69954 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 21, 2000 / Notices

Containing approximately 0.625 acres,

more or less. Both parcels are located near

the corner of Flamingo Road and Durango

Drive.

The land is not required for any

federal purpose. The direct sales are

consistent with current Bureau planning

for this area and would be in the public

interest. The patents will be subject to

the provisions of the Federal Land

Policy and Management Act and

applicable regulations of the Secretary

of the Interior, and the land will be

subject to the following reservations to

the United States:

1. A right-of-way thereon for ditches

or canals constructed by the authority of

the United States, Act of August 30,

1890, (26 Stat. 391, 43 U.S.C. 945).

2. All the mineral deposits in the

lands patented, and to it, or persons

authorized by it, the right to prospect,

mine, and remove such deposits from

the same under applicable law; and will

be subject to:

1. Easements in accordance with the

Clark County Transportation Plan.

Detailed information concerning this

action is available for review at the

office of the Bureau of Land

Management, Las Vegas Field Office,

4765 Vegas Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The lands have been segregated from

all forms of appropriation under the

Southern Nevada Public Lands

Management Act (P.L. 105–263).

Comments: For a period of 45 days

from the date of publication of this

notice in the Federal Register,

interested parties may submit comments

as to whether the BLM followed proper

administrative procedures in reaching

the decision or any other factor not

directly related to the suitability of the

land for direct sales. Comments should

be mailed to the Field Manager, Las

Vegas Field Office, 4765 Vegas Drive,

Las Vegas, Nevada 89108. Any adverse

comments will be reviewed by the State

Director who may sustain, vacate, or

modify this realty action. In the absence

of any adverse comments, this realty

action will become the final

determination of the Department of the

Interior. The lands will not be offered

for conveyance until 60 days after

publication of this notice in the Federal

Register.

Dated: November 15, 2000.

Rex Wells,

Assistant Field Office Manager, Las Vegas,

NV.

[FR Doc. 00–29798 Filed 11–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–HC–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

[WY070–1310–EJ]

Notice of Intent To Invite Public

Participation in the Amendment of the

Buffalo and Platte River Resource

Management Plans

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,

Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Amend the

Buffalo and Platte River Resource

Management Plans.

SUMMARY: The Buffalo and Casper Field

Offices of the Bureau of Land

Management (BLM) in Wyoming are

preparing an Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) for oil and gas

development, including coalbed

methane, in the Powder River Basin of

Wyoming. A Notice of Intent to prepare

the EIS was published in the Federal

Register on June 21, 2000, pages 38571–

38572. The scoping period was open

from May 22, 2000 through July 31,

2000. Scoping meetings were held in

Sheridan, Gillette, Buffalo, and Douglas,

Wyoming, in June, 2000. This EIS will

provide additional analysis under the

National Environmental Policy Act for

decisions in the Buffalo and Platte River

Resource Management Plans (RMPs)

related to oil and gas development. A

reasonably foreseeable oil and gas

development scenario will be included

to aid in analyzing impacts. Land use

plan decisions that will be evaluated

and may be amended include the

following:

—Areas open (or closed) to oil and gas

development.

—Lease stipulations or mitigation

measures necessary for coalbed

methane development.

—Other decisions as appropriate.

This Notice satisfies the requirements in

the regulations at 43 CFR 1610.2(c) for

amending an RMP.

DATES: Meeting dates and other public

participation activities will be

announced in public notices, the local

media, or in letters sent to interested

and potentially affected parties. Persons

wishing to participate in this

amendment process and wishing to be

placed on mailing lists must notify the

Buffalo Field Office at the address and

phone number below. If you wish to

comment on the proposed planning

criteria please submit your comments by

January 10, 2001. The public may

review the Buffalo and Platte River

Resource Management Plans at the

address below.

ADDRESSES: Please submit comments to:

Buffalo Field Office, Bureau of Land

Management, Attn: Paul Beels, 1425

Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul

Beels, Powder River Oil and Gas EIS

Project Leader, BLM Buffalo Field

Office, at the above address or at (307)

684–1100.

Freedom of Information Act

Considerations: Public comments

submitted for this planning amendment,

including names and street addresses of

respondents, will be available for public

review and disclosure at the Buffalo

Field Office during regular business

hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Monday

through Friday, except holidays.

Individual respondents may request

confidentiality. If you wish to withhold

your name or address from public

review or from disclosure under the

Freedom of Information Act, you must

state this prominently at the beginning

of your comments. Such requests will be

honored to the extent allowed by law.

All submissions from organizations or

businesses, and from individuals

identifying themselves as

representatives or officials of

organizations or businesses, will be

made available for public inspection in

their entirety.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The area

analyzed is the Powder River Basin of

Wyoming. The Buffalo Field Office area

encompasses all of Campbell, Sheridan

and Johnson Counties. The 1985 Buffalo

Resource Management Plan (RMP) was

revisited and evaluated from 1992

through 1997. This process included

public participation. The evaluation

resulted in determining that the RMP

planning and management decisions

were still valid. Environmental analyses

were conducted and documented on a

variety of coalbed methane (CBM)

project proposals through the 1990s.

These include the Pistol Point,

Marquiss, Lighthouse, Gillette North,

Gillette South, and Wyodak CBM

project proposals. Each of these

environmental analyses covered the

effects of the proposed actions and

alternatives, including the cumulative

effects of the projects combined with

other development and actions within

the area. Based on the evaluation of

these project proposals in regard to the

scope and meaning of the Buffalo RMP

decisions, it was determined that

amendments to the RMP (i.e., changing,

adding or deleting RMP decisions) were

not necessary. Although specific

amendments to the RMP decisions were

not needed, each of the analyses for

these project proposals served to

supplement and update the analysis in

the EIS for the Buffalo RMP.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 21, 2000 / Notices 69955

The portion of the Platte River Field

Office area included in the analysis

encompasses the northern portion of

Converse County including Township

40 north through Township 35 north,

approximately 1,279,450 acres. The

Platte RMP was approved in July 1985.

An interdisciplinary team including

disciplines and staff expertise

appropriate to the issues identified will

be utilized in the analysis. The State of

Wyoming and the U.S. Forest Service

are cooperating agencies in the EIS.

Issues raised during preliminary

scoping meetings that need to be

addressed include:

—Aquifers: the quantity, quality, and

distribution of surface water and the

potential to affect current uses of

water; and the potential to affect soils,

geologic hazards, and the extraction of

mineral resources other than

conventional oil and gas and coalbed

methane.

—Air quality and visibility.

—Wildlife and their habitats.

—Fisheries and aquatic habitats.

—Ecological integrity, public land

health, and biological diversity.

—Species of special concern,

particularly threatened, endangered

and candidate, or sensitive species of

plants and animals.

—Rangeland resources and grazing.

—Cultural resources, paleontological,

natural history, and Native American

concerns.

—Recreational opportunities and the

recreational experiences.

—Aesthetics.

—Local economy.

—Human health and safety.

The public is invited to identify other

issues and concerns that should be

addressed in the planning process and

to comment on those identified above.

These issues will be refined based on

public comments and used in the

development of the Powder River Basin

Oil and Gas environmental impact

statement (EIS), and any necessary

amendments to the Buffalo and Platte

River Resource Management Plans

(RMPs).

The following proposed ‘‘Planning

Criteria’’ have been developed to assist

in preparing the Powder River Basin Oil

and Gas EIS and to comply with the

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

planning regulations in addressing any

needed amendments to the Buffalo and

Platte River RMPs. Those RMPs provide

the general management direction for

the BLM-administered public lands and

Federal mineral estate in the portions of

Wyoming to be addressed in the Powder

River Basin Oil and Gas EIS.

The establishment of planning criteria

(43CFR 1610.4–2) guides development

of the RMP amendment to ensure that

it is tailored to issues previously

identified and to avoid unnecessary data

collection and analyses. Planning

criteria are based on applicable laws,

regulations, and Director and State

Director guidance, as well as the results

of public participation and coordination

with other State and local governments,

Federal agencies, and Indian tribes.

Planning criteria may be changed as the

planning process proceeds, based on

public input and the results of studies

and assessments.

BLM is proposing the following

planning criteria for consideration in

one or more of the alternatives:

1. The plan amendment will set forth

a framework for managing the drilling of

coalbed methane wells in an

environmentally responsible manner

consistent with applicable laws and

regulations.

2. Management of coalbed methane

produced water will be recognized in

the plan.

Criteria for Analyzing Environmental

Consequences

The following potential

environmental consequences will be

addressed.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other uses of groundwater on

aquifers.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other activities on the quality of

surface water, and the potential to

affect the current uses of those surface

waters.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other activities on the quantity

and distribution of surface water.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other activities on the areas

geology, geologic hazards, and the

extraction of other mineral resources.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other activities on air quality and

visibility.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other activities on vegetative

communities, including wetlands and

riparian areas.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other surface-disturbing and

disruptive activities on wildlife and

their habitats, particularly key species

and habitats.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other surface-disturbing and

disruptive activities on fisheries and

aquatic habitats.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other surface-disturbing and

disruptive activities on species of

special concern, particularly

threatened, endangered, candidate, or

sensitive species of plants and

animals.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other activities on the areas

ecological integrity and biological

diversity.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other surface-disturbing activities

on rangeland resources and grazing

operations.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other surface-disturbing and

disruptive activities on cultural,

historic, and paleontological

resources, and Native Americans.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other surface-disturbing activities

on recreational opportunities and

experiences.

—The effects of oil and gas development

and other surface-disturbing and

disruptive activities on scenic values

and aesthetics.

—The effects of oil and gas development

on the local economy.

—The effects of oil and gas development

on human health and safety.

Criteria for Selecting the Preferred

Alternative

The following considerations will

guide selection of the preferred

alternative.

—The level of land use restrictions

needed to protect resources and keep

the public lands and resources

available for public use.

—The potential for the occurrence and

development of mineral resources,

including conventional oil and gas

and coalbed methane production, and

coal mining.

—Consistency with the land use plans,

programs, and policies of other

Federal agencies, State and local

governments, and Native American

tribes.

—Compliance with the Standards for

Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines

for Livestock Grazing Management for

the Public Lands Administered by the

Bureau of Land Management in the

State of Wyoming (August 12, 1997).

This notice also serves as a request for

coal resource information, Pursuant to

43 CFR 3420.1–2, and a request to

identify any substantiated interest in

future leasing and development of

Federal coal in the area to be addressed

by the Powder River Basin Oil and Gas

EIS. Specifically, information is

requested on the location, quality and

quantity of Federal coal with

development potential, and on surface

resource values related to the twenty

coal unsuitability criteria described in

43 CFR 3481.1. This information will be

used for any necessary update of the

coal screening determinations (43 CFR

69956 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 21, 2000 / Notices

3420.1–4) in the area, for purposes of

the environmental analysis for the

Powder River Basin EIS, and for any

necessary update or amendment of the

Buffalo and Platte River RMPs.

Information concerning areas of coal

leasing interest, coal resource data, and

other resource information related to the

coal unsuitability criteria must be

submitted to the Buffalo Field Office at

the address above.

Dated: November 14, 2000.

Alan L. Kesterke,

Associate State Director.

[FR Doc. 00–29722 Filed 11–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–22–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

RIN 1010–AB57

Major Portion Prices and Due Dates for

Additional Royalty Payments on Indian

Gas Production in Designated Areas

Not Associated With an Index Zone

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service

(MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Major Portion Prices.

SUMMARY: Final regulations for valuing

gas produced from Indian leases,

published on August 10, 1999, require

MMS to determine major portion values

and notify industry by publishing the

values in the Federal Register

regulations also require MMS to publish

a due date for industry to pay additional

royalty based on the major portion

value. This notice provides the major

portion values and due dates for May

and June 2000 production months.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: See FOR FURTHER

INFORMATION CONTACT section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John

Barder, Indian Oil and Gas Compliance

Asset Management, MMS; telephone,

(303) 275–7234; FAX, (303) 275–7470;

E-mail, John.Barder@mms.gov; mailing

address, Minerals Management Service,

Minerals Revenue Management, Indian

Oil and Gas Compliance Asset

Management, P.O. Box 25165, MS

396G3, Denver, Colorado 80225–0165.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August

10, 1999, MMS published a final rule

titled ‘‘Amendments to Gas Valuation

Regulations for Indian Leases,’’ (64 FR

43506) with an effective date of January

1, 2000. The gas regulations apply to all

gas production from Indian (tribal or

allotted) oil and gas leases (except leases

on the Osage Indian Reservation).

The rule requires that MMS publish

major portion prices for each designated

area not associated with an index zone

for each production month beginning

January 2000 along with a due date for

additional royalty payments. See 30

CFR 206.174(a)(4)(ii)(64 FR 43520,

August 10, 1999). If additional royalties

are due based on a published major

portion price, the lessee must submit an

amended Form MMS–2014, Report of

Sales and Royalty Remittance, to MMS

by the due date. If additional royalties

are not paid by the due date, late

payment interest under 30 CFR 218.54

(1999) will accrue from the due date

until payment is made and an amended

Form MMS–2014 is received. The table

below lists the major portion prices for

all designated areas not associated with

an Index Zone and the due date for

payment of additional royalties.

GAS MAJOR PORTION PRICES AND DUE DATES FOR DESIGNATED AREAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH AN INDEX ZONE

MMS-Designated areas May 2000 June 2000 Due date

Alabama-Coushatta ............................................................................................................... $3.13/MMBtu .... $4.52/MMBtu .... 01/02/2001

Blackfeet Reservation ............................................................................................................ 2.29/MMBtu ...... 2.79/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Fort Belknap .......................................................................................................................... 3.92/MMBtu ...... 4.14/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Fort Berthold .......................................................................................................................... 1.25/MMBtu ...... 2.03/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Fort Peck Reservation ........................................................................................................... 1.95/MMBtu ...... 2.72/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Navajo Allotted Leases in the Navajo Reservation ............................................................... 2.78/MMBtu ...... 3.87/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Rocky Boys Reservation ....................................................................................................... 2.04/MMBtu ...... 3.09/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Turtle Mountain Reservation ................................................................................................. 1.18/MMBtu ...... 1.18/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Ute Allotted Leases in the Uintah and Ouray Reservation ................................................... 2.80/MMBtu ...... 3.76/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

Ute Tribal Leases in the Uintah and Ouray Reservation ...................................................... 2.80/MMBtu ...... 3.76/MMBtu ...... 01/02/2001

For information on how to report

additional royalties due to major portion

prices, please refer to our Dear Payor

letter dated December 1, 1999.

Dated: November 15, 2000.

Lucy Querques Denett,

Associate Director for Minerals Revenue

Management.

[FR Doc. 00–29829 Filed 11–20–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Final Supplemental Environmental

Impact Statement for Yosemite Valley

Plan, Yosemite National Park Madera,

Mono, Tuolumne, and Mariposa

Counties, California; Notice of

Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of the

National Environmental Policy Act of

1969 (Pub L.91–190, as amended), and

the Council on Environmental Quality

regulations (40 CFR Part 1500–1508),

the National Park Service, Department

of the Interior, has prepared a Final

Supplemental Environmental Impact

Statement identifying and evaluating

five alternatives for a Yosemite Valley

Plan within Yosemite National Park.

The foreseeable potential for

environmental impacts, and appropriate

mitigation, are identified and assessed

for each alternative. When approved,

the plan is intended to guide

management actions during the next 15–

20 years.

Proposal

The proposed Yosemite Valley Plan

(Alternative 2—Preferred) would restore

approximately 176 disturbed or

developed acres in Yosemite Valley to

natural conditions. In addition, 173

acres of developed land would be

redeveloped and 73 acres of

undeveloped land would be developed

to accommodate visitor and employee

services, such as campgrounds, dayvisitor parking, and employee housing.

The net effect of this proposal would be

to reduce development in Yosemite

Valley by approximately 71 acres. This