Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan, First Revision, Mount Graham Red Squirrel for Review and Comment, 30957-30958 [2011-13044]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2011 / Notices
Wednesday June 22, 2011 City Qalgi
Center, Point Hope, Alaska.
Thursday June 23, 2011, Point Lay
Community Center, Point Lay, Alaska.
Friday June 24, 2011, Robert James
Community Center, Wainwright,
Alaska.
Monday June 27, 2011, Inupiat Heritage
Center, Barrow, Alaska; and
Wednesday June 29, 2011, Wilda
Marston Theater, Anchorage, Alaska.
All meetings will start at 7 p.m.
Dated: May 5, 2011.
Robert P. LaBelle,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Energy
and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2011–12720 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R2–ES–2011–XXXX; 12345–1234–
0000–C2]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; Notice of Availability of a
Draft Recovery Plan, First Revision,
Mount Graham Red Squirrel for Review
and Comment
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability
for review and public comment.
AGENCY:
We, the Fish and Wildlife
Service, announce the availability of our
draft recovery plan, first revision, for the
Mount Graham Red Squirrel
(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis)
under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (Act). This species is
endemic to upper-elevation forests in
˜
the Pinaleno Mountains in southeastern
Arizona. We request review and
comment on our plan from local, State,
and Federal agencies, Tribes, and the
public. We will also accept any new
information on the species’ status
throughout its range.
DATES: We must receive written
comments on or before July 26, 2011.
However, we will accept information
about any species at any time.
ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the
draft recovery plan, you may obtain a
copy by visiting our Web site at
https://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/
index.html#plans. Alternatively, you
may contact the Arizona Ecological
Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 2321 W. Royal Palm Road,
Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021–4951
(602–242–0210, phone). If you wish to
comment on the plan, you may submit
your comments in writing by any one of
the following methods:
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:25 May 26, 2011
Jkt 223001
• U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the
above address;
• Hand-delivery: Arizona Ecological
Services Office at the above address;
• Fax: (602) 242–2513; or
• E-mail: MGRSrecovery@fws.gov.
For additional information about
submitting comments, see the ‘‘Request
for Public Comments’’ section below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marit Alanen, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, at the above address, phone
number, or e-mail.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Recovery of endangered or threatened
animals and plants to the point where
they are again secure, self-sustaining
members of their ecosystems is a
primary goal of our endangered species
program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.). Recovery means improvement of
the status of listed species to the point
at which listing is no longer appropriate
under the criteria set out in section
4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the
development of recovery plans for listed
species, unless such a plan would not
promote the conservation of a particular
species.
Species’ History
We listed the Mount Graham red
squirrel as an endangered species under
the Act on June 3, 1987 (52 FR 20994).
We designated critical habitat on
January 5, 1990 (55 FR 425).
We originally completed and
announced a recovery plan for the
species on May 3, 1993. However, given
the species’ current status, the
recommendations in that plan are now
outdated.
The Mount Graham red squirrel exists
only in the upper-elevation forests of
˜
the Pinaleno Mountains in southeastern
Arizona, and likely represents a
relictual population of what was once a
much more widely distributed taxon.
Threats to the subspecies at the time of
listing included its small population
size and range; changes in forest age
structure and density within the
squirrel’s habitat; loss of habitat due to
development, road construction, and
forest fire; and competition with the
introduced Abert’s squirrel. These same
threats to the red squirrel’s habitat
continue today, compounded by the
additional threats of climate change
(including drought), insect infestation,
and fire suppression activities. Recent
research also indicates that predation,
competition with Abert’s squirrels, and
demographic factors (mainly due to its
small population size) may impact the
Mount Graham red squirrel population
more than expected.
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
30957
Recovery Plan Goals
The objective of an agency recovery
plan is to provide a framework for the
recovery of a species so that protection
under the Act is no longer necessary. A
recovery plan includes scientific
information about the species and
provides criteria and actions necessary
for us to be able to reclassify the species
to threatened status or remove it from
the Federal List of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List).
Recovery plans help guide our recovery
efforts by describing actions we
consider necessary for the species’
conservation, and by estimating time
and costs for implementing needed
recovery measures. To achieve its goals,
this draft recovery plan identifies the
following objectives:
• Restore and maintain sufficient
Mount Graham red squirrel habitat to
ensure the species’ survival despite
environmental stochasticity and the
threat of climate change.
• Maintain a self-sustaining
population of Mount Graham red
squirrels sufficient to ensure the
species’ survival.
The draft revised recovery plan
contains new downlisting and delisting
criteria based on maintaining and
increasing population numbers and
habitat quality. The revised recovery
plan focuses on protecting and
managing the remaining population and
habitat, restoring and creating habitat to
allow for the existence of a viable and
robust population, researching the
conservation biology of the Mount
Graham red squirrel with the objective
of facilitating efficient recovery,
developing support and building
partnerships to facilitate recovery, and
monitoring progress toward recovery
and practicing adaptive management.
As the species meets reclassification
and recovery criteria, we will review the
species’ status and consider the species
for reclassification on or removal from
the List.
Request for Public Comments
Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to
provide public notice and an
opportunity for public review and
comment during recovery plan
development. It is also our policy to
request peer review of recovery plans
(July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an
appendix to the approved recovery plan,
we will summarize and respond to the
issues raised by the public and peer
reviewers. Substantive comments may
or may not result in changes to the
recovery plan; comments regarding
recovery plan implementation will be
forwarded as appropriate to Federal or
E:\FR\FM\27MYN1.SGM
27MYN1
30958
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 103 / Friday, May 27, 2011 / Notices
other entities so that they can be taken
into account during the course of
implementing recovery actions.
Responses to individual commenters
will not be provided, but we will
provide a summary of how we
addressed substantive comments in an
appendix to the approved recovery plan.
We invite written comments on the
draft revised recovery plan. This plan
has undergone significant revision since
the original plan, incorporating the most
recent scientific research specific to the
Mount Graham red squirrel and input
from the Technical and Stakeholder
Subgroups of the Recovery Team.
Therefore, we encourage commenters to
review the recovery plan in its entirety.
Before we approve the plan, we will
consider all comments we receive by the
date specified in DATES above. Methods
of submitting comments are in the
ADDRESSES section above.
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.
Comments and materials we receive
will be available, by appointment, for
public inspection during normal
business hours at our office (see
ADDRESSES).
Notice of availability of permit
applications; request for comments.
ACTION:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, invite the public to
comment on the following applications
to conduct certain activities with
endangered species. With some
exceptions, the Endangered Species Act
(Act) prohibits activities with
endangered and threatened species
unless a Federal permit allows such
activity. The Act requires that we invite
public comment before issuing these
permits.
SUMMARY:
We must receive any written
comments on or before June 27, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments by
U.S. mail to the Regional Director, Attn:
Lisa Mandell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Ecological Services, 5600
American Blvd. West, Suite 990,
Bloomington, MN 55437–1458; or by
electronic mail to permitsR3ES@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
Mandell, (612) 713–5343.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Background
We invite public comment on the
following permit applications for certain
activities with endangered species
authorized by section 10(a)(1)(A) of the
Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and our
regulations governing the taking of
endangered species in the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.
Submit your written data, comments, or
request for a copy of the complete
application to the address shown in
ADDRESSES.
Authority
Permit Applications
We developed our draft recovery plan
under the authority of section 4(f) of the
Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this
notice under section 4(f) Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Permit Application Number: TE42196A
Dated: April 18, 2011.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2011–13044 Filed 5–26–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R3–ES–2011–N111; 30120–1113–
0000–F6]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; Permit Applications
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:25 May 26, 2011
Jkt 223001
Applicant: Illinois River Biological
Station, Illinois Natural History
Survey, Havana, IL.
The applicant requests a permit to
take (capture and release) pallid
sturgeon (Scaphyrinchus albus)
throughout Illinois. Activities are
proposed for long-term monitoring of
fish communities in the large rivers of
Illinois and are for the enhancement of
survival of the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE43541A
Applicant: Francesca J. Cuthbert,
University of Minnesota, St. Paul,
MN.
The applicant requests a permit
renewal to take (capture and release;
capture and rear) piping plover
(Charadrius melodus) in Michigan and
Wisconsin. The research entails capture
and marking of piping plovers, erecting
nesting exclosures to improve nesting
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
success, and salvaging orphaned eggs
and nestlings to enhance the survival of
the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE43545A
Applicant: Shawna R. Kriegshauser,
Lewistown, MO.
The applicant requests a permit to
take (capture and release) American
Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus
americanus) within Deer Ridge
Conservation Area, Lewis County,
Missouri. Proposed activities are aimed
at enhancement of survival of the
species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE43555A
Applicant: Maria Gabriella BidartBouzat, Bowling Green State
University, Bowling Green, OH.
The applicant requests a permit
renewal to take (temporarily hold)
Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa
samuelis) adults, eggs and larvae to test
interactions with wild lupine of varying
origins. Specimens will be received in
conjunction with permitted
reintroduction programs, and all larval
specimens surviving to adults will be
released to the wild following
authorized activities. Research is
proposed for the recovery and
enhancement of survival of the species
in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE43605A
Applicant: Daniel R. Cox, Streator, IL.
The applicant requests a permit
renewal to take (capture and release)
Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) throughout
the range of the species. Proposed
activities are for enhancement of
survival of the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE02365A
Applicant: Lynn W. Robbins, Missouri
State University, Springfield, MO.
The applicant requests an amendment
to permit number TE02365A to add the
Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus
townsendii ingens) to the list of species
covered and to add the State of
Arkansas to the geographic scope of the
permit. Proposed activities are for the
survival and enhancement of survival of
the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE130900
Applicant: EnviroScience, Inc., Stow,
OH.
The applicant requests an amendment
to permit number TE130900 to add the
states of Arkansas and Tennessee to the
geographic scope of the permit and to
add the following mussel species to the
permit: Arkansia wheeleri, Epioblasma
florentina curtisii, Lampsilis powelli,
Lampsilis streckeri, Alasmidonta
E:\FR\FM\27MYN1.SGM
27MYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30957-30958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13044]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-ES-2011-XXXX; 12345-1234-0000-C2]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of
Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan, First Revision, Mount Graham Red
Squirrel for Review and Comment
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability for review and public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability
of our draft recovery plan, first revision, for the Mount Graham Red
Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This species is endemic to
upper-elevation forests in the Pinale[ntilde]o Mountains in
southeastern Arizona. We request review and comment on our plan from
local, State, and Federal agencies, Tribes, and the public. We will
also accept any new information on the species' status throughout its
range.
DATES: We must receive written comments on or before July 26, 2011.
However, we will accept information about any species at any time.
ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the draft recovery plan, you may
obtain a copy by visiting our Web site at https://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/#plans. Alternatively, you may contact the Arizona
Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 W.
Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021-4951 (602-242-0210,
phone). If you wish to comment on the plan, you may submit your
comments in writing by any one of the following methods:
U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the above address;
Hand-delivery: Arizona Ecological Services Office at the
above address;
Fax: (602) 242-2513; or
E-mail: MGRSrecovery@fws.gov.
For additional information about submitting comments, see the
``Request for Public Comments'' section below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marit Alanen, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, at the above address, phone number, or e-mail.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the
point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their
ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program and the
Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Recovery means improvement of the status
of listed species to the point at which listing is no longer
appropriate under the criteria set out in section 4(a)(1) of the Act.
The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species,
unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular
species.
Species' History
We listed the Mount Graham red squirrel as an endangered species
under the Act on June 3, 1987 (52 FR 20994). We designated critical
habitat on January 5, 1990 (55 FR 425).
We originally completed and announced a recovery plan for the
species on May 3, 1993. However, given the species' current status, the
recommendations in that plan are now outdated.
The Mount Graham red squirrel exists only in the upper-elevation
forests of the Pinale[ntilde]o Mountains in southeastern Arizona, and
likely represents a relictual population of what was once a much more
widely distributed taxon. Threats to the subspecies at the time of
listing included its small population size and range; changes in forest
age structure and density within the squirrel's habitat; loss of
habitat due to development, road construction, and forest fire; and
competition with the introduced Abert's squirrel. These same threats to
the red squirrel's habitat continue today, compounded by the additional
threats of climate change (including drought), insect infestation, and
fire suppression activities. Recent research also indicates that
predation, competition with Abert's squirrels, and demographic factors
(mainly due to its small population size) may impact the Mount Graham
red squirrel population more than expected.
Recovery Plan Goals
The objective of an agency recovery plan is to provide a framework
for the recovery of a species so that protection under the Act is no
longer necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about
the species and provides criteria and actions necessary for us to be
able to reclassify the species to threatened status or remove it from
the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants
(List). Recovery plans help guide our recovery efforts by describing
actions we consider necessary for the species' conservation, and by
estimating time and costs for implementing needed recovery measures. To
achieve its goals, this draft recovery plan identifies the following
objectives:
Restore and maintain sufficient Mount Graham red squirrel
habitat to ensure the species' survival despite environmental
stochasticity and the threat of climate change.
Maintain a self-sustaining population of Mount Graham red
squirrels sufficient to ensure the species' survival.
The draft revised recovery plan contains new downlisting and
delisting criteria based on maintaining and increasing population
numbers and habitat quality. The revised recovery plan focuses on
protecting and managing the remaining population and habitat, restoring
and creating habitat to allow for the existence of a viable and robust
population, researching the conservation biology of the Mount Graham
red squirrel with the objective of facilitating efficient recovery,
developing support and building partnerships to facilitate recovery,
and monitoring progress toward recovery and practicing adaptive
management.
As the species meets reclassification and recovery criteria, we
will review the species' status and consider the species for
reclassification on or removal from the List.
Request for Public Comments
Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an
opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan
development. It is also our policy to request peer review of recovery
plans (July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an appendix to the approved
recovery plan, we will summarize and respond to the issues raised by
the public and peer reviewers. Substantive comments may or may not
result in changes to the recovery plan; comments regarding recovery
plan implementation will be forwarded as appropriate to Federal or
[[Page 30958]]
other entities so that they can be taken into account during the course
of implementing recovery actions. Responses to individual commenters
will not be provided, but we will provide a summary of how we addressed
substantive comments in an appendix to the approved recovery plan.
We invite written comments on the draft revised recovery plan. This
plan has undergone significant revision since the original plan,
incorporating the most recent scientific research specific to the Mount
Graham red squirrel and input from the Technical and Stakeholder
Subgroups of the Recovery Team. Therefore, we encourage commenters to
review the recovery plan in its entirety.
Before we approve the plan, we will consider all comments we
receive by the date specified in DATES above. Methods of submitting
comments are in the ADDRESSES section above.
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.
Comments and materials we receive will be available, by
appointment, for public inspection during normal business hours at our
office (see ADDRESSES).
Authority
We developed our draft recovery plan under the authority of section
4(f) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under
section 4(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.).
Dated: April 18, 2011.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-13044 Filed 5-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P