Department of the Interior March 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public of corrections to meeting dates we previously announced in error in the Federal Register on March 4, 2010. That previous notice announced the availability of a draft environmental impact report (EIR)/environmental impact statement (EIS), receipt of incidental take permit application, and notice of public meetings for the San Diego County Water Authority's (Water Authority/Applicant) draft Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP)/Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) prepared in application to us for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

We, the U.S. 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 the Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, consisting of Bald Knob, Big Lake, Cache River, and Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuges. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage the Central Arkansas NWR Complex over the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on an application for a permit amendment, which would allow Service employees and their designated agents to conduct enhancement of survival activities for a plant that was recently added to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (Phyllostegia hispida). The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), requires that we solicit public comment on this permit application involving endangered species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to designate critical habitat for the Carex lutea (golden sedge) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We propose to designate as critical habitat approximately 189 acres (76 hectares) in 8 units. The proposed critical habitat is located in Onslow and Pender Counties in North Carolina.

Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior is renewing the OCS Scientific Committee.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Roswell Field Office, Roswell, New Mexico, intends to prepare an amendment to the Roswell Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) to guide management of the Fort StantonSnowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA), and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

The United States Forest Service has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6856 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6856 withdrew approximately 2,760.94 acres of National Forest System land from mining in order to protect the unique natural and ecological research values at the Abbott Creek Research Natural Area. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 6856 will expire on May 5, 2011, unless extended. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

The United States Forest Service has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6857 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6857 withdrew approximately 540 acres of National Forest System land from mining in order to protect the scenic and recreational values and the investment of Federal funds at the Squaw Lakes Recreation Area. The withdrawal created by PLO No. 6857 will expire on May 5, 2011, unless extended. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting.

In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of the Interior (DOI), announces that it has submitted a request for proposed extension of an information collection to the Office of Management and Budget and requests public comments on this submission.

In accordance with the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000, 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, Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) has scheduled the following tentative meeting dates:

The Minerals Management Service (MMS), in accordance with Federal regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), announces the availability for public review and comment of an EA and Draft FONNSI prepared by MMS for the Cape Wind Energy Project proposed for Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. On January 16, 2009, the MMS announced the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cape Wind Energy Project. The FEIS assessed the physical, biological, and social/human impacts of the proposed project and 13 alternatives, including a no-action alternative (i.e., the project is not built), and proposed mitigation.

The Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG) affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River (California) restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council (TMC). The TMC interprets and recommends policy, coordinates and reviews management actions, and provides organizational budget oversight. This notice announces a TAMWG meeting, which is open to the public.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are notifying the public that we have submitted to OMB an information collection request (ICR) to renew approval of the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 256, ``Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf,'' and 30 CFR 260, ``Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing,'' and related documents. This notice also provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of these regulatory requirements.

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 a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan (Plan/EIS). The Plan/EIS evaluates the impacts of several alternatives for regulations and procedures that would manage off-road vehicle (ORV) use/access in the Seashore to protect and preserve natural and cultural resources and natural processes, to provide a variety of visitor use experiences while minimizing conflicts among various users, and to promote the safety of all visitors. Executive Order 11644 of 1972, amended by Executive Order 11989 of 1977, requires certain Federal agencies permitting ORV use on agency lands to publish regulations designating specific trails and areas for this use. Title 36, section 4.10 of the Code of Federal Regulations implements the executive orders by providing that routes and areas designated for off-road vehicle use shall be promulgated as special regulations.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Fire Management Plan, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. On January 12, 2010, the Regional Director, Intermountain Region, approved the Record of Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the FEIS issued on August 7, 2009.

The San Diego County Water Authority (Water Authority/ Applicant) has applied to us, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Applicant is requesting a permit to incidentally take 37 animal species and seeking assurances for 27 plant species (including 19 Federally listed species) during the term of the proposed 55-year permit. The permit is needed to authorize take of listed animal species due to construction, operations, and maintenance activities in the approximately 992,000-acre (401,450-hectare) Plan Area in western San Diego County and south-central Riverside County, California. We are requesting public comment on the Draft Water Authority Natural Communities Conservation Program/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP), Draft Implementing Agreement, and Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Montana State Office, Billings, Montana, thirty (30) days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

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 Doyon, Limited. The lands are in the vicinity of Holy Cross and Huslia, Alaska, and are located in:

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) Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council (EWRAC) will meet as indicated below.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), notify the public of the reinstatement of our November 29, 1993, proposed rule to list the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the reopening of a public comment period on the 1993 proposed rule and the scheduling of public hearings. This action will provide all interested parties with an additional opportunity to provide information and submit comments on the 1993 proposed rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. Both laws require that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

Notice is hereby given that the plan for the use and distribution of the judgment funds awarded to the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon v. U.S., Docket No. 02-261L, is effective as of December 18, 2009. The judgment funds were awarded by the United States Court of Federal Claims on January 16, 2009. The Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon enacted Tribal Resolution No. 10,997, on January 22, 2009, to accept the Tribal Use and Distribution Plan providing for the disposition of the settlement funds. Funds were appropriated on March 5, 2009.

The Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office located at 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico has relocated to 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico.