Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit Application; Safe Harbor Agreement for Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel, Adams County, ID, 4455-4456 [E9-1604]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 15 / Monday, January 26, 2009 / Notices
conjunction with surveys throughout
the range of each species in California
for the purpose of enhancing their
survival.
Permit No. TE–203835
Applicant: Rachel M. Posten, Long
Beach, California
The applicant requests a permit to
take (harass by survey and monitor
nests) the southwestern willow
flycatcher (Empidonax trailli extimus)
and take (monitor nests) the least Bell’s
vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) in
conjunction with surveys and
monitoring activities throughout the
range of the species in California for the
purpose of enhancing its survival.
Permit No. TE–148554
Applicant: Amber S. Oneal, Costa Mesa,
California
The applicant requests an amendment
to take (harass by survey) the
southwestern willow flycatcher
(Empidonax trailli extimus) in
conjunction with surveys throughout
the range of the species in California,
Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and
Utah for the purpose of enhancing its
survival.
Permit No. TE–809232
Applicant: Bio-West Incorporated,
Logan, Utah
The applicant requests an amendment
to remove/remove to possession the
Nitrophila mohavensis (Amargosa
Niterwort) from federal lands in
conjunction with genetic research
sampling for the purpose of enhancing
their survival.
Permit No. TE–204452
Applicant: Bureau of Land Management,
Hollister, California
The applicant requests a permit to
remove/remove to possession the
Caulanthus californicus (California
jewelflower) and Monolopia congdonii
(San Joaquin wooly-threads) from
federal lands in conjunction with a seed
bank collection and viability analysis
for the purpose of enhancing their
survival.
Permit No. TE–204436
Applicant: Johanna M. Kisner, Orcutt,
California
The applicant requests a permit to
take (survey, capture, and release) the
tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius
newberryi), in conjunction with surveys
and population monitoring throughout
the range of the species in California, for
the purpose of enhancing its survival.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:20 Jan 23, 2009
Jkt 217001
Permit No. TE–204468
Applicant: Michael J. Walgren,
Woodland Hills, California
The applicant requests a permit to
take (harass by survey and handle) the
Morro shoulderband snail
(Helminthoglypta waleriana) in
conjunction with surveys throughout
the range of the species in California, for
the purpose of enhancing its survival.
We solicit public review and
comment on each of these recovery
permit applications. Comments and
materials we receive will be available
for public inspection, by appointment,
during normal business hours at the
address listed in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice.
Dated: January 16, 2009.
Amedee Brickey,
Acting Regional Director, Region 8,
Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9–1599 Filed 1–23–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R1–ES–2008–N0342; 14420–1113–
1SPB–F3]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; Permit Application; Safe
Harbor Agreement for Northern Idaho
Ground Squirrel, Adams County, ID
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Receipt of application; notice of
availability.
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) announces the receipt of an
application for an enhancement of
survival permit (Permit) pursuant to
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
The Permit application includes a
proposed Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA)
for the threatened northern Idaho
ground squirrel (Spermophilus
brunneus brunneus) between Hixon
Properties Incorporated (applicant) and
the Service. The term of the proposed
SHA is 10 years, and the requested term
of the permit is 15 years. The Service
has made a preliminary determination
that the proposed SHA and Permit
application are eligible for categorical
exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA). The basis for this preliminary
determination is contained in an
Environmental Action Statement. The
Service is accepting comments on the
Permit application, the proposed SHA,
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Fmt 4703
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4455
and the Environmental Action
Statement.
DATES: We will accept comments
received on or before February 25, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Written comments
concerning this notice should be
addressed to Kendra Womack, Snake
River Fish and Wildlife Office, 1387 S
Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, ID
83709. You may also submit written
comments by facsimile, at 208–378–
5262, or by electronic mail to
fw1srbocomment@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kendra Womack at 208–378–5243. If
you use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD), you may call the
Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 800–877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Document Availability
Copies of the Permit application, the
draft SHA, and the Environmental
Action Statement are available for
public inspection, by appointment, at
the Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office
(see ADDRESSES), or they may be viewed
on the internet at the following address:
https://www.fws.gov/idaho. The Service
is furnishing this notice to provide the
public, other State and Federal agencies,
and interested Tribes an opportunity to
review and comment on the draft SHA,
Permit application, and Environmental
Action Statement.
Background
Under Safe Harbor Agreements,
participating property owners
voluntarily undertake management
activities on their properties to enhance,
restore, or maintain habitat benefitting
species listed under the Act (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.). Safe Harbor Agreements
encourage private and other non-Federal
property owners to implement
conservation efforts for listed species by
assuring property owners they will not
be subjected to increased property use
restrictions if their efforts attract listed
species to their property or increase the
numbers or distribution of listed species
already on their property. Application
requirements and issuance criteria for
enhancement of survival permits
through Safe Harbor Agreements can be
found in 50 CFR 17.22(c).
The area to be covered under the
proposed SHA (Covered Area) is
approximately 7,783 acres (ac) (3,150
hectares (ha)) and is located just north
of Bear, Adams County, Idaho. Northern
Idaho ground squirrels currently occupy
approximately 714-ac (289-ha) of the
7,783-ac (3,150-ha) Covered Area. Due
to normal population fluctuations and
the difficulty of identifying current
E:\FR\FM\26JAN1.SGM
26JAN1
4456
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 15 / Monday, January 26, 2009 / Notices
population levels, the agreed upon
baseline for the property is 714 acres
and the applicant would be allowed to
return his property to this baseline
condition at the end of the permit term.
This proposed SHA is intended to
result in a net conservation benefit by
maintaining northern Idaho ground
squirrel habitat within a 714-ac (289-ha)
baseline area, allowing access to
researchers affiliated with the Service or
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
(IDFG); requiring notification of the
Service and IDFG prior to activities that
will result in ‘‘take’’ of the species so
that they may capture and relocate
affected individuals if appropriate;
allowing the Service and IDFG
personnel access to the property to
conduct ground squirrel conservation
activities approved by the applicant
such as habitat maintenance and
enhancement, ground squirrel surveys,
and translocation of ground squirrels;
and establishing some limits on the
conduct of chemical rodent control in
the squirrel management area. In
addition, the applicant may also work
with the Service and others to
implement timber-related habitat
enhancement measures that will
potentially increase habitat for squirrels
within the covered area.
The biological goal of ground squirrel
conservation measures in the SHA is to
expand the northern Idaho ground
squirrel population at this site within
and beyond the 714-ac (289-ha) baseline
area by reducing threats and enhancing
habitat for the species. The proposed
SHA is intended to contribute to the
recovery of the northern Idaho ground
squirrel by reducing threats, expanding
and increasing the viability of the
ground squirrel population at this site,
improving habitat conditions, and
potentially facilitating translocation of
ground squirrels to other sites in need
of population supplementation, as
appropriate.
Consistent with the Service’s Safe
Harbor policy, under the proposed SHA
and the proposed Permit, we would
authorize incidental take of northern
Idaho ground squirrels as a result of the
following covered activities within the
Covered Area provided they are carried
out in accordance with the terms of the
SHA: livestock husbandry; farming
operations; logging; recreation;
construction of buildings and roads that
does not diminish the baseline area;
existing residential use; and fire
management activities.
We provide this notice pursuant to
section 10(c) of the Act and the
implementing regulations for NEPA (40
CFR 1506.6). We will evaluate the
Permit application, associated
VerDate Nov<24>2008
17:20 Jan 23, 2009
Jkt 217001
documents, and comments submitted
thereon to determine whether the
Permit application meets the
requirements of section 10(a) of the Act
and to ensure adequate NEPA
compliance. If we determine that all of
these requirements are met, we will sign
the proposed SHA and issue an
enhancement of survival permit under
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the
applicant for take of northern Idaho
ground squirrels incidental to otherwise
lawful activities in accordance with the
terms of the SHA. We will not make our
final decision until after the end of the
30-day public comment period and will
fully consider all comments received
during the public comment period.
Dated: December 19, 2008.
Jeffery L. Foss,
Field Supervisor, Snake River Fish and
Wildlife Office, Boise, Idaho.
[FR Doc. E9–1604 Filed 1–23–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
Notice of an Open Meeting of the
Advisory Committee on Water
Information (ACWI)
Notice is hereby given of a
meeting of the ACWI. This meeting is to
discuss broad policy-related topics
relating to national water initiatives,
and the development and dissemination
of water information, through reports
from ACWI subgroups. The agenda will
include status of a proposal from the
ACWI Subcommittee on Ground Water;
discussion of a new Extreme Storms
subgroup proposed within the
Subcommittee on Hydrology; status of
the National Monitoring Network for
U.S. Coastal Waters and their
Tributaries; request for ACWI approval
of an update to the Water Quality Data
Elements User Guide that would
include physical habitat elements;
discussion of ACWI participation in the
National Environmental Status and
Trends indicators project; and updates
on recent activities of the Methods and
Data Comparability Board.
The ACWI was established under the
authority of the Office of Management
and Budget Memorandum M92–01 and
the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
The purpose of the ACWI is to provide
a forum for water information users and
professionals to advise the Federal
Government on activities and plans that
may improve the effectiveness of
meeting the Nation’s water information
needs. Member organizations help to
foster communications between the
SUMMARY:
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Sfmt 4703
Federal and non-Federal sectors on
sharing water information.
Membership, limited to 35
organizations, represents a wide range
of water resources interests and
functions. Representation on the ACWI
includes all levels of government,
academia, private industry, and
professional and technical societies. For
more information on the ACWI, its
membership, subgroups, meetings and
activities, please see the Web site at:
https://ACWI.gov.
DATES: The formal meeting will convene
at 9 a.m. on February 10, 2009, and will
adjourn at 12 noon on February 11,
2009. The meeting will be followed by
a public forum on the National
Environmental Status and Trends
Indicators project, which will begin at 1
p.m. on February 11, 2009 and adjourn
at 12 noon on February 12, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
the Reston, Virginia, area, within a few
miles of Dulles International Airport.
Information on the exact location can be
obtained from Ms. Wendy E. Norton,
ACWI Executive Secretary, whose
contact information is shown below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Wendy E. Norton, ACWI Executive
Secretary and Chief, Water Information
Coordination Program, U.S. Geological
Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS
417, Reston, VA 20192. Telephone: 703–
648–6810; Fax: 703–648–5644; e-mail:
wenorton@usgs.gov.
This
meeting is open to the public. Up to a
half hour will be set aside for public
comment. Persons wishing to make a
brief presentation (up to 5 minutes) are
asked to provide a written request with
a description of the general subject to
Ms. Norton at the above address no later
than February 3, 2009. It is requested
that 65 copies of a written statement be
submitted at the time of the meeting for
distribution to members of the ACWI
and placement in the official file. Any
member of the public may submit
written information and (or) comments
to Ms. Norton for distribution at the
ACWI meeting.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: January 16, 2009.
Katherine Lins,
Chief, Office of Water Information.
[FR Doc. E9–1624 Filed 1–23–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4311–AM–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 15 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4455-4456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1604]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-ES-2008-N0342; 14420-1113-1SPB-F3]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit
Application; Safe Harbor Agreement for Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel,
Adams County, ID
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Receipt of application; notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the receipt
of an application for an enhancement of survival permit (Permit)
pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (Act). The Permit application includes a proposed Safe
Harbor Agreement (SHA) for the threatened northern Idaho ground
squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus) between Hixon Properties
Incorporated (applicant) and the Service. The term of the proposed SHA
is 10 years, and the requested term of the permit is 15 years. The
Service has made a preliminary determination that the proposed SHA and
Permit application are eligible for categorical exclusion under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The basis for this
preliminary determination is contained in an Environmental Action
Statement. The Service is accepting comments on the Permit application,
the proposed SHA, and the Environmental Action Statement.
DATES: We will accept comments received on or before February 25, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed
to Kendra Womack, Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office, 1387 S Vinnell
Way, Room 368, Boise, ID 83709. You may also submit written comments by
facsimile, at 208-378-5262, or by electronic mail to
fw1srbocomment@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kendra Womack at 208-378-5243. If you
use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Document Availability
Copies of the Permit application, the draft SHA, and the
Environmental Action Statement are available for public inspection, by
appointment, at the Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office (see
ADDRESSES), or they may be viewed on the internet at the following
address: https://www.fws.gov/idaho. The Service is furnishing this
notice to provide the public, other State and Federal agencies, and
interested Tribes an opportunity to review and comment on the draft
SHA, Permit application, and Environmental Action Statement.
Background
Under Safe Harbor Agreements, participating property owners
voluntarily undertake management activities on their properties to
enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefitting species listed under
the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Safe Harbor Agreements encourage
private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation
efforts for listed species by assuring property owners they will not be
subjected to increased property use restrictions if their efforts
attract listed species to their property or increase the numbers or
distribution of listed species already on their property. Application
requirements and issuance criteria for enhancement of survival permits
through Safe Harbor Agreements can be found in 50 CFR 17.22(c).
The area to be covered under the proposed SHA (Covered Area) is
approximately 7,783 acres (ac) (3,150 hectares (ha)) and is located
just north of Bear, Adams County, Idaho. Northern Idaho ground
squirrels currently occupy approximately 714-ac (289-ha) of the 7,783-
ac (3,150-ha) Covered Area. Due to normal population fluctuations and
the difficulty of identifying current
[[Page 4456]]
population levels, the agreed upon baseline for the property is 714
acres and the applicant would be allowed to return his property to this
baseline condition at the end of the permit term.
This proposed SHA is intended to result in a net conservation
benefit by maintaining northern Idaho ground squirrel habitat within a
714-ac (289-ha) baseline area, allowing access to researchers
affiliated with the Service or Idaho Department of Fish and Game
(IDFG); requiring notification of the Service and IDFG prior to
activities that will result in ``take'' of the species so that they may
capture and relocate affected individuals if appropriate; allowing the
Service and IDFG personnel access to the property to conduct ground
squirrel conservation activities approved by the applicant such as
habitat maintenance and enhancement, ground squirrel surveys, and
translocation of ground squirrels; and establishing some limits on the
conduct of chemical rodent control in the squirrel management area. In
addition, the applicant may also work with the Service and others to
implement timber-related habitat enhancement measures that will
potentially increase habitat for squirrels within the covered area.
The biological goal of ground squirrel conservation measures in the
SHA is to expand the northern Idaho ground squirrel population at this
site within and beyond the 714-ac (289-ha) baseline area by reducing
threats and enhancing habitat for the species. The proposed SHA is
intended to contribute to the recovery of the northern Idaho ground
squirrel by reducing threats, expanding and increasing the viability of
the ground squirrel population at this site, improving habitat
conditions, and potentially facilitating translocation of ground
squirrels to other sites in need of population supplementation, as
appropriate.
Consistent with the Service's Safe Harbor policy, under the
proposed SHA and the proposed Permit, we would authorize incidental
take of northern Idaho ground squirrels as a result of the following
covered activities within the Covered Area provided they are carried
out in accordance with the terms of the SHA: livestock husbandry;
farming operations; logging; recreation; construction of buildings and
roads that does not diminish the baseline area; existing residential
use; and fire management activities.
We provide this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act and the
implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6). We will evaluate the
Permit application, associated documents, and comments submitted
thereon to determine whether the Permit application meets the
requirements of section 10(a) of the Act and to ensure adequate NEPA
compliance. If we determine that all of these requirements are met, we
will sign the proposed SHA and issue an enhancement of survival permit
under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the applicant for take of
northern Idaho ground squirrels incidental to otherwise lawful
activities in accordance with the terms of the SHA. We will not make
our final decision until after the end of the 30-day public comment
period and will fully consider all comments received during the public
comment period.
Dated: December 19, 2008.
Jeffery L. Foss,
Field Supervisor, Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office, Boise, Idaho.
[FR Doc. E9-1604 Filed 1-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
