Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Report for the Southern Sea Otter in California, 87951-87954 [2016-29190]

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[FR Doc. 2016–29215 Filed 12–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2016–N127; FF08EVEN00– FXFR1337088SSO0] Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Report for the Southern Sea Otter in California Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have developed a draft revised marine mammal stock assessment report (SAR) for the southern sea otter stock in the SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Dec 05, 2016 Jkt 241001 State of California. We now make the draft SAR available for public review and comment. DATES: We will consider comments that are received or postmarked on or before March 6, 2017. ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the draft revised SAR for southern sea otter, you may obtain a copy from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/ventura. Alternatively, you may contact the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003 (telephone: 805–644–1766). If you wish to comment on the SAR, you may submit your comments in writing by any one of the following methods: • U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the above address; • Hand delivery: Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address; • Fax: 805–644–3958; or • Email: fw8ssostock@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lilian Carswell, at the above street address, by telephone (805–612–2793), or by email (Lilian_Carswell@fws.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce the availability for review and comment of a draft revised marine mammal stock assessment report (SAR) for the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) stock in the State of California. Background Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 18, we regulate the taking; import; and, under certain conditions, possession; transportation; purchasing; selling; and offering for sale, purchase, or export, of marine mammals. One of the MMPA’s goals is to ensure that stocks of marine mammals occurring in waters under U.S. jurisdiction do not experience a level of human-caused mortality and serious injury that is likely to cause the stock to be reduced below its optimum sustainable population level (OSP). OSP is defined under the MMPA as ‘‘the number of animals which will result in the maximum productivity of the population or the species, keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the habitat and the health of the ecosystem of which they form a constituent element’’ (16 U.S.C. 1362(9)). To help accomplish the goal of maintaining marine mammal stocks at their OSPs, section 117 of the MMPA requires the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare a SAR for each marine mammal stock that occurs in waters under U.S. PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 87951 jurisdiction. A SAR must be based on the best scientific information available; therefore, we prepare it in consultation with established regional scientific review groups. Each SAR must include: 1. A description of the stock and its geographic range; 2. A minimum population estimate, current and maximum net productivity rate, and current population trend; 3. An estimate of the annual humancaused mortality and serious injury by source and, for a strategic stock, other factors that may be causing a decline or impeding recovery; 4. A description of commercial fishery interactions; 5. A categorization of the status of the stock; and 6. An estimate of the potential biological removal (PBR) level. The MMPA defines the PBR as ‘‘the maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its OSP’’ (16 U.S.C. 1362(20)). The PBR is the product of the minimum population estimate of the stock (Nmin); one-half the maximum theoretical or estimated net productivity rate of the stock at a small population size (Rmax); and a recovery factor (Fr) of between 0.1 and 1.0, which is intended to compensate for uncertainty and unknown estimation errors. This can be written as: PBR = (Nmin)(1⁄2 of the Rmax)(Fr) Section 117 of the MMPA also requires the Service and NMFS to review the SARs (a) at least annually for stocks that are specified as strategic stocks, (b) at least annually for stocks for which significant new information is available, and (c) at least once every 3 years for all other stocks. If our review of the status of a stock indicates that it has changed or may be more accurately determined, then the SAR must be revised accordingly. A strategic stock is defined in the MMPA as a marine mammal stock ‘‘(a) for which the level of direct humancaused mortality exceeds the PBR level; (b) which, based on the best available scientific information, is declining and is likely to be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) [the ‘‘ESA’’], within the foreseeable future; or (c) which is listed as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA, or is designated as depleted under [the MMPA].’’ 16 U.S.C. 1362(19). E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1 87952 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Notices more accurately determined. However, upon review in 2016, the Service determined that revision was warranted because of changes in population dynamics in the central portion of the mainland range and new information on fishery-related sea otter mortality. Stock Assessment Report History for the Southern Sea Otter in California The southern sea otter SAR was last revised in January 2014. Because the southern sea otter qualifies as a strategic stock due to its listing as a threatened species under the ESA, the Service has reviewed the stock assessment annually since then. In January 2015, Service review concluded that revision was not warranted because the status of the stock had not changed, nor could it be Summary of Draft Revised Stock Assessment Report for the Southern Sea Otter in California The following table summarizes some of the information contained in the draft revised southern sea otter SAR, which includes the stock’s Nmin, Rmax, Fr, PBR, annual estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury, and status. After consideration of any public comments we receive, the Service will revise and finalize the SAR, as appropriate. We will publish a notice of availability and summary of the final SAR, including responses to submitted comments. SUMMARY—DRAFT REVISED STOCK ASSESSMENT REPORT, SOUTHERN SEA OTTER IN CALIFORNIA Southern sea otter stock NMIN RMAX FR PBR Mainland ............................ 2,990 0.06 0.1 8.97 San Nicolas Island ............ Summary ........................... 64 3,054 0.13 .................. 0.1 .................. References In accordance with the MMPA, we include in this notice a list of the information sources and public reports upon which we based the SAR: Babcock, E.A., E.K. Pikitch, and C.G. Hudon. 2003. How much observer coverage is enough to adequately estimate bycatch? Pew Institute for Ocean Science and Oceana, 36 pp. Bacon, C.E. 1994. An ecotoxicological comparison of organic contaminants in sea otters among populations in California and Alaska. M.S. thesis, University of California, Santa Cruz. Bacon, C.E., W.M. Jarman, J.A. Estes, M. Simon, and R.J. Norstrom. 1999. Comparison of organochlorine contaminants among sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations in California and Alaska. Environ. Toxicology and Chemistry 18:452–458. Barlow, J. 1989. Estimating sample size required to monitor marine mammal mortality in California gillnet fisheries. Southwest Fisheries Science Center Administrative Report LJ–89–08, 8 pp. Bentall, G.B. 2005. Morphological and behavioral correlates of population status in the southern sea otter: a comparative study between central California and San Nicolas Island. Master’s Thesis, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Dec 05, 2016 Jkt 241001 Figures by specific source, where known, are provided in the SAR. Stock status 0.42 9 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. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Annual estimated human-caused mortality and serious injury unpublished. Burge, C.A., C.M. Eakin, C.S. Friedman, B. Froelich, P.K. Hershberger, E.E. Hofmann, L.E. Petes, K.C. Prager, E. Weil, B.L. Willis, S.E. Ford, and C.D. Harvell. 2014. Climate change influences on marine infectious diseases: implications for management and society. Annual Review of Marine Science 6:249–277. Bryant, H.C. 1915. Sea otters near Point Sur. California Department of Fish and Game Bulletin. 1:134–135. Cameron, G.A. and K.A. Forney. 2000. Preliminary estimates of cetacean mortality in California/Oregon gillnet fisheries for 1999. Paper SC/S2/O24 presented to the International Whaling Commission, 2000 (unpublished), 12 pp. Available from NMFS, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, California, 92038. Carretta, J.V. 2001. Preliminary estimates of cetacean mortality in California gillnet fisheries for 2000. Paper SC/53/SM9 presented to the International Whaling Commission, 2001 (unpublished), 21 pp. Available from NMFS, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, California, 92038. Conrad P.A., M.A. Miller, C. Kreuder, E.R. James, J. Mazet, H. Dabritz, D.A. Jessup, F. Gulland, M.E. Grigg. 2005. Transmission of toxoplasma: Clues from the study of sea otters as sentinels of Toxoplasma gondii flow into the marine environment. International Journal for Parasitology 35:1155–1168. Cronin, M.A., J. Bodkin, B. Bellachey, J.A. Estes, and J.C. Patton. 1996. Mitochondrial-DNA variation among subspecies and populations of sea otters (Enhydra lutris). Journal of Mammalogy 77:546–557. Dubey, J.P., N.L. Miller, and D.K. Frenkel. 1970. Toxoplasma gondii life cycle in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 157:1767–1770. Estes, J.A. 1990. Growth and equilibrium in sea otter populations. J. Anim. Ecol. PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Strategic. 59:385–401. Estes, J.A. and R.J. Jameson. 1988. A doublesurvey estimate for sighting probability of sea otters in California. Journal of Wildlife Management 52:70–76. Estes, J.A., B.B. Hatfield, K. Ralls, and J. Ames. 2003. Causes of mortality in California sea otters during periods of population growth and decline. Marine Mammal Science 19:198–216. Forney, K.A., S.R. Benson, and G.A. Cameron. 2001. Central California gill net effort and bycatch of sensitive species, 1990–1998. Pages 141–160 in Seabird Bycatch: Trends, Roadblocks, and Solutions, E.F. Melvin and J.K. Parrish, eds. Proceedings of an International Symposium of the Pacific Seabird Group, University of Alaska Sea Grant, Fairbanks, Alaska, 212 pp. Gazeau F., L.M. Parker, S. Comeau, J.-P. Gattuso, W.A. O’Connor, S. Martin, H.-O. ¨ Portner, and P.M. Ross. 2013. Impacts of ocean acidification on marine shelled molluscs. Marine Biology 160:2207– 2245. Gerber, L.R., M.T. Tinker, D.F. Doak, J.A. Estes, and D.A. Jessup. 2004. Mortality sensitivity in life-stage simulation analysis: A case study of southern sea otters. Ecological Applications 14:1554– 1565. Hatfield, B.B. and J.A. Estes. 2000. Preliminary results of an evaluation of the potential threat to sea otters posed by the nearshore finfish trap fishery. Unpublished, 6 pp. + appendices. Hatfield, B.B., J.A. Ames, J.A. Estes, M.T. Tinker, A.B. Johnson, M.M. Staedler, and M.D. Harris. 2011. Sea otter mortality in fish and shellfish traps: Estimating potential impacts and exploring possible solutions. Endangered Species Research 13:219–229. Herrick, S.F. Jr. and D. Hanan. 1988. A review of California entangling net fisheries, 1981–1986. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Technical Memorandum. National Marine Fisheries Service. NOAA–TM– E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Notices NMFS–SWFC–108, 39 pp. Jameson, R.J. 1989. Movements, home range, and territories of male sea otters off central California. Marine Mammal Science 5:159–172. Jameson, R.J. and S. Jeffries. 1999. Results of the 1999 survey of the Washington sea otter population. Unpublished report, 5 pp. Jameson, R.J. and S. Jeffries. 2005. Results of the 2005 survey of the reintroduced Washington sea otter population. Unpublished report, 6 pp. Jessup D.A., M.A. Miller, M. Harris, B.B. Hatfield, and J.A. Estes. 2004. The 2003 southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) unusual mortality event: A preliminary report to NOAA and USFWS. Unpublished report, 38 pp. Johnson, C.K., M.T. Tinker, J.A. Estes, P.A. Conrad, M. Staedler, M.A. Miller, D.A. Jessup and J.A.K. Mazet. 2009. Prey choice and habitat use drive sea otter pathogen exposure in a resource-limited coastal system. PNAS 106:2242–2247. Kannan, K., E. Perrotta, and N.J. Thomas. 2006. Association between perfluorinated compounds and pathological conditions in southern sea otters. Environmental Science & Technology 40:4943–4948. Kannan, K., E. Perrotta, N.J. Thomas, and K.M. Aldous. 2007. A comparative analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in southern sea otters that died of infectious diseases and noninfectious causes. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 53:293– 302. Kannan K., K.S. Guruge, N.J. Thomas, S. Tanabe, J.P. Giesy. 1998. Butyltin residues in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) found dead along California coastal waters. Environmental Science and Technology 32:1169–1175. Kooyman, G.L. and D.P. Costa. 1979. Effects of oiling on temperature regulation in sea otters. Yearly progress report, Outer Continental Shelf Energy Assessment Program. Kreuder, C., M.A. Miller, D.A. Jessup, L.J. Lowenstein, M.D. Harris, J.A. Ames, T.E. Carpenter, P.A. Conrad, and J.A.K. Mazet. 2003. Patterns of mortality in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) from 1998–2001. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 39:495–509. Kreuder, C., M.A. Miller, L.J. Lowenstine, P.A. Conrad, T.E. Carpenter, D.A. Jessup, and J.A.K. Mazet. 2005. Evaluation of cardiac lesions and risk factors associated with myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). American Journal of Veterinary Research 66:289–299. Kroeker, K. J., R.L. Kordas, R. N. Crim, and G.G. Singh. 2010. Meta-analysis reveals negative yet variable effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms. Ecology Letters 13:1419–1434. Kudela, R.M., J.Q. Lane, W.P. Cochlan. 2008. The potential role of anthropogenically derived nitrogen in the growth of harmful algae in California, USA. Harmful Algae 8:103–110. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Dec 05, 2016 Jkt 241001 Kurihara, H., and Y. Shirayama. 2004. Effects of increased atmospheric CO2 on sea urchin early development. Marine Ecology Progress Series 274:161–169. Kurihara, H., T. Asai, S. Kato, and A. Ishimatsu. 2008. Effects of elevated pCO2 on early development in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Aquatic Biology 4:225–233. Laidre, K.L., R.J. Jameson, and D.P. DeMaster. 2001. An estimation of carrying capacity for sea otters along the California coast. Marine Mammal Science 17:294–309. Larson, S., R. Jameson, J. Bodkin, M. Staedler, and P. Bentzen. 2002. Microsatellite DNA and mitochondrial DNA variation in remnant and translocated sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations. Journal of Mammalogy 83:893–906. Mayer, K.A., M.D. Dailey, and M.A. Miller. 2003. Helminth parasites of the southern sea otter Enhydra lutris nereis in central California: abundance, distribution, and pathology. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 53:77–88. Miller, M.A., M.E. Grigg, C. Kreuder, E.R. James, A.C. Melli, P.R. Crosbie, D.A. Jessup, J.C. Boothroyd, D. Brownstein, and P.A. Conrad. 2004. An unusual genotype of Toxoplasma gondii is common in California sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) and is a cause of mortality. International Journal for Parasitology 34:275–284. Miller, M.A., I.A. Gardner, C. Kreuder, D.M. Paradies, K.R. Worcester, D.A. Jessup, E. Dodd, M.D. Harris, J.A. Ames, A.E. Packham, and P.A. Conrad. 2002. Coastal freshwater runoff is a risk factor for Toxoplasma gondii infection of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). International Journal for Parasitology 32:997–1006. Miller, M.A., W.A. Miller, P.A. Conrad, E.R. James, A.C. Melli, C.M. Leutenegger, H.A. Dabritz, A.E. Packham, D. Paradies, M. Harris, J. Ames, D.A. Jessup, K. Worcester, M.E. Grigg. 2008. Type X Toxoplasma gondii in a wild mussel and terrestrial carnivores from coastal California: new linkages between terrestrial mammals, runoff and toxoplasmosis of sea otters. International Journal for Parasitology 38:1319–1328. Miller, M.A., R.M. Kudela, A. Mekebri, D. Crane, S.C. Oates, M.T. Tinker, M. Staedler, W.A. Miller, S. Toy-Choutka, C. Domink, D. Hardin, G. Langlois, M. Murray, K. Ward and D.A. Jessup. 2010. Evidence for a novel marine harmful algal bloom: cyanotoxin (Microcystin) transfer from land to sea otters. PLoS ONE 5:e12576. Monson, D.H., J.A. Estes, J.L. Bodkin, and D.B. Siniff. 2000. Life history plasticity and population regulation in sea otters. Oikos 90:457–468. Mos, L. 2001. Domoic acid: a fascinating marine toxin. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 9:79–85. Nakata, H., K. Kannan, L. Jing, N. Thomas, S. Tanabe, and J.P. Giesy. 1998. Accumulation pattern of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in southern sea otters PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 87953 (Enhydra lutris nereis) found stranded along coastal California, USA. Environmental Pollution 103:45–53. Ralls, K., T.C. Eagle, and D.B. Siniff. 1996. Movement and spatial use patterns of California sea otters. Canadian Journal of Zoology 74:1841–1849. Sanchez, M.S. 1992. Differentiation and variability of mitochondrial DNA in three sea otter, Enhydra lutris, populations. M.S. Thesis, University of California Santa Cruz. Siniff, D.B., T.D. Williams, A.M. Johnson, and D.L. Garshelis. 1982. Experiments on the response of sea otters, Enhydra lutris, to oil contamination. Biological Conservation 2: 261–272. Stumpp, M., J. Wren, Frank Melzner, M.C. Thorndyke, and S.T. Dupont. 2011. CO2 induced seawater acidification impacts sea urchin larval development I: Elevated metabolic rates decrease scope for growth and induce developmental delay. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 160:331–340. Taylor, B.L., M. Scott, J. Heyning, and J. Barlow. 2003. Suggested guidelines for recovery factors for endangered marine mammals. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS– SWFSC–354. Tinker, M.T. and B.B. Hatfield. 2015. Southwest U.S. Southern sea otter annual range-wide census results: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release, https:// dx.doi.org/10.5066/F7F47M5C. Tinker, M.T., G. Bentall, and J.A. Estes. 2008a. Food limitation leads to behavioral diversification and dietary specialization in sea otters. PNAS 105:560–565. Tinker, M.T., D.F. Doak, and J.A. Estes. 2008b. Using demography and movement behavior to predict range expansion of the southern sea otter. Ecological Applications 18:1781–1794. Tinker, M.T., B.B. Hatfield, M.D. Harris, and J.A. Ames. 2015. Dramatic increase in sea otter mortality from white sharks in California. Marine Mammal Science. doi:10.1111/mms.12261. Tinker, M.T., J.A. Estes, K. Ralls, T.M. Williams, D. Jessup, and D.P. Costa. 2006a. Population Dynamics and Biology of the California Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) at the Southern End of its Range. MMS OCS Study 2006–07. Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, California. MMS Cooperative Agreement Number 14–35–0001–31063. Tinker, M.T., D.F. Doak, J.A. Estes, B.B. Hatfield, M.M. Staedler, and J. Bodkin. 2006b. Incorporating diverse data and realistic complexity into demographic estimation procedures for sea otters. Ecological Applications 16:2293–2312. Tinker, M.T., D. Jessup, M. Staedler, M. Murray, M. Miller, T. Burgess, E. Bowen, K. Miles, J. Tomoleoni, N. Thometz, L. Tarjan, E. Golson, F. Batac, E. Dodd, E. Berberich, J. Kunz, G. Bentall, T. Nicholson, S. Newsome, H. MacCormick, A. Melli, A. Johnson, L. Henkel, C. Kreuder-Johnson, and P. Conrad. 2013. E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1 87954 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 234 / Tuesday, December 6, 2016 / Notices Sea otter population biology at Big Sur and Monterey California: investigating the consequences of resource abundance and anthropogenic stressors for sea otter recovery. Draft Final Report to California Coastal Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. University of California, Santa Cruz, 243 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2003. Final Revised Recovery Plan for the Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis). Portland, Oregon, xi + 165 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. Southern Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Ventura, California. 42 pp. Valentine, K., D.A. Duffield, L.E. Patrick, D.R. Hatch, V.L. Butler, R.L. Hall, and N. Lehman. 2008. Ancient DNA reveals genotypic relationships among Oregon populations of the sea otter (Enhydra lutris). Conservation Genetics 9:933–938. Vezie, C., J. Rapala, J. Vaitomaa, J. Seitsonen, and K. Sivonen. 2002. Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth of toxic and nontoxic Microcystis strains and on intracellular microcystin concentrations. Microbial Ecology 43:443–454. Walther, G.-R, E. Post, P. Convey, A. Menzel, C. Parmesank, T.J.C. Beebee, J.-M. Fromentin, O. Hoegh-Guldberg, and F. Bairlein. 2002. Ecological responses to recent climate change. Nature 416:389– 395. Wendell, F.E., R.A. Hardy, and J.A. Ames. 1986. An assessment of the accidental take of sea otters, Enhydra lutris, in gill and trammel nets. California Department of Fish and Game, Mar. Res. Tech. Rep. No. 54, 31 pp. Wilson, D.E., M.A. Bogan, R.L. Brownell, Jr., A.M. Burdin, and M.K. Maminov. 1991. Geographic variation in sea otters, Enhydra lutris. Journal of Mammalogy 72:22–36. Authority: The authority for this action is the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et al.). Dated: November 23, 2016. James W. Kurth, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2016–29190 Filed 12–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES [15XL LLIDB03000 LF3100000 DD0000 LFHFFR650000 241A 4500078680] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Tri-State Fuel Breaks Project, Owyhee County, ID, and Malheur County, OR Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:39 Dec 05, 2016 Jkt 241001 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Boise District Office, Boise, Idaho, and the Vale District Office, Vale, Oregon, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a landscape level fuel break project located in Owyhee County, Idaho, and Malheur County, Oregon. This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until January 5, 2017. Any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local media, and online at www.blm.gov/id and at www.blm.gov/or. To be most helpful in the preparation of the Draft EIS, comments must be postmarked, faxed, or submitted electronically by the close of the 30-day scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. The BLM will provide additional opportunities for public involvement upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: Submit comments related to the Tri-state Fuel Breaks Project by any of the following methods: • Email: blm_id_tristate@blm.gov • Fax: 208–384–3489 • Mail: 3948 South Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705 Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM Boise District Office located at the above address and the BLM Vale District Office, 100 Oregon Street, Vale, OR 97918. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lance Okeson, Project Lead, Fuels Assistant Fire Management Officer; telephone: 208–384–3300; address: 3948 South Development Ave., Boise, ID 83705; email: blm_id_tristate@blm.gov. Contact Mr. Okeson to add your name to our mailing list. Persons using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at (800) 877–8339. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question for Mr. Okeson. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southwest Idaho, southeast Oregon, and northern Nevada (the Tri-state area) comprise one of the largest intact areas of Greater Sage-grouse (GRSG) habitat in the Northern Great Basin. The shrub-steppe ecosystem within this area is also one of the most imperiled ecosystems in the United States. The U.S. Fish and DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Wildlife Service identified the Northern Great Basin as a Priority Area for Conservation (PAC) in its 2013 Conservation Objectives Team Report due to the threat of wildfire, invasive annual grasses, and conifer expansion. Management of wildfire has been identified as one of the key issues for maintaining sage-grouse populations in sagebrush-dominated landscapes. Secretarial Order 3336 calls for ‘‘. . . an increased focus to suppressing wildfire in highly valuable portions of sagebrush steppe ecosystem to reduce the loss of critically important greater sage-grouse habitat . . . .’’ The 2010 Rapid Ecoregional Assessment of the Northern Basin and Range and Snake River Plain identified the Tri-state area as being at high risk for large-scale wildfires. Wildfires in this remote area can grow quickly and affect hundreds of thousands of acres of sage-grouse habitat within a matter of days. The 2012 Long Draw Fire (558,198 acres), the 2014 Buzzard Complex Fire (395,747 acres), and the 2015 Soda Fire (285,360 acres), all in or near the project area, each had multiple hundred thousand-acre runs in a single burning period, at rates of spread between 10 and 15 miles per hour. Tri-State Strategy The Tri-state Strategy is being developed as an integrated approach to protecting valuable, intact sage-grouse habitat from the threat of wildfire in the Tri-state area. There are several components to the strategy: Coordinating wildfire suppression per the Idaho-Oregon-Nevada Tri-state Local Operating Plan; applying existing and future travel management planning decisions for road access and maintenance, which are essential for fire suppression operations; applying national and local wildfire suppression policies and directives that prioritize protection of important habitats; assessing strategic pre-positioning locations of suppression resources, necessary infrastructure additions and funding sources needed to shorten response times; and implementing the Tri-state Fuel Breaks Project, which is the subject of this notice. Purpose and Need The Tri-state area provides important sage-grouse habitat. There is a high potential for large wildfires in the Tristate area due to its remoteness, continuous fuels (i.e., intact sagebrush and understory), and limited sites for firefighters to establish safe anchor points (i.e., secure locations for firefighters to engage a fire without the chance of being outflanked by the fire). E:\FR\FM\06DEN1.SGM 06DEN1

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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87951-87954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29190]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2016-N127; FF08EVEN00-FXFR1337088SSO0]

Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Report for the
Southern Sea Otter in California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended, and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), have developed a draft revised marine
mammal stock assessment report (SAR) for the southern sea otter stock
in the State of California. We now make the draft SAR available for
public review and comment.

DATES: We will consider comments that are received or postmarked on or
before March 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the draft revised SAR for southern sea
otter, you may obtain a copy from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/ventura. Alternatively, you may contact the Ventura Fish and Wildlife
Office, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003 (telephone: 805-
644-1766). If you wish to comment on the SAR, you may submit your
comments in writing by any one of the following methods:
U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the above address;
Hand delivery: Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office at the
above address;
Fax: 805-644-3958; or
Email: fw8ssostock@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lilian Carswell, at the above street
address, by telephone (805-612-2793), or by email
(Lilian_Carswell@fws.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce the availability for review and
comment of a draft revised marine mammal stock assessment report (SAR)
for the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) stock in the State
of California.

Background

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA;
16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its implementing regulations in the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 18, we regulate the taking;
import; and, under certain conditions, possession; transportation;
purchasing; selling; and offering for sale, purchase, or export, of
marine mammals. One of the MMPA's goals is to ensure that stocks of
marine mammals occurring in waters under U.S. jurisdiction do not
experience a level of human-caused mortality and serious injury that is
likely to cause the stock to be reduced below its optimum sustainable
population level (OSP). OSP is defined under the MMPA as ``the number
of animals which will result in the maximum productivity of the
population or the species, keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the
habitat and the health of the ecosystem of which they form a
constituent element'' (16 U.S.C. 1362(9)).
To help accomplish the goal of maintaining marine mammal stocks at
their OSPs, section 117 of the MMPA requires the Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to prepare a SAR for each
marine mammal stock that occurs in waters under U.S. jurisdiction. A
SAR must be based on the best scientific information available;
therefore, we prepare it in consultation with established regional
scientific review groups. Each SAR must include:
1. A description of the stock and its geographic range;
2. A minimum population estimate, current and maximum net
productivity rate, and current population trend;
3. An estimate of the annual human-caused mortality and serious
injury by source and, for a strategic stock, other factors that may be
causing a decline or impeding recovery;
4. A description of commercial fishery interactions;
5. A categorization of the status of the stock; and
6. An estimate of the potential biological removal (PBR) level.
The MMPA defines the PBR as ``the maximum number of animals, not
including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal
stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its OSP'' (16
U.S.C. 1362(20)). The PBR is the product of the minimum population
estimate of the stock (Nmin); one-half the maximum
theoretical or estimated net productivity rate of the stock at a small
population size (Rmax); and a recovery factor
(Fr) of between 0.1 and 1.0, which is intended to compensate
for uncertainty and unknown estimation errors. This can be written as:

PBR = (Nmin)(\1/2\ of the Rmax)(Fr)

Section 117 of the MMPA also requires the Service and NMFS to
review the SARs (a) at least annually for stocks that are specified as
strategic stocks, (b) at least annually for stocks for which
significant new information is available, and (c) at least once every 3
years for all other stocks. If our review of the status of a stock
indicates that it has changed or may be more accurately determined,
then the SAR must be revised accordingly.
A strategic stock is defined in the MMPA as a marine mammal stock
``(a) for which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds the
PBR level; (b) which, based on the best available scientific
information, is declining and is likely to be listed as a threatened
species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) [the ``ESA''], within the foreseeable future; or (c)
which is listed as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA, or
is designated as depleted under [the MMPA].'' 16 U.S.C. 1362(19).

[[Page 87952]]

Stock Assessment Report History for the Southern Sea Otter in
California

The southern sea otter SAR was last revised in January 2014.
Because the southern sea otter qualifies as a strategic stock due to
its listing as a threatened species under the ESA, the Service has
reviewed the stock assessment annually since then. In January 2015,
Service review concluded that revision was not warranted because the
status of the stock had not changed, nor could it be more accurately
determined. However, upon review in 2016, the Service determined that
revision was warranted because of changes in population dynamics in the
central portion of the mainland range and new information on fishery-
related sea otter mortality.

Summary of Draft Revised Stock Assessment Report for the Southern Sea
Otter in California

The following table summarizes some of the information contained in
the draft revised southern sea otter SAR, which includes the stock's
Nmin, Rmax, Fr, PBR, annual estimated
human-caused mortality and serious injury, and status. After
consideration of any public comments we receive, the Service will
revise and finalize the SAR, as appropriate. We will publish a notice
of availability and summary of the final SAR, including responses to
submitted comments.

Summary--Draft Revised Stock Assessment Report, Southern Sea Otter in California
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Annual estimated human-caused
Southern sea otter stock NMIN RMAX FR PBR mortality and serious injury Stock status
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Mainland................................. 2,990 0.06 0.1 8.97 Figures by specific source, Strategic.
where known, are provided in
the SAR.
San Nicolas Island....................... 64 0.13 0.1 0.42
Summary.................................. 3,054 .......... .......... 9
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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.

References

In accordance with the MMPA, we include in this notice a list of
the information sources and public reports upon which we based the SAR:

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Barlow, J. 1989. Estimating sample size required to monitor marine
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cetacean mortality in California/Oregon gillnet fisheries for 1999.
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2000 (unpublished), 12 pp. Available from NMFS, Southwest Fisheries
Science Center, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, California, 92038.
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the International Whaling Commission, 2001 (unpublished), 21 pp.
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[[Page 87953]]

NMFS-SWFC-108, 39 pp.
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M.A. Miller, D.A. Jessup and J.A.K. Mazet. 2009. Prey choice and
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Authority: The authority for this action is the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et al.).

Dated: November 23, 2016.
James W. Kurth,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-29190 Filed 12-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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