Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee; Announcement of Public Meeting, 18238-18239 [2011-7788]

Download as PDF 18238 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 63 / Friday, April 1, 2011 / Notices of data to be prepared during and shortly after the field program, and will facilitate transfer of the data to statistical, graphical, or other programs for additional processing and archiving. Results from the vessel-based observations will provide: (1) A basis for real-time mitigation; (2) information needed to estimate the number of northern sea otters that are determined to have been harassed; (3) data on the occurrence, distribution, and activities of marine mammals in the area where hovercraft operations are conducted; and (4) data on the behavior and movement patterns of northern sea otters seen at times with and without hovercraft activity. b. Baseline Skiff Surveys The Applicants will conduct baseline skiff surveys in April during each construction year to document distribution and abundance of sea otters in the project area. A minimum of three skiff-based line transect surveys will be conducted during each survey event. Additionally, a survey event will be conducted in April after construction is completed to document distribution and abundance. Surveys will be conducted from a skiff or vessel and will encompass marine waters from a depth of 40 meters to mean high tide. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES c. Reporting Reports on vessel- and land-based activities during construction and vessel-based monitoring will be faxed or e-mailed to the Service on a regular basis. Reports will describe hovercraft operations and construction activities, and northern sea otter monitoring activities during the reporting period. Frequency and specific content of reports will be determined based on consultation with the Service. Endangered Species Act The proposed activity will occur within the range of the southwest Alaska DPS of the northern sea otter, which is presently listed as threatened under the ESA, as amended. The FAA and the Service’s Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office in Anchorage, Alaska, had consulted under Section 7 of the ESA, and concluded that the proposed activity would not jeopardize the southwest Alaska DPS of the northern sea otter. However, at the time the consultation occurred, critical habitat had not been designated. Therefore, we reinitiated consultation with the Applicants to take into consideration rescheduled project dates and potential impacts to critical habitat. As a result of that reinitiation, we concluded that the proposed activity VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:09 Mar 31, 2011 Jkt 223001 would not jeopardize the continued existence of the southwest Alaska DPS of northern sea otter and would not result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. We have reinitiated Section 7 consultation with the Applicants to take into consideration the rescheduled dates and modifications of this project. We will also complete intra-Service section 7 consultation prior to finalization of the IHA, which will include these considerations as well as potential impacts to critical habitat. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) The Applicants provided a Final EA on the project in 2007 and the Service found that the Final EA met NEPA standards for analyzing the effects of the issuance of the IHA. The Applicants have prepared a Supplemental EA for the modifications to the proposed action. Subsequent to closure of the comment period for this IHA, we make an equivalent finding on the Supplemental EA. To obtain a copy of the Final and Supplemental EAs, contact the individual identified in the section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Government-to-Government Relations With Native American Tribal Governments In accordance with the President’s memorandum of April 29, 1994, ‘‘Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments’’ (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, Secretarial Order 3225, and the Department of the Interior’s manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our responsibility to communicate meaningfully with federally recognized Tribes on a Government-to-Government basis. On July 24, 2008, and February 7, 2011, we contacted the Native Village of Akutan to offer Government-to-Government consultation on this project. The Tribal Administrator declined the offer, stating that their Tribe fully supports the development of an airport on Akun Island. Proposed Authorization The Service proposes to issue an IHA for small numbers of northern sea otters harassed incidentally by the Applicants while conducting the Akutan Airport, Alaska, Airport Construction and Hovercraft Operation. The final IHA would specify the starting date and ending date (1 year later) for the authorization. Authorization for incidental take beyond the period PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 specified in the final IHA will require a request for renewal. The final IHA would also incorporate the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements discussed in this proposal. The Applicants will be responsible for following those requirements. These authorizations do not allow the intentional taking of northern sea otters. If the level of activity exceeds that described by the Applicants, or the level or nature of take exceeds those projected here, the Service will reevaluate its findings. The Secretary may modify, suspend, or revoke an authorization if the findings are not accurate or the conditions described herein are not being met. Request for Public Comments The Service requests interested persons to submit comments and information concerning this proposed IHA. Consistent with section 101(a)(5)(D)(iii) of the MMPA, we are opening the comment period on this proposed authorization for 30 days (see ADDRESSES). 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. Dated: March 22, 2011. Geoffrey L. Haskett, Regional Director, Alaska Region. [FR Doc. 2011–7764 Filed 3–31–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R9–FHC–2011–N061; 94300–1122– 0000–Z2] Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee; Announcement of Public Meeting Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), will host a Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting on April 27, 2011. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda will include a presentation and discussion of SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 63 / Friday, April 1, 2011 / Notices the Service’s Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines. DATES: The meeting will take place on April 27, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. If you are a member of the public wishing to attend, you must register online no later than April 20, 2011 (see ‘‘Meeting Participation Information’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 530, Arlington, VA 22203 (see ‘‘Meeting Location Information’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel London, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, (703) 358–2161. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Background On March 13, 2007, the Department of the Interior published a notice of establishment of the Committee in the Federal Register (72 FR 11373). The Committee’s purpose is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities. All Committee members serve without compensation. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), a copy of the Committee’s charter is filed with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration; Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate; Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives; and the Library of Congress. The Secretary appointed 22 individuals to the Committee on October 24, 2007, representing the varied interests associated with wind energy development and its potential impacts to wildlife species and their habitats. The Committee provided its recommendations to the Secretary on March 4, 2010. Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines The Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines were made available for public comment on February 18, 2011, with a comment-period ending date of May 19, 2011. The draft Guidelines are available for comment at https:// www.fws.gov/windenergy/docs/Wind_ Energy_Guidelines_2_15_ 2011FINAL.pdf. We will publish the final Guidelines for public use after consideration of any comments VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:09 Mar 31, 2011 Jkt 223001 received. The purpose of the Guidelines, once finalized, will be to provide recommendations on measures to avoid, minimize, and compensate for effects to fish, wildlife, and their habitats. For more information, including how to comment on the draft Guidelines, see our Federal Register notice of February 18, 2011 (76 FR 9590). Meeting Location Information Please note that the meeting location is accessible to wheelchair users. If you require additional accommodations, please notify us at least 1 week in advance of the meeting. Meeting Participation Information All Committee meetings are open to the public. The public has an opportunity to comment at all Committee meetings. We require that all persons planning to attend the meeting register at https:// www.fws.gov/windenergy no later than April 20, 2011. We will give preference to registrants based on date and time of registration. Limited standing room at the meeting may be available if all seats are filled. Dated: March 29, 2011. Rachel London, Alternate Designated Federal Officer, Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee. [FR Doc. 2011–7788 Filed 3–31–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R9–IA–2011–N069; 96300–1671– 0000–P5] Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for Permit Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications for permit. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. Both laws require that we invite public comment before issuing these permits. DATES: We must receive comments or requests for documents on or before May 2, 2011. We must receive requests SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 18239 for marine mammal permit public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section by May 2, 2011. ADDRESSES: Brenda Tapia, Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 22203; fax (703) 358–2280; or e-mail DMAFR@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Tapia, (703) 358–2104 (telephone); (703) 358–2280 (fax); DMAFR@fws.gov (e-mail). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Comment Procedures A. How do I request copies of applications or comment on submitted applications? Send your request for copies of applications or comments and materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed under ADDRESSES. Please include the Federal Register notice publication date, the PRTnumber, and the name of the applicant in your request or submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an e-mail or address not listed under ADDRESSES. If you provide an email address in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond to your request electronically. Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you include. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) Those supported by quantitative information or studies; and (2) Those that include citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and regulations. We will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (SEE ADDRESSES). B. May I review comments submitted by others? Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the address listed under ADDRESSES. The public may review documents and other information applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information E:\FR\FM\01APN1.SGM 01APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18238-18239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7788]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R9-FHC-2011-N061; 94300-1122-0000-Z2]


Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee; Announcement of 
Public Meeting

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), will host a 
Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting on April 
27, 2011. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda will 
include a presentation and discussion of

[[Page 18239]]

the Service's Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines.

DATES: The meeting will take place on April 27, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 5 
p.m. Eastern Time. If you are a member of the public wishing to attend, 
you must register online no later than April 20, 2011 (see ``Meeting 
Participation Information'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. 
Fairfax Drive, Room 530, Arlington, VA 22203 (see ``Meeting Location 
Information'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel London, Division of Habitat and 
Resource Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department 
of the Interior, (703) 358-2161.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On March 13, 2007, the Department of the Interior published a 
notice of establishment of the Committee in the Federal Register (72 FR 
11373). The Committee's purpose is to provide advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on 
developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife 
and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities. All 
Committee members serve without compensation. In accordance with the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), a copy of the 
Committee's charter is filed with the Committee Management Secretariat, 
General Services Administration; Committee on Environment and Public 
Works, U.S. Senate; Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of 
Representatives; and the Library of Congress. The Secretary appointed 
22 individuals to the Committee on October 24, 2007, representing the 
varied interests associated with wind energy development and its 
potential impacts to wildlife species and their habitats. The Committee 
provided its recommendations to the Secretary on March 4, 2010.

Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines

    The Draft Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines were made available for 
public comment on February 18, 2011, with a comment-period ending date 
of May 19, 2011. The draft Guidelines are available for comment at 
https://www.fws.gov/windenergy/docs/Wind_Energy_Guidelines_2_15_2011FINAL.pdf. We will publish the final Guidelines for public use 
after consideration of any comments received. The purpose of the 
Guidelines, once finalized, will be to provide recommendations on 
measures to avoid, minimize, and compensate for effects to fish, 
wildlife, and their habitats. For more information, including how to 
comment on the draft Guidelines, see our Federal Register notice of 
February 18, 2011 (76 FR 9590).

Meeting Location Information

    Please note that the meeting location is accessible to wheelchair 
users. If you require additional accommodations, please notify us at 
least 1 week in advance of the meeting.

Meeting Participation Information

    All Committee meetings are open to the public. The public has an 
opportunity to comment at all Committee meetings.
    We require that all persons planning to attend the meeting register 
at https://www.fws.gov/windenergy no later than April 20, 2011. We will 
give preference to registrants based on date and time of registration. 
Limited standing room at the meeting may be available if all seats are 
filled.

    Dated: March 29, 2011.
Rachel London,
Alternate Designated Federal Officer, Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory 
Committee.
[FR Doc. 2011-7788 Filed 3-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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