Department of the Interior August 2, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is soliciting public comments on the draft strategic plan for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The draft strategic plan, along with instructions for submitting comments, is posted at: www.fgdc.gov/nsdi- plan. Comments should be submitted by August 21, 2013. The FGDC is the interagency committee that promotes the coordinated use, sharing and dissemination of geospatial data in the United States. The FGDC operates under the authority of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16 and Executive Order 12906. One of the FGDC's responsibilities under Circular A-16 is to ``prepare and maintain a strategic plan for the development and implementation of the NSDI.'' Executive Order 12906 describes the NSDI as ``the technology, policies, standards, and human resources necessary to acquire, process, store, distribute, and improve utilization of geospatial data.'' The draft NSDI strategic plan has been developed with inputs from a variety of sources, including FGDC member agencies, the National Geospatial Advisory Committee, and geospatial partner organizations. The plan describes a broad national vision for the NSDI, and includes goals and objectives for the Federal government's role in continued sustainable development of the NSDI. Following the public comment period, a revised draft of the plan will be prepared for final review and adoption by the FGDC Steering Committee. Following adoption of the strategic plan, the FGDC will develop more detailed project plans for the goals and objectives in the strategic plan.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Ivesia webberi (Webber's ivesia) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, approximately 2,011 acres (814 hectares) in Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Counties in northeastern California and Washoe and Douglas Counties in northwestern Nevada fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. The effect of this regulation is to designate critical habitat for Ivesia webberi under the Act.

Notice is hereby given to change the dates of the seasonal closure of public land in the Bald Ridge Area that was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, August 5, 1999 (64 FR 42711). The previous closure was in effect from December 15 through April 30 each winter and spring season to all use, except for specifically authorized vehicles. Pursuant to this Notice, the Bald Ridge area located south of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River and west and north of Hogan Reservoir of Park County, Wyoming on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cody Field Office, is now closed from January 1 through April 30 of each winter and spring season to all use (such as human presence, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, cross-country skiing, and all motorized use), except for specifically authorized activities. The total acreage of this closure is 6,036 acres. This action is being taken for resource protection of essential wintering habitat for elk and mule deer. No access into this area will be allowed unless permitted by the Authorized Officer (BLM, Cody Field Manager).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list Physaria globosa (Short's bladderpod), Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower), and Leavenworthia crassa (fleshy-fruit gladecress) 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 Physaria globosa (Short's bladderpod), Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower), and Leavenworthia crassa (fleshy- fruit gladecress) to conserve these species.