Refuge-Specific Regulation; Public Use; Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, 45793-45794 [2017-21124]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Proposed Rules genus are adapted to drought and are able to re-colonize disturbed areas. Therefore, if the population numbers are decreasing but may be fluctuating due to decreased rainfall or drought, additional monitoring may show that the population bounces back during the extended monitoring period allowed for in scenario two. However, if the population is decreasing beyond what might occur as a result of drought, a formal status review would be immediately initiated as described in scenario three. It is our intent to work with our partners towards maintaining the recovered status of Astragalus desereticus. We seek public and peer review comments on the draft PDM plan, including its objectives and procedures (see Public Comments, above), with the publication of this proposed rule. Required Determinations Clarity of the Rule Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to write regulations that are easy to understand. We invite your comments on how to make this proposal easier to understand including answers to questions such as the following: (1) Is the discussion in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the preamble helpful to your understanding of the proposal? (2) Does the proposal contain technical language or jargon that interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the proposal (groupings and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its clarity? What else could we do to make the proposal easier to understand? Send a copy of any comments on how we could make this rule easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may also email the comments to this address: Exsec@ios.doi.gov. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS National Environmental Policy Act We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not be prepared in connection with regulations pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:16 Sep 29, 2017 Jkt 244001 Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes § 17.12 References Cited A complete list of all references cited in this proposed rule is available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R6–ES–2016–0013, or upon request from the Utah Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES). Authors The primary authors of this proposed rule are staff members of the Service’s Mountain Prairie Region and the Utah Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Proposed Regulation Promulgation Accordingly, we hereby propose to amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below: PART 17—ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS 1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531– 1544; and 4201–4245; unless otherwise noted. Frm 00051 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 [Amended] 2. Section 17.12(h) is amended by removing the entry for ‘‘Astragalus desereticus’’ under ‘‘FLOWERING PLANTS’’ from the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. ■ In accordance with the President’s memorandum of April 29, 1994, Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments (59 FR 22951), E.O. 13175, and the Department of the Interior’s manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with Tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make information available to Tribes. We have determined that no Tribes will be affected by this rule because there are no tribal lands within or adjacent to Astragalus desereticus habitat. PO 00000 45793 Dated: September 7, 2017. James W. Kurth, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2017–21073 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 36 [Docket No. FWS–R7–NWRS–2017–0058; FF07R00000 178 FXRS12610700000] Refuge-Specific Regulation; Public Use; Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Regulatory review. AGENCY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) intends to initiate a rulemaking process that will consider changes to public use regulations that are applicable to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and that were promulgated on May 5, 2016. DATES: October 2, 2017. ADDRESSES: The final rule that is the subject of this document may be found at www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS–R7–NWRS–2017–0058. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Mollnow, Division of Natural Resources Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System—Alaska, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; telephone: (907) 786–3326; facsimile: (907) 786– 3901; email: ryan_mollnow@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 5, 2016, the FWS published a final rule to amend its regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in part 36 regarding public use of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (81 FR 27030). The final rule became effective on June 6, 2016. The provisions of the final rule: (1) amended regulations regarding use of aircraft, motorboats, motorized vehicles, and snowmobiles; (2) codified historic restrictions on hunting and trapping within the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area (WRA) consistent with the 2007 Skilak WRA final revised management plan; (3) expanded a prohibition on the discharge of firearms to include areas of intensive public use along the Russian and Kenai Rivers; SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02OCP1.SGM 02OCP1 45794 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 189 / Monday, October 2, 2017 / Proposed Rules sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS (4) clarified the intent of existing regulations that require a special use permit for hunting black bears over bait by specifying that only the take of black bears is authorized under this requirement; (5) amended regulations associated with camping, use of public use cabins, and public use facilities; (6) established permanent regulations for managing wildlife attractants in the Russian River Special Management Area to reduce potential for human–bear conflicts; and (7) established regulations allowing for noncommercial gathering of edible wild foods and shed antlers. The FWS intends to initiate a rulemaking process that will consider VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:16 Sep 29, 2017 Jkt 244001 changes to the May 5, 2016, final rule (81 FR 27030) that was codified at 50 CFR part 36. Throughout this process, the FWS will consider the purposes of Secretarial Order 3347 (‘‘Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation’’): Enhanced conservation stewardship, increased opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, for all Americans, and improved management of game species and their habitat. The FWS will also identify ways to improve cooperation, consultation, and communication with State of Alaska wildlife managers regarding recreational hunting and fishing. PO 00000 At this time, the FWS is not accepting comments on the upcoming rulemaking process. When we publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register, the FWS will comply with all applicable laws governing the rulemaking process, including the requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553 to provide an opportunity for public comment on any proposed regulatory changes. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 460k et seq., 668dd–668ee, 3101 et seq. Todd Willens, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 2017–21124 Filed 9–29–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P Frm 00052 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\02OCP1.SGM 02OCP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45793-45794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21124]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 36

[Docket No. FWS-R7-NWRS-2017-0058; FF07R00000 178 FXRS12610700000]


Refuge-Specific Regulation; Public Use; Kenai National Wildlife 
Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Regulatory review.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) intends to initiate a 
rulemaking process that will consider changes to public use regulations 
that are applicable to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and that were 
promulgated on May 5, 2016.

DATES: October 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The final rule that is the subject of this document may be 
found at www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-R7-NWRS-2017-0058.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Mollnow, Division of Natural 
Resources Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System--Alaska, 1011 E. Tudor 
Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; telephone: (907) 786-3326; facsimile: (907) 
786-3901; email: ryan_mollnow@fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 5, 2016, the FWS published a final 
rule to amend its regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) in part 36 regarding public use of Kenai National 
Wildlife Refuge (81 FR 27030). The final rule became effective on June 
6, 2016. The provisions of the final rule:
    (1) amended regulations regarding use of aircraft, motorboats, 
motorized vehicles, and snowmobiles;
    (2) codified historic restrictions on hunting and trapping within 
the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area (WRA) consistent with the 2007 
Skilak WRA final revised management plan;
    (3) expanded a prohibition on the discharge of firearms to include 
areas of intensive public use along the Russian and Kenai Rivers;

[[Page 45794]]

    (4) clarified the intent of existing regulations that require a 
special use permit for hunting black bears over bait by specifying that 
only the take of black bears is authorized under this requirement;
    (5) amended regulations associated with camping, use of public use 
cabins, and public use facilities;
    (6) established permanent regulations for managing wildlife 
attractants in the Russian River Special Management Area to reduce 
potential for human-bear conflicts; and
    (7) established regulations allowing for noncommercial gathering of 
edible wild foods and shed antlers.
    The FWS intends to initiate a rulemaking process that will consider 
changes to the May 5, 2016, final rule (81 FR 27030) that was codified 
at 50 CFR part 36. Throughout this process, the FWS will consider the 
purposes of Secretarial Order 3347 (``Conservation Stewardship and 
Outdoor Recreation''): Enhanced conservation stewardship, increased 
opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, 
for all Americans, and improved management of game species and their 
habitat. The FWS will also identify ways to improve cooperation, 
consultation, and communication with State of Alaska wildlife managers 
regarding recreational hunting and fishing.
    At this time, the FWS is not accepting comments on the upcoming 
rulemaking process. When we publish a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register, the FWS will comply with all applicable laws governing the 
rulemaking process, including the requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553 to 
provide an opportunity for public comment on any proposed regulatory 
changes.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 460k et seq., 668dd-668ee, 3101 et seq.

Todd Willens,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2017-21124 Filed 9-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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