Public Land Order No. 7848; Extension of Public Land Order No. 7179, California, 3818-3819 [2016-01295]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2016 / Notices
We are making available the final
environmental assessment (EA) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI)
under the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) for an application
submitted by Dallas Zoo Management
for a permit to import up to 18 live
African elephants (Loxadonta africana)
from Swaziland. The elephants will be
housed at the Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas;
Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas;
and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha,
Nebraska. The requested permit would
authorize the importation, under the
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES) (27 U.S.T. 1087), of up to
3 adult females, 3 subadult males, and
12 subadult females. CITES is an
international treaty designed to regulate
international trade in certain animal and
plant species that are affected by trade
and are now, or potentially may
become, threatened with extinction.
These species are listed in the
Appendices to CITES, which are
available on the CITES Secretariat’s Web
site at https://www.cites.org. African
elephants in Swaziland are listed in
CITES Appendix I. The Service’s
regulations implementing CITES are
found at title 50 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) in part 23.
The African elephant is also classified
as threatened under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), with a rule under
section 4(d) of the ESA at 50 CFR
17.40(e). To import African elephants
into the United States, ESA and CITES
requirements must be met. Pursuant to
the ESA section 4(d) rule for the African
elephant (50 CFR 17.40(e)(3)(i)), live
elephants may be imported if all
requirements under Service regulations
at 50 CFR part 13 (general permitting)
and 50 CFR part 23 (CITES) are met.
Issuance of a CITES import permit is
categorically excluded under
Department of the Interior internal
agency policy and procedures from
requiring completion of an EA under
NEPA (Departmental Manual Part 516,
Chapter 8.5(C)(1)). However, we decided
to prepare an EA in this case to help
ensure that we have conducted a
thorough review of all relevant factors
and potential impacts on the quality of
the human environment as envisioned
under NEPA.
We announced the availability of the
draft EA in a notice published in the
Federal Register on October 22, 2015
(80 FR 64008). The EA considered the
direct, indirect, and cumulative effects
of the importation of up to 18 live
elephants from Swaziland, including
the measures that would be
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implemented to minimize and mitigate
the impacts of the importation and
housing of these animals. We received
more than 8,000 comments on the draft
EA; they may be found at https://
www.regulations.gov in Docket No.
FWS–HQ–IA–2015–0157.
Proposed Action
The proposed action is the issuance of
a CITES permit by the Service for the
importation of up to 18 African
elephants from Swaziland. The
elephants are currently housed in an
enclosure at the Mkhaya Game Reserve,
Swaziland. The elephants were removed
from Mkhaya Game Reserve and Hlane
National Park, Swaziland, due to
overpopulation of elephants within the
two protected areas and the negative
impact the elephants were having on the
vegetation and other wildlife species.
Big Game Parks (BPG), the delegated
authority responsible for
implementation of Swaziland’s Game
Act of 1953, has determined that the
number of elephants in the two
protected areas must be reduced.
Further, the reduction in the number of
elephants within each of the protected
areas will facilitate BGP’s efforts to
increase the population of black
rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), a critically
endangered species, within the two
protected areas.
Alternatives
We also considered two alternatives
to the proposed action:
1. No Action—No CITES import
permit would be issued. According to
the applicant and BGP, the 18 elephants
will not be returned to the two protected
areas. Instead, if importation is not
authorized, BGP has stated that they
have no option but to cull the animals.
2. Issue a CITES import permit for a
reduced number of elephants—This
alternative is similar to the Proposed
Action, in that the Service would issue
an import permit, but the number of
elephants authorized for import would
be reduced. This alternative could result
in some elephants being imported into
the United States and housed at one or
more of the three zoos. However,
according to the applicant and BGP, the
elephants that are not imported into the
United States would be culled.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The proposed action of issuing the
import permit for the 18 elephants is the
preferred action. As evaluated in the
EA, the proposed action is not expected
to result in significant effects to the
human environment within the meaning
of NEPA and the regulations of the
Council on Environmental Quality.
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Although we describe potential actions
and consequences that could flow from
each of the alternatives, we find there is
no basis to infer that any such effects,
even viewed broadly, will be significant.
Therefore, based on a review and
evaluation of the information contained
in the EA, it is the Service’s
determination that the issuance of a
permit authorizing the import of 18
African elephants from Swaziland will
not have a significant effect on the
quality of the human environment
under the meaning of section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (as amended). As such, an
Environmental Impact Statement is not
required.
Authority
We provide this notice under NEPA
and its implementing regulations (40
CFR 1506.6).
Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch
of Permits, Division of Management
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2016–01226 Filed 1–21–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCA930000 L14400000.ET0000; CACA
032220]
Public Land Order No. 7848; Extension
of Public Land Order No. 7179,
California
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Public Land Order.
AGENCY:
This order extends the
duration of the withdrawal created by
Public Land Order No. 7179 for an
additional 20-year period. The
extension is necessary to continue
protection of the seismic integrity of the
University of California–Berkeley
Seismic Observatory located in the
Klamath National Forest, Siskiyou
County which will expire on January 24,
2016, unless extended.
DATES: This withdrawal extension is
effective on January 25, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nathan Price, United States Forest
Service, Regional Office, R5, 1323 Club
Drive, Vallejo, California 94592, 707–
562–8963, or Elizabeth Easley, Bureau
of Land Management California State
Office (CA–930), Federal Building
(Room W–1928), 2800 Cottage Way,
Sacramento, California 95825–1886;
916–979–4673. Persons who use a
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2016 / Notices
telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Information
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339
to contact either of the above
individuals. The FIRS is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a
message or question with the above
individual. You will receive a reply
during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose for the extension of the
duration of the withdrawal created by
Public Land Order No. 7179 is to
continue protecting seismic monitoring
instruments and the seismic integrity of
the University of California–Berkeley
Seismic Observatory, located on 45
acres of National Forest System land,
from future mining activities that either
disturb the seismic equipment or create
seismic noise in the general area that
would interfere with the accuracy of the
seismograph.
Order
By virtue of the authority vested in
the Secretary of the Interior by Section
204 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C.
1714, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Public Land Order No. 7179 (61 FR
2137 (1996)) which withdrew 45 acres
of National Forest System land from
location and entry under the United
States mining laws, but not from leasing
under the mineral leasing laws to
protect the seismic integrity of the
University of California–Berkeley
Seismic Observatory, is hereby extended
for an additional 20-year period. This
withdrawal will expire on January 24,
2036, unless, as a result of a review
conducted before the expiration date
pursuant to Section 204(f) of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of
1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714(f), the Secretary
determines that the withdrawal shall be
further extended.
Dated: January 10, 2016.
Janice M. Schneider,
Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals
Management.
[FR Doc. 2016–01295 Filed 1–21–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
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[Investigation No. 332–556]
Generalized System of Preferences:
Possible Modifications, 2015 Review
United States International
Trade Commission.
ACTION: Expansion of scope of the
investigation.
AGENCY:
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Following receipt of an
amended request on January 12, 2016,
from the United States Trade
Representative (USTR), the U.S.
International Trade Commission
(Commission) has expanded the scope
of investigation No. 332–556,
Generalized System of Preferences:
Possible Modifications, 2015 Review, to
include five additional HTS statistical
reporting numbers relating to certain
handbags and travel goods products:
4202.92.30.20; 4202.92.30.31;
4202.92.30.91; 4202.92.90.26; and
4202.92.90.60. The USTR asked that the
Commission provide its advice as to the
probable economic effect on total U.S.
imports, U.S. industries producing like
or directly competitive articles, and on
U.S. consumers of the elimination of
U.S. import duties on these five articles
for all beneficiary developing countries
under the GSP program, least-developed
beneficiary developing countries
(LDBDCs), beneficiary developing
countries of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act (AGOA), and both
LDBDCs and AGOA beneficiary
developing countries combined under
the GSP program. In his January 12,
2016 letter, the USTR also requested
that the Commission provide its advice
with respect to whether like or directly
competitive products were being
produced in the United States on
January 1, 1995 for these additional 5
articles as well as for all of the products
being considered for addition to and
removal from the list of GSP-eligible
products listed in Tables A and B of the
Annex to the December 30, 2015 request
letter.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices,
including the Commission’s hearing
rooms, are located in the United States
International Trade Commission
Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington,
DC. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, United
States International Trade Commission,
500 E Street SW., Washington, DC
20436. The public record for this
investigation may be viewed on the
Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
at https://www.usitc.gov/secretary/
edis.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Information specific to this investigation
may be obtained from Mahnaz Khan,
Project Leader, Office of Industries
(202–205–2046 or mahnaz.khan@
usitc.gov), Jessica Pugliese, Deputy
Project Leader, Office of Industries
(202–205–3064 or jessica.pugliese@
usitc.gov), or Cynthia Foreso, Technical
Advisor, Office of Industries (202–205–
3348 or cynthia.foreso@usitc.gov). For
information on the legal aspects of this
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3819
investigation, contact William Gearhart
of the Commission’s Office of the
General Counsel (202–205–3091 or
william.gearhart@usitc.gov). The media
should contact Margaret O’Laughlin,
Office of External Relations (202–205–
1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov).
Hearing-impaired individuals may
obtain information on this matter by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal at 202–205–1810. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
Web site (https://www.usitc.gov). Persons
with mobility impairments who will
need special assistance in gaining access
to the Commission should contact the
Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000.
Background
The Commission initially instituted
this investigation in response to a
request letter from the USTR dated
December 30, 2015. The Commission
published notice of institution of this
investigation and the scheduling of a
public hearing in the Federal Register
on January 19, 2016 (81 FR 2904). As
previously announced, the public
hearing in this investigation will be held
on February 24, 2016, and it will
include the articles covered by the five
additional HTS statistical reporting
numbers as well as the articles
described in the January 19, 2016
notice. The deadlines for filing requests
to appear at the public hearing
(February 1, 2016), pre-hearing briefs
and statements (February 3, 2016), posthearing briefs and all other written
submissions in this investigation
(February 29, 2016) remain the same as
previously announced. All other
information in the January 19, 2016,
notice remains the same, including with
respect to the procedures relating to the
filing of written submissions and the
submission of confidential business
information.
The Commission expects to transmit
its report to the USTR by April 28, 2016,
the date indicated in the earlier notice).
By order of the Commission.
Issued: January 19, 2016.
Lisa R. Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2016–01267 Filed 1–21–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 14 (Friday, January 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3818-3819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01295]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLCA930000 L14400000.ET0000; CACA 032220]
Public Land Order No. 7848; Extension of Public Land Order No.
7179, California
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.
ACTION: Public Land Order.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This order extends the duration of the withdrawal created by
Public Land Order No. 7179 for an additional 20-year period. The
extension is necessary to continue protection of the seismic integrity
of the University of California-Berkeley Seismic Observatory located in
the Klamath National Forest, Siskiyou County which will expire on
January 24, 2016, unless extended.
DATES: This withdrawal extension is effective on January 25, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan Price, United States Forest
Service, Regional Office, R5, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, California
94592, 707-562-8963, or Elizabeth Easley, Bureau of Land Management
California State Office (CA-930), Federal Building (Room W-1928), 2800
Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825-1886; 916-979-4673. Persons
who use a
[[Page 3819]]
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact either of
the above individuals. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You
will receive a reply during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose for the extension of the
duration of the withdrawal created by Public Land Order No. 7179 is to
continue protecting seismic monitoring instruments and the seismic
integrity of the University of California-Berkeley Seismic Observatory,
located on 45 acres of National Forest System land, from future mining
activities that either disturb the seismic equipment or create seismic
noise in the general area that would interfere with the accuracy of the
seismograph.
Order
By virtue of the authority vested in the Secretary of the Interior
by Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976,
43 U.S.C. 1714, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Public Land Order No. 7179 (61 FR 2137 (1996)) which withdrew 45
acres of National Forest System land from location and entry under the
United States mining laws, but not from leasing under the mineral
leasing laws to protect the seismic integrity of the University of
California-Berkeley Seismic Observatory, is hereby extended for an
additional 20-year period. This withdrawal will expire on January 24,
2036, unless, as a result of a review conducted before the expiration
date pursuant to Section 204(f) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714(f), the Secretary determines
that the withdrawal shall be further extended.
Dated: January 10, 2016.
Janice M. Schneider,
Assistant Secretary--Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2016-01295 Filed 1-21-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
