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

The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Natural Bridges National Monument has completed an inventory of human remains and an associated funerary object, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary object and any present-day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary object should submit a written request to Natural Bridges National Monument. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary object to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

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) Dominguez- Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) Advisory Council (Council) will meet as indicated below.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The submission of this information collection request (ICR) is necessary so that both industry and BSEE have a better understanding of the regulatory requirements associated with all supporting data and information that is submitted with an Application for Permit to Modify (APM) under the multiple subparts. This ICR will separate out the hours and non-hour cost burdens associated with APMs from its currently approved IC into its own separate collection; it will also reflect more accurate burden estimates.

The National Park Service amends the special regulations for Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado, to designate routes, water surfaces, and areas where snowmobiles or motor vehicles may be used off park roads.

Notice is hereby given of contractual actions that have been proposed to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and are new, modified, discontinued, or completed since the last publication of this notice. This notice is one of a variety of means used to inform the public about proposed contractual actions for capital recovery and management of project resources and facilities consistent with section 9(f) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. Additional announcements of individual contract actions may be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers of general circulation in the areas determined by Reclamation to be affected by the proposed action.

On October 2, 2013, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announced a 12-month finding on a petition to list the eastern small-footed bat (Myotis leibii) and the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) and to designate critical habitat. After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we found that listing the eastern small-footed bat is not warranted but listing the northern long-eared bat is warranted. Accordingly, we proposed to list the northern long-eared bat as an endangered species throughout its range under the Act. In the October 2, 2013, proposed rule, we also determined that critical habitat for the northern long-eared bat is not determinable at this time. We announce the extension of the comment period for our October 2, 2013, proposed rule to ensure the public has sufficient time to comment on the proposal for this wide-ranging species that involves many stakeholders. The Service seeks data and comments from the public on the October 2, 2013, proposed listing rule for the northern long-eared bat.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing its intention to request renewed approval for the collection of information for the Procedures and Criteria for Approval or Disapproval of State Program Submissions.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This meeting is open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan Amendment for the Soda Mountain Solar Project (Project), San Bernardino County, California, and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Utah Resource Advisory Council (RAC)/Recreation Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) will host a meeting/conference call.

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) Gateway West Project Subcommittee of the Boise District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will hold meetings as indicated below.

The National Park Service (NPS) is terminating the Wilderness Study and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a General Management Plan Amendment (GMPA) for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. The NPS published a notice of intent to prepare an EIS on a GMPA/Wilderness Study EIS for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in the Federal Register (75 FR 4413) on January 27, 2010. Public scoping occurred in the spring of 2010, a preliminary alternatives newsletter was distributed to the public in the fall of 2010, and a Wilderness Study newsletter was sent to the public in the winter of 2011. One of the key areas of focus for the EIS was a Wilderness Study for lands in the preserve that are presently identified as eligible but that have not been proposed for wilderness designation. Under the enabling legislation, Section 201 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), Congress provided for a right-of-way across the Kobuk Unit of the preserve for access to an adjacent mining district (ANILCA Section 201(4)(b)-(e)). In 2011, the State of Alaska, at the request of a project proponent, began preliminary field studies in preparation for the application for a right-of-way. If a complete application is received, the Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Transportation will jointly agree on the route for issuance of a right-of-way, after completion of an environmental and economic analysis prepared in lieu of an EIS which would otherwise be required under the National Environmental Policy Act. Funding by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to study the feasibility of a road has accelerated the schedule for potentially filing a right-of-way application. Due to the possibility that a right-of-way application may be filed, the NPS decided to defer the Wilderness Study and complete the GMPA with an environmental assessment. The GMPA will include a wilderness stewardship plan and update the GMP to reflect current planning standards, including zoning, capacity, and desired conditions for management. The alternatives under consideration in the GMPA do not include any new facilities or substantial staffing changes, and are not expected to have significant impacts on the human environment.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse Draft Land Use Plan (LUP) Amendments and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Oregon Sub-Region and, by this notice, is announcing the opening of the comment period.

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council (Council) was established by the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (Pub. L.93-320) (Act) to receive reports and advise Federal agencies on implementing the Act. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Bureau of Reclamation announces that the Council will meet as detailed below. The meeting of the Council is open to the public.

The Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform (the Commission) will hold a public webinar meeting on December 10, 2013. Because of delays from the Federal government shutdown, the Commission report and recommendations will be discussed and voted on during the December 10 public webinar, and time will be allowed to take public comments.

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Public Laws 92-463 and 94-579, that the California Desert District Advisory Council (DAC) to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Department of the Interior, will meet in formal session on Saturday, December 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Place, 3500 Market St., Riverside, CA 92501. The Council will conduct an open work planning meeting on Friday, December 6, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No field trip is scheduled for this meeting agenda. Meeting details will be posted on the DAC Web page, https:// www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/rac/dac.html, when finalized. Agenda topics for the Saturday meeting will include updates by council members, the BLM California Desert District manager, five field office managers, and council subgroups. Final agenda items will be posted on the DAC Web page listed above.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Egan Field Office, Ely, Nevada, has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Pan Mine Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with marine mammals. With some exceptions, Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.

In accordance 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) has prepared a Record of Decision (ROD) and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Ruby Pipeline Project (Project) and by this notice is announcing their availability.

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.

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

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public and interested State and local government officials of the filing of Plats of Survey in Nevada.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 1-16, and Part 65 of title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, that a meeting of the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. on December 17, 2013, in Washington, DC. The meeting will continue beginning at 9:00 a.m. on December 18, 2013.