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

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is gathering the information needed to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated environmental assessment (EA) for Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We publish this notice in compliance with our policy of advising other agencies and the public of our intentions to conduct detailed planning on refuges and obtain suggestions and information about the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.

Under the Class II provisions of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982, the Bureau of Land Management received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease NMLC 066147 from the lessee(s), Estate of C.W. Trainer, Zia Royalty LLC, Grady Thompson, Collin S. Smith, R.G. Barton Jr., Trust, E.F. Howe, HOG Partnership LP, Phillip G. Herkenhuff, Gordon E. Herkenhuff, Edna Gay H. Dwyre, Devon Energy Production Company LP, College of Southwest, George W. Baker, for lands in Lea 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.

Under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from CKT Energy LLC for competitive oil and gas lease WYW164386 for land in Campbell 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.

Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), the National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, has prepared a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed General Management Plan (GMP) for Ross Lake National Recreation Area (Ross Lake NRA) in Washington State. Ross Lake NRA is one of three units comprising the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. The draft GMP describes three ``action'' alternatives that respond to both NPS planning requirements and to the public's concerns and issues, identified during the scoping and public involvement process. Each alternative presents management strategies for resource protection and preservation, education and interpretation, visitor use and facilities, land protection and boundaries, and long-term operations and management of Ross Lake NRA.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and associated regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates, analyzes, and discloses to the public direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of a proposal to develop natural gas in Uintah County, Utah. This notice announces a 45-day public comment period to meet the requirements of the NEPA and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the North Steens Transmission Line Project and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species and marine mammals.

The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are extending the comment period for our joint request for comments on the Stanford University Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan), the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Authorization of Incidental Take and Implementation of the Plan, and the Implementing Agreement (IA). As of July 2, 2010, we have received comments from four organizations and individuals requesting that the comment period be extended by 45 days. In response to these requests, we are extending the comment period for an additional 45 days.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Refuge has units located in Canyon, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties, ID, and Malheur County, OR. We will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential effects of various CCP alternatives. This notice also requests public comments and announces public open houses; see DATES,

This order partially revokes two withdrawals created by Executive Orders insofar as they affect approximately 170 acres of public lands withdrawn for Power Site Reserve Nos. 510 and 515. This order also opens the lands to exchange.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management proposes to extend the duration of Public Land Order (PLO) No. 2344, as modified by PLO No. 6839, for an additional 20-year period. These PLOs transferred jurisdiction of approximately 171 acres of public land withdrawn for the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory near Barrow, Alaska from the Department of the Navy to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey, and withdrew an additional 45 acres of public land on behalf of these agencies for the Barrow Base Line Observatory and the Barrow Magnetic Observatory. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is announcing tribal consultations to discuss a proposed change in how BIA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will implement Question 10 of 25 CFR Part 170, Subpart C. Question 10 determines the percentages that certain transportation facilities contribute to the calculation of the Relative Need Distribution Factor (RNDF) formula for Indian Reservation Road (IRR) Program funds. The determination is significant because a facility's eligibility for Federal funds will be used to determine the amount of IRR funds a tribe may be eligible to receive. The proposed change will affect the allocation of funding among tribes.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR Part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on an extension of a currently approved information collection Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control 1024-0233.

This notice publishes the Liquor Control Ordinance of the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians of the Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria. The Ordinance regulates and controls the possession, sale and consumption of liquor within the Manchester-Point Arena Rancheria tribal land. The tribal land is located on trust land and this Ordinance allows for the possession and sale of alcoholic beverages. This Ordinance will increase the ability of the tribal government to control the distribution and possession of liquor within their tribal land, and at the same time will provide an important source of revenue and strengthening of the tribal government and the delivery of tribal services.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332 (2)(c), the National Park Service announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the National Mall Plan (Plan). The Plan establishes a long-term vision for the use and management of some of the most historic, symbolic, and heavily used public lands in our nation.

Notice is hereby given that temporary closures to public access, use, and occupancy will be in effect for the dates and times specified in this Notice on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Tuscarora Field Office, Elko, Nevada within the Owyhee, Rock Creek, and Little Humboldt Wild Horse Herd Management Areas (HMAs) in the northwestern portion of Elko County, Nevada.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for public review and comment. The CCP/EA, prepared under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the Service will manage the Refuge for the next 15 years. Draft compatibility determinations for several existing and proposed public uses are also available for review and public comment with the Draft CCP/EA.

On December 29, 2000, the National Park Service (NPS) executed a Record of Decision selecting Alternative 2 from the Final Yosemite Valley Plan/Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for implementation (as noticed in the Federal Register on January 12, 2001). As explained below, the NPS has subsequently approved a revised Record of Decision for the Final Yosemite Valley Plan and will implement Modified Alternative 2 instead. Decision: The NPS has approved adoption of a Modified Alternative 2 which consists of completed actions and projects that conform to four broad purposes and goals. These are to restore natural processes in Yosemite Valley, to ameliorate environmental impacts, to preserve cultural resource values, and to continue providing opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences. Excluded from the approved Modified Alternative 2 were certain projects yet to be initiated, including but not limited to consolidation of some parking and facilities in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, relocation of equestrian facilities, removal of Sugar Pine Bridge, and several traffic recirculation plans. Also revised were Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI decisions) for Yosemite Lodge area redevelopment and improvements at Curry Village and East Yosemite Valley campgrounds. Background: In 2006, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California challenging the 2000 Final Yosemite Valley Plan. Concurrently, the NPS was involved in a separate lawsuit filed by the same plaintiffs challenging the 2005 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (Merced River Plan). Because the Yosemite Valley Plan and the Merced River Plan were integrally related, the NPS and the plaintiffs agreed to suspend proceedings on the Yosemite Valley Plan lawsuit until the courts reached a final decision on the Merced River Plan lawsuit. In March 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a ruling affirming that the 2005 Merced River Plan did not adequately fulfill requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act nor the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Following that decision, the NPS and the plaintiffs began settlement discussions to resolve the two lawsuits and to establish a framework for moving forward on a new version of the Merced River Plan. A settlement was reached in September 2009 (the Settlement Agreement is available on the park's Web site: https://www.nps.gov/yose/ parkmgmt/upload/mrpsettlementagreement.pdf). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the NPS agreed to revise the Record of Decision for the Yosemite Valley Plan, as well as two related FONSI decisions. The three revised documents were filed with the District Court on January 29, 2010. Copies: Interested parties may review the revised Record of Decision and FONSI decisions on the park's Web site, and copies can also be obtained by contacting the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, P. O. Box 577, Yosemite, California 95389; via telephone request at (209) 372-0261; or via e-mail request at yose_ planning@nps.gov.

The Bureau of Land Management's Alaska State Office hereby notifies the public it will hold a National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska oil and gas lease sale bid opening for tracts in the Northeast Planning Area. The United States reserves the right to withdraw any tract from this sale prior to issuance of a written acceptance of a bid.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plats of survey of the lands described below in the BLM-Eastern States office in Springfield, Virginia, 30 calendar days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) has prepared a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the issuance of annual regulations permitting the hunting of migratory birds. The SEIS analyzes a range of management alternatives for addressing the hunting of migratory birds. The analysis provided in the draft SEIS is intended to: inform the public of the proposed action and alternatives; address public comments we received during the scoping period; and disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the proposed action and each of the alternatives. We invite the public to comment on the draft SEIS.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to sell two small parcels totaling 60 acres in Chaves County, New Mexico. These parcels are being proposed for direct sale to the Roswell Gun Club at no less than the appraised fair market value (FMV) to resolve inadvertent, unauthorized use and occupancy of public lands. The sale is pursuant to Section 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and is consistent with the BLM Roswell Resource Management Plan dated October 1997, as amended. No significant resource values will be affected by disposal of these parcels from Federal ownership.

The National Park Service (NPS) is removing the regulation that closed the Harry S Truman Home to all public use until June 1, 2010. The closure was necessary because of serious health and safety hazards to visitors during the repair and restoration work and the potential for damage to irreplaceable artifacts. Closure could not be avoided without compromising the quality and cost of renovation of the Truman Home. It was necessary to become effective upon publication to allow major repair and restoration activities scheduled to proceed. The projects have been completed and the Truman Home has been reopened as scheduled.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request renewed approval for the collection of information for 30 CFR part 778Permit ApplicationsMinimum Requirements for Legal, Financial, Compliance, and Related Information. The collection described below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden and cost.