Approved Recovery Plan for the Copperbelly Water Snake Northern Distinct Population Segment, 78822-78823 [E8-30489]

Download as PDF 78822 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 247 / Tuesday, December 23, 2008 / Notices Number of respondents Annual responses 970 1 Reporting Burden .............................................................................. Total Estimated Burden Hours: 4,820. Status: New Collection. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. Dated: December 16, 2008. Lillian L. Deitzer, Departmental Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–30463 Filed 12–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–ES–2008–N0263; 30120–1113– 0000 D2] Approved Recovery Plan for the Copperbelly Water Snake Northern Distinct Population Segment AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the approved recovery plan for the copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) northern distinct population segment (DPS). The threatened copperbelly water snake northern DPS occurs in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. This plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria to achieve delisting of the species from the Endangered Species Act (Act). ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan by sending a request to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101, East Lansing, MI 48823–6316 (printed copies will be available for distribution within 4 to 6 weeks), or download it from the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/ recovery/#plans. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Barbara Hosler, at the above address or by telephone at (517) 351–6326. TTY users may contact Ms. Hosler through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877– 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:29 Dec 22, 2008 Jkt 217001 they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, we are working to prepare recovery plans for most listed species native to the United States. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for the conservation of the species, establish criteria for reclassification or delisting listed species, and estimate time and cost for implementing the measures needed. The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires us to develop recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan will not promote the conservation of a particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 1988, requires us to provide the public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. We provided the draft copperbelly water snake recovery plan to the public and solicited comments from September 6, 2007, through November 5, 2007 (72 FR 51242). We considered information received during the public comment period and information from peer reviewers in our preparation of the recovery plan, and also summarized that information in Appendix E of this approved recovery plan. We listed the copperbelly water snake northern DPS as threatened on January 29, 1997 (62 FR 4183). The northern DPS occurs in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, north of 40 degrees north latitude. The current distribution of the copperbelly water snake is limited to only five, very small scattered and isolated populations in south central Michigan, northeastern Indiana, and northwestern Ohio. Surveys indicate that the species is in decline throughout these areas. Copperbelly water snakes have both wetland and terrestrial habitat requirements. The species is associated with wetland complexes characterized by a preponderance of shallow wetlands, many of which draw down seasonally. Such complexes may predominantly occur as isolated wetlands distributed in a forested upland matrix, floodplain wetlands fed by seasonal flooding, or a combination of both. Fishless wetlands, suitable for high anuran (frog and toad) productivity, are required to provide habitat and a suitable prey base. PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 × Hours per response 4.97 = Burden hours 4,820 The copperbelly water snake northern DPS is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, human persecution, inadequate habitat management, and road crossings. The principal limiting factor for this species is the availability of wetland/upland habitat complexes of sufficient size. Individuals move hundreds of meters or more between wetlands and routinely use multiple wetlands over the course of an active season. They also spend substantial periods of time in upland habitat aestivating, foraging, and shedding. Populations may require many hundreds of hectares of contiguous habitat in order to persist. The principal recovery strategy is to establish and conserve multiple wetland/upland habitat complexes that provide adequate habitat for population persistence. The recovery strategy focuses on targeted habitat restoration and implementation of ‘‘best management practices’’ for land managers. The objective of the recovery plan is to provide a framework for the recovery of copperbelly water snake northern DPS so that protection by the Act is no longer necessary. The copperbelly water snake will be considered for delisting when section 4(a)(1) threat factors under the Act are assessed and when the following criteria are met: (1) Multiple population viability is assured; (2) sufficient habitat is conserved and managed; and (3) significant threats due to lack of suitable management, adverse land features and uses, collection, and persecution have been reduced or eliminated. We will achieve these criteria through the following actions: (1) Identify and conserve habitat complexes sufficient for recovery; (2) monitor known copperbelly water snake populations and their habitat; (3) improve baseline understanding of copperbelly water snake ecology; (4) develop recovery approaches to enhance recruitment and population size; (5) develop and implement public education and outreach efforts; (6) review and track recovery progress; and (7) develop a plan to monitor copperbelly water snake after it is delisted. Criteria to reclassify the copperbelly water snake northern DPS to endangered status is also provided. The species will be considered for reclassification from threatened to endangered status when section 4(a)(1) threat factors under the Act are assessed E:\FR\FM\23DEN1.SGM 23DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 247 / Tuesday, December 23, 2008 / Notices and when either of the following criteria is met: (1) There are no known populations of more than 500 adults, or (2) the cumulative population size is less than 1000 adults. Authority: Sec. 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). week, to contact the Bureau of Land Management. Dina L. Torres, Land Transfer Resolution Specialist, Resolution Branch. [FR Doc. E8–30502 Filed 12–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P Dated: December 5, 2008. Lynn M. Lewis, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. E8–30489 Filed 12–22–08; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management BILLING CODE 4310–55–P [AA–10620, AA–10666, AA–11868, AA– 11869, AA–11878; AK–962–1410–HY–P] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Alaska Native Claims Selection Bureau of Land Management AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. [F–21981, F–22009, F–22890, F–22894, F– 22892, F–22874, F–22870, F–22873, F– 22865, F–22866, F–22867, F–22877; AK– 962–1410–HY–P] Alaska Native Claims Selection AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Bering Straits Native Corporation for lands located in the vicinity of Council and Elim, Alaska. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Nome Nugget. DATES: The time limits for filing an appeal are: 1. Any party claiming a property interest which is adversely affected by the decision shall have until January 22, 2009 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR Part 4, Subpart E, shall be deemed to have waived their rights. ADDRESSES: A copy of the decision may be obtained from: Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513–7504. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Bureau of Land Management by phone at 907–271–5960, or by e-mail at ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunication device (TTD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– 8330, 24 hours a day, seven days a VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:29 Dec 22, 2008 Jkt 217001 SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Bristol Bay Native Corporation for lands located in the vicinity of Twin Hills and Perryville, Alaska. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Anchorage Daily News. DATES: The time limits for filing an appeal are: 1. Any party claiming a property interest which is adversely affected by the decision shall have until January 22, 2009 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR part 4, subpart E, shall be deemed to have waived their rights. ADDRESSES: A copy of the decision may be obtained from: Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513–7504. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Bureau of Land Management by phone at 907–271–5960, or by e-mail at ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunication device (TTD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– 8330, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to contact the Bureau of Land Management. Dina L. Torres, Land Transfer Resolution Specialist, Resolution Branch. [FR Doc. E8–30503 Filed 12–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78823 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CA–169; CA169 1610 025B] Call for Nominations for the Bureau of Land Management’s Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Council AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Call for nominations. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is soliciting nominations from the public to fill positions on the Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee. Committee members provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on the management of public lands in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to the Monument Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Johna Hurl, Monument Manager, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308, (661) 391– 6093, Johna_Hurl@ca.blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Monument Advisory Committee provides representative citizen counsel and advice to the Secretary of the Interior through the BLM with respect to the revision and implementation of the comprehensive plan for the Carrizo Plain National Monument. The Committee consists of nine members: (1) A member of, or nominated by, the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors. (2) A member of, or nominated by, the Kern County Board of Supervisors. (3) A member of, or nominated by, the Carrizo Native American Advisory Council. (4) A member of, or nominated by, the Central California Resource Advisory Council. (5) A member representing individuals or companies authorized to graze livestock within the Monument. (6) Four members with recognized backgrounds reflecting: (i) The purposes for which the Monument was established; and (ii) The interests of other stakeholders, including the general public, that are affected by or interested in the planning and management of the Monument. Terms of all present committee members expire on February 1, 2009. In order to provide continuity, BLM will transition to three-year terms, with E:\FR\FM\23DEN1.SGM 23DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78822-78823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30489]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2008-N0263; 30120-1113-0000 D2]


Approved Recovery Plan for the Copperbelly Water Snake Northern 
Distinct Population Segment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the approved recovery plan for the copperbelly water 
snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) northern distinct population 
segment (DPS). The threatened copperbelly water snake northern DPS 
occurs in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. This plan includes specific 
recovery objectives and criteria to achieve delisting of the species 
from the Endangered Species Act (Act).

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan by sending a 
request to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological 
Services Field Office, 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101, East Lansing, MI 
48823-6316 (printed copies will be available for distribution within 4 
to 6 weeks), or download it from the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/
endangered/recovery/#plans.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Barbara Hosler, at the above 
address or by telephone at (517) 351-6326. TTY users may contact Ms. 
Hosler through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the 
point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help 
guide the recovery effort, we are working to prepare recovery plans for 
most listed species native to the United States. Recovery plans 
describe actions considered necessary for the conservation of the 
species, establish criteria for reclassification or delisting listed 
species, and estimate time and cost for implementing the measures 
needed.
    The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires us to develop recovery 
plans for listed species unless such a plan will not promote the 
conservation of a particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as 
amended in 1988, requires us to provide the public notice and an 
opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan 
development. We provided the draft copperbelly water snake recovery 
plan to the public and solicited comments from September 6, 2007, 
through November 5, 2007 (72 FR 51242). We considered information 
received during the public comment period and information from peer 
reviewers in our preparation of the recovery plan, and also summarized 
that information in Appendix E of this approved recovery plan.
    We listed the copperbelly water snake northern DPS as threatened on 
January 29, 1997 (62 FR 4183). The northern DPS occurs in Michigan, 
Indiana, and Ohio, north of 40 degrees north latitude. The current 
distribution of the copperbelly water snake is limited to only five, 
very small scattered and isolated populations in south central 
Michigan, northeastern Indiana, and northwestern Ohio. Surveys indicate 
that the species is in decline throughout these areas.
    Copperbelly water snakes have both wetland and terrestrial habitat 
requirements. The species is associated with wetland complexes 
characterized by a preponderance of shallow wetlands, many of which 
draw down seasonally. Such complexes may predominantly occur as 
isolated wetlands distributed in a forested upland matrix, floodplain 
wetlands fed by seasonal flooding, or a combination of both. Fishless 
wetlands, suitable for high anuran (frog and toad) productivity, are 
required to provide habitat and a suitable prey base.
    The copperbelly water snake northern DPS is threatened by habitat 
loss and fragmentation, human persecution, inadequate habitat 
management, and road crossings. The principal limiting factor for this 
species is the availability of wetland/upland habitat complexes of 
sufficient size. Individuals move hundreds of meters or more between 
wetlands and routinely use multiple wetlands over the course of an 
active season. They also spend substantial periods of time in upland 
habitat aestivating, foraging, and shedding. Populations may require 
many hundreds of hectares of contiguous habitat in order to persist.
    The principal recovery strategy is to establish and conserve 
multiple wetland/upland habitat complexes that provide adequate habitat 
for population persistence. The recovery strategy focuses on targeted 
habitat restoration and implementation of ``best management practices'' 
for land managers. The objective of the recovery plan is to provide a 
framework for the recovery of copperbelly water snake northern DPS so 
that protection by the Act is no longer necessary. The copperbelly 
water snake will be considered for delisting when section 4(a)(1) 
threat factors under the Act are assessed and when the following 
criteria are met: (1) Multiple population viability is assured; (2) 
sufficient habitat is conserved and managed; and (3) significant 
threats due to lack of suitable management, adverse land features and 
uses, collection, and persecution have been reduced or eliminated.
    We will achieve these criteria through the following actions: (1) 
Identify and conserve habitat complexes sufficient for recovery; (2) 
monitor known copperbelly water snake populations and their habitat; 
(3) improve baseline understanding of copperbelly water snake ecology; 
(4) develop recovery approaches to enhance recruitment and population 
size; (5) develop and implement public education and outreach efforts; 
(6) review and track recovery progress; and (7) develop a plan to 
monitor copperbelly water snake after it is delisted.
    Criteria to reclassify the copperbelly water snake northern DPS to 
endangered status is also provided. The species will be considered for 
reclassification from threatened to endangered status when section 
4(a)(1) threat factors under the Act are assessed

[[Page 78823]]

and when either of the following criteria is met: (1) There are no 
known populations of more than 500 adults, or (2) the cumulative 
population size is less than 1000 adults.

    Authority: Sec. 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 
1533(f).

    Dated: December 5, 2008.
Lynn M. Lewis,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. E8-30489 Filed 12-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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