Department of the Interior April 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

We (the USGS) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection request (ICR) described below. This collection consists of 1 form. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this ICR. This collection is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2013.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is amending its regulations to add provisions allowing the BLM to temporarily segregate from the operation of the public land laws, by publication of a Federal Register notice, public lands included in a pending wind or solar energy generation right-of-way (ROW) application, and public lands that the BLM identifies for potential future wind or solar energy generation right-of-way applications under applicable legal requirements. The purpose of such segregation is to promote the orderly administration of the public lands. Lands segregated under this rule will not be subject to appropriation under the public land laws, including location under the Mining Law of 1872 (Mining Law), for up to two years from the date of publication of notice under this rule, subject to valid existing rights, but would remain open under the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (MLA) and the Materials Act of 1947 (Materials Act).

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and the Arizona-Idaho Conservation Act of 1988 (creating the San Pedro National Conservation Area), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tucson Field Office, Tucson, Arizona, intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. The RMP will replace the existing Safford RMP decisions for the BLM land within the planning area.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) to evaluate the effects of the cultivation and use of genetically modified crops (GMCs) on lands that are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Southeast Region (Refuge System lands). The Service's Southeast Region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the Caribbean. We provide this notice to advise other Federal and State agencies, Native American tribes, non-governmental organizations, and the public of our intention as well as to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider during the PEA planning process. These actions are part of our effort to comply with the general provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA); NEPA regulations; other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations. As a requirement of NEPA, we must identify resource issues, develop alternatives for the use of GMCs, and evaluate the effects of each of our chosen alternatives on the human environment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), announce the fiscal year 2013 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 all the grants from the list.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is inviting comments on an information collection request (ICR) that we have sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR concerns the paperwork requirements for the Department of the Interior Regional Climate Science Centers. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this ICR. This collection is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2013.

The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) was directed by the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 to establish the Dominguez- Escalante National Conservation Area (D-E NCA) Advisory Council (Council). The 10-member Council was formed in December 2010 to provide recommendations to the Secretary through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) during the development of a resource management plan (RMP) for the D-E NCA. The call for nominations is to fill 8 of the 10 seats on the Council. The appointments for these eight members are scheduled to expire in November 2013.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on our October 2, 2012, proposed listing and designation of critical habitat for the spring pygmy sunfish (Elassoma alabamae) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In this document, we propose a slight reduction to the size of the proposed designation based on public input. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for spring pygmy sunfish 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 revised 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.

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) announces additional meetings for the Indian Oil Valuation Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee). The Committee membership includes representatives from Indian tribes, individual Indian mineral owner organizations, minerals industry representatives, and other Federal bureaus.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered as Committee members and/ or alternates to serve on the U.S. Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (USEITI) Advisory Committee. This notice solicits nominees from: (1) the Industry sector as a result of a vacancy created by the recent resignation of a previously-appointed Industry sector member; and (2) from all three sectors: Government, Civil Society, and Industry, so that the Department can create a roster of eligible, qualified candidates to facilitate the appointment process should future vacancies occur. Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee's qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Committee and permit the Department of the Interior to contact a potential member. Parties are strongly encouraged to work with and within stakeholder sectors (including industry, civil society, and government sectors as defined by the EITI process) to jointly consider and submit nominations that, overall, reflect the diversity and breadth of their sector. Nominees are strongly encouraged to include supporting letters from constituents, trade associations, alliances, and/or other organizations that indicate the support by a meaningful constituency for the nominee.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are announcing an active 5-year status review under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), of the southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni). A 5-year status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the last review for the species.

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 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Proposed Sloan Hills Mineral Material Sales, Clark County, Nevada, and by this notice is announcing their availability.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

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 California Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and the northern distinct population segment (DPS) (populations that occur north of the Tehachapi Mountains) of the mountain yellow-legged frog as endangered species, and the Yosemite toad as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The effect of this regulation would be to add the species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Act.

In this Annual Notice of Review (ANOR) of foreign species, we present an updated list of plant and animal species foreign to the United States that we regard as candidates for addition to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This review ensures that we focus conservation efforts on those species at greatest risk first. Overall, this ANOR recognizes one new candidate and removes one species from candidate status. The current number of foreign species that are candidates for listing is 20. Based on our current review, we find that 20 species continue to warrant listing, but their listing remains precluded by higher priority proposals to determine whether any species is an endangered species or a threatened species.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Vehicle Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Denali National Park and Preserve. The Vehicle Management Plan addresses management of all motorized vehicles on the restricted section of the Denali Park Road (Mile 15-Mile 90). This plan amends the vehicle management aspect of the park's General Management Plan (GMP). The NPS will propose a modification to the current park-specific regulations in order to implement these amendments. The NPS selected Alternative D (NPS Preferred Alternative), which offers visitors the opportunity to have a high-quality experience using a transportation system that offers predictability, efficiency, and variety. The ROD details the background of the project, the decision made (selected alternative), other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, the environmentally preferable alternative, measures adopted to minimize environmental harm, and public involvement in the decision making process.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended, approximately 120 acres of public land in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The Sweetwater County Solid Waste District 2 (SCSWD2) proposes to use the land as the Wamsutter Landfill.

Notice is hereby given that the Stout Fire closure to motorized vehicle use is in effect on public lands administered by the Four Rivers Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

The Powder River Regional Coal Team (RCT) has scheduled a public meeting for June 19, 2013, to review coal management activities in the Powder River Coal Production Region.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability of a draft recovery plan for the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). This species is federally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this draft revised plan.

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