Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating Critical Habitat for Three Plant Species on Hawaii Island, 39698-39700 [2013-15746]

Download as PDF 39698 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building. • Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. • U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be addressed to 445 12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. 48. Availability of Documents. Comments, reply comments, and ex parte submissions will be available for public inspection during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW., CY– A257, Washington, DC, 20554. These documents will also be available via ECFS. Documents will be available electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat. 49. People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418–0530 (voice), (202) 418–0432 (TTY). E. Additional Information 50. For additional information on this proceeding, contact Diana Sokolow, Diana.Sokolow@fcc.gov, or Maria Mullarkey, Maria.Mullarkey@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division, (202) 418–2120. List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 79 Cable television operators, Communications equipment, Multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), Satellite television service providers, Television broadcasters. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary. Proposed Rules For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 79 as follows: PART 79—CLOSED CAPTIONING AND VIDEO DESCRIPTION OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING 1. The authority citation for Part 79 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152(a), 154(i), 303, 307, 309, 310, 330, 544a, 613, 617. 2. Amend § 79.103 to add paragraph (c)(12) to read as follows: ■ § 79.103 Closed caption decoder requirements for all apparatus. * * * * * (c) * * * (12) Synchronization. All apparatus that render closed captions must do so consistent with the timing data included with the video programming the apparatus receives. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2013–15722 Filed 7–1–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS IV. Ordering Clauses DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 51. Accordingly, it is ordered that pursuant to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, Public Law 111–260, 124 Stat. 2751, and the authority found in sections 4(i), 4(j), 303, 330(b), 713, and 716 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 154(j), 303, 330(b), 613, and 617, this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is adopted, effective thirty (30) days after the date of publication in the Federal Register. 52. It is further ordered that the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a copy of this Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in MB Docket No. 11–154, including the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Fish and Wildlife Service VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:10 Jul 01, 2013 Jkt 229001 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2013–0028; 4500030113] RIN 1018–AZ38 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating Critical Habitat for Three Plant Species on Hawaii Island Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the reopening of the public comment period on our October 17, 2012, proposed designation of critical habitat for three plant species (Bidens micrantha ssp. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 ctenophylla (kookoolau), Isodendrion pyrifolium (wahine noho kua), and Mezoneuron kavaiense (uhiuhi)) on Hawaii Island under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In response to requests we received, we are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed designation of critical habitat and the draft economic analysis. Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule or draft economic analysis need not be resubmitted as they will be fully considered in our determinations on this rulemaking action. We also announce a public information meeting on our proposed rule and associated documents. DATES: Written Comments: We will consider all comments received or postmarked on or before September 3, 2013. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. Public Information Meeting: We will hold a public information meeting in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (see ADDRESSES section, below). ADDRESSES: Document availability: You may obtain copies of the proposed rule on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2012–0070, or by mail from the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Written Comments: You may submit written comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2013–0028. (2) By hard copy: Submit comments by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R1– ES–2013–0028; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. Public Information Meeting: The public information meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the West Hawaii Civic Center located at 74–5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, KailuaKona, HI 96740 (telephone 808–323– 4444). We request that you send comments only by the methods described above. We will post all comments on https:// www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see the Public Comments section below for more information). E:\FR\FM\02JYP1.SGM 02JYP1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Loyal Mehrhoff, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3–122, Honolulu, HI 96850; by telephone 808– 792–9400; or by facsimile 808–792– 9581. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are proposing to designate critical habitat for Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla, which we proposed to list as endangered on October 17, 2012 (77 FR 63928), and for two plant species that are already listed as endangered (Isodendrion pyrifolium and Caesalpinia kavaiense (we proposed a taxonomic revision for Caesalpinia kavaiense on October 17, 2012 (77 FR 63928), to change the name to Mezoneuron kavaiense; we will refer to this plant species as Mezoneuron kavaiense in this document)). Background On October 17, 2012, the Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (77 FR 63928) to list 15 species (13 plants and 2 animals) found on Hawaii Island as endangered. We also proposed critical habitat for 1 of those 13 plant species (Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla). In addition, we proposed critical habitat for two previously listed plant species (Isodendrion pyrifolium and Mezoneuron kavaiense) that do not have designated critical habitat and occur in the same ecosystem as Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla. In all, the critical habitat proposed for these three species is an area totaling 18,766 acres (7,597 hectares), of which approximately 55 percent is already designated as critical habitat for endangered or threatened species. The October 17, 2012, proposal had a 60-day comment period, ending December 17, 2012. On April 30, 2013, we announced the reopening of the comment period for the proposed listing of the 15 species and proposed critical habitat for 3 species on Hawaii Island, the availability of our draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat, and the public hearing and public information meeting scheduled for May 15, 2013 (78 FR 25243). The comment period was reopened for 30 days, ending on May 30, 2013. The Service held a public information meeting and public hearing on May 15, 2013, at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Additional information may be found in the October 17, 2012, proposed rule (77 VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:10 Jul 01, 2013 Jkt 229001 FR 63928) and the April 30, 2013, reopening of the comment period and availability of the draft economic analysis (78 FR 25243). Pursuant to a court-ordered deadline, we must make a final determination on whether to list the 15 species by September 30, 2013. In order to allow additional opportunity for public comment on the critical habitat proposal, we plan to publish the final critical habitat determination subsequent to the listing determination. Public Comments We are again seeking written comments and information during this reopened comment period on our proposed designation of critical habitat for three plant species that published in the Federal Register on October 17, 2012 (77 FR 63928), and on our draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation and the amended required determinations that were made available for review on April 30, 2013 (78 FR 25243). The October 17, 2012, proposed rule proposed to list 15 species on the island of Hawaii as endangered, as well as to designate critical habitat for 3 species. However, we will be publishing two final rules, one making a final determination on the listing proposal and another making a final determination on the critical habitat designation. With regard to the proposed critical habitat determination, we are particularly interested in comments concerning: (1) The reasons why we should or should not designate habitat as ‘‘critical habitat’’ under section 4 of the Act, including whether there are threats to the species from human activity, the degree of which can be expected to increase due to the designation, and whether that increase in threat outweighs the benefit of designation such that the designation of critical habitat is not prudent. (2) Specific information on: (a) The amount and distribution of the species’ habitat; (b) What areas occupied by the species at the time of listing that contain features essential for the conservation of the species we should include in the designation and why; (c) Special management considerations or protection that may be needed in critical habitat areas we are proposing, including managing for the potential effects of climate change; and (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential to the conservation of the species and why. (3) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the subject areas PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 39699 and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat. (4) Any foreseeable economic, national security, or other relevant impacts that may result from designating any area that may be included in the final designation. We are particularly interested in any impacts on small entities and the benefits of including or excluding areas from the proposed designation that are subject to these impacts. (5) Whether our approach to designating critical habitat could be improved or modified in any way to provide for greater public participation and understanding, or to assist us in accommodating public concerns and comments. If you submitted comments or information on the proposed rule (77 FR 63928) during the initial comment period from October 17, 2012, to December 17, 2012, or the reopened comment period (78 FR 25243) from April 30, 2013, to May 30, 2013, please do not resubmit them. We have incorporated them into the public record as part of the original comment period, and we will fully consider them in our final determinations. You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed rules by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request that you send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES. If you submit a comment via https:// www.regulations.gov, your entire comment—including any personal identifying information—will be posted on the Web site. We will post all hardcopy comments on https:// www.regulations.gov as well. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing the proposed rule, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2013–0028 for the proposed critical habitat designation, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Public Information Meeting We are holding a public information meeting on the date listed in the DATES section at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section (above). We are E:\FR\FM\02JYP1.SGM 02JYP1 39700 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 127 / Tuesday, July 2, 2013 / Proposed Rules holding this second public information meeting to provide an additional opportunity for the public to ask questions or seek clarification on the proposed rule and the draft economic analysis. Since this is an informational meeting and not a public hearing, no oral testimony will be taken. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: June 20, 2013. Rachel Jacobson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 2013–15746 Filed 7–1–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 130403321–3321–01] RIN 0648–BD16 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Regulatory Amendment 19 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP), as prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, Regulatory Amendment 19 and this rule would revise the optimum yield (OY), the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and the recreational annual catch target (ACT) for black sea bass harvested in or from the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This rule would also establish an annual prohibition on the use of black sea bass pots in the South Atlantic from November 1 through April 30. The intent of this rule is to provide socioeconomic benefits to snapper-grouper fishermen and communities that utilize the snapper-grouper resource, while maintaining fishing mortality at sustainable levels according to the best scientific information available. The emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:10 Jul 01, 2013 Jkt 229001 rule would also prevent interactions between black sea bass pot gear and whales listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) during periods of large whale migrations and during the northern right whale calving season off of the southeastern coast. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 1, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the amendment identified by ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2013–0096’’ by any of the following methods: • Electronic submissions: Submit electronic comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20130096, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Rick DeVictor, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. Electronic copies of Regulatory Amendment 19, which includes an environmental assessment, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at https:// sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/pdfs/ SGRegAmend19.pdf. Rick DeVictor, Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, or email: rick.devictor@noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic, which includes black sea bass, is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Background The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS and regional fishery management councils to prevent overfishing and to achieve, on a continuing basis, the OY for federally managed fish stocks. These mandates are intended to ensure that fishery resources are managed for the greatest overall benefit to the nation, particularly with respect to providing food production and recreational opportunities, and protecting marine ecosystems. To further this goal, the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires fishery managers to end overfishing of stocks while achieving OY from the fishery, and to minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality to the extent practicable. The black sea bass component of the snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic is managed through a variety of measures to achieve OY. These measures include restrictions on the total harvest, recreational and commercial allocations, recreational and commercial ACLs, and accountability measures (AMs). The black sea bass stock in the South Atlantic was assessed through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment process in 2003 (SEDAR 2). SEDAR 2 determined that the South Atlantic black sea bass stock was overfished and undergoing overfishing. In 2006, the Council implemented a 10-year rebuilding plan for black sea bass that included measures to end overfishing. The black sea bass stock was reassessed in 2011 (SEDAR 25) and determined to no longer be overfished or undergoing overfishing, but was not fully rebuilt. In 2013, the SEDAR 25 Update assessment determined that the black sea bass stock is now rebuilt. The SEDAR 25 Update assessment indicates that the black sea bass ACLs can be increased without jeopardizing the health of the population. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed the SEDAR 25 Update assessment in April 2013, and determined that the assessment was based on the best scientific information available and recommended new acceptable biological catch (ABC) levels for 2013, 2014, and 2015. These ABCs, which decrease over time, are higher than the current ABC. The Council approved the new ABCs at its May 2013 Council meeting. In Amendment 18A to the FMP (77 FR 32408, June 1, 2012), the Council established an OY formula of ABC = OY = ACL, using values from SEDAR 25 (2011) and the SSC’s ABC recommendation at that time. E:\FR\FM\02JYP1.SGM 02JYP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39698-39700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15746]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0028; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-AZ38


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating 
Critical Habitat for Three Plant Species on Hawaii Island

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the reopening 
of the public comment period on our October 17, 2012, proposed 
designation of critical habitat for three plant species (Bidens 
micrantha ssp. ctenophylla (kookoolau), Isodendrion pyrifolium (wahine 
noho kua), and Mezoneuron kavaiense (uhiuhi)) on Hawaii Island under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In response to 
requests we received, we are reopening the comment period to allow all 
interested parties an opportunity to comment on the proposed 
designation of critical habitat and the draft economic analysis. 
Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule or draft economic 
analysis need not be resubmitted as they will be fully considered in 
our determinations on this rulemaking action. We also announce a public 
information meeting on our proposed rule and associated documents.

DATES: Written Comments: We will consider all comments received or 
postmarked on or before September 3, 2013. Comments submitted 
electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, 
below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.
    Public Information Meeting: We will hold a public information 
meeting in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, from 3 
p.m. to 5 p.m. (see ADDRESSES section, below).

ADDRESSES: Document availability: You may obtain copies of the proposed 
rule on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-
R1-ES-2012-0070, or by mail from the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Written Comments: You may submit written comments by one of the 
following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0028.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit comments by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: 
Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-2013-0028; Division of 
Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 
N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
    Public Information Meeting: The public information meeting will be 
held in the Council Chambers of the West Hawaii Civic Center located at 
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (telephone 808-
323-4444).
    We request that you send comments only by the methods described 
above. We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see the Public Comments section below for more information).

[[Page 39699]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loyal Mehrhoff, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 
300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Honolulu, HI 96850; by telephone 
808-792-9400; or by facsimile 808-792-9581. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    We are proposing to designate critical habitat for Bidens micrantha 
ssp. ctenophylla, which we proposed to list as endangered on October 
17, 2012 (77 FR 63928), and for two plant species that are already 
listed as endangered (Isodendrion pyrifolium and Caesalpinia kavaiense 
(we proposed a taxonomic revision for Caesalpinia kavaiense on October 
17, 2012 (77 FR 63928), to change the name to Mezoneuron kavaiense; we 
will refer to this plant species as Mezoneuron kavaiense in this 
document)).

Background

    On October 17, 2012, the Service published a proposed rule in the 
Federal Register (77 FR 63928) to list 15 species (13 plants and 2 
animals) found on Hawaii Island as endangered. We also proposed 
critical habitat for 1 of those 13 plant species (Bidens micrantha ssp. 
ctenophylla). In addition, we proposed critical habitat for two 
previously listed plant species (Isodendrion pyrifolium and Mezoneuron 
kavaiense) that do not have designated critical habitat and occur in 
the same ecosystem as Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla. In all, the 
critical habitat proposed for these three species is an area totaling 
18,766 acres (7,597 hectares), of which approximately 55 percent is 
already designated as critical habitat for endangered or threatened 
species. The October 17, 2012, proposal had a 60-day comment period, 
ending December 17, 2012.
    On April 30, 2013, we announced the reopening of the comment period 
for the proposed listing of the 15 species and proposed critical 
habitat for 3 species on Hawaii Island, the availability of our draft 
economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat, and the public 
hearing and public information meeting scheduled for May 15, 2013 (78 
FR 25243). The comment period was reopened for 30 days, ending on May 
30, 2013. The Service held a public information meeting and public 
hearing on May 15, 2013, at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Kailua-Kona, 
Hawaii. Additional information may be found in the October 17, 2012, 
proposed rule (77 FR 63928) and the April 30, 2013, reopening of the 
comment period and availability of the draft economic analysis (78 FR 
25243).
    Pursuant to a court-ordered deadline, we must make a final 
determination on whether to list the 15 species by September 30, 2013. 
In order to allow additional opportunity for public comment on the 
critical habitat proposal, we plan to publish the final critical 
habitat determination subsequent to the listing determination.

Public Comments

    We are again seeking written comments and information during this 
reopened comment period on our proposed designation of critical habitat 
for three plant species that published in the Federal Register on 
October 17, 2012 (77 FR 63928), and on our draft economic analysis of 
the proposed critical habitat designation and the amended required 
determinations that were made available for review on April 30, 2013 
(78 FR 25243). The October 17, 2012, proposed rule proposed to list 15 
species on the island of Hawaii as endangered, as well as to designate 
critical habitat for 3 species. However, we will be publishing two 
final rules, one making a final determination on the listing proposal 
and another making a final determination on the critical habitat 
designation.
    With regard to the proposed critical habitat determination, we are 
particularly interested in comments concerning:
    (1) The reasons why we should or should not designate habitat as 
``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Act, including whether 
there are threats to the species from human activity, the degree of 
which can be expected to increase due to the designation, and whether 
that increase in threat outweighs the benefit of designation such that 
the designation of critical habitat is not prudent.
    (2) Specific information on:
    (a) The amount and distribution of the species' habitat;
    (b) What areas occupied by the species at the time of listing that 
contain features essential for the conservation of the species we 
should include in the designation and why;
    (c) Special management considerations or protection that may be 
needed in critical habitat areas we are proposing, including managing 
for the potential effects of climate change; and
    (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential to 
the conservation of the species and why.
    (3) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
    (4) Any foreseeable economic, national security, or other relevant 
impacts that may result from designating any area that may be included 
in the final designation. We are particularly interested in any impacts 
on small entities and the benefits of including or excluding areas from 
the proposed designation that are subject to these impacts.
    (5) Whether our approach to designating critical habitat could be 
improved or modified in any way to provide for greater public 
participation and understanding, or to assist us in accommodating 
public concerns and comments.
    If you submitted comments or information on the proposed rule (77 
FR 63928) during the initial comment period from October 17, 2012, to 
December 17, 2012, or the reopened comment period (78 FR 25243) from 
April 30, 2013, to May 30, 2013, please do not resubmit them. We have 
incorporated them into the public record as part of the original 
comment period, and we will fully consider them in our final 
determinations.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed 
rules by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request that you 
send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES.
    If you submit a comment via https://www.regulations.gov, your entire 
comment--including any personal identifying information--will be posted 
on the Web site. We will post all hardcopy comments on https://www.regulations.gov as well. If you submit a hardcopy comment that 
includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top 
of your document that we withhold this information from public review. 
However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing the proposed rule, will be available 
for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-
R1-ES-2013-0028 for the proposed critical habitat designation, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Public Information Meeting

    We are holding a public information meeting on the date listed in 
the DATES section at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section 
(above). We are

[[Page 39700]]

holding this second public information meeting to provide an additional 
opportunity for the public to ask questions or seek clarification on 
the proposed rule and the draft economic analysis. Since this is an 
informational meeting and not a public hearing, no oral testimony will 
be taken.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: June 20, 2013.
 Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2013-15746 Filed 7-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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