[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 176 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47726-47728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22706]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
43 CFR Parts 6400 and 8350

RIN 1004-AC87


Wild and Scenic Rivers

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: In response to President Clinton's Government-wide regulatory 
reform initiative, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to 
write the regulation on wild and scenic rivers in a straightforward 
``Plain English'' style. This regulation would establish uniform 
standards and procedures by which BLM will consider Federal licensing 
of, or assistance to, water resource projects on components affecting 
Wild and Scenic Rivers or Study Rivers administered by the Secretary of 
the Interior, through the Director, BLM. The regulation would harmonize 
BLM's procedures and definitions with those of the U.S. Forest Service 
to streamline and improve the administration of the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System.

DATES: Submit comments by October 10, 1996. BLM may, but need not, 
consider comments received or postmarked after this date in preparing 
the final rule.

ADDRESSES: Commenters may hand-deliver comments to the Bureau of Land 
Management, Administrative Record, Room 401, 1620 L St., NW, 
Washington, DC; or mail comments to the Bureau of Land Management, 
Administrative Record, Room 401LS, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20240. Commenters may transmit comments electronically via the Internet 
to: [email protected]. [For Internet, please include 
``Attn: AC87'', your name and address in your message.]
    Comments will be available for public review at the L Street 
address during regular business hours, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Marsh, Special Areas and Land Tenure Team, (202) 452-7795.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Comment Procedures
II. Discussion of Proposed Rule
III. Procedural Matters

I. Public Comment Procedures

    Written comments on the proposed rule should be specific, focus on 
issues pertinent to the proposed rule, and explain the reason for any 
recommended change. Where possible, comments should reference the 
specific section or paragraph of the proposal being addressed. If 
comments are received or postmarked after the close of the comment 
period (see DATES) or delivered to an address other than the one listed 
above (See ADDRESSES), BLM will not necessarily consider or include 
them in the Administrative Record for the final rule.

II. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule follows up an Advance Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking that the BLM published in the June 5, 1996, Federal Register 
(61 FR 28546). That advance notice notified the public of the 
restructuring of 43 CFR Parts 6000-9000, and of BLM's plans to publish 
proposed rules for those parts in the near future. BLM now proposes to 
renumber and revise present Part 8350 of 43 CFR under the authority of 
Section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1278). That Act directs Federal agencies to protect the free-flowing 
condition and other values of designated rivers and congressionally-
authorized study rivers from the harmful effects of proposed water 
resources projects.
    The proposed rule sets forth applicable procedures that the 
Director, BLM, uses in administering Federal assistance for proposed 
water resources projects affecting Wild and Scenic Rivers or Study 
Rivers. This regulation is consistent with that of the Forest Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, at 36 CFR Part 297.

III. Procedural Matters

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    The BLM has prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA), and has 
made a tentative finding that the final rule would not constitute a 
major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969

[[Page 47727]]

(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C). The BLM anticipates making a Finding of 
No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the final rule in accordance with the 
BLM's procedures under NEPA. The BLM has placed the EA on file in the 
BLM Administrative Record at the address specified previously. The BLM 
will complete an EA on the final rule and make a finding on the 
significance of any resulting impacts prior to promulgation of the 
final rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposed rule does not contain information collection 
requirements that the Office of Management and Budget must approve 
under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act

    BLM has determined that the proposed rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This proposed rule does not include any Federal mandate that may 
result in expenditures of $100 million or more in any one year by 
State, local, and tribal governments in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector. Therefore, a Section 202 statement under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act is not required.

Executive Order 12612

    BLM has analyzed this rule under the principles and criteria in 
Executive Order 12612 and has determined that the rule does not have 
sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment.

Executive Order 12630

    BLM certifies that the rule does not represent a governmental 
action capable of interference with constitutionally protected property 
rights. Thus, a Takings Implication Assessment need not be prepared 
under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with 
Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Executive Order 12866

    The proposed rule does not meet the criteria for significant 
regulatory action requiring review by the Office of Management and 
Budget under Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review.

Executive Order 12988

    The Department has determined that this rule meets the applicable 
standards in Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform.

Author

    The principal author of this rule is Frances Watson, Regulatory 
Management Team, (202) 452-5006.

List of Subjects

43 CFR Part 6400

    National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

43 CFR Part 8350

    National Trails System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, 
Penalties, Public lands.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble and under the authority 
of 43 U.S.C. 1740, BLM proposes to amend chapter II of Title 43 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below:
    1. Part 8350 is removed.
    2. A new part 6400 is added to read as follows:

PART 6400--WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS

Subpart A--Introduction

Sec.
6400.1  What is the purpose of part 6400?
6400.2  How are key terms in this part defined?

Subpart B--Proposed Water Resources Projects

6400.10  What procedures must a Federal department or agency follow 
to receive consideration from BLM before providing assistance to, or 
authorization of, a water resources project?
6400.11  Under what conditions will the Director approve Federal 
assistance to, or authorization of, a water resources project?
6400.12  What is the time limit for the Director to approve Federal 
assistance to, or authorization of, a water resources project?

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1271-1288.

Subpart A--Introduction


Sec. 6400.1  What is the purpose of part 6400?

    Part 6400 specifies BLM policies and procedures for administering 
Federal assistance or licensing of water resources projects affecting 
Wild and Scenic Rivers or Study Rivers.


Sec. 6400.2  How are key terms in this part defined?

    As used in part 6400:
    Act means the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (82 Stat. 906, as amended; 
16 U.S.C. 1271-1288).
    Construction means any action carried on with Federal assistance 
affecting the free-flowing characteristics or the outstandingly 
remarkable values of a Wild and Scenic River or Study River.
    Federal assistance means any assistance by an authorizing agency 
before, during, or after construction. Such assistance may include, 
among other examples, a license, permit, preliminary permit, or other 
authorization granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(FERC) under sections 4 (e) and (f) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 
797); a license, permit or other authorization granted by the Corps of 
Engineer, Department of the Army, under the Rivers and Harbors Act of 
1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) and section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 
U.S.C. 1344); or any other license, permit, assistance, or 
authorization required by a Federal department or agency.
    Free-flowing means existing or flowing in a natural condition 
without impoundment, diversion, straightening, rip-rapping, or other 
modification of the waterway, as defined by section 16(b) of the Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1286(b)).
    Study period means the time during which the BLM will study an 
eligible river as a potential component of the Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System. The study period may last up to 3 additional years for 
Congressional consideration of a report recommending designation, or 
such additional time as may be provided by statute.
    Study river means a river and the adjacent area within one quarter 
mile on each side of the river from the ordinary high water mark (or 
other width as identified by the Congress), which is designated for 
study as a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System under section 5(a) of the Act.
    Water resources project means any project under the Federal Power 
Act (41 Stat. 1063, 16 U.S.C. 791a) as amended, or other construction 
of developments which may affect the free-flowing characteristics of a 
Wild and Scenic River or Study River. Examples could include, among 
others, dams, water conduits, reservoirs, powerhouses, transmission 
lines, water diversion projects; dredge and fill operations, fisheries 
habitat and watershed restoration/enhancement projects; bridge and 
other roadway construction/reconstruction projects; bank stabilization 
projects; channelization projects; recreation facilities such as boat 
ramps and fishing piers; and activities such as suction dredging 
associated with mining.
    Wild and scenic river means a river and the adjacent area within 
the boundaries of a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System.

[[Page 47728]]

Subpart B--Proposed Water Resources Projects


Sec. 6400.10  What procedures must a Federal department agency follow 
to receive consideration from BLM before providing assistance to, or 
authorization of, a water resources project?

    (a) Advance notice. (1) Federal department sand agencies must 
notify the Director, BLM, as soon as possible of their intention to 
issue a license, permit, or other authorization for a federally-
assisted water resources project on any portion of a Wild and Scenic 
River or Study River administered by the BLM.
    (2) Agencies must send advance notice at least 60 days before the 
date of the proposed action.
    (3) Agencies should send the notice to the Director, Bureau of Land 
Management, 1620 L Street NW., WO-420, Mail stop 204LS, Washington, DC 
20240-9998.
    (b) Contents of notice. Include the following information in the 
notice:
    (1) Name and location of affected river;
    (2) Location of the project;
    (3) Nature of the permit or other authorization proposed to be 
issued;
    (4) Description of the proposed activity; and
    (5) Any relevant information, such as plans, maps, environmental 
studies, assessments, or impact statements, alternatives, and 
mitigating measures.


Sec. 6400.111  Under what conditions will the Director approve Federal 
assistance to, or authorization of, a water resources project?

    (a) The Director will approve Federal assistance to, or 
authorization of, a water resources project if he or she determines 
that:
    (1) The water resources project will not have a direct and adverse 
effect on the values for which a Wild and Scenic River was designated 
or Study River was authorized, when any portion of the project is 
within the boundaries of such river; or
    (2) The effects of the water resources project will neither invade 
nor unreasonably diminish the scenic, recreational, and fish and 
wildlife values of a Wild and Scenic River, when any portion of the 
project is located above, below, or outside the Wild and Scenic River; 
or
    (3) The effects of the water resources project will neither invade 
nor diminish the scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values of 
Study River when the project is located above, below, or outside the 
Study River during the study periods; and
    (4) The water resources project is in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
    (b) If the proposed assistance or authorization fails to meet the 
above conditions, the Director will disapprove an authorization for a 
water resources project.


Sec. 6400.12  What is the time limit for the Director to approve 
Federal assistance to, or authorization of, a water resources project?

    The Director must approve or disapprove an authorization for a 
water resources project within 60 calendar days of receiving the 
advance notice. The Director, to the extent possible, will expedite 
consideration of a notice of intent for a project it is needed to 
address an emergency.

    Dated: August 27, 1996.
Sylvia V. Baca,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 96-22706 Filed 9-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-M