Notices. Notice of availability; receipt of application; request for comment

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 4310-RK-M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances and Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Texas AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application; request for comment. SUMMARY: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

(TPWD)(Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act

(Act)of 1973, as amended. The permit application includes a draft 20-year Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances

(CCAA)between the Service and TPWD for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken in 50 Texas counties. We request public comment. DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or before October 23, 2006. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, draft CCAA, or other related documents may obtain copies by written or telephone request to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 711 Stadium Drive, Suite 252, Arlington, Texas 76011, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Regional Office, P.O. Box 1306, Room 4012, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103 ( *Attn:* Luela Roberts, Endangered Species Permits). The application and related documents will be available for public inspection, by appointment only, during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Service's Arlington Office. Comments concerning the application, draft CCAA, or other related documents should be submitted in writing to the Field Supervisor (address above). Please refer to permit number TE-132658-0 when submitting comments. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become a part of the official administrative record and may be made available to the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Cloud at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arlington office, 711 Stadium Drive, Suite 252, Arlington, Texas 76011 (817/277-1100), facsimile 817/277-1129, or by e-mail at *Tom_Cloud@fws.gov* ; or Luela Roberts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional office, P.O. Box 1306, Room 4012, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103 (505/248-6654), facsimile 505/248-6788, or by e-mail at *Luela_Roberts@fws.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With the assistance of the Service, TPWD proposes to encourage the implementation of conservation measures on private lands to increase lesser prairie-chicken ( *Tympanuchus pallidicinctus* )

(LPC)occupied habitat and improve LPC population performance. The proposed CCAA would be in effect for 20 years in the following Texas counties: Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochiltree, Lipscomb, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, Hemphill, Oldham, Potter, Carson, Gray, Wheeler, Deaf Smith, Randall, Armstrong, Donley, Collingsworth, Parmer, Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, Hall, Childress, Bailey, Lamb, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Cottle, Cochran, Hockley, Lubbock, Crosby, Dickens, King, Knox, Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Kent, Stonewall, Gaines, Dawson, Borden, Scurry, and Andrews. These counties constitute the Agreement's Planning Area, with Covered Areas being private lands within this Planning Area that provide suitable habitat for LPC or have the potential to provide suitable LPC habitat with the implementation of conservation management practices. We invite the public to review and comment on the permit application and the associated draft CCAA. Background The LPC is a distinct species of North American prairie grouse that inhabits rangelands dominated primarily by shinnery oak ( *Quercus havardii* )-bluestem and sand sagebrush ( *Artemesia filifolia* )-bluestem vegetation types. From the early to mid 1940's to the early 1950's, it is estimated that the range of the LPC in Texas encompassed portions of 34 counties. Researchers considered the occupied range at the mid 20th century to be a reduction from the historical range (ca. 1900). In 1989, TPWD produced an occupied range map that indicated LPC inhabited portions of 12 counties. In 2005, TPWD reported that LPC were found in portions of a minimum of 16 counties. In 1995, the Service was petitioned to list the LPC under the Act. The Service ruled that listing of the LPC was warranted, but precluded because of limited funding and higher priority species litigations. The LPC was designated as a candidate for listing in 1997. The major factors affecting the status of the LPC are conversion, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat. The conversion of habitat from native sand sagebrush and shinnery oak rangeland to improved pastures and cropland has been documented as an important factor in the decline of the LPC. Although many acres of former cropland throughout its range have been enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program

(CRP)in the northeastern and southwestern Texas panhandle, LPC populations have not exhibited a marked response to the available vegetation types and structure created by CRP. Many CRP acres have been planted using monocultures of introduced grasses, which do not meet food, brood-rearing, or thermal habitat requirements for the LPC. Mixtures of heavily, moderately, and lightly grazed, and ungrazed native rangelands are essential components of LPC habitat, and should occur in a mosaic pattern on a landscape scale. However, in most areas, an insufficient amount of lightly grazed or ungrazed habitat is available to support successful LPC nesting. Overutilization of rangeland by livestock, to a degree that leaves less than adequate residual cover remaining in the spring, is considered detrimental to LPC populations because grass height is reduced below that necessary for nesting cover, and desirable food plants are markedly reduced. Since the petition to list the LPC under the Act was filed in 1995, a number of management and conservation efforts have been implemented by State, Federal, and private entities throughout Texas. TPWD has worked to implement conservation measures through its Private Lands and Habitat Program (PLHP). The PLHP includes programs and tools such as the development of written Wildlife Management Plans (WMP), the Technical Guidance Program, Landowner Incentive Program, Wildlife Management Tax Valuation assistance, information on private land trusts, and the Lone Star Land Steward Award Program. The PLHP focuses on a diverse array of programmatic responsibilities for wildlife habitat management and development, technical assistance, incentive programs, and conservation of private lands. PLHP biologists and other TPWD personnel provide technical assistance to land managers and landowners upon written request for assistance to develop plans and recommendations for voluntary conservation, enhancement, and/or development of wildlife habitat. In particular, at the request of landowners, TPWD prepares written WMPs that incorporate recommendations for specific areas and address the conservation goals and objectives of each landowner. In conjunction with the development of landowner-specific WMPs, TPWD proposes to issue Certificates of Inclusion

(CI)that provide coverage to individual landowners under the terms of its section 10(a)(1)(A) permit, should one be issued in the future. Each CI will be issued with Service oversight, and will be subject to revocation if the terms of the WMP are not fulfilled. TPWD and the Service feel that this process may preclude or remove any need to list the lesser prairie-chicken, if it is assumed that conservation measures were also to be implemented on other necessary properties, by encouraging private landowners to enroll in the WMP program and undertake the conservation practices prescribed in the CCAA. The proposed CCAA represents a significant milestone in the cooperative conservation efforts for the LPC and is consistent with section 2(a)(5) of the Act, which encourages creative partnerships among public, private, and government entities to conserve imperiled species and their habitats. Consistent with the Service CCAA policy, the proposed CCAA is intended to facilitate conservation actions for the LPC that will remove or reduce the threats to the species. The CCAA is also intended to provide TPWD and those private landowners receiving CIs, under the auspices of TPWD's permit, regulatory certainty related to normal agricultural practices should the LPC become federally listed as threatened or endangered in the future. The conservation measures in the CCAA would be implemented by individual non-Federal landowners, under the auspices of a TPWD and Service-approved WMP. These measures will generally consist of prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, rangeland deferment, brush management, CRP and cropland management, range planting, other upland wildlife habitat management practices, and population management techniques. TPWD has committed to guide the implementation of these conservation measures and requests issuance of the permit in order to address the take prohibitions of Section 9 of the Act should the species become listed in the future. We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22), and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C 4371 *et seq.* ) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR part 1506.6). Larry G. Bell, Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [FR Doc. E6-13961 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO-921-06-1320-EL; COC 70164] Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Colorado AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Ark Land Company, COC 70164, Colorado. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 2(b) the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920, as amended by Section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201(b), and to Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, (CFR), Subpart 3410, all interested qualified parties, as provided in 43 CFR 3472.1 are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following described lands in Garfield County, Colorado. T. 7 S., R. 101 W., 6th P.M. Sec. 20, S 1/2 , and NE 1/4 ; Sec. 21, lot 2, SW 1/4 NW 1/4 , and W 1/2 SW 1/4 ; Sec. 28, W 1/2 W 1/2 ; Sec. 29, all; Sec. 30, Tr. 44, lots 5 through 10, inclusive, and E 1/2 NE 1/4 ; Sec. 31, lots 5 through 8, inclusive; Sec. 32, lots 1 through 4, inclusive, NE 1/4 , and N 1/2 NW 1/4 . T. 7 S., 102 W., 6th P.M. Sec. 23, lot 1, 4, E 1/2 NW 1/4 and E 1/2 SW 1/4 ; Sec. 24, lots 1 through 4, inclusive, W 1/2 , and W 1/2 E 1/2 ; Sec. 25, lots 1 through 4, inclusive, W 1/2 , and W 1/2 E 1/2 ; Sec. 26, all; Sec. 35, all; Sec. 36, lots 1 through 4, inclusive, W 1/2 , and W 1/2 E 1/2 . T. 8 S., R. 101 W., 6th P.M. Sec. 3, lots 5 through 16, inclusive, and S 1/2 ; Sec. 4, lots 5 through 16, inclusive, and S 1/2 ; Sec. 5, lots 5 through 20, inclusive, and S 1/2 ; Sec. 6, lots 8 through 27, inclusive, and SE 1/4 ; Sec. 7, lots 5 through 8, inclusive, E 1/2 , and E 1/2 W 1/2 ; Sec. 8, all; Sec. 9, all; Sec. 10, all; Sec. 15, N 1/2 N 1/2 ; Sec. 16, N 1/2 N 1/2 ; Sec. 17, N 1/2 N 1/2 ; Sec. 18, lot 5, N 1/2 NE 1/4 , and NE 1/4 NW 1/4. T. 8 S., R. 102 W., 6th P.M. Sec. 1, lots 5 through 20, inclusive, and N 1/2 S 1/2 . The area described contains 13,178.47 acres. DATES: Written Notice of Intent to Participate in Exploration License COC 70164 should be addressed to the attention of both parties whose addresses are provided in the ADDRESSES section below and must be received by them within 30 days after publication of this Notice of Invitation in the **Federal Register.** ADDRESSES: Karen Zurek, CO-921, Solid Minerals Staff, Division of Energy, Lands and Minerals, Colorado State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215; and Michael Lincoln, P.O. Box 460, Hanna, Wyoming 82327. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Karen Zurek at

(303)239-3795. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The application for coal exploration license is available for public inspection during normal business hours under serial number COC 70164 at the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215, and at the Grand Junction Field Office, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506. The proposed exploration program is fully described and will be conducted pursuant to an exploration plan to be approved by the Bureau of Land Management. The authority for this notice is 43 CFR 3410.2-1(c)(1). Dated: July 19, 2006. Karen Zurek, Solid Minerals Staff, Division of Energy, Lands and Minerals. [FR Doc. E6-13928 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [ID-400-1150-CB] Notice of Public Meeting, Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory Council Meeting; Idaho AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management

(BLM)Coeur d'Alene District Resource Advisory Council

(RAC)will meet as indicated below. DATES: September 21, 2006. The RAC will tour the Nez Perce Tribe's biological control center and fish hatchery near Lapwai, Idaho from 10 a.m. to 12:30. The tour will be followed by a meeting from 1:30 to about 4 p.m. in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northern Idaho Agency conference room located at 99 Agency Road, Lapwai, Idaho. The public comment period will be from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the meeting location. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Snook, RAC Coordinator, BLM Coeur d'Alene District, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83815 or telephone

(208)769-5004. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15-member Council advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with public land management in Idaho. The agenda will include the following topics: Tour of the Nez Perce Tribe biological

(weed)control center and fish hatchery; project updates including the Resource Management Plans for the Coeur d'Alene and Cottonwood Field Offices and the Idaho Recreation RAC Process. Additional topics may be added and will be included in local media announcements. All meetings are open to the public. The public may present written comments to the Council in advance of or at the meeting. Each formal Council meeting will also have time allocated for receiving public comments. Depending on the number of persons wishing to comment and time available, the time for individual oral comments may be limited. Individuals who plan to attend the meeting and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should contact the BLM as provided above. Dated: August 17, 2006. Eric R. Thomson, Acting District Manager. [FR Doc. E6-13959 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO-200-0777-XZ-241A] Notice of Meeting, Front Range Resource Advisory Council (Colorado) AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management

(BLM)Front Range Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below. DATES: The meeting will be held September 19, 2006 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: Holy Cross Abbey Community Center, 2951 E. Highway 50, Canon City, Colorado 81212. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Smith,

(719)269-8500. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15 member Council advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with public land management in the Royal Gorge Field Office and San Luis Valley, Colorado. Planned agenda topics include: Manager updates on current land management issues; update on the Arkansas River Travel Management Plan; and a presentation on the oil shale recovery process. All meetings are open to the public. The public is encouraged to make oral comments to the Council at 9:30 a.m. or written statements may be submitted for the Councils consideration. Depending on the number of persons wishing to comment and time available, the time for individual oral comments may be limited. Summary minutes for the Council Meeting will be maintained in the Royal Gorge Field Office and will be available for public inspection and reproduction during regular business hours within thirty

(30)days following the meeting. Meeting Minutes and agenda (10 days prior to each meeting) are also available at: *http://www.blm.gov/rac/co/frrac/co_fr.htm* Dated: August 14, 2006. Roy L. Masinton, Royal Gorge Field Manager. [FR Doc. E6-13978 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-JB-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AK940-1310EI-002L-241A; AK940-1310EI-002L-241A] National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2006 AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2006. SUMMARY: National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska; Notice of Sale and Notice of Availability of the Detailed Statement of Sale for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 2006. The Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, will hold an oil and gas lease sale bid opening for the Northeast and Northwest Planning Areas of the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska. Tracts offered for competitive bid in the Northeast Planning Area cover land not previously offered for sale, as identified in the January 11, 2006, Record of Decision on the Amended Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement; land previously offered in Sale Numbers 991

(1999)and 2002, but for which no bid was received; and land from leases issued after the 2002 Sale that have been relinquished by lessees. All the tracts in the Northwest Planning Area cover land offered in the 2004 Sale but that did not receive any bid. DATES: The oil and gas lease sale bid opening will be held at 8 a.m. on September 27, 2006, at the Wilda Marston Theatre in the Z. J. Loussac Public Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, Alaska. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Fisk at

(907)271-4407. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All bids must be submitted by sealed bid in accordance with the provisions identified in the Detailed Statement of Sale and received at the Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 W. 7th Ave., #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599 no later than 3:45 p.m., September 22, 2006. The Detailed Statement of Sale for Sale 2006 may be obtained by written request to the Public Information Center, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 W. 7th Ave., #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599, or by telephone at

(907)271-5960. It will include, among other things, a description of the land to be offered for lease, the lease terms, conditions, special stipulations, required operating procedures, and how and where to submit bids. It will be available to the public immediately after publication of this Notice. Dated: June 1, 2006. Julia Dougan, State Director, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management. [FR Doc. E6-13925 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-GG-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY-100-1430-ES; WYW-23933, WYW-163849, WYW-163855] Notice of Realty Action; Recreation and Public Purposes Act Classification; WY AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Realty Action. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management

(BLM)has examined and found suitable for classification for lease or conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act three parcels of public lands located near Cora, Pinedale and Marbleton, all located in Sublette County, Wyoming. Sublette County intends to use the lands for the existing snowmobile track, a public golf course, and to expand the County road maintenance facilities. DATES: Interested persons may submit written comments to the BLM at the address stated below. Comments must be received by not later than October 10, 2006. ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management, Pinedale Field Office, 432 East Mill Street, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming 82941. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Wadsworth, Realty Specialist, at the address above or at 307-367-5341. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following described public land in Sublette County, Wyoming, has been examined and found suitable for classification for lease and/or conveyance under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.) and is hereby classified accordingly: *WYW-23933—Cora, WY—Snowmobile Track currently under lease to Sublette County to be classified for conveyance:* Sixth Principal Meridian, Sublette County, Wyoming. T. 35 N., R. 110 W., Sec. 33, E 1/2 SW 1/4 . The land described contains 80 acres. *WYW-163849—Pinedale, WY—Public Golf Course to be classified for lease/conveyance:* Sixth Principal Meridian, Sublette County, Wyoming. T. 30 N., R. 109 W., Sec. 5, SW 1/4 , SW 1/4 SE 1/4 ; Sec. 6, E 1/2 SE 1/4 . The land described contains 280 acres. *WYW-163855—Marbleton, WY—County Road Maintenance Facility Expansion to be classified for lease/conveyance:* Sixth Principal Meridian, Sublette County, Wyoming. T. 30 N., R. 111 W., Sec. 17, NE 1/4 SE 1/4 . The land described contains 40 acres. In accordance with the R&PP Act, Sublette County has filed R&PP petition(s)/application(s) and plans of development in which it proposes to use the above described public lands for a snowmobile track, a public golf course, and for the expansion of County road maintenance facilities. The lands are not needed for Federal purposes. Lease or conveyance pursuant to the R&PP Act is consistent with the Pinedale Resource Management Plan, dated December 12, 1988, and would be in the public interest. The lease(s)/conveyance(s), when issued, will be subject to the following terms, conditions, and reservations: 1. Provisions of the R&PP Act and to all applicable regulations, including but not limited to the regulations stated in 43 CFR Part 2740, and policy and guidance of the Secretary of the Interior. 2. Reservation of a right-of-way to the United States for ditches and canals pursuant to the Act of August 30, 1890, 43 U.S.C. 945. 3. All minerals shall be reserved to the United States, together with the right to prospect for, mine and remove the minerals under applicable laws and regulations established by the Secretary of the Interior. 4. Provided, that the land conveyed shall revert to the United States upon a finding, and after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that the patentee has not substantially developed the lands in accordance with the approved plan of development on or before the date five years after the date of conveyance. No portion of the land shall under any circumstance revert to the United States if any such portion has been used for solid waste disposal or for any other purpose which may result in the disposal, placement, or release of any hazardous substance. 5. If, at any time, the patentee validly transfers to another party ownership of any portion of the land not used for the purpose(s) specified in the application and the plan of development, the patentee shall pay the Bureau of Land Management the fair market value, as determined by the authorized officer, of the transferred portion as of the date of transfer, including the value of any improvements thereon. 6. All valid existing rights including but not limited to those documented on the official public land records at the time of lease/patent issuance. Detailed information concerning the proposed actions, including but not limited to documentation relating to compliance with applicable environmental and cultural resource laws, is available for review at the BLM, Pinedale Field Office, 432 East Mill Street, P.O. Box 768, Pinedale, WY 82941, telephone: 307-367-5341. On August 23, 2006 the above described lands will be segregated from all other forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the general mining laws, except for lease or conveyance under the R&PP Act and leasing under the mineral leasing laws. Interested parties may submit written comments regarding the proposed lease(s)/conveyance(s) or classification(s) of the lands to the Field Manager, Pinedale Field Office, at the address stated above in this notice for that purpose. Comments must be received by not later than October 10, 2006. *Classification Comments:* Interested parties may submit comments involving the suitability of the lands for conveyance for the snowmobile track, and for lease/conveyance for a public golf course and expanded County road maintenance facilities. Comments on the classification(s) are restricted to whether the land is physically suited for the proposal(s), whether the use will maximize the future use or uses of the land, whether the use is consistent with local planning and zoning, and if the use is consistent with State and Federal programs. *Application Comments:* Interested parties may submit comments regarding the specific use proposed in the application(s) and plan(s) of development, whether the BLM followed proper administrative procedures in reaching the decision; or any other factor not directly related to the suitability of the lands for a snowmobile track, a public golf course, and expanded County road maintenance facilities. Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the BLM Pinedale Field Office, (address above), during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by the law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Any adverse comments will be reviewed by the State Director, who may sustain, vacate, or modify this realty action. In the absence of any adverse comments, the classification will become effective 60 days after August 23, 2006. (Authority: 43 CFR 2741.5) Dated: May 17, 2006. Dennis R. Stenger, Field Manager. [FR Doc. E6-13927 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-22-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Availability, Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Disposition of the Former Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center Main Campus, Hennepin County, MN; and Request for Written Proposals AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to alert the public to two items. First, pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA)of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service

(NPS)announces the availability of the draft Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)for the disposition of the former Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center (Center), located within the boundary of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), a unit of the NPS, in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The draft EIS is now available for public review and comment, and everyone is invited to comment on the document. Secondly, the notice is intended to alert any prospective Government or university entities that the NPS is soliciting proposals for use of the Center. In accordance with the legislation addressing the Center (Pub. L. 104-134), only Government and university entities qualify as possible recipients of the property. Additionally, Public Law 106-113 allows the Secretary to accept financial remuneration for the Center and distribute the funds to MNRRA and the national wildlife refuge system for the benefit of their respective activities in Minnesota. The Center is Federal land located within the boundary of the MNRRA. Accordingly, through today's notice, the NPS invites written proposals from Government and university entities who may be interested in acquiring the former Bureau of Mines property. Verbal proposals will not be considered. DATES: There will be a 60-day period for public review and submission of comments on the draft EIS following the publishing of the notice of availability in the **Federal Register** by the Environmental Protection Agency. Public meetings will be announced in the local media. Submission of written proposals from Government and university entities will be accepted during this 60-day period. ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft EIS (compact disks and a limited number of paper copies) are available by request by writing to Superintendent, RE: Former Bureau of Mines Draft EIS, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, 111 Kellogg Boulevard East, Suite no. 105, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101; by facsimile 651-290-3214; or by phone 651-290-4160. The document can be picked up in person at the address above. The document can also be found on the Web site in the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment ( *PEPC* ) at: *http://parkplanning.nps.gov/* ; select the MNRRA from the drop-down list. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Manager, Kim Berns National Park Service, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, 111 Kellogg Boulevard East, Suite no. 105, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, or by calling 651-290-4160. *Discussion:* Each written proposal from a university or Government entity must address the following criteria: 1. How do you qualify as a Government or university entity? 2. What is your capacity to manage the Center property? Describe any relevant property management experience or current property holdings that are comparable to the Center property or that demonstrate your capacity to manage the Center. 3. What are your proposed plans for future use of the Center? 4. What resources do you have, including but not limited to personnel, financing, programs, etc., that would enable you to manage the Center property? 5. What plans do you have to protect the cultural, historic, and environmental aspects of the Center, including Camp Coldwater and the spring? 6. Are you willing and able to offer land or other reimbursement in exchange for the Center and if so, what would you offer? Solicitation by the NPS of written proposals does not reflect any decision on the future use of the Center. The NPS purpose in requesting such proposals is to assist the Secretary of the Interior in evaluating all reasonable alternatives for the disposition of the Center property. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MNRRA has been designated by Congress to lead a public planning process pursuant to NEPA to address the disposition of the Center. Congress closed the Center in 1995 and provided the Secretary of the Interior specific legislation to convey the Center to a university or government entity (Pub. L. 104-134). The Center is Federal land and is located within the boundary of the MNRRA. The purpose of the draft EIS is to consider alternatives for, and potential impacts of, future uses of this Federal property on natural, historic, and cultural resources. The Center is located within three historic designations: the Fort Snelling National Historic Landmark, the Fort Snelling National Register Historic District, and the buildings have been determined eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The site includes the Camp Coldwater Spring, the springhouse, and reservoir. The draft EIS describes and analyses three action alternatives and a No-Action Alternative. The draft EIS does not identify a potential future owner but explores the impacts associated with three land-use scenarios that are likely to result from the transfer of the Center. The NPS does not have a preferred alternative at this time and intends to review any additional information, public comments, and written proposals received in response to this request to identify a preferred alternative in the final EIS. Persons wishing to comment on the draft EIS may do so by any one of several methods. They may attend the public meeting that will be announced as noted above. Comments on the draft EIS can be made directly through the PEPC Web site listed above or provided directly to the NPS at the address above. Written proposals from a university or Government entity relating to acquisition of the property must be submitted to the aforementioned address within the 60-day comment period. It is the practice of the NPS to make all comments, including names and addresses of respondents who provide information, available for public review following the conclusion of the NEPA process. Individuals may request that the NPS withhold their name and/or address from public disclosure. If you wish to do this, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. Commentators using the Web site can make such a request by checking the box “keep my contact information private.” The NPS will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law, however, please be aware that the NPS might still be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Also, any written proposals submitted to the NPS for acquisition of the Center property will be similarly made public. Dated: May 25, 2006. Ernest Quintana, Regional Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 06-7076 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am]

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