Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews for the Endangered Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin and Endangered Saimaa Subspecies of Ringed Seal, 28304-28305 [2017-12858]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 21, 2017 / Notices
directed to NMFS (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT) three days prior
to the meeting.
Note: The times and sequence
specified in the agenda are subject to
change.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 16, 2017.
Ned Cyr,
Director, Office of Science and Technology,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–12962 Filed 6–20–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XF474
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Initiation of 5-Year Reviews for the
Endangered Baiji/Chinese River
Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin and
Endangered Saimaa Subspecies of
Ringed Seal
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year
reviews; request for information.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces its intent to
conduct 5-year reviews for the
endangered Baiji/Chinese River
Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin (Lipotes
vexillifer), and the endangered Saimaa
subspecies of ringed seal (Phoca hispida
saimensis). NMFS is required by the
ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure
that the listing classifications of the
species are accurate. The 5-year reviews
must be based on the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time.
We request submission of any such
information on Baiji/Chinese River
Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin and
Saimaa ringed seal, particularly
information on the status, threats, and
recovery of the species that has become
available since the previous status
review for Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/
Yangtze River Dolphin in February 2012
and Saimaa seal in December 2010.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to
conduct this review, we must receive
your information no later than August
21, 2017. However, we will continue to
accept new information about any listed
species at any time.
ADDRESSES: You may submit
information on this document identified
by NOAA–NMFS–2017–0057 by either
of the following methods:
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:12 Jun 20, 2017
Jkt 241001
• Electronic Submission: Submit
electronic information via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov. To submit
information via the e-Rulemaking
Portal, first click the ‘‘submit a
comment’’ icon, then enter NOAA–
NMFS–2017–0057 in the keyword
search. Locate the document you wish
to respond to from the resulting list and
click on the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ icon
on the right of that line.
• Mail or Hand-Deliver: Submit
written comments to Endangered
Species Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Room 13535, Silver
Spring, MD 20910; Attn: Ron Dean.
Instructions: Information must be
submitted by one of the above methods
to ensure that the information is
received, documented, and considered
by NMFS. Information sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the specified period, may not be
considered. All information received is
a part of the public record and will
generally be posted for public viewing
on www.regulations.gov without change.
All personal identifying information
(e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential
business information, or otherwise
sensitive or protected information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous submissions (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron
Dean at the above address, by phone at
(301) 427–8403 or Ron.Dean@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice announces our active review of
the Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/
Yangtze River Dolphin and the Saimaa
seal. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA
requires that we conduct a review of
listed species at least once every five
years. The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21
require that we publish a notice in the
Federal Register announcing species
currently under active review. On the
basis of such reviews under section
4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether a
species should be delisted or
reclassified from endangered to
threatened or from threatened to
endangered. As described by the
regulations in 50 CFR 424.11(d),
delisting a species must be supported by
the best scientific and commercial data
available and only considered if such
data substantiates that the species is
neither endangered nor threatened for
one or more of the following reasons: (1)
The species is considered extinct; (2)
the species is considered to be
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
recovered; or (3) the original data
available when the species was listed, or
the interpretation of such data, were in
error. Any change in Federal
classification would require a separate
rulemaking process. The Baiji/Chinese
River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin
was listed as endangered under the ESA
on May 30, 1989 (54 FR 22906) and the
Saimaa seal was listed as endangered
under the ESA on May 6, 1993 (58 FR
26920).
Background information on Baiji/
Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River
Dolphin, including the endangered
listing, is available on the NMFS Office
of Protected Species Web site at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/
mammals/dolphins/chinese-riverdolphin.html. Background information
on Saimaa seal, including the
endangered listing, is available on the
NMFS Office of Protected Species Web
site at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
species/mammals/seals/saimaaseal.html.
Determining if a Species Is Threatened
or Endangered
Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires
that we determine whether a species is
endangered or threatened based on one
or more of the five following factors: (1)
The present or threatened destruction,
modification, or curtailment of its
habitat or range; (2) overutilization for
commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes; (3) disease or
predation; (4) the inadequacy of existing
regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other
natural or manmade factors affecting its
continued existence. Section 4(b) also
requires that our determination be made
on the basis of the best scientific and
commercial data available after
conducting a review of the status of the
species and after taking into account
those efforts, if any, being made by any
State or foreign nation, to protect such
species.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the 5-year reviews are
complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial
data, we are soliciting new information
from the public, governmental agencies,
Tribes, the scientific community,
industry, environmental entities, and
any other interested parties concerning
the status of Baiji/Chinese River
Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin, and the
Saimaa seal. Categories of requested
information include: (1) Species biology
including, but not limited to, population
trends, distribution, abundance,
demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat
conditions including, but not limited to,
amount, distribution, and important
E:\FR\FM\21JNN1.SGM
21JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 21, 2017 / Notices
features for conservation; (3) status and
trends of threats; (4) conservation
measures that have been implemented
that benefit the species, including
monitoring data demonstrating
effectiveness of such measures; (5) need
for additional conservation measures;
and (6) other new information, data, or
corrections including, but not limited
to, taxonomic or nomenclatural changes
and improved analytical methods for
evaluating extinction risk.
If you wish to provide information for
the 5-year reviews, you may submit
your information and materials
electronically or via mail (see
ADDRESSES section). We request that all
information be accompanied by
supporting documentation such as
maps, bibliographic references, or
reprints of pertinent publications. We
also would appreciate the submitter’s
name, address, and any association,
institution, or business that the person
represents; however, anonymous
submissions will also be accepted.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: June 15, 2017.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–12858 Filed 6–20–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Solicitation for a Cooperative Research
and Development Agreement for the
Transfer and Use of a Unique Infrared
Laser
Department of the Army, DoD.
Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The U.S. Army’s Aviation and
Missile Research, Development, and
Engineering Center (AMRDEC)
announces its intent to enter into a
Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) and seeks inquiries
and proposals from potential partners.
The goal of this CRADA will be the
transfer of a one-of-a-kind infrared laser
from AMRDEC to the partner’s facilities
and the cooperative demonstration of a
new remote sensing methodology using
this laser.
DATES: Preliminary inquiries and
comments from potential partners must
be received by August 1, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Submit inquiries and
comments to U.S. Army RDECOM
AMRDEC, ATTN: RDMR–CST (ORTA),
5400 Fowler Road, Redstone Arsenal,
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:12 Jun 20, 2017
Jkt 241001
AL 35898 (usarmy.redstone.rdecomamrdec.mbx.orta@mail.mil).
Under the
proposed agreement, the Army’s
AMRDEC plans to collaborate with a
single academic or industrial partner.
Together, the AMRDEC and its CRADA
partner will explore and demonstrate
the new trace gas remote sensing
methodology based on infrared/
terahertz double resonance
spectroscopy, as described in the cited
references below.
The double resonance technique
requires a specially designed infrared
laser that produces powerful (100 mJ)
short pulses (100 ps) of wavelength
tunable radiation (9–11 microns). A
laser that uniquely matches those
requirements was fabricated by STI
Optronics, Inc. as part of a DARPAfunded Phase II SBIR contract and
delivered to AMRDEC in 2014.
The CRADA partner must have the
resources to package, ship, and install
this laser in its facilities and operate it
in partnership with AMRDEC to
demonstrate the double resonance
spectroscopic technique in either a
simulated atmospheric chamber
containing a trace gas and/or in an
actual outdoor laser test range in which
a trace gas may be safely released and
detected.
Ideally, the partner will have a history
of performing laboratory and/or outdoor
spectroscopic sensing and will have the
necessary infrastructure and expertise to
operate this laser safely and reliably. As
necessary, the partner should be
prepared to elicit funding from other
sources to support this project and may
anticipate active support from AMRDEC
in the preparation of such proposals.
AMRDEC, with its CRADA partner,
will create a structured and
collaborative environment to advance
concepts and technologies for this
experimental proof of concept
demonstration. The desired products of
the proposed collaboration are a
successful demonstration of the double
resonance technique using this laser and
quantitative validation of the
performance predicted in the cited
references. When the CRADA ends, the
partner will retain ownership of the
laser, which may be used for other
applications during and after the
CRADA period.
The AMRDEC’s contributions under
the proposed CRADA will include:
(1) Scientific expertise in
foundational molecular spectroscopy
and the double resonance technique
developed by its researchers and
collaborators;
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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28305
(2) Access to AMRDEC’s laboratories
and facilities where molecular
spectroscopic research is performed;
(3) Cooperation with the partner as
they package, ship, and install the laser
at the partner’s facility; and
(4) Cooperation in the preparation of
proposals and mentoring of researchers
new to aspects of the proposed project.
The non-Federal party’s contributions
under the proposed CRADA will
include:
(1) Making arrangements and
providing funding to package and ship
the laser from AMRDEC facilities and
install the laser at the partner’s facility;
(2) Expert operation and maintenance
of this unique laser in support of the
proof-of-concept demonstration of this
double resonance technique as well as
other applications of the laser based on
the partner’s unique expertise;
(3) Joint publications and/or patents
and/or demonstration hardware as well
as sharing of the accumulated
intellectual property through the terms
specified in the CRADA; and
(4) Writing and submitting research
proposals for funding of this project to
external sponsors, with the full support
of AMRDEC.
AMRDEC reserves the right to select
for its CRADA partner one or none of
the proposals in response to this notice.
AMRDEC will provide no funding for
reimbursement of proposal development
costs. Proposals (or any other material)
submitted in response to this notice will
not be returned. Proposals submitted are
expected to be unclassified and have no
more than 4 single-sided pages
(excluding cover page and resumes).
AMRDEC will select proposals at its
sole discretion on the basis of:
(1) How well they communicate an
understanding of, and ability to meet,
the proposed CRADA’s goal; and
(2) How well they address the
following criteria:
(a) Technical capability to satisfy the
non-Federal party’s described
contributions;
(b) Resources available for satisfying
the non-Federal party’s described
contributions; and
(c) Technical expertise/understanding
of infrared lasers, ultrafast laser
spectroscopy, molecular spectroscopy,
and remote sensing, as well as the
necessary infrastructure to support a
collaborative research project.
This is a technology transfer/
development effort. AMRDEC has no
plans to procure the technology.
Proposals should clearly discuss how
the concepts and technologies
developed will be supported for the
duration of the CRADA and outline
plans to use the laser and the jointly
E:\FR\FM\21JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28304-28305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12858]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XF474
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews
for the Endangered Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin
and Endangered Saimaa Subspecies of Ringed Seal
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year reviews; request for
information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces its intent to conduct 5-year reviews for the
endangered Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin (Lipotes
vexillifer), and the endangered Saimaa subspecies of ringed seal (Phoca
hispida saimensis). NMFS is required by the ESA to conduct 5-year
reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of the species are
accurate. The 5-year reviews must be based on the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time. We request submission of any
such information on Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin
and Saimaa ringed seal, particularly information on the status,
threats, and recovery of the species that has become available since
the previous status review for Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze
River Dolphin in February 2012 and Saimaa seal in December 2010.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your information no later than August 21, 2017. However, we
will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any
time.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2017-0057 by either of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit electronic information via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov. To submit
information via the e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the ``submit a
comment'' icon, then enter NOAA-NMFS-2017-0057 in the keyword search.
Locate the document you wish to respond to from the resulting list and
click on the ``Submit a Comment'' icon on the right of that line.
Mail or Hand-Deliver: Submit written comments to
Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13535, Silver Spring, MD
20910; Attn: Ron Dean.
Instructions: Information must be submitted by one of the above
methods to ensure that the information is received, documented, and
considered by NMFS. Information sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the specified
period, may not be considered. All information received is a part of
the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information submitted
voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept
anonymous submissions (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Dean at the above address, by
phone at (301) 427-8403 or Ron.Dean@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces our active review of
the Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin and the Saimaa
seal. Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review
of listed species at least once every five years. The regulations in 50
CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in the Federal Register
announcing species currently under active review. On the basis of such
reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether a species should
be delisted or reclassified from endangered to threatened or from
threatened to endangered. As described by the regulations in 50 CFR
424.11(d), delisting a species must be supported by the best scientific
and commercial data available and only considered if such data
substantiates that the species is neither endangered nor threatened for
one or more of the following reasons: (1) The species is considered
extinct; (2) the species is considered to be recovered; or (3) the
original data available when the species was listed, or the
interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change in Federal
classification would require a separate rulemaking process. The Baiji/
Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin was listed as endangered
under the ESA on May 30, 1989 (54 FR 22906) and the Saimaa seal was
listed as endangered under the ESA on May 6, 1993 (58 FR 26920).
Background information on Baiji/Chinese River Dolphin/Yangtze River
Dolphin, including the endangered listing, is available on the NMFS
Office of Protected Species Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/dolphins/chinese-river-dolphin.html. Background
information on Saimaa seal, including the endangered listing, is
available on the NMFS Office of Protected Species Web site at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/seals/saimaa-seal.html.
Determining if a Species Is Threatened or Endangered
Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five
following factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction,
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2)
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence. Section 4(b) also requires that our
determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and
commercial data available after conducting a review of the status of
the species and after taking into account those efforts, if any, being
made by any State or foreign nation, to protect such species.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the 5-year reviews are complete and based on the
best available scientific and commercial data, we are soliciting new
information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other
interested parties concerning the status of Baiji/Chinese River
Dolphin/Yangtze River Dolphin, and the Saimaa seal. Categories of
requested information include: (1) Species biology including, but not
limited to, population trends, distribution, abundance, demographics,
and genetics; (2) habitat conditions including, but not limited to,
amount, distribution, and important
[[Page 28305]]
features for conservation; (3) status and trends of threats; (4)
conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the
species, including monitoring data demonstrating effectiveness of such
measures; (5) need for additional conservation measures; and (6) other
new information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to,
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes and improved analytical methods for
evaluating extinction risk.
If you wish to provide information for the 5-year reviews, you may
submit your information and materials electronically or via mail (see
ADDRESSES section). We request that all information be accompanied by
supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or
reprints of pertinent publications. We also would appreciate the
submitter's name, address, and any association, institution, or
business that the person represents; however, anonymous submissions
will also be accepted.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: June 15, 2017.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12858 Filed 6-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
