Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, 39337-39338 [E6-10915]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 12, 2006 / Notices
northern limit of the range of the
species, and the best available scientific
information suggests that no area within
the United States is critical for the
survival of the species (Rabinowitz
1997, 1999). Loss of or threats to
features in the United States that may
support these sporadic foraging events
is not limiting the recovery of the
species. Therefore, these features are not
essential to the conservation of the
species. Further, we are unaware that
any physical and biological features
within the United States are in need of
special management considerations or
protection for the purpose of jaguar
conservation as jaguar conservation
does not require habitat within the
United States. Based on this
information, we determine that the
physical and biological features
occasionally used by the jaguar within
the geographical range occupied by the
jaguar in the United States are not
essential to the conservation of the
species and, therefore, do not meet the
definition of critical habitat.
We are not allowed to designate
habitat outside of the United States as
critical habitat (50 CFR 424.12(h)).
Further, section 3(5)(C) of the Act,
indicates that except in circumstances
determined by the Secretary, critical
habitat shall not include the entire
geographical area which can be
occupied by the species. In other words,
not all areas which can be occupied by
individuals of a species are necessarily
essential to the conservation of the
species as a whole.
The specific areas outside of the
geographical area occupied in the
United States by the species at the time
of the July 22, 1997, listing (62 FR
39147), that is, the historical range,
included portions of New Mexico,
Arizona, California, Texas, and possibly
Louisiana. For areas outside the
geographical area occupied by the
species at the time of listing, critical
habitat is defined as the areas that are
essential for the conservation of the
species. The area in the United States
that is sporadically used by jaguars is
only a small part of the range of the
northernmost population(s), which are
based in Mexico, and appears to be less
than one percent of the current range of
the species (Wildlife Conservation
Society 2006). Because the area used by
jaguars in the United States is such a
small part of the overall range of the
species and because of nomadic use by
jaguars, the range of the jaguar in the
United States is not enough area to
provide for the conservation (i.e.,
recovery) of the jaguar or even make a
significant contribution to the
conservation of the jaguar, and cannot
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:23 Jul 11, 2006
Jkt 208001
be defined as essential to the
conservation of the species. Any
conservation actions for the jaguar that
may bring the species to the point that
the measures of the Act are no longer
necessary will need to be implemented
in Mexico and Central and South
America. Thus, recovery of the species
as a whole depends on conservation
efforts in Mexico and Central and South
America.
In summary, we do not find any
habitats within the jurisdiction of the
United States that meet the definition of
critical habitat, i.e., habitats within the
United States that contain the features
essential for the conservation of the
species and which may require special
management considerations and
protection, or areas outside of the
geographical area occupied by the
species that are considered essential to
its conservation. Because there are no
areas or features essential to the
conservation of the jaguar in the United
States that meet the definition of critical
habitat, designation of critical habitat
for the jaguar is not beneficial. We,
therefore, determine that critical habitat
for the jaguar is not prudent.
Although we have determined that it
is not prudent to designate critical
habitat for the jaguar, areas occupied by
jaguars in the United States will
continue to be subject to conservation
actions implemented under section
7(a)(1) of the Act, as well as
consultation pursuant to section 7(a)(2)
of the Act for Federal activities that may
affect jaguars, as determined on the
basis of the best available information at
the time of the action. In addition, the
prohibition of taking jaguars under
section 9 of the Act (e.g., prohibitions
against killing, harming, harassing, and
capturing jaguars) continues to apply,
which addresses the single greatest
threat to the species in the United
States, as discussed in the final listing
rule.
We will also use our authorities to
work with agencies and other partners
in Mexico and Central and South
America to conserve and recover jaguars
outside of the United States. We are
currently working with the Jaguar
Conservation Team and other partners
in developing a framework for the
conservation of the northern jaguar
populations, including providing
recommendations on research needs
and procedures in the United States,
continuing education efforts, and
providing recommendations regarding
predator control in areas where jaguars
may occur. We are coordinating with
Mexico and other partners on jaguar
conservation in Mexico through the
Trilateral Commission and other
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
39337
processes. Mexico and countries in
Central and South America, along with
their non-governmental partners, are
continuing conservation efforts,
including implementing research
programs and developing conservation
plans. Specifically, Federal and State
agencies in Mexico are developing
jaguar conservation plans; we intend to
coordinate with Mexico in their
development to maintain travel
corridors for jaguars to the United
States.
References Cited
A complete list of all references cited
in this finding is available upon request
from the Arizona Ecological Services
Office (see ADDRESSES).
Author(s)
The primary author of this notice is
the staff of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: June 30, 2006.
H. Dale Hall,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6–10644 Filed 7–11–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Shawangunk Grasslands National
Wildlife Refuge
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: Final
comprehensive conservation plan and
finding of no significant impact.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) announces the availability of
the final Comprehensive Conservation
Plan (CCP) and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Shawangunk
Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR). Prepared in conformance with
the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997, and the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, the plan describes how we intend
to manage that refuge over the next 15
years.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of
this CCP on compact disk or in print by
writing to Wallkill River NWR, 1547
County Route 565, Sussex, New Jersey,
07461, or by calling 973–702–7266. You
E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM
12JYN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
39338
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 12, 2006 / Notices
can also access and download a copy
from the Web site https://library.fws.gov/
ccps.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Edward Henry, Refuge Manager,
Wallkill River NWR, at 973–702–7266,
or by e-mail at Edward_Henry@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 requires CCPs
for all refuges to provide refuge
managers with 15-year strategies for
achieving refuge purposes and
furthering the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System. Developing
CCPs is done according to the sound
principles of fish and wildlife science
and laws, while adhering to Service
planning and related policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving refuge wildlife
and habitat, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental education and
interpretation. We will review and
update this CCP at least once every 15
years.
The 566-acre refuge lies in the Town
of Shawangunk, Ulster County, New
York. Its purpose is ‘‘carrying out the
national migratory bird management
program’’ (16 U.S.C. 667b). State and
regional conservation plans identify its
regional importance for breeding and
migrating grassland birds and wintering
raptors. In 1999, we accepted a transfer
of land from the United States Military
Academy at West Point through the
General Services Administration. That
transfer occurred under the legislative
authority of the Transfer of Certain Real
Property for Wildlife Conservation
Purposes Act (16 U.S.C. 667b) and the
Federal Property and Administrative
Services Act (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.;
repealed by Public Law 107–217,
August 21, 2002). Since then, we have
not added any land to the refuge.
In December 2005, we distributed a
draft CCP/EA for public review and
comment for 57 days between December
5, 2005, and January 31, 2006. Its
distribution was announced in the
Federal Register on December 5, 2005
(70 FR 72463). That draft analyzed three
alternatives for managing the refuge. We
also held one public meeting on January
17, 2006, to obtain public comments.
We received 590 responses. Appendix I
of the final CCP includes a summary of
those comments and our responses to
them.
We selected Alternative B (the
Service-preferred alternative) from the
draft CCP/EA as the alternative for
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:23 Jul 11, 2006
Jkt 208001
implementation. Our final CCP fully
describes its details. Staff from the
Wallkill River NWR headquarters office
in Sussex, New Jersey, will continue to
administer the Shawangunk Grasslands
NWR. A small, seasonally staffed visitor
contact facility and an improved
parking area and kiosk will increase
opportunities for visitor outreach and
improve the visibility of the Service.
Other highlights of the final CCP
include:
(1) Managing 430 acres of grassland
habitat using a diversity of tools and
techniques with the objective to sustain
high quality habitat for wintering
raptors and nesting, foraging, and
migrating grassland-dependent birds;
(2) Opening the refuge to fishing in
the small pond;
(3) Initiating an archery hunt for
white-tailed deer in the fall;
(4) Constructing an interpretive trail
with observation platforms and
photography blinds;
(5) Reducing the scope of the original
proposed restoration of the former
military airport runways and taxiways
to grassland to account for areas being
used effectively by nesting grassland
birds, and look for opportunities to
recycle waste materials onsite or nearby;
(6) Restoring the natural hydrology of
the area, to the extent it does not
impede grasslands management, and
(7) Identifying a 3,486-acre
Shawangunk Grasslands Focus Area,
where the Service will participate in
cooperative conservation activities.
Dated: June 14, 2006.
Richard O. Bennett,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Hadley, Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. E6–10915 Filed 7–11–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
Public Workshop on Future Land
Imaging for the United States
U.S. Geological Survey,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of public workshop.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The first public workshop on
future land Imaging for the United
States will be held in the main
auditorium in the Main Interior
Building, 1849 C Street, NW.,
Washington, DC. The workshop,
directed by the Office of Science and
Technology Polict of the Executive
Branch, is designed to inform the
satellite user community of plans for
moderate resolution, Landsat-type
PO 00000
Frm 00059
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
multispectral imaging. The workshop
will include presentations by the Future
of Land Imaging Interagency Working
Group, industry, the user community
and government representatives.
Attendees will be given an opportunity
to express views and perspectives on
future land imaging needs and
capabilities.
DATES:
July 26, 2006, 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barron Bradford, U.S. Geological
Survey, 517 National Center, Reston,
Virginia 20192 (703) 648–5774 or
brbradford@usgs.gov.
Dated: July 7, 2006.
Barbara J. Ryan,
Associate Director for Geography.
[FR Doc. 06–6167 Filed 7–11–06; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4311–AM–M
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Submission of Request to Office of
Management and Budget for Extension
of Self-Governance Information
Collection
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA) is submitting a request to the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) to extend an information
collection from potential and existing
Self-Governance Tribes, as required by
the Paperwork Reduction Act. The
information collected under OMB
Clearance Number 1076–0143 will be
used to establish requirements for entry
into the pool of qualified applicants for
self-governance, to provide information
for awarding planning and negotiation
grants, and to meet reporting
requirements of the Self-Governance
Act.
Submit comments on or before
August 11, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be
sent to: The Desk Officer for the
Department of the Interior via
telefacsimile at (202) 395–6566 or by email to OIRA_DOCKET@omb.eop.gov. A
copy should be sent to Ken Reinfeld,
Office of Self-Governance, 1849 C
Street, NW., Mail Stop 4622 MIB,
Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You
may obtain copies of the information
collection request submission and the
Federal Register notice by contacting
Ken Reinfeld, (202) 208–5734.
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\12JYN1.SGM
12JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39337-39338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10915]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: Final comprehensive conservation plan
and finding of no significant impact.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the
availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and
Finding of No Significant Impact for the Shawangunk Grasslands National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Prepared in conformance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the plan describes how we
intend to manage that refuge over the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of this CCP on compact disk or in
print by writing to Wallkill River NWR, 1547 County Route 565, Sussex,
New Jersey, 07461, or by calling 973-702-7266. You
[[Page 39338]]
can also access and download a copy from the Web site https://
library.fws.gov/ccps.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Henry, Refuge Manager, Wallkill
River NWR, at 973-702-7266, or by e-mail at Edward--Henry@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 requires CCPs for all refuges to provide refuge
managers with 15-year strategies for achieving refuge purposes and
furthering the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Developing CCPs is done according to the sound principles of fish and
wildlife science and laws, while adhering to Service planning and
related policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction
on conserving refuge wildlife and habitat, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update this CCP at least once every 15 years.
The 566-acre refuge lies in the Town of Shawangunk, Ulster County,
New York. Its purpose is ``carrying out the national migratory bird
management program'' (16 U.S.C. 667b). State and regional conservation
plans identify its regional importance for breeding and migrating
grassland birds and wintering raptors. In 1999, we accepted a transfer
of land from the United States Military Academy at West Point through
the General Services Administration. That transfer occurred under the
legislative authority of the Transfer of Certain Real Property for
Wildlife Conservation Purposes Act (16 U.S.C. 667b) and the Federal
Property and Administrative Services Act (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.;
repealed by Public Law 107-217, August 21, 2002). Since then, we have
not added any land to the refuge.
In December 2005, we distributed a draft CCP/EA for public review
and comment for 57 days between December 5, 2005, and January 31, 2006.
Its distribution was announced in the Federal Register on December 5,
2005 (70 FR 72463). That draft analyzed three alternatives for managing
the refuge. We also held one public meeting on January 17, 2006, to
obtain public comments. We received 590 responses. Appendix I of the
final CCP includes a summary of those comments and our responses to
them.
We selected Alternative B (the Service-preferred alternative) from
the draft CCP/EA as the alternative for implementation. Our final CCP
fully describes its details. Staff from the Wallkill River NWR
headquarters office in Sussex, New Jersey, will continue to administer
the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR. A small, seasonally staffed visitor
contact facility and an improved parking area and kiosk will increase
opportunities for visitor outreach and improve the visibility of the
Service. Other highlights of the final CCP include:
(1) Managing 430 acres of grassland habitat using a diversity of
tools and techniques with the objective to sustain high quality habitat
for wintering raptors and nesting, foraging, and migrating grassland-
dependent birds;
(2) Opening the refuge to fishing in the small pond;
(3) Initiating an archery hunt for white-tailed deer in the fall;
(4) Constructing an interpretive trail with observation platforms
and photography blinds;
(5) Reducing the scope of the original proposed restoration of the
former military airport runways and taxiways to grassland to account
for areas being used effectively by nesting grassland birds, and look
for opportunities to recycle waste materials onsite or nearby;
(6) Restoring the natural hydrology of the area, to the extent it
does not impede grasslands management, and
(7) Identifying a 3,486-acre Shawangunk Grasslands Focus Area,
where the Service will participate in cooperative conservation
activities.
Dated: June 14, 2006.
Richard O. Bennett,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley,
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. E6-10915 Filed 7-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
