Department of the Interior April 13, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Main 16, LP for the renewal of an incidental take permit pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. The applicant has requested a renewal that will extend permit authorization by 5 years from the date the permit is reissued. If renewed, no additional take above the original authorized limit of four basins (0.01 acre of ponded area) of habitat will be authorized. The permit would authorize take of the federally endangered San Diego fairy shrimp, incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the low-effect habitat conservation plan for the Main 16, Limited Partnership Project. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed HCP and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

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 Ahtna, Incorporated, the Bering Straits Native Corporation, Kootznoowoo, Incorporated and the BLM, are necessary for the management of these lands.

Secretarial Order 3376 addresses regulatory uncertainty on how agencies within the Department of the Interior manage recreational opportunities for electric bikes (E-bikes) on trails and paths where traditional bikes are allowed. To provide consistency in Federal policy among agencies with recreational opportunities pertinent to Secretarial Order 3376, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is proposing to amend this regulation to add a definition for E-bikes and exempt E- bikes from the regulatory definition of an off-road vehicle where E- bikes are being used on roads and trails where mechanized, non- motorized use is allowed, they are not being propelled exclusively by a motorized source, and the appropriate regional director expressly determines through a formal decision that E-bikes should be treated the same as non-motorized bicycles. This proposed change would facilitate increased E-bike use where other types of bicycles are allowed in a manner consistent with existing use of Reclamation land, and increase recreational opportunities for all Americans, especially those with physical limitations.