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

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 the environmental assessment for Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.

Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for Fort Stanwix National Monument, New York. The Regional Director, Northeast Region, has approved the Record of Decision for the GMP/EIS, selecting Alternative 2Preferred Action, which was described as the preferred alternative in the Final GMP/EIS which was issued for the required 30-day no action period beginning on July 31, 2009 and ending August 31, 2009. The Record of Decision includes a description of the background of the project, a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, findings on impairment of park resources and values, a description of the environmentally preferred alternative, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public and agency involvement in the decision-making process. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the selected alternative.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a 90-day finding on two petitions to list nine species of freshwater mussels, the Texas fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata), Texas heelsplitter (Potamilus amphichaenus), Salina mucket (Potamilus metnecktayi), golden orb (Quadrula aurea), smooth pimpleback (Quadrula houstonensis), Texas pimpleback (Quadrula petrina), false spike (Quincuncina mitchelli), Mexican fawnsfoot (Truncilla cognata), and Texas fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon), as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) and designate critical habitat. Based on our review, we find that the petitions present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing these species may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a status review of the nine species of mussels to determine if listing them is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding these species. At the conclusion of this review, we will issue a 12-month finding on the petitions, which will

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(2), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from G2 Petroleum LLC, Inc. for non- competitive oil and gas lease WYW150316 for land in Fremont 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.

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

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

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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal agencies, 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.

As required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and in compliance with procedures set out in the Negotiated Rulemaking Act, the Secretary of the Interior has appointed members of the committee to prepare and submit a report or reports regarding Bureau-funded school facilities. The Secretary chose from nominations submitted by Indian tribes and others whose students attend Bureau-funded schools (operated either by the Bureau, or by a tribe through a contract or grant). To the maximum extent possible, the proportional representation of tribes on the committee reflects the proportionate share of students from tribes served by the Bureau-funded school facilities. In addition, the Secretary considered the balance of representation with regard to geographical location, size, and type of school and facility, as well as the interests of parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members, in selecting tribal committee representatives. Having considered all nominations, the Secretary appoints the persons named in this notice as committee members.

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 the environmental assessment for Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.

This notice advises the public that Pacific Gas and Electric (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an Enhancement of Survival permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The permit application includes a proposed Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) between the Applicant and the Service for the federally endangered Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei), Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoids ssp. howellii), and the Contra Costa wallflower (Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum) (collectively referred to as the Covered Species). The Agreement is available for public comment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an enhancement of survival permit for the federally threatened California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) and federally endangered least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (Applicant). This permit application includes a proposed safe harbor agreement (Agreement) between the Applicant and the Service. The Agreement and permit application are available for public comment.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, 5 U.S.C. App 1, Section 10) of a meeting of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise the designated critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker (Catostomus santaanae). The areas identified in this proposed rule constitute a revision of the areas designated as critical habitat for the Santa Ana sucker on January 4, 2005. In the 2005 final rule, we designated 8,305 ac (3,361 ha) of critical habitat in Los Angeles County. Approximately 9,605 acres (ac) (3,887 hectares (ha)) of habitat in the Santa Ana River (San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties) and the San Gabriel River and Big Tujunga Creek (Los Angeles County) in southern California fall within the boundaries of the proposed revised critical habitat designation.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA), we, the Fish and Wildlife Service, have issued letters of authorization to take polar bears and Pacific walrus incidental to oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska and incidental to oil and gas industry exploration activities in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent western coast of Alaska.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise designated critical habitat for Brodiaea filifolia (thread- leaved brodiaea) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Approximately 3,786 acres (ac) (1,532 hectares (ha)) of habitat fall within the boundaries of the proposed revised critical habitat designation, which is located in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego Counties in southern California.

Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), Murex Petroleum Corporation timely filed a petition for reinstatement of competitive oil and gas lease NDM 97716, Mountrail County, North Dakota. The lessee paid the required rental accruing from the date of termination. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The lessee agrees to new lease terms for rentals and royalties of $10 per acre and 16\2/3\ percent. The lessee paid the $500 administration fee for the reinstatement of the lease and $163 cost for publishing this Notice. The lessee met the requirements for reinstatement of the lease per Sec. 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188). We are proposing to reinstate the lease, effective the date of termination subject to: The original terms and conditions of the lease; The increased rental of $10 per acre; The increased royalty of 16\2/3\ percent; and The $163 cost of publishing this Notice.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(2), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Chesapeake Exploration, LLC, North Finn, LLC, American Oil & Gas Inc., and Khody Land & Minerals Company for competitive oil and gas lease WYW172440 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.