Draft Recovery Plan for the Nosa Luta or Rota Bridled White-eye (Zosterops rotensis), 54838-54839 [E6-15510]

Download as PDF pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES 54838 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 19, 2006 / Notices public review and comment be provided during recovery plan development. In fulfillment of this requirement, information presented during the public comment period and comments from peer reviewers have been considered in the preparation of this final recovery plan, and are summarized in Appendix D to the recovery plan. We will forward substantive comments regarding recovery plan implementation to appropriate Federal or other entities so they can take these comments into account during the course of implementing recovery actions. Camissonia benitensis was listed as threatened in 1985 and is associated with serpentine-derived soils within the San Benito serpentine body in the southern Coast Ranges of California. Populations of Camissonia benitensis are usually found on small streamside terraces that have formed at the base of slopes within watersheds that flow off of San Benito Mountain, which, at 5,247 feet (2,000 meters), is the highest point in this stretch of the Coast Ranges. The entire range of the species spans an area about 20 miles long and 5 miles wide. Camissonia benitensis is an ephemeral annual species whose numbers of individuals can fluctuate drastically from year to year. While favorable climatic conditions in an occasional year may result in tens of thousands of individuals, more often populations are small in numbers of individuals and in the amount of acreage they occupy. The primary threat to Camissonia benitensis is off-highway vehicle recreation activity in the CCMA. Although most terrace sites that support occupied or suitable habitat for the species have been administratively closed and either wholly or partially fenced by the Bureau, off-highway vehicles continue to access a certain number of these sites and cause direct damage to plants and their habitat. Other forms of recreation such as rock collecting, hunting, and nature hiking are comparatively minor threats. In addition, the natural erosion rate of the serpentine slopes above the terraces is exacerbated by human recreational activities that contribute to deposition on top of the terraces as well as erosion of the terraces due to sediment loading of streams and subsequent flooding. The objective of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the recovery of the species so that protection by the Act is no longer necessary. Actions necessary to accomplish this objective include: (1) Protecting existing populations and suitable habitat, (2) reducing or eliminating soil erosion and stream sedimentation in the watersheds VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:49 Sep 18, 2006 Jkt 208001 that support habitat for the species, (3) developing a species management plan that includes needed research and monitoring, (4) establishing an ex situ seed collection, and (5) developing and implementing a public outreach program. Authority The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Steve Thompson, Manager, California-Nevada Operations Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E6–15508 Filed 9–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Recovery Plan for the Nosa Luta or Rota Bridled White-eye (Zosterops rotensis) Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability for review and comment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for the Nosa Luta or Rota Bridled Whiteeye (Zosterops rotensis), for public review and comment. DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before November 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available by request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3–122, Box 50088, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 (phone: 808/792–9400). Written comments and materials regarding this draft recovery plan should be addressed to the Field Supervisor at the above Honolulu address. An electronic copy of the draft recovery plan is also available at https://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/ index.html#plans. Fred Amidon, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above Honolulu address. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Background Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program. The Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (ESA) requires PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the development of recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Recovery plans help guide the recovery effort by describing actions considered necessary for the conservation of the species, establishing criteria for downlisting or delisting listed species, and estimating time and cost for implementing the measures needed for recovery. Section 4(f) of the ESA requires that public notice, and an opportunity for public review and comment, be provided during recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented during the public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. Substantive comments on the recovery needs of the species or other aspects of recovery plan development may result in changes to the recovery plan. Substantive comments regarding recovery plan implementation may not necessarily result in changes to the recovery plan, but will be forwarded to appropriate Federal or other entities so that they can take these comments into account during the course of implementing recovery actions. Individual responses to comments will not be provided. The Rota bridled white-eye, known as nosa Luta in Chamorro, is a bird endemic to the island of Rota in the Mariana archipelago and was federally listed as endangered in 2004 (January 22, 2004, 69 FR 3022). In 1999, the population was estimated to be approximately 1,000 individuals, representing a 90 percent decline since 1982, and the species’ core range consisted of approximately 628 acres (254 hectares) of forest above 490 feet (150 meters) elevation. Available information indicates that habitat loss and degradation and predation by introduced rats (Rattus spp.) and black drongos (Dicrurus macrocercus) are having some impact on the nosa Luta population. Due to its restricted range and small population size, the species is also highly susceptible to random catastrophic events such as typhoons and the accidental introduction of new predators such as the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis), and avian diseases such as West Nile virus. The draft recovery plan for the nosa Luta focuses on the following actions: (1) Protecting and enhancing forests in the species’ range; (2) determining the specific habitat requirements of the nosa Luta to manage areas for the species’ conservation; (3) assessing the impact of predation by black drongos and rats, and controlling these species as appropriate; (4) preventing the E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 181 / Tuesday, September 19, 2006 / Notices introduction of new predators and avian diseases; and (5) developing techniques to safeguard the species from extinction due to random catastrophic events. The immediate goals of the draft recovery plan are to stop further declines in the range and composition of the nosa Luta population, develop safeguards to prevent the species from going extinct, and restore the population to at least the abundance levels estimated in 1982 (10,000 individuals). In addition to suggesting actions to address the immediate threats to the species, the draft recovery plan calls for research to determine the specific habitat requirements and life history parameters of the nosa Luta to inform long-term management decisions for the effective recovery of the species. Public Comments Solicited We solicit written comments on the draft recovery plan described. All comments received by the date specified above will be considered prior to approval of this plan. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home addresses from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the record a respondent’s identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment, but you should be aware that we may be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. 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 the above address. pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES Authority The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f). Dated: June 6, 2006. Carolyn A. Bohan, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E6–15510 Filed 9–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:49 Sep 18, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) Advisory Committee U.S. Geological Survey. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: Pursuant to Public Law 106– 148, the NCGMP Advisory Committee will meet in Room 3B457 of the John Wesley Powell Building, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA. The Advisory Committee, composed of scientists from Federal Agencies, State Agencies, academic institutions, and private companies, will advise the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey on planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program. At this meeting, the Advisory Committee will participate in the following efforts: • An external review of the NCGMP by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. • Discussion with the Program Coordinator on the progress of the USGS National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program. DATES: October 11–12, 2006 commencing at 9 a.m. on October 11 and adjourning by early afternoon on October 12. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randall Orndorff, U.S. Geological Survey, 908 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192, (703) 648–4316. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Meetings of the National Cooperative Geological Mapping Program Advisory Committee are open to the Pubic. SUMMARY: Dated: September 13, 2006. Peter T. Lyttle, Acting Associate Director for Geology. [FR Doc. 06–7741 Filed 9–18–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4311–AM–M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–920–1320–EL, WYW172927] Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Wyoming Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Ark Land Company, WYW172927, Wyoming. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54839 SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201 (b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3410, all interested qualified parties, as provided in 43 CFR 3472.1, are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in its program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Campbell County, WY: T. 42 N., R. 71 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming Sec. 1: Lots 7 through 10, 15 through 18; Sec. 2: Lots 5 through 20; T. 43 N., R. 71 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming Sec. 8: Lots 1 through 16; Sec. 9: Lots 1 through 16; Sec. 10: Lots 1 through 16; Sec. 15: Lots 1 through 16; Sec. 17: Lots 1 through 16; Sec. 20: Lots 1 through 4; Sec. 21: Lots 3, 4. Containing 4,465.98 acres, more or less. Any party electing to participate in this exploration program must send written notice to both the Bureau of Land Management and Ark Land Company, as provided in the ADDRESSES section below, no later than thirty days after publication of this Notice of Invitation in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Copies of the exploration plan are available for review during normal business hours in the following offices (serialized under number WYW172927): Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003; and, Bureau of Land Management, Casper Field Office, 2987 Prospector Drive, Casper, WY 82604. The written notice should be sent to the following addresses: Ark Land Company, Attn: Mike Lincoln, P.O. Box 460, Hanna, WY 82327, and the Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, Branch of Solid Minerals, Attn: Mavis Love, P.O. Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All of the coal in the above-described land consists of unleased Federal coal within the Powder River Basin Known Coal Leasing Area. The purpose of the exploration program is to gain additional geologic knowledge of the coal underlying the exploration area for the purpose of assessing the reserves contained in a potential lease. This Notice of Invitation will be published in The News-Record of Gillette, WY, once each week for two consecutive weeks beginning the week of September 11, 2006, and in the Federal Register. DATES: E:\FR\FM\19SEN1.SGM 19SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54838-54839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15510]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Draft Recovery Plan for the Nosa Luta or Rota Bridled White-eye 
(Zosterops rotensis)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability for review and comment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for the Nosa Luta or Rota 
Bridled White-eye (Zosterops rotensis), for public review and comment.

DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or 
before November 20, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft recovery plan are available by request 
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and 
Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Box 50088, 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850 (phone: 808/792-9400). Written comments and 
materials regarding this draft recovery plan should be addressed to the 
Field Supervisor at the above Honolulu address. An electronic copy of 
the draft recovery plan is also available at https://endangered.fws.gov/
recovery/#plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Amidon, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, at the above Honolulu address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point 
where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program. The 
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (ESA) requires the 
development of recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan 
would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Recovery 
plans help guide the recovery effort by describing actions considered 
necessary for the conservation of the species, establishing criteria 
for downlisting or delisting listed species, and estimating time and 
cost for implementing the measures needed for recovery.
    Section 4(f) of the ESA requires that public notice, and an 
opportunity for public review and comment, be provided during recovery 
plan development. We will consider all information presented during the 
public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery 
plan. Substantive comments on the recovery needs of the species or 
other aspects of recovery plan development may result in changes to the 
recovery plan. Substantive comments regarding recovery plan 
implementation may not necessarily result in changes to the recovery 
plan, but will be forwarded to appropriate Federal or other entities so 
that they can take these comments into account during the course of 
implementing recovery actions. Individual responses to comments will 
not be provided.
    The Rota bridled white-eye, known as nosa Luta in Chamorro, is a 
bird endemic to the island of Rota in the Mariana archipelago and was 
federally listed as endangered in 2004 (January 22, 2004, 69 FR 3022). 
In 1999, the population was estimated to be approximately 1,000 
individuals, representing a 90 percent decline since 1982, and the 
species' core range consisted of approximately 628 acres (254 hectares) 
of forest above 490 feet (150 meters) elevation. Available information 
indicates that habitat loss and degradation and predation by introduced 
rats (Rattus spp.) and black drongos (Dicrurus macrocercus) are having 
some impact on the nosa Luta population. Due to its restricted range 
and small population size, the species is also highly susceptible to 
random catastrophic events such as typhoons and the accidental 
introduction of new predators such as the brown treesnake (Boiga 
irregularis), and avian diseases such as West Nile virus.
    The draft recovery plan for the nosa Luta focuses on the following 
actions: (1) Protecting and enhancing forests in the species' range; 
(2) determining the specific habitat requirements of the nosa Luta to 
manage areas for the species' conservation; (3) assessing the impact of 
predation by black drongos and rats, and controlling these species as 
appropriate; (4) preventing the

[[Page 54839]]

introduction of new predators and avian diseases; and (5) developing 
techniques to safeguard the species from extinction due to random 
catastrophic events.
    The immediate goals of the draft recovery plan are to stop further 
declines in the range and composition of the nosa Luta population, 
develop safeguards to prevent the species from going extinct, and 
restore the population to at least the abundance levels estimated in 
1982 (10,000 individuals). In addition to suggesting actions to address 
the immediate threats to the species, the draft recovery plan calls for 
research to determine the specific habitat requirements and life 
history parameters of the nosa Luta to inform long-term management 
decisions for the effective recovery of the species.

Public Comments Solicited

    We solicit written comments on the draft recovery plan described. 
All comments received by the date specified above will be considered 
prior to approval of this plan.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold 
their home addresses from the record, which we will honor to the extent 
allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would 
withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. 
If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state 
this prominently at the beginning of your comment, but you should be 
aware that we may be required to disclose your name and address 
pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. However, we will not 
consider anonymous comments. 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 the above address.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f).

    Dated: June 6, 2006.
Carolyn A. Bohan,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15510 Filed 9-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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