38098 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No.

133 / Thursday, July 12, 2007 / Notices

Refuge; and (14) Group All-Terrain management. The volunteer program Dated: May 25, 2007.
Vehicle Ride on Northwest Fork Road would be expanded to recruit volunteers Cynthia K. Dohner,
All-Terrain Vehicle Trail. to contribute 4,000 hours of service. Acting Regional Director.
Alternatives: We developed four The six priority public uses would be [FR Doc. E7–13563 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am]
alternatives for management of the allowed and the staff would conduct BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
refuge and chose Alternative 2 as the environmental education and
proposed action. We believe this interpretation programs to meet local
alternative will be the most effective one needs. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
to contribute to the purposes for which Alternative 3 would allow for
the refuge was established and to the substantial program increases. The Fish and Wildlife Service
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge refuge would manage its impoundments
System. very intensively by controlling water Habitat Conservation Plan for the Kern
Alternative 1, also called the ‘‘No levels and vegetation to create optimum County Valley Floor, Kern County, CA
Action’’ alternative, is the baseline or habitat for migrating waterfowl. It
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
status quo of refuge programs and is would also manage pine forests and
Interior.
usually a continuation of current marshes with prescribed fire and would
planning objectives and management manage the vegetative composition of ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
strategies. The refuge currently manages habitats on the entire refuge. Waterfowl Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
its impoundments very intensively by would be surveyed on a routine basis. and notice of public meetings.
controlling water levels and vegetation The staff would develop inventory plans SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
to create optimum habitat for migrating for all species and implement them over Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
waterfowl. It also manages pine forests the entire refuge. The staff would Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
and marshes with prescribed fire. develop and implement a black bear advises the public that we intend to
Waterfowl are surveyed on a routine management plan. The staff would gather information necessary to prepare,
basis. The refuge has a visitor center, maintain the visitor center with in coordination with the California
which includes an auditorium and volunteers and cooperating agency Department of Fish and Game (DFG),
indoor and outdoor classrooms, but personnel supplementing refuge California Energy Commission, the
depends on volunteers and cooperating personnel. California Department of Conservation
agency personnel to staff and maintain There would be 25 staff members Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal
the center. With regard to public use, stationed at Pocosin Lakes Refuge Resources, and the County of Kern, a
each of the six priority public uses (e.g., dedicated to refuge management and 7 joint Environmental Impact Report/
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, staff members dedicated to fire Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/
wildlife photography, and management. The refuge would conduct EIS) on the Kern County Valley Floor
environmental education and forest management and hydrology Habitat Conservation Plan (VFHCP)
interpretation) is encouraged. The staff restoration by contract. The volunteer Project. The VFHCP is being prepared
conducts a limited number of program would be expanded to recruit under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Federal
environmental education and volunteers to contribute 10,000 hours of Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
interpretation programs. service.
When the planning process started, amended (Act). The County of Kern
The six priority public uses would be
there were 7.5 full-time employees intends to apply for a 30-year incidental
allowed and the staff would conduct
stationed at Pocosin Lakes Refuge take permit from the Service. The
environmental education and
dedicated to refuge management (two of permit is needed to authorize the
interpretation programs to meet local
those positions have been lost recently) incidental take of threatened and
needs and expand outreach to the
and 7.5 full-time employees dedicated endangered species that could occur as
communities.
to fire management. Alternative 4 would maintain the a result of public and private
Alternative 2, the proposed action, refuge in caretaker status. The refuge development.
would allow for moderate program The Service provides this notice to (1)
would manage its impoundments very
increases to address refuge priorities. Describe the proposed action and
intensively by controlling water levels
The refuge would manage its possible alternatives; (2) advise other
and vegetation to create optimum
impoundments very intensively by Federal and State agencies, affected
habitat for migrating waterfowl. It
controlling water levels and vegetation Tribes, and the public of our intent to
would manage pine forests and marshes
to create optimum habitat for migrating prepare an EIR/EIS; (3) announce the
with prescribed fire. Waterfowl would
waterfowl. It would also manage pine initiation of a public scoping period;
be surveyed on a routine basis.
forests and marshes with prescribed fire and (4) obtain suggestions and
Cooperating agency personnel and
and would manage the vegetative information on the scope of issues to be
volunteers would staff and maintain the
composition of habitats in selected included in the EIR/EIS.
visitor center.
areas. Waterfowl would be surveyed on There would be 4.5 staff members DATES: Written comments should be
a routine basis. The staff would develop stationed at Pocosin Lakes Refuge received on or before August 13, 2007.
inventory plans for all species and dedicated to refuge management and 7.5 The public meeting will be held on
implement them in selected habitats. staff members dedicated to fire Wednesday, July 25, 2007, from 4 p.m.
The staff would develop and implement management. to 6 p.m.
a black bear management plan. The staff The six priority public uses would be ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
would maintain the visitor center with allowed; however, the staff would not held at the following location:
volunteers and cooperating agency conduct any environmental education Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at the First
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES

personnel supplementing refuge and interpretation programs. Floor Public Meeting Room, Kern
personnel. Authority: This notice is published under County Public Services Building, 2700
There would be 17.5 staff members the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge M Street, Bakersfield, California 93301.
dedicated to refuge management and 7.5 System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Written comments submitted to Lori
staff members dedicated to fire Law 105–57. Rinek, Chief, Conservation Planning and

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 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 133 / Thursday, July 12, 2007 / Notices 38099

Recovery Division, Fish and Wildlife unlisted covered wildlife species up to an approximate 2,000-foot
Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife become listed under the Act during the elevation contour to the south and east,
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–2605, term of the permit, take authorization and San Luis Obispo County to the
Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may for those species would become west. The VFHCP area would be divided
also be sent by facsimile to 916–414– effective upon listing. There are 14 plant into three habitat zone categories of red,
6713. species and 11 animal species covered green, and white based on habitat value.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori by the HCP which are known to occur Red Zones contain the highest valued
Rinek, Chief, Conservation Planning and within the area. Species may be added conservation habitat and represent the
Recovery Division, Sacramento Fish and or deleted during the course of the best contiguous blocks of undisturbed or
development of the VFHCP based on lightly disturbed habitat. Green Zones
Wildlife Office, at 916–414–6600.
further analysis, new information, are second highest in priority
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: classification and contain some
agency consultation, and public
Reasonable Accommodation comment. Currently the following listed disturbance and are important for
plant and animal species are included movement of species among the Red
Persons needing reasonable
in the plan: California jewelflower Zones. The White Zones contain the
accommodations in order to attend and
(Caulanthus californicus), Kern mallow least amount of valuable habitat and
participate in the public meeting should least priority for conservation.
contact Lori Rinek at 916–414–6600 as (Eremalche kernensis), San Joaquin
woolly-threads (Monolopia congdonii), The VFHCP would result in take
soon as possible. In order to allow authorization for otherwise lawful
sufficient time to process requests, Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris
var. treleasei), San Joaquin adobe actions, such as public and private
please call no later than one week before development that may incidentally take
the public meeting. Information sunburst (Pseudobahia peirsonii), blunt-
nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), or harm animal species or their habitats
regarding this proposed action is within the VFHCP area, in exchange for
available in alternative formats upon Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus
relictus), Tipton kangaroo rat the assembly and management of a
request. coordinated VFHCP area. Specifically
(Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides),
Background giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens), these activities would include oil and
and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpers gas development and maintenance
Section 9 of the Act and Federal projects, urban development and
regulations prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of macrotis mutica). Unlisted species
proposed as covered species are the infrastructure, and development and
wildlife species listed as endangered or maintenance of water delivery projects.
threatened (16 U.S.C. 1538). The Act following: Heartscale (Atriplex
cordulata), Bakersfield smallscale The VFHCP would develop a program of
defines the term ‘‘take’’ as: to harass, take avoidance, minimization and
harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, (Atriplex tularensis), Lost Hills
crownscale (Atriplex vallicola), Slough mitigation, with an emphasis on
trap, capture, or collect listed species, or preservation of the best remaining
to attempt to engage in such conduct (16 thistle (Crisium crassicaule), Vasek’s
clarkia (Clarkia tembloriensis ssp. natural lands that will support viable
U.S.C. 1532). Harm includes significant populations and the continued
habitat modification or degradation that Calientensis), recurved larkspur
(Delphinium recurvatum), Hoover’s existence of state and federally listed
actually kills or injures listed wildlife threatened or endangered species and
by significantly impairing essential eriastrum (Eriastrum hooveri), striped
California Species of Special Concern.
behavioral patterns, including breeding, adobe-lily (Fritillaria striata), Comanche
The VFHCP creates a framework for
feeding, and sheltering [50 CFR 17.3(c)]. Point layia (Layia leucopappa),
complying with State and Federal listed
Pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the California horned lizard (Phrynosoma
threatened or endangered species
Act, the Service may issue permits to coronatium frontale), San Joaquin
regulations for specified species while
authorize ‘‘incidental take’’ of listed whipsnake (Masticophis flagellum
accommodating future growth in the
species. ‘‘Incidental Take’’ is defined by ruddocki), LeConte’s thrasher
VFHCP area. The framework established
the Act as take that is incidental to, and (Toxostoma lecontei), San Joaquin
by the VFHCP will allow for the
not the purpose of, carrying out an antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus
assembly of contiguous parcels of
otherwise lawful activity. Regulations nelsoni), short-nosed kangaroo rat
habitat to provide viable habitat blocks
governing permits for threatened species (Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus), and and assist in the conservation of species.
and endangered species, respectively, American badger (Taxidea taxus).
are at 50 CFR 17.32 and 50 CFR 17.22. A Memorandum of Understanding Environmental Impact Statement/
Take of listed plant species is not (MOU) was prepared in 1989 between Report
prohibited under the Act and cannot be the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. The EIR/EIS will consider the
authorized under a section 10 permit. Bureau of Land Management, California proposed action (i.e., the issuance of a
We propose to include plant species on Department of Fish and Game, section 10(a)1(B) permit under the Act),
the permit in recognition of the California Energy Commission, and the no action (no project/no section 10
conservation benefits provided to them California Department of Conservation permit), and a reasonable range of
under a habitat conservation plan. All Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal alternatives. A detailed description of
species included on an incidental take Resources to establish the Kern County the proposed action and alternatives
permit would receive assurances under Valley Floor Habitat Conservation Plan. will be included in the EIR/EIS. The
the Service’s ‘‘No Surprises’’ regulation The proposed VFHCP utilizes a alternatives to be considered for
[50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5)]. conservation strategy that would analysis in the EIR/EIS may include:
Species proposed for coverage in the provide for preservation of the best modified lists of covered species, land
HCP are species that are currently listed remaining natural lands while still coverage areas, and intensity of future
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES

as federally threatened or endangered or allowing economic growth to occur in development. The EIR/EIS will also
have the potential to become listed the area. The VFHCP area consists of identify potentially significant impacts
during the life of this HCP and have approximately 3,110 square miles on biological resources, land use, air
some likelihood to occur within the within Kern County. The boundaries are quality, water quality, water resources,
project area. Should any of these Kings and Tulare Counties to the north, economics, and other environmental

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 38100 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 133 / Thursday, July 12, 2007 / Notices

resource issues that could occur directly DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ACTION: Notice.
or indirectly with implementation of the
Bureau of Land Management SUMMARY: The plats of survey described
proposed action and alternatives.
Different strategies for avoiding, below are scheduled to be officially
[WY–920–1310–01; WYW150434] filed in the New Mexico State Office,
minimizing and mitigating the impacts
Bureau of Land Management, Santa Fe,
of incidental take may also be Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of
New Mexico, (30) thirty calendar days
considered. Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
from the date of this publication.
Environmental review of the EIR/EIS AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
will be conducted in accordance with Interior.
the requirements of NEPA (42 U.S.C. New Mexico Principal Meridian, New
ACTION: Notice of proposed
4321 et. seq.), its implementing Mexico
reinstatement of terminated oil and gas
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), lease. The plat representing the dependent
other applicable regulations, and resurvey and survey for Townships 9
Service procedures for compliance with SUMMARY: Under the provisions of 30 and 10 North, Range 4 East, accepted
those regulations. This notice is being U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR June 20, 2007, for Group 1062 New
furnished in accordance with 40 CFR 3108.2–3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of Mexico.
1501.7 and 1508.22 to obtain Land Management (BLM) received a If a protest against a survey, as shown
suggestions and information from other petition for reinstatement from BP on any of the above plats is received
agencies and the public on the scope of America Production Company of oil and prior to the date of official filing, the
issues and alternatives to be addressed gas lease WYW150434 for lands in filing will be stayed pending
in the EIR/EIS. The primary purpose of Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The consideration of the protest. A plat will
the scoping process is to identify petition was filed on time and was not be officially filed until the day after
important issues raised by the public accompanied by all the rentals due all protests have been dismissed.
related to the proposed action. Written since the date the lease terminated A person or party who wishes to
comments from interested parties are under the law. protest against this survey must file a
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: written protest with the New Mexico
invited to ensure that the full range of
Bureau of Land Management, Pamela J. State Director, Bureau of Land
issues related to the permit application
Lewis, Chief, Fluid Minerals Management, stating that they wish to
is identified. Comments will only be
Adjudication, at (307) 775–6176. protest.
accepted in written form. All comments A statement of reasons for a protest
received, including names and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lessee
may be filed with the notice of protest
addresses, will become part of the has agreed to the amended lease terms
to the State Director, or the statement of
official administrative record and may for rentals and royalties at rates of $10
reasons must be filed with the State
be made available to the public. per acre or fraction thereof, per year and
Director within thirty days after the
16–2/3 percent, respectively. The lessee
Our practice is to make comments, protest is filed.
has paid the required $500
including names, home addresses, home administrative fee and $163 to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This
phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of reimburse the Department for the cost of plat will be available for inspection in
respondents, available for public this Federal Register notice. The lessee the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of
review. Individual respondents may has met all the requirements for Land Management, and P.O. Box 27115,
request that we withhold their names reinstatement of the lease as set out in Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502–0115.
and/or homes addresses, etc., but if you Section 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral Copies may be obtained from this office
wish us to consider withholding this Lands Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C. upon payment of $1.10 per sheet.
information you must state this 188), and the Bureau of Land Dated: July 6, 2007.
prominently at the beginning of your Management is proposing to reinstate Robert A. Casias,
comments. In addition, you must lease WYW150434 effective June 1, Chief Cadastral Surveyor, New Mexico.
present a rationale for withholding this 2006, under the original terms and [FR Doc. 07–3385 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am]
information. This rationale must conditions of the lease and the BILLING CODE 4310–FB–M
demonstrate that disclosure would increased rental and royalty rates cited
constitute a clearly unwarranted above. BLM has not issued a valid lease
invasion of privacy. Unsupported affecting the lands. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
assertions will not meet this burden. In
Julie L. Weaver,
the absence of exceptional, National Park Service
Acting Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals
documentable circumstances, this Adjudication.
information will be released. We will Availability of Funding for Acquisition
[FR Doc. E7–13525 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am] of Civil War Battlefield Land
always make submissions from
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
organizations or businesses, and from AGENCY: National Park Service,
individuals identifying themselves as Department of the Interior.
representatives of or officials of DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ACTION: Availability of Funding for
organizations or businesses, available Acquisition of Civil War Battlefield
for public inspection in their entirety. Bureau of Land Management Land.
Dated: July 6, 2007. [NM–952–07–1420–BJ] SUMMARY: The National Park Service
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES

Ken McDermond, (NPS) announces the availability of

Deputy Manager, California/Nevada Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey; New
Mexico funds to assist States and local
Operations Office, Sacramento, California. communities in acquiring for permanent
[FR Doc. E7–13528 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am] AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, protection lands, or interests in lands, at
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Interior. significant Civil War battlefield sites.

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