2007 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) Contest, 52576-52577 [E7-18139]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 178 / Friday, September 14, 2007 / Notices
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) or by
letter (see ADDRESSES). Copies of the
subject documents also are available for
public inspection during regular
business hours at the Western
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office
(see ADDRESSES) and the Western
Washington Fish & Wildlife Service
internet site: https://www.fws.gov/
westwafwo/consplan/docs.html.
Background
Section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.) and Federal regulations prohibit
the ‘‘take’’ of a fish or wildlife species
listed as endangered or threatened. Take
of federally listed fish and wildlife is
defined under section 3 of the Act as
including to ‘‘harass, harm, pursue,
hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture
or collect, or to attempt to engage in
such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1538). We
may, under limited circumstances, issue
permits to authorize ‘‘incidental take’’ of
listed species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is
defined by the Act as take that is
incidental to, and not the purpose of,
carrying out an otherwise lawful
activity. Regulations governing permits
for threatened species and endangered
species, respectively, are at 50 CFR
17.32 and 50 CFR 17.22. The applicant
is seeking a permit for the incidental
take of species that are listed as either
threatened or endangered under the Act,
and certain species should they become
listed during the 50-year term of the
permit. The species under consideration
for coverage include bald eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus), California
brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis),
marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus
marmoratus), tufted puffin (Fratercula
cirrhata), bull trout (Salvelinus
confluentus), and coastal cutthroat trout
(O. clarki clarki).
Proposed covered activities under the
HCP include the subtidal harvest of
wild stock geoduck clams (Panopea
abrupta) on State-owned aquatic lands
for commercial, research and health
sampling purposes.
The majority of subtidal lands in the
State, and the resources embedded in
them, are owned by Washington State
and managed by the WDNR. The
geoduck clam is among the most
commercially valuable of these
resources.
The wild geoduck fishery in the state
is jointly managed by WDNR,
Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW), and the Puget Sound
Treaty Indian Tribes (tribes). The State
and the tribes each have a right to 50
percent of the allowable geoduck catch.
The State and the tribes are jointly
responsible for estimating geoduck
population size, determining
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:44 Sep 13, 2007
Jkt 211001
sustainable yield, and protecting the
health of the geoduck stock and the
habitat they depend upon. WDNR offers
the State’s half of the geoduck harvest
at auctions for the right of private
companies and individuals to harvest
specific quantities of geoducks in
specific areas. As the State’s managers
of the geoduck resource, WDNR and
WDFW enforce civil and criminal
Washington State laws, regulations and
contract conditions that apply to the
State’s fishery.
Washington’s commercial geoduck
fishery is divided into six geoduck
management regions. Commercial
harvest occurs within one management
region at a time, and usually on one
tract at a time. There are currently 400
commercial geoduck tracts comprising
approximately 30,000 acres of subtidal
bedlands. Ten to 14 harvest quotas are
offered at each WDNR geoduck harvest
auction, resulting in 30 to 40 individual
harvest agreements annually. Typically,
one or two tracts are open for harvest at
any given time. The tract boundaries are
defined by a water depth of –18 feet
mean lower low water (MLLW) to the
outer edge of the harvest area (depth of
–70 feet MLLW). Most of the subtidal
tracts range in size from 18 acres to 459
acres. A small number of tracts are
larger. Harvest limits are based on the
annual harvest level (Total Allowable
Catch (TAC)). The TAC for a
management region is the total weight of
geoduck that may be harvested during
the year in each management region.
The number is calculated annually and
is the product of the regional
commercial biomass estimate multiplied
by the equilibrium harvest rate.
The proposed minimization and
mitigation measures include, but are not
limited to: Limiting the number of acres
open to harvest in each management
region per year; permitting harvest only
from tracts designated through contract
by WDNR; clearly marking tracts with
easily identifiable stakes and/or buoys,
and recording latitude and longitude
positions on all markers; limiting
surface noise levels; applying harvest
boundaries and buffers to protect
eelgrass beds, forage fish spawning areas
and other sensitive nearshore habitats
and providing direct oversight of the
fishery by maintaining compliance staff
aboard vessels on harvest tracts each
day that commercial geoduck harvest
occurs.
Approval of the HCP may qualify for
a categorical exclusion under NEPA, as
provided by the Departmental Manual
(516 DM2 Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6
Appendix 1), and as a ‘‘low-effect’’ plan
as defined by the Habitat Conservation
Planning Handbook (Service, November
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1996). We determine whether an HCP is
low effect based upon whether the HCP
has minor or negligible effects on
federally listed, proposed, or candidate
species and their habitats; minor or
negligible effects on other
environmental values or resources; and
impacts that together with the impacts
of other past, present, and reasonably
foreseeable similarly situated projects
would, not result, over time, in
cumulative effects to the environmental
values or resources which would be
considered significant. If we find the
HCP to qualify as a low-effect HCP,
further NEPA documentation would not
be required.
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. If we determine that the
requirements are met, we will issue an
incidental take permit under section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act to the applicant for
take of the proposed covered species,
incidental to otherwise lawful activities
in accordance with the terms of the
permit. We will not make our final
decision until after the end of the 30day comment period and will fully
consider all comments received during
the comment period.
We provide this notice under section
10(c) of the Act and NEPA
implementing regulations (40 CFR
1506.6).
Dated: September 7, 2007.
Ken S. Berg,
Manager, Western Washington Fish and
Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Lacey, Washington.
[FR Doc. E7–18128 Filed 9–13–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
2007 Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck
Stamp) Contest
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) announce the
E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM
14SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 178 / Friday, September 14, 2007 / Notices
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES
dates and location of the 2007 Federal
Duck Stamp contest, and the species
eligible to be subjects for this year’s
designs. We invite the public to enter
and to attend. The 2007 contest will
select the image that will grace the 75th
Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp.
DATES: The public may first view the
2007 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
entries on Tuesday, September 25, 2007
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1. Judging will be held on Friday,
October 12, 2007 beginning at 1 p.m.
and on Saturday, October 13, 2007
beginning at 9 a.m., at the Sanibel, FL
location.
ADDRESSES: Requests for complete
copies of the contest rules, reproduction
rights agreement, and display and
participation agreement by calling 1–
703–358–2000, or by writing to: Federal
Duck Stamp Contest, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of the
Interior, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail
Stop MBSP–4070, Arlington, VA 22203–
1622. You may also download the
information from the Federal Duck
Stamp Web site at https://
duckstamps.fws.gov.
The contest will be held in Sanibel,
Florida at the Big Arts Center, 900
Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957. Phone
(239)395–0900.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laurie Shaffer, Federal Duck Stamp
Office, (703) 358–2002, or by e-mail
Laurie_Shaffer@fws.gov or fax at (703)
358–2009.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 16, 1934, Congress passed
and President Franklin Roosevelt signed
the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act.
Popularly known as the Duck Stamp
Act, it required all waterfowl hunters 16
years or older to buy a stamp annually.
The revenue generated was originally
earmarked for the Department of
Agriculture, but 5 years later was
transferred to the Department of the
Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to buy or lease waterfowl
sanctuaries. Regulations governing the
contest appear at 50 CFR part 91.
In the years since its enactment, the
Federal Duck Stamp Program has
become one of the most popular and
successful conservation programs ever
initiated. Today, some 1.8 million
stamps are sold each year, and as of
2005, Federal Duck Stamps have
generated more than $700 million for
the preservation of more than 5.2
million acres of waterfowl habitat in the
United States. Numerous other birds,
mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:44 Sep 13, 2007
Jkt 211001
have similarly prospered because of
habitat protection made possible by the
program. An estimated one-third of the
Nation’s endangered and threatened
species find food or shelter in refuges
preserved by Duck Stamp funds.
Moreover, the protected wetlands help
dissipate storms, purify water supplies,
store flood water, and nourish fish
hatchlings important for sport and
commercial fishermen.
The Contest
The first Federal Duck Stamp was
designed at President Franklin
Roosevelt’s request by Jay N. ‘‘Ding’’
Darling, a nationally known political
cartoonist for the Des Moines Register
and a noted hunter and wildlife
conservationist. In subsequent years,
noted wildlife artists were asked to
submit designs. The first contest was
opened in 1949 to any U.S. artist who
wished to enter, and 65 artists
submitted a total of 88 design entries in
the only art competition of its kind
sponsored by the U.S. Government. To
select each year’s design, a panel of
noted art, waterfowl, and philatelic
authorities are appointed by the
Secretary of the Interior. Winners
receive no compensation for the work,
except a pane of their stamps, but
winners may sell prints of their designs,
which are sought by hunters,
conservationists, and art collectors.
The public may view the 2007 Federal
Duck Stamp entries on Tuesday,
September 25, 2007 and through the
days of judging. This year’s judging will
be held on Friday, October 12 and
Saturday, October 13, 2007.
Eligible Species
The following species are eligible for
the 2007 contest: Mallard, American
Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail,
Canvasback and Harlequin Duck.
Entries featuring a species other than
the above listed species will be
disqualified.
Dated: September 5, 2007.
H. Dale Hall,
Director.
[FR Doc. E7–18139 Filed 9–13–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY–920–1320–EL, WYW154432]
Notice of Competitive Coal Lease Sale,
Wyoming
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
52577
Notice of Competitive Coal
Lease Sale.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
certain coal resources in the North
Maysdorf Coal Tract described below in
Campbell County, Wyoming, will be
offered for competitive lease by sealed
bid in accordance with the provisions of
the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as
amended (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.).
DATES: The lease sale will be held at 10
a.m., on Thursday, October 18, 2007.
Sealed bids must be submitted on or
before 4 p.m., on Wednesday, October
17, 2007.
ADDRESSES: The lease sale will be held
in the First Floor Conference Room
(Room 107), of the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) Wyoming State
Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, P.O.
Box 1828, Cheyenne, WY 82003. Sealed
bids must be submitted to the Cashier,
BLM Wyoming State Office, at the
address given above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mavis Love, Land Law Examiner, or
Robert Janssen, Coal Coordinator, at
307–775–6258, and 307–775–6206,
respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This coal
lease sale is being held in response to
a lease by application (LBA) filed by
Cordero Mining Company, Gillette,
Wyoming. The coal resource to be
offered consists of all reserves
recoverable by surface mining methods
in the following-described lands located
in central Campbell County,
approximately 2 miles east of State
Highway 59, 4 miles south of Bishop
Road, and is adjacent to the southern
lease boundary of the Belle Ayr Mine
and the northwest lease boundary of the
Cordero Rojo Mine:
T. 47 N., R. 71 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming,
Section 7: Lots 5, 12, 13, 20;
Section 8: Lots 3 through 6, 11 through 13.
Containing 445.89 acres more or less.
The tract is adjacent to Federal coal
leases to the north and east held by the
Belle Ayr and Cordero Rojo Mines,
respectively. It is adjacent to additional
unleased Federal coal to the west and
south. It is also adjacent to about 40
acres of private coal controlled by the
Cordero Rojo Mine. All of the acreage
offered has been determined to be
suitable for mining. Features such as
pipelines can be moved to permit coal
recovery. In addition, oil and/or gas
wells have been drilled on the tract. The
estimate of the bonus value of the coal
lease will include consideration of any
future production from these wells. An
economic analysis of this future income
stream will determine whether a well is
bought out and plugged prior to mining
E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM
14SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 178 (Friday, September 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52576-52577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18139]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
2007 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck
Stamp) Contest
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the
[[Page 52577]]
dates and location of the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp contest, and the
species eligible to be subjects for this year's designs. We invite the
public to enter and to attend. The 2007 contest will select the image
that will grace the 75th Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and
Conservation Stamp.
DATES: The public may first view the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
entries on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1. Judging will be held on Friday, October 12, 2007 beginning at 1
p.m. and on Saturday, October 13, 2007 beginning at 9 a.m., at the
Sanibel, FL location.
ADDRESSES: Requests for complete copies of the contest rules,
reproduction rights agreement, and display and participation agreement
by calling 1-703-358-2000, or by writing to: Federal Duck Stamp
Contest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior,
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop MBSP-4070, Arlington, VA 22203-
1622. You may also download the information from the Federal Duck Stamp
Web site at https://duckstamps.fws.gov.
The contest will be held in Sanibel, Florida at the Big Arts
Center, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957. Phone (239)395-0900.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Shaffer, Federal Duck Stamp
Office, (703) 358-2002, or by e-mail Laurie--Shaffer@fws.gov or fax at
(703) 358-2009.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 16, 1934, Congress passed and President Franklin Roosevelt
signed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. Popularly known as the
Duck Stamp Act, it required all waterfowl hunters 16 years or older to
buy a stamp annually. The revenue generated was originally earmarked
for the Department of Agriculture, but 5 years later was transferred to
the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
to buy or lease waterfowl sanctuaries. Regulations governing the
contest appear at 50 CFR part 91.
In the years since its enactment, the Federal Duck Stamp Program
has become one of the most popular and successful conservation programs
ever initiated. Today, some 1.8 million stamps are sold each year, and
as of 2005, Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $700 million
for the preservation of more than 5.2 million acres of waterfowl
habitat in the United States. Numerous other birds, mammals, fish,
reptiles, and amphibians have similarly prospered because of habitat
protection made possible by the program. An estimated one-third of the
Nation's endangered and threatened species find food or shelter in
refuges preserved by Duck Stamp funds. Moreover, the protected wetlands
help dissipate storms, purify water supplies, store flood water, and
nourish fish hatchlings important for sport and commercial fishermen.
The Contest
The first Federal Duck Stamp was designed at President Franklin
Roosevelt's request by Jay N. ``Ding'' Darling, a nationally known
political cartoonist for the Des Moines Register and a noted hunter and
wildlife conservationist. In subsequent years, noted wildlife artists
were asked to submit designs. The first contest was opened in 1949 to
any U.S. artist who wished to enter, and 65 artists submitted a total
of 88 design entries in the only art competition of its kind sponsored
by the U.S. Government. To select each year's design, a panel of noted
art, waterfowl, and philatelic authorities are appointed by the
Secretary of the Interior. Winners receive no compensation for the
work, except a pane of their stamps, but winners may sell prints of
their designs, which are sought by hunters, conservationists, and art
collectors.
The public may view the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp entries on Tuesday,
September 25, 2007 and through the days of judging. This year's judging
will be held on Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13, 2007.
Eligible Species
The following species are eligible for the 2007 contest: Mallard,
American Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Canvasback and Harlequin
Duck. Entries featuring a species other than the above listed species
will be disqualified.
Dated: September 5, 2007.
H. Dale Hall,
Director.
[FR Doc. E7-18139 Filed 9-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
