Federal Register Notice and Mailing List
| 69236 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 221 / Friday, November 15, 2002 / Notices | ||
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| comprehensive briefing for new Public Advisory Committee members, discussions about the status of the Gulf of Alaska Ecosystem Monitoring and Research program, an update on lingering oil injury, and a review of the habitat protection program. Willie R. Taylor, Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance. [FR Doc. 02-29080 Filed 11-14-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RG-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council; Invitation for Comment AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council is asking the public, private organizations, and government agencies to submit comments on the Draft Work Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2003: Phase II, which implements the Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring and Research Program. The Draft Work Plan is available on the Internet site listed below. Paper copies of the Draft Work Plan are available upon request. DATES: Comments are due November 25, 2002. ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, 441 West 5th Avenue, Suite 500, Anchorage, Alaska 99501-2340. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional instructions about submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Trustee Council Office, (907) 278-8012 or toll free at (800) 478-7745 (in Alaska) or (800) 283-7745 (outside Alaska) or via Internet at www.oilspill.state.ak.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March 1989, a Trustee Council of three state and three federal trustees, including the Secretary of the Interior, was formed. The Trustee Council prepared a restoration plan for the injured resources and services within the oil spill area. The restoration plan called for annual work plans identifying projects to accomplish restoration. An extension of the Restoration Plan, the Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring and Research Program, also requires implementation through annual work plans. Each year proposals for restoration, monitoring, and research projects are solicited from a variety of organizations, including the public. Comments may be mailed to the above |
address, telephoned to the above telephone numbers (collect calls will be accepted from fishers and boaters who call through the marine operator), faxed to (907) 276-7178, or e-mailed to paula_[email protected]. Public comment will also be accepted at the Trustee Council meeting, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2002. Willie R. Taylor, Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance. [FR Doc. 02-29079 Filed 11-14-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-RG-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Performance Review Board Appointments AGENCY: Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Performance Review Board Appointments. SUMMARY: This notice provides the names of individuals who have been appointed to serve as members of the Department of the Interior Performance Review Board. DATES: These appointments are effective upon publication in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Cohen, Director of Personnel Policy, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240, Telephone Number: (202) 208-6761. 2002 SES Performance Review Board The following individuals have been appointed to serve on the Department of Interior 2002 Performance Review Board. Mary K. Adler - Deputy Inspector General Edith R. Blackwell - Deputy Assoc Solicitor - Indian Affairs Brian P. Burns - Chief Information Officer Terry R. Carlstrom - Field Director, National Capital Field Area Horace J. Clark - Southeast Regional Solicitor (Atlanta) Robert D. Comer - Associate Solicitor (Land and Water Resources) Walter D. Cruickshank - Deputy Director, Minerals Management Service Sharon Eller - Assistant Inspector General for Management and Policy Pamela K. Haze - Deputy Director, Office of Budget Paul W. Henne - Assistant Director - Business Management and Operations James M. Hughes - Assistant Director for Policy & External Affairs Donald Murphy - Deputy Director Jonathan B. Jarvis - Field Director, Pacific West Area Arthur D. Jones - Deputy Director, Internal Management |
Daniel H. Jorjani - Special Assistant and Counselor to the Asst Secretary Roger LaRouche - Assistant Inspector General for Audits Phillip P. Leahy - Associate Director for Geology Aurene Martin - Deputy Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs David A. Montoya - Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Michael D. Nedd - State Director, Eastern State Office Glenda Owens - Deputy Director Mamie Parker - Regional Director - Hadley Clinton M. Riley - Special Assistant William Rinne - Director, Operations Michael Rolutti - Director, Technical Service Center David P. Russ - Regional Geologist, Eastern Region Carol L. Sampson - Deputy Director for Finance and Administration Christine M. Schabacker - Counselor to the Assistant Secretary Denise E. Sheehan - Asst Director - Budget, Planning and Human Resources Margaret Sibley - Director, Office of Policy George T.C. Skibine - Director, Office of Indian Gaming Management Michael R. Smith - Director, Office of Tribal Services Paul Smyth - Deputy Assoc Solicitor - Land and Water Willie R. Taylor - Director, Office of Environmental Policy Compliance Robyn Thorson - Assistant Director - External Affairs Michael Tollefson - Park Manager, Great Smokey Mountains National Park Michael J. Trujillo - Dep Asst Secretary for Human Resources & Workforce Diversity Sarah E. Wisely - State Director, Utah Robert W. Wolf - Director, Program, Budget and Liaison Elaine Y. Zielinski - State Director, Arizona Dated: November 8, 2002. Carolyn Cohen, Director of Personnel Policy. [FR Doc. 02-29051 Filed 11-14-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-10-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability; Receipt of Application. SUMMARY: The County of Riverside (County), Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside |
| 69237 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 221 / Friday, November 15, 2002 / Notices | ||
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| County Parks and Open Space District, Riverside County Waste Department, California Department of Transportation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and 14 western Riverside County cities (Applicants) have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service is requesting public comment on the Draft Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and draft Implementing Agreement. The Applicants seek a permit to authorize incidental take of 146 species, including unlisted species that may become listed during the term of the permit. An incidental take permit is required to authorize take of listed species during urban and rural development in the approximately 1.26 million-acre (1,967 square-mile) Plan Area in western Riverside County. The proposed term of the permit is 75 years. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is the Federal portion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), has been prepared jointly by the Service and the County of Riverside to analyze the impacts of the MSHCP and is also available for public review. The analyses provided in the Draft EIS/ EIR are intended to inform the public of our proposed action, alternatives, and associated impacts; address public comments received during the scoping period for the Draft EIS/EIR; disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the proposed action and each of the alternatives; and indicate any irreversible commitment of resources that would result from implementation of the proposed action. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before January 14, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. You also may submit comments by facsimile to (760) 431-9618. Information, comments and/or questions related to the EIR and the California Environmental Quality Act should be submitted to Ms. Kristi Lovelady, Riverside County Transportation Land Management Agency, PO Box 1605, 4080 Lemon Street - 7th Floor, Riverside CA 92502; facsimile (909) 955-6879. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Karen Evans, Assistant Field Supervisor, at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office above; telephone (760) 431-9440. |
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Availability of Documents Documents available for public review, includes the applications, the Public Review Draft MSHCP Volumes I (the proposed plan and mitigation) and II (the MSHCP reference document), and the accompanying Implementing Agreement, and the Draft EIS/EIR. Individuals wishing copies of the documents should contact the Service by telephone at (760) 431-9440 or by letter to the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. Copies of the MSHCP, Draft EIS/ EIR, and Draft Implementing Agreement also are available for public inspection, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES). Copies are also available for viewing at the Riverside County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon Street, 7th Floor, Riverside, California; at public libraries in each of the applicant cities; and on the World Wide Web in the library section at http:/ /www.rcip.org. Background Information Section 9 of the Act and Federal regulation prohibit the "take’’ of fish and wildlife species federally listed as endangered or threatened. Take of federally listed fish or wildlife is defined under the Act to include kill, harm, or harass. Harm includes significant habitat modification or degradation that actually kills or injures listed wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, and sheltering (50 CFR 17.3(c)). Under limited circumstances, the Service may issue permits to authorize incidental take; i.e., take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are found in 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. The Applicants seek a permit to cover a total of 146 species, including 64 plant species (8 endangered, 3 threatened, and 53 unlisted); 3 crustacean species (1 endangered, 1 threatened and 1 unlisted); 2 insect species (both endangered); 2 fish species (1 threatened and 1 unlisted); 5 amphibian species (2 endangered, 1 threatened, and 2 unlisted); 12 reptile species (all unlisted); 45 bird species (2 endangered, 2 threatened, 1 proposed threatened, 1 candidate and 39 unlisted); and 14 mammal species (2 endangered and 12 unlisted). Collectively the 146 listed and unlisted species are referred to as "Covered Species’’ by the MSHCP. The permit would provide take authorization for covered animal species |
identified by the MSHCP as "Covered Species Adequately Conserved.’’ Currently, the Draft MSHCP identifies 128 species as "Covered Species Adequately Conserved.’’ The remaining species would be included as "Covered Species Adequately Conserved’’ upon completion of the conservation measures identified in the Draft MSHCP. The MSHCP is intended to protect and sustain viable populations of native plant and animal species and their habitats in perpetuity through the creation of a preserve system, while accommodating continued economic development and quality of life for residents of western Riverside County. In the year 2020, the Southern California Association of Governments estimates that Riverside County will be home to approximately 2.8 million people, who will occupy approximately 918,000 dwelling units. This represents a doubling of the County’s present population and housing stock. Another study by the California Department of Finance estimates that the County will continue to grow to 3.5 million people by 2030 and 4.5 million people by 2040. These residents will be located within 14 incorporated cities, as well as within numerous unincorporated areas. The MSHCP is one part of the Riverside County Integrated Project (RCIP) intended to integrate and provide for future land use, transportation and conservation needs in Riverside County. The MSHCP plan area encompasses 1.2 million acres in western Riverside County and includes the following fourteen incorporated cities: Banning, Beaumont, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Corona, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley, Murietta, Norco, Perris, Riverside, San Jacinto, and Temecula. It is one of two large, multiple-jurisdictional habitat planning efforts in Riverside County, each of which constitutes a "subregional’’ plan under the State of California’s Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act of 1991. As described in Volumes I and II of the Public Review Draft MSHCP and the Draft EIS/EIR, the proposed MSHCP would provide for the creation of a preserve system that protects and manages 153,000 acres of habitat for the Covered Species, consisting of 97,000 acres conserved as the local mitigation component, 6,000 acres conserved as mitigation for State Permittee Projects (California Department of Transportation and California Department of Parks and Recreation) and it is anticipated that the State and Federal Wildlife Agencies would provide an additional 50,000 acres to |
| 69238 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 221 / Friday, November 15, 2002 / Notices | ||
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| help achieve conservation identified in the MSHCP. The financing plan for the local portion of the reserve assembly of 97,000 acres includes a mitigation fee, tipping fee for use of waste management facilities, and other funding sources to conserve 56,000 acres. Conservation of the remaining 41,000 acres would accrue through the implementation of developer incentives and on-site set asides accomplished through the development review process. The proposed 153,000 acre reserve area is not specifically identified in the MSHCP. The conservation of 153,000 acres is anticipated to occur over the first 25 years of the program and when completed, must be in a configuration to, and include the vegetation communities that, provide for the conservation of covered species. To accomplish this, the proposed reserve will be assembled pursuant to written criteria that describe a possible design for the 153,000 acre reserve to be established within an approximately 300,000-acre area termed the "Criteria Area.’’ Covered Activities would include, but are not limited to: public and private development within the plan area that requires a discretionary action by a permittee subject to consistency with MSHCP policies, two internal regional transportation facilities, maintenance of and safety improvements on existing roads, the Circulation Elements of the permittees, maintenance and construction of flood control facilities, single family homes on existing legal parcels within the Criteria Area, up to 10,000 new acres of agricultural activity within the Criteria Area, and compatible uses in the reserve. The MSHCP makes a provision for the inclusion of special districts and other non-permittee entities in the permit with a certificate of inclusion. The EIS/EIR considers analyzes four other alternatives in addition to the proposed MSHCP Project Alternative described above including: A listed, proposed and strong candidate species alternative; A listed and proposed species alternative; an existing reserves alternative; and a no project alternative. The listed, proposed and strong candidate species alternative focuses on the conservation of 29 State and/or federally listed species and 7 unlisted species. This alternative would conserve approximately 119,300 acres. The listed and proposed species alternative focuses on the conservation of 29 State and/or federally listed or proposed species. This alternative is approximately 93,800 acres. The existing reserves alternative does not provide any new land acquisition |
for conservation purposes, but instead focuses on conservation for six State and/or federally listed or candidate species and some unlisted species present in existing reserves. Species coverage would be dependent upon additional management regimes in the existing reserves. Public Comments The Service invites the public to comment on the Draft MSHCP, Draft Implementing Agreement, and Draft EIS/EIR during a 60-day public comment period beginning the date of this notice. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the official administrative record and may be made available to the public. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act and Service regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (40 CFR 1506.6). The Service will evaluate the application, associated documents, and comments submitted thereon to prepare a Final Environmental Impact Statement. A permit decision will be made no sooner than 30 days after the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and completion of the Record of Decision. Dated: November 7, 2002. Miel R. Corbett, Acting Deputy Manager, Region 1, California/ Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 02-28875 Filed 11-14-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Proposed Agency Information Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that we are seeking comments from interested parties to renew the clearance for Application for Job Placement and Training Program, OMB No. 1076-0062. DATES: Written comments must be received by January 14, 2003. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Lynn Forcia, Office of Economic Development, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 4640-MIB, Washington, DC 20240. |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information or copies of the forms, call Lynn Forcia at 202-219-5270 (This is not a toll-free number). You may send requests by facsimile to 202-208-3664. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 84-959 and Public Law 88-230 authorize the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to help adult Indians who reside on or near Indian reservations to obtain reasonable and satisfactory employment. The information collection documents provide information necessary to administer the program for Job Placement and Training Program. The Department is authorized to undertake a program of vocational training and direct employment that provides vocational counseling, guidance, and training in any recognized vocation, apprenticeship, trade, or on-the-job training. The program is available to Indians who are primarily not less than 18 years old and not more than 35 years old who reside on or near an Indian reservation. The acts authorize the BIA to enter into contracts or agreements with Federal, State, local government agencies or associations with apprenticeship programs or on-the-job training that leads to skilled employment. The same application form is used for both 25 CFR parts 26 and 27. We are also proposing to combine 25 CFR parts 26 and 27 into one comprehensive Federal regulation combining vocational training and direct employment services. Information of a confidential nature is protected by the Privacy Act. You are asked to comment on the necessity of the information collection to fulfill the functions of the bureau; whether the burden estimate is accurate and the methodology and assumptions are valid; the utility, quality, and clarity of information requested; and ways that the burden might be minimized for respondents. All comments are subject to review by the public during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). If you wish your name or address withheld, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. We will honor your request to the extent allowed by the law. Individuals who represent businesses, or companies will have comments available for review by the public. In some cases we may decide to withhold comments from review for good reason. Please note that an agency may not sponsor or conduct, and a person need not respond to, an information collection unless a currently valid OMB Control Number is displayed. |
| 9093 Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 39 / Thursday, February 27, 2003 / Notices | ||
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| wetland and grassland habitats; Alternative 2 - historical management of refuge habitats and wildlife to replicate pre-settlement conditions; Alternative 3 - the intensive management of refuge habitats and refuge program to increase outputs in certain areas; and the preferred Alternative 4 - modified historical management of habitats for native birds and wild animals and to pursue a more natural historic management regime. The alternatives were assessed in the Draft CCP management plan and Environmental Assessment. Based on this assessment and comments received, the preferred Alternative 4 was selected for implementation. The preferred alternative was selected because it best meets the purposes of the Refuge to reserve and set apart as a refuge and breeding ground for birds and wild animals. The preferred alternative will also provide for public access for wildlife-dependent recreation, and provides environmental education opportunities related to fish and wildlife resources. Dated: October 2, 2002. Elliott Sutta, Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. 03-4590 Filed 2-26-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Draft Environmental Impact Report, and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; reopening of comment period. SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the comment period on the draft Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, draft Implementing Agreement, and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for an incidental take permit for 146 species in western Riverside County, California. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before March 14, 2003. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, CA 92008. You also may submit comments by facsimile to (760) 431-9618. |
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Karen Evans, Assistant Field Supervisor, at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone (760) 431-9440. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The County of Riverside (County), Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside County Parks and Open Space District, Riverside County Waste Department, California Department of Transportation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and 14 western Riverside County cities (Applicants) have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Applicants seek a permit to authorize incidental take of 146 species, including unlisted species that may become listed during the term of the permit. An incidental take permit is required to authorize take of listed species during urban and rural development in the approximately 5,095-square-kilometer (1.26-millionacre (1,967-square-mile)) Plan Area in western Riverside County. The proposed term of the permit is 75 years. On November 15, 2002, we published "Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan’’ (67 FR 69236). In that notice, we requested public comment on the draft Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and draft Implementing Agreement. We also made available for public review a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is the Federal portion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), to analyze the impacts of the MSHCP. The analyses provided in the Draft EIS/EIR are intended to inform the public of our proposed action, alternatives, and associated impacts; address public comments received during the scoping period for the Draft EIS/EIR; disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the proposed action and each of the alternatives; and indicate any irreversible commitment of resources that would result from implementation of the proposed action. The comment period for the November 15, 2002, notice closed on January 14, 2003. We are now reopening the comment period for 15 days on the |
draft MSHCP, draft Implementing Agreement, and Draft EIS. The County of Riverside has decided not to reopen the comment period on the Draft EIR. Comments already submitted on the Draft EIS/EIR, draft Implementing Agreement, and draft MSHCP need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in the final documents. Authority: This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and Service regulations (40 CFR 1506.6) for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Dated: February 13, 2003. Ken McDermond, Deputy Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento, CA. [FR Doc. 03-4591 Filed 2-24-03; 4:31 pm] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Receipt of a Permit Application (Tindall) for Incidental Take of the Houston Toad AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: Lewis Tindall (Applicant) has applied for an incidental take permit (TE-0666141-0) pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The requested permit would authorize the incidental take of the endangered Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and operation of a retail store on a 1.01-acre property on Highway 71, Bastrop County, Texas. DATES: Written comments on the application should be received on or before April 28, 2003. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Room 4102, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Clayton Napier, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0057). Documents will be available for public inspection by written request, by appointment only, during normal business hours (8:00 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas. Written data or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the |