Land Management Bureau 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The purpose of this notice is to request public nominations for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) that have member terms expiring this year. The RACs provide advice and recommendations to BLM on land use planning and management of the public lands within their geographic areas. The BLM will consider public nominations for 45 days after the publication date of this notice.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Upper Snake Field Office, intends to prepare a Resource Management Plan (RMP) and associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Upper Snake Field Office of the Idaho Falls District in eastern Idaho. Publication of this Notice also initiates a public scoping period to extend until 15 days after the last public scoping meeting. The RMP will address management of approximately 1.8 million acres of public land and will replace the following land use plans: Big Desert Management Framework Plan (MFP) (1980), Big Lost MFP (1983), Little Lost-Birch Creek MFP (1985) and the Medicine Lodge RMP (1985).

This order revokes a Secretarial Order in its entirety, as it affects the remaining 160 acres of lands in Box Elder and Cache Counties, Utah, withdrawn from surface entry and mining on behalf of the Bureau of Reclamation for the Bear River Storage Project. The lands are no longer needed for reclamation purposes and this order will open the lands to surface entry and mining.

Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 CFR part 3410, all interested qualified parties, as provided in 43 CFR 3472.1, are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in its program for the exploration of coal deposits in certain Federal coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Sevier County, Utah:

A notice of availability for the Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Pinedale Field Office planning area in Sublette and Lincoln Counties, Wyoming was published in the Federal Register, volume 72, number 32, on February 16, 2007. This supplements that Notice with information on existing and potential Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) considered within the Draft RMP and EIS and also provides a 60-day comment period on the proposed ACECs as required by 43 CFR 1610.7-2.

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 Devon Energy Production Company, L.P. and Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP for competitive oil and gas lease WYW174845 for land in Converse 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.

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 Contex Energy Company for competitive oil and gas lease WYW164744 for land in Washakie 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.

Under the Class II provisions of Title IV, Public Law 97-541, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a Petition for Reinstatement of Oil and Gas Leases OKNM 116599, OKNM 116600, OKNM 116604, OKNM 116605, OKNM 116606, OKNM 116607 and OKNM 116609 from the lessee, Upland Exploration, Inc., for lands in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the leases terminated under the law.

Per 30 U.S.C. 188(d), BTA Oil Producers, LLC timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease SDM 96171, 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.

Notice is hereby given that certain coal resources in the North Maysdorf Coal Tract described below in Campbell County, Wyoming, will be reoffered for competitive lease by sealed bid in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 40 CFR 1500-1508, and 43 CFR 3809, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Battle Mountain Field Office will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Phoenix Copper Leach Project located in Lander County, Nevada. The proposal includes expansion of the existing project boundary, construction and operation of a copper beneficiation facility, and development of new leaching facilities at the Phoenix Mine. This notice initiates the public scoping process and announces a public meeting.

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.), a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been prepared for the Montana Tunnels Mine ``M'' Pit Mine Expansion administered by the Bureau of Land Management's Butte Field Office (BLM) and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Operations on public lands are on mining claims located in accordance with the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.). The public is invited to review and comment on the range and adequacy of the draft alternatives and associated environmental effects. For comments to be most helpful, they should relate to specific concerns or conflicts that are within the legal responsibilities of the BLM and DEQ. The DEIS addresses alternatives associated with Montana Tunnels Mine ``M'' Pit Mine Expansion.

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), Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet on March 6, 2008, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the BLM National Training Center located at 9828 North 31st Avenue in Phoenix from 8 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. Morning agenda items include: Review of the December 6, 2007, meeting minutes for RAC and Recreation Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) business; BLM State Director's update on statewide issues; presentations on BLM Route Evaluation and Designation Process; Healthy Lands Initiative; and the National Landscape Conservation System; Discussion on the 2008 RAC Annual Work Plan; RAC questions on BLM Field Managers Rangeland Resource Team proposals; and, reports by RAC working groups. A public comment period will be provided at 11:30 a.m. on March 6, 2007, for any interested persons who wish to address the Council on BLM programs and business. Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the RAC has been designated the RRAC, and has the authority to review all BLM and Forest Services (FS) recreation fee proposals in Arizona. The afternoon meeting agenda on March 6 will include review and discussion of the Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) Working Group Report, REA Work Group meeting schedule and future BLM/FS recreation fee proposals. In addition, the following FS fee proposal will be discussed: (1) Kentucky Camp Headquarters Building (Coronado National Forest)The Forest Service is considering a change in permit fees for rental of historic structures at Kentucky Camp. The current fee is $75/ night to rent the small restored cabin, which accommodates up to 5 people. The proposed fee increase of $200 will include 2-nights' rental of the cabin and 1-day-use rental of the restored Headquarters building, accommodating up to 50 people. The proposed fees are in line with those charged by the nearest private enterprise offering similar facilities. After completing their RRAC business, the BLM RAC will provide recommendations to the RAC Designated Federal Official on the fee proposal and discuss future RAC meetings and locations.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing these supplementary rules for public lands within the State of Colorado, relating to camping. These rules extend the time period and distance the camping public must move once the current 14-day stay limit is reached. These supplementary rules are needed to protect natural resources and provide for public health and safety. They are based upon existing regulations that address camping and residency, and update existing supplementary rules specific to camping stay limits. These supplementary rules further promote consistency between the BLM and similar rules of other natural resource agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service.

Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act request for lease and subsequent conveyance of approximately 55 acres of public land in the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. The City of Las Vegas proposes to use the land for a public park.

Under the Class II provisions of Title IV, Public Law 97-451, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received a Petition for Reinstatement of Oil and Gas Lease TXNM 106958 from the lessee, Sun- West Oil and Gas Inc., for lands in Trinity County, Texas. The petition was filed on time and was accompanied by all the rentals due since the date the lease terminated under the law.

This is Notice of BNI Coal Limited Coal Lease Application NDM 97633 for certain coal resources within the Center Mine. The land included in Coal Lease Application NDM 97633 is located in Oliver County, North Dakota, and is described as follows:

Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended, by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 3410, all interested parties are hereby invited to participate with Bowie Resources, LLC, on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of unleased coal deposits owned by the United States of America in Delta County, Colorado:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is amending its regulations at 43 CFR part 3130 pertaining to oil and gas resources in the National Petroleum ReserveAlaska (NPR-A). The rule makes oil and gas administrative procedures in NPR-A consistent with Section 347 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The rule amends the administrative procedures for the efficient transfer, consolidation, segregation, suspension, and unitization of Federal leases in the NPR-A. The rule also changes the way the BLM processes lease renewals, lease extensions, lease expirations, lease agreements, exploration incentives, lease consolidations, and termination of administration for conveyed lands in the NPR-A. Finally, the rule makes the NPR-A regulation on additional bonding consistent with the regulations that apply outside of the NPR-A.

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 (PRMP) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

This notice announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the West Tavaputs Plateau Natural Gas Full Field Development Plan prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The DEIS evaluates the impacts of development of natural gas resources on approximately 137,700 acres of public, state, and private lands on the West Tavaputs Plateau in Carbon and Duchesne Counties, Utah. This NEPA analysis will provide a basis for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to amend the applicable land use plan per 43 CFR 1610 if necessary.

This notice terminates in part the existing classification for 102.91 acres of public land that was classified as suitable for lease and conveyance under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.). The termination will allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to offer a 6.5-acre parcel for sale under Section 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) (43 U.S.C. 1701 and 1713), as amended. Termination of the classification in part is consistent with BLM policies and the BLM Colorado Northeast Resource Management Plan, dated September 16, 1986, and has been reviewed with local officials.

One parcel of public land (N-76426) located in Beatty, Nevada, and totaling 0.46 acres, has been examined and found suitable for disposal utilizing direct sale procedures. The authority for the sale is under Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. 1713 and 1719.

To protect fragile, wintering mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and elk herds, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is closing to motorized use this winter, certain public lands in the Gunnison Basin. This action is in coordination with the Colorado Division of Wildlife's emergency winter feeding program for big game herds in the Gunnison Basin. The BLM and CDOW have cooperatively identified winter feeding areas and procedures, as well as area closures in conjunction with the feeding program. Extreme snow depths, combined with extreme cold temperatures, have prompted the closure and emergency feeding decisions.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend an existing approval to collect information from mining claimants concerning use and occupancy of mining claims on public lands. The nonform information under 43 CFR subpart 3715 authorizes the BLM to manage the use and occupancy of public lands for developing the mineral deposits by mining claimants.