than the appraised fair market value of the land. The sale will be completed under the authority of Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719) and the implementing regulations at 43 CFR 2710 and 2720. The purpose of the sale is to dispose of lands which are difficult and uneconomic to manage as part of the public lands.
Environmental Documents Prepared for Proposed Oil, Gas, and Mineral Operations by the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region
Minerals Management Service (MMS), in accordance with Federal Regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), announces the availability of NEPA-related Site-Specific Environmental Assessments (SEA) and Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI), prepared by MMS for the following oil-, gas-, and mineral- related activities proposed on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic OCS.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, Comment Request
To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted an information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR part 208. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements. The previous title of this information collection request (ICR) was ``30 CFR Part 208Sale of Federal Royalty Oil; Sale of Federal Royalty Gas; and Commercial Contracts (Forms MMS-4070, Application for the Purchase of Royalty Oil; MMS-4071, Letter of Credit; and MMS-4072, Royalty-in-Kind Contract Surety Bond).'' The new title of this ICR is ``30 CFR Part 208, RIK Oil and Gas.''
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Tennessee and Georgia
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making) the NPS is preparing an EIS for a GMP for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, located in Tennessee and Georgia. The GMP will prescribe the desired resource conditions and visitor experience opportunities that are to be achieved and maintained in the park over approximately the next 15 to 20 years. The park's purpose, significance, special mandates, and relevant laws and policies directing park management will be reviewed and assessed to establish the foundation for the GMP. The GMP will build upon these foundation elements to determine the appropriate type, level and location for resource management activities, visitor use, and potential development. In consultation with the park's stakeholders (i.e., government agencies, affiliated tribal representatives, partnership organizations, and other concerned members of the public), issues bearing on the long- term management of the park will be factored into the development of a reasonable range of management alternatives. The resource impacts and other anticipated consequences of implementing the planning alternatives will be assessed in the EIS. From initial discussions among NPS planners, park staff and partners, issues that are anticipated to be addressed by the GMP will include (but are not limited to) the following: Long-term management of the battlefield landscape to achieve objectives for restoring historic viewsheds and protecting important cultural and natural resources; articulation of resource stewardship and visitor management prescriptions for the recently acquired Moccasin Bend National Archeological District; determination of a range of appropriate and compatible visitor activities in the park; and, identification of opportunities for collaboration and partnership with community leaders and other entities to ensure park values are understood and considered in local decision making (e.g., viewshed protection and adjacent land- use).
Notice of Availability of Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI
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) announces the availability of the Final General Management Plan/ Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/WS/EIS) for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Lakeshore), Michigan.
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
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 the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the White- tailed Deer Management Plan (FEIS) for Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland. The plan will support forest regeneration and provide for long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of native species and cultural landscapes at Catoctin Mountain Park. The document describes four management alternatives which include a no action alternative (continue existing management) and three action alternatives, one of which was identified as the preferred alternative.
Notice of Proposed Information Collection for 1029-0035 and 1029-0038
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to seek continued approval for two collections of information which we are consolidating into one collection activity: 30 CFR Parts 779 and 783Surface and Underground Mining Permit ApplicationsMinimum Requirements for Information on Environmental Resources.
Indian Gaming
This notice publishes the Amendment to the Tribal-State Gaming Compact between the State of California and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians taking effect.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Amendment to the Mimbres Resource Management Plan (RMPA), and Associated Environmental Assessment (EA), Las Cruces District Office, New Mexico
The BLM Las Cruces District Office, New Mexico, intends to prepare an RMPA with an associated EA to analyze the possible disposal by either exchange or sale, of BLM-administered public lands in Grant County in southwestern New Mexico.
Indian Gaming
This notice publishes an Approval of the Third Amendment to the Wisconsin Winnebago Tribe, now known as the Ho-Chunk Nation and the State of Wisconsin Gaming Compact.
Notice of Public Meeting; Central Montana Resource Advisory Council
In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Central Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.
Notice of Continuation of Visitor Services
Pursuant to the terms of existing concession contracts, public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service intends to request a continuation of visitor services for a period not-to-exceed 1 year from the date of contract expiration.
Notice of Extension of Concession Contracts
Pursuant to 36 CFR 51.23, public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to extend the following expiring concession contracts for a period of up to 1 year, or until such time as a new contract is executed, whichever occurs sooner.
California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee Charter Renewal
This notice is published in accordance with Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-463). Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) is renewing the charter for the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (Committee). The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on implementation of the CALFED Bay- Delta Program (Program) as described in the Programmatic Record of Decision which outlines the long-term comprehensive solution for addressing the problems affecting the San Francisco Bay-Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, Public Law 108-361, and other applicable law. Specific responsibilities of the Committee include: (1) Making recommendations on annual priorities and coordination of Program actions to achieve balanced implementation of the Program elements; (2) providing recommendations on effective integration of Program elements to provide continuous, balanced improvement of each of the Program objectives (ecosystem restoration, water quality, levee system integrity, and water supply reliability); (3) evaluating implementation of Program actions, including assessment of Program area performance; (4) reviewing and making recommendations on Program Plans and Annual Reports describing implementation of Program elements as set forth in the ROD to the Secretary; (5) recommending Program actions taking into account recommendations from the Committee's subcommittees; and (6) liaison between the Committee's subcommittees, the State and Federal agencies, the Secretary and the Governor. The Committee consists of 20 to 30 members who are appointed by the Secretary, in consultation with the Governor.
Excess Spoil, Coal Mine Waste, and Buffers for Perennial and Intermittent Streams
We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are amending our regulations concerning stream buffer zones, stream-channel diversions, siltation structures, impoundments, excess spoil, and coal mine waste. Among other things, this rule requires that surface coal mining operations be designed to minimize the creation of excess spoil and the adverse environmental impacts of fills constructed to dispose of excess spoil and coal mine waste. We have revised the stream buffer zone rule to more closely reflect the underlying provisions of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), to adopt related permit application requirements, to require that disturbance of perennial and intermittent streams and their buffer zones generally be avoided unless it is not reasonably possible to do so, to identify exceptions to the requirement to maintain an undisturbed buffer zone for perennial and intermittent streams, and to clarify the relationship between SMCRA and the Clean Water Act.
Public Land Order No. 7719; Extension of Public Land Order No. 6693; Wyoming.
This order extends the withdrawal created by Public Land Order No. 6693 for an additional 20-year period. This extension is necessary to continue protection of the Natural Corrals Archeological Site in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
Conveyance of Federally-Owned Mineral Interests-California
An amendment to a previously filed application for conveyance of the Federally-owned mineral interests in the tract of land described in this notice has been received. The amendment is dated September 2, 2008. The previous application, filed on August 31, 2007, was published in the Federal Register on Monday, December 17, 2007, at page 71430, in Volume 72, No. 241. The amendment describes Federally-owned mineral interests in the tracts of land described in this notice. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the mineral interests in the land covered by the amendment from appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws while the application is being processed. This notice also will correct the name of the county in the previously issued notice.
Delta and Breton National Wildlife Refuges, Louisiana
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for Delta and Breton National Wildlife Refuges. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage these refuges for the next 15 years.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reinstatement of Protections for the Gray Wolf in the Western Great Lakes and Northern Rocky Mountains in Compliance With Court Orders
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are issuing this final rule to comply with three court orders which have the effect of reinstating the regulatory protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), for the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in the western Great Lakes and the northern Rocky Mountains. This rule corrects the gray wolf listing at 50 CFR 17.11 to reinstate the listing of wolves in all of Wisconsin and Michigan, the eastern half of North Dakota and South Dakota, the northern half of Iowa, the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana, the northwestern portion of Ohio, the northern half of Montana, the northern panhandle of Idaho, the eastern third of Washington and Oregon, and in north-central Utah as endangered, and reinstate the listing of wolves in Minnesota as threatened. This rule also reinstates the former designated critical habitat in 50 CFR 17.95(a) for gray wolves in Minnesota and Michigan, special regulations in 50 CFR 17.40(d) for the gray wolf in Minnesota, and special rules in 50 CFR 17.84 designating the gray wolf in the remainder of Montana and Idaho and all of Wyoming as nonessential experimental populations. This action revises the CFR to comply with three court orders. In addition, this final rule takes additional administrative action that removes archaic provisions from the gray wolf special regulation at 50 CFR 17.84(i) and makes corrections to the gray wolf special regulation at Sec. 17.84(n) by removing language referring to a Western DPS.
Public Conduct on Bureau of Reclamation Facilities, Lands, and Waterbodies
This final rule reissues 43 CFR part 423 in its entirety. Amendments to 43 CFR part 423 were published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2008, (73 FR 54977) as an interim final rule. This final rule contains only minor additional changes which we are making in response to the public comments received on the September 24, 2008 interim final rule.
General Regulations for Areas Administered by the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service
This final rulemaking amends regulations codified in 36 CFR part 2 and 50 CFR part 27, which pertain to the possession and transportation of firearms in national park areas and national wildlife refuges. The final rule updates these regulations to reflect state laws authorizing the possession of concealed firearms, while leaving unchanged the existing regulatory provisions that ensure visitor safety and resource protection such as the prohibitions on poaching and limitations on hunting and target practice.
Meeting Announcement: North American Wetlands Conservation Council
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This meeting is open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements.
Mississippi Regulatory Program
We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are approving an amendment to the Mississippi regulatory program (Mississippi program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Mississippi proposed revisions to its regulations and statute regarding ``valid existing rights'' as they pertain to designation of lands as unsuitable for surface coal mining operations. Mississippi intends to revise its program to be consistent with SMCRA.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
