Land Management Bureau December 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the provisions of Public Law 97-451, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a petition for reinstatement of the oil and gas leases, ARES 52198 and ARES 52200 located in Scott and Montgomery County, Ouachita N.F., Arkansas, and ARES 53624 located in Yell County, Ouachita N.F., Arkansas. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all rentals due since the date the leases terminated under law.

Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d), GPE Energy, Inc. and Spyglass Cedar Creek LP timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease SDM 90990, Harding County, South Dakota. The lessee paid the required rental accruing from the date of termination. No leases were issued that affect these lands. The lessee agrees to new lease terms for rentals and royalties of $10 per acre and 16-2/3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate. The lessee paid the $500 administration fee for the reinstatement of the lease and $163 cost for publishing this Notice. The lessee met the requirements for reinstatement of the lease per Sec. 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188). We are proposing to reinstate the lease, effective the date of termination subject to: The original terms and conditions of the lease; The increased rental of $10 per acre; The increased royalty of 16 2/3 percent or 4 percentages above the existing competitive royalty rate; and The $163 cost of publishing this Notice.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of a Revised Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for long-term development of natural gas resources in the Pinedale Anticline Project Area (PAPA). The BLM released a Draft Supplemental Impact Statement (DSEIS) on December 15, 2006. The comment period for the DSEIS closed on April 6, 2007. Based upon public comments, BLM is reissuing a Revised Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (RDSEIS) to include the analysis of two additional alternatives. The RDSEIS includes the three alternatives that were analyzed in the original draft: the no action, proposed action, and the BLM preferred alternative. It also includes two additional alternatives: One based upon the comments BLM received from oil and gas proponents and the State of Wyoming Game and Fish; and an additional alternative which analyzes full field development with current wildlife timing stipulations in place. The first added alternative analyzes the effects of continued development activities during winter under relaxed wildlife timing stipulations within a core area of the PAPA. In addition, leases on the East and West flanks of the PAPA are proposed to be placed in suspense to offset affected winter habitat in the core development areas. A wildlife matrix and mitigation fund has been incorporated into this alternative to address on and off-site mitigation. The second added alternative analyzes the effects of full field development with wildlife timing stipulations carried forward from the 2000 PAPA ROD and subsequent PAPA decision documents. This alternative would allow for the development of 4399 wells, the level of development currently considered necessary to effectively recover the oil and gas resources. In addition to the two new alternatives, the RDSEIS will analyze pace of development. This analysis will show levels of impact associated with the number of rigs operating at any one time in the PAPA.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northeast California Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

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) Mojave- Southern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below.

A parcel of public land of approximately 2.65 acres in Lander County, Nevada is being proposed for sale under the provisions of section 203 of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1713), at no less than the appraised fair market value to resolve unauthorized use of the public lands.

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 Gasconade Oil Co. for competitive oil and gas lease WYW155501 for land 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.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared the Draft Oil Shale and Tar Sands Resource Management Plan Amendments To Address Land Use Allocations in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the opening of a 90-day public review and comment period for the PEIS. The planning area lies within the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

Pursuant to the provisions of 30 U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR 3108.2-3(a) and (b)(1), a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas leases NVN-75674, NVN-75675, NVN-75676, NVN-75677 and NVN-75678 for lands in Elko County, Nevada, was timely filed and was accompanied by all the required rentals accruing from May 1, 2006, the date of termination. No valid lease has been issued affecting the lands. The lessee, Cedar Strat Corp. has agreed to new lease terms for rentals and royalties at rates of $5 per acre or fraction thereof and 16-2/3 percent, respectively. Cedar Strat Corp. has paid the required $500 administrative fee and has reimbursed the Bureau of Land Management for the cost of this Federal Register notice. Cedar Strat Corp. has met all the requirements for reinstatement of the lease as set out in sections 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. 188), and the Bureau of Land Management is proposing to reinstate the lease effective May 1, 2006, subject to the original terms and conditions of the lease and the increased rental and royalty rates cited above.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable approximately 80.24 acres of public land in Dona Ana County, New Mexico for classification for lease or subsequent conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (44 Stat. 741, as amended; 43 U.S. C. 869 et seq.) and Section 212 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA of 1976, as amended). Las Cruces Public Schools propose to use the land for a K-5 elementary school and a 6-8 grade middle school and playgrounds.

This order revokes a Public Land Order, as modified, insofar as it affects approximately 63 acres of land withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws for the protection of the Gilmore Satellite Tracking Station at Gilmore Creek northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The land is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was withdrawn.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Little Snake Field Office, Colorado, announces its intent to prepare additional air quality information. On February 9, 2007, the BLM published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (Vol. 72, No. 27, pages 6284-6285) announcing the release of the Draft EIS for public review and comment. The 90-day comment period closed May 16, 2007. During the public comment period, the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with BLM, identified areas where additional air quality information would improve the existing analysis in the Draft EIS. As a result, the BLM is preparing an additional air quality analysis. When the additional air quality analysis has been completed, the BLM will present the information for public review and comment. At that time, BLM will only accept comments from the public pertaining to the new air quality information.

The Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw on behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approximately 944,343 acres of public lands from settlement, sale, location, entry, or patent under the United States mining laws for a period of 20 years for the protection of desert tortoise habitat, archaeological and cultural resources, and special wildlife and riparian values on 24 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in accordance with Sec. 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of October 21, 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714 (2000). In accordance with 43 CFR 2310.3-1(b), (2)(v), this notice announces public meetings on the proposed withdrawal.

This notice cancels and terminates the segregation effect of a proposed land exchange of 121 acres of public land. The land will be opened to location and entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, subject to valid existing rights, the provision of existing withdrawals, other segregations of record, and the requirements of applicable law.

An application has been filed for the conveyance of the federally owned mineral interest in the tract of land described below in this notice. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the mineral interests in the public lands covered by the application from appropriation under the mining and mineral leasing laws while the application is being processed.

Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act request for lease and subsequent conveyance of approximately 10 acres of public land in the City of Henderson, Clark County, Nevada. The City of Henderson proposes to use the land for a city fire station and public park.

Pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Miles City Field Office, has prepared supplemental air quality information for public review. On May 2, 2007, the public comment period on the Draft Supplement to the Montana Statewide Oil and Gas Environmental Impact Statement and Amendment of the Powder River and Billings RMPs (Draft SEIS) ended. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the BLM of air quality analysis deficiencies in the Draft SEIS. As a result, the BLM has prepared additional air quality analyses to demonstrate that predicted visibility effects in Class I airsheds can be mitigated. This new air quality analyses supplements the Draft SEIS.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

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) Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council (RAC) Subcommittee on the Glenwood Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) Revision will meet as indicated below.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to amend its right-of-way regulations to update the linear right-of-way rent schedule in 43 CFR parts 2800 and 2880. The rent schedule covers most linear rights-of-way granted under Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), and Section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (MLA). Those laws require the holder of a right-of-way grant to pay annually, in advance, the fair market value to occupy, use, or traverse public lands for facilities such as power lines, fiber optic lines, pipelines, roads, and ditches. Section 367 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the Act) directs the Secretary of the Interior to update the per acre rent schedule found in 43 CFR 2806.20. The Act requires that the BLM revise the per acre rental fee zone value schedule by state, county, and type of linear right-of-way use to reflect current land values in each zone. The Act also requires the Secretary of Agriculture (Forest Service) to make the same revisions for rights-of-way on National Forest System (NFS) 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) Southwest Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (Monument) Subgroup, will meet as directed below.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a proposed Resource Management Plan/ Final Environmental Impact Statement (RMP/EIS) for the Bay planning area, located in southwest Alaska.

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, the Secretary of the Interior proposes to extend Public Land Order No. 6669 for an additional 20-year period. The order withdrew National Forest System land from mining to protect the Lincoln Gulch Historic Site. This notice also gives an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and to request a public meeting. The land has been and will remain open to the appropriate forms of surface entry and mineral leasing.

This notice announces the renewal of the North Slope Science Initiative Science Technical Advisory Panel (Science Panel) by the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) and calls for nominations to serve on the Science Technical Advisory Panel in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972, 5 U.S.C. Appendix. A copy of the renewed Science Panel charter will be filed with the appropriate committees of Congress and the Library of Congress in accordance with Section 9(c) of FACA.

On June 26, 2006, the Secretary of the Interior renewed the Charter for the PAWG. Representatives of the public-at-large, the State of Wyoming, Office of the Governor, and the landowners within or bordering the Pinedale Anticline area are being solicited. Individuals or groups interested in becoming a member of the PAWG should submit the specified information by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice.