Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the Endangered Western Distinct Population Segment of Steller Sea Lion, 57955-57956 [2017-26435]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Notices
713–0376, or by email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
include the File No. in the subject line
of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public
hearing should submit a written request
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
Division at the address listed above. The
request should set forth the specific
reasons why a hearing on the
application(s) would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dated: December 5, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–26493 Filed 12–7–17; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Malcolm Mohead or Erin Markin at
(301) 427–8401.
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The
subject permits are requested under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) and the regulations
governing the taking, importing, and
exporting of endangered and threatened
species (50 CFR parts 222–226).
File No. 21198: Researchers with the
USFWS propose to use existing captive
populations of shortnose and Atlantic
sturgeon to conduct research facilitating
the development of new methods
needed for achieving species recovery in
facilities located in the Southeast
Region of the USFWS. Research would
include nutrition, physiology, nutrition,
propagation, contaminants, genetics,
fish health, cryopreservation, tagging,
refugia, and collaborative research with
others. Additional objectives would
include collaborative research and
public display at other satellite facilities
on the permit. The permit would be
valid for ten years from the date of
issuance.
File No. 21434: Researchers at the
Maryland Department of Natural
Resources and cooperating researchers
(e.g., University of Maryland and other
collaborators) propose objectives for
conducting research and public display
on captive Atlantic sturgeon.
Researchers propose developing reliable
culture techniques, minimizing or
eliminating the use of wild fish and
impacts on non-target species. Research
projects are to include fish physiology,
fish culture, behavioral studies, tagging,
fish nutrition, propagation methods,
genetics, cryopreservation, refinement
of anesthetization technology, and
refugia as needed for management
priorities. Additional objectives would
include collaborative research and
public display at other satellite facilities
on the permit. The permit would be
valid for ten years from the date of
issuance.
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Alaska Crab Arbitration.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0516.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular (extension of
a currently approved information
collection).
Number of Respondents: 2.
Average Hours Per Response: 6.
Burden Hours: 12.
Needs and Uses: This request is for
extension of a current information
collection.
The Crab Rationalization Program
(CRP) allocates Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands (BSAI) crab resources among
harvesters, processors, and coastal
communities through a limited access
system that balances the interests of
these groups who depend on these
fisheries.
The Crab Rationalization Program
Arbitration System (CRPAS) is a series
of steps that harvesters and processors
can use to negotiate delivery and price
contracts. The Arbitration System
allows unaffiliated Class A individual
fishing quota holders to initiate an
arbitration proceeding in the event of a
dispute to allow an independent third
party to provide a review of harvester
and processor negotiation positions and
provide an independent and binding
resolution to issues under dispute. To
use the arbitration system, a harvester
must commit deliveries to a processor
and initiate a binding arbitration
proceeding in advance of the season
opening. The Arbitration System is
designed to minimize antitrust risks for
crab harvesters and processors and is
intended to ensure that a reasonable
price is paid for all landings.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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57955
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations; individuals or
households.
Frequency: Annually.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
retain or obtain benefits.
This information collection request
may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow
the instructions to view Department of
Commerce collections currently under
review by OMB.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to OIRA_Submission@
omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806.
Dated: December 5, 2017.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017–26468 Filed 12–7–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XF792
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the
Endangered Western Distinct
Population Segment of Steller Sea Lion
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year
review; request for information.
AGENCY:
We, NMFS, announce our
intent to conduct a 5-year review for the
endangered western distinct population
segment (DPS) of Steller sea lion
(Eumetopias jubatus) under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA). We are required by the
ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure
that the listing classifications of species
are accurate. The 5-year review must be
based on the best scientific and
commercial data available at the time of
the review. We request submission of
any such information on the Western
DPS of Steller sea lion, particularly
information on the status, threats, and
recovery of the species that has become
available since the final listing
determination in May, 1997.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to
conduct this review, we must receive
your information no later than February
6, 2018. However, we will continue to
accept new information about Steller
sea lions at any time.
ADDRESSES: Submit your information or
comments by including the FDMS
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM
08DEN1
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
57956
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2017 / Notices
Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2017–
0137, by either of the following
methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/
!docketDetail;D=NOAA–NMFS–2017–
0137, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written information to
Jon Kurland, Assistant Regional
Administrator for Protected Resources,
Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: Ellen
Sebastian, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802–1668.
Instructions: We may not consider
comments if they are sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the specified period. All comments
received are a part of the public record,
and we will generally post 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 is publicly accessible. We
will accept anonymous comments (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous). Attachments to
electronic submissions will be accepted
in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF
file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Lisa Rotterman, 907–271–1692 or
lisa.rotterman@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Steller sea lion was listed as
threatened under the ESA by an
emergency interim rule on April 5, 1990
(55 FR 12645). NMFS published a final
rule to list the Steller sea lion as a
threatened species under the ESA on
November 26, 1990 (55 FR 49204).
NMFS designated critical habitat for the
Steller sea lion on August 27, 1993 (58
FR 45269). On May 5, 1997, based on
demographic and genetic dissimilarities,
NMFS identified two DPSs of Steller sea
lions under the ESA: A western DPS
(WDPS) and an eastern DPS (EDPS) (62
FR 24345). Due to persistent decline and
lack of recovery, the WDPS, comprised
of animals originating from breeding
sites west of 144° W longitude, was
listed as endangered (62 FR 24345, May
5, 1997), and the EDPS remained listed
as threatened.
Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires
that we conduct a review of listed
species at least once every five years. On
the basis of such reviews under section
4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether a
species should be removed from the List
(delisted), or reclassified in status from
endangered to threatened or from
VerDate Sep<11>2014
20:38 Dec 07, 2017
Jkt 244001
threatened to endangered. Delisting a
species must be supported by the best
scientific and commercial data available
and is considered only 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;
and/or (3) the original data available
when the species was listed, or the
interpretation of such data, were in error
(see 50 CFR 424.11(d)). Reclassification
also must be supported by the best
scientific and commercial data available
and is considered only after conducting
a review of the species’ status in light
of the listing factors provided in section
4(a)(1) of the ESA (see 50 CFR
424.11(c)). Any change in classification
(delisting or reclassification) would
require a rulemaking process. The ESA
implementing regulations at 50 CFR
424.21 require that we publish a notice
in the Federal Register announcing
those species currently under active
review. This notice announces our
active review of the WDPS, which is
currently listed as endangered.
Background information about this
species, including their endangered
listing, related critical habitat
designation, recovery planning, and
protective regulations, is available on
the NMFS Alaska Region Web site at
https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
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
solely on the basis of the best scientific
and commercial data available after
taking into account those efforts, if any,
being made by any State or foreign
nation to protect such species.
Application of the DPS Policy
The western DPS of Steller sea lion
was listed as a DPS of a vertebrate
taxon. In the application of the DPS
Policy, we are responsible for
determining whether species,
subspecies, or DPSs of marine and
anadromous species are threatened or
endangered under the ESA. A DPS is
defined in the February 7, 1996, Policy
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Regarding the Recognition of Distinct
Vertebrate Population Segments (61 FR
4722). For a population to be listed
under the ESA as a DPS, three elements
are considered: (1) The discreteness of
the population segment in relation to
the remainder of the species to which it
belongs; (2) the significance of the
population segment to the species to
which it belongs; and (3) the population
segment’s conservation status in relation
to the Act’s standards for listing (i.e., is
the population segment, when treated as
if it were a species, endangered or
threatened?). DPSs of vertebrate species,
as well as subspecies of all listed
species, may be proposed for separate
reclassification or for removal from the
List. As required by the DPS policy, we
will apply the DPS policy during the 5year review.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the 5-year review is
complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial
information, we are soliciting relevant
information. The 5-year review will
consider the best scientific and
commercial data that has become
available since the listing
determination. Categories of requested
information include (1) species biology
including population trends,
distribution, abundance, demographics,
population structure, ecology, behavior,
and genetics; (2) habitat conditions
including amount, distribution, and
suitability; (3) conservation measures
that benefit the species, including
monitoring data demonstrating the
effectiveness of such measures in
addressing identified limiting factors or
threats; (4) data concerning status and
trends of identified threats; (5)
information that may affect
determinations regarding the
composition of the WDPS; and (6) other
new information.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: December 4, 2017.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–26435 Filed 12–7–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
SEVERELY DISABLED
Procurement List; Deletions
Committee for Purchase From
People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM
08DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57955-57956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26435]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XF792
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of a 5-Year Review
for the Endangered Western Distinct Population Segment of Steller Sea
Lion
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce our intent to conduct a 5-year review for
the endangered western distinct population segment (DPS) of Steller sea
lion (Eumetopias jubatus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA). We are required by the ESA to conduct 5-year reviews to
ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-
year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data
available at the time of the review. We request submission of any such
information on the Western DPS of Steller sea lion, particularly
information on the status, threats, and recovery of the species that
has become available since the final listing determination in May,
1997.
DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your information no later than February 6, 2018. However, we
will continue to accept new information about Steller sea lions at any
time.
ADDRESSES: Submit your information or comments by including the FDMS
[[Page 57956]]
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2017-0137, by either of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0137, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written information to Jon Kurland, Assistant
Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, Alaska Region NMFS,
Attn: Ellen Sebastian, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: We may not consider comments if they are sent by any
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the
end of the specified period. All comments received are a part of the
public record, and we will generally post 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 is publicly accessible. We will accept
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic submissions will be
accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Lisa Rotterman, 907-271-1692 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Steller sea lion was listed as threatened under the ESA by an
emergency interim rule on April 5, 1990 (55 FR 12645). NMFS published a
final rule to list the Steller sea lion as a threatened species under
the ESA on November 26, 1990 (55 FR 49204). NMFS designated critical
habitat for the Steller sea lion on August 27, 1993 (58 FR 45269). On
May 5, 1997, based on demographic and genetic dissimilarities, NMFS
identified two DPSs of Steller sea lions under the ESA: A western DPS
(WDPS) and an eastern DPS (EDPS) (62 FR 24345). Due to persistent
decline and lack of recovery, the WDPS, comprised of animals
originating from breeding sites west of 144[deg] W longitude, was
listed as endangered (62 FR 24345, May 5, 1997), and the EDPS remained
listed as threatened.
Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of
listed species at least once every five years. On the basis of such
reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether a species should
be removed from the List (delisted), or reclassified in status from
endangered to threatened or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a
species must be supported by the best scientific and commercial data
available and is considered only 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; and/or (3) the original data
available when the species was listed, or the interpretation of such
data, were in error (see 50 CFR 424.11(d)). Reclassification also must
be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available and
is considered only after conducting a review of the species' status in
light of the listing factors provided in section 4(a)(1) of the ESA
(see 50 CFR 424.11(c)). Any change in classification (delisting or
reclassification) would require a rulemaking process. The ESA
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a
notice in the Federal Register announcing those species currently under
active review. This notice announces our active review of the WDPS,
which is currently listed as endangered.
Background information about this species, including their
endangered listing, related critical habitat designation, recovery
planning, and protective regulations, is available on the NMFS Alaska
Region Web site at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.
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 solely on the basis of the best scientific and
commercial data available after taking into account those efforts, if
any, being made by any State or foreign nation to protect such species.
Application of the DPS Policy
The western DPS of Steller sea lion was listed as a DPS of a
vertebrate taxon. In the application of the DPS Policy, we are
responsible for determining whether species, subspecies, or DPSs of
marine and anadromous species are threatened or endangered under the
ESA. A DPS is defined in the February 7, 1996, Policy Regarding the
Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments (61 FR 4722).
For a population to be listed under the ESA as a DPS, three elements
are considered: (1) The discreteness of the population segment in
relation to the remainder of the species to which it belongs; (2) the
significance of the population segment to the species to which it
belongs; and (3) the population segment's conservation status in
relation to the Act's standards for listing (i.e., is the population
segment, when treated as if it were a species, endangered or
threatened?). DPSs of vertebrate species, as well as subspecies of all
listed species, may be proposed for separate reclassification or for
removal from the List. As required by the DPS policy, we will apply the
DPS policy during the 5-year review.
Public Solicitation of New Information
To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting
relevant information. The 5-year review will consider the best
scientific and commercial data that has become available since the
listing determination. Categories of requested information include (1)
species biology including population trends, distribution, abundance,
demographics, population structure, ecology, behavior, and genetics;
(2) habitat conditions including amount, distribution, and suitability;
(3) conservation measures that benefit the species, including
monitoring data demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures in
addressing identified limiting factors or threats; (4) data concerning
status and trends of identified threats; (5) information that may
affect determinations regarding the composition of the WDPS; and (6)
other new information.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: December 4, 2017.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26435 Filed 12-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P