Land Management Bureau – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice is hereby given that the Bureau of Land Management has issued orders pursuant to 43 CFR 8364.1 that restrict the launching and landing of hang gliders and similar aircraft, the discharge of gas- and air-powered weapons and simulated weapons, recreational shooting, and entry with pets on all or certain public lands in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Riverside County, California, to protect resources and enhance visitor safety.

This notice announces a meeting and tour of the Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC). The business meeting will beheld on August 23, 2005, in Safford, Arizona, at the Manor House located at 415 E. Highway 70 in Safford. It will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. The agenda items to be covered include: Review of the May 3, 2005 Meeting Minutes; BLM State Directors' Update on Statewide Issues; Presentations on the Gila Watershed Council, San Simon Watershed, Arizona Land use Planning Updates, Saginaw Hill Update; and RAC Questions on Written Reports from BLM Field Managers; Field Office Rangeland Resource Team proposals; Reports by the Standards and Guidelines, Recreation, Off-Highway Vehicle Use, Public Relations, Land Use Planning and Tenure, and Wild Horse and Burro Working Groups; Reports from RAC members; and Discussion of future meetings. A public comment period will be provided at 11 a.m. on August 23, 2005 for any interested publics who wish to address the Council. On August 24, the RAC will tour several public land areas in the Safford Field Office. BLM will highlight the San Simon Watershed Project, Hotwell Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area, and some of the areas paleontological resources. The tour will be conducted from approximately 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the proposed leasing of approximately 16,640 acres of BLM- managed public lands for geothermal exploration, development, and utilization in the Truckhaven and Superstition Mountain areas located in Western Imperial County, California. The leasing of public lands for geothermal resources is consistent with the California Desert Plan. Comments are being solicited to help identify significant issues or concerns related to the proposed action, determine the scope of issues, and identify and refine alternatives to the proposed action.

The BLM Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on August 4, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the BLM Coos Bay District Office. The BLM Office is located at 1300 Airport Lane in North Bend, Oregon. The purpose of this meeting will be for the BLM Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee to recommend for funding Title II projects, as identified under the Act. The BLM Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee meeting is open to the public and there will be an opportunity for the public to comment at approximately 11 a.m. at this meeting. The BLM Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee may also meet on August 11, 2005 for the same purpose. The need for this meeting will be dependent upon the progress made in making recommendations at the meeting on August 4. The scheduled meeting time and location for the August 11 meeting will be the same as for the meeting scheduled on August 4.

In accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluates, analyzes, and discloses to the public direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts of a proposed integrated pest management program at the Tyrrell Seed Orchard in Lane County, Oregon, in BLM's Eugene District. The integrated pest management program is proposed to control the insect, weed, animal, and disease problems at the orchard, and to maintain healthy, vigorous crop trees for the production of seed and other vegetative materials used for reforestation and a variety of land management actions.

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

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has examined and found suitable for classification for lease or conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, approximately 5 acres of public lands in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The Ten Mile Water and Sewer District proposes to use the land for office and warehouse space for the District.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000 (Steens Act), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is initiating preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze and undertake the North Steens Ecosystem Restoration Project (North Steens Project).

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has filed an application proposing to extend Public Land Order Nos. 6629 and 6670 for additional 20-year terms. The Public Land Orders withdrew public lands and reserved mineral interests from settlement, sale, location, and entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws, to protect the recreational and scenic values of the Lower Salmon River. This notice gives the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed action and gives notice for scheduled public meetings in connection with the proposed withdrawal extensions.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is again proposing to amend its mineral resources regulations to increase many fees and to impose new fees to cover BLM's costs of processing certain documents relating to its minerals programs. This would include costs for actions such as environmental studies, monitoring activities, and other processing-related costs. The BLM would establish some fixed fees and some fees on a case-by-case basis. The proposed fee changes are based on statutory authorities, which authorize BLM to charge for its processing costs, and on policy guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) requiring BLM to charge these fees. The fee changes also respond to recommendations issued in audit reports by the DOI's Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council 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 from Freeman Investments of oil and gas lease WYW152214 for lands in Sweetwater 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.

This notice is an invitation to participate in Coal Exploration program. Ark Land Company has filed the application for the Granger Ridge Tract. All qualified parties are invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in its program for the exploration of certain Federal coal deposits in the following described lands in Carbon County, Utah:

A 39.99 acre parcel of public land in San Bernardino County, California is being considered for direct sale to Searles Valley Minerals, Inc. to resolve an unauthorized use of public land. This land is difficult and uneconomic to manage as part of the public lands and is not suitable for management by another Federal agency.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes a direct sale under Section 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2750, 43 U.S.C. 1713), of approximately 0.58 acres in Walton County, Florida, at no less than fair market value.

Under the provisions of Public Law 97-451, Philip Rice timely filed a petition for reinstatement of oil and gas lease TXNM 107338 for lands in Wise County, Texas, and it was accompanied by all required rentals and royalties accruing from December 1, 2004, the date of termination.

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., July 1, 2005. All inquiries should be sent to the Colorado State Office (CO-956), Bureau of Land Management, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215- 7093. The plat, representing the dependent resurveys and surveys, in Township 21 South, Range 69 West, Sixth Principal Meridian, Group 1335, Colorado, was accepted June 15, 2005. The plat, in two sheets, representing the metes-and-bounds survey of a portion of the boundary of the American Flats Wilderness Addition to the Uncompahgre Wilderness as described in Pub. L. 103-77, the ``Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993'', in Suspended Townships 43 North, Ranges 6 and 7 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Group 1369, Colorado, was accepted June 10, 2005. The supplemental plat creating lost 14, 15, 16 and 17 as a result of M.S. 18249, Grand Aspen, Black Cat and Protection lodes, being cancelled on March 4, 2005, in Township 48 North, Range 2 East, Sec. 29, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Colorado, was accepted April 19, 2005. These plats and resurvey notes were requested by the Bureau of Land Management for administrative and management purposes. The plat of survey requested by the U.S. Forest Service, Durango, Colorado, for the purpose of identifying the boundaries of National Forest lands, in Molas Park, in suspended Township 40 North, Range 7 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Group 1422, Colorado, was accepted May 19, 2005. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey, and corrective dependent resurvey, in Township 32 North, Range 7 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Group 1418, Colorado, was accepted April 18, 2005. This survey was requested by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, through the State Director, Colorado, in order to identify Southern Ute tribal trust lands. The plat, representing the dependent resurvey and surveys in Township 48 North, Range 4 West, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Group 1396, Colorado, was accepted June 30, 2005. This survey was requested by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with the approval of the State Director, Colorado, in order to identify the boundary of Ute Mountain Ute lands for management purposes.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has received two applications to lease a total of 13,089.55 acres of Federal coal at the East Lynn Lake project in Wayne County, West Virginia. The lease applications for mining the federal coal on these were applied under the provisions of 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3425.1. The BLM will prepare a LUA/EIS prior to holding a competitive Federal coal lease sale. Both applicants are proposing to mine the coal by underground mining methods from existing mines they operate on adjacent private land. The lands being considered for lease border East Lynn Lake on portions of both its north and south shores, but no mining would occur directly beneath the lake itself. This notice, in accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), announces the beginning of the review process and invites the public, other Federal Agencies, State and local governments to submit information on coal resource development potential and on resources which may be affected by coal development for lands within the analysis area. The BLM also asks that you suggest issues that should be considered in developing the LUA and include statements explaining why the land should or should not be considered for leasing.

Pursuant to 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) subpart 8341.2(a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the closure of certain BLM-administered public lands to all types of motor vehicle use to protect the desert yellowhead, a plant species and its critical habitat protected by listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This closure affects public lands located within, and adjacent to, the 360-acre designated critical habitat of the only known population of desert yellowhead (Yermo xanthocephalus). Under the ESA, the desert yellowhead is listed as ``threatened.'' Public access leading to, and within, the desert yellowhead and its critical habitat by nonmotorized means, such as by foot or horseback is permitted.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially filed the plats of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Idaho State Office, Boise, Idaho, effective 9 a.m., on the dates specified.

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that fourteen appealable decisions approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Bering Straits Native Corporation and NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. for lands located in the vicinity of Norton and Kotzebue Sounds, Alaska. Notice of the decisions will also be published four times in the Nome Nugget.

This notice announces the intent to hold a Resource Advisory Council (RAC) meeting in the Twin Falls District of Idaho on Tuesday, August 9, 2005. The meeting will be held in the Conference Room at the Burley BLM Fire Building, 3600 South Overland Avenue, in Burley, Idaho.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is publishing this notice to advise the mining community that the location fee for newly located mining claims or sites has been restored from $25 to $30 per mining claim or site. In addition, the annual maintenance fee has been restored from $100 to $125 per mining claim or site. BLM reduced the fees on December 8, 2004, as directed by statute. The statute further provided that the fees would return to their formerly increased levels when BLM had met certain conditions. These conditions have now been met and the fees have returned to the levels that are reflected in the regulations found at 43 CFR 3830.21 (2004). Mining claim holders must pay a $30 location fee and a $125 maintenance fee for all mining claims and sites recorded on or after June 30, 2005. In addition, the annual maintenance fee due September 1, 2005, is $125 per mining claim or site, as reflected in the current regulations.

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) Alaska Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below.

Notice is hereby given that certain coal resources described below in the Gray Mountain Federal Mineral Tract (KYES-51002) in Leslie County, Kentucky, will be offered for competitive lease by sealed bid in accordance with the provisions for competitive lease sales in 43 CFR 3422, the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands of 1947.