Agency Information Collection Activities; Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework, 56262-56263 [2017-25679]

Download as PDF 56262 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 28, 2017 / Notices ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES delivery to Arizona, California, and Nevada. The LCR MSCP provides incidental take coverage to the following listed species; Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) Endangered Bonytail chub (Gila elegans) Endangered Humpback chub (Gila cypha) Endangered Yuma Ridgway’s (clapper) rail (Rallus obsoletus [=longirostris] yumanensis) Endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) Endangered Yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) Threatened During the initial development of the LCR MSCP in 2005, the northern Mexican gartersnake was not considered for coverage, because the species was believed to be extirpated within the planning area. However, subsequently, the species was found to be present. On July 8, 2014, the Service listed the northern Mexican gartersnake as threatened under the ESA, and critical habitat was proposed, including portions of the Bill Williams River. In 2012, northern Mexican gartersnakes were detected in portions of the Bill Williams River, between Alamo Dam and the Colorado River. In 2015, the northern Mexican gartersnake was confirmed at the LCR MSCP’s Beal Lake Conservation Area on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, on the east side of the Colorado River, where it had been considered extirpated. Public Availability of Comments Written comments we receive become part of the public record associated with this action. 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 request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will not consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Nov 27, 2017 Jkt 244001 CFR 17.22) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Amy Lueders, Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [FR Doc. 2017–25650 Filed 11–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey [GR17ND00GCT2800; OMB Control Number 1028—New] Agency Information Collection Activities; Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the USGS is proposing a new information collection (IC). DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before January 29, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); or gs-info_collections@ usgs.gov (email). Please reference ‘Information Collection 1028—NEW, Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework’ in all correspondence. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clint Moore, USGS Research Wildlife Biologist, at (706) 542–1166 or cmoore@ usgs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the USGS, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. We are soliciting comments on the proposed IC that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this IC. 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 may 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. Abstract: The Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) is a collaborative effort to confront and reduce the spread of invasive Phragmites grass in the Great Lakes watershed. Phragmites is associated with reduced water quality, loss of biodiversity, reduced recreational opportunities, and increased fire hazards. Reducing or eliminating Phragmites throughout the region will reverse these deleterious effects and help achieve the comprehensive restoration goals for the Great Lakes basin (see the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at https://www.glri.us/). The PAMF initiative uses the principles of adaptive management, a learning-based form of management in which data gathered following a treatment action are used to improve the predictive models that inform the decision-making process itself. Identified as a priority by the multi-national Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative (https:// www.greatlakesphragmites.net/), PAMF is a network of public and private cooperators who share a common desire to reduce or eradicate invasive Phragmites on lands that they manage. Membership in PAMF is voluntary and occurs after the cooperator has decided to treat Phragmites. A process is being developed to deliver site-specific guidance to participants that will both help them understand what treatment approach is most likely to achieve their management objectives and support regional adaptive learning through improvements and feedbacks to underlying scientific models. Cooperators will monitor and report vegetation characteristics on lands enrolled in the program, and they will report attributes about treatments E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 28, 2017 / Notices ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES applied. The data will be used in analytical routines that will indicate a best treatment action to apply based on measured conditions and will update the set of predictive models that underlie the decision support tool. USGS is providing scientific leadership to the initiative through the development of models, monitoring design, data systems, and a workflow to process the collected data into management guidance. Title: Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework. OMB Control Number: 1028—NEW. Type of Request: New information collection. Affected Public: General public, private-sector business entities, NGOs, governmental entities (Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Provincial). Frequency of Collection: Information is collected twice annually for each enrolled parcel, for as long as participant is enrolled in the program. Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 200. Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 400. Estimated Time per Response: An individual is expected to complete one response in about 4 hours, including review of training materials, traversing the property to observe conditions, and entering information into a web-based form. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,600. Respondent’s Obligation: Participation is voluntary but is required to obtain treatment guidance. Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’ Burden: None. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The authorities for this action are Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Russell Strach, Center Director, USGS Great Lakes Science Center. [FR Doc. 2017–25679 Filed 11–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4338–11–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:51 Nov 27, 2017 Jkt 244001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau Of Land Management [LLNMF00000.L13100000.PP0000 18X LXSSG0860000] Notice of Public Meeting, Farmington District Resource Advisory Council, New Mexico Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Farmington District Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below. DATES: The Farmington District RAC will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and a field trip on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The Farmington District RAC will meet at the BLM Farmington District Office, 6251 College Blvd., Suite A, Farmington, NM 87402. The field trip participants will depart from the BLM Farmington District Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Zach Stone, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM Farmington District Office, 6251 College Blvd., Suite A, Farmington, NM 87402, (505) 564–7677, or zstone@ blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at (800) 877–8339. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with Mr. Stone. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Farmington District RAC consists of 10 members chartered and appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. Their diverse perspectives are represented in commodity, conservation, and general interests. The RAC provides advice to BLM resource managers regarding management plans and proposed resource actions on public land in the BLM’s Farmington District. Both the field trip and meeting are open to the public. However, the public is required to provide its own transportation for the field trip. Agenda items for the meeting include an introduction of new RAC members; the election of a new RAC Chair; an updates on the Farmington Resources Management Plan Amendment and the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 56263 land use planning in the Taos Field Office; updates on the Taos general recreation plan and the Farmington Glade Run recreation implementation plan; an overview of fire and fuel plan treatments for the Farmington District; an overview of Farmington District grazing permits; a presentation on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; and a presentation of BLM’s role in the Four Corners Air Quality Group. Any other matters that may reasonably come before the Farmington District RAC may also be addressed. On January 31, the RAC will participate in a field trip to Chockcherry Canyon in the Glade Run Recreation Area. More information is available at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/ resource-advisory-council/near-you/ new-mexico/farmington-district-rac. Public Disclosure of Comments: The January 30, 2018, meeting will include a public comment period which will begin at 3:00 p.m. and continue to 3:30 p.m. Depending on the number of persons wishing to comment and time available, the amount of time for individual oral comments may be limited. The public may also submit written comments to Zach Stone, Farmington District, New Mexico, 6251 College Blvd., Suite A, Farmington, NM 87402; or by telephone (505) 564–7677, no later than January 29, 2018, to be made available to the RAC at the January 30, 2018, meeting. All written comments received prior to the meeting will be provided to the council members. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, please 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. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation, tour transportation or other reasonable accommodations, should contact the BLM as provided above. Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2. David M. Herrell, Acting Deputy State Director, Lands and Resources. [FR Doc. 2017–25667 Filed 11–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–FB–P E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM 28NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56262-56263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25679]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GR17ND00GCT2800; OMB Control Number 1028--New]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Phragmites Adaptive 
Management Framework

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
USGS is proposing a new information collection (IC).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection to 
the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email). Please reference `Information 
Collection 1028--NEW, Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework' in all 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clint Moore, USGS Research Wildlife 
Biologist, at (706) 542-1166 or cmoore@usgs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the USGS, in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, provide the general public and other 
Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, 
and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the 
impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the 
public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our 
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in 
the desired format.
    We are soliciting comments on the proposed IC that is described 
below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper 
functions of the USGS; (2) will this information be processed and used 
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how 
might the USGS enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (5) how might the USGS minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this IC. 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 may 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.
    Abstract: The Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) is a 
collaborative effort to confront and reduce the spread of invasive 
Phragmites grass in the Great Lakes watershed. Phragmites is associated 
with reduced water quality, loss of biodiversity, reduced recreational 
opportunities, and increased fire hazards. Reducing or eliminating 
Phragmites throughout the region will reverse these deleterious effects 
and help achieve the comprehensive restoration goals for the Great 
Lakes basin (see the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at https://www.glri.us/). The PAMF initiative uses the principles of adaptive 
management, a learning-based form of management in which data gathered 
following a treatment action are used to improve the predictive models 
that inform the decision-making process itself. Identified as a 
priority by the multi-national Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative 
(https://www.greatlakesphragmites.net/), PAMF is a network of public and 
private cooperators who share a common desire to reduce or eradicate 
invasive Phragmites on lands that they manage. Membership in PAMF is 
voluntary and occurs after the cooperator has decided to treat 
Phragmites. A process is being developed to deliver site-specific 
guidance to participants that will both help them understand what 
treatment approach is most likely to achieve their management 
objectives and support regional adaptive learning through improvements 
and feedbacks to underlying scientific models. Cooperators will monitor 
and report vegetation characteristics on lands enrolled in the program, 
and they will report attributes about treatments

[[Page 56263]]

applied. The data will be used in analytical routines that will 
indicate a best treatment action to apply based on measured conditions 
and will update the set of predictive models that underlie the decision 
support tool. USGS is providing scientific leadership to the initiative 
through the development of models, monitoring design, data systems, and 
a workflow to process the collected data into management guidance.
    Title: Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework.
    OMB Control Number: 1028--NEW.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Affected Public: General public, private-sector business entities, 
NGOs, governmental entities (Federal, State, Local, Tribal, 
Provincial).
    Frequency of Collection: Information is collected twice annually 
for each enrolled parcel, for as long as participant is enrolled in the 
program.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 400.
    Estimated Time per Response: An individual is expected to complete 
one response in about 4 hours, including review of training materials, 
traversing the property to observe conditions, and entering information 
into a web-based form.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 1,600.
    Respondent's Obligation: Participation is voluntary but is required 
to obtain treatment guidance.
    Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ``Non-Hour Cost'' Burden: 
None.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to 
respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.
    The authorities for this action are Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Russell Strach,
Center Director, USGS Great Lakes Science Center.
[FR Doc. 2017-25679 Filed 11-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4338-11-P
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