Department of the Interior February 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., 2, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Wildland Fire Executive Council (WFEC) will meet as indicated below.

This notice publishes the approval of an amendment to the Class III Tribal-State Gaming Compact (Amendment), between the Crow Tribe of Montana (Tribe), and the State of Montana (State).

This notice provides BOEM's determination that there is no competitive interest in the area requested by Principle Power, Incorporated (PPI) to acquire an Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) commercial wind lease as described in the Potential Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon, Request for Interest (RFI) that BOEM published on September 30, 2013 (78 FR 59968). The RFI described the WindFloat Pacific Project proposal submitted to BOEM by PPI to acquire a commercial wind lease on the OCS offshore Oregon, and provided an opportunity for the public to submit comments about the proposal.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is publishing this notice in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The BLM gives notice that the Secretary of the Interior is establishing the San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee. This notice also solicits nominations for members of the public to sit on the Committee. The Committee will provide information and advice regarding the development of the National Monument's management plan as stated in the Presidential Proclamation establishing the Monument.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove (delist) the Oregon chub (Oregonichthys crameri) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This proposed action is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the Oregon chub has recovered and no longer meets the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Our review of the status of this species shows that the threats to this species have been eliminated or reduced and populations are stable so that the species is not currently, and is not likely to again become, a threatened species within the foreseeable future in all or a significant portion of its range. This proposed rule, if made final, would remove the currently designated critical habitat for the Oregon chub throughout its range. We also announce the availability of a draft post-delisting monitoring plan for the Oregon chub. We seek information, data, and comments from the public regarding this proposal to delist the Oregon chub and on the draft post-delisting monitoring plan.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on our October 2, 2012, proposed designation of critical habitat for the spring pygmy sunfish (Elassoma alabamae) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In accordance with section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we are considering excluding from the final designation of critical habitat lands covered by three candidate conservation agreements with assurances (CCAAs), based on the conservation benefit these agreements provide the species, the positive relationship we have with these landowners, and the potential that this action would provide an incentive for the establishment of additional CCAAs in the future. This comment period will allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment on the benefits of the exclusion or inclusion of lands covered by these existing CCAAs, particularly those lands under two recently established CCAAs. We will also accept comments on any other aspect of the proposed critical habitat rule. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

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 (Service), announce a 6-month extension of the final determination of whether to list the distinct population segment of the North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) occurring in the contiguous United States as a threatened species. We also reopen the comment period on the proposed rule to list that distinct population segment. We are taking this action based on substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the proposed listing, making it necessary to solicit additional information by reopening the comment period for 90 days. We will publish a final listing determination on or before August 4, 2014.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and a sacred object. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written request to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural item to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The staff of the Art Collection and Galleries of Sweet Briar College, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the Art Collection and Galleries of Sweet Briar College. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

The Field Museum of Natural History 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 Field Museum of Natural History. 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 Museum of Anthropology at Washington State University 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 Museum of Anthropology at Washington State 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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a public meeting of the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (Council). A Federal advisory committee, the Council was created in part to foster partnerships to enhance public awareness of the importance of aquatic resources and the social and economic benefits of recreational fishing and boating in the United States. This meeting is open to the public, and interested persons may make oral statements to the Council or may file written statements for consideration.

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin 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 no cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects 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 objects should submit a written request to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is notifying the public that we have submitted an information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR Part 556, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the OCS; 30 CFR Part 550, Subpart J, Pipelines and Pipeline Rights-of- Way; and 30 CFR Part 560, OCS Oil and Gas Leasing. This notice provides the public a second opportunity to comment on the paperwork burden of this collection.

Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended) and the regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR part 1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), has prepared and approved a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Restoration Plan for Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The requisite no-action ``wait period'' was initiated on November 1, 2013, with the Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register notice of the filing of the Final EIS. Decision: The NPS has selected Alternative 2 (identified as ``preferred'' in the Final EIS) for implementation as the approved Restoration Plan for Mariposa Grove. Key components of the approved plan are as follows: (1) The existing parking lot in the lower Mariposa Grove area will be relocated to a visitor contact area at the South Entrance to the park, about two miles from the Grove; (2) parking will be consolidated into a 295-space parking and transit hub, with a park shuttle available to transport visitors from the South Entrance to the lower Grove area; (3) a hiking trail to the Grove and new accessible trails within the lower Grove area and near the Grizzly Giant tree will be constructed; (4) adverse effects to cultural resources will be ameliorated according to a Memorandum of Agreement executed with the State Historic Preservation Officer; and (5) ecological restoration actions will be undertaken to improve hydrologic flows, water infiltration, and reduce erosion. Three other alternatives were evaluated, the full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures were identified. Alternative 2 (selected for implementation) was deemed to be the ``environmentally preferred'' course of action. Interested parties desiring to review the Record of Decision may obtain a copy by contacting the Superintendent, Attn: Division of Project Management, Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 700-W, 5083 Foresta Road, El Portal, CA 95318 or via telephone request at (209) 379-1202.