Department of the Interior August 7, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on petitions to list the Spring Mountains dark blue butterflies (Euphilotes ancilla purpura and Euphilotes ancilla cryptica) and Morand's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas anicia morandi) as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and to designate critical habitat. Based on our review, we find that the petition requesting listing of the Morand's checkerspot butterfly does not present substantial information indicating that listing that species may be warranted. In addition, based on our review, we find that the petition requesting listing of the two Spring Mountains dark blue butterflies presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing these species may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we will initiate status reviews of the two Spring Mountains dark blue butterflies to determine whether listing is warranted. To ensure that these status reviews are comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding these two subspecies. Based on these status reviews, 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.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is considering the competitive sale of seven parcels of public lands totaling approximately 271.57 acres in Washington County, Utah, at not less than appraised fair market value. The sale would be subject to the applicable provisions of Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and BLM regulations.

This order withdraws 28,727 acres, more or less, of public lands from location and entry under the United States mining laws for a period of 20 years, to minimize impacts to human health, safety, and the environment from hazardous emissions of airborne asbestos fibers within the Clear Creek Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern. In addition, approximately 3,889 acres of non-Federal lands located inside of the boundary of the withdrawal area, if acquired by or returned to the United States, will also be included in the withdrawal. The withdrawal will have no effect on the non-Federal lands until such time as title passes to the United States.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify the straight-horned markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni) from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This proposed action is based on a review of the best available scientific and commercial data which indicates that the endangered designation no longer correctly reflects the status of the straight-horned markhor. This proposal constitutes our 12-month finding on the petition to reclassify this subspecies, serves as our 5-year review, and fulfills our obligations under a settlement agreement. We are also proposing a special rule concurrently. The effects of these regulations are to correctly reflect the status of the subspecies and encourage conservation of additional populations of the straight-horned markhor.