Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permits; Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Utah Prairie Dog in Iron County, Utah, 54478-54479 [2013-21438]

Download as PDF 54478 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 4, 2013 / Notices provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Name of Committee: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Special Emphasis Panel; NIDCD T32 Application Review. Date: September 25, 2013. Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: Hyatt Regency Bethesda, One Bethesda Metro Center, 7400 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814 Contact Person: Shiguang Yang, DVM, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer Division of Extramural Activities NIDCD, NIH 6120 Executive Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892, 301– 496–8683. Any interested person may file written comments with the committee by forwarding the statement to the Contact Person listed on this notice. The statement should include the name, address, telephone number and when applicable, the business or professional affiliation of the interested person. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.173, Biological Research Related to Deafness and Communicative Disorders, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: August 28, 2013. Melanie J. Gray, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2013–21396 Filed 9–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5681–N–34] Federal Property Suitable as Facilities to Assist the Homeless Correction In notice document 2013–20287, appearing on pages 52559 through 52560 in the issue of Friday, August 23, 2013, make the following corrections: 1. On page 52560, in the first column, on the eighteenth line from the bottom of the page, the heading ‘‘Oregon’’ should read as follows: Oregon Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given of the following meeting. The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Jkt 229001 [FR Doc. 2013–21403 Filed 9–3–13; 8:45 am] Building National Institute of Mental Health; Notice of Closed Meeting 16:51 Sep 03, 2013 Dated: August 28, 2013. Carolyn A. Baum, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. Suitable/Unavailable Properties National Institutes of Health VerDate Mar<15>2010 Name of Committee: National Institute of Mental Health Special Emphasis Panel; Innovative Treatment Development. Date: September 26, 2013. Time: 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852 (Telephone Conference Call). Contact Person: David I. Sommers, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Division of Extramural Activities, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 6154, MSC 9606, Bethesda, MD 20892–9606, 301–443–7861, dsommers@mail.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.242, Mental Health Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, HHS) 2. On the same page, in the second column, on the eleventh line from the bottom of the page, the heading ‘‘Maryland’’ should read as follows: Unsuitable Properties Building Maryland 3. On the same page, in the third column, on the second line, the heading ‘‘Land’’ should read as follows: Unsuitable Properties Land [FR Doc. C1–2013–20287 Filed 9–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1505–01–D PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R6–ES–2013–N201; FF06E23000– 134–FXES11120600000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permits; Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Utah Prairie Dog in Iron County, Utah Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), received a permit application from the Iron County Commission and are announcing the availability of a Draft Low-effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Utah prairie dog in Iron County, Utah, for review and comment by the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments. We request comment on the draft low-effect HCP. DATES: Written comments must be submitted by October 4, 2013. ADDRESSES: Send written comments by U.S. mail to Laura Romin, Deputy Field Supervisor, Utah Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2369 W Orton Circle, Suite 50, West Valley City, UT 84119, or via email to utahfieldoffice_esa@fws.gov. You also may send comments by facsimile to 801–975–3331. The draft low-effect HCP is available on our Mountain-Prairie Region Ecological Services Web site at https:// www.fws.gov/utahfieldoffice/ LatestNews.html. You also may review a copy of this document during regular business hours at the Utah Ecological Services Field Office (see address above). If you do not have access to the Web site or cannot visit our office, you may request copies by telephone at 801– 975–3330 ext. 142 or by letter to the Utah Field Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Romin, 801–975–3330, ext. 142; laura_romin@fws.gov. SUMMARY: We announce availability for review and comment of the Draft Low-effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Utah prairie dog in Iron County, Utah. The Iron County Commission has prepared a draft low-effect habitat conservation plan (HCP) for residential, commercial, and industrial developments in Iron County, Utah, that may result in incidental take of the federally threatened Utah prairie dog. The intent of this low-effect HCP is to serve as an interim mechanism to authorize SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\04SEN1.SGM 04SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 4, 2013 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES incidental take anticipated from development in the short term while a more comprehensive long-term or rangewide habitat conservation plan is prepared for the species. We request public comment on the draft low-effect HCP. Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1538) and its implementing regulations prohibit take of species listed as endangered or threatened. The definition of take under the ESA includes to ‘‘harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect listed species or to attempt to engage in such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532(19)). Section 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539) establishes a program whereby persons seeking to pursue activities that are otherwise legal, but could result in take of federally protected species, may receive an incidental take permit (ITP). Applicants for ITPs must submit a HCP that meets the section 10 permit issuance criteria. ‘‘Low-effect’’ incidental take permits are those permits that, despite their authorization of some small level of incidental take, individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the species covered in the HCP. Background In 1998, we issued an incidental take permit to Iron County (County) under the Iron County HCP for take of Utah prairie dogs from development activities. In the meantime, we have been working with all counties within the range of the species to develop a comprehensive rangewide HCP that would contribute to recovery of the species. The Iron County commissioners are concerned that projected increases in economic development in the county during the next couple of years may result in exceeding the amount of take authorized under the 1998 Iron County HCP. As a bridge to cover additional take anticipated before a range-wide or longterm plan can be completed, Iron County has submitted a draft low-effect HCP that would authorize the take of no more than 600 acres (243 hectares) of occupied Utah prairie dog habitat over a maximum 3-year period. The take would be distributed into two zones (a green zone, which primarily encompasses parcels within already developed areas of the cities, and a red zone, which is on the outskirts of the developing communities). The loweffect HCP’s minimization and mitigation measures in the green zone and, for small, low-quality colonies, in the red zone would essentially mimic those of the 1998 Iron County HCP. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:51 Sep 03, 2013 Jkt 229001 Within the red zone, large colonies and medium- or high-quality Utah prairie dog habitats would be avoided under this low-effect HCP, but could be mitigated through the 1998 Iron County HCP and the use of conservation banks. Under this low-effect HCP, developers would apply to the County for their individual take permits or letters of authorization. Our Preliminary Determination We have made a preliminary determination that the HCP qualifies as a ‘‘low-effect’’ habitat conservation plan as defined by our Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). We base our determination on the following information: (1) The size and scope of the incidental take of Utah prairie dogs is relatively small, and limited to maximum of 600 ac (243 ha) of Utah prairie dog occupied habitats over three years; (2) The total amount of take amounts to only 3.6 percent of the total mapped Utah prairie dog habitat in the West Desert Recovery Unit; and (3) Most of the take is limited to already developed areas or those areas projected for development in the near future. These areas do not serve to support current or future metapopulations and objectives for recovery of the species in the wild. Overall we conclude that implementation of the plan would result in overall minor or negligible effects on the Utah prairie dog and its habitats. We may revise this preliminary determination based on public comments submitted in response to this notice. Public Availability of Comments 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 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: August 28, 2013. Larry Crist, Field Supervisor, Utah Ecological Services Field Office. [FR Doc. 2013–21438 Filed 9–3–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54479 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–HQ–IA–2013–N202; FXIA16710900000P5–123–FF09A30000] Endangered Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications for permit. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities. DATES: We must receive comments or requests for documents on or before October 4, 2013. ADDRESSES: Brenda Tapia, Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 22203; fax (703) 358–2280; or email DMAFR@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Tapia, (703) 358–2104 (telephone); (703) 358–2280 (fax); DMAFR@fws.gov (email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Public Comment Procedures A. How do I request copies of applications or comment on submitted applications? Send your request for copies of applications or comments and materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed under ADDRESSES. Please include the Federal Register notice publication date, the PRTnumber, and the name of the applicant in your request or submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an email or address not listed under ADDRESSES. If you provide an email address in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond to your request electronically. Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you include. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) E:\FR\FM\04SEN1.SGM 04SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54478-54479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21438]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-ES-2013-N201; FF06E23000-134-FXES11120600000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permits; Low-
Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Utah Prairie Dog in Iron 
County, Utah

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), received a 
permit application from the Iron County Commission and are announcing 
the availability of a Draft Low-effect Habitat Conservation Plan for 
the Utah prairie dog in Iron County, Utah, for review and comment by 
the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments. We 
request comment on the draft low-effect HCP.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by October 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments by U.S. mail to Laura Romin, Deputy 
Field Supervisor, Utah Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 2369 W Orton Circle, Suite 50, West Valley City, UT 
84119, or via email to utahfieldoffice_esa@fws.gov. You also may send 
comments by facsimile to 801-975-3331. The draft low-effect HCP is 
available on our Mountain-Prairie Region Ecological Services Web site 
at https://www.fws.gov/utahfieldoffice/LatestNews.html. You also may 
review a copy of this document during regular business hours at the 
Utah Ecological Services Field Office (see address above). If you do 
not have access to the Web site or cannot visit our office, you may 
request copies by telephone at 801-975-3330 ext. 142 or by letter to 
the Utah Field Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Romin, 801-975-3330, ext. 142; 
laura_romin@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce availability for review and 
comment of the Draft Low-effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Utah 
prairie dog in Iron County, Utah. The Iron County Commission has 
prepared a draft low-effect habitat conservation plan (HCP) for 
residential, commercial, and industrial developments in Iron County, 
Utah, that may result in incidental take of the federally threatened 
Utah prairie dog. The intent of this low-effect HCP is to serve as an 
interim mechanism to authorize

[[Page 54479]]

incidental take anticipated from development in the short term while a 
more comprehensive long-term or range-wide habitat conservation plan is 
prepared for the species. We request public comment on the draft low-
effect HCP.
    Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1538) and 
its implementing regulations prohibit take of species listed as 
endangered or threatened. The definition of take under the ESA includes 
to ``harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or 
collect listed species or to attempt to engage in such conduct'' (16 
U.S.C. 1532(19)). Section 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539) establishes a 
program whereby persons seeking to pursue activities that are otherwise 
legal, but could result in take of federally protected species, may 
receive an incidental take permit (ITP). Applicants for ITPs must 
submit a HCP that meets the section 10 permit issuance criteria. ``Low-
effect'' incidental take permits are those permits that, despite their 
authorization of some small level of incidental take, individually and 
cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the species covered 
in the HCP.

Background

    In 1998, we issued an incidental take permit to Iron County 
(County) under the Iron County HCP for take of Utah prairie dogs from 
development activities. In the meantime, we have been working with all 
counties within the range of the species to develop a comprehensive 
rangewide HCP that would contribute to recovery of the species. The 
Iron County commissioners are concerned that projected increases in 
economic development in the county during the next couple of years may 
result in exceeding the amount of take authorized under the 1998 Iron 
County HCP.
    As a bridge to cover additional take anticipated before a range-
wide or long-term plan can be completed, Iron County has submitted a 
draft low-effect HCP that would authorize the take of no more than 600 
acres (243 hectares) of occupied Utah prairie dog habitat over a 
maximum 3-year period. The take would be distributed into two zones (a 
green zone, which primarily encompasses parcels within already 
developed areas of the cities, and a red zone, which is on the 
outskirts of the developing communities). The low-effect HCP's 
minimization and mitigation measures in the green zone and, for small, 
low-quality colonies, in the red zone would essentially mimic those of 
the 1998 Iron County HCP. Within the red zone, large colonies and 
medium- or high-quality Utah prairie dog habitats would be avoided 
under this low-effect HCP, but could be mitigated through the 1998 Iron 
County HCP and the use of conservation banks. Under this low-effect 
HCP, developers would apply to the County for their individual take 
permits or letters of authorization.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We have made a preliminary determination that the HCP qualifies as 
a ``low-effect'' habitat conservation plan as defined by our Habitat 
Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996).
    We base our determination on the following information:
    (1) The size and scope of the incidental take of Utah prairie dogs 
is relatively small, and limited to maximum of 600 ac (243 ha) of Utah 
prairie dog occupied habitats over three years;
    (2) The total amount of take amounts to only 3.6 percent of the 
total mapped Utah prairie dog habitat in the West Desert Recovery Unit; 
and
    (3) Most of the take is limited to already developed areas or those 
areas projected for development in the near future. These areas do not 
serve to support current or future metapopulations and objectives for 
recovery of the species in the wild.
    Overall we conclude that implementation of the plan would result in 
overall minor or negligible effects on the Utah prairie dog and its 
habitats. We may revise this preliminary determination based on public 
comments submitted in response to this notice.

Public Availability of Comments

    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 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: August 28, 2013.
Larry Crist,
Field Supervisor, Utah Ecological Services Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2013-21438 Filed 9-3-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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