Department of the Interior March 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This Notice of Availability (NOA) is published pursuant to the regulations (40 CFR part 1503 and 43 CFR part 46) implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (1988)). BOEM has prepared a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to evaluate potential environmental effects of multiple Geological and Geophysical (G&G) activities in the Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas of the OCS. These activities include, but are not limited to, seismic surveys, sidescan-sonar surveys, electromagnetic surveys, geological and geochemical sampling, and remote sensing. The Draft PEIS considers G&G activities for the three program areas managed by BOEM: (1) Oil and gas exploration and development; (2) renewable energy; and (3) marine minerals. A Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the PEIS was published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2009, and scoping comments were received during a comment period that closed on March 23, 2009. Scoping was reopened by publication of a Federal Register Notice on April 2, 2010, that announced a 45-day scoping period and meeting locations in April 2010. The comment period closed on May 17, 2010.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for renewal for the collection of information for the Application for Admission to Haskell Indian Nations University and to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0114, the Student Transportation Form, authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0134, and the Data Elements for Student Enrollment in Bureau-funded Schools, authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0122. These information collections expire March 30, 2012.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. We issue these permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex for public review and comment. The Draft CCP/EA describes our proposal for managing the refuge complex for the next 15 years.

Notice is hereby given that the Department of the Interior (Department) declines to acknowledge that the petitioner known as the ``Central Band of Cherokee'' (formerly known as the ``Cherokees of Lawrence County, Tennessee''), Petitioner 227, is an Indian tribe within the meaning of Federal law. This notice is based on a determination that the petitioner does not meet one of the seven mandatory criteria for a government-to-government relationship with the United States. The Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA) produced a Summary under the Criterion as the basis for this final determination (FD).

In accordance 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) has prepared a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Upper Las Vegas Wash Conservation Transfer Area, Las Vegas, Nevada, and by this notice is announcing their availability.

BSEE is establishing a final rule to incorporate by reference 12 additional production measurement industry standards into the regulations governing oil, gas, and sulphur operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. Incorporation of these production measurement standards provides industry with up-to-date standards for measuring oil and gas production volumes. This rule will result in more accurate and efficient measurement of oil and gas production.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Texas regulatory program (Texas program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Texas proposes revisions to its regulations regarding annual permit fees. Texas intends to revise its program to improve operational efficiency. This document gives the times and locations that the Texas program and proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

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), Las Cruces District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville, MT, for public review and comment. This Draft CCP/EA describes our proposal for managing the refuge for the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose changes in the regulations governing the administration of the national Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG). We are updating the regulations to reflect changes in policy and practice that have occurred since the program's inception in 1998. We are also responding to recommendations received from States carrying out the program, a Federal advisory committee, and organizations with an interest in the program. The proposed rule will clarify the current program requirements, adjust the ranking criteria for competitive awards to correspond to the priorities in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998, organize questions and answers to reflect the life cycle of the grant, and reword and reformat regulations following Federal plain language policy and current rulemaking guidance.

The Proposed OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017 (Proposed Program) identifies Sale 244 as a potential special interest sale for the Cook Inlet Planning Area in Alaska. While industry interest in the Federal OCS offshore area has been limited in the past decade, recently there has been renewed interest in exploring for and developing additional hydrocarbon resources in the south-central region of the state, as evidenced by acreage leased in state sales and announced discoveries of natural gas on state-managed lands, both offshore and onshore. This RFI seeks to determine the level of industry interest in a possible Sale 244 in 2013 in the Cook Inlet Planning Area, whether focused on a few blocks or prospects, or on a larger portion of the program area. BOEM is also seeking comments from tribal, local, and state governments, Federal agencies, and the general public to evaluate whether the agency should proceed with further evaluations pursuant to the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and all other applicable laws and regulations. BOEM will consider the level of industry interest and other issues and concerns reflected in comments in its determination on how to proceed. BOEM will then decide on whether to proceed with further evaluation of this special interest sale. This RFI does not indicate a decision to include Sale 244 in the Proposed Final OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017 (Final Program) or to lease in the Cook Inlet Planning Area.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the reopening of the public comment period on the October 4, 2011, rule proposing endangered status for the Alabama pearlshell (Margaritifera marrianae), round ebonyshell (Fusconaia rotulata), southern sandshell (Hamiota australis), southern kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus jonesi), and Choctaw bean (Villosa choctawensis), and threatened status for the tapered pigtoe (Fusconaia burkei), narrow pigtoe (Fusconaia escambia), and fuzzy pigtoe (Pleurobema strodeanum), and designation of their critical habitat, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for these eight species and an amended required determinations section of the proposal. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule, the associated DEA, and the amended required determinations section. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

Under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Larry Napolitano, Twylla Napolitano, Michael K. Smith, and Patricia J. Smith for competitive oil and gas lease WYW163161 for land in Niobrara 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.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the final recovery plan for Spigelia gentianoides (Gentian pinkroot), a threatened species restricted to six locations within three counties in the Florida Panhandle and two counties in Alabama. The recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria to be met in order to reclassify this species from endangered to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Office is publishing this notice to inform the public of the filing of the land survey plats listed below.

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 Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.

The Cobell Class Action Settlement Agreement established a trust land consolidation fund to be used for consolidating Indian trust and restricted lands and acquiring fractional interests in these lands. We are reopening the period for commenting on the Cobell Land Consolidation Program Draft Plan (also known as the Trust Land Consolidation Draft Plan), which is the draft plan for accomplishing these goals.

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) Idaho Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and the California Environmental Quality Act, the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), together with the County of San Bernardino, has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment for the Calnev Pipe Line Expansion Project in San Bernardino County, California and Clark County, Nevada, and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered or threatened species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activities. The Act and the National Environmental Policy Act also require that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

Following consultation with the General Services Administration, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of the Interior is renewing the charter for the Yakima River Basin Conservation Advisory Group (CAG). The purpose of the CAG is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior and the State of Washington on the structure and implementation of the Yakima River Basin Water Conservation Program. The basin conservation program is structured to provide economic incentives with cooperative Federal, State, and local funding to stimulate the identification and implementation of structural and nonstructural cost-effective water conservation measures in the Yakima River basin. Improvements in the efficiency of water delivery and use will result in improved streamflows for fish and wildlife and improve the reliability of water supplies for irrigation.

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 for the environmental assessment for the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (NWR/refuge). In this final CCP, we describe how we will manage the refuge for the next 15 years.