Department of the Interior April 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Wildland Fire Executive Council (WFEC) will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) invites the submission of nominations for one or more commercial leases for the construction of a wind energy project(s) on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore New Jersey. Although this announcement is not itself a leasing announcement, the area described herein may be subject to future leasing, and BOEMRE will use the response to this Call for Information and Nominations (Call) to gauge specific interest in acquiring commercial wind lease(s) in some or all of the area, and to determine whether competitive interest exists in any particular area as required by 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3). Parties wishing to submit a nomination in response to this Call should submit detailed and specific information as described below in the section entitled, ``Required Nomination Information.'' This announcement also requests that interested and affected parties comment and provide information about site conditions, resources, and multiple uses within the area identified in this notice that would be relevant to BOEMRE's review of the nominations submitted and subsequent decision to offer all or part of the area for commercial wind leasing. The information that BOEMRE is requesting is described below in the section entitled, ``Requested Information from Interested or Affected Parties.'' This notice is published pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act, which was added by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)), and the implementing regulations at 30 CFR Part 285. The area under consideration for commercial leasing is located off the coast of New Jersey, beginning approximately 7 nautical miles (nmi) from the shore, extending roughly 23 nmi seaward to the approximate 100 ft depth contour, and extending 45 nmi parallel to the Federal/State boundary between Avalon and Barnegat Light. This area is approximately 418 square nmi and contains approximately 43 whole OCS blocks and 34 partial OCS blocks. This area was delineated in consultation with the BOEMRE/New Jersey Renewable Energy Task Force and has been identified as a Wind Energy Area (WEA) as referenced and described in the Secretary's announcement of the Department's ``Smart from the Start'' offshore wind energy initiative. A detailed description of the area and its development is found later in this notice.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for Parker River and Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuges (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process. We are also announcing public meetings and requesting public comments.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

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, on May 18, 2011.

In accordance with 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 (BLM) Central Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Dakotas Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), BOEMRE is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements related to oil and gas drilling operations, and related forms.

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 Long Draw Reservoir Special Use Authorization, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. On September 17, 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 March 27, 2009.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Proposed California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan Amendment/Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm (DSSF) project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the HB In- Situ Solution Mine Project, and by this Notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the prairie chub (Macrhybopsis australis) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and to designate critical habitat. The prairie chub is a fish endemic to the upper Red River basin in Oklahoma and Texas. Based on our review, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the prairie chub may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a review of the status of the species to determine if listing the prairie chub is warranted. To ensure that this status review is comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding this species. Based on the status review, we will issue a 12-month finding on the petition, which will address whether the petitioned action is warranted, as provided in the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list Hermes copper butterfly (Hermelycaena [Lycaena] hermes) as endangered and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing Hermes copper butterfly as endangered or threatened is warranted. Currently, however, listing Hermes copper butterfly is precluded by higher priority actions to amend the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Upon publication of this 12-month petition finding, we will add Hermes copper butterfly to our candidate species list. We will develop a proposed rule to list Hermes copper butterfly as our priorities allow. We will make any determination on critical habitat during development of the proposed listing rule. During any interim period, we will address the status of the candidate taxon through our annual Candidate Notice of Review (CNOR).

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is notifying the public that it has prepared an FEIS on the proposed Cle Elum Dam Fish Passage Facilities and Fish Reintroduction Project. The Washington State Department of Ecology is a joint lead with Reclamation in the preparation of the FEIS, in coordination with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Yakama Nation. The Bonneville Power Administration has assumed the role of a cooperating agency. The FEIS will also be used to comply with requirements of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act. Reclamation published a Draft EIS in the Federal Register on February 3, 2010 (75 FR 562622) with a public comment period ending on March 22, 2010. Revisions were made in the FEIS to incorporate responses to comments. The FEIS also identifies Alternative 3, Right Bank Juvenile Passage with Right Bank Adult Passage without Barrier Dam as the preferred alternative.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne acastus robusta) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot butterfly as endangered or threatened may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a review of the status of the species to determine if listing the Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot butterfly as endangered or threatened is warranted. To ensure that this status review is comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding this subspecies. Based on the status review, we will issue a 12-month finding on the petition, which will address whether the petitioned action is warranted, as provided in section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, for a proposed project to eradicate nonnative mice from the South Farallon Islands, part of the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge off the coast of California. We encourage the public and other agencies to participate in the planning process by sending written comments on management actions that we should consider.

Members of the public are hereby invited to participate with the Spring Creek Coal Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in lands located in Big Horn County, Montana, encompassing a combined 9,011.61 acres.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is announcing that the No Child Left Behind School Facilities and Construction Negotiated Rulemaking Committee will hold its sixth meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The purpose of the meeting is to continue working on reports and recommendations to Congress and the Secretary as required under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Three Forks springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis) and the San Bernardino springsnail (Pyrgulopsis bernardina) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to these species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for both species under the Act. In total, approximately 4.5 hectares (11.1 acres) are being proposed for designation as critical habitat for Three Forks springnail in Apache County, and approximately 0.815 hectares (2.013 acres) for San Bernardino springsnail in Cochise County, Arizona. We seek information and comments from the public regarding the Three Forks and San Bernardino springsnails and this proposed rule.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Hassayampa Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which may include discussion of an amendment to the Bradshaw-Harquahala Resource Management Plan (RMP), and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 51.24, public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to award a temporary concession contract for the conduct of certain visitor services within Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland for a term not to exceed 3 (three) years. The visitor services include the sale of merchandise and limited pre-packaged food and beverage. This action is necessary to avoid interruption of visitor services.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public and interested State and local government officials of the filing of Plats of Survey in Nevada.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service or we) proposes to establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2011-12 hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. This proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule, describes the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2011-12 duck hunting seasons, requests proposals from Indian Tribes that wish to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands, and requests proposals for the 2013 spring and summer migratory bird subsistence season in Alaska. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.

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