The Federal Register

Revision of Regulations Implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), are amending certain provisions related to international trade in sturgeon caviar in the regulations that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We are reducing the quantity of caviar that may be imported or exported under the CITES personal effects exemption and amending the requirements for import of caviar from shared stocks subject to quotas. These changes are not controversial and will bring U.S. regulations in line with revisions adopted by consensus at the most recent meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (June 2007). The revised regulations will help us more effectively promote species conservation, help us continue to fulfill our responsibilities under the Treaty, and help those affected by CITES to understand how to conduct lawful international trade in sturgeon caviar.

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To Delist Astragalus magdalenae var.

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12month finding on a petition to remove Astragalus magdalenae var. peirsonii (Peirson's milkvetch) from the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Plants under the Endangered Species Act. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial information available, we find that the petitioned action is not warranted. We ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of, or threats to, the species. This information will help us monitor and encourage the conservation of this species.

Revision of Regulations Implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), propose to revise the regulations that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) by incorporating certain provisions related to international trade in sturgeon caviar adopted at the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP14) to CITES. We propose to reduce the quantity of caviar that may be imported or exported under the CITES personal effects exemption and amend the requirements for import of caviar from shared stocks subject to quotas. These changes would bring U.S. regulations in line with revisions adopted by consensus at the most recent meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (June 2007). The revised regulations would help us more effectively promote species conservation, help us continue to fulfill our responsibilities under the Treaty, and help those affected by CITES to understand how to conduct lawful international trade in sturgeon caviar.

Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Laramie Plains National Wildlife Refuges, Wyoming

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce that our Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Plan) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Laramie Plains National Wildlife Refuges is available. The Laramie Plains National Wildlife Refuges include Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Hutton Lake NWR, and Mortenson Lake NWR. This Final CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage these Refuges for the next 15 years.

Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to Public Law 106-503, the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC) will hold its 18th meeting. The meeting location is the U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, California 94025. The Committee is comprised of members from academia, industry, and State government. The Committee shall advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on matters relating to the USGS's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.

The Committee will receive updates and provide guidance on Earthquake Hazards Program activities and the status of teams supported by the Program.

Meetings of the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee are open to the public.

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Proposed 151.87-Acre Fee-to-Trust Transfer,

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is republishing in its entirety a document it published in the July 10, 2008 Federal Register to correct a phone number. The document concerns an extension of the date of issuance of the Record of Decision and reopening the comment period originally announced on May 30, 2008 (73 FR 31143) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's Proposed 151.87acre feetotrust transfer, reservation proclamation, and casinoresort project, in Clark County, Washington.

Alaska Native Claims Selection

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Kijik Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Nondalton, Alaska, and are located in:
U.S. Survey No. 8995, Alaska.

Containing 37.99 acres.
T. 1 N., R. 30 W.,

Secs. 1 and 31.

Containing 30.21 acres.
T. 2 S., R. 30 W.,

Secs. 1, 2 and 3.

Containing 1,919.13 acres.
T. 2 S., R. 31 W.,

Sec. 18.

Containing 551.01 acres.
T. 1 N., R. 32 W.,

Secs. 29 and 30.

Containing 1,277.48 acres.
T. 1 S., R. 32 W.,

Secs. 8, 17, 20, and 23.

Containing 1,930.49 acres.
T. 3 S., R. 32 W.,

Secs. 5 and 8.

Containing 1,181.29 acres.
T. 1 N., R. 33 W.,

Sec. 36.

Containing 640 acres.
T. 1 S., 33 W.,

Secs. 4, 8 and 9;

Secs. 16, 17 and 18.

Containing 3,783.58 acres.
T. 3 S., R. 33 W.,

Secs. 2 and 11.

Containing 1,120 acres.

T. 1 S., R. 34 W.,

Secs. 13 to 16, inclusiv

Notice of Temporary Closures and Prohibitions of Certain Activities on Public Lands in Pershing County, NV

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Certain lands located in northwestern Nevada partly within the Black Rock DesertHigh Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area will be temporarily closed or restricted and certain activities will be temporarily prohibited in and around the Burning Man event site administered by the Bureau of Land Management Winnemucca Field Office. These closures are authorized under the provisions of 43 CFR 8364.1. The specified closures, restrictions and prohibitions are made in the interest of public safety at and around the public lands location of an event known as the Burning Man Festival. This event is authorized on public lands under Special Recreation Permit NV 0250601 and is expected to attract approximately 50,000 participants.

Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Western Planning Area (WPA) Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 207

Thu, Jul 17 2008 11:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, the MMS will open and publicly announce bids received for blocks offered in WPA Oil and Gas Lease Sale 207, pursuant to the OCS Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 13311356, as amended) and the regulations issued thereunder (30 CFR Part 256). The Final Notice of Sale 207 Package (FNOS 207 Package) contains information essential to bidders, and bidders are charged with the knowledge of the documents contained in the Package.