Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 6-Month Extension of Final Determination on the Proposed Endangered Status for the Northern Long-Eared Bat, 36698-36699 [2014-15213]

Download as PDF 36698 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 125 / Monday, June 30, 2014 / Proposed Rules requirements, Superfund, Water pollution control, Water supply. Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 9601–9657; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923; 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193. Dated: June 10, 2014. Susan Hedman, Regional Administrator, Region 5. [FR Doc. 2014–15256 Filed 6–27–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R5–ES–2011–0024; 4500030113] RIN 1018–AY98 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 6-Month Extension of Final Determination on the Proposed Endangered Status for the Northern Long-Eared Bat Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 6-month extension of the final determination of whether to list the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as endangered. We also reopen the comment period on the proposed rule to list the species. We are taking this action based on substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to our determination regarding the proposed listing, making it necessary to solicit additional information by reopening the comment period for 60 days. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final rule. We will publish a listing determination on or before April 2, 2015. DATES: The comment period end date is August 29, 2014. If you comment using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES), you must submit your comments by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter Docket No. FWS–R5–ES–2011– emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:59 Jun 27, 2014 Jkt 232001 0024, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, click on the Proposed Rules link to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ If your comments will fit in the provided comment box, please use this feature of https://www.regulations.gov, as it is most compatible with our comment review procedures. If you attach your comments as a separate document, our preferred file format is Microsoft Word. If you attach multiple comments (such as form letters), our preferred format is a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R5–ES–2011–0024; 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 information received on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see the Information Requested section, below, for more details). Lisa Mandell, Deputy Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities Ecological Services Office, 4101 American Blvd. East, Bloomington, MN 55425; telephone (612) 725–3548, ext. 2201; or facsimile (612) 725–3609. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On October 2, 2013, we published a proposed rule to list the northern longeared bat as an endangered species (78 FR 61046) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). That proposal had a 60-day comment period, ending December 2, 2013. On December 2, 2013, we extended the proposal’s comment period for an additional 30 days, ending January 2, 2014 (78 FR 72058). For a description of previous Federal actions concerning the northern long-eared bat, please refer to the October 2, 2013, proposed listing rule. We also solicited and received independent scientific review of the information contained in the proposed rule from peer reviewers with expertise in the northern long-eared bat or similar species biology, in accordance with our PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 July 1, 1994, peer review policy (59 FR 34270). Section 4(b)(6) of the Act and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.17(a) require that we take one of three actions within 1 year of a proposed listing and concurrent proposed designation of critical habitat: (1) Finalize the proposed rule; (2) withdraw the proposed rule; or (3) extend the final determination by not more than 6 months, if there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the determination. Since the publication of the October 2, 2013, proposed listing rule, there has been substantial disagreement regarding the best available science as it relates to the northern long-eared bat’s current and predicted population trends and threats. Differing interpretations of the accuracy and sufficiency of the existing information on white-nose syndrome, which has been identified as the primary threat to the species, have led to disagreement regarding the current status of the species. In particular, some commenters raised questions regarding the certainty of scientific information used in the proposed listing rule. For example, some raised questions about: The probability and likely rate of whitenose syndrome spreading to currently unaffected areas; how or whether the disease will impact the northern longeared bat in currently unaffected or recently affected areas within its range; or how existing scientific models predict such factors. Some commenters stated that some portions of the species’ range where white-nose syndrome has been present in hibernacula for several years have yet to see declines in the species’ numbers similar to what was observed in the Northeast. There is substantial scientific uncertainty and disagreement about the Service’s analysis or interpretation of the data, specifically in how and to what extent white-nose syndrome will spread and affect the northern-long eared bat across its range, which has a bearing on our listing determination. As a result of these comments, we find that there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to our listing determination. Therefore, in consideration of these disagreements, we have determined that a 6-month extension of the final determination for this rulemaking is necessary, and we are hereby extending the final determination for 6 months in order to solicit and consider information that will help to clarify these issues and to fully analyze information regarding available data that are relevant to our E:\FR\FM\30JNP1.SGM 30JNP1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 125 / Monday, June 30, 2014 / Proposed Rules emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS final listing determination. With this 6month extension, we will make a final determination on the proposed rule no later than April 2, 2015. Information Requested We will accept written comments and information during this reopened comment period on our proposed listing for the northern long-eared bat that was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2013 (78 FR 61046). We will consider information and recommendations from all interested parties. We intend that any final action resulting from the proposal be as accurate as possible and based on the best available scientific and commercial data. In consideration of the scientific disagreements about the data used to support the proposed rulemaking, we are particularly interested in new information and comment regarding: (1) Whether we have appropriately interpreted the scientific studies cited in the proposed rule, and whether there is additional scientific information not considered in the proposal. (2) Northern long-eared bat population trends in each State or rangewide. (3) Information pertaining to whitenose syndrome, specifically: (a) The predicted probability that white-nose syndrome will spread to currently unaffected areas; (b) The predicted rate of white-nose syndrome spreading to currently unaffected areas; (c) The magnitude of impacts specifically to the northern long-eared bat from white-nose syndrome, both in affected and currently unaffected areas; and (d) The timeframe of response to white-nose syndrome in recently affected or currently unaffected areas. (4) Conservation efforts for the northern long-eared bat that are planned or currently being implemented that were not already stated in comments submitted during the previous comment period. If you previously submitted comments or information on the proposed rule, please do not resubmit them. We have incorporated previously submitted comments into the public record, and we will fully consider them in the preparation of our final determination. Our final determination concerning the proposed listing will take into consideration all written comments and any additional information we receive. You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed rule by one of the methods listed in the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:59 Jun 27, 2014 Jkt 232001 ADDRESSES section above. We request that you send comments only by the methods described in the ADDRESSES section. If you submit information via https:// www.regulations.gov, your entire submission—including any personal identifying information—will be posted on the Web site. If your submission is made via a hardcopy 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. We will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov. 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, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities Ecological Services Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may obtain copies of the proposed rule on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R5–ES–2011–0024. Copies of the proposed rule are also available at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/ Endangered/mammals/nlba/. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: June 19, 2014. Stephen Guertin, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2014–15213 Filed 6–27–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 253 [Docket No. 140401299–4443–01] RIN 0648–BE15 Fisheries Financing Program; Construction of New Replacement Fishing Vessels National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS issues this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 36699 to provide background information and request public comment on potential amendments to the regulations governing the Fisheries Financing Program (FFP) that address several specific issues currently affecting fishers and fishing companies, and to identify specific measures that might address these issues. NMFS is requesting public comment regarding the potential implementation of changes to the current prohibitions against using the FFP to finance the cost of new vessel construction and a vessel refurbishing project that materially increases an existing vessel’s harvesting capacity. DATES: Written comments regarding the issues in this ANPR must be received on or before July 30, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2014–0062, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NMFS-2014-0062, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to NMFS MB5, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. 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 (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. 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. Related documents, including the FFP regulations, are available upon request at the mailing address noted above or on the Financial Services Division’s Web page at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/MB/financial_ services/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Marx or Earl Bennett at 301–427–8724. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FFP was originally created as the Fishing Vessel Mortgage and Loan Insurance program in 1971. It was renamed the Fishing Vessel Obligation Guarantee in E:\FR\FM\30JNP1.SGM 30JNP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36698-36699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15213]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R5-ES-2011-0024; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-AY98


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 6-Month Extension 
of Final Determination on the Proposed Endangered Status for the 
Northern Long-Eared Bat

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 
6-month extension of the final determination of whether to list the 
northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as endangered. We also 
reopen the comment period on the proposed rule to list the species. We 
are taking this action based on substantial disagreement regarding the 
sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to our 
determination regarding the proposed listing, making it necessary to 
solicit additional information by reopening the comment period for 60 
days. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are 
already incorporated into the public record and will be fully 
considered in the final rule. We will publish a listing determination 
on or before April 2, 2015.

DATES: The comment period end date is August 29, 2014. If you comment 
using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES), you must submit 
your comments by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter Docket No. FWS-R5-ES-
2011-0024, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, in the 
Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type 
heading, click on the Proposed Rules link to locate this document. You 
may submit a comment by clicking on ``Comment Now!'' If your comments 
will fit in the provided comment box, please use this feature of https://www.regulations.gov, as it is most compatible with our comment review 
procedures. If you attach your comments as a separate document, our 
preferred file format is Microsoft Word. If you attach multiple 
comments (such as form letters), our preferred format is a spreadsheet 
in Microsoft Excel.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: FWS-R5-ES-2011-0024; 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 information received on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any 
personal information you provide us (see the Information Requested 
section, below, for more details).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Mandell, Deputy Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities Ecological Services Office, 
4101 American Blvd. East, Bloomington, MN 55425; telephone (612) 725-
3548, ext. 2201; or facsimile (612) 725-3609. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On October 2, 2013, we published a proposed rule to list the 
northern long-eared bat as an endangered species (78 FR 61046) under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.). That proposal had a 60-day comment period, ending December 2, 
2013. On December 2, 2013, we extended the proposal's comment period 
for an additional 30 days, ending January 2, 2014 (78 FR 72058). For a 
description of previous Federal actions concerning the northern long-
eared bat, please refer to the October 2, 2013, proposed listing rule. 
We also solicited and received independent scientific review of the 
information contained in the proposed rule from peer reviewers with 
expertise in the northern long-eared bat or similar species biology, in 
accordance with our July 1, 1994, peer review policy (59 FR 34270).
    Section 4(b)(6) of the Act and its implementing regulations at 50 
CFR 424.17(a) require that we take one of three actions within 1 year 
of a proposed listing and concurrent proposed designation of critical 
habitat: (1) Finalize the proposed rule; (2) withdraw the proposed 
rule; or (3) extend the final determination by not more than 6 months, 
if there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or 
accuracy of the available data relevant to the determination.
    Since the publication of the October 2, 2013, proposed listing 
rule, there has been substantial disagreement regarding the best 
available science as it relates to the northern long-eared bat's 
current and predicted population trends and threats. Differing 
interpretations of the accuracy and sufficiency of the existing 
information on white-nose syndrome, which has been identified as the 
primary threat to the species, have led to disagreement regarding the 
current status of the species. In particular, some commenters raised 
questions regarding the certainty of scientific information used in the 
proposed listing rule. For example, some raised questions about: The 
probability and likely rate of white-nose syndrome spreading to 
currently unaffected areas; how or whether the disease will impact the 
northern long-eared bat in currently unaffected or recently affected 
areas within its range; or how existing scientific models predict such 
factors. Some commenters stated that some portions of the species' 
range where white-nose syndrome has been present in hibernacula for 
several years have yet to see declines in the species' numbers similar 
to what was observed in the Northeast.
    There is substantial scientific uncertainty and disagreement about 
the Service's analysis or interpretation of the data, specifically in 
how and to what extent white-nose syndrome will spread and affect the 
northern-long eared bat across its range, which has a bearing on our 
listing determination. As a result of these comments, we find that 
there is substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy 
of the available data relevant to our listing determination. Therefore, 
in consideration of these disagreements, we have determined that a 6-
month extension of the final determination for this rulemaking is 
necessary, and we are hereby extending the final determination for 6 
months in order to solicit and consider information that will help to 
clarify these issues and to fully analyze information regarding 
available data that are relevant to our

[[Page 36699]]

final listing determination. With this 6-month extension, we will make 
a final determination on the proposed rule no later than April 2, 2015.

Information Requested

    We will accept written comments and information during this 
reopened comment period on our proposed listing for the northern long-
eared bat that was published in the Federal Register on October 2, 2013 
(78 FR 61046). We will consider information and recommendations from 
all interested parties. We intend that any final action resulting from 
the proposal be as accurate as possible and based on the best available 
scientific and commercial data.
    In consideration of the scientific disagreements about the data 
used to support the proposed rulemaking, we are particularly interested 
in new information and comment regarding:
    (1) Whether we have appropriately interpreted the scientific 
studies cited in the proposed rule, and whether there is additional 
scientific information not considered in the proposal.
    (2) Northern long-eared bat population trends in each State or 
rangewide.
    (3) Information pertaining to white-nose syndrome, specifically:
    (a) The predicted probability that white-nose syndrome will spread 
to currently unaffected areas;
    (b) The predicted rate of white-nose syndrome spreading to 
currently unaffected areas;
    (c) The magnitude of impacts specifically to the northern long-
eared bat from white-nose syndrome, both in affected and currently 
unaffected areas; and
    (d) The timeframe of response to white-nose syndrome in recently 
affected or currently unaffected areas.
    (4) Conservation efforts for the northern long-eared bat that are 
planned or currently being implemented that were not already stated in 
comments submitted during the previous comment period.
    If you previously submitted comments or information on the proposed 
rule, please do not resubmit them. We have incorporated previously 
submitted comments into the public record, and we will fully consider 
them in the preparation of our final determination. Our final 
determination concerning the proposed listing will take into 
consideration all written comments and any additional information we 
receive.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section above. We 
request that you send comments only by the methods described in the 
ADDRESSES section.
    If you submit information via https://www.regulations.gov, your 
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will 
be posted on the Web site. If your submission is made via a hardcopy 
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. We 
will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov.
    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, or by appointment, 
during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Twin Cities Ecological Services Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT). You may obtain copies of the proposed rule on the Internet at 
https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R5-ES-2011-0024. Copies of 
the proposed rule are also available at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/mammals/nlba/.

Authority

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

    Dated: June 19, 2014.
Stephen Guertin,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15213 Filed 6-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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