Department of the Interior June 1, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list Castanea pumila var. ozarkensis (Ozark chinquapin), a tree, as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing this species may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a status review of the species to determine if listing Castanea pumila var. ozarkensis is warranted. To ensure that the review is comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding this species. Based on the status review,

On April 23, 2010, the Department of the Interior (Interior), signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) which documents the selection of the Proposed Action as presented in the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project Recycled Water Project. Interior has determined that implementing the Proposed Action described in the EA will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment and that an environmental impact statement is not required. This project anticipates conveying recycled water in the facilities of the Wasatch County Water Efficiency Project (WCWEP), Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project (CUP). It would provide an opportunity for more effective and efficient management of water, make efficient use of recycled water, provide opportunities for stream and wetland benefits, and encourage the conservation and wise use of water, all of which are objectives of the CUP Completion Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and draft environmental assessment (EA) for Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA we describe how we propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and draft environmental assessment (EA) for Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for a 45-day public review and comment period. The draft CCP/EA describes four alternatives, including our Service-preferred alternative B, for managing this refuge for the next 15 years. Also available for public review and comment are the draft compatibility determinations, which are included as appendix B in the draft CCP/EA.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Lake Erie Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum) from the List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife due to recovery. This action is based on a review of the best available scientific and commercial data, which indicate that the subspecies is no longer endangered or threatened with extinction, or likely to become so within the foreseeable future. Based on our determination that the Lake Erie Watersnake is no longer endangered or threatened with extinction, we have also determined that designation of critical habitat for the Lake Erie Watersnake is not prudent. We seek information, data, and comments from the public regarding the Lake Erie Watersnake, this proposal to delist, and the draft post-delisting monitoring plan. This proposal implements the recommendations from the 5-year status review initiated on April 22, 2008 (73 FR 21643).