Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Gentian Pinkroot, 16439-16440 [2011-6638]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2011 / Notices Extensions of the obligation deadlines are not permitted under the Recovery Act. Reallocation After award, a number of grantees were subsequently unable to meet the Recovery Act and NOFA criteria and their funds were recaptured—$3.2 million in CFRG funds and approximately $14 million in CFRC funds. HUD was required to reallocate funds that were recaptured prior to July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub. L. 111–2003, approved July 21, 2010) (Dodd-Frank Act) amended the Recovery Act to provide that Recovery Act funds recaptured on or after July 21, 2010, must be returned to the Treasury. (See section 1613 of the Dodd-Frank Act.) As a result, $17,161,649.00 was awarded to existing eligible Recovery Act PHA applicants who had applied 16439 for funding under Category 4, Option 2 of the NOFA Creation of Energy Efficient, Green Communities, consistent with the Department’s objective of promoting energy efficiency. The next eligible applications in Category 4, Option 2 that had been scored but had not been funded earlier (because grant funding had been exhausted) were awarded grants as follows: PHA Name Amount Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge, MA .......................................................................................................................... New York City Housing Authority, New York, NY ....................................................................................................................... Housing Authority of Pleasantville, Pleasantville, NJ .................................................................................................................. County of Marin Housing Authority, San Raphael, CA ............................................................................................................... Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, Columbus, GA ....................................................................................................... Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, Columbus, GA ....................................................................................................... Housing Authority of Charleston, Charleston, SC ....................................................................................................................... Rockford Housing Authority, Rockford, IL ................................................................................................................................... Rockford Housing Authority, Rockford, IL ................................................................................................................................... Housing Authority of Monroe, Monroe, LA .................................................................................................................................. Housing Authority of the City of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO ........................................................................................................... Southern Nevada Regional Housing Agency, Las Vegas, NV ................................................................................................... $2,189,470.00 650,000.00 621,000.00 637,500.00 1,344,400.00 550,000.00 1,990,528.00 2,100,000.00 1,700,000.00 2,635,149.00 536,102.00 2,207,500.00 Total of Funded Applications ................................................................................................................................................ 17,161,649.00 Dated: March 11, 2011. Sandra B. Henriquez, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. In order to be considered, we must receive comments on the draft recovery plan on or before May 23, 2011. DATES: [FR Doc. 2011–6762 Filed 3–22–11; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–ES–2011–N007; 40120–1113– 0000–C2] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Gentian Pinkroot Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment. AGENCY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for the endangered gentian pinkroot (Spigelia gentianoides). The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria the species would have to meet in order for us to downlist it to threatened status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:46 Mar 22, 2011 Jkt 223001 If you wish to review this technical/agency draft recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by contacting Dr. Vivian Negron-Ortiz, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Panama City Field Office, 1601 Balboa Ave, Panama City, FL 32405; tel. (850) 769–0552; or by visiting either the Service’s recovery plan Web site at https:// endangered.fws.gov/recovery/ index.html#plans or the Panama City Field Office Web site at https:// www.fws.gov/panamacity/. If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments by one of the following methods: 1. You may submit written comments and materials to Dr. Negron-Ortiz, at the above address. 2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Panama City Field Office, at the above address, or fax them to (850) 763–2177. 3. You may send comments by e-mail to vivian_negronortiz@fws.gov. For additional information about submitting comments, see the ‘‘Request for Public Comments’’ section below. ADDRESSES: BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Dr. Negron-Ortiz at the above addresses or by telephone: (850) 769–0552, ext. 231. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Background Spigelia gentianoides was listed as endangered under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) on November 26, 1990 (55 FR 49046). A plant, S. gentianoides, comprises two varieties: Var. gentianoides is restricted to five locations within three counties in the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama, and var. alabamensis is a narrow endemic limited to the Bibb County Glades in Alabama. The loss or alteration of habitat is thought to be the primary reason for the species’ decline. The extant plants of var. gentianoides are located in fire-dependent longleaf pine–wiregrass and pine-oak-hickory ecosystems. Much of this habitat has been reduced in its range, converted to pine plantation, and managed without fire. Some of the glades in which var. alabamensis is located are owned and protected by The Nature Conservancy. This variety is threatened by potential development of privately owned glades (open, almost treeless areas within woodlands). Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point where it is again a secure, selfsustaining member of its ecosystem is a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, we prepare recovery plans for most listed species. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for downlisting or delisting, and E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1 16440 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 56 / Wednesday, March 23, 2011 / Notices jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES estimate time and cost for implementing recovery measures. The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide a public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will take these comments into account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans. Recovery Plan Components The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the recovery of gentian pinkroot, so that protection under the Act is no longer necessary. Defining reasonable delisting criteria is not possible at this time given the current low number of populations and individuals, the lack of information about the species’ biology, and the magnitude of current threats from development. Therefore, this recovery plan establishes downlisting criteria for S. gentianoides so that it may be reclassified to threatened status. The recovery of S. gentianoides is challenging because our knowledge about the species’ biology is limited. Therefore, surveying; monitoring; demographic studies; improving management protocols, including the establishment of fire management regimes; and securing extant populations are the most immediate priorities. Downlisting of S. gentianoides from endangered to threatened status will be considered when: (1) Extant populations and newly discovered sites are identified and mapped; (2) inventories on the total number of individuals, number of flowering vs. non-flowering plants, presence of pollinators, and whether seedling recruitment is occurring have been conducted across the species’ historic sites and/or on new locations; (3) monitoring programs and management protocols on selected populations (e.g., populations with largest number of individuals) are established for at least 15 years to track threats to the species and habitat (e.g., control exotic species, minimize site disturbance and urban development); (4) the extant populations (including subpopulations at the Ketona Glades, Bibb County, Alabama) located on public land are stable (where fertility and mortality are constant) for at least 15 years; (5) the minimum viable VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:46 Mar 22, 2011 Jkt 223001 population has been determined for each variety using population viability analyses (PVA); (6) research on key aspects related to demography (e.g., density, effect of fire on seedling establishment), reproductive biology, and seed ecology is accomplished; and (7) viable germplasm representing > 50 percent of the populations for each variety is maintained in ex situ. In addition, the following specific actions must be completed for each variety: Var. gentianoides: (1) Sizes of the four largest extant populations are increased via prescribed burns until plant numbers are stabilized over a period of 15 years; (2) at least one new population is found; and (3) at least one population is re-established within the historic range, specifically in the sites where the plants are currently known to be extirpated. Var. alabamensis: Fifty percent of the Bibb County glades known to support the variety on private land are protected through conservation agreements, easements, or land acquisition. Downlisting criteria will be reevaluated and delisting criteria will be created as new scientific data and information become available and recovery actions are implemented. Request for Public Comments We request written comments on the recovery plan. We will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES prior to final approval of the plan. 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. Authority The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Dated: January 4, 2011. Mark J. Musaus, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2011–6638 Filed 3–22–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2011–N005; 1112–0000– 81440–F2] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permits, Town of Apple Valley, San Bernardino County, CA; Notice of Intent Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement of a public scoping meeting; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare either an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regarding an expected application from the Town of Apple Valley, CA, for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. The decision to prepare an EIS or EA will be, in part, contingent upon the complexity of issues identified during and following the scoping phase of the NEPA process. We are furnishing this notice to announce the initiation of a public scoping period, during which we invite other agencies, Tribes, and the public to submit written comments providing suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EIS or EA. DATES: Please send written comments on or before April 22, 2011. We will hold a public scoping meeting Thursday, April 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For the public meeting address, see ‘‘Meeting,’’ below. ADDRESSES: Comments: Send your comments to Diane Noda, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. You may alternatively send comments by facsimile to (805) 644– 3958. Meeting: We will hold a public meeting in the Town Hall Council Chambers, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley, CA 92307. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jen Lechuga, HCP Coordinator (see ADDRESSES), telephone: (805) 644–1766, extension 224. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Reasonable Accommodations Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and participate in the public meeting should contact the Service at the address above E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16439-16440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6638]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2011-N007; 40120-1113-0000-C2]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 
Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Gentian 
Pinkroot

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability 
of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for the endangered gentian 
pinkroot (Spigelia gentianoides). The draft recovery plan includes 
specific recovery objectives and criteria the species would have to 
meet in order for us to downlist it to threatened status under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request review and 
comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal 
agencies, and the public.

DATES: In order to be considered, we must receive comments on the draft 
recovery plan on or before May 23, 2011.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to review this technical/agency draft recovery 
plan, you may obtain a copy by contacting Dr. Vivian Negron-Ortiz, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Panama City Field Office, 1601 Balboa Ave, 
Panama City, FL 32405; tel. (850) 769-0552; or by visiting either the 
Service's recovery plan Web site at https://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/#plans or the Panama City Field Office Web site at https://www.fws.gov/panamacity/. If you wish to comment, you may submit your 
comments by one of the following methods:
    1. You may submit written comments and materials to Dr. Negron-
Ortiz, at the above address.
    2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Panama City Field 
Office, at the above address, or fax them to (850) 763-2177.
    3. You may send comments by e-mail to vivian_negronortiz@fws.gov.
    For additional information about submitting comments, see the 
``Request for Public Comments'' section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Negron-Ortiz at the above 
addresses or by telephone: (850) 769-0552, ext. 231.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Spigelia gentianoides was listed as endangered under the Act (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) on November 26, 1990 (55 FR 49046). A plant, S. 
gentianoides, comprises two varieties: Var. gentianoides is restricted 
to five locations within three counties in the Florida Panhandle and 
southern Alabama, and var. alabamensis is a narrow endemic limited to 
the Bibb County Glades in Alabama. The loss or alteration of habitat is 
thought to be the primary reason for the species' decline. The extant 
plants of var. gentianoides are located in fire-dependent longleaf 
pine-wiregrass and pine-oak-hickory ecosystems. Much of this habitat 
has been reduced in its range, converted to pine plantation, and 
managed without fire. Some of the glades in which var. alabamensis is 
located are owned and protected by The Nature Conservancy. This variety 
is threatened by potential development of privately owned glades (open, 
almost treeless areas within woodlands).
    Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point 
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is 
a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help guide the 
recovery effort, we prepare recovery plans for most listed species. 
Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation 
of the species, establish criteria for downlisting or delisting, and

[[Page 16440]]

estimate time and cost for implementing recovery measures.
    The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed 
species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a 
particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide a 
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during 
recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented 
during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised 
recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will take these comments 
into account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans.

Recovery Plan Components

    The objective of this plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of gentian pinkroot, so that protection under the Act is no 
longer necessary. Defining reasonable delisting criteria is not 
possible at this time given the current low number of populations and 
individuals, the lack of information about the species' biology, and 
the magnitude of current threats from development. Therefore, this 
recovery plan establishes downlisting criteria for S. gentianoides so 
that it may be reclassified to threatened status.
    The recovery of S. gentianoides is challenging because our 
knowledge about the species' biology is limited. Therefore, surveying; 
monitoring; demographic studies; improving management protocols, 
including the establishment of fire management regimes; and securing 
extant populations are the most immediate priorities.
    Downlisting of S. gentianoides from endangered to threatened status 
will be considered when: (1) Extant populations and newly discovered 
sites are identified and mapped; (2) inventories on the total number of 
individuals, number of flowering vs. non-flowering plants, presence of 
pollinators, and whether seedling recruitment is occurring have been 
conducted across the species' historic sites and/or on new locations; 
(3) monitoring programs and management protocols on selected 
populations (e.g., populations with largest number of individuals) are 
established for at least 15 years to track threats to the species and 
habitat (e.g., control exotic species, minimize site disturbance and 
urban development); (4) the extant populations (including 
subpopulations at the Ketona Glades, Bibb County, Alabama) located on 
public land are stable (where fertility and mortality are constant) for 
at least 15 years; (5) the minimum viable population has been 
determined for each variety using population viability analyses (PVA); 
(6) research on key aspects related to demography (e.g., density, 
effect of fire on seedling establishment), reproductive biology, and 
seed ecology is accomplished; and (7) viable germplasm representing > 
50 percent of the populations for each variety is maintained in ex 
situ. In addition, the following specific actions must be completed for 
each variety:
    Var. gentianoides: (1) Sizes of the four largest extant populations 
are increased via prescribed burns until plant numbers are stabilized 
over a period of 15 years; (2) at least one new population is found; 
and (3) at least one population is re-established within the historic 
range, specifically in the sites where the plants are currently known 
to be extirpated.
    Var. alabamensis: Fifty percent of the Bibb County glades known to 
support the variety on private land are protected through conservation 
agreements, easements, or land acquisition.
    Downlisting criteria will be reevaluated and delisting criteria 
will be created as new scientific data and information become available 
and recovery actions are implemented.

Request for Public Comments

    We request written comments on the recovery plan. We will consider 
all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES prior to final 
approval of the plan.

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.

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

    Dated: January 4, 2011.
Mark J. Musaus,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-6638 Filed 3-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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