Department of the Interior February 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Reclamation has made available to the public the Water Management Plans for 10 entities. For the purpose of this announcement, Water Management Plans (Plans) are considered the same as Water Conservation Plans. Reclamation is publishing this notice in order to allow the public an opportunity to review the Plans and comment on the preliminary determinations.

The U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Navy has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary, 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 Department of the Navy. 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 Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology 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 these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology. 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.

These updated guidelines provide guidance to State courts and child welfare agencies implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act's (ICWA) provisions in light of written and oral comments received during a review of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Guidelines for State Courts in Indian Child Custody Proceedings published in 1979. They also reflect recommendations made by the Attorney General's Advisory Committee on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence and significant developments in jurisprudence since ICWA's inception. The updated BIA Guidelines for State Courts and Agencies in Indian Child Custody Proceedings promote compliance with ICWA's stated goals and provisions by providing a framework for State courts and child welfare agencies to follow, as well as best practices for ICWA compliance. Effective immediately, these guidelines supersede and replace the guidelines published in 1979.

On February 6, 2015, BOEM published in the Federal Register the Final Notice of Sale (FNOS) for CPA Sale 235 (80 FR 6758). The FNOS refers to documents entitled ``List of Blocks Available for Leasing'' and ``Unleased Split Blocks.'' The referenced list and map were included in the FNOS Package, and the FNOS Package was made available at the BOEM address and Web site set forth in the FNOS. The list and map identifies blocks to be offered in CPA Sale 235; however, due to a clerical error, one block, South Marsh Island Area, North Addition, Block Number 242, was inadvertently omitted from the list and map.

The Department of the Interior (DOI), acting through BOEM and BSEE, proposes to revise and add new requirements to regulations for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) seaward of the State of Alaska (Alaska OCS). The Alaska OCS has the potential to be an integral part of the Nation's ``all of the above'' domestic energy strategy. This proposed rule focuses solely on the OCS within the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas (Arctic OCS). The Arctic region is characterized by extreme environmental conditions, geographic remoteness, and a relative lack of fixed infrastructure and existing operations. The proposed rule is designed to ensure safe, effective, and responsible exploration of Arctic OCS oil and gas resources, while protecting the marine, coastal, and human environments, and Alaska Natives' cultural traditions and access to subsistence resources.

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 (Act) prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before issuing recovery permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

The National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) will meet on March 17-18, 2015 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 (NSDI Strategic Plan Implementation, National Geospatial Data Asset Management Plan, Geospatial Platform) Crowd-Sourced Geospatial Data Geospatial Privacy 3D Elevation Program Landsat Subcommittee Activities The meeting will include an opportunity for public comment on March 18. 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 Lucia Foulkes at the U.S. Geological Survey (703-648-4142, lfoulkes@usgs.gov). Registrations are due by March 13, 2015. 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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for renewal for the collection of information for the Bureau of Indian Education Adult Education Program. The information collection is currently authorized by OMB Control Number 1076-0120, which expires February 28, 2015.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) for an enhancement of survival (EOS) permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit application includes a draft candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for the greater sage-grouse, addressing rangeland management activities on Oregon State Trust Lands administered by DSL. The Service also announces the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA), prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), addressing the proposed CCAA and issuance of an EOS permit. We invite comments from all interested parties on the application, including the draft CCAA and the draft EA.

This order extends Public Land Order No. 7130 for an additional 20-year period. This extension is necessary to continue to protect and reserve the lands for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Grays Lake Refuge Headquarters in Bonneville County, Idaho, which would otherwise expire on March 30, 2015.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE or OSM), are announcing our final decision on a petition for rulemaking that was submitted by WildEarth Guardians. The petition requested that we revise our current regulations to prohibit visible nitrogen oxide clouds during blasting. The Director has decided to grant the petition in principle, and although we do not intend to propose the specific rule changes requested in the petition, will instead initiate a rulemaking to address this issue as discussed more fully below.

The National Park Service (NPS) is terminating the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed Chronic Wasting Disease Management Plan at Shenandoah National Park. A Notice of Intent to Prepare the EIS was published in the Federal Register at 78 FR 13376 on February 27, 2013. Instead, the NPS has prepared an environmental assessment to amend its approved Chronic Wasting Disease Detection and Assessment Plan to include chronic wasting disease management actions.

The plats of survey of lands described below are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management, California State Office, Sacramento, California.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is announcing its intention to request approval for the collection of information for OSMRE's call for nominations for its Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards.

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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing the Oregon chub (Oregonichthys crameri) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This determination 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 rule also removes the currently designated critical habitat for the Oregon chub throughout its range.

Under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on incidental take permit applications for take of the federally listed American burying beetle resulting from activities associated with the geophysical exploration (seismic) and construction, maintenance, operation, repair, and decommissioning of oil and gas well field infrastructure within Oklahoma. If approved, the permits would be issued under the approved Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan Associated with Issuance of Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permits for the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma (ICP).

We, the Bureau of Reclamation, intend to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) titled, Certification Summary Form, Reporting Summary Form for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426 and 43 CFR part 428, OMB Control Number 1006-0006.

We, the Bureau of Reclamation, intend to submit a request for renewal (with revisions) of an existing approved information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) titled, Individual Landholder's and Farm Operator's Certification and Reporting Forms for Acreage Limitation, 43 CFR part 426 and 43 CFR part 428, OMB Control Number 1006-0005.

This notice announces the annual meeting of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council. The agenda includes updates from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Boston Harbor Island Alliance, and the National Park Service about project, program, marketing, and water transportation plans for the 2015 Season. There will also be a discussion about the Council's mission, goals, and community outreach initiative. The Council will hold elections for officers and nominate Council representatives to the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership. Superintendent Giles Parker will also give updates about park operations and planning efforts.

We (National Park Service) are asking the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below. The National Park Service (NPS) is requesting approval of a new collection that will be collected in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and used to provide information concerning the direct recreational uses along the Colorado Riverspecifically the stretch between the Glen Canyon Dam and Lee's Ferry. To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as a part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on this ICR.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA, and Department of the Interior (Department) NEPA implementing regulations, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in the Department is adding three categorical exclusions (CE) to the Departmental Manual 516 DM 10. The three proposed CEs pertain to timber harvesting on Indian lands.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following application for a recovery permit to conduct activities with the purpose of enhancing the survival of an endangered species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits certain activities with endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before issuing such permits.

The Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on January 6, 2015, (80 FR 608). ONRR invited the public to submit written comments by March 9, 2015. ONRR is granting a 60-day extension to the comment period in response to stakeholder requests.