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

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received applications from Mr. Albert C. McDonald of Greenbriar Enterprises LLC (applicant McDonald Farm) and Ms. Katherine H. Garrett of Greenbrier Enterprises LLC (applicant Horton Farm) (collectively, applicants) for enhancement of survival permits (permit or permits) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Each permit application includes a proposed candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) between the applicant and the Service as parties and the Land Trust of North Alabama as a cooperator for the conservation of the spring pygmy sunfish. Each Applicant is a limited liability company, created and existing under the laws of the State of Alabama. The CCAAs would be implemented at the Beaverdam Spring Complex within Limestone County, Alabama. We have made a preliminary determination that each permit application, including the proposed CCAA, is eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The basis for this preliminary determination is contained in the draft environmental action statement (EAS) prepared by the Service on each application. We are accepting comments on each permit application and the associated proposed CCAA, as well as on the draft EAS.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) and comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NFWR) for public review and comment. In this draft EA/CCP we describe how we propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine that Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis (acu[ntilde]a cactus) and Pediocactus peeblesianus var. fickeiseniae (Fickeisen plains cactus) meet the definition of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This final rule implements the Federal protections provided by the Act for these species. The effect of this regulation will be to add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act.

Colorado State University has completed an inventory of human remains, 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 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 should submit a written request to Colorado State University, Department of Anthropology. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum, University of Washington (Burke Museum), and Central Washington University have completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and have determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or 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 objects should submit a written request to the Burke Museum or Central Washington University. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Michigan State University Museum (MSUM) has completed an inventory of human remains, 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 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 should submit a written request to the MSUM. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada State Office has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or 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 objects should submit a written request to the BLM. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Fort Lewis College has corrected an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, published in a Notice of Inventory Completion in the Federal Register on October 11, 2011. This notice corrects the number of associated funerary objects.

The Michigan State Police, Mount Pleasant Post, has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present- day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of the human remains should submit a written request to the Michigan State Police, Mount Pleasant Post. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Michigan State Police, Jackson Post (MSP 13) has completed an inventory of human remains, following the initiation of consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human remains 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 the human remains should submit a written request to the MSP 13. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Tumacacori National Historical Park has corrected an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects published in a Notice of Inventory Completion in the Federal Register on July 17, 2009. This notice corrects the number of associated funerary objects. Transfer of control of the items in this correction notice has occurred.

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Alaska State Office hereby notifies the public that it will hold a National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska oil and gas lease sale bid opening for tracts in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The United States reserves the right to withdraw any tract from this sale prior to issuance of a written acceptance of a bid.

The purpose of this public notice is to: (1) Describe the proposal submitted to BOEM by Principle Power, Inc. (Principle Power) to acquire an OCS commercial wind lease; (2) solicit submissions of indications of interest in obtaining a commercial lease for wind energy development on the OCS offshore Oregon in the area described in this notice; and (3) solicit initial public input regarding the area described in this notice, the potential environmental consequences of wind energy development in the area, and the multiple uses of the area. On May 15, 2013, BOEM received an unsolicited request from Principle Power for a commercial wind lease on the OCS offshore Oregon. Principle Power's proposed project, the ``WindFloat Pacific Project,'' would consist of a floating wind energy demonstration facility offshore Coos Bay, Oregon. The project is designed to generate 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity from five floating ``WindFloat'' units, each equipped with a 6-MW offshore wind turbine, connected by inter-unit electrical cabling, with a single transmission cable exporting electricity to the mainland that would extend across both Federal and state lands. The project would be located approximately 16 nautical miles (nmi) west of Coos Bay, Oregon in water depths of approximately 1,400 feet. Additional information on Principle Power's unsolicited lease request can be viewed at https://www.boem.gov/State-Activities-Oregon/. This RFI is published pursuant to subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act, as amended by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)), and the implementing regulations at 30 CFR 585.231(b). Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act requires that OCS renewable energy leases, easements, and rights-of-way be issued ``on a competitive basis unless the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) determines after public notice of a proposed lease, easement, or right-of-way that there is no competitive interest.'' This RFI provides such public notice for the proposed lease area requested by Principle Power and invites the submission of indications of interest. BOEM is soliciting submissions of interest in commercial wind energy development with this notice. BOEM will consider the responses to this public notice to determine whether competitive interest exists for the area requested by Principle Power, as required by 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3). Parties wishing to obtain a commercial lease for wind energy development for the area described below under ``Description of the Proposed Lease Area'' should submit detailed and specific information as described in the section entitled, ``Required Indication of Interest Information.'' This announcement also requests that interested and affected parties comment and provide information about site conditions and multiple uses within the area identified in this notice that would be relevant to the proposed project or its impacts. This is the first step in the OCS renewable energy leasing process. There will be additional opportunities to provide comment pursuant to 30 CFR part 585 and applicable laws, such as the opportunity to comment on the environmental analysis that BOEM will prepare under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), before any lease is issued. A detailed description of the proposed lease area can be found in the section of this notice entitled, ``Description of the Area.''

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list the rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) as a threatened species 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 this species. The effect of this regulation will be to add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

This Call for Information and Nominations (``Call'') is the initial step in the prelease process for Lease Sale 237 in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area, scheduled to be held in 2016, as included in the Proposed Final OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2012-2017 (``Five Year Program''). The purpose of this Call is to obtain nominations and information on oil and gas leasing, exploration, and development that might result from an OCS oil and gas lease sale for the Chukchi Sea Planning Area. The lease sale area addressed in this Call (``Program Area'') is located offshore Alaska in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area. As identified in the Five Year Program, the Program Area is a sub-area of the larger Chukchi Sea Planning Area.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is extending the public comment period on the production safety systems proposed rule, which was published in the Federal Register on August 22, 2013. The original public comment period would end October 21, 2013. However, BSEE has received multiple requests from various industry representatives to extend the comment period. The BSEE has reviewed the extension requests and determined that a 45-day comment period extension is appropriate.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Battle Mountain District, Mount Lewis Field Office, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 3 Bars Ecosystem and Landscape Restoration Project (3 Bars Project) and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, notice is hereby given that the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) Advisory Council (Council) is scheduled to meet as indicated below.

As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the National Park Service (NPS) is hereby giving notice that the Advisory Councils for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail will hold a joint meeting. Designated through amendments to the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 to 1251, as amended), the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail consists of ``a series of water routes extending approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the States of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and in the District of Columbia,'' tracing the 1607-1609 voyages of Captain John Smith to chart the land and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay. The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail consists of ``water and overland routes totaling approximately 290 miles, extending from Tangier Island, Virginia, through southern Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia, in the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, Potomac River, and north to the Patapsco River, and Baltimore, Maryland, commemorating the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 (including the British invasion of Washington, District of Columbia, and its associated feints, and the Battle of Baltimore in summer 1814).'' This meeting is open to the public. Preregistration is required for both public attendance and comment. Any individual who wishes to attend the meeting, participate in, and/or file a comment for the public comment session should register via email to Christine_Lucero@nps.gov or telephone (757) 258-8914. For those wishing to make comments, please provide a written summary of your comments prior to the meeting. The Designated Federal Official for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council is Jonathan Doherty, Acting Superintendent, telephone (410) 260-2477. The Designated Federal Official for the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Advisory Council is Suzanne Copping, Program Manager, telephone (410) 260-2476.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentum) and slabside pearlymussel (Pleuronaia dolabelloides). These two species are endemic to portions of the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. The effect of this regulation is to add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and to implement the Federal protections provided by the Act for these species.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invites public comments on, and plans to request approval to continue, the collection of information from those who wish to adopt and obtain title to wild horses and burros. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has assigned control number 1004-0042 to this information collection.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer by modified competitive sealed-bid sale approximately 440 acres in the Desert Valley area of Humboldt County, Nevada, at no less than the fair market value (FMV) of $44,000. The sale will be conducted pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and BLM land sale and mineral conveyance regulations.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered or threatened species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

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.