Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon, 18639-18642 [2016-07227]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 62 / Thursday, March 31, 2016 / Notices
Alternative B complies with all major
Federal laws that apply to this type of
Federal action. The final CCP/EIS was
developed to comply with NEPA. The
CCP/EIS was developed with sufficient
detail to account for the greatest
potential impacts that could result from
proposed actions identified under all
alternatives. However, additional NEPA
analysis will be necessary for certain
types of actions, even once we adopt a
final CCP. We identified some of the
actions we anticipate will require
further NEPA analysis and public
involvement in chapter 3 of the final
CCP/EIS. Appendix M in the CCP
includes documentation of compliance
with the Coastal Zone Management Act
(Public Law 92–583, as amended);
Endangered Species Act (Public Law
93–205, as amended); and National
Historic Preservation Act (Public Law
89–665).
In summary, we selected alternative B
for implementation because it best
meets the factors identified above when
compared to alternatives A and C.
Alternative B provides the greatest
number of opportunities for Monomoy
NWR to contribute to the conservation
of fish, wildlife, habitat, and wilderness
resources at local, regional, and national
levels. It will also increase our capacity
to meet refuge purposes, contribute to
the Refuge System mission, and
enhance visitor use and enjoyment, and
it will provide the means to better
respond to changing ecological
conditions within the surrounding
environment.
Public Availability of Documents
You can view or obtain the final CCP
and ROD as indicated under ADDRESSES.
Dated: March 23, 2016.
Kenneth Elowe,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–07158 Filed 3–30–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
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[FWS–R5–ES–2015–N021;
FXES11130500000–167–FF05E00000]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the
Gulf of Maine Distinct Population
Segment of Atlantic Salmon
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability and
request for public comment.
AGENCY:
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We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft recovery plan for
the endangered Gulf of Maine Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of Atlantic
salmon. This draft plan has been
prepared jointly by the Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS). The draft recovery plan
includes specific recovery objectives
and a set of criteria that, when met,
would allow us to consider reclassifying
the DPS from endangered to threatened
under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (Act), and, ultimately,
to remove the GOM DPS of Atlantic
salmon from the Federal List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
We request review of and comment on
this draft recovery plan from Federal,
State, and local agencies; Tribes;
nongovernmental organizations; and the
public.
DATES: Submitting Comments: In order
to be considered, comments on the draft
recovery plan must be received by May
31, 2016.
Public Information Meetings:
Informational meetings in Maine have
been scheduled for April 19, 2016, from
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Brewer, and for
April 20, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30
p.m. in Waterville (see ADDRESSES).
Each meeting will include a
presentation on the draft recovery
proposals and a question and answer
period with staff from the Service and
NMFS.
ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: If
you wish to review the draft recovery
plan or have questions, you may contact
Steve Shepard, via U.S. mail at U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Field
Office, 17 Godfrey Drive, Suite 2, Orono,
ME 04473; via telephone at 207–866–
3344 x1116; or via email at steve_
shepard@fws.gov; or Dan Kircheis,
National Marine Fisheries Service, 17
Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473; via
telephone at 207–866–7320; or via email
at dan.kircheis@noaa.gov. You can also
download a copy by visiting https://
atlanticsalmonrestoration.org/
resources/documents/atlantic-salmonrecovery-plan-2015.
Submitting Comments: If you wish to
comment, you may submit your
comments by one of the following
methods:
1. You may mail written comments
and materials to Steve Shepard, at the
above address.
2. You may hand-deliver written
comments to Steve Shepard at the above
address, or fax them to 207–866–3351.
3. You may send comments by email
to steve_shepard@fws.gov.
4. You may submit handwritten
comments at either of the two public
SUMMARY:
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18639
information meetings announced in this
notice.
For additional information about
submitting comments, see Request for
Public Comments.
Public Information Meetings:
Meetings will be held in the following
Maine locations: at Jeff’s Catering, East/
West Industrial Park, 15 Littlefield Way
in Brewer, and at the Best Western
PLUS Motel, 375 Main Street, Exit 130
in Waterville. See DATES above for the
date and time of each meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Shepard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; or Dan Kircheis, National
Marine Fisheries Service (see
ADDRESSES).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
announce the availability of a draft
recovery plan for the endangered Gulf of
Maine (GOM) Distinct Population
Segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon
(Salmo salar). This draft plan has been
prepared jointly by the Service and the
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration. The draft
recovery plan includes specific recovery
objectives and a set of criteria that,
when met, would allow us to consider
reclassifying the DPS from endangered
to threatened under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act), and,
ultimately, to remove the GOM DPS of
Atlantic salmon from the Federal List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
The plan also includes site-specific
management actions and time and cost
estimates, as required by the Act. We
request review of and comment on this
draft recovery plan from Federal, State,
and local agencies; Tribes;
nongovernmental organizations; and the
public.
Background
The GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon was
originally listed as an endangered
species under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.) on November 17, 2000 (65 FR
69459), and a recovery plan for the DPS
was approved on December 2, 2005.
Based on a second status review, the
DPS listing was revised on June 19,
2009 (74 FR 29344), to cover an
expanded range that encompassed
additional large river systems in Maine
found to contain Atlantic salmon
population genetically similar to those
in the previously listed coastal river
populations. Critical habitat for the
GOM DPS was also designated at this
time (June 19, 2009; 74 FR 29300).
The expanded DPS includes all
anadromous Atlantic salmon in a
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 62 / Thursday, March 31, 2016 / Notices
freshwater range covering the
watersheds from the Androscoggin
River northward along the Maine coast
to the Dennys River. The listing
includes all associated conservation
hatchery populations used to
supplement these natural populations.
The critical habitat rule divided the DPS
range into three recovery units, termed
Salmon Habitat Recovery Units, or
SHRUs: (1) The Merrymeeting Bay
SHRU, which covers the Androscoggin
and Kennebec basins, and extends east
to include the Sheepscot, Pemaquid,
Medomak, and St. George watersheds;
(2) the Penobscot Bay SHRU, which
covers the entire Penobscot basin and
extends west to and includes the
Ducktrap watershed; and (3) the
Downeast SHRU, including all coastal
watersheds from the Union River east to
the Dennys River.
The 2009 listing rule recognized three
primary threats to Atlantic salmon:
Dams, inadequacy of regulatory
mechanisms related to dams, and
marine survival. In addition, numerous
secondary threats were identified,
including habitat quality and
accessibility, commercial and
recreational fisheries, disease and
predation, inadequacy of regulatory
mechanisms related to water
withdrawal and water quality,
aquaculture, artificial propagation,
climate change, competition, and
depleted diadromous fish communities.
Collectively, these stressors were
deemed a fourth major threat. Since
listing, our understanding of threats to
the DPS has continued to grow. New
and emerging threats, all of which are
considered to constitute significant
impediments to recovery, include road
stream crossings that impede fish
passage, international intercept
fisheries, and the effects of climate
change.
Restoring an endangered or
threatened animal or plant to the point
where it is again a secure, selfsustaining member of its ecosystem is a
primary goal of our endangered species
program. To help guide the recovery
effort, we prepare recovery plans for
most listed species.
Under the Act, to the maximum
extent practicable, recovery plans must
describe site-specific actions considered
necessary for conservation of the
species, establish criteria for delisting
the species, and provide time and cost
estimates for taking the actions
necessary to recover the species to the
point where it can be delisted.
The Act requires the development of
recovery plans for listed species, unless
such a plan would not promote the
conservation of a particular species.
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Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to
provide public notice and an
opportunity for public review and
comment during recovery plan
development. We will consider all input
provided during the public comment
period prior to approval of each new or
revised recovery plan. We and other
Federal agencies will also take these
comments into account in the course of
implementing approved recovery plans.
Recovery of the GOM DPS of Atlantic
salmon has been designated a joint
responsibility of the Service and NMFS,
with lead responsibility for this
recovery plan assigned to the Service.
We note that this draft recovery plan for
the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon
follows a new planning approach
endorsed by the Service and, for this
plan, by NMFS. The new approach,
termed the Recovery Enhancement
Vision (REV), focuses on the three
recovery plan elements required by the
Act: Site-specific management actions;
objective, measurable criteria for
delisting; and the estimated time and
costs needed to achieve delisting and
intermediate steps toward that goal. The
recovery actions are presented at the
scale of the SHRUs. These actions
address both survival and recovery
needs and are site-specific as required
by section 4(f)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, taking
into account both the comprehensive
nature and long timeframe needed to
reach reclassification and delisting
objectives.
All relevant supporting information
and analyses, as well as short-term
implementation strategies for the
recovery actions in the plan, are posted
on the Atlantic Salmon Restoration Web
site, at https://
atlanticsalmonrestoration.org/
resources/documents/atlantic-salmonrecovery-plan-2015. The draft plan
contains hyperlinks that allow readers
to readily access additional supporting
information, including SHRU-level
workplans, which can be updated as
needed. The SHRU-level workplans will
step down from the actions in the
recovery plan to address geographically
based needs in the short term. DPS-wide
or nonspatial actions (e.g., genetic
research) will also be stepped down to
short-term workplans. It is important to
note that while these workplans will
link back to the recovery plan, they are
not considered part of the recovery plan
itself.
Although REV recovery plans focus
on the Act’s statutory requirements, any
given plan may include additional
information deemed necessary by the
lead U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Region. For the Atlantic salmon
recovery plan, we have added
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background information that is highly
relevant to the long-term recovery
vision, as well as an implementation
table that outlines responsibilities and
costs for the actions described in the
plan. The various components
contained in the draft plan document
are briefly described below.
Recovery Plan Components
The draft recovery plan for GOM DPS
of Atlantic salmon focuses on the
following components: The recovery
strategy, recovery objectives and
criteria, recovery actions, and time and
cost estimates. The long-term recovery
strategy for the endangered Atlantic
salmon is based on two premises: First,
that recovery must focus on rivers and
estuaries located in the GOM DPS until
we better understand threats in the
marine environment, and second, that
survival of Atlantic salmon in the GOM
DPS will be dependent on conservation
hatcheries throughout much of the
recovery process. In addition, the
scientific foundation for the recovery
strategy includes conservation biology
principles regarding population
viability, our understanding of
freshwater habitat viability, and our
understanding of current and emerging
extinction risks. Other components of
the recovery strategy include adaptive
management, phasing of recovery
actions, a geographic framework based
upon the three SHRUs, and a
collaborative approach that focuses on
full inclusion of partners in
implementing recovery actions. Finally,
as previously described, short-term
recovery priorities stepping down from
the recovery plan will be formulated in
SHRU-level workplans; these are found
on the Web site and are not part of the
plan itself.
The recovery objectives and criteria in
the draft plan address biological
recovery needs, threats identified at the
time of listing, and newly emerging
threats. The reclassification objectives
are to maintain sustainable, naturally
reared populations with access to
sufficient suitable habitat in each SHRU,
to ensure that management options for
marine survival are better understood,
and to reduce or eliminate those threats
that either individually or in
combination pose a risk of imminent
extinction to the DPS. The delisting
objectives are to maintain selfsustaining, wild populations with
access to sufficient suitable habitat in
each SHRU, to ensure that necessary
management options for marine survival
are in place, and to sufficiently reduce
or eliminate all threats that either
individually or in combination pose a
risk of endangerment to the DPS.
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The biological criteria for meeting the
reclassification objectives include:
• A total annual escapement of at
least 1,500 naturally reared adults
spawning in the wild, with at least 2 of
the 3 SHRUs having at least 500
naturally reared adults. Annual
escapement refers to salmon that return
to the river and successfully reproduce
on the spawning grounds in a given
year. For the purposes of this plan,
naturally reared adults are individuals
originating from wild spawners and
hatchery eggs, fry, and parr. Egg and fry
stocked salmon are not given an
external mark, so when they return as
adults, it is not possible (except with
genetic testing) to differentiate them
from wild salmon;
• A population growth rate in each of
at least two of the three SHRUs of
greater than 1.0 in the 10-year period
preceding reclassification, with adults
originating from hatchery-stocked eggs,
fry, and parr included in population
growth rates; and
• Sufficient spawning and rearing
habitat for the offspring of the 1,500
naturally reared adults distributed
throughout designated Atlantic salmon
critical habitat, with at least 7,500
accessible and suitable habitat units
(HUs) in each of at least 2 of the 3
SHRUs, located according to the known
and potential migratory patterns of
returning salmon.
The biological criteria for meeting the
delisting objectives include:
• A self-sustaining annual
escapement of at least 2,000 wild adults
in each SHRU, for a DPS-wide total of
at least 6,000 wild adults. For the
purposes of this plan, wild salmon are
individuals that have spent their entire
life cycle in the wild and originate from
parents that were also spawned and
continuously lived in the wild;
• A population growth rate in each
SHRU of greater than 1.0 in the 10-year
period preceding delisting and, at the
time of delisting, demonstrable selfsustaining persistence; and
• Sufficient suitable spawning and
rearing habitat for the offspring of the
6,000 wild adults distributed
throughout the designated Atlantic
salmon critical habitat, with at least
30,000 accessible and suitable HUs in
each SHRU, located according to the
known migratory patterns of returning
wild adult salmon.
In addition to the biological recovery
criteria, the draft plan identifies several
criteria for abating both primary and
secondary threats to the DPS. Overall,
threats to the GOM DPS identified both
at the time of listing and since then
must be diminished prior to
reclassification and, to a greater extent,
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prior to delisting. All primary threats
must be individually abated according
to stated criteria, although recognition
of which threats are primary may
change over time. For secondary threats,
tradeoffs may be made in terms of
which criteria are met, as long as the
degree to which these threats are
collectively reduced sufficiently
diminishes the likelihood of extinction
and, ultimately, endangerment.
Adaptive management and collaborative
partnerships will be essential for
determining to what extent secondary
threats must be resolved in association
with abatement of primary threats.
To meet the recovery criteria and
achieve the recovery objectives for the
GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon, this draft
recovery plan focuses on the actions
necessary to achieve long-term viability
of DPS Atlantic salmon populations. We
note that these actions address both
short-term survival needs and long-term
recovery needs. Geographically based
actions will be further specified in
SHRU work plans, while research and
genetics management actions will be
addressed in rangewide implementation
strategies. The seven categories of
recovery actions for the DPS include:
1. Habitat Connectivity: Actions for
enhancing connectivity between the
ocean and freshwater habitats important
for salmon recovery.
2. Genetic Diversity: Actions for
maintaining the genetic diversity of
Atlantic salmon populations over time.
3. Conservation Hatchery: Actions for
increasing numbers of adult spawners
through the conservation hatchery
program.
4. Freshwater Conservation: Actions
for increasing numbers of adult
spawners through the freshwater
production of smolts.
5. Marine and Estuary: Actions for
increasing Atlantic salmon survival
through increased understanding of
these ecosystems and identification of
spatial and temporal constraints to
salmon marine productivity in order to
identify management actions that are
likely to increase marine survival rates.
6. Federal/Tribal Coordination:
Actions for consulting with all involved
Tribes on a government-to-government
basis.
7. Outreach, Education, and
Engagement: Actions for collaborating
with partners and engaging interested
parties in recovery efforts for the GOM
DPS.
The estimated time for fully
implementing all recovery actions and
achieving the goal of delisting the Gulf
of Maine DPS of Atlantic salmon is, very
roughly, 75 years from the present time.
This time frame accounts for
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18641
approximately 15 generations of salmon
and assumes a full investment of
resources into the recovery program for
the DPS.
Over the 75-year time frame, the total
cost of recovery is projected to be
approximately $350 million; again, this
is an extremely speculative estimate,
particularly given the uncertainties
surrounding recovery of this DPS. The
estimate assumes that costs of the
various actions will accrue unevenly
and that costs will diminish over time
as projects are completed and best
management practices are implemented.
It is equally difficult to estimate a time
and cost for reclassification because of
uncertainties associated with the
current significant threats to the species,
especially marine survival, and impacts
of climate change. A best-case scenario
based on the current reclassification
criteria is roughly 10 years. Under this
scenario, the estimated cost for
reclassification is estimated at
$140,428,000.
We emphasize that these time and
cost estimates are highly subject to
change and are not intended to serve
any purpose other than addressing our
obligation to provide the public with
our best understanding of the general
level of effort and expense that might be
needed to meet the ultimate recovery
goal of delisting. It is also important to
note the costs involved in implementing
recovery actions for the GOM DPS of
Atlantic salmon will provide other vital
ancillary benefits. These include but are
not limited to conservation of other
diadromous species in the Gulf of
Maine, improved water quality and flow
in salmon rivers, an enhanced
understanding of sustainable
management for numerous aquatic
resources, and a reduction of stressors
that affect not only Atlantic salmon but
general environmental quality.
Request for Public Comments
We request written comments on the
draft recovery plan. We will consider all
comments we receive by the date
specified in DATES prior to final
approval of the plan.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comments, you should be aware that
your entire submission—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
Although you can request in your
comment that we withhold your
personal information from public
examination, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
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Authority
I. Abstract
The authority for this action is section
4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16
U.S.C. 1533 (f).
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
owns, operates, and maintains three
electric power utilities that provide a
service to the end user. The BIA also
owns, operates, and maintains 15
irrigation projects that provide a service
to the end user. To be able to properly
bill for the services provided, the BIA
must collect customer information to
identify the individual responsible for
repaying the government the costs of
delivering the service, and billing for
those costs. Additional information
necessary for providing the service is
the location of the service delivery. The
Debt Collection Improvement Act of
1996 (DCIA) requires that certain
information be collected from
individuals and businesses doing
business with the government. This
information includes the taxpayer
identification number for possible
future use to recover delinquent debt.
To implement the DCIA requirement to
collect customer information, the BIA
has included a section concerning the
collection of information in its
regulations governing its electrical
power utilities (25 CFR 175) and in its
regulations governing its irrigation
projects (25 CFR 171).
Dated: March 14, 2016.
Kenneth D. Elowe,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2016–07227 Filed 3–30–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
[167 A2100DD/AAKC001030/A0A501010.
999900]
Renewal of Agency Information
Collection for Water Delivery and
Electric Service Data for the Operation
of Irrigation and Power Projects and
Systems
Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of submission to OMB.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) a request for renewal
of the collection of information for
Electrical Service Application,
authorized by OMB Control Number
1076–0021 and Water Request,
authorized by OMB Control Number
1076–0141. These information
collections expire March 31, 2016.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before May 2,
2016.
SUMMARY:
You may submit comments
on the information collections to the
Desk Officer for the Department of the
Interior at the Office of Management and
Budget, by facsimile to (202) 395–5806
or you may send an email to: OIRA_
Submission@omb.eop.gov. Please send a
copy of your comments to David Fisher,
P.E., Branch Chief Irrigation and Power,
Office of Trust Services, Division of
Water and Power, Denver West Office
Park Building 54, 13922 Denver West
Parkway, Suite 300, Lakewood,
Colorado 80401, email: david.fisher@
bia.gov.
ADDRESSES:
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Fisher, 303–231–5225. You may
review the information collection
requests online at https://
www.reginfo.gov. Follow the
instructions to review Department of the
Interior collections under review by
OMB.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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II. Request for Comments
The BIA requests your comments on
this collection concerning: (a) The
necessity of this information collection
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility; (b) The accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden (hours
and cost) of the collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(c) Ways we could enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (d) Ways we could
minimize the burden of the collection of
the information on the respondents.
Please note that an agency may not
conduct or sponsor, and an individual
need not respond to, a collection of
information unless it has a valid OMB
Control Number.
It is our policy to make all comments
available to the public for review at the
location listed in the ADDRESSES section.
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
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cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 1076–0021.
Title: Electrical Service Application,
25 CFR 175.
Brief Description of Collection: In
order for electric power consumers to be
served, information is needed by the
BIA to operate and maintain its electric
power utilities and fulfill reporting
requirements.
Section 175.6 and 175.22 of 25 CFR
part 175, Indian electric power utilities,
specifies the information collection
requirement. Power consumers must
apply for electric service. The
information to be collected includes:
Name; electric service location; and
other operational information identified
in the local administrative manuals. All
information is collected from each
electric power consumer.
Type of Review: Extension without
change of currently approved collection.
Respondents: BIA electric power
consumers—individuals.
Number of Respondents: 1,300 per
year.
Frequency of Response: The
information is collected once, unless the
respondent requests new electrical
service elsewhere or if it has been
disconnected for failure to pay their
electric bill.
Obligation to Respond: Responses are
required to receive or maintain a
benefit.
Estimated Time per Response: 1⁄2
hour.
Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden:
650 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Non-Hour
Dollar Cost: $0.
*
*
*
*
*
OMB Control Number: 1076–0141.
Title: Water Request, 25 CFR 171.
Brief Description of Collection: In
order for irrigators to receive water
deliveries, information is needed by the
BIA to operate and maintain its
irrigation projects and fulfill reporting
requirements. Section 171.140 and other
sections cited in section 171.40 of 25
CFR 171, [Irrigation] Operation and
Maintenance, specifies the information
collection requirement. Water users
must apply for water delivery and for a
number of other associated services,
such as, subsidizing a farm unit,
requesting leaching service, requesting
water for domestic or stock purposes,
building structures or fences in BIA
rights-of-way, requesting payment plans
on bills, establishing a carriage
agreement with a third-party,
negotiating irrigation incentives leases,
and requesting an assessment waiver.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18639-18642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07227]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R5-ES-2015-N021; FXES11130500000-167-FF05E00000]
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery
Plan for the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic
Salmon
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft recovery plan for the endangered Gulf of Maine
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon. This draft plan
has been prepared jointly by the Service and the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS). The draft recovery plan includes specific
recovery objectives and a set of criteria that, when met, would allow
us to consider reclassifying the DPS from endangered to threatened
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and,
ultimately, to remove the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon from the Federal
List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. We request review of and
comment on this draft recovery plan from Federal, State, and local
agencies; Tribes; nongovernmental organizations; and the public.
DATES: Submitting Comments: In order to be considered, comments on the
draft recovery plan must be received by May 31, 2016.
Public Information Meetings: Informational meetings in Maine have
been scheduled for April 19, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in
Brewer, and for April 20, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in
Waterville (see ADDRESSES). Each meeting will include a presentation on
the draft recovery proposals and a question and answer period with
staff from the Service and NMFS.
ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: If you wish to review the draft
recovery plan or have questions, you may contact Steve Shepard, via
U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Field Office, 17
Godfrey Drive, Suite 2, Orono, ME 04473; via telephone at 207-866-3344
x1116; or via email at steve_shepard@fws.gov; or Dan Kircheis, National
Marine Fisheries Service, 17 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473; via
telephone at 207-866-7320; or via email at dan.kircheis@noaa.gov. You
can also download a copy by visiting https://atlanticsalmonrestoration.org/resources/documents/atlantic-salmon-recovery-plan-2015.
Submitting Comments: If you wish to comment, you may submit your
comments by one of the following methods:
1. You may mail written comments and materials to Steve Shepard, at
the above address.
2. You may hand-deliver written comments to Steve Shepard at the
above address, or fax them to 207-866-3351.
3. You may send comments by email to steve_shepard@fws.gov.
4. You may submit handwritten comments at either of the two public
information meetings announced in this notice.
For additional information about submitting comments, see Request
for Public Comments.
Public Information Meetings: Meetings will be held in the following
Maine locations: at Jeff's Catering, East/West Industrial Park, 15
Littlefield Way in Brewer, and at the Best Western PLUS Motel, 375 Main
Street, Exit 130 in Waterville. See DATES above for the date and time
of each meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Shepard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; or Dan Kircheis, National Marine Fisheries Service (see
ADDRESSES).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for the
endangered Gulf of Maine (GOM) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). This draft plan has been prepared
jointly by the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The draft
recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and a set of
criteria that, when met, would allow us to consider reclassifying the
DPS from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act), and, ultimately, to
remove the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon from the Federal List of
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The plan also includes site-
specific management actions and time and cost estimates, as required by
the Act. We request review of and comment on this draft recovery plan
from Federal, State, and local agencies; Tribes; nongovernmental
organizations; and the public.
Background
The GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon was originally listed as an
endangered species under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) on November
17, 2000 (65 FR 69459), and a recovery plan for the DPS was approved on
December 2, 2005. Based on a second status review, the DPS listing was
revised on June 19, 2009 (74 FR 29344), to cover an expanded range that
encompassed additional large river systems in Maine found to contain
Atlantic salmon population genetically similar to those in the
previously listed coastal river populations. Critical habitat for the
GOM DPS was also designated at this time (June 19, 2009; 74 FR 29300).
The expanded DPS includes all anadromous Atlantic salmon in a
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freshwater range covering the watersheds from the Androscoggin River
northward along the Maine coast to the Dennys River. The listing
includes all associated conservation hatchery populations used to
supplement these natural populations. The critical habitat rule divided
the DPS range into three recovery units, termed Salmon Habitat Recovery
Units, or SHRUs: (1) The Merrymeeting Bay SHRU, which covers the
Androscoggin and Kennebec basins, and extends east to include the
Sheepscot, Pemaquid, Medomak, and St. George watersheds; (2) the
Penobscot Bay SHRU, which covers the entire Penobscot basin and extends
west to and includes the Ducktrap watershed; and (3) the Downeast SHRU,
including all coastal watersheds from the Union River east to the
Dennys River.
The 2009 listing rule recognized three primary threats to Atlantic
salmon: Dams, inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms related to dams, and
marine survival. In addition, numerous secondary threats were
identified, including habitat quality and accessibility, commercial and
recreational fisheries, disease and predation, inadequacy of regulatory
mechanisms related to water withdrawal and water quality, aquaculture,
artificial propagation, climate change, competition, and depleted
diadromous fish communities. Collectively, these stressors were deemed
a fourth major threat. Since listing, our understanding of threats to
the DPS has continued to grow. New and emerging threats, all of which
are considered to constitute significant impediments to recovery,
include road stream crossings that impede fish passage, international
intercept fisheries, and the effects of climate change.
Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point
where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem is
a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help guide the
recovery effort, we prepare recovery plans for most listed species.
Under the Act, to the maximum extent practicable, recovery plans
must describe site-specific actions considered necessary for
conservation of the species, establish criteria for delisting the
species, and provide time and cost estimates for taking the actions
necessary to recover the species to the point where it can be delisted.
The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed
species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a
particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide
public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during
recovery plan development. We will consider all input provided during
the public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised
recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will also take these
comments into account in the course of implementing approved recovery
plans.
Recovery of the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon has been designated a
joint responsibility of the Service and NMFS, with lead responsibility
for this recovery plan assigned to the Service. We note that this draft
recovery plan for the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon follows a new planning
approach endorsed by the Service and, for this plan, by NMFS. The new
approach, termed the Recovery Enhancement Vision (REV), focuses on the
three recovery plan elements required by the Act: Site-specific
management actions; objective, measurable criteria for delisting; and
the estimated time and costs needed to achieve delisting and
intermediate steps toward that goal. The recovery actions are presented
at the scale of the SHRUs. These actions address both survival and
recovery needs and are site-specific as required by section
4(f)(1)(B)(i) of the Act, taking into account both the comprehensive
nature and long timeframe needed to reach reclassification and
delisting objectives.
All relevant supporting information and analyses, as well as short-
term implementation strategies for the recovery actions in the plan,
are posted on the Atlantic Salmon Restoration Web site, at https://atlanticsalmonrestoration.org/resources/documents/atlantic-salmon-recovery-plan-2015. The draft plan contains hyperlinks that allow
readers to readily access additional supporting information, including
SHRU-level workplans, which can be updated as needed. The SHRU-level
workplans will step down from the actions in the recovery plan to
address geographically based needs in the short term. DPS-wide or
nonspatial actions (e.g., genetic research) will also be stepped down
to short-term workplans. It is important to note that while these
workplans will link back to the recovery plan, they are not considered
part of the recovery plan itself.
Although REV recovery plans focus on the Act's statutory
requirements, any given plan may include additional information deemed
necessary by the lead U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region. For the
Atlantic salmon recovery plan, we have added background information
that is highly relevant to the long-term recovery vision, as well as an
implementation table that outlines responsibilities and costs for the
actions described in the plan. The various components contained in the
draft plan document are briefly described below.
Recovery Plan Components
The draft recovery plan for GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon focuses on
the following components: The recovery strategy, recovery objectives
and criteria, recovery actions, and time and cost estimates. The long-
term recovery strategy for the endangered Atlantic salmon is based on
two premises: First, that recovery must focus on rivers and estuaries
located in the GOM DPS until we better understand threats in the marine
environment, and second, that survival of Atlantic salmon in the GOM
DPS will be dependent on conservation hatcheries throughout much of the
recovery process. In addition, the scientific foundation for the
recovery strategy includes conservation biology principles regarding
population viability, our understanding of freshwater habitat
viability, and our understanding of current and emerging extinction
risks. Other components of the recovery strategy include adaptive
management, phasing of recovery actions, a geographic framework based
upon the three SHRUs, and a collaborative approach that focuses on full
inclusion of partners in implementing recovery actions. Finally, as
previously described, short-term recovery priorities stepping down from
the recovery plan will be formulated in SHRU-level workplans; these are
found on the Web site and are not part of the plan itself.
The recovery objectives and criteria in the draft plan address
biological recovery needs, threats identified at the time of listing,
and newly emerging threats. The reclassification objectives are to
maintain sustainable, naturally reared populations with access to
sufficient suitable habitat in each SHRU, to ensure that management
options for marine survival are better understood, and to reduce or
eliminate those threats that either individually or in combination pose
a risk of imminent extinction to the DPS. The delisting objectives are
to maintain self-sustaining, wild populations with access to sufficient
suitable habitat in each SHRU, to ensure that necessary management
options for marine survival are in place, and to sufficiently reduce or
eliminate all threats that either individually or in combination pose a
risk of endangerment to the DPS.
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The biological criteria for meeting the reclassification objectives
include:
A total annual escapement of at least 1,500 naturally
reared adults spawning in the wild, with at least 2 of the 3 SHRUs
having at least 500 naturally reared adults. Annual escapement refers
to salmon that return to the river and successfully reproduce on the
spawning grounds in a given year. For the purposes of this plan,
naturally reared adults are individuals originating from wild spawners
and hatchery eggs, fry, and parr. Egg and fry stocked salmon are not
given an external mark, so when they return as adults, it is not
possible (except with genetic testing) to differentiate them from wild
salmon;
A population growth rate in each of at least two of the
three SHRUs of greater than 1.0 in the 10-year period preceding
reclassification, with adults originating from hatchery-stocked eggs,
fry, and parr included in population growth rates; and
Sufficient spawning and rearing habitat for the offspring
of the 1,500 naturally reared adults distributed throughout designated
Atlantic salmon critical habitat, with at least 7,500 accessible and
suitable habitat units (HUs) in each of at least 2 of the 3 SHRUs,
located according to the known and potential migratory patterns of
returning salmon.
The biological criteria for meeting the delisting objectives
include:
A self-sustaining annual escapement of at least 2,000 wild
adults in each SHRU, for a DPS-wide total of at least 6,000 wild
adults. For the purposes of this plan, wild salmon are individuals that
have spent their entire life cycle in the wild and originate from
parents that were also spawned and continuously lived in the wild;
A population growth rate in each SHRU of greater than 1.0
in the 10-year period preceding delisting and, at the time of
delisting, demonstrable self-sustaining persistence; and
Sufficient suitable spawning and rearing habitat for the
offspring of the 6,000 wild adults distributed throughout the
designated Atlantic salmon critical habitat, with at least 30,000
accessible and suitable HUs in each SHRU, located according to the
known migratory patterns of returning wild adult salmon.
In addition to the biological recovery criteria, the draft plan
identifies several criteria for abating both primary and secondary
threats to the DPS. Overall, threats to the GOM DPS identified both at
the time of listing and since then must be diminished prior to
reclassification and, to a greater extent, prior to delisting. All
primary threats must be individually abated according to stated
criteria, although recognition of which threats are primary may change
over time. For secondary threats, tradeoffs may be made in terms of
which criteria are met, as long as the degree to which these threats
are collectively reduced sufficiently diminishes the likelihood of
extinction and, ultimately, endangerment. Adaptive management and
collaborative partnerships will be essential for determining to what
extent secondary threats must be resolved in association with abatement
of primary threats.
To meet the recovery criteria and achieve the recovery objectives
for the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon, this draft recovery plan focuses on
the actions necessary to achieve long-term viability of DPS Atlantic
salmon populations. We note that these actions address both short-term
survival needs and long-term recovery needs. Geographically based
actions will be further specified in SHRU work plans, while research
and genetics management actions will be addressed in rangewide
implementation strategies. The seven categories of recovery actions for
the DPS include:
1. Habitat Connectivity: Actions for enhancing connectivity between
the ocean and freshwater habitats important for salmon recovery.
2. Genetic Diversity: Actions for maintaining the genetic diversity
of Atlantic salmon populations over time.
3. Conservation Hatchery: Actions for increasing numbers of adult
spawners through the conservation hatchery program.
4. Freshwater Conservation: Actions for increasing numbers of adult
spawners through the freshwater production of smolts.
5. Marine and Estuary: Actions for increasing Atlantic salmon
survival through increased understanding of these ecosystems and
identification of spatial and temporal constraints to salmon marine
productivity in order to identify management actions that are likely to
increase marine survival rates.
6. Federal/Tribal Coordination: Actions for consulting with all
involved Tribes on a government-to-government basis.
7. Outreach, Education, and Engagement: Actions for collaborating
with partners and engaging interested parties in recovery efforts for
the GOM DPS.
The estimated time for fully implementing all recovery actions and
achieving the goal of delisting the Gulf of Maine DPS of Atlantic
salmon is, very roughly, 75 years from the present time. This time
frame accounts for approximately 15 generations of salmon and assumes a
full investment of resources into the recovery program for the DPS.
Over the 75-year time frame, the total cost of recovery is
projected to be approximately $350 million; again, this is an extremely
speculative estimate, particularly given the uncertainties surrounding
recovery of this DPS. The estimate assumes that costs of the various
actions will accrue unevenly and that costs will diminish over time as
projects are completed and best management practices are implemented.
It is equally difficult to estimate a time and cost for
reclassification because of uncertainties associated with the current
significant threats to the species, especially marine survival, and
impacts of climate change. A best-case scenario based on the current
reclassification criteria is roughly 10 years. Under this scenario, the
estimated cost for reclassification is estimated at $140,428,000.
We emphasize that these time and cost estimates are highly subject
to change and are not intended to serve any purpose other than
addressing our obligation to provide the public with our best
understanding of the general level of effort and expense that might be
needed to meet the ultimate recovery goal of delisting. It is also
important to note the costs involved in implementing recovery actions
for the GOM DPS of Atlantic salmon will provide other vital ancillary
benefits. These include but are not limited to conservation of other
diadromous species in the Gulf of Maine, improved water quality and
flow in salmon rivers, an enhanced understanding of sustainable
management for numerous aquatic resources, and a reduction of stressors
that affect not only Atlantic salmon but general environmental quality.
Request for Public Comments
We request written comments on the draft recovery plan. We will
consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES prior
to final approval of the plan.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be
aware that your entire submission--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. Although you
can request in your comment that we withhold your personal information
from public examination, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do
so.
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Authority
The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533 (f).
Dated: March 14, 2016.
Kenneth D. Elowe,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2016-07227 Filed 3-30-16; 8:45 am]
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