Department of the Interior December 1, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), regarding an expected application from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), for an incidental take permit (permit) authorizing incidental take of federally threatened and endangered wildlife species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We and OCTA intend to gather information necessary to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/EIS for the Measure M2 (M2) Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan/Master Streambed Alteration Agreement (NCCP/HCP/ MSAA). We are furnishing this notice to announce the initiation of a public scoping period, during which we invite other agencies, Tribes, and the public to submit written comments providing suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) filed an application to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6849 for an additional 20-year term. PLO No. 6849 withdrew approximately 457,800 acres of Federal lands, known as the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, from mineral entry and location under the United States mining laws to protect the wildlife habitat and unique resource values of the refuge lands. In addition, this notice corrects errors made in describing unsurveyed lands in Township 46 North, Range 27 East, and in the calculation of total acreage withdrawn by PLO No. 6849. This notice gives an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed withdrawal extension and announces the date, time, and location of a public meeting.