Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans; Proposed Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales, 69101-69102 [06-9454]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 29, 2006 / Notices distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; (B) habitat conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and suitability; (C) conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the species; (D) status and trends of threats; and (E) other new information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous information contained in the list, and improved analytical methods. If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may submit your information and materials to Kyle Baker (see ADDRESSES section). Our practice is to make submissions of information, 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 submission. We will not, however, consider anonymous submissions. 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. Information and materials received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours (see ADDRESSES section). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: November 22, 2006. Wanda L. Cain, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–20249 Filed 11–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 110706B] Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans; Proposed Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:59 Nov 28, 2006 Jkt 211001 SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce the availability for public review of the Proposed Recovery Plan (Plan) for Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca). NMFS is requesting review and comment on the Plan from the public and all interested parties. DATES: Written comments and information must be received by February 27, 2007. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Plan may be reviewed and/or copied at NMFS, Protected Resources Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. The Plan is available on-line on the NMFS web site https:// www.nwr.noaa.gov. Comments should be submitted by mail to Chief, Protected Resources Division, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232 or by sending an e-mail message to orca.plan@noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Barre, NOAA/NMFS, Northwest Region, (206) 526–4745. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that NMFS develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species under its jurisdiction, unless it is determined that such plans would not result in the conservation of the species. NMFS announced the endangered listing of the Southern Resident killer whale distinct population segment (DPS) on November 18, 2005 (70 FR 69903). Prior to the ESA listing, NMFS designated the Southern Resident killer whale population as a depleted stock under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) on May 29, 2003 (68 FR 31980). At the time of the designation, we announced our intention to develop a conservation plan. We held a series of public meetings and technical workshops to gather input from Federal Government agency representatives, state and tribal comanagers, Canadian officials, orca advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations, researchers, whale watch industry, and concerned citizens. We circulated a preliminary draft conservation plan for public review on March 14, 2005. We received comments on the preliminary draft, and made revisions in response to the comments. We subsequently published a Notice of Availability of a Proposed Conservation Plan in the Federal Register on October 3, 2005 (70 FR 57565), opening a public comment period. We received comments on the proposed conservation PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69101 plan and have addressed them in the proposed recovery plan. In addition to addressing the comments, we have incorporated ESA elements into the plan, including discussions of the five ESA listing factors, critical habitat, section 7, and ESA recovery criteria. We also included new research results and references that have become available since the proposed conservation plan was released. The Plan The ESA requires that recovery plans incorporate (1) objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a determination that the species is no longer threatened or endangered; (2) site-specific management actions necessary to achieve the plan’s goals; and (3) estimates of time required and costs to implement recovery actions. NMFS’ goal is to restore the endangered Southern Resident DPS to the point where they are again secure, selfsustaining members of their ecosystems and no longer need the protections of the ESA. The Plan provides background on the natural history of killer whales, population trends and the potential threats to their viability. The Plan lays out a recovery strategy to address the potential threats based on the best available science and includes recovery goals and criteria. The Plan is not a regulatory action, but presents guidance for use by agencies and interested parties to assist in the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales. The Plan identifies substantive actions needed to achieve recovery by addressing the threats to the species. The program also links management actions to an active research program for filling data gaps, and monitoring activities to assess effectiveness. The Plan incorporates an adaptive management framework by which Plan actions and other elements will evolve and adapt to information gained as a result of research and monitoring. Recovery of Southern Resident killer whales is a long-term effort and will require cooperation and coordination of Federal, state, tribal and local government agencies, and the community. We request comments on the Proposed Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales with this notice. NMFS will consider substantive comments and information provided during the public comment period in the course of finalizing this Plan. E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM 29NON1 69102 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 229 / Wednesday, November 29, 2006 / Notices Dated: November 22, 2006. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–9454 Filed 11–28–06; 8:45 am] Dated: November 22, 2006. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–20246 Filed 11–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Department of the Navy [I.D. 111306A] Notice of Availability of Invention for Licensing; Government-Owned Invention Marine Mammals; File No. 1053–1825 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that David Mann, Ph.D., College of Marine Science, The University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 has been issued a permit to conduct research on certain cetacean species. The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment (See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Dr. Tammy Adams, (301)713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 5, 2006, notice was published in the Federal Register (70 FR 28909) that a request for a scientific research permit to take certain cetacean species had been submitted by the above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). This permit authorizes the permit holder to conduct hearing measurements on stranded cetaceans on beaches, in near-shore waters, and in rehabilitation facilities in the U.S.; and on cetaceans captured under separate research permits. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:37 Nov 28, 2006 Jkt 211001 Department of the Navy, DoD. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The invention listed below is assigned to the United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Navy and is available for licensing by the Department of the Navy. Navy Case No. 83,028: A TECHNIQUE FOR FABRICATING TWO AND THREE TERMINAL DEVICES IN WIDE-BAND GAP SEMICONDUCTORS WITHOUT PLASMA ETCHING and any continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals or re-issues thereof. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the invention cited should be directed to the Naval Research Laboratory, Code 1004, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20375–5320, and must include the Navy Case number. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Head, Technology Transfer Office, NRL Code 1004, 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20375–5320, telephone 202–767–7230. Due to temporary U.S. Postal Service delays, please fax 202– 404–7920, e-mail: techtran@utopia.nrl.navy.mil or use courier delivery to expedite response. (Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR Part 404) Dated: November 22, 2006. M. A. Harvison, Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E6–20203 Filed 11–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Notice of Availability of a Special Environmental Analysis; Potomac River Generating Station Department of Energy (DOE). Notice of Availability. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: DOE has prepared a Special Environmental Analysis (SEA) for PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Actions Taken under U.S. Department of Energy Emergency Orders Regarding Operation of the Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria, Virginia, and is announcing its availability. In the SEA, DOE examines environmental impacts from the Secretary of Energy’s December 20, 2005 Emergency Order, and the Secretary’s September 28, 2006 extension of that Emergency Order; the SEA covers a period of about 24 months beginning in December 2005. The SEA also considers alternatives that include mitigation measures that DOE may take until the Potomac Electric Power Company’s (PEPCO) installation of two additional 230 kV electric transmission lines to the Central Washington, DC area (expected in June 2007) that would appear to eliminate the emergency that lead to the issuance of the December 20, 2005 Emergency Order. DOE prepared the SEA after consulting with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for alternative arrangements under 40 CFR 1506.11, which applies where emergency circumstances make it necessary to take action without preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency worked with DOE on this SEA. Simultaneously with issuance of the SEA, the Secretary is issuing another temporary extension of the Emergency Order until February 1, 2007. DOE is providing the public an opportunity to comment before the Secretary considers whether to allow the Order to expire, extend the Order, or extend the Order with mitigation measures. DATES: DOE has posted the SEA on two websites: its Web site for this matter at https://www.oe.energy.gov/permitting/ 372.htm and the DOE NEPA Web site at https://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/ documentspub.html. Comments on the SEA should be submitted to DOE on or before January 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Anthony J. Como; Permitting, Siting, and Analysis Division; Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE–20); U.S. Department of Energy; 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone: 202– 586–5935; fax: 202–586–5860; or anthony.como@hq.doe.gov. Due to postal security procedures, comments sent through the U.S. Mail may be delayed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the DOE NEPA process, please contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM 29NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69101-69102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9454]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110706B]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Recovery Plans; Proposed 
Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce the 
availability for public review of the Proposed Recovery Plan (Plan) for 
Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca). NMFS is requesting 
review and comment on the Plan from the public and all interested 
parties.

DATES: Written comments and information must be received by February 
27, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Plan may be reviewed and/or copied at NMFS, 
Protected Resources Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 
98115. The Plan is available on-line on the NMFS web site https://
www.nwr.noaa.gov. Comments should be submitted by mail to Chief, 
Protected Resources Division, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, 
Portland, OR 97232 or by sending an e-mail message to 
orca.plan@noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Barre, NOAA/NMFS, Northwest 
Region, (206) 526-4745.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as 
amended (15 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that NMFS develop and 
implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of 
threatened and endangered species under its jurisdiction, unless it is 
determined that such plans would not result in the conservation of the 
species. NMFS announced the endangered listing of the Southern Resident 
killer whale distinct population segment (DPS) on November 18, 2005 (70 
FR 69903). Prior to the ESA listing, NMFS designated the Southern 
Resident killer whale population as a depleted stock under the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) on May 29, 2003 
(68 FR 31980). At the time of the designation, we announced our 
intention to develop a conservation plan.
    We held a series of public meetings and technical workshops to 
gather input from Federal Government agency representatives, state and 
tribal co-managers, Canadian officials, orca advocacy groups, non-
governmental organizations, researchers, whale watch industry, and 
concerned citizens. We circulated a preliminary draft conservation plan 
for public review on March 14, 2005. We received comments on the 
preliminary draft, and made revisions in response to the comments. We 
subsequently published a Notice of Availability of a Proposed 
Conservation Plan in the Federal Register on October 3, 2005 (70 FR 
57565), opening a public comment period. We received comments on the 
proposed conservation plan and have addressed them in the proposed 
recovery plan. In addition to addressing the comments, we have 
incorporated ESA elements into the plan, including discussions of the 
five ESA listing factors, critical habitat, section 7, and ESA recovery 
criteria. We also included new research results and references that 
have become available since the proposed conservation plan was 
released.

The Plan

    The ESA requires that recovery plans incorporate (1) objective, 
measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a determination 
that the species is no longer threatened or endangered; (2) site-
specific management actions necessary to achieve the plan's goals; and 
(3) estimates of time required and costs to implement recovery actions. 
NMFS' goal is to restore the endangered Southern Resident DPS to the 
point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems and no longer need the protections of the ESA.
    The Plan provides background on the natural history of killer 
whales, population trends and the potential threats to their viability. 
The Plan lays out a recovery strategy to address the potential threats 
based on the best available science and includes recovery goals and 
criteria. The Plan is not a regulatory action, but presents guidance 
for use by agencies and interested parties to assist in the recovery of 
Southern Resident killer whales. The Plan identifies substantive 
actions needed to achieve recovery by addressing the threats to the 
species. The program also links management actions to an active 
research program for filling data gaps, and monitoring activities to 
assess effectiveness. The Plan incorporates an adaptive management 
framework by which Plan actions and other elements will evolve and 
adapt to information gained as a result of research and monitoring. 
Recovery of Southern Resident killer whales is a long-term effort and 
will require cooperation and coordination of Federal, state, tribal and 
local government agencies, and the community.
    We request comments on the Proposed Recovery Plan for Southern 
Resident Killer Whales with this notice. NMFS will consider substantive 
comments and information provided during the public comment period in 
the course of finalizing this Plan.


[[Page 69102]]


    Dated: November 22, 2006.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-9454 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.