Proposed Programmatic Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for the Louisiana Pinesnake in Louisiana, 29914-29915 [2017-13760]

Download as PDF 29914 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Notices information provided here is solely for questions regarding this notice. It is not for individual case status inquiries. Applicants seeking information about the status of their individual cases can check Case Status Online, available at the USCIS Web site at https:// www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at (800) 375–5283; TTY (800) 767–1833. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Comments The information collection notice was previously published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2017, at 82 FR 13650, allowing for a 60-day public comment period. USCIS did receive comments in connection with the 60day notice. You may access the information collection instrument with instructions, or additional information by visiting the Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: https://www.regulations.gov and enter USCIS–2007–0029 in the search box. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following four points: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Overview of This Information Collection (1) Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection. (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act; Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member; EZ Affidavit of Support under Section 213 of the Act; Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption. (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the DHS sponsoring the collection: Form I–864, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:32 Jun 29, 2017 Jkt 241001 Form I–864A, Form I–864EZ, and Form I–864W; USCIS. (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households; USCIS uses the data collected on Form I–864 to determine whether the sponsor has the ability to support the sponsored alien under section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This form standardizes evaluation of a sponsor’s ability to support the sponsored alien and ensures that basic information required to assess eligibility is provided by petitioners. Form I–864A is a contract between the sponsor and the sponsor’s household members. It is only required if the sponsor used the income of his or her household members to reach the required 125 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines. The contract holds these household members jointly and severally liable for the support of the sponsored immigrant. The information collection required on Form I–864A is necessary for public benefit agencies to enforce the Affidavit of Support in the event the sponsor used income of his or her household members to reach the required income level and the public benefit agencies are requesting reimbursement from the sponsor. USCIS uses Form I–864EZ in exactly the same way as Form I–864; however, less information is collected from the sponsors as less information is needed from those who qualify in order to make a thorough adjudication. USCIS uses Form I–864W to determine whether the intending immigrant meets the criteria for exemption of section 213A requirements. This form collects the immigrant’s basic information, such as name and address, the reason for the exemption, and accompanying documentation in support of the immigrant’s claim that they are not subject to section 213A. (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: The estimated total number of respondents for Form I–864 is 446,313 and the estimated hour burden per response is 6 hours; the estimated total number of respondents for Form I–864A is 42,892 and the estimated hour burden per response is 1.75 hours; the estimated total number of respondents for Form I–864EZ is 114,860 and the estimated hour burden per response is 2.5 hours; the estimated total number of respondents for Form I–864W is 98,119 hours and the estimated hour burden per response is 1 hour. PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The total estimated annual hour burden associated with this information collection is 3,138,208 hours. (7) An estimate of the total public burden (in cost) associated with the collection: The estimated total annual cost burden associated with this information collection is $161,526,540. Dated: June 26, 2017. Jerry Rigdon, Deputy Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2017–13717 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–97–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–ES–2017–N020; FXES111604C0000–178–FF04E00000] Proposed Programmatic Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for the Louisiana Pinesnake in Louisiana Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The permit application includes a proposed programmatic candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for the Louisiana pinesnake. The term of the agreement would be 99 years. If approved, the CCAA would allow the applicant to enter into conservation management agreements with eligible non-Federal landowners throughout Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, Louisiana, and to issue certificates of inclusion to enrollees. We invite public comments on these documents. DATES: We must receive any written comments at our Regional Office (see ADDRESSES) on or before July 31, 2017. ADDRESSES: To request further information, review documents, or submit written comments, please use the following methods and specify that your information request or comments are in reference to the ‘‘Programmatic CCAA for the Louisiana Pinesnake.’’ SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM 30JNN1 mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Notices • Internet: Documents may be viewed and downloaded on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/southeast/ candidaetconservation/examples.html. • Email: michael_harris@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Programmatic CCAA for the Louisiana Pinesnake’’ in the subject line. Please include your name and return address in your message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your message, contact us directly at either telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. • U.S. Mail: Mr. Michael Harris, AtRisk Species Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345, or Mr. Joseph Ranson, Field Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, LA 70506. • In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 404–679–7066 to make an appointment (necessary for viewing or pick-up only) during regular business hours at the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345; or call 337–291–3112 to make an appointment at the Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, LA 70506. Written comments can be dropped off during regular business hours at either address on or before the closing date of the public comment period (see DATES). Requests for any documents must be in writing. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species Coordinator, at the Regional Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404–679–7066; or Mr. David Castellanos, Imperiled Species Biologist, at the Louisiana Field Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 337– 291–3112. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). The permit application includes a proposed programmatic candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for the Louisiana pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni). The term of the CCAA would be 99 years. If approved, the CCAA would allow the applicant to enter into conservation management agreements with eligible non-Federal landowners throughout Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:32 Jun 29, 2017 Jkt 241001 and Allen Parishes, Louisiana, and to issue certificates of inclusion to enrollees. We invite public comments on these documents. Candidate Conservation Agreements With Assurances Under a CCAA, participating property owners voluntarily undertake management activities on their properties to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species that may warrant listing under the Act. CCAAs encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation efforts for candidate and at-risk species by assuring them that they will not be subjected to increased property use restrictions should the species become listed as ‘‘threatened’’ or ‘‘endangered’’ under the Act in the future. Application requirements and issuance criteria for CCAAs are found in 50 CFR 17.22(d) and 17.32(d). Parties’ Agreement The CCAA describes conservation measures designed to protect and enhance habitat for the benefit of the Louisiana pinesnake (covered species) on private or non-Federal public lands enrolled under the agreement. Enrolled landowners who implement these measures would receive assurances against take liability if the covered species were to be federally listed in the future. Conservation land use practices would vary according to the needs of a particular enrolled landowner. Typical measures include the use of prescribed fire, thinning of forests, and restoration of open-canopied pine (including longleaf pine). The CCAA also contemplates that other conservation measures may be developed in the future. We specifically request information, views, and opinions from the public via this notice on our proposed Federal action, including our determination that the CCAA, including its proposed conservation measures, would have minor or negligible effects on the covered species. Therefore, we have determined that the incidental take permit for this project is ‘‘low effect’’ and qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 43 CFR 46.210. A loweffect project involves (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species or their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. Further, we specifically solicit information regarding the adequacy of the CCAA per 50 CFR parts 13 and 17. PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 29915 Public Comments 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 cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Covered Area The CCAA covers eligible lands in Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, Louisiana. Next Steps We will evaluate the application for enhancement of survival permit through candidate conservation agreement with assurances, including the CCAA, and any comments we receive to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act and of applicable implementing regulations. We will also evaluate whether the section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement of survival permit would comply with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will issue a permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the applicant in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. We will not make our final decision until after the end of the 30-day comment period and will fully consider all comments received during the comment period. Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: June 23, 2017. Luis J. Santiago, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2017–13760 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P E:\FR\FM\30JNN1.SGM 30JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29914-29915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13760]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2017-N020; FXES111604C0000-178-FF04E00000]


Proposed Programmatic Candidate Conservation Agreement With 
Assurances for the Louisiana Pinesnake in Louisiana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an 
application from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for 
an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973. The permit application includes a proposed 
programmatic candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) 
for the Louisiana pinesnake. The term of the agreement would be 99 
years. If approved, the CCAA would allow the applicant to enter into 
conservation management agreements with eligible non-Federal landowners 
throughout Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, 
Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, Louisiana, and to 
issue certificates of inclusion to enrollees. We invite public comments 
on these documents.

DATES: We must receive any written comments at our Regional Office (see 
ADDRESSES) on or before July 31, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To request further information, review documents, or submit 
written comments, please use the following methods and specify that 
your information request or comments are in reference to the 
``Programmatic CCAA for the Louisiana Pinesnake.''

[[Page 29915]]

     Internet: Documents may be viewed and downloaded on the 
Internet at https://www.fws.gov/southeast/candidaetconservation/examples.html.
     Email: michael_harris@fws.gov. Include ``Programmatic CCAA 
for the Louisiana Pinesnake'' in the subject line. Please include your 
name and return address in your message. If you do not receive a 
confirmation from us that we have received your message, contact us 
directly at either telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.
     U.S. Mail: Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species 
Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Regional Office, 1875 
Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345, or Mr. Joseph Ranson, Field 
Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana Ecological Services 
Field Office, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, LA 70506.
     In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 404-679-7066 
to make an appointment (necessary for viewing or pick-up only) during 
regular business hours at the Fish and Wildlife Service's Regional 
Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345; or call 
337-291-3112 to make an appointment at the Louisiana Ecological 
Services Field Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 646 Cajundome 
Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, LA 70506. Written comments can be 
dropped off during regular business hours at either address on or 
before the closing date of the public comment period (see DATES). 
Requests for any documents must be in writing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species 
Coordinator, at the Regional Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404-
679-7066; or Mr. David Castellanos, Imperiled Species Biologist, at the 
Louisiana Field Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 337-291-3112.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from the 
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for an enhancement of 
survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(Act). The permit application includes a proposed programmatic 
candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for the 
Louisiana pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni). The term of the CCAA would be 
99 years. If approved, the CCAA would allow the applicant to enter into 
conservation management agreements with eligible non-Federal landowners 
throughout Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, 
Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, Louisiana, and to 
issue certificates of inclusion to enrollees. We invite public comments 
on these documents.

Candidate Conservation Agreements With Assurances

    Under a CCAA, participating property owners voluntarily undertake 
management activities on their properties to enhance, restore, or 
maintain habitat benefiting species that may warrant listing under the 
Act. CCAAs encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to 
implement conservation efforts for candidate and at-risk species by 
assuring them that they will not be subjected to increased property use 
restrictions should the species become listed as ``threatened'' or 
``endangered'' under the Act in the future. Application requirements 
and issuance criteria for CCAAs are found in 50 CFR 17.22(d) and 
17.32(d).

Parties' Agreement

    The CCAA describes conservation measures designed to protect and 
enhance habitat for the benefit of the Louisiana pinesnake (covered 
species) on private or non-Federal public lands enrolled under the 
agreement. Enrolled landowners who implement these measures would 
receive assurances against take liability if the covered species were 
to be federally listed in the future. Conservation land use practices 
would vary according to the needs of a particular enrolled landowner. 
Typical measures include the use of prescribed fire, thinning of 
forests, and restoration of open-canopied pine (including longleaf 
pine). The CCAA also contemplates that other conservation measures may 
be developed in the future.
    We specifically request information, views, and opinions from the 
public via this notice on our proposed Federal action, including our 
determination that the CCAA, including its proposed conservation 
measures, would have minor or negligible effects on the covered 
species. Therefore, we have determined that the incidental take permit 
for this project is ``low effect'' and qualifies for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as 
provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 43 CFR 46.210. A low-effect project 
involves (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or 
candidate species or their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible 
effects on other environmental values or resources. Further, we 
specifically solicit information regarding the adequacy of the CCAA per 
50 CFR parts 13 and 17.

Public Comments

    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 cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Covered Area

    The CCAA covers eligible lands in Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, 
Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, 
Louisiana.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate the application for enhancement of survival permit 
through candidate conservation agreement with assurances, including the 
CCAA, and any comments we receive to determine whether the application 
meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act and of 
applicable implementing regulations. We will also evaluate whether the 
section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement of survival permit would comply with 
section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 
consultation. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will 
issue a permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the applicant in 
accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. We will not 
make our final decision until after the end of the 30-day comment 
period and will fully consider all comments received during the comment 
period.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

    Dated: June 23, 2017.
Luis J. Santiago,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-13760 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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