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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period on our August 2, 2011, proposal to list as endangered and to designate critical habitat for 23 species on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act); designate critical habitat for 2 plant species that are already listed as endangered; and to revise critical habitat for 99 plant species that are already listed as endangered or threatened. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation 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 on this rulemaking do not need to be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. We are also considering revising the boundary for OahuLowland DryUnit 8, from that described in the proposed rule, based on new information regarding the biological conditions within certain portions of the unit.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for the endangered Alabama Sturgeon. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that would have to be met in order for us to downlist the species to be threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rawlins Field Office (RFO), Rawlins, Wyoming, intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment with an associated Environmental Assessment (EA) for the RFO and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues.

The United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), may propose amendments to the CITES Appendices for consideration at meetings of the Conference of the Parties. The sixteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP16) is tentatively scheduled to be held in Thailand, March 3-15, 2013. With this notice, we describe proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals) that the United States might submit for consideration at CoP16 and invite your comments and information on these proposals.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially filed the plats of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho, effective 9 a.m., on the dates specified.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue an appealable decision to Calista Corporation. The decision will approve conveyance of the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq). The lands are located north of Mountain Village, Alaska, and contain 3.11 acres. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Anchorage Daily News.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request approval for the collection of information for OSM's call for nominations for its Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rio Grande Natural Area Commission will meet as indicated below.

Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d), ABACO Energy LLC, Brent Clum, Cody Oil & Gas Corporation, Earthstone Energy Inc., Global Gas & Oil LLC, Hill LP, Jerry Jones, MBI Oil & Gas LLC, Vincent Melashenko, Missouri River Royalty Corporation, Northern Energy Corporation, Panther Energy Company LLC, David Peterson, Rainbow Energy Marketing Corporation, Red Willow Great Plains LLC, Slawson Exploration Company Inc., Stewart Geological Inc., Sunshine Pacific Corporation, United Energy Trading LLC, WHC Exploration LLC and Wolfe Exploration LLC timely filed a petition for reinstatement of competitive oil and gas lease NDM 95190, McKenzie and Williams counties, North Dakota. The lessee paid the required rental accruing from the date of termination. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The lessees agree to new lease terms for rentals and royalties of $10 per acre and 16-2/3 percent. The lessees paid the $500 administration fee for the reinstatement of the lease and the $163 cost for publishing this Notice. The lessees met the requirements for reinstatement of the lease per Sec. 31 (d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188). We are proposing to reinstate the lease, effective the date of termination subject to the: Original terms and conditions of the lease; Increased rental of $10 per acre; Increased royalty of 16-2/3 percent; and $163 cost of publishing this Notice.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) that documents decisions regarding off-road vehicle management in the Nabesna District of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The ROD describes the management actions, trail improvements, regulations, and mitigation (including monitoring) that will implement Alternative 6, identified in the FEIS as the preferred alternative. The ROD also describes the rationale used in making the decision and identifies the environmentally preferable alternative. The ROD includes a recommendation for the reclassification of eligible wilderness, which was approved by the NPS Director on January 18, 2012. The reclassification resulted in a net gain of 16,929 acres of eligible wilderness in the analysis area.

The plats of survey described below are scheduled to be officially filed in the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Santa Fe, New Mexico, thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are listing the Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri), as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We have determined that designation of critical habitat for the Miami blue butterfly is not prudent at this time. We also are listing the cassius blue butterfly (Leptotes cassius theonus), ceraunus blue butterfly (Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus), and nickerbean blue butterfly (Cyclargus ammon) as threatened due to similarity of appearance to the Miami blue in coastal south and central Florida, and establishing a special rule under section 4(d) of the Act for these three species.

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) announces meetings for the Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee). Agenda items for the first meetings of the Committee will include (1) an overview of Indian oil production, the current Indian oil valuation rule, and the Indian oil royalty administrative process; (2) an identification of issues to be addressed by the Committee; and (3) an opportunity for members to express their issues, concerns and interests. In addition, the Committee's facilitator will review meeting protocols and facilitate a discussion of collaborative problem solving. The Committee membership includes representatives from Indian Tribes, individual Indian mineral owner organizations, the oil and gas industry, and the Department of the Interior. The public will have the opportunity to comment between 3:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. mountain standard time on May 1, 2012, and June 18, 2012.

Under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Equus Energy Corporation for competitive oil and gas lease WYW164675 for land in Converse 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.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer by modified competitive, sealed-bid sale, one parcel of public land totaling approximately 480 acres in the Las Vegas Valley at not less than the appraised fair market value (FMV) of $10,560,000. The parcel will be offered in a sale pursuant to the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 (SNPLMA), Public Law 105-263, 112 Stat. 2343, as amended. The sale will be subject to the applicable provisions of Sections 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C 1713, and BLM land sale regulations at 43 CFR 2710.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), announce the fiscal year 2012, priority list of wildlife and sport fish conservation projects from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). As required by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, AFWA submits a list of projects to us each year to consider for funding under the Multistate Conservation Grant program. We have reviewed the list and have awarded the grants from the list.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue an appealable decision to Sealaska Corporation. The decision approves conveyance of the surface and subsurface estates in the lands described below pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.). The lands being approved for conveyance are lands originally selected under ANCSA in the withdrawal area for Kassan, Alaska. The lands are located in:

The California Department of Parks and Recreation has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian tribes. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains may contact the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Repatriation of the human remains to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the appropriate tribes, has determined that the cultural items meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and repatriation to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural item may contact the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Rochester Museum & Science Center, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribe, has determined that the cultural items meet the definition of both sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony and repatriation to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural items may contact the Rochester Museum & Science Center.

The Rochester Museum & Science Center, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribe, has determined that the cultural items meet the definition of both sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony and repatriation to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural items may contact the Rochester Museum & Science Center.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian tribes. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains may contact the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Repatriation of the human remains to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the appropriate tribes, has determined that the cultural items meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and repatriation to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural item may contact the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Secretary of the Interior is giving notice of renewal of the National Park Service Concessions Management Advisory Board. This action is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of statutory duties imposed upon the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.