Department of the Interior July 3, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office, will implement a temporary closure and temporary restrictions to protect public safety and resources on public lands both within and adjacent to the proposed Permitted Event on the Black Rock Desert playa.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received five enhancement of survival permit (permit) applications pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that we are processing as a batch. If granted, the requested permits would authorize the incidental take of the fisher, should the species become federally listed in the future under the ESA. The permit applications are associated with a template candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) previously developed for the conservation of the fisher. The conservation measures in the CCAA are intended to provide for a net conservation benefit to the fisher. We also have prepared individual draft environment action statements (EASs) pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for the potential issuance of each of these permits. We are making the permit application packages and draft EASs available for public review and comment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Canyon Mesa Solar, LLC for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. The requested permit would authorize take of the Mojave desert tortoise resulting from the construction, operation, and maintenance of a solar photovoltaic facility in Pahrump, Nevada. The permit application includes a proposed low-effect habitat conservation plan (HCP). In accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we have prepared a draft low- effect screening form supporting our preliminary determination that the proposed action qualifies as a categorical exclusion under NEPA. We are accepting comments on the permit application, proposed low-effect HCP, and draft NEPA compliance documentation.