Department of the Interior February 10, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is publishing its notice under Title II of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002, Public Law 107-174 (Act), as required by the Act and 5 CFR part 724. This notice describes the obligation of the NIGC and other federal agencies to notify all employees, former employees, and applicants for federal employment of the rights and protections available to them under federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.

The Secretary of the Interior intends to administratively 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, announce the availability of the draft economic analysis for the proposed designation of critical habitat for 3 mollusks, Georgia pigtoe mussel (Pleurobema hanleyianum), interrupted rocksnail (Leptoxis foremani), and rough hornsnail (Pleurocera foremani), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) and an amended required determinations section of the proposal. We are reopening the comment period for an additional 30 days to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed listing and designation of critical habitat for the 3 mollusks, the associated DEA, and the amended required determinations section. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. We also announce a public hearing; the public is invited to review and comment on any of the above actions associated with the proposed listing and critical habitat designation at the public hearing or in writing.

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 leases NMNM 110795, NMNM 110797, and NMNM 110802 from the lessee, David Petroleum Corporation et al, for lands in Guadalupe 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.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease and subsequent conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP Act), as amended, approximately 133 acres of public land in San Bernardino County, California. The State of California, acting through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), proposes to construct a Joint Port of Entry (JPOE) inspection facility on Interstate 15 (I-15), near the California/Nevada state line. In conjunction with Caltrans, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the California Department of General Services, and the California Highway Patrol would participate cooperatively in this multipurpose project.

On behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6892 for an additional 20-year period. This order withdrew approximately 473 acres of National Forest System land from surface entry and mining, but not from mineral leasing, to protect the recreational values of the Sixmile Creek Recreation Area. This notice gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing that the information collection request for 30 CFR part 882, Reclamation on Private Land, has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This information collection request describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden and cost.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our draft comprehensive conservation plan and draft environmental impact statement (CCP/DEIS) for the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer (refuge or, collectively, refuges) for public review and comment. The CCP/DEIS describes our proposal for managing the refuges for the next 15 years. Both refuges are managed as part of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex located in Ilwaco, WA.