Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Public Meeting, 93704-93705 [2016-30749]
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93704
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 21, 2016 / Notices
inconsistent with the requirements of
the ESA.
Response 3: Some commenters took
issue with the explanations in the
Handbook, particularly in Chapter 9, of
the ESA requirement that applicants
must ‘‘to the maximum extent
practicable, minimize and mitigate the
impacts of’’ permitted taking. Some
commenters interpreted these
explanations and related discussions of
the concept of ‘‘fully offset,’’ as creating
an alternative or substitute for the ESA’s
statutory ‘‘maximum extent practicable’’
standard. However, the Handbook
explains the ESA standard and clarifies
the discussion that was in the 1996
Handbook. It does not establish a new
or alternative standard for minimization
and mitigation.
We acknowledge that the manner in
which this topic was presented in the
draft may be confusing. Therefore, we
have modified the language to provide
clearer guidance that is consistent with
the ESA’s ‘‘maximum extent
practicable’’ standard. We have also
revised the language to better explain
how applicants can meet the ESA’s
‘‘maximum extent practicable’’
standard.
Comment 4: The guidance on climate
change in the Handbook goes too far.
Applicants should not have to come up
with complex models or complex global
climate change scenarios.
Response 4: We have clarified that
climate change effects that could impact
the applicant’s proposed conservation
strategy and the durability of mitigation
should be considered in the HCP. In
addition, we changed all references of
‘‘climate change’’ to ‘‘climate change
effects,’’ in order to reduce confusion.
Furthermore, applicants are not
responsible for addressing climate
change at a global scale.
Regarding the comments concerning
complex modeling, we suggest the use
of various models to help applicants
consider the effects of climate change
while developing their conservation
strategy. The Handbook does not impose
a requirement to use specific models.
Comment 5: The draft HCP Handbook
undermines the ‘‘No Surprises’’ rule.
Response 5: One of our main goals
with this HCP Handbook revision was to
incorporate lessons learned throughout
our 30 years of program implementation
in order to better address the possibility
of changed or unforeseen circumstances
by using tools such as adaptive
management and better advance
planning. With ‘‘No Surprises,’’ State
and private landowners are assured that
if ‘‘unforeseen circumstances’’ arise, the
Services will not require the
commitment of additional activities or
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18:38 Dec 20, 2016
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additional restrictions beyond the level
otherwise agreed to in the HCP without
the consent of the permit holder.
The Handbook does not change or
undermine the ‘‘no surprises’’ rule, but
rather it encourages applicants to
consider a robust list of potential
changed and unforeseen circumstances
that could arise during the permit term.
This will ensure successful
implementation of the HCP and help to
ensure that the conservation strategy
and mitigation plan will endure in
perpetuity, as required by the incidental
take permit issuance criteria. We have
provided clarifying language regarding
the ‘‘No Surprises’’ rule.
Comment 6: The term ‘‘mitigation’’ is
used throughout the Handbook, and
there is no clear description about what
mitigation actually means.
Response 6: The Handbook treats
mitigation in a manner consistent with
the requirements and legal authorities
provided by the ESA. We acknowledge
that our use of the term ‘‘mitigation’’ in
the draft was sometimes confusing. We
have clarified our treatment of the ESA
section 10 mitigation requirements and
also provided additional background,
including the definition of mitigation
and general principles of Federal
mitigation policy as described in the
November 3, 2015, Presidential
Memorandum on mitigation. These
clarifications can be found primarily in
Chapter 9.
Comment 7: Please clarify whether
the HCP Handbook is guidance or
policy.
Response 7: The HCP Handbook is a
Services guidance document that
includes reference to respective agency
policies (and citations) where
appropriate.
Comment 8: Contrary to the
statements in the Handbook, the
Services cannot require that all ESAlisted species that applicants expect
they may take from proposed covered
activities be covered by the HCP and
incidental take permit. The Services
should clarify that it is up to applicants
to decide which species to include as
covered species.
Comment 8: Ultimately, it is the
Services who determine if the
applicant’s incidental take permit
application is complete. If the
application does not include all of the
ESA-listed wildlife species that we are
reasonably certain may be taken as a
result of the covered activities, then the
Services would consider the application
incomplete. Therefore, to ensure the
applicant provides a complete
incidental take permit application, the
revised final version of the Handbook
states, ‘‘The Services require applicants
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to include as HCP-covered species all
ESA-listed wildlife species for which
incidental take is reasonably certain to
occur, unless take is addressed through
a separate ESA mechanism (e.g., section
7 consultation with another Federal
agency, separate incidental take permit,
etc.), or to explain or demonstrate in the
HCP why the applicant does not
anticipate take or will avoid take during
implementation of covered activities
(e.g., inclusion of measures that will
avoid potential for take).’’ In the view of
the Services, this best reflects the
language, structure, and congressional
purposes of ESA section 10 and the ESA
as a whole. In addition, it is important
to note that section 9 prohibitions make
it illegal for any person subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States to take
any wildlife species listed as
endangered (and threatened through
FWS regulations), without written
authorization.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: December 7, 2016.
James W. Kurth,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
Dated: December 8, 2016
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–30673 Filed 12–20–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–HQ–R–2016–N214];
[FXGO1664091HCC0–FF09D00000–178]
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage
Conservation Council; Public Meeting
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, announce a public
meeting of the Wildlife and Hunting
Heritage Conservation Council
(Council). The Council provides advice
about wildlife and habitat conservation
endeavors that benefit wildlife
resources; encourage partnership among
the public, sporting conservation
organizations, States, Native American
tribes, and the Federal Government; and
benefit recreational hunting.
DATES: Meeting: Tuesday, February 7,
2017, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and
Wednesday, February 8, 2017, from 8
a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).
For deadlines and directions on
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 21, 2016 / Notices
registering to attend, submitting written
material, and giving an oral
presentation, please see Public Input
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
Room 5160 at the Main Interior
Building, 1849 C Street NW.,
Washington DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joshua Winchell, Council Designated
Federal Officer, by U.S. mail at the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, National
Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg
Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803; by
telephone at (703) 358–2639; or by
email at joshua_winchell@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the requirements of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5
U.S.C. App., we announce that the
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage
Conservation Council will hold a
meeting.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
Formed in February 2010, the Council
provides advice about wildlife and
habitat conservation endeavors that:
1. Benefit wildlife resources;
2. Encourage partnership among the
public, sporting conservation
organizations, States, Native American
tribes, and the Federal Government; and
3. Benefit recreational hunting.
The Council advises the Secretary of
the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture, reporting through the
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), in consultation with the
Director, Bureau of Land Management
(BLM); Director, National Park Service
(NPS); Chief, Forest Service (USFS);
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS); and Administrator,
Farm Services Agency (FSA). The
Council’s duties are strictly advisory
and consist of, but are not limited to,
providing recommendations for:
1. Implementing the Recreational
Hunting and Wildlife Resource
Conservation Plan—A Ten-Year Plan for
Implementation;
2. Increasing public awareness of and
support for the Wildlife Restoration
Program;
3. Fostering wildlife and habitat
conservation and ethics in hunting and
shooting sports recreation;
4. Stimulating sportsmen and
women’s participation in conservation
and management of wildlife and habitat
resources through outreach and
education;
5. Fostering communication and
coordination among State, tribal, and
Federal governments; industry; hunting
and shooting sportsmen and women;
wildlife and habitat conservation and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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management organizations; and the
public;
6. Providing appropriate access to
Federal lands for recreational shooting
and hunting;
7. Providing recommendations to
improve implementation of Federal
conservation programs that benefit
wildlife, hunting, and outdoor
recreation on private lands; and
8. When requested by the Designated
Federal Officer in consultation with the
Council Chairperson, performing a
variety of assessments or reviews of
policies, programs, and efforts through
the Council’s designated subcommittees
or workgroups.
Background information on the
Council is available at https://
www.fws.gov/whhcc.
Meeting Agenda
The Council will convene to consider
issues including:
1. Wildlife habitat and health;
2. Funding for public lands and
wildlife management;
3. Endangered Species Act; and
4. Other Council business.
The final agenda will be posted on the
Internet at https://www.fws.gov/whhcc.
Attendance
To attend this meeting, register by
close of business on the dates listed in
Public Input. Please submit your name,
time of arrival, email address, and
phone number to the Council
Designated Federal Officer (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Public Input
You must contact
the Council
Designated
Federal Officer
(see FOR
FURTHER
INFORMATION
CONTACT) no
later than
If you wish to
Attend the meeting .........
Submit written information or questions before the meeting for
the council to consider
during the meeting.
Give an oral presentation
during the meeting.
January 26, 2017.
January 26, 2017.
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
meeting. Written statements must be
supplied to the Council Designated
Federal Officer in both of the following
formats: One hard copy with original
signature, and one electronic copy via
email (acceptable file formats are Adobe
Acrobat PDF, MS Word, MS
PowerPoint, or rich text file).
Giving an Oral Presentation
Individuals or groups requesting to
make an oral presentation at the meeting
will be limited to 2 minutes per speaker,
with no more than a total of 30 minutes
for all speakers. Interested parties
should contact the Council Designated
Federal Officer, in writing (preferably
via email; see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT), to be placed on the public
speaker list for this meeting.
Nonregistered public speakers will not
be considered during the meeting.
Registered speakers who wish to expand
upon their oral statements, or those who
had wished to speak but could not be
accommodated on the agenda, may
submit written statements to the
Council Designated Federal Officer up
to 30 days subsequent to the meeting.
Meeting Minutes
Summary minutes of the conference
will be maintained by the Council
Designated Federal Officer (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). They
will be available for public inspection
within 90 days of the meeting, and will
be posted on the Council’s Web site at
https://www.fws.gov/whhcc.
Joshua Winchell,
Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–30749 Filed 12–20–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Geological Survey
[GX.17.MR00.G74E4.00]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Request for Comments
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS),
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of revision of a currently
approved information collection, (1028–
0098).
AGENCY:
January 26, 2017.
Submitting Written Information or
Questions
Interested members of the public may
submit relevant information or
questions for the Council to consider
during the public meeting. Written
statements must be received by the date
in Public Input, so that the information
may be made available to the Council
for their consideration prior to this
PO 00000
93705
Sfmt 4703
We (the U.S. Geological
Survey) are notifying the public that we
have submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) the
information collection request (ICR)
described below. To comply with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
and as part of our continuing efforts to
reduce paperwork and respondent
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 93704-93705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30749]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-HQ-R-2016-N214]; [FXGO1664091HCC0-FF09D00000-178]
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Public
Meeting
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a public
meeting of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council
(Council). The Council provides advice about wildlife and habitat
conservation endeavors that benefit wildlife resources; encourage
partnership among the public, sporting conservation organizations,
States, Native American tribes, and the Federal Government; and benefit
recreational hunting.
DATES: Meeting: Tuesday, February 7, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and Wednesday, February 8, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern
Standard Time). For deadlines and directions on
[[Page 93705]]
registering to attend, submitting written material, and giving an oral
presentation, please see Public Input under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 5160 at the Main Interior
Building, 1849 C Street NW., Washington DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Winchell, Council Designated
Federal Officer, by U.S. mail at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
National Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
22041-3803; by telephone at (703) 358-2639; or by email at
joshua_winchell@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the requirements of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., we announce that the
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council will hold a meeting.
Background
Formed in February 2010, the Council provides advice about wildlife
and habitat conservation endeavors that:
1. Benefit wildlife resources;
2. Encourage partnership among the public, sporting conservation
organizations, States, Native American tribes, and the Federal
Government; and
3. Benefit recreational hunting.
The Council advises the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary
of Agriculture, reporting through the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service), in consultation with the Director, Bureau of Land
Management (BLM); Director, National Park Service (NPS); Chief, Forest
Service (USFS); Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS);
and Administrator, Farm Services Agency (FSA). The Council's duties are
strictly advisory and consist of, but are not limited to, providing
recommendations for:
1. Implementing the Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Resource
Conservation Plan--A Ten-Year Plan for Implementation;
2. Increasing public awareness of and support for the Wildlife
Restoration Program;
3. Fostering wildlife and habitat conservation and ethics in
hunting and shooting sports recreation;
4. Stimulating sportsmen and women's participation in conservation
and management of wildlife and habitat resources through outreach and
education;
5. Fostering communication and coordination among State, tribal,
and Federal governments; industry; hunting and shooting sportsmen and
women; wildlife and habitat conservation and management organizations;
and the public;
6. Providing appropriate access to Federal lands for recreational
shooting and hunting;
7. Providing recommendations to improve implementation of Federal
conservation programs that benefit wildlife, hunting, and outdoor
recreation on private lands; and
8. When requested by the Designated Federal Officer in consultation
with the Council Chairperson, performing a variety of assessments or
reviews of policies, programs, and efforts through the Council's
designated subcommittees or workgroups.
Background information on the Council is available at https://www.fws.gov/whhcc.
Meeting Agenda
The Council will convene to consider issues including:
1. Wildlife habitat and health;
2. Funding for public lands and wildlife management;
3. Endangered Species Act; and
4. Other Council business.
The final agenda will be posted on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/whhcc.
Attendance
To attend this meeting, register by close of business on the dates
listed in Public Input. Please submit your name, time of arrival, email
address, and phone number to the Council Designated Federal Officer
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Public Input
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You must contact the Council
Designated Federal Officer (see
If you wish to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT) no later than
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attend the meeting.................... January 26, 2017.
Submit written information or January 26, 2017.
questions before the meeting for the
council to consider during the
meeting.
Give an oral presentation during the January 26, 2017.
meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitting Written Information or Questions
Interested members of the public may submit relevant information or
questions for the Council to consider during the public meeting.
Written statements must be received by the date in Public Input, so
that the information may be made available to the Council for their
consideration prior to this meeting. Written statements must be
supplied to the Council Designated Federal Officer in both of the
following formats: One hard copy with original signature, and one
electronic copy via email (acceptable file formats are Adobe Acrobat
PDF, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, or rich text file).
Giving an Oral Presentation
Individuals or groups requesting to make an oral presentation at
the meeting will be limited to 2 minutes per speaker, with no more than
a total of 30 minutes for all speakers. Interested parties should
contact the Council Designated Federal Officer, in writing (preferably
via email; see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), to be placed on the
public speaker list for this meeting. Nonregistered public speakers
will not be considered during the meeting. Registered speakers who wish
to expand upon their oral statements, or those who had wished to speak
but could not be accommodated on the agenda, may submit written
statements to the Council Designated Federal Officer up to 30 days
subsequent to the meeting.
Meeting Minutes
Summary minutes of the conference will be maintained by the Council
Designated Federal Officer (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). They
will be available for public inspection within 90 days of the meeting,
and will be posted on the Council's Web site at https://www.fws.gov/whhcc.
Joshua Winchell,
Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-30749 Filed 12-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
