Department of the Interior October 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of Facilities, Environmental, and Cultural Resources (OFECR) is soliciting applications for allocations of the $400,000,000 in Tax Credit Bonding Authority granted to the Secretary of the Interior (``Secretary'') as a result of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. This bonding authority is for the purpose of the construction, rehabilitation and repair of schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Distribution of the $400,000,000 of tax credit bonds will be in two tranches $200,000,000 in calendar year 2009 and $200,000,000 in calendar year 2010. This Notice also provides related guidance on the following: (1) Eligibility requirements that a project must meet to be considered for an allocation; (2) application requirements, deadlines, and forms for requests for allocations; (3) the method that the Secretary will use to make the allocations; and (4) certain interim guidance in this area.

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) Eastern Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is proposing to submit the information collection, titled ``Payment for Appointed Counsel in Involuntary Indian Child Custody Proceedings in State Courts, 25 CFR 23.13'' to the Office of Management and Budget for renewal. The information collection is currently authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0111, which expires February 28, 2010. The information collection requires State courts that appoint counsel for an indigent Indian parent or Indian custodian in an involuntary Indian child custody proceeding to submit certain information to BIA for reimbursement when appointment of counsel is not authorized by State law.

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians announced the proposed extension of a public information collection, ``Trust Funds for Tribes and Individual Indians, 25 CFR 115,'' OMB Control No. 1035-0004, and that it is seeking comments on its provisions. The notice seeking public comments was published on October 16, 2009 at 74 FR 53292, and stated that comments must be received by November 16, 2009.

The United States Forest Service has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposing to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6833 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6833 withdrew approximately 142.90 acres of National Forest System land from all mining activities in order to protect the unique natural and ecological research values at the Wolf Creek Research Natural Area. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 6833 will expire on March 20, 2011, unless extended. This notice gives the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), after consultation with the General Services Administration, has renewed the Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), give notice of our intent to conduct a status review of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in the upper Missouri River system. We conduct status reviews to determine whether the entity should be listed as endangered or threatened under the Act. Through this notice, we encourage all interested parties to provide us information regarding Arctic grayling in the upper Missouri River basin.

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.

Pursuant to Public Law 96-472, the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (NEPEC) will hold a 2-day meeting on November 4 and 5, 2009. The first day will be a joint meeting with the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (CEPEC). The meeting will be held at the U.S. Geological Survey Offices on the campus of the California Institue of Technology, 525 South Wilson Avenue, Pasadena, California 91106. The Council is comprised of members from academia and the Federal Government. The Council shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on proposed earthquake predictions, on the completeness and scientific validity of the available data related to earthquake predictions, and on related matters as assigned by the Director. Additional information about the Council may be found at: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/aboutus/nepec/.

Under the Class II provisions of Title IV, Public Law 97-451, the Bureau of Land Management received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease NMNM 117542 from the lessee David H. Arrington Oil and Gas for lands in Eddy County, New Mexico. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

This notice announces the revision to the boundary of Lassen Volcanic National Park, pursuant to the authority specified below, to include two adjacent and contiguous tracts totaling 79.97 acres. Tract 01-171 contains 62.77 acres, is located in Tehama County, and is further identified by Tehama County Assessor's Parcel Number 015-040-13. Tract 01-172 contains 17.20 acres, is located in Plumas County, and is further identified by Plumas County Assessor's Parcel Number 011-010- 02.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request approval to continue the collection of information for two Technical Training Program forms: For nominations, and for payment of travel and per diem expenses. This information collection activity was previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and assigned control number 1029-0120.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the distinct population segment (DPS) of American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus unicolor) in the Black Hills of South Dakota as threatened or endangered and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). For the purposes of this finding, we evaluated whether the petition presents substantial information to indicate whether the petitioned entity (the American dipper in the Black Hills of South Dakota) is a listable entity. Based on our review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we conclude that the American dipper in the Black Hills of South Dakota is not a listable entity under the Act. Because the petition did not present substantial information that the American dipper in the Black Hills of South Dakota is a DPS, we did not evaluate whether the information contained in the petition regarding threats was substantial. Therefore, we will not initiate a status review to determine if listing this subspecies is warranted in response to this petition. However, the public may submit to us new information concerning the subspecies, its status, or threats to it at any time.

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 Final Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/EIS) for Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota (Park).

The Secretary of the Interior intends to reestablish the National Park Service Concessions Management Advisory Board. This action is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of statutory duties imposed upon the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. We summarize the ICR below and describe the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. This information collection is scheduled to expire on October 31, 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. However, under OMB regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is pending at OMB.

This notice publishes an amendment to the Tribal Code (Code), Liquor Control, Chapter 200, for the Coquille Indian Tribe Liquor Control Ordinance. The amendment regulates and controls the possession and consumption of liquor within the Tribal lands. The Tribal lands are located in Indian country and this amended Code allows for possession of alcoholic beverages within their boundaries. This Code will increase the ability of the Tribal government to control liquor possession, sale and use in the community.

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

In accordance with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 (FLREA) (Pub. L. 108-447), the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada joint Recreation Subcommittee will hold a meeting to discuss fee proposals at campgrounds managed by the Forest Service. The subcommittee is comprised of members of the BLM's three Nevada Resource Advisory Councils (RACs).

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a proposed HCP, an accompanying ITP application, and an EA related to a proposed development that would take the Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) on Perdido Key in Escambia County, Florida. The HCP analyzes the take of the Federally endangered Perdido Key beach mouse incidental to construction and maintenance of a parking facility (Project). Spanish Key Condominium (Applicant) requests an ITP under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. The Applicant's HCP describes the mitigation and minimization