Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl-Appendix C, 22720-22721 [2011-9864]

Download as PDF 22720 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2011 / Notices mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES up to three-quarters of Cape Cod and the Islands’ annual electricity demand. Each of the 130 WTGs will generate electricity independently. Solid dielectric submarine inner-array cables (33 kilovolt) from each WTG will interconnect within the array and terminate on an electrical service platform (ESP), which will serve as the common interconnection point for all of the WTGs. The proposed submarine transmission cable system (115 kilovolt) running from the ESP to the landfall location in Yarmouth would be approximately 12.5 miles (mi.) in length (7.6 mi. of which would fall within Massachusetts’ territory). 2. Environmental Assessment and Finding of No New Significant Impact BOEMRE prepared an EA in order to determine whether an SEIS is required and to assist BOEMRE in deciding whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove CWA’s application to construct, operate, and decommission a commercial wind facility in Nantucket Sound off the coast of Massachusetts as described in the FEIS and its COP. In accordance with CEQ regulations, the EA examined whether there are any ‘‘substantial changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns’’ or ‘‘significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action’’ that either were not fully discussed in the FEIS or did not exist at the time the 2010 ROD was issued (40 CFR 1502.9). BOEMRE sought public input during its review of the Cape Wind COP by posting the COP, as well the Notice of Preparation of an EA for the purpose stated above, on the BOEMRE Web site, which announced the start of the public comment period on February 22, 2011. Consulting parties and local governments were informed of the comment period via e-mail, which provided the BOEMRE Web site and address for comments. Approximately 160 comments were received and are available at https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;rpp=10;po=0;D=BOEM2011-0007. Issues that BOEMRE considered include: Additional surveys and sampling; conflicts with aviation traffic and fishing use; emergency response; migratory birds; microclimate; oil within wind turbine generators; sloshing dampers; transition piece grout; permits issued by other Federal agencies; and consultations with other agencies. As a result of its review described in the EA, BOEMRE found no substantial changes in the proposed action or new VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:01 Apr 21, 2011 Jkt 223001 information that would require it to supplement the analysis in the FEIS, and prepared a FONNSI. 3. Record of Decision In preparing its decision on whether or not to approve the Cape Wind Energy Project COP, BOEMRE considered alternatives to the Proposed Action, the impacts as presented in the FEIS, and all comments received throughout the NEPA process. The FEIS assessed the physical, biological and socioeconomic impacts of the Proposed Action and 13 alternatives, including a no-action alternative. Since publication of the FEIS in January 2009, BOEMRE prepared two EAs to evaluate whether substantial changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns or significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action were either not fully discussed or did not exist at the time of the preparation of the FEIS such that BOEMRE would be required to supplement the FEIS. After careful consideration, BOEMRE, as documented in the 2011 ROD, has decided to approve CWA’s COP with modifications. The subjects of the additional terms and conditions included in the COP include: Scour and benthic monitoring; turbine foundations; compliance with other Federal laws; compliance with generally accepted industry standards; certified verification agent nomination; safety management system; contractor’s responsibilities; operations and maintenance plan; avoidance of cultural resources; supplementary surveys; and sloshing dampers. Dated: April 18, 2011. L. Renee Orr, Acting Associate Director for Offshore Energy and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2011–9779 Filed 4–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R1–ES–2011–N073;10120–1113– 0000–C2] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl— Appendix C Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability; reopening of comment period. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 On September 15, 2010, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced the availability of the Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) for public review and comment. We are reopening the comment period on an updated version of Appendix C of that document, which describes the development of a spotted owl habitat modeling tool. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by May 23, 2011. ADDRESSES: Document availability: Electronic copies of the draft revised recovery plan and the updated version of Appendix C are available online at: https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/ Data/NorthernSpottedOwl/Recovery/. Printed loose-leaf copies of the updated version of Appendix C are available by request from Diana Acosta, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 2600 SE 98th Avenue, Ste. 100, Portland, OR 97266 (phone: 503–231–6179). Comment submission: Written comments regarding the updated version of Appendix C should be addressed to the above Portland address or sent by e-mail to: NSORPComments@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brendan White at the above address and phone number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 15, 2010, we published a Federal Register notice (75 FR 56131) announcing the availability of the Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) for public review and comment under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We originally opened this comment period for 60 days, from September 15, 2010, to November 15, 2010. On November 12, 2010, we announced by way of press release an extension of the comment period until December 15, 2010, in response to several requests for additional time to review and comment on the Draft Revised Recovery Plan. On November 30, 2010, we announced in the Federal Register the reopening of the public comment period until December 15, 2010 (75 FR 74073). At that time we also announced the availability of a synopsis of the population response modeling results for public review and comment. This and other information regarding the modeling process was posted on our Web site. Of the approximately 11,700 comments received, many requested the opportunity to review and comment on more detailed information on the habitat modeling process in Appendix C of the Draft Revised Recovery Plan. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22APN1.SGM 22APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 78 / Friday, April 22, 2011 / Notices For background information on the Draft Revised Recovery Plan, see our September 15, 2010, Federal Register notice (75 FR 56131). The version of Appendix C contained in the Draft Revised Recovery Plan described the modeling framework under development for evaluation of habitat conservation measures for the spotted owl. Since that was written, we have completed development and testing of this modeling framework for public review and comment. Once comments have been considered and incorporated as appropriate, this modeling framework will have a wide variety of applications in support of spotted owl recovery. The revised Appendix C, which is now available for comment, describes the three-part modeling framework, which includes: A spotted owl habitat suitability model; a spotted owl conservation planning model that can be used to design habitat conservation network scenarios; and a spotted owl population simulation model to predict relative population responses to different habitat conservation network scenarios and conservation measures. To test the modeling framework’s ability to evaluate the influence of habitat conservation network size and spatial distribution on spotted owl population performance, revised Appendix C also describes the results of an analysis of 10 different habitat conservation network scenarios under different conditions. We are seeking comments on the modeling process, our test results and other aspects of revised Appendix C. We anticipate revising recovery action 4 in the Revised Recovery Plan to reflect completion of development and testing of the modeling framework as part of recovery plan development. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 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 personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold 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). VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:01 Apr 21, 2011 Jkt 223001 Dated: April 1, 2011. Richard Hannan, Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2011–9864 Filed 4–21–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWYR0000.L16100000.DP0000. LXSS042K0000] Notice of Availability of Draft Resource Management Plans and Associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Bighorn Basin Resource Management Plan Revision Project, Cody and Worland Field Offices, Wyoming Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Cody Field Office, a Draft RMP for the Worland Field Office, and an associated Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The two Draft RMPs and the associated Draft EIS comprise the Bighorn Basin RMP Revision Project (Project). By this notice, the BLM is announcing the opening of a 90-day comment period. DATES: To ensure that comments are considered, the BLM must receive written comments on the Draft RMPs/ EIS within 90 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes its notice of the Draft RMPs/ EIS in the Federal Register. The BLM will announce future meetings or hearings and any other public participation activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or the Project Web site at https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/ programs/Planning/RMPs/bighorn.html. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments related to the Project Draft RMPs/EIS by any of the following methods: Web site: https://www.blm.gov/wy/st/ en/programs/Planning/RMPs/ bighorn.html. E-mail: BBRMP_WYMail@blm.gov. Mail: Worland Field Office, Attn: RMP Project Manager, 101 South 23rd Street, P.O. Box 119, Worland, Wyoming 82401. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22721 Copies of the Draft RMPs/EIS are available at the following locations: • Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming State Office, 5353 Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003. • Bureau of Land Management, Cody Field Office, 1002 Blackburn Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414. • Bureau of Land Management, Worland Field Office, 101 South 23rd Street, Worland, Wyoming 82401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caleb Hiner, RMP Project Manager, telephone (307) 347–5171; address P.O. Box 119, 101 South 23rd Street, Worland, Wyoming 82401; e-mail caleb_hiner@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Planning Area for the Project includes lands within the BLM Cody and Worland Field Offices’ administrative boundaries, in of Big Horn, Park, Washakie Counties, and Hot Springs Counties in north-central Wyoming. The Planning Area includes all lands, regardless of jurisdiction, totaling 5.6 million acres; however, the BLM will only make decisions on lands that fall under the BLM’s jurisdiction. Lands within the Planning Area under the BLM’s jurisdiction make up the Decision Area. The Decision Area consists of BLM-administered surface, totaling 3.2 million acres, and the Federal mineral estate, totaling 4.2 million acres. The revised RMPs will replace the Washakie and Grass Creek RMPs in Worland, Wyoming, and the Cody RMP in Cody, Wyoming. The Draft RMPs/EIS includes a series of management actions, within four management alternatives, including the No Action Alternative, designed to address management challenges and issues raised during scoping, including, but not limited to: Recreation, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), wildlife habitats, livestock grazing, energy development, air quality and global climate change, and lands with wilderness characteristics and Wild Lands. The four alternatives are: • Alternative A: Continue existing management practices (No Action Alternative); • Alternative B: Foster conservation of natural and cultural resources while E:\FR\FM\22APN1.SGM 22APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 78 (Friday, April 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22720-22721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-9864]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-ES-2011-N073;10120-1113-0000-C2]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised 
Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl--Appendix C

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability; reopening of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: On September 15, 2010, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
announced the availability of the Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the 
Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) for public review and 
comment. We are reopening the comment period on an updated version of 
Appendix C of that document, which describes the development of a 
spotted owl habitat modeling tool.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
May 23, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Document availability: Electronic copies of the draft 
revised recovery plan and the updated version of Appendix C are 
available online at: https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/NorthernSpottedOwl/Recovery/. Printed loose-leaf copies of the updated 
version of Appendix C are available by request from Diana Acosta, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 2600 SE 
98th Avenue, Ste. 100, Portland, OR 97266 (phone: 503-231-6179). 
Comment submission: Written comments regarding the updated version of 
Appendix C should be addressed to the above Portland address or sent by 
e-mail to: NSORPComments@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brendan White at the above address and 
phone number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  On September 15, 2010, we published a 
Federal Register notice (75 FR 56131) announcing the availability of 
the Draft Revised Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix 
occidentalis caurina) for public review and comment under the 
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We originally opened 
this comment period for 60 days, from September 15, 2010, to November 
15, 2010. On November 12, 2010, we announced by way of press release an 
extension of the comment period until December 15, 2010, in response to 
several requests for additional time to review and comment on the Draft 
Revised Recovery Plan. On November 30, 2010, we announced in the 
Federal Register the reopening of the public comment period until 
December 15, 2010 (75 FR 74073). At that time we also announced the 
availability of a synopsis of the population response modeling results 
for public review and comment. This and other information regarding the 
modeling process was posted on our Web site. Of the approximately 
11,700 comments received, many requested the opportunity to review and 
comment on more detailed information on the habitat modeling process in 
Appendix C of the Draft Revised Recovery Plan.

[[Page 22721]]

    For background information on the Draft Revised Recovery Plan, see 
our September 15, 2010, Federal Register notice (75 FR 56131). The 
version of Appendix C contained in the Draft Revised Recovery Plan 
described the modeling framework under development for evaluation of 
habitat conservation measures for the spotted owl. Since that was 
written, we have completed development and testing of this modeling 
framework for public review and comment. Once comments have been 
considered and incorporated as appropriate, this modeling framework 
will have a wide variety of applications in support of spotted owl 
recovery.
    The revised Appendix C, which is now available for comment, 
describes the three-part modeling framework, which includes: A spotted 
owl habitat suitability model; a spotted owl conservation planning 
model that can be used to design habitat conservation network 
scenarios; and a spotted owl population simulation model to predict 
relative population responses to different habitat conservation network 
scenarios and conservation measures. To test the modeling framework's 
ability to evaluate the influence of habitat conservation network size 
and spatial distribution on spotted owl population performance, revised 
Appendix C also describes the results of an analysis of 10 different 
habitat conservation network scenarios under different conditions. We 
are seeking comments on the modeling process, our test results and 
other aspects of revised Appendix C.
    We anticipate revising recovery action 4 in the Revised Recovery 
Plan to reflect completion of development and testing of the modeling 
framework as part of recovery plan development.

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 personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you may 
ask us in your comment to withhold 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: April 1, 2011.
Richard Hannan,
Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-9864 Filed 4-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P

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