Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project 5-Year Review, 28049-28050 [E6-7317]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 93 / Monday, May 15, 2006 / Notices Tribal Lands to be managed free of UPDs. Details of this alternative are found in the Cedar City Golf Course and Paiute Tribal Lands draft HCP. Proposed minimization and mitigation for the action are described in the HCP and include translocation of UPDs to restored Federal lands and the restoration and protection in perpetuity of 123 hectares (303 acres) of privately owned lands occupied by UPDs. The proposed permits would be in effect for 20 years. Authorized take would include harm, harassment, and direct mortality of UPDs. However, if the Service determines that the obligations of the ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permits are not being met (e.g., unauthorized taking or permit violations by the cooperators is occurring), the permits may be revoked if remedial actions are not immediately implemented to alleviate such violations. The HCP associated with the permits would be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, 123 hectares (303 acres) known as Wild Pea Hollow would be acquired, protected in perpetuity, and managed for UPDs. Upon protection of the property, the permits would authorize intensive live-trapping of prairie dogs for two consecutive seasons at the Cedar City Golf Course. These animals would be translocated to identified translocation sites on public lands. The second phase of the HCP will be initiated with the enhancement of approximately 47 hectares (115 acres) at Wild Pea Hollow to increase potential habitat. Once the restoration has been completed, the Paiute Tribe may begin live-trapping UPD for two consecutive seasons. These animals also will be translocated to identified translocation sites on public lands. On both the Cedar City Golf Course and the Paiute Tribal Lands, once intensive live-trapping has been undertaken for 2 consecutive years and the success criteria of the HCP have been met, the applicants may manage their lands free of UPD through the use of conibear traps. Take of occupied UPD habitat will not exceed that identified in the HCP. Take of individual animals will depend on unpredictable factors such as weather and plague events but will depend on trapping success. The Cedar City Golf Course and the Paiute Tribal Lands are located in the center of Cedar City, Utah, and are surrounded by development. Private lands surrounding these lands are covered by the Iron County HCP and will soon be developed. It is unlikely that the animals on the Cedar City Golf Course or the Paiute Tribal Lands VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:54 May 12, 2006 Jkt 208001 contribute to long-term viability of the species due to this isolation. A no-action alternative to the proposed action was considered. This alternative would result in a small number of UPD being live-trapped and translocated to restored Federal lands under the current Iron County HCP but would not address the continued safety concerns and damage to equipment. An additional alternative considered was to mitigate the loss of habitat and animals in the roughs of the Cedar City Golf Course. This alternative would be difficult to accomplish and would be unlikely to address safety concerns. We will evaluate the application, associated documents, and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets the requirement of National Environmental Policy Act regulations and section 10(a) of the ESA. If we determine that those requirements are met, we will issue permits to the Applicants for the incidental take of UPD. We will make our final permit decisions no sooner than 60 days from the date of this notice. Dated: April 28, 2006. James J. Slack, Deputy Regional Director, Region 6. [FR Doc. E6–7318 Filed 5–12–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project 5-Year Review Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Re-opening of the notice of document availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the re-opening of the availability of the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project (Reintroduction Project) 5-Year Review for an additional 14 days. The original notice of availability and comment period for the 5-Year Review was open from March 16, 2006 to April 17, 2006. We are reopening the comment period to allow additional time for public review and comment on the document. The 5-Year Review, authorized by section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, was conducted by the Mexican Wolf Blue Range Adaptive Management Oversight Committee (AMOC). The 5-Year Review and public comment will inform our decision to continue, continue with modification, or terminate the Reintroduction Project. PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28049 This 5-Year Review should not be confused with status reviews (also called 5-year reviews) conducted under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act. This 5-year program evaluation of the Reintroduction Project is conducted pursuant to a 1998 section 10(j) final rule. DATES: The comment period for this 5Year Review closes May 30, 2006. Comments on the 5-Year Review must be received by the closing date to assure consideration. ADDRESSES: Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. To review documents or submit comments, see ‘‘Public Comments Solicited’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, telephone: (800) 299–0196 ¶4748; facsimile: (505) 346–2542; or e-mail: FW2ESWolf5YReview@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) reintroduction in Arizona and New Mexico is conducted under the authority of section 10(j) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). On January 12, 1998, the Service published a final rule (63 FR 1752) that established a nonessential experimental population of the gray wolf in Arizona and New Mexico and defined the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) and the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) within the states of Arizona and New Mexico. Initial releases of captive-reared Mexican wolves into the BRWRA occurred in 1998, and additional initial releases and translocations have occurred annually. The final rule states that the Service will prepare periodic progress reports, annual reports, and full evaluations after three and five years that will recommend continuation, modification, or termination of the reintroduction effort. In 2004–2005, the AMOC, which consists of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, USDA-Forest Service, USDA–APHIS Wildlife Services, White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Service, conducted the 5-Year Review of the Reintroduction Project. The AMOC transmitted a final 5-Year Review to the Service on December 31, 2005. The 5Year Review provides synthesized information on all aspects of the Reintroduction Project, including the status of the wolf population, the social and economic impacts of wolf E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1 28050 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 93 / Monday, May 15, 2006 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES reintroduction on surrounding communities, and program management. This information is organized in four primary components: Administrative, Technical, Socioeconomic, and Recommendations. On March 16, 2006, we announced a notice of availability of the 5-Year Review. At the close of the 30-day public comment period, we received a request to re-open the comment period for an additional two weeks to allow additional time for public review. Based on this request, we are re-opening the public comment period for 14 days. Public Comments Solicited Persons wishing to review the 5-Year Review may request a printed copy by contacting the Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator (see ADDRESSES) or by downloading it from the Internet at: https://www.fws.gov/ifw2es/ mexicanwolf/MWNR_FYRD.shtml. Comments and materials concerning this 5-Year Review may be mailed to the Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator (see ADDRESSES), or faxed or e-mailed (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Respondents may request that we withhold a respondent’s identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name or address, you must state this request prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will not, however, consider anonymous comments. To the extent consistent with applicable law, we will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at our New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES). To ensure that we have conducted a transparent process that is based on the best available scientific and commercial information throughout the development of the 5-Year Review and to inform our subsequent decision to continue, continue with modification, or terminate the Reintroduction Project, we are soliciting written comments on the 5-Year Review from the public, concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other interested parties. The Administrative, Technical, and Socioeconomic components of the 5- VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:54 May 12, 2006 Jkt 208001 Year Review have undergone extensive public review under the oversight of the AMOC. The Service is specifically interested in comments from the public pertaining to the Recommendations and whether they follow logically from the background information and analyses provided in the Administrative, Technical, and Socio-economic components. However, comments on all components of the 5-Year Review received by the date specified above will be considered prior to the Service’s decision to continue, continue with modifications, or terminate the Reintroduction Project. This 5-Year Review should not be confused with status reviews (also called 5-year reviews) conducted under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act. This is a 5-year program evaluation of the Reintroduction Project as required by the section 10(j) final rule (63 FR 1752). Authority: The authority for this action is section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1539(j). Dated: April 27, 2006. Benjamin N. Tuggle, Regional Director, Southwest Region, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E6–7317 Filed 5–12–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested 60-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Application and Permit for Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens. ACTION: The Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for ‘‘sixty days’’ until July 14, 2006. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. If you have comments especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 instructions or additional information, please contact Kevin Boydston, Chief, Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV 25401. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points: —Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; —Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; —Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and —Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Overview of this information collection: (1) Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved collection. (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Application and Permit For Temporary Importation of Firearms and Ammunition by Nonimmigrant Aliens. (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: ATF F 6NIA (5330.3D), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. Other: None. This information collection is needed to determine if the firearms or Ammunition listed on the application qualify for importation and to certify that a nonimmigrant alien is in compliance with 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)(B). This application will also serve as the authorization for importation. (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that 15,000 respondents will complete a 30 minute form. (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1

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[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 93 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28049-28050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7317]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 Fish and Wildlife Service


Mexican Wolf Blue Range Reintroduction Project 5-Year Review

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Re-opening of the notice of document availability.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the 
re-opening of the availability of the Mexican Wolf Blue Range 
Reintroduction Project (Reintroduction Project) 5-Year Review for an 
additional 14 days. The original notice of availability and comment 
period for the 5-Year Review was open from March 16, 2006 to April 17, 
2006. We are re-opening the comment period to allow additional time for 
public review and comment on the document. The 5-Year Review, 
authorized by section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(Act), as amended, was conducted by the Mexican Wolf Blue Range 
Adaptive Management Oversight Committee (AMOC). The 5-Year Review and 
public comment will inform our decision to continue, continue with 
modification, or terminate the Reintroduction Project. This 5-Year 
Review should not be confused with status reviews (also called 5-year 
reviews) conducted under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the Act. This 5-year 
program evaluation of the Reintroduction Project is conducted pursuant 
to a 1998 section 10(j) final rule.

DATES: The comment period for this 5-Year Review closes May 30, 2006. 
Comments on the 5-Year Review must be received by the closing date to 
assure consideration.

ADDRESSES: Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, New Mexico Ecological 
Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. To review 
documents or submit comments, see ``Public Comments Solicited'' under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, 
telephone: (800) 299-0196 ]4748; facsimile: (505) 346-2542; or e-mail: 
FW2ESWolf5YReview@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) reintroduction in Arizona and 
New Mexico is conducted under the authority of section 10(j) of the Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). On January 12, 1998, the Service published a 
final rule (63 FR 1752) that established a nonessential experimental 
population of the gray wolf in Arizona and New Mexico and defined the 
Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) and the Blue Range 
Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA) within the states of Arizona and New Mexico. 
Initial releases of captive-reared Mexican wolves into the BRWRA 
occurred in 1998, and additional initial releases and translocations 
have occurred annually.
    The final rule states that the Service will prepare periodic 
progress reports, annual reports, and full evaluations after three and 
five years that will recommend continuation, modification, or 
termination of the reintroduction effort. In 2004-2005, the AMOC, which 
consists of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, New Mexico Department 
of Game and Fish, USDA-Forest Service, USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, 
White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Service, conducted the 5-Year 
Review of the Reintroduction Project. The AMOC transmitted a final 5-
Year Review to the Service on December 31, 2005. The 5-Year Review 
provides synthesized information on all aspects of the Reintroduction 
Project, including the status of the wolf population, the social and 
economic impacts of wolf

[[Page 28050]]

reintroduction on surrounding communities, and program management. This 
information is organized in four primary components: Administrative, 
Technical, Socio-economic, and Recommendations.
    On March 16, 2006, we announced a notice of availability of the 5-
Year Review. At the close of the 30-day public comment period, we 
received a request to re-open the comment period for an additional two 
weeks to allow additional time for public review. Based on this 
request, we are re-opening the public comment period for 14 days.

Public Comments Solicited

    Persons wishing to review the 5-Year Review may request a printed 
copy by contacting the Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator (see 
ADDRESSES) or by downloading it from the Internet at: https://
www.fws.gov/ifw2es/mexicanwolf/MWNR_FYRD.shtml.
    Comments and materials concerning this 5-Year Review may be mailed 
to the Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator (see ADDRESSES), or faxed or 
e-mailed (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Respondents may request that we withhold a respondent's 
identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name or 
address, you must state this request prominently at the beginning of 
your comment. We will not, however, consider anonymous comments. To the 
extent consistent with applicable law, we will make all submissions 
from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments 
and materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at our New Mexico Ecological 
Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES).
    To ensure that we have conducted a transparent process that is 
based on the best available scientific and commercial information 
throughout the development of the 5-Year Review and to inform our 
subsequent decision to continue, continue with modification, or 
terminate the Reintroduction Project, we are soliciting written 
comments on the 5-Year Review from the public, concerned governmental 
agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, environmental 
entities, and any other interested parties. The Administrative, 
Technical, and Socioeconomic components of the 5-Year Review have 
undergone extensive public review under the oversight of the AMOC. The 
Service is specifically interested in comments from the public 
pertaining to the Recommendations and whether they follow logically 
from the background information and analyses provided in the 
Administrative, Technical, and Socio-economic components. However, 
comments on all components of the 5-Year Review received by the date 
specified above will be considered prior to the Service's decision to 
continue, continue with modifications, or terminate the Reintroduction 
Project. This 5-Year Review should not be confused with status reviews 
(also called 5-year reviews) conducted under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the 
Act. This is a 5-year program evaluation of the Reintroduction Project 
as required by the section 10(j) final rule (63 FR 1752).

    Authority: The authority for this action is section 10(j) of the 
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1539(j).

    Dated: April 27, 2006.
Benjamin N. Tuggle,
Regional Director, Southwest Region, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6-7317 Filed 5-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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