Endangered and Threatened Species: Recovery Plan Preparation for the Threatened Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American Green Sturgeon, 58245-58246 [E9-27314]

Download as PDF jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 217 / Thursday, November 12, 2009 / Notices tagging, fishing modifications and acoustic playbacks; (3) study killer whale seasonal movements, foraging, migration patterns and depredation, including takes by close approach/ disturbance, biological sampling, suction cup and satellite tagging and acoustic playbacks; (4) enhance the body of knowledge, stock structure and current status through research activities involving close approach/ disturbance, biological sampling and tagging of gray, minke, fin, sei, blue, and North Pacific right whales; and (5) study killer whale predation events, photograph, observe, collect tissue samples, incidentally harass and collect dead parts from prey including: humpback, gray, minke, sei and fin whales, harbor porpoise, Dall’s porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin, Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lion, and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Briana Witteveen, Ph.D. [File No. 14296], University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 118 Trident Way, Kodiak, AK 99615, requests a five-year permit to conduct scientific research on cetaceans yearround in the Gulf of Alaska, with emphasis on examining prey use and foraging patterns of gray, fin, humpback, and killer whales and exploring the responses of humpback whales to acoustic deterrent devices. Takes would occur by close approach to collect photographs, recordings of vocalizations, biopsy samples, prey parts, sloughed skin, to attach suction cup tags, and to document response to acoustic deterrents. Sei, blue, minke, sperm, and right whales would be taken by close approach to collect photographs and biopsy samples. Other species of marine mammals might be incidentally harassed during research activities. Ann Zoidis [File No. 14353], Cetos Research Organization, 33 Echo Ave., Suite 5, Oakland, CA 94611, requests a five-year permit to conduct scientific research on humpback and minke whales in Hawaiian waters. Research would occur January through March. Humpback whale research would be focused in the Au’au Channel near Maui. The objectives of the research are to examine: (1) underwater activity budgets of humpback whales, including during non-daylight hours; (2) mother/ calf/escort interactions, including sound production and vocal/behavioral responses to sounds by conspecifics; (3) habitat use; and (4) any behavioral and/ or acoustic reactions to passing vessel traffic. Research activities would include photo-identification, behavioral observations, passive acoustic VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:12 Nov 10, 2009 Jkt 220001 recording, and underwater photo/ videography. Suction cup tags would be deployed on humpback whales, including calves. Minke whales would be approached for photo-identification anywhere within the main Hawaiian islands. Twelve other cetacean species may be incidentally harassed during research activities. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment (EA) will be prepared to examine whether significant environmental impacts could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research permits and permit amendment. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of these applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Documents may be reviewed in the following locations: Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713–2289; fax (301)713–0376; Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115–0700; phone (206)526–6150; fax (206)526–6426; Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone (907)586–7221; fax (907)586–7249; Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001; fax (562)980–4018; Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814–4700; phone (808)944–2200; fax (808)973–2941; Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; phone (978)281–9300; fax (978)281– 9333; and Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701; phone (727)824–5312; fax (727)824–5309. Dated: November 5, 2009. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–27185 Filed 11–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58245 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XS83 Endangered and Threatened Species: Recovery Plan Preparation for the Threatened Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American Green Sturgeon AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a recovery plan; request for information. SUMMARY: NMFS announces its intent to develop a recovery plan for the Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris; hereafter, ‘‘sDPS green sturgeon’’) and also requests information from the public. The sDPS green sturgeon is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS is required by the ESA to develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of ESA-listed species. NMFS will be coordinating with state, Federal, tribal, and local entities in California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, and Alaska to develop the recovery plan. DATES: Information related to this notice will be accepted, and incorporated appropriately, at any time during the recovery planning process. However, the first meeting of the recovery team is scheduled for December 10–11, 2009, and therefore information must be received by December 8, 2009, to be included during that meeting. In order to best facilitate a smooth process, NMFS strongly encourages public participation as early as possible. An initial meeting with stakeholders is likely to occur in early 2010. ADDRESSES: You may submit information by any of the following methods: • E-mail: Information may be submitted by e-mail to swrsturgeon.recovery@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the e-mail the following identifier: Information for sDPS green sturgeon recovery plan. • Mail: David Woodbury, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Region, 777 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404–4731. • Fax: (707) 578–3435, Attention: David Woodbury. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Woodbury, NMFS Southwest Region, at (707) 575–6088 or David.P.Woodbury@noaa.gov. E:\FR\FM\12NON1.SGM 12NON1 58246 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 217 / Thursday, November 12, 2009 / Notices The ESA requires that the Secretary of Commerce develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species. Recovery is defined as an ‘‘improvement in the status of listed species to the point at which listing is no longer appropriate’’ (50 CFR 402.02). Recovery plans provide blueprints to determine priority recovery actions for funding and implementation. The ESA specifies that recovery plans must, to the maximum extent practicable, incorporate into each plan: (1) a description of site-specific management actions that may be necessary to achieve the plan’s goals for the conservation and survival of the species; (2) objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in the species being removed from the list of threatened and endangered species; and (3) estimates of the time required and costs to achieve the plan’s goal and to achieve intermediate steps toward that goal. NMFS has also developed interim recovery planning guidance that provides additional information to ensure consistency among recovery plans developed for all species managed by NMFS. This guidance emphasizes the importance of stakeholder involvement throughout the recovery planning process. In developing the draft recovery plan for the sDPS green sturgeon, NMFS will consider all of the information received in response to this notice and solicitation. In addition, NMFS will publish the draft recovery plan in the Federal Register for public comment. NMFS requests relevant information from the public that should be addressed during preparation of the draft recovery plan for the threatened sDPS green sturgeon. Such information should address: (a) biological and other criteria for removing the species from the list of threatened and endangered species; (b) factors that are presently limiting or threaten to limit the survival SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and conservation of the sDPS green sturgeon; (c) actions to address these limiting factors and threats; (d) estimates of the time and cost to implement recovery actions; and (e) research, monitoring, and evaluation needs. NMFS understands that stakeholder participation in the recovery planning process is critical to the success of implementing the recovery plan. As such, NMFS requests that stakeholders identify themselves in order to receive notices of upcoming meetings and to receive draft documents to provide comments. For those receiving this notice, please forward to those that may be either interested in participating directly or may have knowledge to lend that would benefit the plan, and thus green sturgeon. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. Dated: November 6, 2009. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–27314 Filed 11–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Minority Business Development Agency [Docket No.: 0910271380–91383–01] Extension of the Award Period for Certain Minority Business Enterprise Centers AGENCY: Minority Business Development Agency, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) publishes this notice to allow for a funded extension of up to 12 months, on a noncompetitive basis, of the award periods for those Minority Business Enterprise Centers (MBECs) identified in this notice. This action is necessary to allow continued program delivery by the incumbent MBEC operators while MBDA completes an evaluation of the MBEC Program and the solicitation and award processes for the next funding cycle. DATES: The extension and related funding, if approved by the Department of Commerce Grants Officer, will commence at the end of the current award period and will continue for a period not to exceed 12 months. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Efrain Gonzalez, Chief, Office of Business Development, Minority Business Development Agency, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 5075, Washington, DC 20230. Mr. Gonzalez may be reached by telephone at (202) 482–1940 and by e-mail at egonzalez@mbda.gov. Pursuant to Executive Order 11625, the MBEC Program provides standardized business assistance and development services directly to eligible minority-owned businesses. The MBEC Program is a key component of MBDA’s overall business development assistance program; it promotes the growth and competitiveness of minority business enterprises, and further incorporates an entrepreneurial approach to the delivery of client services. This strategy expands the reach and service delivery of the MBEC Program by requiring project operators to develop and build upon strategic alliances with public and private sector partners as a means of serving eligible businesses within each MBEC’s applicable geographical service area. MBDA amends its prior competitive solicitations under the MBEC Program, as referenced in the below table, to allow for a funded extension of up to 12 months, on a non-competitive basis, of the award period for the following MBEC projects: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Name of project Name of operator Geographical service area Original Federal Register notice Alabama MBEC ................................ Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Georgia Tech Research Corporation M. Gill & Associates, Inc. State of Alabama ............................. 71 FR 42351, as amended by 71 FR 45773. 71 FR 42351. 72 FR 67277. Georgia MBEC .................................. Miami MBEC ..................................... jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Mississippi MBEC ............................. North Carolina MBEC ....................... South Carolina MBEC ....................... Chicago MBEC ................................. Detroit MBEC .................................... Indianapolis MBEC ........................... VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:12 Nov 10, 2009 Arkansas Regional Minority Business Council. North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development. DESA, Inc. Chicago Community Ventures. Michigan Minority Business Development Council. State of Indiana. Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 State of Georgia ............................... Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Pompano Beach MSA. State of Mississippi .......................... State of North Carolina .................... State of South Carolina .................... State of Illinois .................................. State of Michigan ............................. State of Indiana ................................ Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12NON1.SGM 12NON1 71 FR 42351, as amended by 71 FR 45773. 71 FR 42351. 71 FR 42351. 71 FR 42351. 71 FR 42351, as amended by 71 FR 58788. 71 FR 42351.

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 217 (Thursday, November 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58245-58246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27314]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS83


Endangered and Threatened Species: Recovery Plan Preparation for 
the Threatened Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American 
Green Sturgeon

AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:  Notice of intent to prepare a recovery plan; request for 
information.

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

SUMMARY:  NMFS announces its intent to develop a recovery plan for the 
Southern Distinct Population Segment of North American green sturgeon 
(Acipenser medirostris; hereafter, ``sDPS green sturgeon'') and also 
requests information from the public. The sDPS green sturgeon is listed 
as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NMFS is required 
by the ESA to develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation 
and survival of ESA-listed species. NMFS will be coordinating with 
state, Federal, tribal, and local entities in California, Oregon, 
Washington, Canada, and Alaska to develop the recovery plan.

DATES:  Information related to this notice will be accepted, and 
incorporated appropriately, at any time during the recovery planning 
process. However, the first meeting of the recovery team is scheduled 
for December 10-11, 2009, and therefore information must be received by 
December 8, 2009, to be included during that meeting. In order to best 
facilitate a smooth process, NMFS strongly encourages public 
participation as early as possible. An initial meeting with 
stakeholders is likely to occur in early 2010.

ADDRESSES:  You may submit information by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: Information may be submitted by e-mail to 
swrsturgeon.recovery@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the e-
mail the following identifier: Information for sDPS green sturgeon 
recovery plan.
     Mail: David Woodbury, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Southwest Region, 777 Sonoma Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4731.
     Fax: (707) 578-3435, Attention: David Woodbury.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  David Woodbury, NMFS Southwest 
Region, at (707) 575-6088 or David.P.Woodbury@noaa.gov.

[[Page 58246]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ESA requires that the Secretary of 
Commerce develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation and 
survival of threatened and endangered species. Recovery is defined as 
an ``improvement in the status of listed species to the point at which 
listing is no longer appropriate'' (50 CFR 402.02). Recovery plans 
provide blueprints to determine priority recovery actions for funding 
and implementation. The ESA specifies that recovery plans must, to the 
maximum extent practicable, incorporate into each plan: (1) a 
description of site-specific management actions that may be necessary 
to achieve the plan's goals for the conservation and survival of the 
species; (2) objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would 
result in the species being removed from the list of threatened and 
endangered species; and (3) estimates of the time required and costs to 
achieve the plan's goal and to achieve intermediate steps toward that 
goal. NMFS has also developed interim recovery planning guidance that 
provides additional information to ensure consistency among recovery 
plans developed for all species managed by NMFS. This guidance 
emphasizes the importance of stakeholder involvement throughout the 
recovery planning process. In developing the draft recovery plan for 
the sDPS green sturgeon, NMFS will consider all of the information 
received in response to this notice and solicitation. In addition, NMFS 
will publish the draft recovery plan in the Federal Register for public 
comment.
    NMFS requests relevant information from the public that should be 
addressed during preparation of the draft recovery plan for the 
threatened sDPS green sturgeon. Such information should address: (a) 
biological and other criteria for removing the species from the list of 
threatened and endangered species; (b) factors that are presently 
limiting or threaten to limit the survival and conservation of the sDPS 
green sturgeon; (c) actions to address these limiting factors and 
threats; (d) estimates of the time and cost to implement recovery 
actions; and (e) research, monitoring, and evaluation needs.
    NMFS understands that stakeholder participation in the recovery 
planning process is critical to the success of implementing the 
recovery plan. As such, NMFS requests that stakeholders identify 
themselves in order to receive notices of upcoming meetings and to 
receive draft documents to provide comments. For those receiving this 
notice, please forward to those that may be either interested in 
participating directly or may have knowledge to lend that would benefit 
the plan, and thus green sturgeon.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: November 6, 2009.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-27314 Filed 11-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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