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

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a final environmental impact statement (EIS) and a final habitat conservation plan (HCP) addressing the Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project (project) in Lewis and Thurston Counties, Washington. The Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project LLC (applicant) is requesting an incidental take permit (ITP) covering the take of one threatened species listed under the Endangered Species Act, and two non-listed federally protected species (collectively referred to as covered species) likely to be caused by the operation of the project over a 30- year period. The HCP describes the steps the applicant will take to minimize, mitigate, and monitor incidental take of the covered species. The final EIS has been prepared in response to the ITP application in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as lead agency, with the City of Beloit, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Ho-Chunk Nation (Nation), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) serving as cooperating agencies, intends to file a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) with the EPA in connection with the Nation's application for transfer into trust by the United States of approximately 33 acres for gaming and other purposes in the City of Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Southeastern Oregon Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Malheur Field Office of the Vale District and, by this notice, is announcing the opening of the comment period.

The plats of survey for the lands described in this notice are scheduled to be officially filed 30 calendar days after the date of this publication in the BLM Montana State Office, Billings, Montana. The surveys, which were executed at the request of the Director, Rocky Mountain Region, Billings, Montana, are necessary for the management of these lands.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and 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.

On September 28, 2018, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) published a final rule that revised certain BSEE- administered regulations. This document corrects the final regulations.

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

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

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are proposing a new information collection.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, this notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as lead agency has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in connection with the approval of a lease between the Campo Band of Diegueno Mission Indians (Tribe) and Terra-Gen Development Company, LLC (Terra-Gen), to construct and operate a wind energy generation project on the Campo Indian Reservation (Reservation). This Notice of Availability (NOA) also announces that the DEIS is now available for public review and that a public hearing will be held to receive comments on the DEIS.

The National Park Service (NPS) is announcing that it will be conducting Tribal consultation to obtain input from Tribes on proposed changes to regulations governing the National Register of Historic Places.

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. 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.

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) will conduct consultations on which source can provide the most applicable and accurate data for a preliminary report on the number of eligible Indian students served, or potentially served, by entities eligible for participation in the Johnson-O'Malley (JOM) Supplemental Indian Education Program. The sources under consideration are: The Bureau of the Census, the National Center for Education Statistics, or the Office of Indian Education of the Department of Education. The preliminary report will reflect an initial determination regarding the eligible Indian student count for the purposes of calculating formula allocations for programs under the JOM Act of 1934, as amended by the JOM Supplemental Indian Education Program Modernization Act (JOM Modernization Act). BIE is also interested in determining the interest of Tribes, State and local educational agencies, and Alaska Native organizations of entering into JOM contracts.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list two North Carolina species, the Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi) and the Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus), as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Neuse River waterdog is an aquatic salamander. The Carolina madtom is a freshwater fish. After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing both species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Neuse River waterdog as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule'') and the Carolina madtom as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to both species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for both species under the Act. In total, approximately 738 river miles (1,188 river kilometers) in 16 units in North Carolina fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation for the Neuse River waterdog. Approximately 257 river miles (414 river kilometers) in 7 units in North Carolina are being proposed as critical habitat for the Carolina madtom. Finally, we announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designations.

The plats of survey of lands described in this notice are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Alaska State Office, Anchorage, Alaska. These surveys were executed at the request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the BLM, and are necessary for the management of these lands.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined certain public lands in Lincoln County, Idaho, and has found them suitable for classification for conveyance to Lincoln County under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP), as amended, Sec. 7 of the Taylor Grazing Act, and Executive Order No. 6910. The 13.78 acre parcel conforms to the official plat of survey. Lincoln County proposes to use the land for operating and maintaining a municipal solid waste transfer station that accepts only non-hazardous waste for transfer to the Milner Butte Landfill. Therefore, the BLM would convey the land to Lincoln County as a new disposal site.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Black Rock Field Office, Winnemucca, Nevada and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have prepared a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice are announcing the beginning of the public comment period to solicit public comments on the Draft EIS. The BLM is the lead agency in development of the Draft EIS and will be evaluating Hycroft Resource and Development, Inc.'s (HRDI's) request for the proposed expansion of their gold and silver mining operations at the existing Hycroft Mine. The USFWS is a coordinating agency with the BLM on the development of this Draft EIS and will evaluate the applicant's Eagle Conservation Plan (ECP), which describes their request to remove inactive (i.e., outside the nesting season) eagle nests and a 30-year incidental take permit for golden eagles under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act).

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Montana Miles City Field Office has prepared a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 2015 Miles City Field Office Approved Resource Management Plan (RMP). This effort is in response to a United States District Court of Montana opinion and order (Western Organization of Resource Councils, et al. v. BLM). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the opening of the comment period.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lewistown and Butte Field Offices have prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) with an associated Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for BLM public lands and resources managed by the Lewistown Field Office and a portion of the Butte Field Office in northern Lewis and Clark County, Montana, and by this notice are announcing the opening of the comment period.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Caldwell Canyon Mine Project and by this notice is announcing its availability.

Pursuant to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Northwest Oregon District (formerly Salem District), intends to establish standard (day-use) and expanded (overnight/specialized use) amenity fees at Aquila Vista, Cedar Grove, Marmot, Sandy Ridge, and Three Bears Recreation Sites in Clackamas County, Oregon.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects 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 Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology. 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 Kansas State Historical Society has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, 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 Kansas State Historical Society. 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 National Park Service proposes to amend the special regulations for Hot Springs National Park to allow bicycle use on a new trail connection between the Park and property owned by the City of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The new 0.65-mile trail would provide local residents and visitors with access in and across the Park to an extensive network of recreational trails in the City's Northwoods Urban Forest Park. The new natural surface, multi-use trail connection would be open to both pedestrian and bicycle use. National Park Service regulations require promulgation of a special regulation to designate new trails for bicycle use off park roads and outside developed areas.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Glennallen Field Office is issuing for public comment the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Haines Amendment to the Ring of Fire Resource Management Plan. BLM Alaska will hold a public meeting in Haines to receive comments on the Haines Amendment Supplemental Draft EIS. The Supplemental Draft EIS will supplement the December 2012 Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment/Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Haines Planning Area that originally analyzed which, if any, designations and associated management practices best fulfill the resource needs and multiple use demands within the Haines Planning Area.