From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Jorjani, Daniel Katharine Macgregor; (b) (6) - Kathleen Benedetto doug domenech@ios.doi.gov; James Cason Fwd: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction Friday, January 27, 2017 4:48:41 AM FedReg ErrataNoticeRequest Briefing Memo 01.25.17.docx Notice of Application Superior Jan 19 2017.pdf Superior NF Application FS.Notice.13Jan2017.pdf Public Meeting Notice.pdf Kate and Kathy - FYI re Twin Metals ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Cardinale, Richard Date: Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 6:41 PM Subject: Fwd: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction To: Daniel Jorjani , Juliette Lillie Good Evening, Dan and Julie.  Attached please find an Information Memo and attachments in connection with the Twin Metals withdrawal application and segregation to be discussed at tomorrow's 11:30 meeting. Rich ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Bail, Kristin Date: Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 6:21 PM Subject: Fwd: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction To: Richard Cardinale Cc: "Anderson, Michael" , Yolando Mack-Thompson , Anita Bilbao Rich -- Here are the briefing materials for the Twin Metals/Boundary Waters Federal Register notice for tomorrow's meeting.  -K ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Winston, Beverly Date: Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 5:53 PM Subject: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction To: Kristin Bail , Jerome Perez Cc: Matthew Allen , Janine Velasco , "Leff, Craig" Hi, Attached is ES briefing paper on the pending correction notice for the Notice of Application for the Superior withdrawal (and attachments). Let me know if you need anything else of this. Bev -- Bev Winston Bureau of Land Management Public Affairs 202-912-7239 bwinst0n@blm.gov INFORMATION/BRIEFING MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY – LAND AND MINERALS MANAGEMENT DATE: January 25, 2017 FROM: Kristin Bail, Acting Director – Bureau of Land Management SUBJECT: Request for Federal Register Errata Notice The purpose of this memorandum is to provide background information on a Federal Register notice titled “Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public Meeting” and to recommend a request to the Office of the Federal Register to publish an errata notice. The notice was published on January 19, 2017, with an error in the effective date. BACKGROUND Timeline • In a letter dated December 14, 2016, the USDA Forest Service submitted an application for a proposed withdrawal from mineral leasing, encompassing approximately 234, 328 acres of Federal mineral estate within the Superior National Forest, northern Minnesota. • The BLM prepared a Federal Register notice in accordance with 43 CFR §2310.2(a) to notify the public of the withdrawal application and to segregate the lands proposed for withdrawal for two-years from mineral leasing while the application is being processed. • The BLM’s notice was published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2017. • The BLM’s notice also announced the commencement of a 90-day public comment period and notice of a public meeting to be held March 16, 2017, in Duluth, MN. • On January 13, 2017, the USDA Forest Service published a separate Federal Register notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement related to the proposed withdrawal. The BLM’s Federal Register notice contains a typographical error: the end date for the segregation is specified as January 21, 2017 (a two-day segregation period). The BLM’s intention and consistent with the regulations at 43 CFR §2310.2(a), was to institute a two-year segregation (ending January 21, 2019), as noted in the BLM’s original submission to the Office of the Federal Register: For a period until [INSERT DATE 2 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER], subject to valid existing rights, the National Forest System lands described in this notice will be segregated from the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, unless the application is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. DISCUSSION When an error is noted upon publication, the Office of the Federal Register will typically issue an errata notice in a subsequent Federal Register publication. 1 Although published separately in accordance with each agency’s respective authorities, the BLM and the USDA Forest Service Federal Register notices were developed through a joint effort. The USDA Forest Service’s Federal Register notice acknowledges that the withdrawal application would subject the National Forest System lands to “…temporary segregation for up to 2 years from entry under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws.” The error has caused confusion and a great deal of external interest resulting in telephone calls and e-mails from concerned groups to the BLM Eastern States office as well as to the USDA Forest Service. We would like to correct this error to ensure clarity in the public process. This correction would not change the substance of this issue. The analysis of the proposed withdrawal is being conducted in accordance with existing regulations, and the analysis does not pre-suppose any particular decision on granting the 20-year withdrawal request. Nor does the withdrawal notice (or correction) constitute nor propose establishment of any new regulations. NEXT STEPS Request that the Office of the Federal Register be directed to publish an errata notice to correct their error, and thereby clarifying the establishment of a two-year segregation period. ATTACHMENTS 1. Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public Meeting; Minnesota (January 19, 2017), Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 12. 2. Superior National Forest; Minnesota; Application for Withdrawal (January 13, 2017), Federal Register Vol. 82, No. 9. 2 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices THENCE South 00°06′00″ West along said west line, a distance of 2502.98 feet to the point of beginning; THENCE South 89°07′50″ East, a distance of 805.67 feet; THENCE South 15°34′27″ West, a distance of 1473.72 feet to the point of intersection with the east and west center line of the southwest 1⁄4 of said Section 1; THENCE North 88°24′21″ West, along said east and west center line, a distance of 415.55 feet to the point of intersection with the aforementioned west line of the east 1210.00 feet of the west 1⁄2 of Section 1; THENCE North 00°06′00″ East along said west line, a distance of 1420.32 feet to the point of beginning. Containing 59.80 acres of land. Parcel No. 2 Sec. 1, lots 1 and 2, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, NE1⁄4NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, S1⁄2NW1⁄4SE1⁄4, N1⁄2SW1⁄4SE1⁄4, SW1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4, and N1⁄2SE1⁄4SW1⁄4SE1⁄4. Containing 224.56 acres of land. Parcel No. 3 Sec. 12, E1⁄2SE1⁄4. Containing 80.00 acres of land. The areas described for Parcels Nos. 1 through 3 aggregate 364.36 acres. Section 209(b) of the FLPMA authorizes the conveyance of the federally owned mineral interests in land to the surface owner when the surface interest is not federally owned, upon payment of administrative costs. The objective is to allow consolidation of the surface and mineral interests when either one of the following conditions exist: (1) There are no known mineral values in the land; or (2) Where continued Federal ownership of the mineral interests interferes with or precludes appropriate non-mineral development and such development is a more beneficial use of the land than mineral development. The applicant has deposited, a sum of funding sufficient to cover administrative costs, but not limited to, the cost for the mineral potential report. Subject to valid existing rights, on January 19, 2017 the federally owned mineral interests in the land described above are hereby segregated from all forms of appropriation under the public lands laws, including the mining laws, while the application is being processed to determine if either one of the two specified conditions exists and, if so, to otherwise comply with the procedural requirements of 43 CFR part 2720. The segregative effect shall terminate upon: (1) Issuance of a patent or other document of conveyance as to such mineral interests; (2) Final rejection of the application; or (3) January 22, 2019, whichever occurs first. Please submit all comments in writing to Benedict Parsons at the address listed above. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made available to the public at any time. While you can ask in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: 43 CFR 2720.1–1. Leon Thomas, Phoenix District Manager. [FR Doc. 2017–01203 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–32–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [MNES–058247] Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public Meeting; Minnesota Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The United States Forest Service (USFS) has filed an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) requesting that the Secretary of the Interior withdraw, for a 20-year term, approximately 234,328 acres of National Forest System lands within the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest from disposition under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the lands for up to 2 years from the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws while the withdrawal application is being processed. DATES: Comments regarding this withdrawal proposal must be received by April 19, 2017. The BLM and the USFS will hold a public meeting in connection with the proposed withdrawal on March 16, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Central Time (CT) at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802. During this 90-day comment period, the BLM and USFS will hold additional meetings in other areas of the State, notices of which will be provided in local newspapers or on agency Web sites. The USFS’ 90-day scoping period associated with preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) was announced on January 13, 2017 in the Federal SUMMARY: 6639 Register. The EIS will analyze the impacts of the proposed withdrawal and an amendment to the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Additional opportunities for public comment will be provided during the preparation of that EIS. ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this withdrawal proposal should be sent to the Deputy State Director of Geospatial Services, Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States Office, 20 M Street SE., Suite 950, Washington, DC 20003; or by facsimile at 202–912–7710. Comments sent by email will not be accepted. The March 16, 2017, BLM and USFS public meeting location is the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dominica VanKoten, BLM Eastern States Office, 202–912–7756 during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual. The Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The applicant is the USFS. The application requests the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw National Forest System lands in the Superior National Forest from disposition under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws for a period of 20 years to protect and preserve the natural resources and waters located within the Rainy River Watershed that flow into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area (MPA) in northeastern Minnesota. The lands will remain open to other forms of use and disposition as may be allowed by law on National Forest System lands, including the disposition of mineral materials. All the National Forest System Lands identified in the townships below and any lands acquired by the Federal government within the exterior boundaries described below are included in the withdrawal application. This area excludes the BWCAW and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness MPA, as depicted on the map entitled Appendix B: Superior National Forest, dated December 5, 2016. This map is available from the BLM Eastern States Office at the address listed above, and from the USFS Superior National Forest office, 8901 6640 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2017 / Notices Grand Ave. Pl, Duluth, Minnesota, 55808. National Forest System Lands Superior National Forest 4th Principal Meridian, Minnesota Tps. 61 and 62 N., Rs. 5 W. Tps. 60 to 62 N., Rs. 6 W. Tps. 59 and 61 N., Rs. 7 W. Tps. 59 to 61 N., Rs. 8 W. Tps. 58 to 61 N., Rs. 9 W. Tps. 57 to 62 N., Rs. 10 W. Tps. 57 to 63 N., Rs. 11 W. Tp. 59 N., R. 12 W. Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 12 W. Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 13 W. Tp. 63 N., R. 15 W. Tp. 63 N., R. 16 W. Tps. 65 to 67 N., Rs. 16 W. Tp. 64 N., R. 17 W. The areas described contain approximately 234,328 acres of National Forest System lands in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota, located adjacent to the BWCAW and the MPA. Non-Federal lands within the area proposed for withdrawal total approximately 190,321 acres in Cook, Lake and Saint Louis Counties. As nonFederal lands, these parcels would not be affected by the temporary segregation or proposed withdrawal unless they are subsequently acquired by the Federal Government. The temporary segregation and proposed withdrawal are subject to valid existing rights, which would be unaffected by these actions. As stated in the application, the purpose of the requested withdrawal is to protect and preserve the natural resources and waters within the Rainy River Watershed that flow into the BWCAW and the MPA from the effects of mining and mineral exploration. Congress designated the BWCAW and established the MPA to protect and preserve the ecological richness of the lakes, waterways, and forested wilderness along the Canadian border. The protection of the Rainy River Watershed would extend the preservation of the BWCAW and MPA as well as Voyageurs National Park and Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park, which are all interconnected through the unique hydrology of this region. The application further states that the use of a right-of-way, interagency agreement, or cooperative agreement would not adequately constrain mineral and geothermal leasing to provide adequate protection throughout this pristine natural area. According to the application, no alternative sites are feasible because the lands subject to the withdrawal application are the lands for which protection is sought from the impacts of exploration and development under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws. No water will be needed to fulfill the purpose of the requested withdrawal. The USFS will serve as the lead agency for the EIS analyzing the impacts of the proposed withdrawal. The USFS will designate the BLM as a cooperating agency. The BLM will independently evaluate and review the draft and final EISs and any other documents needed for the Secretary of the Interior to make a decision on the proposed withdrawal. Records related to the application may be examined by contacting the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above. For a period until April 19, 2017, all persons who wish to submit comments, suggestions, or objections in connection with the withdrawal application may present their views in writing to the BLM Deputy State Director of Geospatial Services at the BLM Eastern States Office address noted in the ADDRESSES section above. Comments, including the names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at that address during regular business hours. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Notice is hereby given that a public meeting in connection with the application for withdrawal will be held at Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, Minnesota 55802 on March 16, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT. The USFS will publish a notice of the time and place in a local newspaper at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the meeting. During this 90-day comment period, the BLM and USFS will hold additional meetings in other areas of the State, notices of which will be provided in local newspapers or on agency Web sites. For a period until January 21, 2017, subject to valid existing rights, the National Forest System lands described in this notice will be temporarily segregated from the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, unless the application is denied or canceled or the withdrawal is approved prior to that date. All other activities currently consistent with the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan could continue, including public recreation, mineral materials disposition and other activities compatible with preservation of the character of the area, subject to USFS discretionary approval, during the segregation period. The application will be processed in accordance with the regulations set forth in 43 CFR 2300. Karen E. Mouritsen, State Director, Eastern States Office. [FR Doc. 2017–01202 Filed 1–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLNM004000 L91450000.EJ000 16X.LVDIG16ZGK00] Notice of Application for a Recordable Disclaimer of Interest: Dimmit County, Texas Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received an application for a Recordable Disclaimer of Interest (Disclaimer of Interest) from Gringita, Ltd. pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and the regulations in 43 CFR subpart 1864, for certain mineral estate in Dimmit County, Texas. This notice is intended to inform the public of the pending application, give notice of BLM’s intention to grant the requested Disclaimer of Interest, and provide a public comment period for the proposed Disclaimer of Interest. DATES: Comments on this action should be received by April 19, 2017. ADDRESSES: Written comments must be sent to the Deputy State Director, Lands and Resources, BLM, New Mexico State Office, P.O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM 87502–0115. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Ledbetter, Realty Specialist, BLM Oklahoma Field Office, (405) 579–7172. Additional information pertaining to this application can be reviewed in case file TXNM114510 located in the Oklahoma Field Office, 201 Stephenson Parkway, Room 1200, Norman, Oklahoma 73072–2037. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the SUMMARY: 4282 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 9 / Friday, January 13, 2017 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Notice of Initiating the Assessment Phase of the Forest Plan Revision for the Salmon-Challis National Forest Forest Service, USDA. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Salmon-Challis National Forest, located in east central Idaho, is initiating the first phase of the forest planning process pursuant to the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning rule. This process will result in a revised forest land management plan (Forest Plan) which describes the strategic direction for management of forest resources on the Salmon-Challis National Forest for the next ten to fifteen years. The planning process encompasses threestages: assessment, plan revision, and monitoring. The first stage of the planning process involves assessing ecological, social, and economic conditions of the planning area, which is documented in an assessment report. The Forest is inviting the public to contribute in the development of the Assessment. The Forest will be hosting public forums near the end of February into early March 2017 with a second set of meetings forthcoming in June 2017. We will invite the public to share information relevant to the assessment including existing information, current trends, and local knowledge. Public engagement opportunities associated with the development of the Assessment will be announced on the Web site cited below. DATES: From January 2017 through August 2017, the public is invited to participate in the development of the Assessment. The draft assessment report for the Salmon-Challis National Forest is being initiated and is expected to be available in August 2017 on the Forest Web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/ scnf/. Following completion of the assessment, the Forest will initiate procedures pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to prepare and evaluate a revised forest plan. SUMMARY: Written correspondence can be sent to Salmon-Challis National Forest, 1206 S. Challis Street, Salmon, ID 83467, or sent via email to jmilligan@ fs.fed.us. All correspondence, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for public inspection and copying. ADDRESSES: Josh Milligan, Forest Plan Revision Team Leader at 208–756–5560. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– 800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday through Friday. More information on the planning process can also be found on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Planning Web site at http://www.fs. usda.gov/detail/scnf/home/?cid= FSEPRD522039. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires that every National Forest System (NFS) unit develop a land management plan (LMP). On April 9, 2012, the Forest Service finalized its land management planning rule (2012 Planning Rule, 36 CFR part 291), which describes requirements for the planning process and the content of the land management plans. Forest plans describe the strategic direction for management of forest resources for ten to fifteen years, and are adaptive and amendable as conditions change over time. Pursuant to the 2012 Forest Planning Rule (36 CFR part 219), the planning process encompasses threestages: assessment, plan revision, and monitoring. The first stage of the planning process involves assessing social, economic, and ecological conditions of the planning area, which is documented in an assessment report. This notice announces the start of the initial stage of the planning process, which is the development of the assessment report. The second stage, formal plan revision, involves the development of our Forest Plan in conjunction with the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement under the NEPA. Once the plan revision is completed, it will be subject to the objection procedures of 36 CFR part 219, subpart B, before it can be approved. The third stage of the planning process is the monitoring and evaluation of the revised plan, which is ongoing over the life of the revised plan. The assessment rapidly evaluates existing information about relevant ecological, economic, cultural and social conditions, trends, and sustainability and their relationship to land management plans within the context of the broader landscape. This information builds a common understanding prior to entering formal plan revision. The development of the assessment will include public engagement. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, the Salmon-Challis National Forest invites other governments, non-governmental parties, and the public to contribute in assessment development. The intent of public engagement during development of the assessment is to identify as much relevant information as possible to inform the upcoming plan revision process. We encourage contributors to share material about existing conditions, trends, and perceptions of social, economic, and ecological systems relevant to the planning process. The assessment also supports the development of relationships with key stakeholders that will be used throughout the plan revision process As public meetings, other opportunities for public engagement, and public review and comment opportunities are identified to assist with the development of the forest plan revision, public announcements will be made, notifications will be posted on the Forest’s Web site at: http:// www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/ and information will be sent out to the Forest’s mailing list. If anyone is interested in being on the Forest’s mailing list to receive these notifications, please contact Josh Milligan at the address identified above, or by sending an email jmilligan@ fs.fed.us. Responsible Official The responsible official for the revision of the land management plan for the Salmon-Challis National Forest is Charles Mark, Forest Supervisor, Salmon-Challis National Forest. Dated: January 4, 2017. Charles A. Mark, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2017–00684 Filed 1–12–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Superior National Forest; Minnesota; Application for Withdrawal Forest Service, USDA. Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: ACTION: The United States Forest Service (USFS) has submitted an application to the Secretary of Interior proposing a withdrawal of approximately 234,328 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands, for a 20-year term, within the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest from disposition under United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to SUMMARY: Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 9 / Friday, January 13, 2017 / Notices valid existing rights. This proposal will also include an amendment to the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to reflect this withdrawal. The purpose of the withdrawal request is protection of the natural resources and waters located on NFS lands from the potential adverse environmental impacts arising from exploration and development of fully Federally-owned minerals conducted pursuant to the mineral leasing laws within the Rainy River Watershed that flow into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area (MPA) in northeastern Minnesota. The USFS acknowledges this proposed request subjects these NFS lands to temporary segregation for up to 2 years from entry under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws. The lands have been and will remain open to such forms of use and disposition as may be allowed by law on National Forest System lands including the disposition of mineral materials. The USFS recognizes that any segregation or withdrawal of these lands will be subject to valid existing rights and therefore inapplicable to private lands owned in fee, private mineral estates, and private fractional minerals interests. This notice also gives the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed request for withdrawal, and announces the opportunity for a future public meeting. DATES: Comments concerning the proposed request for withdrawal and the scope of the environmental analysis must be received by April 13, 2017. This Notice coincides with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) ‘‘Notice of Application for Withdrawal and Notification of Public Meeting’’ announced today in the Federal Register. The USFS comment period for the EIS is commensurate with the BLM’s 90-day comment period associated with the consideration of the USFS application to propose a withdrawal of approximately 234,328 acres of NFS lands from disposition under United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws (subject to valid existing rights) within the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest. The draft environmental impact statement is expected June 2018 and the final environmental impact statement is expected January 2019. The USFS and BLM will hold a public meeting within the initial 90-day comment period to gather public input on the proposed request for withdrawal. This meeting will be held at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center on March 16, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. CT (350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802). The USFS will publish a notice of the meeting location and time in a local newspaper at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the meeting. Address written comments regarding the environmental effects associated with this proposed request for withdrawal to Connie Cummins, Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest. Written comments are to be mailed to 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808–1122. Comments may also be sent via email to commentseastern-superior@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to 218–626–4398. ADDRESSES: Matt Judd, Superior National Forest (218– 626–4382). The Superior National Forest Web site (https:// www.fs.usda.gov/projects/superior/ landmanagement/projects) also contains information relative to this proposed request for withdrawal. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. This relay service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The USFS has submitted an application on January 5, 2017 to the Secretary of the Interior proposing to withdraw the identified lands from disposition under United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws (subject to valid existing rights) for a period of 20 years. All the NFS Lands identified in this application are described in Appendix A and displayed on a map in Appendix B. This application is available upon request at the Superior National Forest office (8901 Grand Ave Place, Duluth, MN 55808) or their Web site (https:// www.fs.usda.gov/projects/superior/ landmanagement/projects). The lands depicted on this map include NFS lands in the townships below, and all nonFederal lands within the exterior boundaries described below that are subsequently acquired by the Federal government to the boundary of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Mining Protection Area (MPA). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 4283 National Forest System Lands Superior National Forest 4th Principal Meridian, Minnesota Tps. 61 and 62 N., Rs. 5 W., Tps. 60 to 62 N., Rs. 6 W., Tps. 59 and 61 N., Rs. 7 W., Tps. 59 to 61 N., Rs. 8 W., to the boundary of the BWCAW Tps. 58 to 61 N., Rs. 9 W., to the boundary of the BWCAW Tps. 57 to 62 N., Rs. 10 W., Tps. 57 to 63 N., Rs. 11 W., Tp. 59 N., R. 12 W., Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 12 W., Tps. 61 to 63 N., Rs. 13 W., Tp. 63 N., R. 15 W., Tp. 63 N., R. 16 W., Tps. 65 to 67 N., Rs. 16 W., Tp. 64 N., R. 17 W., The areas described contain approximately 234,328 acres of NFS lands that overlay Federally-owned minerals in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota located adjacent to the BWCAW and the MPA. Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this withdrawal request is protection of NFS lands located in the Rainy River Watershed, and preservation of NFS lands within the BWCAW, from the potential adverse environmental impacts arising from exploration and development of fully Federally-owned minerals conducted pursuant to the Federal mineral leasing laws. The 234,328 acres of Federal land in this proposed request for withdrawal are located within the Rainy River watershed on the Superior National Forest and are adjacent to the BWCAW and MPA. There is known interest in the development of hardrock minerals that have been found—and others that are thought to exist—in sulfide-bearing rock within this portion of the Rainy River Watershed. Any development of these mineral resources could ultimately result in the creation of permanently stored waste materials and other conditions upstream of the BWCAW and the MPA with the potential to generate and release water with elevated levels of acidity, metals, and other potential contaminants. Additionally, any failure of mitigation measures, containment facilities or remediation efforts at mine sites and their related facilities located upstream of the BWCAW and the MPA could lead to irreversible impacts upon natural resources and the inability to meet the purposes for the designation of the BWCAW and the MPA specified by Sec. 2 of Public Law 95–495, 92 Stat. 1649 (1978) and the inability to comply with Section 4(b) of the 1964 Wilderness Act. These concerns are exacerbated by the likelihood that perpetual maintenance 4284 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 9 / Friday, January 13, 2017 / Notices of waste storage facilities along with the perpetual treatment of water discharge emanating from the waste storage facilities and the mines themselves would likely be required to ameliorate these adverse effects. Yet, it is not at all certain that such maintenance and treatment can be assured over many decades. Proposed Action The United States Forest Service (USFS) has submitted an application to the Secretary of Interior proposing a withdrawal, for a 20-year term, of approximately 234,328 acres of NFS lands within the Rainy River Watershed on the Superior National Forest from disposition under United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. This proposal will also include an amendment to the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to reflect this withdrawal. Possible Alternatives In addition to the USFS proposal, a ‘‘no action’’ alternative will be analyzed, and no additional alternatives have been identified at this time. No alternative sites are feasible because the lands subject to the withdrawal application are the lands for which protection is sought from the impacts of exploration and development under the United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws. Lead and Cooperating Agencies The USFS will be the lead agency. The USFS will designate the BLM as a cooperating agency. The BLM shall independently evaluate and review the draft and final environmental impact statements and any other documents needed for the Secretary of Interior to make a decision on the proposed withdrawal. Responsible Official Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Responsible Official will complete an environmental impact statement, documenting the information and analysis necessary to support a decision on withdrawal, and to support an amendment to the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The Secretary of Interior is the authorized official to approve a proposal for withdrawal. The Responsible Official is the authorized official to approve an amendment to the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan to reflect the proposed withdrawal. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. The USFS and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a public meeting within the initial 90-day comment period to gather public input on the proposed request for withdrawal. This meeting will be held at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center on March 16, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. CT (350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802). Further opportunities for public particpation will be provided upon publication of the Draft EIS, including a minimum 45-day public comment period. A plan amendment is subject to pre-decisional objection procedures at 36 CFR 219, Subpart B. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency’s preparation of the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered, however. Dated: January 6, 2017. Richard Periman, Deputy Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2017–00506 Filed 1–12–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Census Bureau Generic Clearance for Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic Clearance for Internet Nonprobability Panel Pretesting and Qualitative Survey Methods Testing U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information SUMMARY: collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before March 14, 2017. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at jjessup@doc.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Jennifer Hunter Childs, U.S. Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Center for Survey Measurement, Washington, DC 20233 or (202)603– 4827. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Census Bureau is committed to conducting research in a cost efficient manner. Prior to this generic clearance, several stages of testing occurred in research projects at the Census Bureau. As a first stage of research, the Census Bureau pretests questions on surveys or censuses and evaluates the usability and ease of use of Web sites using a small number of subjects during focus groups, usability and cognitive testing. These projects are in-person and laborintensive, but typically only target samples of 20 to 30 respondents. This small-scale work is done through another existing OMB generic clearance. Often the second stage is a larger-scale field test with a split-panel design of a survey or a release of a Census Bureau data dissemination product with a feedback mechanism. The field tests often involve a lot of preparatory work and often are limited in the number of panels tested due to the cost considerations. They are often targeted at very large sample sizes with over 10,000 respondents per panel. These are typically done using stand-alone OMB clearances. Cost efficiencies can occur by testing some research questions in a mediumscale test, using a smaller number of participants than what we typically use in a field test, yet a larger and more diverse set of participants than who we recruit for cognitive and usability tests. Using Internet panel pretesting, we can answer some research questions more thoroughly than in the small-scale testing, but less expensively than in the large-scale field test. This clearance established a medium-scale (defined as having sample sizes from 100–2000 per study), cost-efficient method of testing Opportunity to Comment on Initiation of the Development of a Forest Plan Amendment for Superior National Forest The United States Forest Service (USFS) submitted an application to the Secretary of Interior requesting a 20-year withdrawal of approximately 234,328 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands, within the Rainy River watershed on the Superior National Forest from disposition under United States mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. It is anticipated that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will soon issue a notice in the Federal Register segregating the lands for a period of two years while the Forest Service prepares an environmental impact statement analysis (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act. The Forest Service also plans to issue a notice of intent concurrently with the BLM to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register initiating a 90-day scoping comment period. The EIS will inform a decision by the Secretary of the Interior pertaining to the withdrawal of federal minerals. We also anticipate that the EIS will inform a decision by the Forest Supervisor of the Superior National Forest on an amendment to the Superior National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The Forest Service is the lead agency for the analysis. The USFS and BLM will hold a public meeting within the initial 90-day comment period to gather public input on the proposed request for withdrawal. This meeting will be held at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center on March 16, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. CT (350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802). The BLM and the USFS will hold additional meetings on the proposed withdrawal, in various regions of the state. A notice of the meeting location and time will be published in a local newspaper at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the meeting. More information on the this project is available on our website; go to the Superior National Forest projects website https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/superior/landmanagement/projects and then open the link to the Northern Minnesota Federal Minerals Withdrawal EIS Project webpage. The project webpage contains information relative to this proposed request for withdrawal; including a copy of the Notice of Intent, the application the Forest Service submitted to the BLM, and a map of the proposed withdrawal area. This proposed Forest Plan amendment is subject to the Pre-Decisional Administrative Review Process contained within the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR Part 219 Sub-Part B). This review process differs from our prior process in that the review is now pre-decisional (through an objection) rather than post-decisional (through an appeal). Therefore, public commenters should become familiar with the objections process as described within this announcement. Once the amendment decision becomes final, there will be no opportunity for it to be further reviewed by the Forest Service. Only those who submit substantive formal comments regarding the Forest Plan amendment during a public comment period are eligible to file an objection under 36 CFR Part 219 (National Forest System Land Management Planning). Objections must be based on previously submitted substantive formal comments attributed to the objector unless the objection concerns an issue that arose after the opportunities for formal comment. In order to be eligible to object, each individual or representative from each entity submitting substantive formal comments regarding the Forest Plan amendment must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request. Substantive formal comments will be accepted for 90 days following publication of the notice in the Federal Register. The publication date in the Federal Register is the exclusive means for calculating the scoping comment period. Those wishing to comment should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. Address written scoping comments associated with this proposed request for withdrawal to Connie Cummins, Forest Supervisor, Superior National Forest. Written comments are to be mailed to 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808-1122. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to comments-eastern-superior@fs.fed.us or via facsimile to 218-626-4398. Please include ‘Northern Minnesota Federal Minerals Withdrawal EIS Project’ in the subject line of your correspondence. -END- From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments: Cardinale, Richard Katharine Macgregor Fwd: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction Friday, January 27, 2017 5:43:11 AM FedReg ErrataNoticeRequest Briefing Memo 01.25.17.docx Notice of Application Superior Jan 19 2017.pdf Superior NF Application FS.Notice.13Jan2017.pdf Public Meeting Notice.pdf FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Bail, Kristin Date: Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 6:21 PM Subject: Fwd: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction To: Richard Cardinale Cc: "Anderson, Michael" , Yolando Mack-Thompson , Anita Bilbao Rich -- Here are the briefing materials for the Twin Metals/Boundary Waters Federal Register notice for tomorrow's meeting.  -K ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Winston, Beverly Date: Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 5:53 PM Subject: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction To: Kristin Bail , Jerome Perez Cc: Matthew Allen , Janine Velasco , "Leff, Craig" Hi, Attached is ES briefing paper on the pending correction notice for the Notice of Application for the Superior withdrawal (and attachments). Let me know if you need anything else of this. Bev -- Bev Winston Bureau of Land Management Public Affairs 202-912-7239 bwinston@blm.gov From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments: Bail, Kristin katharine macgregor@ios.doi.gov Fwd: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction Friday, January 27, 2017 7:09:21 AM FedReg ErrataNoticeRequest Briefing Memo 01.25.17.docx Notice of Application Superior Jan 19 2017.pdf Superior NF Application FS.Notice.13Jan2017.pdf Public Meeting Notice.pdf ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Bail, Kristin Date: Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 6:21 PM Subject: Fwd: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction To: Richard Cardinale Cc: "Anderson, Michael" , Yolando Mack-Thompson , Anita Bilbao Rich -- Here are the briefing materials for the Twin Metals/Boundary Waters Federal Register notice for tomorrow's meeting.  -K ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Winston, Beverly Date: Wed, Jan 25, 2017 at 5:53 PM Subject: Briefing Paper: Superior NF Withdrawal -- Federal Register correction To: Kristin Bail , Jerome Perez Cc: Matthew Allen , Janine Velasco , "Leff, Craig" Hi, Attached is ES briefing paper on the pending correction notice for the Notice of Application for the Superior withdrawal (and attachments). Let me know if you need anything else of this. Bev -- Bev Winston Bureau of Land Management Public Affairs 202-912-7239 bwinston@blm.gov From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Perez, Jerome Katharine Macgregor; Richard Cardinale Douglas, Lara; Kathleen Benedetto Fwd: Segregations/Withdrawals Monday, January 30, 2017 9:16:48 AM Segregations since Jan 2016.xlsx Kate last week you asked for the list of proposed segregation packages that have been put forward.  Attached is what I had Mike Nedd and his team put together in anticipation of the request.  We are following up to provide a brief summary on what drove the proposal.  JP ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Leff, Craig Date: Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 9:06 AM Subject: Segregations/Withdrawals To: Jerome Perez , "Lara E. Douglas" Cc: Matthew Allen Segregation/withdrawal table attached.  Matthew is asking Mike N. to add a column w/a note about the purpose of each. Thanks, Craig -Craig Leff BLM Communications 202-208-6913 (office) 202-549-9218 (cell) -*********************************** Jerome E. Perez Acting BLM Deputy Director  for Operations Phone: 202-208-3801 email: jperez@blm.gov *********************************** WITHDRAWAL SEGREGATIONS ESTABLISHED SINCE JANUARY 2016 FR DATE 1/20/16 1/21/16 1/22/16 2/11/16 5/6/16 6/10/16 6/24/16 6/29/16 7/13/16 8/9/16 8/30/16 8/30/16 9/2/16 9/2/16 11/18/16 12/7/16 12/12/16 12/28/16 12/30/16 1/13/17 1/19/17 STATE AZ WY CA OR WY WY ID WA UT CA WY WY NV NV CA MT OR CA WA OR MN ACREAGE 26.79 1359.25 45 4921 32.56 4964.75 107.02 3.25 747.1 82.5 73 4513 301507 604789 22462 19686.09 2090 1337904 340079 101021.71 234328 LENGTH 2 Years 20 Years 20 Years 20 Years 20 Years 2 Years 2 Years 20 Years 2 Years 2 Years 20 Years 20 Years 2 Years 2 Years 2 Years 20 Years 20 Years 2 Years 2 Years 20 Years 2 Years AGENCY DON BLM USFS BLM BOR BLM USFS NPS BLM USFS USFS USFS DAF DON NPS BLM USFS BLM USFS BLM/FS USFS PURPOSE Marine Corps Air Station Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite Univ of CA Berkeley Seismic Observatory Elk River Wild & Scenic Corridor Buffalo Bill Dam & Reservoir Johnny Behind the Rocks Recreation Zone Dump Creek Diversion Ditch Cape Johnson Simpson Springs Recreation Mgt Area Spanish Creek Campground Burgess Junction Visitor Center/Admin Site Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mtn NV Test & Training Range Naval Air Station, Fallon Joshua Tree NP Sweet Grass Hills ACEC Rogue River CA Desert Conservation Area Methow Valley SW OR Watershed Protection Boundary Waters Canoe Area ACTION Proposed Withdrawal Withdrawal Extension Withdrawal Extension Withdrawal Extension New Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal Withdrawal Extension Proposed Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal New Withdrawal New Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal Withdrawal Extension Withdrawal Extension Proposed Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal New Withdrawal Proposed Withdrawal From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Macgregor, Katharine Perez, Jerome Richard Cardinale; Douglas, Lara; Kathleen Benedetto Re: Segregations/Withdrawals Monday, January 30, 2017 9:51:40 AM Thank you for sharing. Do we have any others that are currently pending or earlier in the process? On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 9:12 AM, Perez, Jerome wrote: Kate last week you asked for the list of proposed segregation packages that have been put forward.  Attached is what I had Mike Nedd and his team put together in anticipation of the request.  We are following up to provide a brief summary on what drove the proposal.  JP ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Leff, Craig Date: Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 9:06 AM Subject: Segregations/Withdrawals To: Jerome Perez , "Lara E. Douglas" Cc: Matthew Allen Segregation/withdrawal table attached.  Matthew is asking Mike N. to add a column w/a note about the purpose of each. Thanks, Craig -Craig Leff BLM Communications 202-208-6913 (office) 202-549-9218 (cell) -*********************************** Jerome E. Perez Acting BLM Deputy Director  for Operations Phone: 202-208-3801 email: jperez@blm.gov *********************************** -Kate MacGregor 1849 C ST NW Room 6625 Washington DC 20240 Mobile Phone 202-208-3671 Of?ce Phone From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Jerome Perez Macgregor, Katharine Richard Cardinale; Douglas, Lara; Kathleen Benedetto Re: Segregations/Withdrawals Monday, January 30, 2017 9:57:42 AM We can check.  JP Sent from my iPhone On Jan 30, 2017, at 9:51 AM, Macgregor, Katharine wrote: Thank you for sharing. Do we have any others that are currently pending or earlier in the process? On Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 9:12 AM, Perez, Jerome wrote: Kate last week you asked for the list of proposed segregation packages that have been put forward.  Attached is what I had Mike Nedd and his team put together in anticipation of the request.  We are following up to provide a brief summary on what drove the proposal.  JP ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Leff, Craig Date: Mon, Jan 30, 2017 at 9:06 AM Subject: Segregations/Withdrawals To: Jerome Perez , "Lara E. Douglas" Cc: Matthew Allen Segregation/withdrawal table attached.  Matthew is asking Mike N. to add a column w/a note about the purpose of each. Thanks, Craig -Craig Leff BLM Communications 202-208-6913 (office) 202-549-9218 (cell) -*********************************** Jerome E. Perez Acting BLM Deputy Director  for Operations Phone: 202-208-3801 email: jperez@blm.gov *********************************** -Kate MacGregor 1849 C ST NW Room 6625 Washington DC 20240 Mobile Phone 202-208-3671 Office Phone (b) (6)