Department of the Interior May 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 Amended 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).

The Department of the Interior (Department) gives notice that the Acting Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs (AS-IA) proposes to determine that the petitioner known as the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee, Inc. is not an Indian tribe within the meaning of Federal law. This notice is based on a determination that the petitioner has not submitted sufficient evidence to satisfy all seven of the criteria set forth in the applicable regulations and, therefore, does not meet the requirements for a government-to-government relationship with the United States.

This notice announces that the Department of the Interior (Department) is hosting a tribal consultation session regarding lien removal and Acquisition Fund disposition under the Indian Land Consolidation Program (ILCP).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final environmental impact statement (EIS) and related draft record of decision (ROD) for the Pima County Multi- Species Conservation Plan (MSCP). The final EIS was updated to address the comments received on the 2012 draft EIS and considers the environmental effects of issuing an incidental take permit (ITP) for covered activities on the covered species. The ITP will be in effect for a period of 30 years. Pima County has prepared the final Pima County MSCP to describe and implement a conservation plan that will minimize and mitigate environmental effects associated with the incidental take of seven animal species and impacts to two plant species currently listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), as well as impacts to 35 species that may become listed under the Act. The incidental take and other impacts would occur in Pima County and the adjacent counties of Cochise, Santa Cruz, and Pinal, Arizona, as a result of specific actions conducted under the authority of Pima County (covered activities).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the comment period for our March 8, 2016, notice that announced proposed revisions to the Service Mitigation Policy. This action will allow interested persons additional time to comment on the proposed revisions. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final policy.

The Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Geological Survey intends to grant to Williamson and Associates, 1124 NW 53rd ST, Seattle, WA 98107, an exclusive license to practice the following: A system and method, to utilize induced polarization to locate and detect minerals, and oil plumes below the surface water.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis), has completed an inventory of human remains housed in the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, 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 should submit a written request to UC Davis. 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 Peabody Museum of Natural History, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined 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 Peabody Museum of Natural History. 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 American Museum of Natural History has revised a Notice of Inventory Completion that was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2014. This notice corrects the minimum number of individuals. 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 notification to the American 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 Michigan State Police, Jackson Post MSP13 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 Michigan State Police, Jackson Post. 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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a public meeting of the Trinity River Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG). The TAMWG is a Federal advisory committee that affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River (California) restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council (TMC). The TMC interprets and recommends policy, coordinates and reviews management actions, and provides organizational budget oversight.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are withdrawing, in part, a February 17, 2016, direct final rule that revises the taxonomy of eight wildlife species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). For the Newell's Townsend's shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli), we received significant adverse comments relating to additional scientific research relevant to its taxonomic classification; therefore, we are withdrawing the amendments in the direct final rule for this species only. The amendments in the direct final rule for the other seven species (Oahu elepaio (Chasiempis ibidis), Kauai akialoa (Akialoa stejnegeri), akiapolaau (Hemignathus wilsoni), Kauai nukupuu (Hemignathus hanapepe), Maui nukupuu (Hemignathus affinis), Hawaii akepa (Loxops coccineus), and Maui akepa (Loxops ochraceus)) will be effective on May 17, 2016.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability for comment of a proposed ``Gopher Tortoise Conservation and Crediting Strategy'' to be implemented in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, where the gopher tortoise occurs but is unlisted.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, are reopening the comment period for our joint request for comments on the Butte Regional Conservation Plan (Plan) and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (DEIS/R) for Authorization of Incidental Take and Implementation of the Plan. As of January 19, 2016, we have received comments from four organizations and individuals requesting that the comment period be extended. In response to these requests, we are reopening the comment period. If you previously submitted comments, you need not resubmit them; we have already incorporated them into the public record and will fully consider them in finalizing these documents.

This notice announces location and date changes to the upcoming meetings of the United States Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (USEITI) Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) Advisory Committee. The location, date, and time for the June 28-29, 2016, meeting has changed and the November 2-3, 2016, meeting has been rescheduled.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northern California Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Lower Klamath, Clear Lake, Tule Lake, Upper Klamath, and Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges) for review and comment. The Refuges are part of the Klamath Basin Complex. The draft CCP/EIS, prepared under the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the Service proposes to manage the refuges for the next 15 years. Draft compatibility determinations for uses proposed under one or more of the alternatives are also available for review and public comment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose revisions to the eagle nonpurposeful take permit regulations and eagle nest take regulations that we promulgated in 2009. Proposed revisions include the following: Changes to permit issuance criteria and duration; definitions; compensatory mitigation standards; criteria for eagle nest removal permits; permit application requirements; and fees. The revisions are intended to add clarity to the eagle permit regulations, improve their implementation, and increase compliance, while providing strong protection for eagles.

The Bureau of Reclamation is extending the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on continuing to implement the 2008 Operating Agreement for the Rio Grande Project (Operating Agreement), and to implement long-term contracts for storage of San Juan-Chama Project water in Elephant Butte Reservoir, to Wednesday, June 8, 2016. The Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register on March 18, 2016 (81 FR 14886). The public comment period for the Draft EIS was originally scheduled to end on Monday, May 9, 2016.

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) prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.

The plats of survey of the following described lands are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office, Portland, Oregon, 30 days from the date of this publication.

The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council is soliciting nominations for the Public Advisory Committee, which advises the Trustee Council on decisions related to the planning, evaluation, funds allocation, and conduct of injury assessment and restoration activities related to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill of March 1989. Public Advisory Committee members will be selected by the Secretary of the Interior to serve a 24-month term, which will begin on December 1, 2016.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), propose changes to the regulations concerning enhancement of survival permits issued under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), associated with Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances. We propose to add the term ``net conservation benefit'' to the Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances regulations, and to eliminate references to ``other necessary properties'' to clarify the level of conservation effort we require each agreement to include in order for us to approve a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances. We are also proposing these changes to the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances policy in a separate document published in today's Federal Register.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is confirming the interim final rule published on March 1, 2016, extending the deadline for filing an application for burial assistance to 180 days to address hardships resulting from the current short timeframe. The Department of the Interior (Department) did not receive any significant adverse comments during the public comment period on the interim final rule, and therefore confirms the rule without change.

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) Idaho Falls District Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.