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