Department of the Interior February 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has terminated the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the development of approximately 605 new oil and natural gas wells proposed by EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG), entitled the La Barge Platform Project. An additional 175 natural gas wells by other operators were also being considered. The BLM terminated the EIS after project proponents withdrew their proposal, citing changing priorities.

The National Park Service is soliciting comments on the significance of properties nominated before February 9, 2019, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.

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, which provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior regarding the benefits that result from U.S. citizens traveling to foreign nations to engage in hunting.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the National Park Service (NPS) are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), propose to remove the Borax Lake chub (currently listed as Gila boraxobius), a fish native to Oregon, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife on the basis of recovery. This proposal is based on a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the threats to the Borax Lake chub have been eliminated or reduced to the point where the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are seeking information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule.

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 species under the Endangered Species Act. 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.

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 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.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is publishing this notice to announce that a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG) will take place.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the Haleakala Ranch Company (the Ranch) for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit application includes a draft Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) between the Ranch, the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), and the Service. Implementation of the proposed SHA is intended to benefit the recovery of the nene (Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis) on 3,056 acres of privately-owned Ranch land on the island of Maui. The proposed SHA conservation measures on the Ranch include nene habitat improvement and maintenance, establishment and maintenance of a nene release pen, and control of predators. The activities implemented under this SHA will aid in increasing the current range of the covered species, restoring this species to part of its historic range, and increasing the total population of the species, thus contributing to its overall recovery. The Service is making the permit application, including the proposed SHA, and the NEPA environmental action statement for categorical exclusion available for public review and invites comments, including the submission of written data.

Under the Endangered Species Act, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on a federally listed American burying beetle incidental take permit (ITP) application. The applicant anticipates American burying beetle take as a result of impacts to Oklahoma habitat the species uses for breeding, feeding, and sheltering. The take would be incidental to the applicant's activities associated with oil and gas well field and pipeline infrastructure (gathering, transmission, and distribution), including geophysical exploration (seismic), construction, maintenance, operation, repair, decommissioning, and reclamation. If approved, the permit would be issued under the approved American Burying Beetle Amended Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan (ICP) Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit Issuance in Oklahoma.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will open and publicly announce bids received for blocks offered in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region-wide Oil and Gas Lease Sale 252 (GOM Region-wide Sale 252), in accordance with the provisions of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), and the implementing regulations issued pursuant thereto. The GOM Region-wide Sale 252 Final Notice of Sale (NOS) package contains information essential to potential bidders.

Under the Endangered Species Act, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on federally listed American Burying Beetle incidental take permit (ITP) applications. The applicants anticipate American Burying Beetle take as a result of impacts to Oklahoma habitat the species uses for breeding, feeding, and sheltering. The take would be incidental to the applicants' activities associated with oil and gas well field and pipeline infrastructure (gathering, transmission, and distribution), including geophysical exploration (seismic), construction, maintenance, operation, repair, decommissioning, and reclamation. If approved, the permits would be issued under the approved American Burying Beetle Amended Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan (ICP) Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit Issuance in Oklahoma.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Office of Budget, Office of the Secretary are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce receipt of an application for the renewal of an existing incidental take permit (ITP). The applicants are requesting a 5-year renewal of their existing 2-year ITP under the Endangered Species Act. The existing ITP expired on June 6, 2018. If granted, the renewed ITP would extend authorization for take of the federally threatened sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink (skinks) incidental to the construction of a single-family residential development located in Osceola County, Florida. The co- applicants are JKAF Investments, LLC, and Kathryn Kendrick Davidow Trust. We request public comments on the permit application, the habitat conservation plan (HCP), and our preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as low effect under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, which is also available for review.

The Principal Deputy Assistant SecretaryIndian Affairs made a final agency determination to acquire 6.3 acres, more or less, of land within the boundaries of the Wind River Reservation in trust for the Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming, for gaming and other purposes on December 21, 2018.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Cyanotech (applicant) for a renewal of an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant is requesting renewal of their ITP and their 2002 habitat conservation plan (HCP) for Hawaiian stilt at the Cyanotech aquaculture facility at Keahole Point, Hawaii. If renewed, the ITP would authorize the take of the Hawaiian stilt that may occur incidental to the operation and maintenance of the aquaculture facility. The ITP application includes a HCP renewal document describing the actions and measures the applicant will implement to avoid, minimize, mitigate, and monitor incidental take of the species. We are making the HCP renewal and the NEPA environmental action statement for categorical exclusion, available for public review and comment.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Bruneau-Owyhee Sage-grouse Habitat (BOSH) Project.

The plat of survey of the following described lands is scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado State Office, Lakewood, Colorado, 30 calendar days from the date of this publication. This survey, required by Public Law 115- 252, October 3, 2018, ``Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act of 2017,'' was executed at the request of the U.S. Forest Service and is necessary for the management of these lands.

The National Park Service is soliciting comments on the significance of properties nominated before February 2, 2019, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Advisory Committee (ISAC) is to provide advice to the National Invasive Species Council (NISC), as authorized by Executive Orders 13112 and 13751, on a broad array of issues related to preventing the introduction of invasive species and providing for their control and minimizing the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause. The Council is co-chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Commerce. The duty of the Council is to provide national leadership regarding invasive species issues. The purpose of an in-person meeting on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 through Thursday, February 28, 2019 is to convene the full ISAC Class 9 to respond to requests for advice on: (1) Relevance of the ISAC wildlife health white paper recommendations to addressing invasive ticks and tick-borne diseases (with particular emphasis on military and outdoor recreation contexts); and, (2) recommendations set forth in ISAC white papers over the last twenty years that have not yet been addressed and warrant timely consideration given pressing/emerging invasive species concerns.

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) Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

This notice informs the public that the Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs proclaimed approximately 46.87 acres, more or less, an addition to the reservation of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas on December 21, 2018.

This notice informs the public that the Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs proclaimed approximately 0.55 acres, more or less, an addition to the reservation of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians on December 21, 2018.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.