Draft Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan Within Eight-State Planning Area; Reopening of Comment Period, 60457-60458 [2012-24401]

Download as PDF erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2012 / Notices authorized under Section 7 of the ESA are not exceeded. Comments: On May 2, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 26032) a notice of our intent to request that OMB renew approval for this information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60 days, ending on July 2, 2012. We received one comment from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Wyoming) in response to that notice. Wyoming generally supported the information collection to document and monitor control and management activities for resident Canada geese. However, it did not support the level of detail that we request in the annual reports, stating that it puts an unnecessary burden on respondents and has no practical utility. Although Wyoming does not indicate which of the depredation orders it is referring to, only the control order for resident Canada geese at agricultural facilities (21.51), the public health control order (21.52), and the population control approval request (21.61) involve State agencies. To date, the State of Wyoming has not operated under any of these orders. The control order for agricultural facilities allows State wildlife agencies and tribes to authorize landowners, operators, and tenants actively engaged in commercial agriculture to conduct direct damage management actions. These entities must maintain records of the date and number of geese and eggs taken and provide it to their agency upon request. The State or tribal agency must provide us with an annual summary of the number of geese, nests, and eggs destroyed broken down by month so we can monitor the overall take of resident Canada geese and the continued use and effectiveness of the regulation. The public health control order may be implemented by State and tribal wildlife agencies. The State or tribal agency must provide us with an annual summary of the number of geese, nests, and eggs destroyed broken down by county. Very few geese are taken under this order. The population control order allows States and tribes to designate participants to act as their agents under this order. The State or tribe must keep records of the following information and provide an annual summary to us: (1) The number of individuals participating in the program; (2) the number of days individuals participated in the program; (3) the total number of resident Canada geese shot and retrieved; and (4) the number shot but not retrieved. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:03 Oct 02, 2012 Jkt 229001 Overall, we agree that the most important information the Service and States need to monitor these populations is the number of geese, nests, and eggs destroyed and the population status. However, the general time and location of any geese taken under the various depredation and control orders provides valuable insight and ongoing review of the regulations’ continued effectiveness, or lack thereof. For example, we would expect that over time the numbers of geese taken with the various orders should trend downward, especially in locations where they are continually implemented. Further, the information helps us determine whether the existing regulations should be revised or expanded due to changing conditions, population status, or new conflicts. We would readily consider any potential changes in the existing regulations if information warranted such changes and have made minor revisions and clarifications to the regulations since their promulgation. Lastly, Wyoming commented that our 60-day Federal Register notice should have stated that State agencies may require State permits in order for (1) airports to operate under the control order for resident Canada geese at airports and military airfields (21.49), and (2) landowners to take nests and eggs under the nest and egg depredation order (21.50). Although we do not state this in the Federal Register notice for this information collection, that point is made clear in the regulations for these orders. We did not make any changes to our information collection requirements based on the above comments. We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: • Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; • The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; • Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your address, phone number, email 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 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60457 you can ask OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: September 26, 2012. Tina A. Campbell, Chief, Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2012–24398 Filed 10–2–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–ES–2012–N225; FXES11120300000F2–123–FF03E00000] Draft Midwest Wind Energy MultiSpecies Habitat Conservation Plan Within Eight-State Planning Area; Reopening of Comment Period Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Reopening of public comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that we, in coordination with our planning partners, are reopening the public comment period for receipt of comments pertaining to the development of the Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan. DATES: To ensure consideration, we request written comments on or before December 3, 2012. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or request information by any one of the following methods: U.S. mail: Regional Director, Attn: Rick Amidon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437–1458; Facsimile: 612–713–5292 (Attn: Rick Amidon); or Email: midwestwindhcp@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Amidon, (612) 713–5164. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 30, 2012 (77 FR 52754), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a Federal Register notice to advise the public that we, in coordination with our planning partners, intend to prepare the Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The notice also opened a 30-day public comment period, which ended October 1, 2012. With this notice, we are reopening the public comment period an additional 60 days. More SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\03OCN1.SGM 03OCN1 60458 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 3, 2012 / Notices information pertaining to this planning effort can be found in the original notice. Public Comments You may submit your comments and supporting documentation by any of the methods described in ADDRESSES, above. We are requesting information and comment from interested government agencies, Native American Tribes, the scientific community, industry, or other interested parties concerning the planning process, our permitting approach, biological aspects of the interaction of wind facilities and species, scientific data that may help inform the MSHCP or monitoring of impacts, and any other information that interested parties would like to offer. Please note that comments merely stating support for, or opposition to, the MSHCP under consideration without providing supporting information, although noted, will not provide information useful in determining relevant issues and impacts. The public will receive additional opportunity to provide comments on the draft EIS and draft MSHCP when they are completed. The Service will solicit comments by publishing notice in the Federal Register. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, 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. This order withdraws approximately 18,760.63 acres of public land from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, for a period of 5 years. This withdrawal will protect the Limestone Hills Training Area in Broadwater County near Townsend, Montana, pending the processing of an Engle Act legislative withdrawal application. DATES: Effective Date: September 25, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Wyatt, Bureau of Land Management, Butte Field Office, 406– 533–7619, mswyatt@blm.gov or Deborah Sorg, Bureau of Land Management, Montana State Office at 406–896–5045, dsorg@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 either of the above individuals. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with either of the above individuals. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Limestone Hills Training Area withdrawal will maintain the current surface uses, including a military training range for the Montana Army National Guard, pending the processing of an application for withdrawal of these lands for military purposes under the Engle Act. SUMMARY: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Order By virtue of the authority vested in the Secretary of the Interior by Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714, it is ordered as follows: 1. Subject to valid existing rights, the following described public land is hereby withdrawn from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including location and entry under the United States mining laws (30 U.S.C. Ch. 2), but not from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, pending the processing of an Engle Act withdrawal application. Bureau of Land Management Principal Meridian, Montana [LLMTB072000–L14300000–ET0000; MTM 98499] T. 6 N., R. 1 E., Sec. 2, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, S1⁄2N1⁄2, N1⁄2SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; Sec. 3, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, S1⁄2N1⁄2, and S1⁄2; Sec. 4, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, S1⁄2N1⁄2, and S1⁄2; Sec. 5, lots 1 and 2, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; Sec. 8, E1⁄2 and E1⁄2SW1⁄4; Sec.. 9 and 10; Sec. 11, E1⁄2, E1⁄2W1⁄2, and SW1⁄4SW1⁄4; Dated: September 18, 2012. Lynn Lewis, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 2012–24401 Filed 10–2–12; 8:45 am] erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Public Land Order No. 7803; Withdrawal of Public Lands for the Limestone Hills Training Area; MT AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Public Land Order. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:03 Oct 02, 2012 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 Sec. 12, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, W1⁄2E1⁄2, and W1⁄2; Sec. 13, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, W1⁄2E1⁄2, and W1⁄2; Sec.. 14 and 15; Sec. 17, E1⁄2 and E1⁄2W1⁄2; Sec. 20, E1⁄2 and E1⁄2W1⁄2; Sec. 21; Sec. 22, lots 3 and 4, W1⁄2NW1⁄4, and S1⁄2SW1⁄4; Sec. 23; Sec. 24, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, W1⁄2E1⁄2, and W1⁄2; Sec. 25, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, W1⁄2E1⁄2, and W1⁄2; Sec. 26; Sec. 27, lots l to 9, inclusive, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, and SE1⁄4; Sec. 28, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, N1⁄2NE1⁄4, W1⁄2, and W1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 29, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4, N1⁄2SE1⁄4, and SW1⁄4SE1⁄4; Sec. 33, E1⁄2; Sec. 34, lots l to 8, inclusive, NE1⁄4, N1⁄2NW1⁄4, and N1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 35, lots 1 to 4, inclusive, N1⁄2, and N1⁄2S1⁄2. T. 6 N., R. 2 E., Sec. 17, S1⁄2SW1⁄4; Sec. 18, lot 4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4, and S1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 19, lots 1, 2, and 3; Sec. 20, W1⁄2; Sec. 30, lots 2, 3, and 4, NE1⁄4NE1⁄4, S1⁄2NE1⁄4, SE1⁄4NW1⁄4, E1⁄2SW1⁄4, and SE1⁄4. T. 7 N., R. 1 E., Sec. 26, S1⁄2; Sec. 27, lots 5 to 8, inclusive, and S1⁄2S1⁄2; Sec. 28, S1⁄2SE1⁄4; Sec. 32, E1⁄2 except patented lands; Sec. 33, 34, and 35. The area described contains 18,760.63 acres in Broadwater County. 2. The withdrawal made by this order does not alter the applicability of those public land laws governing the use of the land under lease, license, or permit, or governing the disposal of the mineral or vegetative resources other than under the mining laws. 3. This withdrawal will expire 5 years from the effective date of this order, unless, as a result of a review conducted before the expiration date pursuant to Section 204(f) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, 43 U.S.C. 1714(f), the Secretary determines that the withdrawal shall be extended. Dated: September 25, 2012. Rhea S. Suh, Assistant Secretary—Policy, Management and Budget. [FR Doc. 2012–24415 Filed 10–2–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1430–DN–P E:\FR\FM\03OCN1.SGM 03OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60457-60458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24401]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2012-N225; FXES11120300000F2-123-FF03E00000]


Draft Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan 
Within Eight-State Planning Area; Reopening of Comment Period

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Reopening of public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the 
public that we, in coordination with our planning partners, are 
reopening the public comment period for receipt of comments pertaining 
to the development of the Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species Habitat 
Conservation Plan.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we request written comments on or 
before December 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or request information by any one of the 
following methods:
    U.S. mail: Regional Director, Attn: Rick Amidon, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 
990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458;
    Facsimile: 612-713-5292 (Attn: Rick Amidon); or
    Email: midwestwindhcp@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Amidon, (612) 713-5164.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 30, 2012 (77 FR 52754), we, the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a Federal Register 
notice to advise the public that we, in coordination with our planning 
partners, intend to prepare the Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species 
Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (ESA). The notice also opened a 30-day public comment 
period, which ended October 1, 2012. With this notice, we are reopening 
the public comment period an additional 60 days. More

[[Page 60458]]

information pertaining to this planning effort can be found in the 
original notice.

Public Comments

    You may submit your comments and supporting documentation by any of 
the methods described in ADDRESSES, above.
    We are requesting information and comment from interested 
government agencies, Native American Tribes, the scientific community, 
industry, or other interested parties concerning the planning process, 
our permitting approach, biological aspects of the interaction of wind 
facilities and species, scientific data that may help inform the MSHCP 
or monitoring of impacts, and any other information that interested 
parties would like to offer.
    Please note that comments merely stating support for, or opposition 
to, the MSHCP under consideration without providing supporting 
information, although noted, will not provide information useful in 
determining relevant issues and impacts. The public will receive 
additional opportunity to provide comments on the draft EIS and draft 
MSHCP when they are completed. The Service will solicit comments by 
publishing notice in the Federal Register.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comments, 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: September 18, 2012.
Lynn Lewis,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-24401 Filed 10-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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