Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Baker's Larkspur (Delphinium bakeri, 1659-1660 [2015-00392]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 8 / Tuesday, January 13, 2015 / Notices Committee meetings are open to the public. teleconference IV. Open Discussion V. Adjourn: 4:00 p.m. Mary Josie Blanchard, Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance. Dated: January 8, 2015. Pamela Beck Danner, Administrator, Office of Manufactured Housing Programs. [FR Doc. 2015–00266 Filed 1–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–RG–P [FR Doc. 2015–00364 Filed 1–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [FWS–R8–ES–2014–N241; 80221–1113– 0000–C2] Office of the Secretary [XXXD5198NI DS61100000 DNINR0000.000000 DX61104 BAC 4334–12] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Baker’s Larkspur (Delphinium bakeri) Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior. Meeting Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary is announcing a public meeting of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee. DATES: February 4, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: Endeavor Room of the Captain Cook Hotel, 939 W. 5th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Philip Johnson, Department of the Interior, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, 1689 ‘‘C’’ Street, Suite 119, Anchorage, Alaska, (907) 271– 5011. SUMMARY: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee was created by Paragraph V.A.4 of the Memorandum of Agreement and Consent Decree entered into by the United States of America and the State of Alaska on August 27, 1991, and approved by the United States District Court for the District of Alaska in settlement of United States of America v. State of Alaska, Civil Action No. A91–081 CV. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee Meeting agenda will include orientation for committee members, election of the committee chair, and discussion of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council’s LongTerm Herring and Monitoring Programs and habitat-related matters. An opportunity for public comments will be provided. The final agenda and materials for the meeting will be posted on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council Web site at www.evostc.state.ak.us. All Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:10 Jan 12, 2015 Jkt 235001 Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Baker’s Larkspur (Delphinium bakeri) for public review and comment. The recovery plan includes downlisting objectives and criteria, and specific actions necessary to reclassify the species from endangered to threatened on the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. DATES: We must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or before March 16, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/ species/recovery-plans.html. Alternatively, you may contact the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W–2605, Sacramento, CA 95825 (telephone 916– 414–6700). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor, at the above street address or telephone number (see ADDRESSES). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Recovery means improvement of the status of listed species to the point at which listing is no longer appropriate under the criteria specified in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1659 The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. We listed Baker’s larkspur throughout its entire range on January 26, 2000 (65 FR 4156). The species is endemic to Marin and Sonoma Counties, California, and is currently known from one small historical occurrence along MarshallPetaluma Road in west Marin County. The remaining historical occurrence of Baker’s larkspur occurs on decomposed shale in the mixed woodland plant community at an elevation range of 295 feet (ft) (90 meter (m)) to 672 ft (205 m) in moderately moist, shaded conditions on a shallow veneer of soil along an extensive north-facing slope. These habitat requirements limit the availability of suitable reintroduction sites with appropriate habitat conditions and compatible land use. Although habitat conversion and road maintenance were historically responsible for decreasing numbers, those threats have been curtailed. Because of the extreme range restriction of this already-narrow endemic, and its small population size, the plant is highly vulnerable to extinction from random events, including wildfire, herbivory, disease and pest outbreaks, and human disturbance. Recovery Plan Goals The purpose of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the recovery of species so that protection under the Act is no longer necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about the species and provides criteria that enable us to gauge whether downlisting or delisting the species is warranted. Furthermore, recovery plans help guide our recovery efforts by describing actions we consider necessary for each species’ conservation and by estimating time and costs for implementing needed recovery measures. The goal of this recovery plan is to improve the status of Baker’s larkspur so that it can be downlisted. Due to the current lack of information about the species’ biology and habitat requirements, the magnitude of current threats, and the precarious environment where the single historical population of the species persists, we are unable to determine appropriate delisting criteria; therefore, we focus on meeting the goal of downlisting. To meet the recovery goal of downlisting, the following objectives have been identified: 1. Expand the existing populations of Baker’s larkspur and establish additional selfsustaining populations of Baker’s larkspur throughout its known ecological and E:\FR\FM\13JAN1.SGM 13JAN1 1660 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 8 / Tuesday, January 13, 2015 / Notices geographical range, while preserving extant genetic diversity. 2. Ensure existing and future populations are protected from incompatible uses, such as road maintenance. 3. Reduce herbivory by slugs, snails, and gophers to the point that it does not affect the species at a population level. As Baker’s larkspur meets reclassification criteria, we will review its status and consider it for downlisting on the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Public Comments Solicited We solicit written comments on the draft recovery plan described in this notice. All comments received by the date specified above will be considered in development of a final recovery plan for Baker’s larkspur. You may submit written comments and information by mail or in person to the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address (see ADDRESSES). Public Availability of Comments 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 in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We developed this recovery plan under the authority of section 4(f) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: January 7, 2015. Alexandra Pitts, Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region. [FR Doc. 2015–00392 Filed 1–12–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2014–N240; FF08E00000– FXES11120800000–145] Draft Environmental Assessment and Proposed Wright Solar Park MultiSpecies Habitat Conservation Plan, Merced County, California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:10 Jan 12, 2015 Jkt 235001 Notice of availability and request for comment; permit application, draft environmental assessment, proposed habitat conservation plan. ACTION: This notice advises the public that we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), in response to an application from Wright Solar Park, LLC (the applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant has prepared the draft Wright Solar Park Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to describe and implement a conservation plan that will minimize and mitigate environmental effects associated with the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of an up-to-200-megawatt photovoltaic power generating facility and implementation of conservation actions associated with the Habitat Conservation Plan in Merced County, California. We also announce a 60-day public comment period on the permit application, including the draft EA and the proposed HCP. We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by March 16, 2015. ADDRESSES: Please address written comments to Mike Thomas, Chief, Conservation Planning Division, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–2605, Sacramento, CA 95825. Alternatively, you may send comments by facsimile to (916) 414–6713. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Thomas, Chief, Conservation Planning Division, or Eric Tattersall, Deputy Assistant Field Supervisor, at the address in ADDRESSES or at (916) 414–6600 (telephone). If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, please call the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice advises the public that we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), in response to an application from Wright Solar Park, LLC (the applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the proposed incidental take (take) of three animal species proposed as ‘‘covered species’’ within a 5,181-acre permit area during a proposed permit term of 40 years. The applicant has prepared the draft Wright Solar Park Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to describe and implement a conservation plan that will minimize and mitigate environmental effects associated with the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of an up-to-200megawatt photovoltaic power generating facility and implementation of conservation actions associated with the Habitat Conservation Plan in Merced County, California. We also announce a 90-day public comment period on the permit application, including the draft EA and the proposed HCP. We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party. We publish this notice under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347 et seq.; NEPA), and its implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR parts 1500– 1508, as well as in compliance with section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531–1544 et seq.; Act). Availability of Documents You may obtain copies of the draft EA and the draft HCP from the individuals in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or from the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office Web site at https://www.fws.gov/ sacramento. Copies of these documents are also available for public inspection, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES). Background Information Section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531– 1544 et seq.) and Federal regulations (50 CFR part 17) prohibit the taking of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the Act. ‘‘Take’’ of federally listed fish or wildlife is defined under the Act as to ‘‘harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532(19). The term ‘‘harm’’ is defined in the regulations as ‘‘an act which actually kills or injures wildlife. Such act may include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering’’ (50 CFR 17.3). E:\FR\FM\13JAN1.SGM 13JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1659-1660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00392]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2014-N241; 80221-1113-0000-C2]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery 
Plan for Baker's Larkspur (Delphinium bakeri)

AGENCY:  Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:  Notice of document availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Baker's Larkspur 
(Delphinium bakeri) for public review and comment. The recovery plan 
includes downlisting objectives and criteria, and specific actions 
necessary to reclassify the species from endangered to threatened on 
the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.

DATES: We must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or 
before March 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan from our Web site 
at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/recovery-plans.html. 
Alternatively, you may contact the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2605, 
Sacramento, CA 95825 (telephone 916-414-6700).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor, at 
the above street address or telephone number (see ADDRESSES).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the 
point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program and the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.). Recovery means improvement of the status of listed species to 
the point at which listing is no longer appropriate under the criteria 
specified in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the 
development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan 
would not promote the conservation of a particular species.
    We listed Baker's larkspur throughout its entire range on January 
26, 2000 (65 FR 4156). The species is endemic to Marin and Sonoma 
Counties, California, and is currently known from one small historical 
occurrence along Marshall-Petaluma Road in west Marin County. The 
remaining historical occurrence of Baker's larkspur occurs on 
decomposed shale in the mixed woodland plant community at an elevation 
range of 295 feet (ft) (90 meter (m)) to 672 ft (205 m) in moderately 
moist, shaded conditions on a shallow veneer of soil along an extensive 
north-facing slope. These habitat requirements limit the availability 
of suitable reintroduction sites with appropriate habitat conditions 
and compatible land use. Although habitat conversion and road 
maintenance were historically responsible for decreasing numbers, those 
threats have been curtailed. Because of the extreme range restriction 
of this already-narrow endemic, and its small population size, the 
plant is highly vulnerable to extinction from random events, including 
wildfire, herbivory, disease and pest outbreaks, and human disturbance.

Recovery Plan Goals

    The purpose of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of species so that protection under the Act is no longer 
necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about the 
species and provides criteria that enable us to gauge whether 
downlisting or delisting the species is warranted. Furthermore, 
recovery plans help guide our recovery efforts by describing actions we 
consider necessary for each species' conservation and by estimating 
time and costs for implementing needed recovery measures.
    The goal of this recovery plan is to improve the status of Baker's 
larkspur so that it can be downlisted. Due to the current lack of 
information about the species' biology and habitat requirements, the 
magnitude of current threats, and the precarious environment where the 
single historical population of the species persists, we are unable to 
determine appropriate delisting criteria; therefore, we focus on 
meeting the goal of downlisting. To meet the recovery goal of 
downlisting, the following objectives have been identified:

    1. Expand the existing populations of Baker's larkspur and 
establish additional self-sustaining populations of Baker's larkspur 
throughout its known ecological and

[[Page 1660]]

geographical range, while preserving extant genetic diversity.
    2. Ensure existing and future populations are protected from 
incompatible uses, such as road maintenance.
    3. Reduce herbivory by slugs, snails, and gophers to the point 
that it does not affect the species at a population level.

    As Baker's larkspur meets reclassification criteria, we will review 
its status and consider it for downlisting on the Federal Lists of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.

Public Comments Solicited

    We solicit written comments on the draft recovery plan described in 
this notice. All comments received by the date specified above will be 
considered in development of a final recovery plan for Baker's 
larkspur. You may submit written comments and information by mail or in 
person to the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address 
(see ADDRESSES).

Public Availability of Comments

    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 in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Authority

    We developed this recovery plan under the authority of section 4(f) 
of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under section 
4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.).

    Dated: January 7, 2015.
Alexandra Pitts,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-00392 Filed 1-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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