Department of the Interior June 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service or we) proposes to establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2019-20 hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. This proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule, announces the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings, describes the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2019-20 duck hunting seasons, and requests proposals from Indian tribes that wish to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. Migratory bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.

The National Park Service is soliciting comments on the significance of properties nominated before May 19, 2018, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.

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

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the lead Federal agency, and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (ISC), as joint lead agency, intend to gather information necessary for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the effects of the construction and operation of a New Mexico Unit (NM Unit) of the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Reclamation and the ISC will work with land owners that may be impacted by construction and operation of the NM Unit. Reclamation and the ISC will evaluate and disclose the potential environmental effects on these lands to determine consistency with any applicable land use plans or other guiding documents. This notice also opens public scoping to identify potential issues, concerns, and alternatives to be considered in the EIS.

The Secretary of the Interior is giving notice of renewal of the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee. The Committee provides advice on the development of a specific reuse plan and on matters relating to the future uses of the Fort Hancock Historic Landmark District within the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the National Park Service (NPS) is hereby giving notice that the Wekiva River System Advisory Management Committee will meet as indicated below.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Colorado butterfly plant (Oenothera coloradensis, currently listed as Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (List) due to recovery. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial data, which indicate that the threats to the Colorado butterfly plant have been eliminated or reduced to the point that it has recovered, and that this plant is no longer likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future and, therefore, no longer meets the definition of a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This proposed rule, if made final, would also remove the currently designated critical habitat for the Colorado butterfly plant. We are seeking information, data, and comments from the public on the proposed rule to remove the Colorado butterfly plant from the List (i.e., ``delist'' the species). In addition, we are also seeking input on considerations for post- delisting monitoring of the Colorado butterfly plant.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

This rule removes criminal penalty provisions that are outdated and unnecessary under federal statute. The rule also clarifiesconsistent with recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that, absent exigent circumstances, a search warrant is necessary to require a motor vehicle operator to submit to a blood test (rather than a breath or urine test) to measure blood alcohol and drug content.

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) proposes to amend its minimum internal control standards for Class II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to correct an erroneous deletion of the key control standards and to make other minor edits and additions for clarity.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received two applications from Pacific Gas and Electric Company for two 20-year incidental take permits under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The applications address the potential for ``take'' of the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and Santa Cruz long- toed salamander, as well as the federally threatened California red- legged frog, that is likely to occur incidental to the removal of vegetation along two natural gas pipelines that traverse Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, California. We invite comments from the public on the application packages, which include two low-effect habitat conservation plans.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), ONRR is inviting comments on the renewal of an information collection request that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announces a public meeting of the International Wildlife Conservation Council (Council).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2018-19 migratory bird hunting seasons. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons and to further the annual establishment of the migratory bird hunting regulations. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number of birds that may be taken and possessed in hunting seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population and habitat conditions.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a draft programmatic environmental impact statement addressing the potential impacts on the human environment caused by alternatives described in habitat conservation plans (HCPs) for four similar wind energy projects. The HCPs were submitted to the Service in support of requests for incidental take permits (ITPs) under the Endangered Species Act authorizing the take of endangered species. The proposed permit actions involve a new HCP for the Pakini Nui Wind Farm on the Island of Hawai`i and major amendments to three existing HCPs addressing the Auwahi Wind and Kaheawa Wind Power II projects, both located on Maui, and the Kawailoa Wind Power project, located on O`ahu. All four wind energy facilities are already constructed and in operation. The proposed ITP and proposed ITP amendments would address take of three endangered species: The Hawaiian hoary bat, the Hawaiian goose, and the Hawaiian petrel.

The notice announces that the Tribal-State Class III Gaming Compact Amendment entered into between the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut and the State of Connecticut is taking effect.