Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Jaguar, 53390-53391 [2013-21168]

Download as PDF 53390 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2013 / Proposed Rules selected is unknown, again potentially leaving vehicles in the fleet without interlocks. Thus, we predict that seat belt use initiatives would need to remain in place for the foreseeable future. Finally, we wish to make clear that the denial of this petition does not restrict the petitioner, or any other manufacturer, from voluntarily providing a seat belt interlock system in their vehicles.15 In fact, such a voluntary implementation would likely yield important real world data about interlock systems that could be utilized by the agency in the future. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS IV. NHTSA Planned Seat Belt Interlock Systems Research The agency is in the process of developing a research program on seat belt interlock systems in an effort to understand the potential for improving occupant safety in light of the agency’s newly acquired statutory authority to permit interlocks as a compliance option. The human factors research program will gather data to help determine the effectiveness and acceptance of seat belt interlock systems as well as discuss potential minimum performance specifications for seat belt interlock systems and their advantages/ disadvantages (including those needed to prevent defeating the system).16 The agency anticipates participation by organizations leading the development of seat belt interlock system prototypes (i.e., vehicle manufacturers and suppliers) in these research efforts. To assess the potential impacts on unbelted occupants, the agency initially plans on using occupant restraint simulation models to understand the safety implications for optimizing occupant compartments and restraint systems considering today’s regulatory requirements versus those that apply to belted occupants only. We plan to complete these research studies in 2015. V. Conclusion After carefully considering all aspects of the petition, the agency has decided to deny the petitioner’s request to allow a seat belt interlock compliance option as an alternative to the unbelted crash test requirements of FMVSS No. 208. Given the complex issues surrounding seat belt interlocks, the agency believes that it would be desirable to have additional information, beyond the 15 However, such a system cannot be considered when assessing compliance with the FMVSS and thus all protection currently required by FMVSS No. 208 to belted and unbelted occupants would remain in force. 16 This research is contingent upon the availability of seat belt interlock system prototypes. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:54 Aug 28, 2013 Jkt 229001 supporting material provided by the petitioner, before deciding whether to pursue the requested rulemaking action. The agency lacks field data or sufficient research findings that would allow for the determination of the optimal type of seat belt interlock system as it relates to acceptance and the attributes necessary to harden against circumvention. Nor do we have information to assess the potential level of safety for belted and unbelted occupants that would result from such a rulemaking. The agency’s effort to study seat belt interlock systems is in its initial stages. Making a determination to include seat belt interlocks as an alternative compliance option to the unbelted test requirements of FMVSS No. 208 prior to completion of our research is premature. In accordance with 49 CFR Part 552, this completes the agency’s review of the petition. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117 and 30166; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95. Issued in Washington, DC, on: August 19, 2013 under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95. Christopher J. Bonanti, Associate Administrator for Rulemaking. [FR Doc. 2013–21128 Filed 8–28–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0042; 4500030114] RIN 1018–AX13 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Jaguar Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the public comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on our August 20, 2012, proposed designation of critical habitat for the jaguar (Panthera onca), as revised on July 1, 2013, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This notice announces reopening of the comment period to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment and submit information on the revised proposed rule, the draft economic analysis, and the draft environmental assessment. We will SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 consider all comments and information provided by the public during this comment period in preparation of a final designation of critical habitat. Accordingly, the final designation may differ from our proposal. If you submitted comments previously, you do not need to resubmit them because we have already incorporated them into the public record and will fully consider them in preparation of the final rule. DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published August 20, 2012 (77 FR 50214), and revised July 1, 2013 (78 FR 39237) is reopened. We will consider comments received or postmarked on or before September 13, 2013. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. ADDRESSES: Document availability: You may obtain copies of the proposed rule, the revisions of July 1, 2013, the draft economic analysis, and the draft environmental assessment on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0042 or by mail from the Arizona Ecological Services 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. Submit comments by searching for FWS–R2–ES–2012– 0042, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. (2) By hard copy: Submit comments by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R2– ES–2012–0042; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. 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). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Fish and Wildlife Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Drive, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021; by telephone (602–242–0210); or by facsimile (602–242–2513). Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. E:\FR\FM\29AUP1.SGM 29AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2013 / Proposed Rules SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Background On August 20, 2012, we published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the jaguar (77 FR 50214). That proposal had a 60-day comment period, ending October 19, 2012. On July 1, 2013, we published a revised proposal that incorporated new information received since the August 20, 2012, proposal (78 FR 39237). That revised proposal had a comment period that ended August 9, 2013. In the July 1, 2013, revised proposed rule, we proposed to designate approximately 858,137 acres (ac) (347,277 hectares (ha)) as critical habitat in six units located in Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise Counties, Arizona, and Hidalgo County, New Mexico. In the July 1, 2013, revised proposed rule, we also noticed the availability of a draft economic analysis and draft environmental assessment for public comment. We received requests for a public hearing, and a public hearing was held in Sierra Vista, Arizona, on July 30, 2013. We are now reopening a comment period on the August 20, 2012, proposed rule, as revised on July 1, 2013. Finally, pursuant to a courtapproved settlement agreement, the Service agreed to deliver the final designation of critical habitat to the Federal Register no later than December 16, 2013. Information Requested We will accept written comments and information during this reopened comment period on our July 1, 2013, revised proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the jaguar (78 FR 39237), draft economic analysis, and draft environmental assessment. For more information on the specific information we are seeking, please see the July 1, 2013, revised proposed rule. You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed rules by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. If you submitted comments or information on the proposed rule (77 FR 50214; August 20, 2012) during the initial comment period from August 20, 2012, to October 19, 2012; or the revised proposed rule (78 FR 39237; July 1, 2013) during the second comment period from July 1, 2013, to August 9, 2013, please do not resubmit them. We have incorporated them into the public record, and we will fully consider them in the preparation of our final rule. Further, any comments and information received after the closing of the second comment period on August 9, 2013, will be incorporated into the record during VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:54 Aug 28, 2013 Jkt 229001 this comment period and will be fully considered. Our final determination concerning critical habitat will take into consideration all written comments and any additional information we receive during all three comment periods. On the basis of public comments and other relevant information, we may, during the development of our final determination on the proposed critical habitat designation, find that areas proposed are not essential, are appropriate for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, or are not appropriate for exclusion. You may submit your comments and materials concerning the revised proposed rule, draft economic analysis, or draft environmental assessment by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We request that you send comments only by the methods described in the ADDRESSES section. 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 revised proposed rule, draft economic analysis, and draft environmental assessment, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0042, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may obtain copies of the original proposed rule, the revisions published on July 1, 2013, the draft economic analysis, and the draft environmental assessment on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov at Docket Number FWS–R2–ES–2012–0042, or by mail from the Arizona Ecological Services Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Authors The primary authors of this notice are the staff members of the Arizona Ecological Services Fish and Wildlife Office, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 53391 Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: August 21, 2013. Stephen Guertin, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2013–21168 Filed 8–28–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Parts 223 and 224 [Docket No. 130708594–3594–01] RIN 0648–XC751 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Delist the North Pacific Population of the Humpback Whale and Notice of Status Review National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: 90-day petition finding, request for information, and initiation of status review. AGENCY: We, NMFS, announce a 90day finding on a petition to identify the North Pacific population of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) as a Distinct Population Segment (DPS) and delist the DPS under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The humpback whale was listed as an endangered species in 1970 under the Endangered Species and Conservation Act of 1969, which was later superseded by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We find that the petition viewed in the context of information readily available in our files presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. We are hereby initiating a status review of the North Pacific population of the humpback whale to determine whether the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to this population from any interested party. DATES: Scientific and commercial information pertinent to the petitioned action must be received by October 28, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit information or data, identified by SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29AUP1.SGM 29AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53390-53391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21168]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0042; 4500030114]
RIN 1018-AX13


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of 
Critical Habitat for the Jaguar

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
reopening of the public comment period on our August 20, 2012, proposed 
designation of critical habitat for the jaguar (Panthera onca), as 
revised on July 1, 2013, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended. This notice announces reopening of the comment period to allow 
all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment and submit 
information on the revised proposed rule, the draft economic analysis, 
and the draft environmental assessment. We will consider all comments 
and information provided by the public during this comment period in 
preparation of a final designation of critical habitat. Accordingly, 
the final designation may differ from our proposal. If you submitted 
comments previously, you do not need to resubmit them because we have 
already incorporated them into the public record and will fully 
consider them in preparation of the final rule.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published August 20, 
2012 (77 FR 50214), and revised July 1, 2013 (78 FR 39237) is reopened. 
We will consider comments received or postmarked on or before September 
13, 2013. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES) must be received by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the closing date.

ADDRESSES: Document availability: You may obtain copies of the proposed 
rule, the revisions of July 1, 2013, the draft economic analysis, and 
the draft environmental assessment on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0042 or by mail from 
the Arizona Ecological Services 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. Submit comments by searching for FWS-R2-ES-2012-
0042, which is the docket number for this rulemaking.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit comments by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: 
Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R2-ES-2012-0042; Division of 
Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 
N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
    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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Services Fish and 
Wildlife Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Drive, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 
85021; by telephone (602-242-0210); or by facsimile (602-242-2513). 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

[[Page 53391]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 20, 2012, we published a proposed rule to designate 
critical habitat for the jaguar (77 FR 50214). That proposal had a 60-
day comment period, ending October 19, 2012. On July 1, 2013, we 
published a revised proposal that incorporated new information received 
since the August 20, 2012, proposal (78 FR 39237). That revised 
proposal had a comment period that ended August 9, 2013. In the July 1, 
2013, revised proposed rule, we proposed to designate approximately 
858,137 acres (ac) (347,277 hectares (ha)) as critical habitat in six 
units located in Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise Counties, Arizona, and 
Hidalgo County, New Mexico. In the July 1, 2013, revised proposed rule, 
we also noticed the availability of a draft economic analysis and draft 
environmental assessment for public comment. We received requests for a 
public hearing, and a public hearing was held in Sierra Vista, Arizona, 
on July 30, 2013. We are now reopening a comment period on the August 
20, 2012, proposed rule, as revised on July 1, 2013. Finally, pursuant 
to a court-approved settlement agreement, the Service agreed to deliver 
the final designation of critical habitat to the Federal Register no 
later than December 16, 2013.

Information Requested

    We will accept written comments and information during this 
reopened comment period on our July 1, 2013, revised proposed rule to 
designate critical habitat for the jaguar (78 FR 39237), draft economic 
analysis, and draft environmental assessment. For more information on 
the specific information we are seeking, please see the July 1, 2013, 
revised proposed rule. You may submit your comments and materials 
concerning the proposed rules by one of the methods listed in 
ADDRESSES.
    If you submitted comments or information on the proposed rule (77 
FR 50214; August 20, 2012) during the initial comment period from 
August 20, 2012, to October 19, 2012; or the revised proposed rule (78 
FR 39237; July 1, 2013) during the second comment period from July 1, 
2013, to August 9, 2013, please do not resubmit them. We have 
incorporated them into the public record, and we will fully consider 
them in the preparation of our final rule. Further, any comments and 
information received after the closing of the second comment period on 
August 9, 2013, will be incorporated into the record during this 
comment period and will be fully considered. Our final determination 
concerning critical habitat will take into consideration all written 
comments and any additional information we receive during all three 
comment periods. On the basis of public comments and other relevant 
information, we may, during the development of our final determination 
on the proposed critical habitat designation, find that areas proposed 
are not essential, are appropriate for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) 
of the Act, or are not appropriate for exclusion.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning the revised 
proposed rule, draft economic analysis, or draft environmental 
assessment by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We 
request that you send comments only by the methods described in the 
ADDRESSES section.
    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 revised proposed rule, draft 
economic analysis, and draft environmental assessment, will be 
available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket 
No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0042, or by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological 
Services Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT). You may obtain copies of the original proposed rule, the 
revisions published on July 1, 2013, the draft economic analysis, and 
the draft environmental assessment on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket Number FWS-R2-ES-2012-0042, or by mail 
from the Arizona Ecological Services Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this notice are the staff members of the 
Arizona Ecological Services Fish and Wildlife Office, Southwest Region, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Authority

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

    Dated: August 21, 2013.
Stephen Guertin,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-21168 Filed 8-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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