Land Management Bureau December 2, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management is requesting public nominations to fill an unexpired term on the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Advisory Board. The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Advisory Board provides advice regarding management, use, and further development of the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. The Bureau of Land Management will consider public nominations until January 17, 2006.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement from Wold Oil Properties, Inc. of competitive oil and gas lease WYW144595 for lands in Fremont County, Wyoming. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arcata Field Office will establish temporary restrictions pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 43, Subpart 8364.1 to effectively implement interim management guidelines for certain BLM- administered public lands hereafter referred to as ``Ma-le'l Dunes'', located in Township 6 North, Range 1 West, portions of Sections 26, 27, 34, and 35, Humboldt County, California. Ma-le'l Dunes consists of approximately 150 acres and is located along the coastline nearly two miles west of Arcata, CA. These restrictions are needed on a temporary basis until a Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment, beginning in 2008, is completed for the area. The area is now open to dispersed recreation uses with an emphasis placed on accommodating pedestrian and equestrian access to the coastline. The temporary restrictions are as follows: The parking/picnic area will be closed to vehicles from one hour after sunset to sunrise; Equestrian use will be allowed on designated trails and the waveslope; Pedestrian use will be allowed on designated trails, open sandy areas, and the waveslope; Dogs must be leashed in the developed recreation site (parking/ picnic area); otherwise dogs will be allowed off-leash consistent with the Humboldt County ordinance; Group camping will be allowed on a case by case basis under Special Recreation Permit guidelines. Criteria for determining permit issuance include: (1) Size of group, (2) number of permits per month, (3) purpose of event (does it benefit the overall community in some way). Additional criteria may be developed as an adaptive management measure; Vegetative gathering for personal use will be allowed from May to November along designated trails. Off-trail gathering will require a permit during this same time period; Fires will be allowed in designated sites (fire rings) only; The area will be open to day use, from sunrise to one hour after sunset. Overnight camping will not be allowed except by permit. Employees, agents and permitees of the BLM may be exempt from these restrictions for administrative and emergency purposes only. Penalties include a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months. These restrictions are necessary to (1) Protect aquatic and terrestrial species from the effects of unregulated impacts, (2) ensure public safety, (3) reduce the potential for wildfires in this wildland urban interface, and (4) minimize inadvertent trespass onto adjoining private property. They will remain in effect until a formal planning process, with full public participation, is completed.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 40 Code of Federal Regulations 1500-1508 Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and 43 Code of Federal Regulations 3809, the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) Battle Mountain Field Office will be directing the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze proposed pit and process facility expansions and development of a new open-pit gold mine and associated facilities, in Lander and Eureka counties, Nevada. The EIS will be prepared by a third-party contractor directed by the BLM and funded by the proponent, Cortez Gold Mines. The project will involve public and private lands in Lander and Eureka counties, Nevada. The BLM invites comments and suggestions on the scope of the analysis.

Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease COC62571 from Red Willow Production Company for lands in Jackson County, Colorado. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.