Land Management Bureau 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a public hearing and requests written comments on the fair market value (FMV) and maximum economic recovery (MER) of certain coal resources it proposes to offer for competitive lease sale. The coal in the tracts would be mined by either surface, underground or auger mining methods. The Oklahoma Field Office, BLM has completed the Oklahoma Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) and Decision Record for competitive coal lease applications OKNM 104763, OKNM 107920 and OKNM 108097 in Haskell, Latimer and LeFlore Counties, Oklahoma. The Decision Record was signed by the New Mexico BLM State Director on September 29, 2004. The decision is to implement the BLM's preferred alternative, which will result in offering for lease, the three lease application areas with stipulations, and mitigations as described in the RMPA. The Liberty West tract, OKNM 104763 is located in Haskell County, Oklahoma, and encompasses 640 acres. Estimated recoverable Federal reserves of bituminous coal from the Stigler seam is 2.366 million tons; 2.322 million tons recoverable by surface mining methods, and 44,000 tons recoverable by auger mining. The proximate analysis of the coal on a received basis averages 14,087 BTU/lb., with 2.2% moisture, 1.4% sulfur, 6.7% ash, 64.2% fixed carbon, and 26.7% volatile matter. The Bull Hill tract, OKNM 107920 is located in Latimer and LeFlore Counties, Oklahoma, and encompasses 3,863.17 acres. Estimated recoverable Federal reserves of bituminous coal from two splits of the Lower Hartshorne seam is 8.993 million tons; 4.107 million tons recoverable by surface mining methods, 2.724 million tons recoverable by auger mining, and 2.162 million tons recoverable by underground mining methods. The proximate analysis of the coal on a received basis averages 13,450-14,000 BTU/lb., with 2.9-4.7% moisture, 0.8-1.4% sulfur, 5.6-7.1% ash, 53.5-72.3% fixed carbon, and 17.8-35.9% volatile matter. The McCurtain tract, OKNM 108097 is located in Haskell County, Oklahoma, and encompasses 2,380 acres. Estimated recoverable Federal reserves of bituminous coal from the Hartshorne seam is 6.538 million tons recoverable by underground mining methods. The proximate analysis of the coal on a received basis averages 13,960 BTU/lb., with 3.1% moisture, 0.9% sulfur, 6.7% ash, 68.2% fixed carbon, and 22.0% volatile matter. The public is invited to submit written comments on the FMV and MER of the tracts proposed to be offered for lease and on factors that may affect FMV and MER. A public hearing will be held to accept testimony on FMV and MER of the proposed lease tracts at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, March 1, 2005, at the BLM Oklahoma Field Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The plats of survey of the following described land will be officially filed in the Colorado State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Lakewood, Colorado, effective 10 a.m., February 10, 2005. All inquiries should be sent to the Colorado State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215-7093. The field notes of the remonumentation of certain corners in Township 2 North, Range 43 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Group 750, Colorado, was accepted October 18, 2004. The Plat, representing the dependent resurveys and surveys in section 34, Township 36 North, Range 7 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Group 1401, Colorado, was accepted October 20, 2004. The plat (in 2 sheets), of the entire record, representing the dependent resurvey and survey, in Township 22 South, Range 71 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Group 1275, Colorado, was accepted November 5, 2004. The Plat, representing the dependent resurveys and surveys in Township 2 South, Range 80 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Group 1402, Colorado, was accepted November 15, 2004. The Plat, representing the dependent resurveys and surveys in Township 1 North, Range 80 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Group 1402, Colorado, was accepted November 15, 2004. The Plat, representing the dependent resurvey in Township 8 South, Range 76 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Group 1409, Colorado, was accepted December 9, 2004. The Supplemental Plat, creating new lots 86 and 87, in section 30, Township 1 North, Range 71 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado, was accepted December 27, 2004. These plats and remonumentation notes were requested by the Bureau of Land Management for administrative and management purposes. The Supplemental Plat, creating lot 1 in section 30, Township 3 South, Range 74 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Colorado, was accepted November 30, 2004. The Plat (in 6 sheets), representing the segregation of mineral surveys in section 30, Township 1 North, Range 71 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Group 1008, Colorado, was accepted December 21, 2004. These plats were requested by the U. S. Forest Service, to facilitate a land exchange, and for administrative and management purposes.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces that the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board will conduct a meeting on matters pertaining to management and protection of wild, free-roaming horses and burros on the Nation's public lands.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Central California Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

Notice is hereby given that 2235 acres of public land is closed to the discharge of firearms for public safety concerns. The closed property is within the Glendive Short Pine OHV Management Area, which is located six and a half miles south of the town of Glendive, Montana by way of highway 335, commonly known as the Marsh Road. The specific land identified for closure includes:

Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) subpart 8364, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intentions to close certain BLM-administered public lands to all types of motor vehicle use during the period of January 1 through April 30, annually. This seasonal closure is needed to protect public lands and resources and to minimize stress to wintering elk, moose, pronghorn antelope and mule deer. This seasonal closure affects public lands located within the Raymond Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA), Slate Creek, Rock Creek, and Bridger Creek winter ranges. Except for travel on highways or county roads, motorized vehicle travel within these areas will be allowed only by written authorization from the Kemmerer Field Manager. Personnel of the BLM, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, U.S. Department of Agriculture-APHIS & Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and law enforcement personnel are exempt from this closure only when performing official duties. Operators of existing oil and gas facilities may perform maintenance and pumping, as approved, and livestock operators may perform permitted activities.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and associated regulations, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in cooperation with the State of Wyoming, announces the availability of a DEIS that evaluates, analyzes, and discloses to the public direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of a proposal to continue to develop a natural gas field by increasing the density of well locations by drilling additional wells. This practice is known as ``infill'' drilling. The Jonah Infill Drilling Project (JIDP) area is located approximately 32 miles southeast of Pinedale and 28 miles northwest of Farson, Sublette County, Wyoming. The JIDP area is approximately 30,200 acres in Townships 29 and 30 North, Range 114 West, 6th Principal Meridian. The DEIS analyzes a proposal made by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., (EnCana) and BP America Production Company (BP), referred to collectively as ``the Companies,'' to increase development of Federal natural gas resources in an area known as the Jonah Field. The Companies' proposal includes drilling up to 3,100 natural gas wells from existing and new well pads, at a minimum well pad density of 64 well pads per aliquot section (1 wellpad/10 acres), and at a rate of 250 wells per year. The infill drilling is expected to be concentrated in a 21,000 acre portion of the Jonah Field. The proposed life of project (LOP) is 70 to 80 years with the majority of drilling and development activities to occur within the first 8 to 12 years following approval. The proposal also includes constructing or upgrading associated ancillary transportation and transmission facilities within the 30,200 acres project area. The total project area is comprised of: Approximately 28,280 acres of Federal surface and mineral estate administered by the BLM; 1,280 acres of State of Wyoming surface and minerals; and 640 acres of private surface ownership with Federal mineral (split estate). Under the provisions of NEPA, the State of Wyoming assisted in the preparation of the DEIS as a cooperating agency.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Montana Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

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 WYW149228 for lands in Campbell 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 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM-Eastern States, Springfield, Virginia, 30 calendar days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

In Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 2, Notices, beginning on page 379 in the issue of Tuesday, January 4, 2005, make the following correction. Under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION heading, the legal description should read:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has received a competitive coal lease application from Cordero Mining Company for a maintenance tract of Federal coal adjacent to the company's Cordero Rojo Mine in Campbell County, Wyoming. A maintenance tract is a parcel of land containing coal reserves nominated for leasing that may be used to extend an existing mine. This tract, which was applied for as a lease by application (LBA) under the provisions of 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3425.1, is called the Maysdorf Tract and has been assigned LBA case number WYW154432. Consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, BLM must prepare an environmental analysis prior to holding a competitive Federal coal lease sale. In accordance with the provisions of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA, BLM is announcing it will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this lease application and is soliciting public comments regarding issues and resource information.

This order revokes a Secretarial Order in its entirety as it affects 36,578.69 acres of land withdrawn for the Bureau of Reclamation's Minidoka Project, American Falls Reservoir. The land is located within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and would return to the management and jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (1972), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pinedale Anticline Working Group (PAWG) will meet in Pinedale, Wyoming, for a business meeting. Group meetings are open to the public.

The purpose of this notice is to rescind the annual October 15 to December 31 closure of all public lands lying in the 2.5 mile stretch from Canyon Ferry Dam downstream to Brown's Gulch Road and between the east shore of Hauser Lake and Johnny's Gulch Road. The public lands affected by this notice are all lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in Sections 5 and 6, T. 10 N., R.1 W., and Section 32, T. 11N., R. 1 W. Principle Meridian, Montana. The closure area that we are rescinding totals 769 acres.

Clark County, Nevada proposes to change the use on 40.87 acres of public land in Las Vegas, Nevada from a fire station and training facility to a fire station, Regional Park and Clark County Family Services building.

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 WYW145953 for lands in Lincoln 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.

BLM is publishing this notice under Section 9(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Pursuant to the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-399), BLM gives notice that the Secretary of the Interior intends to call for nominations for terms expiring on the SMAC. This notice requests the public to submit nominations for membership on the SMAC. Any individual or organization may nominate one or more persons to serve on the SMAC. Individuals may nominate themselves for SMAC membership. Nomination forms may be obtained from the Burns District Office, Bureau of Land Management (see address below). To make a nomination, submit a completed nomination form, letters of reference from the represented interests or organizations, and any other information that speaks to the nominee's qualifications, to the Burns District Office. Nominations may be made for the following categories of interest: One person who is a grazing permittee on Federal land in the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) (appointed from nominees submitted by the County Court of Harney County); One person who is a recognized environmental representative from the local area (appointed from nominees submitted by the Governor of Oregon); A person who participates in what is commonly called dispersed recreation, such as hiking, camping, nature viewing, nature photography, bird watching, horseback riding, or trail walking (appointed from nominees submitted by the Oregon State Director of the BLM); and A person with expertise and interest in wild horse management on Steens Mountain (appointed from nominees submitted by the Oregon State Director for BLM). The specific category the nominee will represent should be identified in the letter of nomination. The Burns District will collect the nomination forms and letters of reference and distribute them to the officials responsible for submitting nominations (County Court of Harney County, the Governor of Oregon, and BLM). BLM will then forward recommended nominations to the Secretary of the Interior, who has responsibility for making the appointments.

Notice is hereby given that certain access roads and certain areas are temporarily closed to all public entry that could result in the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi, a fungus related to the one responsible for sudden oak death, to uninfected stands of Ione and whiteleaf manzanita as well as to other susceptible plants including natives and ornamentals. These activities include motor vehicle operation and foot traffic.

The Bureau of Land Management has established a $99,999.99 limit on payments made by credit and debit cards. Under U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations, federal agencies are required to use electronic fund transfers for collections and payments, as long as it is cost effective to do so. Fees for large dollar debit and credit card transactions are prohibitive. Cardholders cannot be required to pay any part of the fees which financial institutions charge, directly or indirectly, through any increase in price or otherwise. Customers who need to tender payments larger than the cap are encouraged to make electronic payments using the Automated Clearing House or Federal Wire Transfer procedures.

This action informs the public of the receipt of an application from Stephen E. Evensen of Murphy, Oregon for conveyance of 20 acres of federal mineral estate from lands administered by the BLM in the Medford District.

Notice is given that on February 24, 2005, the Bureau of Land Management's Lewistown Field Office will relocate/move to a new location at 220 Cattail Drive.

The Bureau of Land Management published a document in the Federal Register of August 28, 2003, concerning a Notice of Realty Action for a Direct Sale of Public Lands. The document contained an incorrect legal description.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management policies, the BLM announces the availability of the ROD/RMPA for Federal fluid minerals leasing and development in Sierra and Otero Counties, New Mexico. The New Mexico State Director has signed the ROD/RMPA, which amends the White Sands RMP.