Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Pima Pineapple Cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina) Draft Recovery Plan, 28875-28877 [2017-13309]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 121 / Monday, June 26, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–HQ–IA–2016–N174;
FXIA16710900000–177–FF09A10000]
Threatened Species; Exemption From
Threatened Species Permits for a
Qualifying Beluga Sturgeon
Aquaculture Facility
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), provide
notice of an exemption to threatened
species permit requirements granted
under our Endangered Species Act (Act)
regulations for beluga sturgeon (Huso
huso). The exemption is for beluga
sturgeon reared in an aquaculture
facility in Florida that the Service found
meets the criteria under our regulations.
The exemption authorizes the facility to
take beluga sturgeon from its
aquacultured stock for the purpose of
harvesting aquacultured beluga sturgeon
meat and also authorizes the facility to
engage in interstate commerce and
export of beluga sturgeon meat, which it
harvests from its aquacultured stock
without a threatened species permit.
ADDRESSES: Documents and other
information submitted with the
application are available for review,
subject to the requirements of the
Privacy Act and Freedom of Information
Act, by any party who submits a written
request for a copy of such documents to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division
of Scientific Authority, MS: IA, 5275
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041;
fax (703) 358–2276.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Rosemarie Gnam, (703) 358–1708
(telephone); (703) 358–2276 (fax);
Rosemarie_Gnam@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Background
Under section 4(d) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Service has
discretion to issue regulations that we
find necessary and advisable to provide
for the conservation of threatened
wildlife. We may also prohibit by
regulation, with respect to threatened
wildlife, any act that is prohibited by
section 9(a)(1) of the Act for endangered
wildlife. In exercising this discretion,
the Service enforces general
prohibitions that are appropriate for
most threatened species. These
prohibitions are codified in title 50 of
the Code of Federal Regulations at 50
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:04 Jun 23, 2017
Jkt 241001
CFR 17.31; threatened species permit
requirements are at 50 CFR 17.32. In
2005, the Service promulgated
regulations under section 4(d) of the Act
for the beluga sturgeon, a threatened
species (70 FR 10493, March 4, 2005);
these regulations are codified at 50 CFR
17.44(y).
In accordance with 50 CFR
17.44(y)(5), we consider applications for
exemptions from threatened species
permits for beluga sturgeon caviar and
meat obtained from aquaculture
facilities located outside the littoral
States of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan,
Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia
and Montenegro, Turkey, Turkmenistan,
and Ukraine. These exemptions are for
individual facilities. Through an
exemption, the Service may authorize
aquacultured beluga sturgeon caviar and
meat originating from the facility to be
imported, exported, re-exported, or
traded in interstate and foreign
commerce without threatened species
permits issued under 50 CFR 17.32.
Additionally, the Service may authorize
an exemption for aquaculture facilities
within the United States from
prohibitions against take for purposes of
harvesting caviar or meat or for
conducting activities involving research
to enhance the survival or propagation
of the species.
Under the 4(d) rule, the Service may
issue such exemptions only after a
facility has satisfactorily demonstrated
to us that criteria in § 17.44(y)(5)(i)
through (iii) have been met, including:
(1) The relevant regulatory authority has
certified that the facility implements
sufficient controls to prevent the escape
of live animals and disease pathogens
into local ecosystems; (2) the facility
does not rely on wild beluga sturgeon
for broodstock; and (3) the facility has
entered into a formal agreement with
one or more littoral states to study,
protect, or otherwise enhance the
survival of wild populations of beluga
sturgeon. Exemptions granted under
§ 17.44(y)(5) shall not apply to trade
(import, export, re-export, or interstate
and foreign commerce) in live beluga
sturgeon. Exemptions may be revoked at
any time if the Service determines that
any of the criteria shown in paragraphs
(y)(5)(i) through (iii) are not met by the
facility, and applicants are required to
submit biennial reports on their
compliance. In addition to meeting all
requirements of the 4(d) rule, all
applicable provisions in 50 CFR parts
13, 14, and 23 remain in effect and must
also be met.
On March 6, 2013, we received an
application from Sturgeon AquaFarms
that requested an exemption from
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
28875
threatened species permits in
accordance with 50 CFR 17.44(y)(5) for
Sturgeon AquaFarms’ aquaculture
facility in Bascom, Florida. In
evaluating the application, the Service
sought additional information from the
applicant, the State of Florida, and the
littoral states with which the applicant
has entered into formal agreements (the
Russian Federation and the Republic of
Azerbaijan). We also conducted a site
visit at the Sturgeon AquaFarms’
aquaculture facility in Bascom, Florida.
On June 15, 2016, the Service approved,
under certain conditions, the requested
exemption from threatened species
permitting requirements to allow the
take of beluga sturgeon from Sturgeon
AquaFarms’ aquacultured stock, located
at its facility in Bascom, Florida, for the
purpose of harvesting beluga meat and
to allow for the interstate commerce and
export of beluga meat the facility
harvests from its aquacultured stock.
This exemption applies to aquacultured
beluga meat only; it does not apply to
trade in beluga caviar or live beluga
sturgeon.
Authority: We issue this notice under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and in accordance with
50 CFR 17.44(y)(5)(iv).
Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst, Division of Management
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2017–13232 Filed 6–23–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R2–ES–2016–N203;
FXES11130200000–167–FF02ENEH00]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; Pima Pineapple Cactus
(Coryphantha scheeri var.
robustispina) Draft Recovery Plan
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for comment.
AGENCY:
We, the Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service), announce that of our
Pima pineapple cactus (Coryphantha
scheeri var. robustispina) draft recovery
plan is available. The cactus is listed as
endangered under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
This plant species is currently found in
southern Arizona and in northern
Sonora, Mexico. The draft recovery plan
includes specific recovery objectives
and criteria to be met in order to enable
us to remove this species from the list
of endangered and threatened wildlife
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM
26JNN1
28876
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 121 / Monday, June 26, 2017 / Notices
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
and plants. We request that local, State,
and Federal agencies; Tribes; and the
public review and comment. We will
also accept any new species status
information throughout its range to
assist with recovery plan finalization.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive written comments on or
before August 25, 2017. However, we
will accept information about any
species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: If
you wish to review the draft recovery
plan, you may obtain a copy by any one
of the following methods:
Internet: Download the file at
www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/
R2ES/
CoryphanthaScheeriRobustispina_
DraftRecoveryPlan_Final_
February2015.pdf;
U.S. mail: Request a copy by writing
to the Arizona Ecological Services Field
Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 9828
N 31st Ave. #C3, Phoenix, AZ 85051–
2517; or
Telephone: Request a copy by calling
(602) 242–0210.
Submitting Comments: If you wish to
comment on the draft recovery plan,
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: Arizona Ecological
Services Field Office, at the above
address;
Fax: (602) 242–2513; or
Email: julie_crawford@fws.gov.
For additional information about
submitting comments, see Request for
Public Comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor,
Arizona Ecological Services Field
Office, at the above address and phone
number, or by email at Steve_Spangle@
fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
A primary goal of our endangered
species program and the Act (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) is endangered or
threatened animals and plants recovery
to the point that they are again secure,
self-sustaining ecosystem members.
Recovery means improving the listed
species’ status to the point that listing
is no longer appropriate under the Act’s
section 4(a)(1) criteria. The Act requires
recovery plans for listed species, unless
such a plan would not promote
conserving a particular species.
Species History
Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina
(Pima pineapple cactus) is found in
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:04 Jun 23, 2017
Jkt 241001
lower Sonoran desert-scrubland, desertgrassland, or the ecotone between
desert-scrubland and desert-grassland in
southeastern Arizona and northern
Sonora, Mexico. It was federally listed
as endangered on September 23, 1993;
critical habitat was not designated. The
taxon has been found historically in
Pima and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona,
and northern Sonora, Mexico, where it
occupies a small area proximal to the
U.S. border. Coryphantha scheeri var.
robustispina is not listed under Mexican
protected species regulations by the
´
Secretarıa de Medio Ambiente y
Recursos Naturales. The recovery
priority number for Coryphantha
scheeri var. robustispina is 3C, meaning
that the listed entity is a subspecies, the
level of threat is high, the potential for
recovery is high, and there is a conflict
with some form of economic activity
(urbanization). The first 5-year status
review for Coryphantha scheeri var.
robustispina was signed on February 8,
2007. Based on the static or declining
status of the species across its range and
continued threats, it was recommended
in the 5-year review that the taxon
remain listed as endangered.
Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina
is a small, hemispheric-to-cylindrical
stem succulent perennial of the
Cactaceae (cactus family). Its stems
reach 5 to 46 centimeters (cm) (1.9 to
18.1 inches (in)) in height and 5 to 21
cm (1.9 to 8.3 in) in diameter, are
comprised primarily of tough, fleshy
pulp, and are protected by a leathery
outer skin. Stems may be singular or
form clumps. The surface of the stems
are covered in 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in)
long rounded projections called
tubercles, each of which is grooved
along the upper surface and contains
one to several extra floral nectaries
(places that secrete nectar to attract
pollinators) along each groove. The
flowers of C. scheeri var. robustispina
average 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long with pale
yellow tepals (petals and sepals) that are
variously tinged with red pigments.
Flowers generally open early to midJuly following summer rains.
Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina
occurs within two subbasins of the
Santa Cruz Watershed: Brawley Wash
and the Upper Santa Cruz. These
subbasins face largely differing threats
and stressors and are managed in
differing ways. The major threats within
Brawley Wash, which is managed
primarily for livestock grazing, include
the spread of invasive, non-native
grasses and the resultant altered fire
regimes and increased competition. A
major threat within Upper Santa Cruz,
which includes Tucson, Nogales, and
the urban areas between, is
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
urbanization. Throughout the entire
range, C. scheeri var. robustispina is
stressed by drought and climate change
impacts, as well as predation by
mammals and insects.
Plants are found on lands owned or
managed by the Federal government
(approximately 12 percent), State
government (approximately 46 percent),
Tribal government (approximately 2
percent), and private entities
(approximately 40 percent).
Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is
typically found widely spaced in the
landscape. A total of 6,712 individuals
have been documented in our files from
surveys of 43,072 hectares (106,433
acres) of suitable habitat. Similarly, as of
the summer of 2015, the Arizona
Natural Heritage Program database of
locations for this taxon consisted of
7,558 records, of which 1,837 were
known to no longer exist, primarily due
to development and not natural causes.
The principal C. scheeri var.
robustispina recovery strategy is to
preserve and restore quality habitat to
protect individuals and their seedbanks
within two recovery units representing
the range of the taxon. Providing
conservation and restoration of the
taxon and its habitat will allow a stable,
self-sustaining population to persist
with some level of connectivity and
opportunities for expansion and
dispersal.
Recovery Plan Goals
The objective of a recovery plan is to
provide a framework for the recovery of
a species so that protection under the
Act is no longer necessary. A recovery
plan includes scientific information
about the species and provides criteria
and actions necessary for us to be able
to reclassify the species to threatened
status or remove it from the List of
Endangered and Threatened Plants
(List) at 50 CFR 17.12(h). Recovery
plans help guide our recovery efforts by
describing actions we consider
necessary for the species’ conservation,
and by estimating time and costs for
implementing needed recovery
measures. To achieve its goals, this draft
recovery plan identifies the following
objectives:
1. Threat-based objective: Reduce or
mitigate habitat loss and degradation,
non-native species spread and the
resultant altered fire regimes and
increased competition, and other
stressors, to enhance the continued
survival of C. scheeri var. robustispina
and its pollinators.
2. Habitat-based objective: Conserve,
restore, and properly manage the
quantity and quality of habitat needed
E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM
26JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 121 / Monday, June 26, 2017 / Notices
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
for the continued survival of C. scheeri
var. robustispina and its pollinators.
3. Population-based objective:
Conserve, protect, and restore existing
and newly discovered C. scheeri var.
robustispina individuals and their
associated seedbanks needed for the
continued survival of the taxon. The
population must be self-sustaining, of
sufficient number to endure climatic
variation, stochastic events, and
catastrophic losses, and must represent
the full range of the species’ geographic
and genetic variability.
The draft recovery plan focuses on
conserving and enhancing habitat
quality, protecting the population,
managing threats, monitoring progress,
and building partnerships to facilitate
recovery. When the recovery of C.
scheeri var. robustispina approaches
these criteria, we will review the
species’ status and consider
downlisting, and, ultimately, removal
from the List.
Request for Public Comments
Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to
provide public notice and an
opportunity for public review and
comment during recovery plan
development. It is also our policy to
request peer review of recovery plans
(July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an
appendix to the approved recovery plan,
we will summarize and respond to the
issues raised by the public and peer
reviewers. Substantive comments may
or may not result in changes to the
recovery plan; comments regarding
recovery plan implementation will be
forwarded as appropriate to Federal or
other entities so that they can be taken
into account during the course of
implementing recovery actions.
Responses to individual commenters
will not be provided, but we will
provide a summary of how we
addressed substantive comments in an
appendix to the approved recovery plan.
We invite written comments on the
draft recovery plan. In particular, we are
interested in additional information
regarding the current threats to the
species and the costs associated with
implementing the recommended
recovery actions.
Before we approve our final recovery
plan, we will consider all comments we
receive by the date specified in DATES.
Methods of submitting comments are in
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:04 Jun 23, 2017
Jkt 241001
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.
Comments and materials we receive
will be available, by appointment, for
public inspection during normal
business hours at our office (see
ADDRESSES).
References Cited
A complete list of all references cited
herein is available upon request from
the Arizona Ecological Services Office
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Authority
We developed our draft 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) Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: December 15, 2016.
Benjamin N. Tuggle,
Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
Editorial Note: The Office of the Federal
Register received this document on June 21,
2017.
[FR Doc. 2017–13309 Filed 6–23–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Antitrust Division
United States v. General Electric Co.,
et al., Proposed Final Judgment and
Competitive Impact Statement
Notice is hereby given pursuant to the
Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act,
15 U.S.C. 16(b)–(h), that a proposed
Final Judgment, Stipulation and
Competitive Impact Statement have
been filed with the United States
District Court for the District of
Columbia in United States of America v.
General Electric Co., et al., Civil Action
No. 1:17–cv–1146. On June 12, 2017, the
United States filed a Complaint alleging
that the proposed acquisition by General
Electric Co. of Baker Hughes
Incorporated, would violate Section 7 of
the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18. The
proposed Final Judgment, filed the same
time as the Complaint, requires General
Electric Co. to sell its GE Water &
Process Technologies business,
including certain tangible and
intangible assets, to one or more
acquirers approved by the United States.
Copies of the Complaint, proposed
Final Judgment, and Competitive Impact
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
28877
Statement are available for inspection at
the Department of Justice’s Web site at
https://www.justice.gov/atr and at the
Office of the Clerk of the United States
District Court for the District of
Columbia. Copies of these materials may
be obtained from the Antitrust Division
upon request and payment of the
copying fee set by Department of Justice
regulations.
Public comment is invited within 60
days of the date of this notice. Such
comments, including the name of the
submitter, and responses thereto, will be
posted on the Antitrust Division’s Web
site, filed with the Court, and, under
certain circumstances, published in the
Federal Register. Comments should be
directed to Kathleen S. O’Neill, Chief,
Transportation, Energy & Agriculture
Section, Antitrust Division, Department
of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW., Suite
8000, Washington, DC 20530.
Patricia A. Brink,
Director of Civil Enforcement.
United States District Court for the
District of Columbia
United States of America, U.S. Department
of Justice, Antitrust Division, 450 5th Street
NW., Suite 8000, Washington DC 20001,
Plaintiff, v. General Electric Co., 41
Farnsworth Street, Boston MA 02210, and
Baker Hughes Incorporated, 2929 Allen
Parkway, Suite 2100, Houston TX 77019,
Defendants.
Case No.: 1:17–cv–01146
Judge: Beryl A. Howell
COMPLAINT
The United States of America, acting
under the direction of the Attorney
General of the United States, brings this
civil action to enjoin the acquisition of
Baker Hughes Incorporated (‘‘Baker
Hughes’’) by General Electric Co. (‘‘GE’’)
and to obtain other equitable relief. The
United States alleges as follows:
I. NATURE OF THE ACTION
1. GE’s acquisition of Baker Hughes
would combine two of the leading
providers of refinery process chemicals
and services in the United States.
Refineries process crude oil and natural
gas extracted from wells
(‘‘hydrocarbons’’) into finished products
like gasoline. To perform this process,
refineries rely on a variety of special
chemicals, collectively known as
refinery process chemicals, to remove
salts, solids, metals, and other
impurities from the hydrocarbons and to
prevent corrosion and damage to
refinery equipment. Refineries rely on
process chemical and service providers
to evaluate the specific hydrocarbons
flowing into their refineries and to
formulate and apply customized
E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM
26JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 121 (Monday, June 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28875-28877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13309]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-ES-2016-N203; FXES11130200000-167-FF02ENEH00]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Pima Pineapple
Cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina) Draft Recovery Plan
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that of
our Pima pineapple cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina) draft
recovery plan is available. The cactus is listed as endangered under
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This plant
species is currently found in southern Arizona and in northern Sonora,
Mexico. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives
and criteria to be met in order to enable us to remove this species
from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife
[[Page 28876]]
and plants. We request that local, State, and Federal agencies; Tribes;
and the public review and comment. We will also accept any new species
status information throughout its range to assist with recovery plan
finalization.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or
before August 25, 2017. However, we will accept information about any
species at any time.
ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: If you wish to review the draft
recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by any one of the following
methods:
Internet: Download the file at www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/CoryphanthaScheeriRobustispina_DraftRecoveryPlan_Final_February2015.pdf;
U.S. mail: Request a copy by writing to the Arizona Ecological
Services Field Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 9828 N 31st Ave. #C3,
Phoenix, AZ 85051-2517; or
Telephone: Request a copy by calling (602) 242-0210.
Submitting Comments: If you wish to comment on the draft recovery
plan, 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: Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, at the
above address;
Fax: (602) 242-2513; or
Email: julie_crawford@fws.gov.
For additional information about submitting comments, see Request
for Public Comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor,
Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, at the above address and
phone number, or by email at Steve_Spangle@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
A primary goal of our endangered species program and the Act (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is endangered or threatened animals and plants
recovery to the point that they are again secure, self-sustaining
ecosystem members. Recovery means improving the listed species' status
to the point that listing is no longer appropriate under the Act's
section 4(a)(1) criteria. The Act requires recovery plans for listed
species, unless such a plan would not promote conserving a particular
species.
Species History
Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina (Pima pineapple cactus) is
found in lower Sonoran desert-scrubland, desert-grassland, or the
ecotone between desert-scrubland and desert-grassland in southeastern
Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. It was federally listed as
endangered on September 23, 1993; critical habitat was not designated.
The taxon has been found historically in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties,
Arizona, and northern Sonora, Mexico, where it occupies a small area
proximal to the U.S. border. Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is
not listed under Mexican protected species regulations by the
Secretar[iacute]a de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. The recovery
priority number for Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is 3C,
meaning that the listed entity is a subspecies, the level of threat is
high, the potential for recovery is high, and there is a conflict with
some form of economic activity (urbanization). The first 5-year status
review for Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina was signed on February
8, 2007. Based on the static or declining status of the species across
its range and continued threats, it was recommended in the 5-year
review that the taxon remain listed as endangered.
Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is a small, hemispheric-to-
cylindrical stem succulent perennial of the Cactaceae (cactus family).
Its stems reach 5 to 46 centimeters (cm) (1.9 to 18.1 inches (in)) in
height and 5 to 21 cm (1.9 to 8.3 in) in diameter, are comprised
primarily of tough, fleshy pulp, and are protected by a leathery outer
skin. Stems may be singular or form clumps. The surface of the stems
are covered in 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) long rounded projections
called tubercles, each of which is grooved along the upper surface and
contains one to several extra floral nectaries (places that secrete
nectar to attract pollinators) along each groove. The flowers of C.
scheeri var. robustispina average 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long with pale yellow
tepals (petals and sepals) that are variously tinged with red pigments.
Flowers generally open early to mid-July following summer rains.
Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina occurs within two subbasins
of the Santa Cruz Watershed: Brawley Wash and the Upper Santa Cruz.
These subbasins face largely differing threats and stressors and are
managed in differing ways. The major threats within Brawley Wash, which
is managed primarily for livestock grazing, include the spread of
invasive, non-native grasses and the resultant altered fire regimes and
increased competition. A major threat within Upper Santa Cruz, which
includes Tucson, Nogales, and the urban areas between, is urbanization.
Throughout the entire range, C. scheeri var. robustispina is stressed
by drought and climate change impacts, as well as predation by mammals
and insects.
Plants are found on lands owned or managed by the Federal
government (approximately 12 percent), State government (approximately
46 percent), Tribal government (approximately 2 percent), and private
entities (approximately 40 percent). Coryphantha scheeri var.
robustispina is typically found widely spaced in the landscape. A total
of 6,712 individuals have been documented in our files from surveys of
43,072 hectares (106,433 acres) of suitable habitat. Similarly, as of
the summer of 2015, the Arizona Natural Heritage Program database of
locations for this taxon consisted of 7,558 records, of which 1,837
were known to no longer exist, primarily due to development and not
natural causes.
The principal C. scheeri var. robustispina recovery strategy is to
preserve and restore quality habitat to protect individuals and their
seedbanks within two recovery units representing the range of the
taxon. Providing conservation and restoration of the taxon and its
habitat will allow a stable, self-sustaining population to persist with
some level of connectivity and opportunities for expansion and
dispersal.
Recovery Plan Goals
The objective of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the
recovery of a species so that protection under the Act is no longer
necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about the
species and provides criteria and actions necessary for us to be able
to reclassify the species to threatened status or remove it from the
List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (List) at 50 CFR 17.12(h).
Recovery plans help guide our recovery efforts by describing actions we
consider necessary for the species' conservation, and by estimating
time and costs for implementing needed recovery measures. To achieve
its goals, this draft recovery plan identifies the following
objectives:
1. Threat-based objective: Reduce or mitigate habitat loss and
degradation, non-native species spread and the resultant altered fire
regimes and increased competition, and other stressors, to enhance the
continued survival of C. scheeri var. robustispina and its pollinators.
2. Habitat-based objective: Conserve, restore, and properly manage
the quantity and quality of habitat needed
[[Page 28877]]
for the continued survival of C. scheeri var. robustispina and its
pollinators.
3. Population-based objective: Conserve, protect, and restore
existing and newly discovered C. scheeri var. robustispina individuals
and their associated seedbanks needed for the continued survival of the
taxon. The population must be self-sustaining, of sufficient number to
endure climatic variation, stochastic events, and catastrophic losses,
and must represent the full range of the species' geographic and
genetic variability.
The draft recovery plan focuses on conserving and enhancing habitat
quality, protecting the population, managing threats, monitoring
progress, and building partnerships to facilitate recovery. When the
recovery of C. scheeri var. robustispina approaches these criteria, we
will review the species' status and consider downlisting, and,
ultimately, removal from the List.
Request for Public Comments
Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an
opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan
development. It is also our policy to request peer review of recovery
plans (July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an appendix to the approved
recovery plan, we will summarize and respond to the issues raised by
the public and peer reviewers. Substantive comments may or may not
result in changes to the recovery plan; comments regarding recovery
plan implementation will be forwarded as appropriate to Federal or
other entities so that they can be taken into account during the course
of implementing recovery actions. Responses to individual commenters
will not be provided, but we will provide a summary of how we addressed
substantive comments in an appendix to the approved recovery plan.
We invite written comments on the draft recovery plan. In
particular, we are interested in additional information regarding the
current threats to the species and the costs associated with
implementing the recommended recovery actions.
Before we approve our final recovery plan, we will consider all
comments we receive by the date specified in DATES. Methods of
submitting comments are in 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.
Comments and materials we receive will be available, by
appointment, for public inspection during normal business hours at our
office (see ADDRESSES).
References Cited
A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon
request from the Arizona Ecological Services Office (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
Authority
We developed our draft 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) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.).
Dated: December 15, 2016.
Benjamin N. Tuggle,
Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Editorial Note: The Office of the Federal Register received this
document on June 21, 2017.
[FR Doc. 2017-13309 Filed 6-23-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
