Draft Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan; Issuance of Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit for Incidental Take of Nine Listed Species in Cochise County, AZ and Hidalgo County, NM (Malpai Borderlands), 36020-36021 [E7-12720]
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36020
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 126 / Monday, July 2, 2007 / Notices
Division of Workforce Development,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs,
Department of the Interior, 1951
Constitution Avenue, NW., MS–20–SIB,
Washington, DC 20245; Telephone 202–
219–5270. (This is not a toll-free
number).
The
information collection for A Reporting
System for the Public Law 102–477
Demonstration Project needs renewal.
The 60-day notice requesting comments
on OMB Control Number 1076–0135,
‘‘Public Law 102–477 Reporting,’’ was
published in the Federal Register on
October 18, 2006 (71 FR 61505). We
have held meetings with both tribal and
Federal partners regarding the existing
Public Law 102–477 tribal report forms.
We have also shared the changes
mandated by the government-wide
employment and training OMB
requirements with Federal partners and
tribal representatives.
Abstract: The information collection
is needed to document satisfactory
compliance with statutory, regulatory
and OMB requirements of the various
integrated programs. Public Law 102–
477 authorizes tribal governments to
integrate federally-funded employment,
training and related services programs
into a single, coordinated,
comprehensive service delivery plan.
Funding agencies include the
Department of the Interior, Department
of Labor, and the Department of Health
and Human Services. The Bureau of
Indian Affairs is statutorily required to
serve as the lead agency. Section 11 of
this Act requires that the Secretary of
the Interior make available a single
universal report format which shall be
used by a tribal government to report on
integrated activities and expenditures
undertaken. The Bureau of Indian
Affairs shares the information collected
from these reports with the Department
of Labor and the Department of Health
and Human Services.
Method of Collection:
Current Forms: These forms have
been developed incorporating
comments from the Department of
Health and Human Services and the
Department of Labor which provide
program funds to tribes for portions of
Public Law 102–477. The revised forms
have also incorporated many of the
comments from tribal grantees and other
interested parties.
The revised forms include a one page
financial form which is a slightly
modified SF–269–A (short form). The
financial report also now adds one
additional financial page at the request
of the Department of Health and Human
Services, Temporary Assistance for
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:57 Jun 29, 2007
Jkt 211001
Needy Families (TANF) report. The
form is accompanied by four pages of
instructions. The additional form and
instructions are only to be completed by
those tribes receiving TANF funds
under Public Law 102–477. A portion of
the report is optional as requested by
DHHS. Secondly, the revised forms
include a revised and expanded
program statistical report.
These report forms and narrative are
limited but should satisfy the
Department of Health and Human
Services, Department of Labor and the
Department of the Interior. Both the
existing and revised forms reduce the
burden on tribal governments by
consolidating data collection for
employment, training, education, child
care and related service programs. The
reports are due annually. These forms
have been developed within a
partnership between tribes and
representatives of all three Federal
agencies to standardize terms and
definitions, eliminate duplication and
reduce frequency of collection.
Action: Reinstatement.
Collection: OMB Control # 1076–
0135, A Reporting System for Pub. L.
102–477 Demonstration Project.
Respondents: Tribes participating in
Public Law 102–477 will report
annually. Currently there are 51
grantees representing 240 tribes
participating in the program.
Burden: The hourly burden for
present forms is 58 hours per
respondent without TANF; 58 hours ×
21 grantees estimated equals 1,218
annual burden hours. If a tribe does
include TANF the annual burden hours
is 60 hours with an estimated 30
grantees including TANF equals 1,800
annual burden hours. The total
estimated annual burden hours for the
Pub. L. 102–477 initiative equals 3,018.
Public Comments and Responses: No
comments were received to our 60 day
notice published in the Federal Register
October 18, 2006 (71 FR 61505):
One written comment was received
on February 1, 2006 while meeting with
tribes. The tribe summarized by stating,
we ‘‘can find no fault with the current
reporting requirements and forms.’’
Request for Comments: The
Department of the Interior requests your
comments on this collection concerning:
(a) The necessity of this information
collection for the proper performance of
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden (hours and cost)
of the collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
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(c) Ways we could enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(d) Ways we could minimize the
burden of the collection of the
information on the respondents, such as
through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology.
You are reminded that an agency may
not request or sponsor a collection of
information unless OMB has approved
the collection; you are not required to
answer a collection of information that
is not approved, and you will not be
harmed by your refusal.
The Office of Management and Budget
has 60 days in which to make a decision
on this request for renewal, but may
decide after 30 days. Therefore, your
comments should arrive by the 30 day
comment date to be sure of getting full
consideration.
Dated: June 20, 2007.
Carl J. Artman,
Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. E7–12658 Filed 6–29–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–XN–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Draft Environmental Assessment/
Habitat Conservation Plan; Issuance of
Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit for
Incidental Take of Nine Listed Species
in Cochise County, AZ and Hidalgo
County, NM (Malpai Borderlands)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of
application.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Malpai Borderlands Group
(Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (Service) for an
incidental take permit (TE–155587–0)
pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the
Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973,
as amended. The requested permit,
which is for a period of 30 years, would
authorize incidental take of the
following listed endangered species:
Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea), Yaqui
topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis
sonoriensis), Huachuca water-umbel
(Lilaeopsis schaffneriana recurva),
Northern Aplomado falcon (Falco
femoralis septentrionalis); listed
threatened species: Yaqui catfish
(Ictalurus pricei), beautiful shiner
(Cyprinella formosa), Chiricahua
leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis),
Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis
lucida), New Mexico ridge-nosed
rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi obscurus);
E:\FR\FM\02JYN1.SGM
02JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 126 / Monday, July 2, 2007 / Notices
candidate species: western yellow-billed
cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus); and
unlisted species: Yaqui sucker
(Catostomus bernardini), longfin dace—
Yaqui form (Agosia chrysogaster),
Mexican stoneroller (Campostoma
ornatum), lowland leopard frog (Rana
yavapaiensis), northern Mexican
gartersnake (Thamnophis eques
megalops), black-tailed prairie dog
(Cynomys ludovicianus), western
burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia
hypugaea), white-sided jackrabbit
(Lepus callotis), and western red bat
(Lasiurus blosseveillii). The proposed
incidental take would occur as a result
of grassland improvement and ranch
management activities on non-Federal
lands within approximately 828,000
acres of the Malpai borderlands region
of Cochise County, Arizona and Hidalgo
County, New Mexico. We invite public
comment.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written
comments must be received on or before
August 31, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review
the application, draft Malpai
Borderlands Habitat Conservation Plan
(MBHCP), or other related documents
may obtain a copy by written request to
the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological
Services Office, 2321 West Royal Palm
Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona
85021–4951 (602/242–0210). Electronic
copies of these documents will also be
available for review on the Arizona
Ecological Services Office Web site,
https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/
arizona/. The application and
documents related to the application
will be available for public inspection,
by appointment only, during normal
business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at
the Service’s Phoenix office. Comments
concerning the application, draft HCP,
or other related documents should be
submitted in writing to the Field
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Arizona Ecological Services
Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road,
Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021–
4951. Please refer to permit number TE–
XXXXXX–0 when submitting
comments. All comments received,
including names and addresses, will
become a part of the official
administrative record.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
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.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
22:57 Jun 29, 2007
Jkt 211001
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:
Marty Tuegel at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Tucson office, 201 N.
Bonita Avenue, Suite 141, Tucson,
Arizona 85745 (520/670–6150) ext. 232,
or by e-mail at Marty_Tuegel@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Applicant has applied to the Service for
a Section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take
permit for a period of 30 years in order
to gain authorization for incidental take
of 19 listed, candidate, and unlisted
species. The proposed incidental take
could occur as a result of grassland
improvement and ranch management
activities on non-Federal lands within
approximately 828,000 acres of the
Malpai borderlands region of Cochise
County, Arizona and Hidalgo County,
New Mexico.
Background
The Malpai Borderlands Group is
proposing grassland improvement
activities and general ranch
management activities on non-Federal
lands within the Malpai Borderlands
area of Cochise County, Arizona and
Hidalgo County, New Mexico. This area
encompasses approximately 828,000
acres of primarily open rangeland. The
covered area would include all the
private and state trust lands within the
area defined by the U.S./Mexico border
on the south; on the west from milepost
10 on Geronimo Trail following current
ranch boundaries north to Hwy 80, then
north-east along Hwy 80 to the point
where the section line between
Township 21 South and Township 22
South crosses the highway, then northwest along current ranch boundaries to
the National Forest boundary, then
north-east along the National Forest
boundary to the section line between
Township 19 South and Township 20
South, then east to Hwy 80, then north
along Hwy 80 to its junction with Hwy
9; along Hwy 9 on the north side; and
on the east side along the Continental
Divide (to where it enters Diamond A
Ranch) and then along the east
boundary of the Diamond A Ranch to its
junction with the U.S./Mexico border.
The grassland improvement activities
include returning fire onto the
landscape as an ecological factor that
maintains the grassland ecosystem,
erosion control structures to reduce soil
loss and downstream sedimentation,
and mechanical brush control to reduce
shrub invasion of upland habitats. All
three of these general activity types can
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
36021
have short-term impacts on species and
their habitats, but through these
activities, a long-term benefit is
anticipated for the watersheds in the
covered area and for the covered
species. In addition, MBHCP includes
provisions for individual ranchers to
elect to enroll under the conservation
plan for coverage of routine ranch
management activities, including
construction of linear facilities (fences,
pipelines, and roads), livestock
management, and use and maintenance
of livestock ponds/tanks. These
activities are included because in some
cases incidental take of some covered
species may occur. However, improved
ranch management also can improve the
watershed and habitats of covered
species. In addition to these two broad
categories of covered activities, Malpai
Borderlands Group proposes actions to
minimize the impacts of the activities
and assist in recovery of the covered
species. These actions are also proposed
to be covered by the associated section
10(a)(1)(B) permit.
To meet the requirements of a section
10(a)(1)(B) permit, Malpai Borderlands
Group has developed and will
implement the MBHCP, which provides
measures to minimize and mitigate for
incidental take of the 19 proposed
covered species to the maximum extent
practicable, and which ensures that the
incidental take will not appreciably
reduce the likelihood of the survival
and recovery of these species in the
wild.
Section 9 of the Act and its
implementing regulations prohibit the
‘‘taking’’ of threatened and endangered
species. However, the Service, under
limited circumstances, may issue
permits to take listed wildlife species
incidental to, and not the purpose of,
otherwise lawful activities.
We provide this notice under section
10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
and its implementing regulations (50
CFR 17.22), and the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
4371 et seq.) and its implementing
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
C. Todd Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2,
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E7–12720 Filed 6–29–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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02JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 126 (Monday, July 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36020-36021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12720]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Draft Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan;
Issuance of Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit for Incidental Take of Nine
Listed Species in Cochise County, AZ and Hidalgo County, NM (Malpai
Borderlands)
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Malpai Borderlands Group (Applicant) has applied to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE-
155587-0) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act
(Act) of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period
of 30 years, would authorize incidental take of the following listed
endangered species: Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea), Yaqui topminnow
(Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis), Huachuca water-umbel
(Lilaeopsis schaffneriana recurva), Northern Aplomado falcon (Falco
femoralis septentrionalis); listed threatened species: Yaqui catfish
(Ictalurus pricei), beautiful shiner (Cyprinella formosa), Chiricahua
leopard frog (Rana chiricahuensis), Mexican spotted owl (Strix
occidentalis lucida), New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus
willardi obscurus);
[[Page 36021]]
candidate species: western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus);
and unlisted species: Yaqui sucker (Catostomus bernardini), longfin
dace--Yaqui form (Agosia chrysogaster), Mexican stoneroller (Campostoma
ornatum), lowland leopard frog (Rana yavapaiensis), northern Mexican
gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops), black-tailed prairie dog
(Cynomys ludovicianus), western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia
hypugaea), white-sided jackrabbit (Lepus callotis), and western red bat
(Lasiurus blosseveillii). The proposed incidental take would occur as a
result of grassland improvement and ranch management activities on non-
Federal lands within approximately 828,000 acres of the Malpai
borderlands region of Cochise County, Arizona and Hidalgo County, New
Mexico. We invite public comment.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or
before August 31, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, draft Malpai
Borderlands Habitat Conservation Plan (MBHCP), or other related
documents may obtain a copy by written request to the Field Supervisor,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Office,
2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951 (602/
242-0210). Electronic copies of these documents will also be available
for review on the Arizona Ecological Services Office Web site, https://
www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/. The application and documents
related to the application will be available for public inspection, by
appointment only, during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at
the Service's Phoenix office. Comments concerning the application,
draft HCP, or other related documents should be submitted in writing to
the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona
Ecological Services Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103,
Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951. Please refer to permit number TE-XXXXXX-0
when submitting comments. All comments received, including names and
addresses, will become a part of the official administrative record.
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: Marty Tuegel at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Tucson office, 201 N. Bonita Avenue, Suite 141,
Tucson, Arizona 85745 (520/670-6150) ext. 232, or by e-mail at Marty--
Tuegel@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Applicant has applied to the Service for
a Section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit for a period of 30 years
in order to gain authorization for incidental take of 19 listed,
candidate, and unlisted species. The proposed incidental take could
occur as a result of grassland improvement and ranch management
activities on non-Federal lands within approximately 828,000 acres of
the Malpai borderlands region of Cochise County, Arizona and Hidalgo
County, New Mexico.
Background
The Malpai Borderlands Group is proposing grassland improvement
activities and general ranch management activities on non-Federal lands
within the Malpai Borderlands area of Cochise County, Arizona and
Hidalgo County, New Mexico. This area encompasses approximately 828,000
acres of primarily open rangeland. The covered area would include all
the private and state trust lands within the area defined by the U.S./
Mexico border on the south; on the west from milepost 10 on Geronimo
Trail following current ranch boundaries north to Hwy 80, then north-
east along Hwy 80 to the point where the section line between Township
21 South and Township 22 South crosses the highway, then north-west
along current ranch boundaries to the National Forest boundary, then
north-east along the National Forest boundary to the section line
between Township 19 South and Township 20 South, then east to Hwy 80,
then north along Hwy 80 to its junction with Hwy 9; along Hwy 9 on the
north side; and on the east side along the Continental Divide (to where
it enters Diamond A Ranch) and then along the east boundary of the
Diamond A Ranch to its junction with the U.S./Mexico border. The
grassland improvement activities include returning fire onto the
landscape as an ecological factor that maintains the grassland
ecosystem, erosion control structures to reduce soil loss and
downstream sedimentation, and mechanical brush control to reduce shrub
invasion of upland habitats. All three of these general activity types
can have short-term impacts on species and their habitats, but through
these activities, a long-term benefit is anticipated for the watersheds
in the covered area and for the covered species. In addition, MBHCP
includes provisions for individual ranchers to elect to enroll under
the conservation plan for coverage of routine ranch management
activities, including construction of linear facilities (fences,
pipelines, and roads), livestock management, and use and maintenance of
livestock ponds/tanks. These activities are included because in some
cases incidental take of some covered species may occur. However,
improved ranch management also can improve the watershed and habitats
of covered species. In addition to these two broad categories of
covered activities, Malpai Borderlands Group proposes actions to
minimize the impacts of the activities and assist in recovery of the
covered species. These actions are also proposed to be covered by the
associated section 10(a)(1)(B) permit.
To meet the requirements of a section 10(a)(1)(B) permit, Malpai
Borderlands Group has developed and will implement the MBHCP, which
provides measures to minimize and mitigate for incidental take of the
19 proposed covered species to the maximum extent practicable, and
which ensures that the incidental take will not appreciably reduce the
likelihood of the survival and recovery of these species in the wild.
Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations prohibit the
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species. However, the Service,
under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take listed wildlife
species incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful
activities.
We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22), and the
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and its
implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
C. Todd Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E7-12720 Filed 6-29-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
