80_FR_81744 80 FR 81494 - Extension of Comment Period on the Proposed Rule on Roadless Area Conservation; National Forests System Lands in Colorado

80 FR 81494 - Extension of Comment Period on the Proposed Rule on Roadless Area Conservation; National Forests System Lands in Colorado

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 250 (December 30, 2015)

Page Range81494-81495
FR Document2015-32872

The Forest Service published a notice in the Federal Register on November 20, 2015, initiating a 45-day comment period on the proposed rule on Roadless Area Conservation; National Forests System Lands in Colorado. The closing date for the 45-day comment period was January 4, 2016. The Agency is extending the comment period to January 15, 2016.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 81494-81495]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32872]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 294

RIN 0596-AD26


Extension of Comment Period on the Proposed Rule on Roadless Area 
Conservation; National Forests System Lands in Colorado

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service published a notice in the Federal Register 
on November 20, 2015, initiating a 45-day comment period on the 
proposed rule on Roadless Area Conservation; National Forests System 
Lands in Colorado. The closing date for the 45-day comment period was 
January 4, 2016. The Agency is extending the comment period to January 
15, 2016.

DATES: The closing date for the proposed rule published on November 20, 
2015 (80 FR 72665) has been extended. Comments must be received by 
January 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically via the Internet to 
go.usa.gov/3JQwJ or to www.regulations.gov. Send written comments to: 
Colorado Roadless Rule, 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401.
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, will be 
placed in the project record and available for public inspections and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received on this proposed rule 
at USDA, Forest Service, Ecosystem Management Coordination Staff, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on 
business days. Those wishing to inspect comments should call (202) 205-
0895 ahead to facilitate an appointment and entrance to the building. 
Comments may also be inspected at USDA, Forest Service Rocky Mountain 
Regional Office, Strategic Planning Staff, 740 Simms, Golden, Colorado, 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on business days. Those wishing to inspect 
comments at the Regional Office should call (303) 275-5156 ahead to 
facilitate an appointment and entrance to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Tu, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, 
Rocky Mountain Regional Office at (303) 275-5156.
    Individuals using telecommunication devices for the deaf may call 
the Federal Information Relay Services at 1-800-

[[Page 81495]]

877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The State of Colorado maintains that coal mining in the North Fork 
Coal Mining Area provides an important economic contribution and 
stability for the communities of the North Fork Valley. USDA and the 
Forest Service are committed to contributing to energy security, and 
carrying out the government's overall policy to foster and encourage 
orderly and economic development of domestic mineral resources.
    All existing Federal coal leases within CRAs occur in the North 
Fork Valley near Paonia, Colorado on the GMUG National Forests. Coal 
from this area meets the Clean Air Act definition for compliant and 
super-compliant coal, which means it has high energy value and low 
sulphur, ash, and mercury content. There are two mines currently 
holding leases within CRAs. One is operating, producing approximately 
5.2 million tons of coal annually. The second is currently idle due to 
a fire and flood within their mine operation. The final rule 
accommodates continued coal mining opportunities within the North Fork 
Coal Mining Area. At approximately 19,500 acres, this area is less than 
0.5% of the total 4.2 million acres of CRAs. The North Fork Coal Mining 
Area exception allows for the construction of temporary roads for 
exploration and surface activities related to coal mining for existing 
and future coal leases. The reinstatement of this exception does not 
approve any future coal leases, nor does it make a decision about the 
leasing availability of any coal within the State. Those decisions 
would need to undergo separate environmental analyses, public input, 
and decision-making.
    A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) has been 
prepared to complement the 2012 Final EIS for the Colorado Roadless 
Rule. The SEIS is limited in scope to address the deficiencies 
identified by the District Court of Colorado in High Country 
Conservation Advocates v. United States Forest Service (13-01723, D. 
Col), correction of boundary information, and to address scoping 
comments. In conjunction with the 2012 Final EIS, the SEIS discloses 
the environmental consequences of reinstating the North Fork Coal 
Mining Area exception into the Colorado Roadless Rule.
    The Forest Service wants to ensure that there is sufficient time 
for potentially affected parties, including States, to comment. Thus 
the Agency is providing an extended comment period for the proposed 
rule and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
    Reviewers may obtain a copy of the proposed rule and SEIS from the 
Forest Service Colorado Roadless staff Web site at go.usa.gov/3JQw, or 
from Regulations.gov Web site, www.regulations.gov.

    Dated: December 22, 2015.
Thomas L. Tidwell,
Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32872 Filed 12-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P

81494 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules beginning of the State’s fiscal year, the figures under paragraph (c) of this DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE State may request permission from the section, the State accounts for special Secretary to make estimated or cost differentials that meet the Forest Service preliminary State aid payments that requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of this consider a portion of Impact Aid section in one of four ways: 36 CFR Part 294 payments as local resources in RIN 0596–AD26 (1) The Inclusion Method on a accordance with this section. (ii) The State must include with its Revenue Basis. The State divides total revenues by a weighted pupil count that Extension of Comment Period on the request an assurance that if the Proposed Rule on Roadless Area Secretary determines that the State does includes only those weights associated Conservation; National Forests System not meet the requirements of section with the special cost differentials. Lands in Colorado 222.162 for that State fiscal year, the (2) The Inclusion Method on an State must pay to each affected LEA, Expenditure Basis. The State divides AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. within 60 days of the Secretary’s total current expenditures by a weighted ACTION: Notice of proposed rule; determination, the amount by which the pupil count that includes only those extension of comment period. State reduced State aid to the LEA. weights associated with the special cost (iii) In determining whether to grant SUMMARY: The Forest Service published differentials. a notice in the Federal Register on permission, the Secretary may consider factors including whether— (3) The Exclusion Method on a November 20, 2015, initiating a 45-day (A) The Secretary certified the State Revenue Basis. The State subtracts comment period on the proposed rule under § 222.162 in the prior State fiscal revenues associated with the special on Roadless Area Conservation; year; and cost differentials from total revenues, National Forests System Lands in (B) Substantially the same State aid and divides this net amount by an Colorado. The closing date for the 45- program is in effect since the date of the unweighted pupil count. day comment period was January 4, last certification. 2016. The Agency is extending the (4) The Exclusion Method on an (b) * * * comment period to January 15, 2016. Expenditure Basis. The State subtracts (3) For a State that has not previously DATES: The closing date for the current expenditures that come from been certified by the Secretary under proposed rule published on November revenues associated with the special § 222.162, or if the last certification was 20, 2015 (80 FR 72665) has been more than two years prior, the State cost differentials from total current extended. Comments must be received submits projected data showing whether expenditures, and divides this net by January 15, 2016. it meets the disparity standard in amount by an unweighted pupil count. ADDRESSES: Comments may be § 222.162. The projected data must * * * * * submitted electronically via the Internet show the resulting amounts of State aid ■ 20. Section 222.164 is amended by to go.usa.gov/3JQwJ or to as if the State were certified to consider revising paragraph (a)(2) to read as www.regulations.gov. Send written Impact Aid in making State aid follows: comments to: Colorado Roadless Rule, payments. 740 Simms Street, Golden, CO 80401. (c) Definitions. The following § 222.164 What procedures does the All comments, including names and definitions apply to this subpart: Secretary follow in making a determination addresses when provided, will be Current expenditures is defined in under section 8009? placed in the project record and section 8013(4) of the Act. Additionally, available for public inspections and (a) * * * for the purposes of this section it does copying. The public may inspect not include expenditures of funds (2) Whenever a proceeding under this comments received on this proposed received by the agency under sections subpart is initiated, the party initiating rule at USDA, Forest Service, Ecosystem 8002 and 8003(b) (including hold the proceeding shall provide either the Management Coordination Staff, 1400 harmless payments calculated under State or all LEAs with a complete copy Independence Ave. SW., Washington, section 8003(e)) that are not taken into of the submission required in paragraph DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on consideration under the State aid (b) of this section. Following receipt of business days. Those wishing to inspect program and exceed the proportion of the submission, the Secretary shall comments should call (202) 205–0895 those funds that the State would be notify the State and all LEAs in the State ahead to facilitate an appointment and allowed to take into consideration under of their right to request from the entrance to the building. Comments may § 222.162. Secretary, within 30 days of the also be inspected at USDA, Forest (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7709) initiation of a proceeding, the Service Rocky Mountain Regional ■ 19. Section 222.162 is amended: opportunity to present their views to the Office, Strategic Planning Staff, 740 ■ A. In paragraph (c)(2) introductory Secretary before the Secretary makes a Simms, Golden, Colorado, between 8 text, by removing the phrase ‘‘on those determination. a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on business days. bases’’ in the first sentence and adding * * * * * Those wishing to inspect comments at in its place ‘‘using one of the methods [FR Doc. 2015–32618 Filed 12–29–15; 8:45 am] the Regional Office should call (303) in paragraph (d)’’. BILLING CODE 4000–01–P 275–5156 ahead to facilitate an ■ B. Revising paragraph (d). appointment and entrance to the mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS The revision reads as follows: building. § 222.162 What disparity standard must a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken State meet in order to be certified and how Tu, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, are disparities in current expenditures or Rocky Mountain Regional Office at (303) revenues per pupil measured? 275–5156. * * * * * Individuals using telecommunication (d) Accounting for Special Cost devices for the deaf may call the Federal Differentials. In computing per-pupil Information Relay Services at 1–800– VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Dec 29, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\30DEP1.SGM 30DEP1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules 81495 877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. providing an extended comment period Preparation of Exceptional Events Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. for the proposed rule and Supplemental Demonstrations for Wildfire Events that SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Environmental Impact Statement. May Influence Ozone Concentrations,’’ Reviewers may obtain a copy of the the Docket ID No. is EPA–HQ–OAR– Background proposed rule and SEIS from the Forest 2015–0229. Information on both of these The State of Colorado maintains that Service Colorado Roadless staff Web site actions is posted at http:// coal mining in the North Fork Coal at go.usa.gov/3JQw, or from www2.epa.gov/air-quality-analysis/ Mining Area provides an important Regulations.gov Web site, treatment-data-influenced-exceptional- economic contribution and stability for www.regulations.gov. events. Submit your comments, the communities of the North Fork Dated: December 22, 2015. identified by the appropriate Docket ID, Valley. USDA and the Forest Service are committed to contributing to energy Thomas L. Tidwell, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: security, and carrying out the Chief, Forest Service. http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the government’s overall policy to foster [FR Doc. 2015–32872 Filed 12–29–15; 8:45 am] online instructions for submitting and encourage orderly and economic BILLING CODE 3411–15–P comments. Once submitted, comments development of domestic mineral cannot be edited or withdrawn. The resources. EPA may publish any comment received All existing Federal coal leases within ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION to its public docket. Do not submit CRAs occur in the North Fork Valley AGENCY electronically any information you near Paonia, Colorado on the GMUG consider to be Confidential Business National Forests. Coal from this area 40 CFR Part 50 Information (CBI) or other information meets the Clean Air Act definition for [EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0572, EPA–HQ–OAR– whose disclosure is restricted by statute. compliant and super-compliant coal, 2015–0229; FRL–9940–78–OAR] If you need to include CBI as part of which means it has high energy value your comment, please visit http:// and low sulphur, ash, and mercury RIN 2060–AS02 www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html content. There are two mines currently for instructions. Multimedia Treatment of Data Influenced by holding leases within CRAs. One is submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be Exceptional Events operating, producing approximately 5.2 accompanied by a written comment. million tons of coal annually. The AGENCY: Environmental Protection The written comment is considered the second is currently idle due to a fire and Agency (EPA). official comment and should include flood within their mine operation. The ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of final rule accommodates continued coal discussion of all points you wish to availability of related guidance; make. mining opportunities within the North extension of comment period. Fork Coal Mining Area. At For additional submission methods, approximately 19,500 acres, this area is SUMMARY: On November 20, 2015, the the full EPA public comment policy, less than 0.5% of the total 4.2 million Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and general guidance on making acres of CRAs. The North Fork Coal proposed a rule titled, ‘‘Treatment of effective comments, please visit http:// Mining Area exception allows for the Data Influenced by Exceptional Events.’’ www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html. construction of temporary roads for The EPA is extending the comment exploration and surface activities period on the proposed rule and the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For related to coal mining for existing and notice of availability of the related draft additional information on this action, future coal leases. The reinstatement of guidance that was scheduled to close on contact Beth W. Palma, Office of Air this exception does not approve any January 19, 2016. The new comment Quality Planning and Standards, future coal leases, nor does it make a closing date will be February 3, 2016. Environmental Protection Agency decision about the leasing availability of We are extending the comment period at (C539–04), Research Triangle Park, any coal within the State. Those the request of several stakeholders to North Carolina 27711; telephone decisions would need to undergo allow interested parties additional time number (919) 541–5432; email address: separate environmental analyses, public to thoroughly review and analyze the palma.elizabeth@epa.gov. input, and decision-making. noted documents and provide A Supplemental Environmental SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: After meaningful comments. Impact Statement (SEIS) has been considering the request of several DATES: The public comment period for stakeholders, the EPA has decided to prepared to complement the 2012 Final the proposed rule and notice of extend the public comment period for EIS for the Colorado Roadless Rule. The availability of related draft guidance this action until February 3, 2016. This SEIS is limited in scope to address the published in the Federal Register on extension will allow interested parties deficiencies identified by the District November 20, 2015 (80 FR 72840), is Court of Colorado in High Country additional time to thoroughly review being extended. Written comments must Conservation Advocates v. United and analyze the noted documents and be received on or before February 3, States Forest Service (13–01723, D. Col), provide meaningful comments. 2016. correction of boundary information, and Dated: December 21, 2015. to address scoping comments. In ADDRESSES: The EPA has established conjunction with the 2012 Final EIS, the separate dockets for the proposed Stephen D. Page, mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SEIS discloses the environmental rulemaking and the related draft Director, Office of Air Quality Planning and consequences of reinstating the North guidance (available at http:// Standards. Fork Coal Mining Area exception into www.regulations.gov). For the proposed [FR Doc. 2015–32899 Filed 12–29–15; 8:45 am] the Colorado Roadless Rule. rulemaking titled, ‘‘Treatment of Data BILLING CODE 6560–50–P The Forest Service wants to ensure Influenced by Exceptional Events,’’ the that there is sufficient time for Docket ID No. is EPA–HQ–OAR–2013– potentially affected parties, including 0572. For the related draft guidance States, to comment. Thus the Agency is titled, ‘‘Draft Guidance on the VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:44 Dec 29, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\30DEP1.SGM 30DEP1


Document Created: 2015-12-30 03:15:56
Document Modified: 2015-12-30 03:15:56
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rule; extension of comment period.
DatesThe closing date for the proposed rule published on November 20, 2015 (80 FR 72665) has been extended. Comments must be received by January 15, 2016.
ContactKen Tu, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Rocky Mountain Regional Office at (303) 275-5156.
FR Citation80 FR 81494 
RIN Number0596-AD26
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