Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Amendments to Appendices I and II Adopted by the Conference of the Parties to CITES at Its Fourteenth Regular Meeting (CoP14), 45260-45264 [E7-15828]

Download as PDF 45260 Approval type Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title Title II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... I ............ II ........... II ........... II ........... I ............ II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... I ............ II ........... I ............ II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... II ........... Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 155 / Monday, August 13, 2007 / Notices FHA ID 1279400003 1158800000 1912300004 7879700001 7744400009 1661700001 1894900004 7915200006 1641500003 7942100000 1600800007 7167700005 1780600004 1430400000 2335200004 2290900004 1152300008 7313700006 1135500002 1256900002 2705009995 1340600007 2314300002 2022700000 1657700001 1336900006 7520600001 7177600009 7811400009 1120500002 2257500002 7086600009 2343200000 1337500002 7423200003 1291000005 2229000006 2079700006 1777400009 1187300004 1981200004 1789900004 7518300001 2274300008 1909800005 7082100004 7182600009 7198900008 7882200000 7373900007 7849900009 1987900009 2330000000 7207000003 Lender name City St JT ENTERPRISES .............................................................................. KERN CENTRAL CREDIT UNION ..................................................... KNR MORTGAGE INC ....................................................................... LAGUNA FUNDING CORPORATION ................................................ LEGACY FINANCIAL GROUP INC .................................................... LENDERS FINANCIAL MORTGAGE CORP ..................................... MAIDSTONE MORTGAGE ................................................................. MAJOR MORTGAGE ......................................................................... MESA FINANCIAL INC ....................................................................... MILDOR CORPORATION .................................................................. MONEY TREE MORTGAGE BANKERS USA INC ............................ MONTICELLO BANK .......................................................................... MURRAY MORTGAGE INCORPORATED ........................................ NATIONS FUNDING GROUP ............................................................ NATIONS MORTGAGE CORPORATION .......................................... NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE GROUP INC ......................................... NATIONWIDE REALTY SERVICES INC ........................................... NORTH SUBURBAN MORTGAGE CORP ........................................ ODICO INC ......................................................................................... PARK PLACE MORTGAGE CORP .................................................... PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM CORP .................................................... PRIME EQUITY ACCESS CORP ....................................................... QUALIFIED MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, L.P. .................................... QUOTEMEARATE.COM ..................................................................... R SANCHEZ FINANCIAL INC ............................................................ REGENCY MORTGAGE CO .............................................................. REPUBLIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION ........................................ SAN DIEGO SOUTHLAND EQUITIES LTD ....................................... SAN DIEGO SOUTHLAND EQUITIES LTD ....................................... SCOTT RESIDENTIAL SERVICES INC ............................................ SFMCPS INC ...................................................................................... SHASTA FINANCIAL SERVICES INC ............................................... SILVERSTONE MORTGAGE INC ..................................................... SIMPLICITY FUNDING INC ............................................................... SMI SOUTHERN MORTGAGE INC ................................................... ST CLOUD MORTGAGE .................................................................... STARMARK FINANCIAL LLC ............................................................ STRATE FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC ............................................... SUMMIT CAPITAL GROUP INC ........................................................ SUPERIOR LENDING CORP ............................................................. SUPERIOR MORTGAGE INC ............................................................ TAILOR-MADE MORTGAGE CORP .................................................. TRUST MORTGAGE COMPANY INC ............................................... UFS FINANCIAL GROUP INC ........................................................... UNION MORTGAGE INC ................................................................... UNIVERSAL SAVINGS BANK FA ...................................................... VALLEY BANK MARYLAND .............................................................. VALLEYSOURCE MORTGAGE INC .................................................. VALLEYSOURCE MORTGAGE INC .................................................. VILLAGE ASSOCIATES MORTGAGE INC ....................................... VOYAGEUR FINANCIAL INC ............................................................ WENTWORTH MORTGAGE CORPORATION .................................. WEST MICHIGAN MORTGAGE AND FINANCIAL SER ................... WESTERN CAPITAL ASSOCIATES .................................................. HUNTINGTON BEACH ................ BAKERSFIELD ............................. ALBUQUERQUE .......................... ONTARIO ..................................... ARLINGTON ................................ DAVIE ........................................... DOWNEY ..................................... CHEYENNE ................................. ANAHEIM ..................................... VICTORIA .................................... MIAMI ........................................... JACKSONVILLE ........................... DALLAS ........................................ ATLANTA ..................................... SALT LAKE CITY ......................... SOUTHFIELD ............................... SAN DIEGO ................................. BROOMFIELD .............................. LOS ANGELES ............................ LIVONIA ....................................... LAS VEGAS ................................. GRAND RAPIDS .......................... PALM BEACH GARDENS ........... HOUSTON ................................... RANCHO CUCAMONGA ............. BIRMINGHAM .............................. TROY ........................................... SAN DIEGO ................................. SAN DIEGO ................................. CITRUS HEIGHTS ....................... DURHAM ...................................... ELK GROVE ................................ HOUSTON ................................... DALLAS ........................................ BIRMINGHAM .............................. SANTA CLEMENTE ..................... SOUTHFIELD ............................... DENVER ...................................... PACIFIC GROVE ......................... PLANO ......................................... EDEN PRAIRIE ............................ MENIFEE ..................................... WALTHAM ................................... DALLAS ........................................ ARLINGTON ................................ MILWAUKEE ................................ HUNT VALLEY ............................. BAKERSFIELD ............................. BAKERSFIELD ............................. BIRMINGHAM .............................. PRIOR LAKE ................................ PLYMOUTH ................................. GRAND RAPIDS .......................... SAN DIEGO ................................. CA CA NM CA TX FL CA WY CA TX FL FL TX GA UT MI CA CO CA MI NV MI FL TX CA AL MI CA CA CA NC CA TX TX AL CA MI CO CA TX MN CA MA TX TX WI MD CA CA MI MN MI MI CA Dated: August 3, 2007. Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, Chairman Mortgagee Review Board. [FR Doc. E7–15742 Filed 8–10–07; 8:45 am] jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4210–67–P ACTION: Fish and Wildlife Service SUMMARY: This notice announces the amendments to Appendices I and II adopted by the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at its fourteenth regular meeting (CoP14). The meeting was held in The Hague, The Netherlands, June 3–15, 2007. In this notice we list those amendments that were adopted by the Parties at the meeting. We also invite public input on whether the United States should take a Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Amendments to Appendices I and II Adopted by the Conference of the Parties to CITES at Its Fourteenth Regular Meeting (CoP14) AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Aug 10, 2007 Jkt 211001 Notice; request for comments. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\13AUN1.SGM 13AUN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 155 / Monday, August 13, 2007 / Notices reservation on the amendments (with the exception of species deleted from the Appendices) that were adopted at the meeting. To date, the United States has entered no reservations to any CITES listing. The amendments to CITES Appendices I and II described in this notice enter into effect on September 13, 2007. DATES: In determining whether the United States should take a reservation on any of the amendments (with the exception of species deleted from the Appendices) to the CITES Appendices adopted at CoP14, we will consider written information and comments submitted by September 12, 2007. ADDRESSES: Comments: Submit your comments concerning whether the United States should take a reservation on the amendments to the CITES Appendices (with the exception of species deleted from the Appendices) adopted at CoP14 by any one of the following methods: • By mail or hand-delivery to Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 750, Arlington, VA 22203; • By e-mail to scientificauthority@fws.gov; or • By fax to 703–358–2276. Comments and materials we receive will be available for public inspection, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the street address given above. Available Information: You may obtain information concerning the resolutions and decisions adopted at CoP14, including the full text of the CITES resolutions discussed in this notice: • On the official Web site of the CITES Secretariat at https:// www.cites.org (click on Conference of the Parties); • By mailing a request to Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, VA 22203; • By e-mailing a request to cop14@fws.gov; or • By faxing a request to 703–358– 2095. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to the discussions of proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items at CoP14 contact: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of Management Authority (see ADDRESSES, above). For more information pertaining to the discussions of proposed amendments to VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Aug 10, 2007 Jkt 211001 the Appendices considered at CoP14, contact: Acting Chief, Division of Scientific Authority (see ADDRESSES, above). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention) is an international treaty designed to control and regulate international trade in certain animal and plant species that are now or potentially may become threatened with extinction due to trade. These species are listed in the Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat’s Web site (https://www.cites.org/eng/app/ index.shtml). Currently, 172 countries, including the United States, are Parties to CITES. The Convention calls for regular meetings of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to review issues pertaining to implementation, make provisions enabling the CITES Secretariat in Switzerland to carry out its functions, consider amendments to the list of species in Appendices I and II, consider reports presented by the Secretariat, and to make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of CITES. Any country that is a Party to CITES may propose and vote on amendments to Appendices I and II (species proposals), draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda items submitted for consideration by the Conference of the Parties. Accredited nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) may participate in the meeting as approved observers and may speak during sessions when recognized by the meeting Chairperson, but they may not vote or submit proposals. In this notice we announce the amendments to Appendices I and II adopted by the Parties at CoP14, held in The Hague, The Netherlands, June 3–15, 2007, and also invite public input on whether the United States should take a reservation on any of the amendments to the Appendices (with the exception of species deleted from the Appendices) adopted by the Parties at CoP14. This is our fifth notice in a series of Federal Register notices relating to CoP14. We published our first CoP14related Federal Register notice on January 20, 2006 (71 FR 3319), to request information and recommendations on species proposals, draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda items for the United States to PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45261 consider submitting for consideration at CoP14. We published our second Federal Register notice on November 7, 2006 (71 FR 65126), to request public comments and information on species proposals, draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda items that the United States was considering submitting for consideration at CoP14. On December 11, 2006, we held a public meeting that was announced in our second Federal Register notice; at that meeting, we discussed the issues contained in our November 7, 2006, Federal Register notice and on our website posting on the same topic. In our third Federal Register notice, published on February 21, 2007 (72 FR 7904), we announced the provisional agenda for CoP14, solicited public comments on items listed in the provisional agenda, and announced a second public meeting to discuss the agenda items. Our second public meeting was held on April 9, 2007. In our fourth CoP14-related Federal Register notice published June 1, 2007 (72 FR 30606), we announced the tentative U.S. negotiating positions on species proposals, draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda items submitted by other countries and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP14. We also announced that we would publish a notice after the conclusion of CoP14 inviting public input on whether the United States should take a reservation on any of the amendments to the CITES Appendices adopted at CoP14. You may obtain information on the above Federal Register notices from the following sources. For information on draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda items, contact the Division of Management Authority (see ADDRESSES, above); for information on species proposals, contact the Division of Scientific Authority (see ADDRESSES, above). Our regulations governing this public process are found in 50 CFR 23.31–23.39. Amendments to the Appendices Listed below are the amendments to CITES Appendices I and II adopted at CoP14. These amendments include the inclusion of species in Appendix I or Appendix II; the transfer of species from one Appendix to another; the deletion of species from Appendix I or II; and amendment of the annotations of certain CITES-listed species. E:\FR\FM\13AUN1.SGM 13AUN1 45262 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 155 / Monday, August 13, 2007 / Notices TABLE 1.—AMENDMENTS TO CITES APPENDIX I AND APPENDIX II ADOPTED AT THE COP14 Proposal Description of proposal 1 .......................... Transfer of Nycticebus species (slow lorises) from Appendix II to Appendix I. Transfer the Ugandan population of leopard (Panthera pardus) from Appendix I to Appendix II with an annotation that trade is to be allowed for the exclusive purpose of sport hunting for trophies and skins for personal use, to be exported as personal effects; and with an annual export quota of 50 leopards for the whole country. Amendment of the listing annotation for African elephant (Loxodonta africana). The three African elephant proposals (4, 5, and 6) were withdrawn at the CoP, and replaced by a new proposed amendment (CoP14 Inf. 61) that would annotate the listings of the populations of African elephant in Appendix II to include trade in hunting trophies for non-commercial purposes; trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations for Zimbabwe and Botswana, and for in situ conservation programs for Namibia and South Africa; trade in hides; trade in hair; trade in leather goods for commercial and non-commercial purposes for Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa and for non-commercial purposes for Zimbabwe; trade in marked and certified ekipas (tourist souvenirs) for non-commercial purposes for Namibia and ivory carvings for non-commercial purposes for Zimbabwe; and trade in registered raw ivory for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe from existing stockpiles registered by January 31, 2007, subject to certain conditions. ˜ Amendment of the annotation of the vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) population of Bolivia for the exclusive purpose of allowing international trade in wool sheared from live ˜ vicunas, and in cloth and items made thereof, including luxury handicrafts and knitted articles. Inclusion of Cuvier’s gazelle (Gazella cuvieri) in Appendix I. Inclusion of slender-horned gazelle (Gazella leptoceros) in Appendix I. Transfer of the Brazilian population of black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) from Appendix I to Appendix II. Cambodia 3 Transfer Guatemalan beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti) from Appendix II to Appendix I. Inclusion of the Family Pristidae (7 species of sawfish) in Appendix I. Guatemala 3 .......................... Inf. 61 ................. 8 .......................... 10 ........................ 12 ........................ 13 ........................ 14 ........................ 17 ........................ Submitted by jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 18 ........................ Inclusion of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Appendix II. 22 ........................ Deletion of Arizona agave (Agave arizonica) from Appendix I. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Aug 10, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Comments Uganda ......................... At CoP14, Uganda revised the proposal to retain their leopard population in Appendix I with an annual export quota of 28 leopards as sport-hunted trophies. Chad and Zambia, on behalf of Africa. The new proposal (CoP14 Inf. 61) was developed and adopted by consensus on the agreement that no further proposals to allow trade in elephant ivory from these populations may be submitted to the CoP until 9 years following the sale of the approved ivory stocks, in accordance with the provisions set forth in Inf. 61. The Parties also decided that the African elephant range States shall develop an overall African elephant action plan to improve elephant management, and that the CITES Secretariat shall establish an African elephant fund, to be administered by the CITES Standing Committee, that will be applied to implement the action plan. Import of ekipas and ivory carvings into the United States is prohibited. Bolivia ........................... The proposal amends the annotation to include ˜ the entire Bolivian vicuna population for wool and products; the rest of the annotation remains unchanged. Algeria .......................... Since 1976, the species had been included in Appendix III at the request of Tunisia. Since 1976, the species had been included in Appendix III at the request of Tunisia. This species is currently listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act; therefore, the import of specimens into the United States for commercial purposes is still prohibited. Algeria .......................... Brazil ............................ Kenya, Nicaragua and the United States of America. Germany, on behalf of the European Community Member States. United States ............... Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The proposal was amended to include the species Pristis microdon in Appendix II with the following annotation: For the exclusive purpose of allowing international trade in live animals to appropriate and acceptable aquaria for primarily conservation purposes. All other species were included in Appendix I. Scientific research has determined that Arizona agave is a randomly occurring first-generation hybrid and not a species. E:\FR\FM\13AUN1.SGM 13AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 155 / Monday, August 13, 2007 / Notices 45263 TABLE 1.—AMENDMENTS TO CITES APPENDIX I AND APPENDIX II ADOPTED AT THE COP14—Continued Proposal Description of proposal Submitted by Comments 23 ........................ Transfer of Dehesa bear grass (Nolina interrata) from Appendix I to Appendix II. United States ............... Dehesa bear grass is listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act; therefore, the collection and sale of wild-collected specimens is prohibited under State law. 24 ........................ Deletion of leaf-bearing cacti in the genera Pereskia and Quiabentia from Appendix II. Deletion of leaf-bearing cacti in the genus Pereskiopsis from Appendix II. Amendment of the annotations to Adonis vernalis, Guaiacum species, Hydrastis canadensis, Nardostachys grandiflora, Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Podophyllum hexandrum, Pterocarpus santalinus, Rauvolfia serpentina, Taxus chinensis, T. fuana, T. cuspidata, T. sumatrana, and T. wallichiana, Orchidaceae species in Appendix II, and all Appendix-II and -III taxa annotated with annotation #1. Deletion of Oconee bells (Shortia galacifolia) from Appendix II. Inclusion of pernambuco (Caesalpinia echinata) in Appendix II, including all parts and derivatives. Argentina Amendment of the annotation to exempt certain artificially propagated hybrids of Orchidaceae (interspecific and intergeneric hybrids of Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, and Vanda) included in Appendix II. Deletion of the current annotation for Taxus chinensis, T. fuana, andT. sumatrana, and a new annotation for artificially propagated hybrids and cultivars of T. cuspidata in pots or other small containers to be exempted from CITES controls. Switzerland as the Depositary Government, at the request of the Plants Committee. 25 ........................ 27 ........................ 28 ........................ 30 ........................ 35 ........................ 37 ........................ jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Reservations In addition to announcing the amendments to CITES Appendices I and II that were adopted at CoP14, we invite public input on whether the United States should take any reservations on the amendments to the CITES Appendices (with the exception of species deleted from the Appendices) that were adopted at the meeting. CITES provides a period of 90 days from the close of a meeting of the CoP for any Party to enter a reservation for a particular species listed in Appendix I or II. Countries that choose not to recognize a listing and take a reservation may continue trading in the species without CITES documents with other Parties that have taken the same reservation or with non-Parties, provided such shipments do not transit a Party country. However, trade with Parties that have not taken the same reservation requires CITES documents. While the reservation is in effect the Party is formally treated as a non-Party VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Aug 10, 2007 Jkt 211001 Mexico Switzerland as the Depositary Government, at the request of the Plants Committee. United States Brazil ............................ Switzerland as the Depositary Government, at the request of the Standing Committee. with respect to trade in the reserved species. A Party that has entered a reservation may withdraw it at any time. CITES Resolution Conf. 4.25 recommends that, when a species is newly listed in Appendix I or is transferred from Appendix II to Appendix I, Parties that take a reservation for that species should treat the species as if it were listed in Appendix II, rather than not listed, when trading with other reserving Parties or non-Parties. Further, CITES Resolution Conf. 9.7 (Rev. CoP13) states that a shipment containing specimens of CITES species traded between nonParties or reserving Parties or between a non-Party and a reserving Party must be accompanied by CITES documents if it transits a Party country before reaching its final destination. Therefore, if the United States entered a reservation to the listing of a species in Appendix I, we would require a CITES document that meets Appendix II permit criteria (i.e., legal acquisition and nondetriment finding) for international PO 00000 Frm 00049 The proposal was produced by the Medicinal Plant Annotations Working Group in consultation with the CITES Plants Committee, which was directed by the Parties to assess the effectiveness of and streamline the annotations for CITES-listed medicinal plants. Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The proposed annotation was amended to exclude finished bows and buttons from CITES controls. The adopted annotation states: ‘‘designates logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, including wood articles used for the fabrication of bows for stringed musical instruments.’’ This proposal will replace confusing language in the existing taxon-specific orchid hybrid exemptions (referred to as footnote 8) with language proposed and agreed upon by consensus of the Plants Committee. The proposed annotation was amended to exempt from CITES controls artificially propagated hybrids and cultivars of T. cuspidata live in pots. trade in specimens of that species with a non-Party or a Party that has taken the same reservation. The United States has never entered a reservation on any CITES listing because a reservation would do very little to relieve importers in the United States from the need for foreign export permits. As discussed in the Federal Register notice of November 17, 1987 (52 FR 43924), the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) make it a Federal offense to import into the United States any ‘‘fish or wildlife’’ taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of foreign laws. If a foreign nation has enacted CITES, and has not taken a reservation with regard to the particular species, part, or derivative, the United States would continue to require CITES documents as a condition of import. Regarding CITESlisted plants, the Lacey Act does not provide the same protections for plants outside of the United States. However, a reservation by the United States also would provide exporters in this country E:\FR\FM\13AUN1.SGM 13AUN1 45264 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 155 / Monday, August 13, 2007 / Notices with little relief from the need for U.S. export documents. Unless the receiving country had entered the same reservation or was a non-Party, U.S. exporters of CITES-listed plants and animals would continue to be required to obtain CITES-comparable documents because the Parties have agreed to trade with non-Parties and reserving Parties only if they issue permits and certificates that substantially conform with CITES requirements and contain the required information outlined in CITES Resolution Conf. 9.5 (Rev. CoP13). If the United States were to enter a reservation for a particular species, it may confuse importers and exporters because, as stated above, CITES permit requirements would still be imposed by other Parties. This could lead persons to inadvertently violate the laws of foreign countries that honor the listing. Author This notice was prepared by Pat Ford, Division of Scientific Authority, (see ADDRESSES, above). Authority: This notice is issued under the authority of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: July 31, 2007. H. Dale Hall, Director. [FR Doc. E7–15828 Filed 8–10–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Minerals Management Service Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection, Comment Request Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of an extension of a currently approved information collection (OMB Control Number 1010– 0122). jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we are inviting comments on a collection of information that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. We changed the title of this ICR. The previous title of this ICR was ‘‘30 CFR 243—Suspensions Pending Appeal and Bonding—Minerals Revenue Management (Forms MMS–4435, Administrative Appeal Bond; MMS– 4436, Letter of Credit; and MMS–4437, Assignment of Certificate of Deposit).’’ The new title of this ICR is ‘‘30 CFR 243—Suspensions Pending Appeal and VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:19 Aug 10, 2007 Jkt 211001 Bonding.’’ Forms associated with this collection are Forms MMS–4435, Administrative Appeal Bond; MMS– 4436, Letter of Credit; and MMS–4437, Assignment of Certificate of Deposit. DATES: Submit written comments on or before October 12, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Sharron L. Gebhardt, Lead Regulatory Specialist, Minerals Management Service, Minerals Revenue Management, P.O. Box 25165, MS 302B2, Denver, Colorado 80225. If you use an overnight courier service or wish to hand-deliver your comments, our courier address is Building 85, Room A–614, Denver Federal Center, West 6th Ave. and Kipling Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80225. You may also e-mail your comments to us at mrm.comments@mms.gov. Include the title of the information collection and the OMB control number in the ‘‘Attention’’ line of your comment. Also include your name and return address. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your e-mail, contact Ms. Gebhardt at (303) 231–3211. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharron L. Gebhardt, telephone (303) 231–3211, FAX (303) 231–3781, or email sharron.gebhardt@mms.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: 30 CFR Part 243—Suspensions Pending Appeal and Bonding. OMB Control Number: 1010–0122. Bureau Form Number: Forms MMS– 4435, MMS–4436, and MMS–4437. Abstract: The Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior is responsible for collecting royalties from lessees who produce minerals from leased Federal and Indian lands. The Secretary is required by various laws to manage mineral resources production on Federal and Indian lands, collect the royalties due, and distribute the funds in accordance with those laws. The Secretary also has a trust responsibility to manage Indian lands and seek advice and information from Indian beneficiaries. The MMS performs the royalty management functions and assists the Secretary in carrying out the Department’s trust responsibility for Indian lands. Applicable law citations pertaining to mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands include: Public Law 97–451—Jan. 12, 1983 (Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 [FOGRMA]); Public Law 104–185—Aug. 13, 1996 (Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Simplification and Fairness Act of 1996 [RSFA]), as corrected by Public Law 104–200—Sept. 22, 1996; and Public Law 97–382—Dec. 22, 1982 (Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982). The RSFA section 4(l), ‘‘Stay of Payment Obligation Pending Review,’’ requires PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 MMS to evaluate any person, ordered by the Secretary or a delegated state to pay any obligation (other than an assessment) subject to RSFA, to determine whether that person is entitled to a stay of the order without bond or other surety instrument, pending an administrative or judicial proceeding, based on the financial solvency of that person. Public laws pertaining to mineral royalties are located on our Web site at https:// www.mrm.mms.gov/Laws_R_D/ PublicLawsAMR.htm. Regulations at 30 CFR part 243 govern the suspension of orders or decisions pending administrative appeal for Federal leases. These regulations require the submission of information demonstrating financial solvency by the person who represents the appellant, requesting a suspension without the need to provide a surety. For those appellants who are not financially solvent or for appeals involving Indian leases, MMS requires that a surety instrument be posted to secure the financial interest of the public and Indian lessors during the entire administrative or judicial appeal process. This information collection request covers the burden hours associated with appellants submitting financial statements or surety instruments, subject to annual audit, required to stay an MMS order. Minerals produced from Federal and Indian leases vary greatly in the nature of occurrence, production, and processing methods. When a company or an individual enters into a lease to explore, develop, produce, and dispose of minerals from Federal or Indian lands, that company or individual agrees to pay the lessor a share (royalty) of the value received from production from the leased lands. The lease creates a business relationship between the lessor and the lessee. The lessee is required to report various kinds of information to the lessor relative to the disposition of the leased minerals. Such information is similar to data reported to private and public mineral interest owners and is generally available within the records of the lessee or others involved in developing, transporting, processing, purchasing, or selling such minerals. The information collected includes data necessary to ensure that the royalties are paid appropriately. Proprietary information submitted to MMS under this collection is protected, and no items of a sensitive nature are collected. A response is required to obtain the benefit of suspending compliance of an order pending appeal. E:\FR\FM\13AUN1.SGM 13AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 155 (Monday, August 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45260-45264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15828]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Amendments
to Appendices I and II Adopted by the Conference of the Parties to
CITES at Its Fourteenth Regular Meeting (CoP14)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the amendments to Appendices I and II
adopted by the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) at its fourteenth regular meeting (CoP14). The meeting was held
in The Hague, The Netherlands, June 3-15, 2007. In this notice we list
those amendments that were adopted by the Parties at the meeting. We
also invite public input on whether the United States should take a

[[Page 45261]]

reservation on the amendments (with the exception of species deleted
from the Appendices) that were adopted at the meeting. To date, the
United States has entered no reservations to any CITES listing. The
amendments to CITES Appendices I and II described in this notice enter
into effect on September 13, 2007.

DATES: In determining whether the United States should take a
reservation on any of the amendments (with the exception of species
deleted from the Appendices) to the CITES Appendices adopted at CoP14,
we will consider written information and comments submitted by
September 12, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments: Submit your comments concerning whether the United
States should take a reservation on the amendments to the CITES
Appendices (with the exception of species deleted from the Appendices)
adopted at CoP14 by any one of the following methods:
By mail or hand-delivery to Division of Scientific
Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive,
Room 750, Arlington, VA 22203;
By e-mail to scientificauthority@fws.gov; or
By fax to 703-358-2276.
Comments and materials we receive will be available for public
inspection, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the street
address given above.
Available Information: You may obtain information concerning the
resolutions and decisions adopted at CoP14, including the full text of
the CITES resolutions discussed in this notice:
On the official Web site of the CITES Secretariat at
https://www.cites.org (click on Conference of the Parties);
By mailing a request to Division of Management Authority,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700,
Arlington, VA 22203;
By e-mailing a request to cop14@fws.gov; or
By faxing a request to 703-358-2095.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information pertaining to the
discussions of proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items at
CoP14 contact: Robert R. Gabel, Chief, Division of Management Authority
(see ADDRESSES, above). For more information pertaining to the
discussions of proposed amendments to the Appendices considered at
CoP14, contact: Acting Chief, Division of Scientific Authority (see
ADDRESSES, above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention) is an international treaty
designed to control and regulate international trade in certain animal
and plant species that are now or potentially may become threatened
with extinction due to trade. These species are listed in the
Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat's Web
site (https://www.cites.org/eng/app/index.shtml). Currently, 172
countries, including the United States, are Parties to CITES. The
Convention calls for regular meetings of the Conference of the Parties
(CoP) to review issues pertaining to implementation, make provisions
enabling the CITES Secretariat in Switzerland to carry out its
functions, consider amendments to the list of species in Appendices I
and II, consider reports presented by the Secretariat, and to make
recommendations to improve the effectiveness of CITES. Any country that
is a Party to CITES may propose and vote on amendments to Appendices I
and II (species proposals), draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda
items submitted for consideration by the Conference of the Parties.
Accredited nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) may participate in the
meeting as approved observers and may speak during sessions when
recognized by the meeting Chairperson, but they may not vote or submit
proposals.
In this notice we announce the amendments to Appendices I and II
adopted by the Parties at CoP14, held in The Hague, The Netherlands,
June 3-15, 2007, and also invite public input on whether the United
States should take a reservation on any of the amendments to the
Appendices (with the exception of species deleted from the Appendices)
adopted by the Parties at CoP14.
This is our fifth notice in a series of Federal Register notices
relating to CoP14. We published our first CoP14-related Federal
Register notice on January 20, 2006 (71 FR 3319), to request
information and recommendations on species proposals, draft resolutions
and decisions, and agenda items for the United States to consider
submitting for consideration at CoP14. We published our second Federal
Register notice on November 7, 2006 (71 FR 65126), to request public
comments and information on species proposals, draft resolutions and
decisions, and agenda items that the United States was considering
submitting for consideration at CoP14. On December 11, 2006, we held a
public meeting that was announced in our second Federal Register
notice; at that meeting, we discussed the issues contained in our
November 7, 2006, Federal Register notice and on our website posting on
the same topic. In our third Federal Register notice, published on
February 21, 2007 (72 FR 7904), we announced the provisional agenda for
CoP14, solicited public comments on items listed in the provisional
agenda, and announced a second public meeting to discuss the agenda
items. Our second public meeting was held on April 9, 2007. In our
fourth CoP14-related Federal Register notice published June 1, 2007 (72
FR 30606), we announced the tentative U.S. negotiating positions on
species proposals, draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda items
submitted by other countries and the CITES Secretariat for
consideration at CoP14. We also announced that we would publish a
notice after the conclusion of CoP14 inviting public input on whether
the United States should take a reservation on any of the amendments to
the CITES Appendices adopted at CoP14.
You may obtain information on the above Federal Register notices
from the following sources. For information on draft resolutions and
decisions, and agenda items, contact the Division of Management
Authority (see ADDRESSES, above); for information on species proposals,
contact the Division of Scientific Authority (see ADDRESSES, above).
Our regulations governing this public process are found in 50 CFR
23.31-23.39.

Amendments to the Appendices

Listed below are the amendments to CITES Appendices I and II
adopted at CoP14. These amendments include the inclusion of species in
Appendix I or Appendix II; the transfer of species from one Appendix to
another; the deletion of species from Appendix I or II; and amendment
of the annotations of certain CITES-listed species.

[[Page 45262]]

Table 1.--Amendments to CITES Appendix I and Appendix II Adopted at the CoP14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal Description of proposal Submitted by Comments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1........................... Transfer of Nycticebus Cambodia 3 ...........................
species (slow lorises) from
Appendix II to Appendix I.
3........................... Transfer the Ugandan Uganda................. At CoP14, Uganda revised
population of leopard the proposal to retain
(Panthera pardus) from their leopard population
Appendix I to Appendix II in Appendix I with an
with an annotation that annual export quota of 28
trade is to be allowed for leopards as sport-hunted
the exclusive purpose of trophies.
sport hunting for trophies
and skins for personal use,
to be exported as personal
effects; and with an annual
export quota of 50 leopards
for the whole country.
Inf. 61..................... Amendment of the listing Chad and Zambia, on The new proposal (CoP14
annotation for African behalf of Africa. Inf. 61) was developed and
elephant (Loxodonta adopted by consensus on
africana). The three the agreement that no
African elephant proposals further proposals to allow
(4, 5, and 6) were trade in elephant ivory
withdrawn at the CoP, and from these populations may
replaced by a new proposed be submitted to the CoP
amendment (CoP14 Inf. 61) until 9 years following
that would annotate the the sale of the approved
listings of the populations ivory stocks, in
of African elephant in accordance with the
Appendix II to include provisions set forth in
trade in hunting trophies Inf. 61.
for non-commercial The Parties also decided
purposes; trade in live that the African elephant
animals to appropriate and range States shall develop
acceptable destinations for an overall African
Zimbabwe and Botswana, and elephant action plan to
for in situ conservation improve elephant
programs for Namibia and management, and that the
South Africa; trade in CITES Secretariat shall
hides; trade in hair; trade establish an African
in leather goods for elephant fund, to be
commercial and non- administered by the CITES
commercial purposes for Standing Committee, that
Botswana, Namibia, and will be applied to
South Africa and for non- implement the action plan.
commercial purposes for Import of ekipas and ivory
Zimbabwe; trade in marked carvings into the United
and certified ekipas States is prohibited.
(tourist souvenirs) for non-
commercial purposes for
Namibia and ivory carvings
for non-commercial purposes
for Zimbabwe; and trade in
registered raw ivory for
Botswana, Namibia, South
Africa, and Zimbabwe from
existing stockpiles
registered by January 31,
2007, subject to certain
conditions.
8........................... Amendment of the annotation Bolivia................ The proposal amends the
of the vicu[ntilde]a annotation to include the
(Vicugna vicugna) entire Bolivian
population of Bolivia for vicu[ntilde]a population
the exclusive purpose of for wool and products; the
allowing international rest of the annotation
trade in wool sheared from remains unchanged.
live vicu[ntilde]as, and in
cloth and items made
thereof, including luxury
handicrafts and knitted
articles.
10.......................... Inclusion of Cuvier's Algeria................ Since 1976, the species had
gazelle (Gazella cuvieri) been included in Appendix
in Appendix I. III at the request of
Tunisia.
12.......................... Inclusion of slender-horned Algeria................ Since 1976, the species had
gazelle (Gazella been included in Appendix
leptoceros) in Appendix I. III at the request of
Tunisia.
13.......................... Transfer of the Brazilian Brazil................. This species is currently
population of black caiman listed as endangered under
(Melanosuchus niger) from the U.S. Endangered
Appendix I to Appendix II. Species Act; therefore,
the import of specimens
into the United States for
commercial purposes is
still prohibited.
14.......................... Transfer Guatemalan beaded Guatemala ...........................
lizard (Heloderma horridum
charlesbogerti) from
Appendix II to Appendix I.
17.......................... Inclusion of the Family Kenya, Nicaragua and The proposal was amended to
Pristidae (7 species of the United States of include the species
sawfish) in Appendix I. America. Pristis microdon in
Appendix II with the
following annotation: For
the exclusive purpose of
allowing international
trade in live animals to
appropriate and acceptable
aquaria for primarily
conservation purposes. All
other species were
included in Appendix I.
18.......................... Inclusion of European eel Germany, on behalf of ...........................
(Anguilla anguilla) in the European Community
Appendix II. Member States.
22.......................... Deletion of Arizona agave United States.......... Scientific research has
(Agave arizonica) from determined that Arizona
Appendix I. agave is a randomly
occurring first-generation
hybrid and not a species.

[[Page 45263]]

23.......................... Transfer of Dehesa bear United States.......... Dehesa bear grass is listed
grass (Nolina interrata) as endangered under the
from Appendix I to Appendix California Endangered
II. Species Act; therefore,
the collection and sale of
wild-collected specimens
is prohibited under State
law.
24.......................... Deletion of leaf-bearing Argentina ...........................
cacti in the genera
Pereskia and Quiabentia
from Appendix II.
25.......................... Deletion of leaf-bearing Mexico ...........................
cacti in the genus
Pereskiopsis from Appendix
II.
27.......................... Amendment of the annotations Switzerland as the The proposal was produced
to Adonis vernalis, Depositary Government, by the Medicinal Plant
Guaiacum species, Hydrastis at the request of the Annotations Working Group
canadensis, Nardostachys Plants Committee. in consultation with the
grandiflora, Panax ginseng, CITES Plants Committee,
Panax quinquefolius, which was directed by the
Picrorhiza kurrooa, Parties to assess the
Podophyllum hexandrum, effectiveness of and
Pterocarpus santalinus, streamline the annotations
Rauvolfia serpentina, Taxus for CITES-listed medicinal
chinensis, T. fuana, T. plants.
cuspidata, T. sumatrana,
and T. wallichiana,
Orchidaceae species in
Appendix II, and all
Appendix-II and -III taxa
annotated with annotation
1.
28.......................... Deletion of Oconee bells United States ...........................
(Shortia galacifolia) from
Appendix II.
30.......................... Inclusion of pernambuco Brazil................. The proposed annotation was
(Caesalpinia echinata) in amended to exclude
Appendix II, including all finished bows and buttons
parts and derivatives. from CITES controls. The
adopted annotation states:
``designates logs, sawn
wood, veneer sheets,
including wood articles
used for the fabrication
of bows for stringed
musical instruments.''
35.......................... Amendment of the annotation Switzerland as the This proposal will replace
to exempt certain Depositary Government, confusing language in the
artificially propagated at the request of the existing taxon-specific
hybrids of Orchidaceae Plants Committee. orchid hybrid exemptions
(interspecific and (referred to as footnote
intergeneric hybrids of 8) with language proposed
Cymbidium, Dendrobium, and agreed upon by
Phalaenopsis, and Vanda) consensus of the Plants
included in Appendix II. Committee.
37.......................... Deletion of the current Switzerland as the The proposed annotation was
annotation for Taxus Depositary Government, amended to exempt from
chinensis, T. fuana, andT. at the request of the CITES controls
sumatrana, and a new Standing Committee. artificially propagated
annotation for artificially hybrids and cultivars of
propagated hybrids and T. cuspidata live in pots.
cultivars of T. cuspidata
in pots or other small
containers to be exempted
from CITES controls.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reservations

In addition to announcing the amendments to CITES Appendices I and
II that were adopted at CoP14, we invite public input on whether the
United States should take any reservations on the amendments to the
CITES Appendices (with the exception of species deleted from the
Appendices) that were adopted at the meeting. CITES provides a period
of 90 days from the close of a meeting of the CoP for any Party to
enter a reservation for a particular species listed in Appendix I or
II. Countries that choose not to recognize a listing and take a
reservation may continue trading in the species without CITES documents
with other Parties that have taken the same reservation or with non-
Parties, provided such shipments do not transit a Party country.
However, trade with Parties that have not taken the same reservation
requires CITES documents. While the reservation is in effect the Party
is formally treated as a non-Party with respect to trade in the
reserved species. A Party that has entered a reservation may withdraw
it at any time.
CITES Resolution Conf. 4.25 recommends that, when a species is
newly listed in Appendix I or is transferred from Appendix II to
Appendix I, Parties that take a reservation for that species should
treat the species as if it were listed in Appendix II, rather than not
listed, when trading with other reserving Parties or non-Parties.
Further, CITES Resolution Conf. 9.7 (Rev. CoP13) states that a shipment
containing specimens of CITES species traded between non-Parties or
reserving Parties or between a non-Party and a reserving Party must be
accompanied by CITES documents if it transits a Party country before
reaching its final destination. Therefore, if the United States entered
a reservation to the listing of a species in Appendix I, we would
require a CITES document that meets Appendix II permit criteria (i.e.,
legal acquisition and non-detriment finding) for international trade in
specimens of that species with a non-Party or a Party that has taken
the same reservation.
The United States has never entered a reservation on any CITES
listing because a reservation would do very little to relieve importers
in the United States from the need for foreign export permits. As
discussed in the Federal Register notice of November 17, 1987 (52 FR
43924), the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) make
it a Federal offense to import into the United States any ``fish or
wildlife'' taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of
foreign laws. If a foreign nation has enacted CITES, and has not taken
a reservation with regard to the particular species, part, or
derivative, the United States would continue to require CITES documents
as a condition of import. Regarding CITES-listed plants, the Lacey Act
does not provide the same protections for plants outside of the United
States. However, a reservation by the United States also would provide
exporters in this country

[[Page 45264]]

with little relief from the need for U.S. export documents. Unless the
receiving country had entered the same reservation or was a non-Party,
U.S. exporters of CITES-listed plants and animals would continue to be
required to obtain CITES-comparable documents because the Parties have
agreed to trade with non-Parties and reserving Parties only if they
issue permits and certificates that substantially conform with CITES
requirements and contain the required information outlined in CITES
Resolution Conf. 9.5 (Rev. CoP13). If the United States were to enter a
reservation for a particular species, it may confuse importers and
exporters because, as stated above, CITES permit requirements would
still be imposed by other Parties. This could lead persons to
inadvertently violate the laws of foreign countries that honor the
listing.

Author

This notice was prepared by Pat Ford, Division of Scientific
Authority, (see ADDRESSES, above).

Authority: This notice is issued under the authority of the U.S.
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Dated: July 31, 2007.
H. Dale Hall,
Director.
[FR Doc. E7-15828 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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