Draft Safe Harbor Agreement and Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Northern Aplomado Falcon, Whooping Crane, and Black Lace Cactus for Activities on Private Lands in All or Portions of Aransas, Austin, Colorado, Galveston, Goliad, Refugio, and Victoria Counties, TX (Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative), 21283-21284 [E7-8164]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 82 / Monday, April 30, 2007 / Notices
and their habitats, and (2) minor or
negligible effects on other
environmental values or resources.
The Service will evaluate the HCP
and comments submitted thereon to
determine whether the application
meets the requirements of section 10(a)
of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). If it
is determined that those requirements
are met, the ITP will be issued for the
incidental take of the Florida scrub-jay.
The Service will also evaluate whether
issuance of the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP
complies with section 7 of the Act by
conducting an intra-Service section 7
consultation. The results of this
consultation, in combination with the
above findings, will be used in the final
analysis to determine whether or not to
issue the ITP.
Authority: This notice is provided
pursuant to section 10 of the Endangered
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and
NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
Dated: April 24, 2007.
Paul Souza,
Field Supervisor, South Florida Ecological
Services Field Office.
[FR Doc. E7–8159 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Draft Safe Harbor Agreement and
Application for an Enhancement of
Survival Permit for the Attwater’s
Prairie Chicken, Northern Aplomado
Falcon, Whooping Crane, and Black
Lace Cactus for Activities on Private
Lands in All or Portions of Aransas,
Austin, Colorado, Galveston, Goliad,
Refugio, and Victoria Counties, TX
(Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of
application.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Coastal Prairie Coalition,
Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative
(GLCI) (Applicant) has applied to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
for an enhancement of survival permit
pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the
Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973,
as amended. The requested permit,
which is for a period of 99 years,
includes a draft Safe Harbor Agreement
(Agreement) for the endangered
Attwater’s prairie chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido attwateri), the
endangered Northern aplomado falcon
(Falco femoralis septentrionalis), the
endangered Whooping crane (Grus
Americana), and the endangered black
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:27 Apr 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
lace cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii
var. albertii) in all or portions of
Aransas, Austin, Colorado, Galveston,
Goliad, Refugio, and Victoria counties,
Texas. We invite public comment.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written
comments must be received on or before
May 30, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review
the application may obtain a copy by
writing to the Regional Director, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box
1306, Room 4102, Albuquerque, New
Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to
review the draft Agreement or other
related documents may obtain a copy by
written or telephone request to the Field
Supervisor, Corpus Christi Ecological
Services Field Office, c/o Texas A&M
University at Corpus Christi, 6300
Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus Christi,
Texas 78412–5837, (361) 994–9005. The
documents will also be available for
public inspection, by appointment only,
during normal business hours (8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.) at the Service’s Corpus
Christi office. Comments concerning the
draft Agreement or other related
documents should be submitted in
writing to the Field Supervisor at the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Corpus
Christi Ecological Services Field Office,
c/o Texas A&M University at Corpus
Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837,
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412–5837.
Please refer to permit number TE–
151746–0 when submitting comments.
All comments received, including
names and addresses, will become a
part of the official administrative record
and may be made available to the
public.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Orms at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Corpus Christi Ecological
Services Field Office, c/o Texas A&M
University at Corpus Christi, 6300
Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus Christi,
Texas 78412–5837 (361–994–9005; Fax
361–994–8262, or Mary_Orms@fws.gov)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Applicant has applied to the Service for
a section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement of
survival permit for the endangered
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
21283
Attwater’s prairie chicken, the
endangered Northern aplomado falcon,
the endangered Whooping crane, and
the endangered black lace cactus in all
or portions of Aransas, Austin,
Colorado, Galveston, Goliad, Refugio,
and Victoria counties, Texas for a period
of 99 years.
Background
The Applicant plans to implement
conservation measures designed to
promote the recovery of covered species
on enrolled private lands located in the
counties listed above. The conservation
measures will improve and maintain
healthy productive grasslands, reduce
brush canopy, modify plant
composition, promote growth of or
enhance the detection and/or
palatability of desired foods, increase
prey base, facilitate the accumulation of
fine fuels for prescription burning,
provide additional habitat, provide
upland freshwater supplies, and aid in
dispersal of covered species among
various protected habitats, providing a
measure of insurance against losses due
to demographic or genetic factors and
catastrophic events. The Agreement is
expected to provide a net conservation
benefit for the Attwater’s prairie
chicken, Northern aplomado falcon,
Whooping crane, and black lace cactus.
Due to the programmatic nature of this
Agreement, baseline conditions will be
determined at the time of enrollment.
Baseline conditions for most properties
enrolled under the Agreement are
anticipated to be zero. Where
participating properties are determined
to have an environmental baseline
greater than zero, these areas shall be
described in the Certificate of Inclusion
(CI) and Prairie Management
Agreement, with detailed descriptions
and/or maps showing the locations of
existing habitat or populations attached
to the CI and Prairie Management
Agreement.
The Agreement will provide certainty
to the Applicant relative to future
property-use restrictions in the event
that any of the covered species should
be taken on their land as a result of
implementation of the proposed
conservation measures.
Under a Safe Harbor Agreement,
participating property owners
voluntarily undertake management
activities on their property to enhance,
restore, or maintain habitat benefiting
species listed under the Act. Safe
Harbor Agreements encourage private
and other non-Federal property owners
to implement conservation efforts for
listed species by assuring property
owners they will not be subject to
increased property use restrictions if
E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM
30APN1
21284
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 82 / Monday, April 30, 2007 / Notices
their efforts attract listed species to their
property or increase the numbers or
distribution of listed species already on
their property.
Section 9 of the Act prohibits take of
threatened or endangered species.
However, the Service, under limited
circumstances, may issue permits to
take threatened and endangered wildlife
species incidental to, and not the
purpose of, otherwise lawful activities.
Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region,
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E7–8164 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment for Big
Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
in St. Tammany Parish, LA
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife
Service, announce that a Draft
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/
EA) for Big Branch Marsh National
Wildlife Refuge is available for review
and comment. The National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act of
1966, as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997, requires the Service to
develop a CCP for each national wildlife
refuge. This Draft CCP, when final, will
describe how we intend to manage Big
Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
over the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive your comments no later
than May 30, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or
requests for more information to:
Charlotte Parker, Natural Resource
Planner, 61389 Highway 434, Lacombe,
LA 70445; Telephone: 985/882–2029.
The Draft CCP/EA may be accessed and
downloaded from the Service’s Internet
Web site: https://southeast.fws.gov/
planning/ under ‘‘Draft Documents.’’
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Big
Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
was established in 1994 and is presently
comprised of approximately 18,600
acres of coastal marsh and pine forested
wetlands. The purposes of the refuge are
to: Provide habitat for a natural diversity
of wildlife associated with the marsh of
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:27 Apr 27, 2007
Jkt 211001
the refuge; provide wintering habitat for
migratory waterfowl; provide nesting
habitat for wood ducks; provide habitat
for non-game migratory birds; and
provide opportunities for public
outdoor recreation, such as hunting,
fishing, hiking, bird watching, and
environmental education and
interpretation, whenever they are
compatible with the purposes of the
refuge.
Significant issues addressed in the
Draft CCP/EA include: Managing
threatened and endangered species,
species of concern, targeted species, and
other species of Federal responsibility;
conserving habitats native to the Lake
Pontchartrain Basin; improving refuge
visitor programs; increasing public
outreach; providing formal
environmental education programs;
protecting archaeological and historical
sites on the refuge; and, purchasing the
remaining land inholdings within the
established acquisition boundary of the
refuge.
Three management alternatives are
considered in the Draft CCP/EA.
Alternative A continues current
management, with no new actions to
improve or enhance existing programs.
Alternative B, the proposed alternative,
emphasizes management of natural
resources based on maintaining and
improving wetland habitats, monitoring
targeted flora and fauna representative
of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, and
providing quality public use programs
and wildlife-dependent recreational
activities. Alternative C focuses on
expanding public use activities to the
fullest extent possible while conducting
only mandated resource protection.
We will conduct the environmental
review of this project in accordance
with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508);
other appropriate Federal laws and
regulations; and our policies and
procedures for compliance with those
regulations. All comments received
become part of the official public
record. Requests for such comments will
be handled in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act NEPA (40
CFR 1506(f)), and Departmental and
Service policies and procedures.
Authority: This notice is published under
the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997, Public
Law 105–57.
Dated: March 13, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E7–8162 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Indian Gaming
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Amendment to
Approved Tribal-State Compact.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice publishes the
approval of the extension of agreement
between the Northern Cheyenne Tribe
and the State of Montana concerning
Class III gaming, with the incorporated
amendments.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 30, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George T. Skibine, Director, Office of
Indian Gaming, Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary—Policy and
Economic Development, Washington,
DC 20240, (202) 219–4066.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to Section 11 of the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA), Public
Law 100–497, 25 U.S.C. 2710, the
Secretary of the Interior shall publish in
the Federal Register notice of the
approved Tribal-State compacts for the
purpose of engaging in Class III gaming
activities on Indian lands.
This amendment extends the term of
the compact for 10 years, increases the
number of gaming machines, the
maximum jackpot on gaming machines
and the prize limit on Class III poker, for
the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
Dated: April 19, 2007.
Carl J. Artman,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7–8134 Filed 4–27–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Indian Gaming
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of amendment to
Approved Tribal-State Compact.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice publishes the
Approval of the Tribal-State Compact
for Class III Gaming between the
Spokane Tribe and the State of
Washington.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 30, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George T. Skibine, Director, Office of
Indian Gaming, Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary—Policy and
Economic Development, Washington,
DC 20240, (202) 219–4066.
E:\FR\FM\30APN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 82 (Monday, April 30, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21283-21284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8164]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Draft Safe Harbor Agreement and Application for an Enhancement of
Survival Permit for the Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Northern Aplomado
Falcon, Whooping Crane, and Black Lace Cactus for Activities on Private
Lands in All or Portions of Aransas, Austin, Colorado, Galveston,
Goliad, Refugio, and Victoria Counties, TX (Grazing Lands Conservation
Initiative)
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coastal Prairie Coalition, Grazing Lands Conservation
Initiative (GLCI) (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as
amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of 99 years,
includes a draft Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) for the endangered
Attwater's prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri), the
endangered Northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis),
the endangered Whooping crane (Grus Americana), and the endangered
black lace cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii) in all or
portions of Aransas, Austin, Colorado, Galveston, Goliad, Refugio, and
Victoria counties, Texas. We invite public comment.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or
before May 30, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
P.O. Box 1306, Room 4102, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons
wishing to review the draft Agreement or other related documents may
obtain a copy by written or telephone request to the Field Supervisor,
Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office, c/o Texas A&M
University at Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus
Christi, Texas 78412-5837, (361) 994-9005. The documents will also be
available for public inspection, by appointment only, during normal
business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Service's Corpus Christi
office. Comments concerning the draft Agreement or other related
documents should be submitted in writing to the Field Supervisor at the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Corpus Christi Ecological Services
Field Office, c/o Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean
Drive, Unit 5837, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5837. Please refer to
permit number TE-151746-0 when submitting comments. All comments
received, including names and addresses, will become a part of the
official administrative record and may be made available to the public.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Orms at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office, c/o
Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837,
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5837 (361-994-9005; Fax 361-994-8262, or
Mary--Orms@fws.gov)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Applicant has applied to the Service for
a section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement of survival permit for the endangered
Attwater's prairie chicken, the endangered Northern aplomado falcon,
the endangered Whooping crane, and the endangered black lace cactus in
all or portions of Aransas, Austin, Colorado, Galveston, Goliad,
Refugio, and Victoria counties, Texas for a period of 99 years.
Background
The Applicant plans to implement conservation measures designed to
promote the recovery of covered species on enrolled private lands
located in the counties listed above. The conservation measures will
improve and maintain healthy productive grasslands, reduce brush
canopy, modify plant composition, promote growth of or enhance the
detection and/or palatability of desired foods, increase prey base,
facilitate the accumulation of fine fuels for prescription burning,
provide additional habitat, provide upland freshwater supplies, and aid
in dispersal of covered species among various protected habitats,
providing a measure of insurance against losses due to demographic or
genetic factors and catastrophic events. The Agreement is expected to
provide a net conservation benefit for the Attwater's prairie chicken,
Northern aplomado falcon, Whooping crane, and black lace cactus. Due to
the programmatic nature of this Agreement, baseline conditions will be
determined at the time of enrollment. Baseline conditions for most
properties enrolled under the Agreement are anticipated to be zero.
Where participating properties are determined to have an environmental
baseline greater than zero, these areas shall be described in the
Certificate of Inclusion (CI) and Prairie Management Agreement, with
detailed descriptions and/or maps showing the locations of existing
habitat or populations attached to the CI and Prairie Management
Agreement.
The Agreement will provide certainty to the Applicant relative to
future property-use restrictions in the event that any of the covered
species should be taken on their land as a result of implementation of
the proposed conservation measures.
Under a Safe Harbor Agreement, participating property owners
voluntarily undertake management activities on their property to
enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species listed under
the Act. Safe Harbor Agreements encourage private and other non-Federal
property owners to implement conservation efforts for listed species by
assuring property owners they will not be subject to increased property
use restrictions if
[[Page 21284]]
their efforts attract listed species to their property or increase the
numbers or distribution of listed species already on their property.
Section 9 of the Act prohibits take of threatened or endangered
species. However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue
permits to take threatened and endangered wildlife species incidental
to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities.
Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E7-8164 Filed 4-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P
