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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. The ESA law requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

The following applicants have applied for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Act requires that we invite public comment on these permit applications.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the One Nevada Transmission Line (ON Line Project) and by this notice is announcing its availability.

The Forest Service (FS) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management to withdraw 10 acres of public land adjacent to the Clearwater National Forest from mining to protect the Lenore Tree Improvement Area near Orofino, Idaho and adjacent to the Clearwater River. This notice segregates the land for up to 2 years from settlement, sale, location or entry under the United States mining laws. The land will remain open to mineral leasing and to all activities currently consistent with applicable Forest plans and those related to the exercise of valid existing rights. This parcel of land has been withdrawn for FS use since 1990 for genetic seedling testing purposes. This proposed withdrawal covers the same 10 acres that were withdrawn for FS use under Public Land Order (PLO) No. 6799, BLM Serial Number IDI-26701, published on Friday, September 14, 1990 in the Federal Register (55 FR 37878). Due to an administrative oversight on the part of the FS, PLO 6799 expired before an extension of the withdrawal can be processed. Therefore, the FS is requesting a new 20- year withdrawal covering the same area.

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.