80 FR 32409 - National Wildlife Refuge System; Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Use of Genetically Modified Crops in National Wildlife Refuge Farming Programs in Region 4 (Southeast Region) of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Discontinuation of Preparation of NEPA Document

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 109 (June 8, 2015)

Page Range		32409-32410
FR Document		2015-13842

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in accordance with the negotiated settlement of a lawsuit, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a notice in the Federal Register on April 30, 2013, announcing and inviting comments on our intention to develop a draft programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) of the effects of the cultivation and use of genetically modified crops (GMCs) on certain refuges in the Southeast Region to meet wildlife management objectives. As part of the settlement agreement, we also agreed to discontinue cultivating and using the GMCs in the Southeast Region after the 2012 crop year and to refrain from such activities until 90 days after completion of an appropriate NEPA analysis of such activities. On July 17, 2014, the Chief of the Service's National Wildlife Refuge System issued a memorandum announcing that the use of GMCs to meet wildlife management objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System (System) would be phased out and discontinued by January 2016. Accordingly, we have concluded that our NEPA process is no longer necessary and, therefore, are notifying the public that we are discontinuing preparation of the PEA.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 109 (Monday, June 8, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32409-32410]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13842]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2014-N021; FXRS12610400000S3-145-FF04R02000]


National Wildlife Refuge System; Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for the Use of Genetically Modified Crops in National 
Wildlife Refuge Farming Programs in Region 4 (Southeast Region) of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Discontinuation of Preparation 
of NEPA Document

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of discontinuation of preparation of NEPA Document.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
in accordance with the negotiated settlement of a lawsuit, we, the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a notice in the Federal 
Register on April 30, 2013, announcing and inviting comments on our 
intention to develop a draft programmatic environmental assessment 
(PEA) of the effects of the cultivation and use of genetically modified 
crops (GMCs) on certain refuges in the Southeast Region to meet 
wildlife management objectives. As part of the settlement agreement, we 
also agreed to discontinue cultivating and using the GMCs in the 
Southeast Region after the 2012 crop year and to refrain from such 
activities until 90 days after completion of an appropriate NEPA 
analysis of such activities. On July 17, 2014, the Chief of the 
Service's National Wildlife Refuge System issued a memorandum 
announcing that the use of GMCs to meet wildlife management objectives 
within the National Wildlife Refuge System (System) would be phased out 
and discontinued by January 2016. Accordingly, we have concluded that 
our NEPA process is no longer necessary and, therefore, are notifying 
the public that we are discontinuing preparation of the PEA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom MacKenzie, by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    On April 30, 2013, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(78 FR 25297) announcing and inviting comments on our intention to 
prepare a PEA on the effects of the cultivation and use of GMCs on 
certain refuges in the Southeast Region. The Southeast Region is 
comprised of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the 
Caribbean. GMCs were primarily used on certain refuges in Alabama, 
Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North 
Carolina, to meet Service goals and objectives to provide migratory 
birds, especially waterfowl, with dependable high-energy food during 
the winter months.
    In 2011, three national nonprofit organizations, the Center for 
Food Safety, Beyond Pesticides, and Public Employees for Environmental 
Responsibility, sued the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, 
the Director of the Service, and the Service in Center for Food Safety, 
et al. v. Salazar, et al., Civil Action No. 11-1457 (DC 2011), on the 
Service's decision to allow GMCs to be cultivated on some 44,000 acres 
of refuge land in the Southeast Region. On November 5, 2012, the Court 
entered an Order adopting the negotiated settlement agreement of the 
Parties, which included a prohibition on the use of GMCs in the 
Southeast Region unless and until ninety (90) days after completion of 
appropriate NEPA analysis on such use.

[[Page 32410]]

Background

    In our April 30, 2013, Federal Register notice, we invited public 
input on our intent to prepare a PEA and requested submissions in the 
form of information and suggestions on the issues that should be 
considered during the NEPA planning process and in the PEA. We held 
five scoping meetings in Columbia, North Carolina; Decatur, Alabama; 
Dyersburg, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; and Alexandria, Louisiana. 
We also created a Web site on which the public could submit comments 
and suggestions.
    After the scoping meetings and receipt of comments via the Web 
site, we began drafting the PEA, and were engaged in doing so when the 
Chief of the Service's National Wildlife Refuge System issued the July 
17, 2014, memorandum announcing the phasing out of the use of GMCs to 
achieve wildlife management objectives throughout the National Wildlife 
Refuge System by January 2016. Upon issuance of the memorandum, we 
determined that the need to prepare the PEA no longer existed and 
abandoned such preparation.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 
seq.).

    Dated: March 27, 2015.
Michael Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2015-13842 Filed 6-5-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 109 / Monday, June 8, 2015 / Notices 32409

(OMB) for review, in accordance with B. Solicitation of Public Comment effects of the cultivation and use of
the Paperwork Reduction Act. The This notice is soliciting comments genetically modified crops (GMCs) on
purpose of this notice is to allow for an from members of the public and affected certain refuges in the Southeast Region
additional 30 days of public comment. parties concerning the collection of to meet wildlife management objectives.
DATES: Comments Due Date: July 8, information described in Section A on As part of the settlement agreement, we
2015. the following: also agreed to discontinue cultivating
(1) Whether the proposed collection and using the GMCs in the Southeast
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are Region after the 2012 crop year and to
invited to submit comments regarding of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of refrain from such activities until 90 days
this proposal. Comments should refer to after completion of an appropriate
the proposal by name and/or OMB the agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility; NEPA analysis of such activities. On
Control Number and should be sent to: July 17, 2014, the Chief of the Service’s
HUD Desk Officer, Office of (2) The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed National Wildlife Refuge System issued
Management and Budget, New a memorandum announcing that the use
Executive Office Building, Washington, collection of information;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, of GMCs to meet wildlife management
DC 20503; fax: 202–395–5806. Email: objectives within the National Wildlife
utility, and clarity of the information to
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov. Refuge System (System) would be
be collected; and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (4) Ways to minimize the burden of phased out and discontinued by January
Colette Pollard, Reports Management the collection of information on those 2016. Accordingly, we have concluded
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing who are to respond; including through that our NEPA process is no longer
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street the use of appropriate automated necessary and, therefore, are notifying
SW., Washington, DC 20410; email at collection techniques or other forms of the public that we are discontinuing
Colette Pollard@hud.gov or telephone information technology, e.g., permitting preparation of the PEA.
202–402–3400. Persons with hearing or electronic submission of responses. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
speech impairments may access this HUD encourages interested parties to MacKenzie, by email at tom_
number through TTY by calling the toll- submit comment in response to these mackenzie@fws.gov.
free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877– questions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
8339. This is not a toll-free number.
Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
Copies of available documents Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. Introduction
submitted to OMB may be obtained On April 30, 2013, we published a
from Ms. Pollard. Dated: May 29, 2015.
Colette Pollard,
notice in the Federal Register (78 FR
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 25297) announcing and inviting
notice informs the public that HUD has Department Reports Management Officer,
Office of the Chief Information Officer.
comments on our intention to prepare a
submitted to OMB a request for PEA on the effects of the cultivation and
[FR Doc. 2015–13912 Filed 6–5–15; 8:45 am]
approval of the information collection use of GMCs on certain refuges in the
described in Section A. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
Southeast Region. The Southeast Region
The Federal Register notice that is comprised of Alabama, Arkansas,
solicited public comment on the Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky,
information collection for a period of 60 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
days was published on March 13, 2015 South Carolina, and the Caribbean.
at 80 FR 13413. Fish and Wildlife Service
GMCs were primarily used on certain
A. Overview of Information Collection [FWS–R4–R–2014–N021; refuges in Alabama, Arkansas,
FXRS12610400000S3–145–FF04R02000] Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Title of Information Collection: Mississippi, and North Carolina, to meet
Multifamily Financial Management National Wildlife Refuge System; Draft Service goals and objectives to provide
Template. Programmatic Environmental migratory birds, especially waterfowl,
OMB Approval Number: 2502–0551. Assessment for the Use of Genetically with dependable high-energy food
Type of Request: Extension of a Modified Crops in National Wildlife during the winter months.
currently approved collection. Refuge Farming Programs in Region 4 In 2011, three national nonprofit
Form Numbers: None. (Southeast Region) of the United organizations, the Center for Food
Description of the need for the States Fish and Wildlife Service; Safety, Beyond Pesticides, and Public
information and proposed use: Owners Discontinuation of Preparation of Employees for Environmental
of certain HUD-insured and HUD- NEPA Document Responsibility, sued the Secretary of the
assisted properties are required to AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, the Director
submit annual financial statements to Interior. of the Service, and the Service in Center
HUD via the Internet in the HUD- ACTION: Notice of discontinuation of for Food Safety, et al. v. Salazar, et al.,
prescribed format and chart of accounts, preparation of NEPA Document. Civil Action No. 11–1457 (DC 2011), on
and in accordance with the generally the Service’s decision to allow GMCs to
accepted accounting principles (GAAP). SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National be cultivated on some 44,000 acres of
Respondents: Owners of certain HUD- Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and refuge land in the Southeast Region. On
insured and HUD-assisted properties.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

in accordance with the negotiated November 5, 2012, the Court entered an
Estimated Number of Respondents: settlement of a lawsuit, we, the U.S. Order adopting the negotiated
20,527. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), settlement agreement of the Parties,
Estimated Number of Responses: published a notice in the Federal which included a prohibition on the use
20,527. Register on April 30, 2013, announcing of GMCs in the Southeast Region unless
Frequency of Response: Annually. and inviting comments on our intention and until ninety (90) days after
Average Hours per Response: 14. to develop a draft programmatic completion of appropriate NEPA
Total Estimated Burdens: 287,378. environmental assessment (PEA) of the analysis on such use.

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32410 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 109 / Monday, June 8, 2015 / Notices

Background appointment to the Committee you do The Committee will meet
In our April 30, 2013, Federal not have to resubmit it. approximately 2–4 times annually, and
Register notice, we invited public input DATES: Written nominations must be at such times as designated by the DFO.
on our intent to prepare a PEA and received by July 8, 2015. The Secretary of the Interior will
requested submissions in the form of appoint members to the Committee.
ADDRESSES: Send nominations to: Robin
information and suggestions on the Members appointed as special
O’Malley, Policy and Partnership
issues that should be considered during Government employees are required to
Coordinator, National Climate Change
the NEPA planning process and in the file on an annual basis a confidential
and Wildlife Science Center, U.S.
PEA. We held five scoping meetings in financial disclosure report.
Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley
Columbia, North Carolina; Decatur, No individual who is currently
Drive, Mail Stop 516, Reston, VA 20192,
Alabama; Dyersburg, Tennessee; registered as a Federal lobbyist is
romalley@usgs.gov.
Natchez, Mississippi; and Alexandria, eligible to serve as a member of the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Committee.
Louisiana. We also created a Web site Robin O’Malley, Policy and Partnership
on which the public could submit Coordinator, National Climate Change Robin O’Malley,
comments and suggestions. and Wildlife Science Center, U.S. Designated Federal Officer, ACCCNRS.
After the scoping meetings and Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley [FR Doc. 2015–13859 Filed 6–5–15; 8:45 am]
receipt of comments via the Web site, Drive, Mail Stop 516, Reston, VA 20192, BILLING CODE 4311–MP–P
we began drafting the PEA, and were romalley@usgs.gov.
engaged in doing so when the Chief of
the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
30, 2015, the U.S. Department of the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
System issued the July 17, 2014,
memorandum announcing the phasing Interior (DOI) published a notice Office of the Secretary
out of the use of GMCs to achieve inviting nominations for the Advisory
wildlife management objectives Committee on Climate Change and [XXXD5198NI DS61100000
Natural Resource Science (Committee). DNINR0000.000000 DX61104]
throughout the National Wildlife Refuge
System by January 2016. Upon issuance The Committee provides advice on
matters and actions relating to the Meetings; Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public
of the memorandum, we determined Advisory Committee
that the need to prepare the PEA no establishment and operations of the U.S.
longer existed and abandoned such Geological Survey National Climate AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
preparation. Change and Wildlife Science Center and
ACTION: Meeting notice.
the DOI Climate Science Centers. See:
Authority https://nccwsc.usgs.gov/acccnrs for SUMMARY: The Department of the
This notice is published under the more information. Interior, Office of the Secretary is
authority of the National Wildlife The Department has determined that announcing a public meeting of the
Refuge System Improvement Act of additional time is required to enable Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory
1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). members to be nominated for the Committee.
Dated: March 27, 2015.
committee. DATES: June 29, 2015, at 1:30 p.m.
We are seeking nominations for
Michael Oetker, ADDRESSES: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
individuals involved in specific
Acting Regional Director. Trustee Council Conference Room,
interests, noted below, to be considered
[FR Doc. 2015–13842 Filed 6–5–15; 8:45 am] Grace Hall, 4230 University Drive,
as Committee members. Nominations
Anchorage, AK 99508.
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P should include a resume that describes
the nominee’s qualifications in enough FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
detail to enable us to make an informed Philip Johnson, Department of the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR decision regarding meeting the Interior, Office of Environmental Policy
membership requirements of the and Compliance, 1689 ‘‘C’’ Street, Suite
Geological Survey 119, Anchorage, Alaska, (907) 271–
Committee and to contact a potential
[GX15EN05ESB0500] member. 5011.
Members of the Committee will be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Exxon
Reopening of Nomination Period for composed of approximately 25 members Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory
Members of the Advisory Committee from both the Federal Government, and Committee was created by Paragraph
on Climate Change and Natural the following interests: (1) State and V.A.4 of the Memorandum of
Resource Science local governments, including state Agreement and Consent Decree entered
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, membership entities; (2) Non- into by the United States of America
Interior. governmental organizations, including and the State of Alaska on August 27,
ACTION: Notice. those whose primary mission is 1991, and approved by the United States
professional and scientific and those District Court for the District of Alaska
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the whose primary mission is conservation in settlement of United States of
Interior published a notice inviting and related scientific and advocacy America v. State of Alaska, Civil Action
nominations for non-Federal members activities; (3) American Indian tribes No. A91–081 CV.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

of the Advisory Committee on Climate and other Native American entities; (4) The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public
Change and Natural Resource Science Academia; (5) Individual landowners; Advisory Committee Meeting agenda
(Committee). The closing date for and (6) Business interests. will focus on review of the current draft
nominations was June 1, 2015. This In addition, the Committee may of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee
Federal Register Notice reopens the include scientific experts, and will Council’s Fiscal Year 2017–2021
nomination and comment period for 30 include rotating representation from one Invitation for Proposals. An opportunity
days. If you have already submitted or more of the institutions that host the for public comments will be provided.
information to be considered for DOI Climate Science Centers. The final agenda and materials for the

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Document Created: 2018-02-22 10:12:49
Document Modified: 2018-02-22 10:12:49

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of discontinuation of preparation of NEPA Document.
Contact		Tom MacKenzie, by email at [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 32409

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 109 (June 8, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service