🌲Record of Decision on Habitat Conservation for Elliott State Forest
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the availability of a record of decision (ROD) for the issuance of a permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for certain activities at the Elliott State Research Forest supported by a habitat conservation plan (HCP) in Coos and Douglas Counties, Oregon. The ROD documents the Service's decision to issue an incidental take permit (ITP) to the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) in response to their permit application. As summarized in the ROD, the Service has selected the proposed action alternative, which is issuance of an 80-year ITP authorizing take of species listed under the ESA that may occur incidental to research and management activities over the permit term implemented consistent with the HCP.
Learn More⚡Notice for Installing Load Bank in Hydroelectric Project
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has filed a notice on Eugene Water & Electric Board's application to install a load bank for the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project. This change aims to minimize environmental impact by maintaining necessary flow into the Trail Bridge Reservoir while allowing continuous operation of the power plant during outages. The document also invites comments and motions to intervene from the public and agencies.
Learn More🔥Proposed Regulation for Outdoor Burning in Lane County, Oregon
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to approve into the Oregon State Implementation Plan (SIP) the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) revised outdoor burning rule revisions submitted by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) on July 1, 2024, in coordination with LRAPA. The revised rule, applicable in Lane County, Oregon, clarifies terminology, revises formatting, and expands the residential outdoor burning season to allow burning of woody yard trimmings on approved burn days within Lowell city limits from October 1 through June 15. ODEQ included in the submittal a technical demonstration that the requested expansion of the residential outdoor burning season will not interfere with attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS and other applicable Clean Air Act (CAA) requirements. The EPA is proposing to approve this rule because it meets the applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act.
Learn More🏦Federal Reserve Notice on Nonbanking Activity Proposals Impact
The Federal Reserve's notice corrects details on proposals for companies to engage in nonbanking activities, including trust company functions and data processing. Companies may seek to acquire additional interests in relevant firms, adhering to regulations that govern such activities for bank holding companies. The comment period for stakeholder feedback is open until May 27, 2025.
Learn More🌲Revision of Environmental Impact Statement for Austin Project
The Forest Service is revising its notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Austin Project to update the following information in the original NOI: project timeline, consideration of using an emergency authority, and identifying the substantive provisions for two additional potential forest plan amendments to the Malheur Forest Plan. This revised NOI re- opens the scoping process for an additional 30-day scoping period. The Planning Administrative Reviews and Litigation System identification number for the project is 53678.
Learn More🗣️Oregon Advisory Committee Meeting Notice - U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) that the Oregon Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a virtual business meeting via ZoomGov on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Pacific time (PT). The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential topics for investigation.
Learn More🎈NASA Draft Environmental Assessment for Scientific Balloon Program
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, NASA has prepared and issued a Draft Supplemental PEA that analyzes scientific balloon launch/flight operations originating from NASA's Balloon Program Office (BPO) facilities in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, Palestine, Texas, and the proposed Burns, Oregon scientific balloon launch facility. Written public input and comments on alternatives, environmental issues, or other matters associated with the scientific balloon program's activities are hereby requested.
Learn More🐬New Regulations on Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals in Oregon and Washington
NMFS, upon request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to implementation of the Lower Columbia River Dredged Material Management Plan in Oregon and Washington over 5 years (2027-2032). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the specified activities and timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as monitoring and reporting requirements.
Learn More🚂Portland & Western Railroad Acquisition and Operation Exemption
The Surface Transportation Board has approved Portland & Western Railroad, Inc.'s exemption to acquire and operate 1.01 miles of rail line near Banks, Oregon. The transaction involves a purchase agreement with the Port of Tillamook Bay and indicates no current customers or operating employees on the line. Regulatory compliance and labor notice requirements are also addressed.
Learn More📜Legal Notice Publications by Forest Service in Pacific Northwest
This notice lists the newspapers that will be used by the ranger districts, national forests and grasslands, and regional office of the Pacific Northwest Region to publish legal notices required under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The intended effect of this action is to inform interested members of the public which newspapers the Forest Service will use to publish notices of proposed actions and notices of decision. This will provide the public with constructive notice of Forest Service proposals and decisions, provide information on the procedures to comment, object, or appeal, and establish the date that the Forest Service will use to determine if comments, objections, or appeals were timely.
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