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

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed right-of-way (ROW) amendment for the Blythe Solar Power Project (BSPP), Riverside County, California, and by this notice is announcing its availability.

The National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) will meet on June 24-25, 2014 at the South Interior Building Auditorium, 1951 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20240. The meeting will be held in the first floor Auditorium. The NGAC, which is composed of representatives from governmental, private sector, non-profit, and academic organizations, was established to advise the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) on management of Federal geospatial programs, the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and the implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16. Topics to be addressed at the meeting include: Leadership Dialogue. FGDC Report (National Geospatial Data Asset Management Plan, Geospatial Platform). NSDI Strategic Plan Implementation. NGAC Subcommittee Reports. 3D Elevation Program Update. FirstNet Update. The meeting will include an opportunity for public comment on June 25. Comments may also be submitted to the NGAC in writing. Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting must register in advance. Please register by contacting Arista Maher at the U.S. Geological Survey (703-648-6283, amaher@usgs.gov). Registrations are due by June 20, 2014. While the meeting will be open to the public, registration is required for entrance to the South Interior Building, and seating may be limited due to room capacity.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southern Nevada District Office will accept competitive bids to select preferred applicants to submit right-of-way (ROW) applications and plans of development for solar energy projects on up to approximately 3,083 acres of public land in Clark County, Nevada.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on the August 2, 2013, proposed designation of critical habitat for the Physaria globosa (Short's bladderpod), Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower), and Leavenworthia crassa (fleshy-fruit gladecress) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation for these species as well as an amended required determinations section of the proposal. We also propose to increase the proposed designation of critical habitat for Leavenworthia crassa by approximately 0.04 hectare (0.1 acre) by adding one unit in Lawrence County, Alabama. 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 Congaree Swamp National Monument Expansion and Wilderness Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-524, October 24, 1988) designated approximately 15,010 acres of Congaree Swamp National Monument, now Congaree National Park, as wilderness, and approximately 6,840 acres as potential wilderness additions. Section 2(b) of Public Law 100-524 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convert any designated potential wilderness at Congaree National Park to designated wilderness upon publication in the Federal Register of a notice that any non- Federal interests in land have been acquired and all uses thereon prohibited by the Wilderness Act of 1964 (Pub. L. 88-577) have ceased. Accordingly, this notice hereby converts approximately 6,690 acres of designated potential wilderness at Congaree National Park to designated wilderness. The converted acreage comprises all but about 60 acres of designated potential wilderness in the park that have been acquired to date by the United States. The approximately 90 acres of private land still remaining within the park's designated potential wilderness are not affected by this Notice. These private lands, if acquired by the United States, may be converted to designated wilderness at a later date. A map showing the lands hereby converted to designated wilderness is on file at the administrative office of Congaree National Park. All interests in the lands converted to designated wilderness via this Notice have been acquired by the United States, and there are no current, or proposed, uses of the 6,690 acres that are incompatible with wilderness designation. These 6,690 acres shall be added to the 15,010 acres of designated wilderness within the Congaree National Park Wilderness and managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Albuquerque District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado State Office is publishing this notice to inform the public of the intent to officially file the survey plats listed below and afford a proper period of time to protest this action prior to the plat filing. During this time, the plats will be available for review in the BLM Colorado State Office.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) 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 information collection request (ICR) concerns the paperwork requirements in the regulations under 30 CFR 550, Subpart C, Pollution Prevention and Control.

This proposed rule would revise regulations governing the process and criteria by which the Secretary acknowledges an Indian tribe. The revisions seek to make the process and criteria more transparent, promote consistent implementation, and increase timeliness and efficiency, while maintaining the integrity of the process. The current process has been criticized as ``broken'' or in need of reform. Specifically, the process has been criticized as too slow (a petition can take decades to be decided), expensive, burdensome, inefficient, intrusive, less than transparent and unpredictable. The proposed rule would reform the process by, among other things, institutionalizing a phased review that allows for faster decisions; reducing the documentary burden; allowing for a hearing on the proposed finding to promote transparency and process integrity; establishing the Assistant Secretary's final determination as final for the Department to promote efficiency; and establishing objective standards, where appropriate, to ensure transparency and predictability. This publication also announces the dates and locations for tribal consultation sessions and public meetings on this proposed rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), revise the two depredation orders for double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus, DCCOs). We extend the expiration dates for the orders for 5 years to allow State and Tribal resource management agencies to continue to manage DCCO problems and gather data on the effects of DCCO control actions. We have prepared a final environmental assessment (FEA) to analyze the environmental impacts associated with this extension. We change the annual reporting date for the depredation order to protect public resources, remove requirements for DCCO control activities around bald eagles and bald eagle nests for both orders, and require use of the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines for both orders. We also add a requirement for the use of nontoxic rifle bullets for anyone using centerfire rifles to control DCCOs under the orders, beginning on January 1, 2017.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of the Interior is issuing a public notice of its intent to create the National Park Service ``Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) SystemNPS-23'' system of records. The system is an online collaborative tool designed to facilitate the project management process in conservation planning and environmental impact analysis. The system assists the National Park Service in making informed decisions with regard to a number of compliance issues throughout the planning, design, and construction process.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), in response to an application from Maricopa Sun, LLC (the applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant has prepared the draft Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for review. We announce a public comment period on the permit application, including the draft EIS and the proposed HCP. We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party.

This Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (Notice) is being published as an initial step to involve Federal agencies, states, tribes, local governments, and the public in an early and transparent process to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500-1508. This process includes determining the scope of issues and identifying potentially significant issues related to a proposed project on the OCS offshore New York. This public and expert input will help inform BOEM decision-making with regard to issuing leases and approving site assessment activities. In consultation with other Federal agencies and BOEM's New York Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, BOEM has identified an area for consideration for potential future wind energy leasing offshore New York (Call Area). The Call Area is identified in Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore New YorkCall for Information and Nominations (Call), which is being published concurrently with this Notice. The leasing process provides several opportunities for public involvement before leasing can occur, including the publication of a Call and proposed sale notice. A commercial lease gives the lessee the exclusive right, subsequently, to seek BOEM approval for the development of the leasehold. The lease does not grant the lessee the right to construct any facilities; rather, the lease grants the lessee the right to use the leased area to develop its plans, which BOEM must approve before the lessee can move on to the next stage of the process. (See 30 CFR 585.600 and 585.601.) BOEM intends to prepare an EA to consider the environmental consequences associated with issuing commercial wind leases, associated site characterization activities (i.e., biological, archeological, geological and geophysical surveys and core samples), and approving site assessment activities on those leases within the Call Area. If a lessee proposes commercial wind development activity, the specific proposal will be subject to an environmental review at that time. At a minimum, the EA will consider the alternatives of (1) no action (i.e., no issuance of a lease) and (2) the issuance of a lease, associated site characterization activities and approval of certain site assessment activities within the lease area, such as installation of a fixed meteorological tower and/or deployment of a meteorological buoy. With this notice, BOEM requests comments and input from Federal, state, and local government agencies; tribal governments; and other interested parties on environmental issues and alternatives that may be appropriate for consideration in the EA. BOEM also requests information pertaining to measures (e.g., limitations on activities based on technology, siting, or timing) that would minimize the impacts to environmental resources and socioeconomic conditions that could result from the proposed activity. Additionally, as part of its compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), BOEM is seeking public comment and input regarding the identification of historic properties or potential effects to historic properties from leasing and site assessment activities in the proposed lease area.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of the Interior is issuing a public notice of its intent to create the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ``General Land Office Records Automation SystemInterior, BLM-42'' system of records. The system of records contains information collected from publicly available historical Federal land conveyance documents (land patents, survey plats, field notes and land status records) maintained by the BLM General Land Office, and billing information of individuals requesting certified copies of land conveyance documents. The purpose of this system is to maintain, protect and preserve more than five million documents of historical relevance and to make these valuable resources for natural resource agencies, historians, surveyors, title companies, and genealogists available via the General Land Office Records Web site.

The purpose of this notice is to reopen the request for public nominations for the Northern California Resource Advisory Council (RAC), which has 15 open positions this year. This RAC provides advice and recommendations to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on land use planning and management of the National System of Public Lands within northern California and far northwest Nevada. The BLM will accept public nominations for 30 days after the publication of this notice.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision will be issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to The Kuskokwim Corporation, Successor in Interest to Lower Kalskag, Incorporated. The decision approves the surface estate in the lands described below for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.). The subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to Calista Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to The Kuskokwim Corporation, Successor in Interest to Lower Kalskag, Incorporated. The lands are in the vicinity of Lower Kalskag, Alaska, and are located in:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or Service), are revising the regulations that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or Treaty or Convention) by incorporating certain provisions adopted at the fourteenth and fifteenth meetings of the Conference of the Parties (CoP14 and CoP15) to CITES and clarifying and updating certain other provisions. These changes will bring U.S. regulations in line with new resolutions and revisions to resolutions adopted at meetings of the Conference of the Parties that took place in June 2007 (CoP14) and March 2010 (CoP15). The revised regulations will help us more effectively promote species conservation, help us continue to fulfill our responsibilities under the Treaty, and help those affected by CITES to understand how to conduct lawful international trade.

The Office of the Secretary previously announced that it will conduct a listening session on the status of implementation of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations. The purpose of the session is to meet with Indian tribes to discuss progress to date and receive feedback. Indian landowners may also attend to provide input. This notice corrects the previously published notice to provide RSVP and testimony information and an agenda.

This notice announces a meeting of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council. The agenda includes a report from the nominating and bylaws committee, 2016 anniversaries, and park updates.

We (the U.S. Geological Survey) are notifying the public that we have submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the information collection request (ICR) described below. To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) 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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on the October 22, 2013, proposed designation of critical habitat for Agave eggersiana (no common name), Gonocalyx concolor (no common name), and Varronia rupicola (no common name) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for these species 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 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.

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 Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) will meet as indicated below:

We are announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the West Virginia regulatory program (the West Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). West Virginia is submitting a proposed amendment to revise its West Virginia Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act (WVSCMRA). Senate Bill 497 creates a new section in the West Virginia Code, designated as section 22-3-33, relating to the award of attorney fees and costs by the Surface Mine Board and courts in appeals from actions taken by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) under the approved State surface mining program.

OSM announces receipt of a proposed amendment to the Ohio regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Ohio's proposed amendment is prompted by requirements within the Ohio statute that all agencies must review their administrative rules every five years. Consistent with this requirement, the Ohio Reclamation Commission, (the Commission), proposes an amendment to its procedural rules in order to ensure an orderly, efficient, and effective appeals process. By submittal of this proposed amendment, Ohio intends to revise its approved program pursuant to the additional flexibility afforded by the revised Federal regulations and SMCRA, as amended, to ensure Ohio's proposed provisions are consistent with and in accordance with SMCRA and no less effective than the corresponding Federal regulations. This document provides the times and locations that the Ohio program and proposed amendment are available for public inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on this amendment, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is offering to sell a parcel of public land containing 7.5 acres as a non-competitive (direct) sale for a cemetery at not less than the appraised fair market value (FMV) of $6,500 to Nye County. The BLM is proposing to use the direct sale procedures consistent with the requirements of Section 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and the applicable regulations.