Proposed Florida Scrub-Jay Safe Harbor Agreement, Volusia County, FL, 57345-57346 [E7-19797]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 9, 2007 / Notices A copy of the CCP/FONSI may be obtained by writing to: Lloyd Culp, Refuge Manager, Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, 7200 Crane Lane, Gautier, MS 39553; Telephone: 228/497–6322; Fax 228/497–5407. The CCP/FONSI may also be accessed and downloaded from the Service’s Internet Web site: https:// southeast.fws.gov/planning. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, begun as announced in the Federal Register (70 FR 30478; May 26, 2005). For more about the process, see that notice. We released the Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) to the public, requesting comments in a notice of availability in the Federal Register (71 FR 67627; November 22, 2006). Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 to safeguard the critically endangered Mississippi sandhill crane and its unique disappearing habitat. With this notice, we announce our decision and the availability of the Final CCP/FONSI in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act [40 CFR § 1506.6(b)] requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of the environmental, social, and economic considerations, which we included in the Final CCP/FONSI. The FONSI documents the selection of Alternative D, the preferred alternative. The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing the refuge over the next 15 years. Under Alternative A, the no-action alternative, present management would have continued. Current approaches to managing and protecting cranes, other wildlife and habitats, and allowing for public use would have remain unchanged. Under Alternative B, the refuge would have emphasized its biological program by applying maximum efforts to enhance habitat conditions and increase wildlife populations, particularly the endangered crane. The visitor services program would have remained as it is at present. Under Alternative C, management would have focused on maximizing opportunities for public visitation, increasing both facilities and activities. We chose Alternative D as the preferred alternative. This determination was made based on the best professional judgment of the planning team and the comments received on the Draft CCP/EA. Under this alternative, the refuge will strive to optimize both its biological program and mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:07 Oct 05, 2007 Jkt 214001 its visitor services program. With regard to the Mississippi sandhill crane, the refuge’s objective will be to provide for a self-sustaining crane population of 130 to 170 individuals, including 30–35 nesting pairs, fledging 10–15 young annually for at least 10 years. Over the 15-year life of the plan, the staff will increase emphasis on environmental education and interpretation to lead to a better understanding of the importance of wildlife and habitat resources, especially sandhill cranes, savanna, fire ecology, invasive species, endangered species, and migratory birds. Research studies on the refuge will be fostered and partnerships developed with universities and other agencies, providing needed resources and experiment sites, while meeting the needs of the refuge’s wildlife and habitat management programs. Research will also benefit conservation efforts throughout coastal Mississippi to conserve, enhance, restore, and manage native habitat. New surveys on birds, reptiles, and amphibians will be initiated to develop baseline information. Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register on October 3, 2007. Dated: April 26, 2007. Cynthia K. Dohner, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E7–19798 Filed 10–5–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Florida Scrub-Jay Safe Harbor Agreement, Volusia County, FL Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice: receipt of application for an enhancement of survival permit; safe harbor agreement. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an Enhancement of Survival Permit (ESP) application and Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA). Daytona Beach Community College (Applicant) requests an ESP permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The permit application includes a proposed Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) for the threatened Florida scrub-jay PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57345 (Aphelocoma coerulescens) (scrub-jay) for a period of 20 years. We (the Service) announce the opening of a 30-day comment period and request comments from the public on the Applicant’s enhancement of survival permit application and the accompanying proposed Agreement. All comments we receive, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be released to the public. For further information and instructions on reviewing and commenting on this application, see the ADDRESSES section, below. DATES: We must receive any written comments on the ESP application and SHA on or before November 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the ESP application and SHA, you may write the Field Supervisor at our Jacksonville Field Office, 6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216, or make an appointment to visit during normal business hours. If you wish to comment, you may mail or hand deliver comments to the Jacksonville Field Office, or you may e-mail comments to michael_jennings@fws.gov. For more information on reviewing documents and public comments and submitting comments, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Jennings, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Jacksonville Field Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 904/232–2580, ext. 113. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Review and Comment: Please reference permit number TE146919–0 in all requests or comments. Please include your name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your e-mail message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 57346 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 9, 2007 / Notices We will not consider anonymous comments. Background: Under a safe harbor agreement, a participating property owner voluntarily undertakes management activities on their property to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species listed under the Act. Safe harbor agreements encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation measures for listed species by assuring them they will not be subjected to increased property use restrictions if their efforts attract listed species to their property or increase the numbers of listed species already on their property. Application requirements and issuance criteria for enhancement of survival permits through safe harbor agreements are found in 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32. We have worked with the Applicant to design conservation measures intended to benefit the scrub-jay on about 76 acres (enrolled property) in Volusia County. Under the SHA, the Applicant will undertake the following actions on the enrolled property: (1) Remove sand pine canopy; (2) create open sandy areas through mechanical means (including chopping and/or rootraking) or by using herbicides; and (3) manage habitat using prescribed fire and/or mechanical means. Applicant’s Proposal: The Applicant’s property is currently occupied by three families of scrub-jays. Conservation measures proposed by the Applicant will enhance existing habitat conditions and contribute to the continued survival of the three scrub-jay families currently residing on their property. In addition, the Applicant intends to manage unoccupied habitat in anticipation that it will become occupied by scrub-jays. The Applicant anticipates that the proposed conservation measures will result in an additional three families of scrub-jays occupying their property. Without the proposed SHA, it would not be possible for the Applicant to undertake the proposed conservation measures and receive regulatory assurances from the Service through the Act. Consistent with the Service’s Safe Harbor policy and implementing regulations, we propose to issue a permit to the Applicant authorizing the incidental take of scrub-jays through lawful activities on the enrolled land, as long as baseline conditions are maintained and terms of the Agreement are implemented. Future development of educational facilities on the enrolled property is likely to result in a return to the baseline condition. This notice also advises the public that the Service has made a preliminary VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:07 Oct 05, 2007 Jkt 214001 determination that issuance of the ESP will not result in significant impacts to the human environment. Therefore, the ESP and SHA is a ‘‘low-effect’’ project and qualifies for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (NEPA), as provided by the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6 Appendix 1). This preliminary information may be revised based on our review of public comments that we receive in response to this notice. We will evaluate the ESP and SHA and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Act have been met. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the ESP complies with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. We will use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, in the final analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ESP and execute the SHA. Authority: We provide this notice under Section 10 of the Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: October 2, 2007. David L. Hankla, Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office. [FR Doc. E7–19797 Filed 10–5–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Draft Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan for the Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Post-delisting Monitoring Plan; Request for Comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the draft post-delisting monitoring plan (draft PDM Plan) for the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), currently referred to as the West Virginia northern flying squirrel (WVNFS). The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires that the Service implement a system, in cooperation with the States, to monitor effectively, for at least 5 years, the status of all species that have been recovered and no longer need protection of the ESA. The WVNFS has been proposed to be removed from the Federal List of PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Threatened and Endangered Wildlife and Plants (delisted) due to recovery. DATES: Comments from all interested parties on the WVNFS draft PDM Plan must be received on or before November 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: The draft PDM Plan may be downloaded from our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/northeast/ endangered/. To request a copy of the draft PDM Plan, write to our West Virginia Field Office; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, West Virginia 26241; or call 304–636–6586 to receive a copy. You may also send an electronic mail request to laura_hill@fws.gov. Specify whether you want to receive a hard copy by U.S. mail or an electronic copy by electronic mail. Send your comments by any of the following methods. See ‘‘Viewing Documents’’ and ‘‘Public Comments Solicited’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for important information. • Mail: WVNFS Draft PDM Plan Comments, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Field Office, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, West Virginia 26241. • Hand Delivery/Courier: Same address as above. • Electronic mail: laura_hill@fws.gov. Include ‘‘WVNFS Draft PDM Plan Comments’’ in the subject line of the message. • Facsimile: 304–636–7824. Include ‘‘WVNFS Draft PDM Plan Comments’’ in the subject line. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct all questions or requests for additional information about the draft PDM Plan to Laura Hill (see ADDRESSES). Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8337 for TTY assistance, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background We published the proposed rule to remove the WVNFS, due to recovery, from the Federal List of Threatened and endangered Wildlife on December 19, 2006 with a 120-day comment period that closed on April 23, 2007. Recovery actions have resulted in reduction in the threats, which has led to: (1) A significant increase in the number of known WVNFS capture sites: (2) multiple generation reproduction; (3) the proven resiliency of the squirrels; and (4) the vast improvement and continued expansion of suitable habitat. E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57345-57346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19797]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Proposed Florida Scrub-Jay Safe Harbor Agreement, Volusia County, 
FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice: receipt of application for an enhancement of survival 
permit; safe harbor agreement.

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

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of an Enhancement of Survival Permit (ESP) application and 
Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA). Daytona Beach Community College 
(Applicant) requests an ESP permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The permit 
application includes a proposed Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) for 
the threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) (scrub-jay) 
for a period of 20 years.
    We (the Service) announce the opening of a 30-day comment period 
and request comments from the public on the Applicant's enhancement of 
survival permit application and the accompanying proposed Agreement. 
All comments we receive, including names and addresses, will become 
part of the administrative record and may be released to the public. 
For further information and instructions on reviewing and commenting on 
this application, see the ADDRESSES section, below.

DATES: We must receive any written comments on the ESP application and 
SHA on or before November 8, 2007.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the ESP application and SHA, you may 
write the Field Supervisor at our Jacksonville Field Office, 6620 
Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216, or make an 
appointment to visit during normal business hours. If you wish to 
comment, you may mail or hand deliver comments to the Jacksonville 
Field Office, or you may e-mail comments to michael_jennings@fws.gov. 
For more information on reviewing documents and public comments and 
submitting comments, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Jennings, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, Jacksonville Field Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 904/
232-2580, ext. 113.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Review and Comment: Please reference 
permit number TE146919-0 in all requests or comments. Please include 
your name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not 
receive a confirmation from us that we have received your e-mail 
message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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. We will make all submissions 
from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.

[[Page 57346]]

We will not consider anonymous comments.
    Background: Under a safe harbor agreement, a participating property 
owner voluntarily undertakes management activities on their property to 
enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species listed under 
the Act. Safe harbor agreements encourage private and other non-Federal 
property owners to implement conservation measures for listed species 
by assuring them they will not be subjected to increased property use 
restrictions if their efforts attract listed species to their property 
or increase the numbers of listed species already on their property. 
Application requirements and issuance criteria for enhancement of 
survival permits through safe harbor agreements are found in 50 CFR 
17.22 and 17.32.
    We have worked with the Applicant to design conservation measures 
intended to benefit the scrub-jay on about 76 acres (enrolled property) 
in Volusia County. Under the SHA, the Applicant will undertake the 
following actions on the enrolled property: (1) Remove sand pine 
canopy; (2) create open sandy areas through mechanical means (including 
chopping and/or root-raking) or by using herbicides; and (3) manage 
habitat using prescribed fire and/or mechanical means.
    Applicant's Proposal: The Applicant's property is currently 
occupied by three families of scrub-jays. Conservation measures 
proposed by the Applicant will enhance existing habitat conditions and 
contribute to the continued survival of the three scrub-jay families 
currently residing on their property. In addition, the Applicant 
intends to manage unoccupied habitat in anticipation that it will 
become occupied by scrub-jays. The Applicant anticipates that the 
proposed conservation measures will result in an additional three 
families of scrub-jays occupying their property. Without the proposed 
SHA, it would not be possible for the Applicant to undertake the 
proposed conservation measures and receive regulatory assurances from 
the Service through the Act.
    Consistent with the Service's Safe Harbor policy and implementing 
regulations, we propose to issue a permit to the Applicant authorizing 
the incidental take of scrub-jays through lawful activities on the 
enrolled land, as long as baseline conditions are maintained and terms 
of the Agreement are implemented. Future development of educational 
facilities on the enrolled property is likely to result in a return to 
the baseline condition.
    This notice also advises the public that the Service has made a 
preliminary determination that issuance of the ESP will not result in 
significant impacts to the human environment. Therefore, the ESP and 
SHA is a ``low-effect'' project and qualifies for a categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 
as amended (NEPA), as provided by the Department of the Interior Manual 
(516 DM 2 Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6 Appendix 1). This preliminary 
information may be revised based on our review of public comments that 
we receive in response to this notice.
    We will evaluate the ESP and SHA and comments submitted thereon to 
determine whether the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Act have 
been met. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the ESP complies 
with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 
consultation. We will use the results of this consultation, in 
combination with the above findings, in the final analysis to determine 
whether or not to issue the ESP and execute the SHA.

    Authority: We provide this notice under Section 10 of the Act 
and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

    Dated: October 2, 2007.
David L. Hankla,
Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office.
[FR Doc. E7-19797 Filed 10-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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