Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for West Coast Distinct Population Segment of Fisher With Section 4(d) Rule, 69712-69713 [2019-27270]

Download as PDF 69712 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Proposed Rules References Cited Lists of the references cited in the petition findings are available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in the dockets provided above in ADDRESSES and upon request from the appropriate person, as specified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Authors The primary authors of this document are the staff members of the Species Assessment Team, Ecological Services Program. Authority The authority for this action is section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: December 10, 2019 Margaret E. Everson, Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising the Authority of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2019–27334 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2018–0105; 4500030113] RIN 1018–BD85 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for West Coast Distinct Population Segment of Fisher With Section 4(d) Rule Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Revised proposed rule; reopening of public comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), recently published a document proposing changes to our October 7, 2014, proposed rule to list the West Coast distinct population segment (DPS) of fisher (Pekania pennanti) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Act) and proposing a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for this DPS. We announced the opening of a 30-day public comment period on the revised proposed rule, ending December 9, 2019. We now reopen the public comment period for an additional 15 days, to allow all interested parties more time to comment on the revised proposed rule. Comments previously lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:58 Dec 18, 2019 Jkt 250001 submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final determination. DATES: The public comment period on the revised proposed rule that published November 7, 2019, at 84 FR 60278, is reopened. We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before January 3, 2020. Please note that if you are using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below), the deadline for submitting an electronic comment is 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on this date. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–R8–ES–2018–0105, which is the docket number for the action. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, click on the Proposed Rule box to locate the correct document. You may submit a comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ Please ensure that you have found the correct rulemaking before submitting your comment. (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R8– ES–2018–0105, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/1N, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. We request that you send comments only by the methods described above. We will post all comments on https:// www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see Public Comments, below, for more information). Document availability: The revised proposed rule is available on https:// www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2018–0105 and on our website at https://www.fws.gov/Yreka. Comments and materials we received during a previous comment period, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing the preceding proposed rule, are also available for public inspection at Docket No. FWS– R8–ES–2014–0041. In addition, the supporting files for the revised proposed rule will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours, at our Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office, 1829 South Oregon Street, Yreka, CA 96097; telephone 530–842–5763. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jenny Ericson, Field Supervisor, Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office, telephone: 530–842–5763. Direct all questions or PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 requests for additional information to: WEST COAST DPS FISHER QUESTIONS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office, 1829 South Oregon Street, Yreka, CA 96097. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service at 1– 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On November 7, 2019, we published in the Federal Register (84 FR 60278) a document that proposed: (1) Changes to our October 7, 2014, proposed rule (79 FR 60419) to list the West Coast DPS of fisher as a threatened species under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and (2) a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for this DPS. The November 7, 2019, Federal Register publication (84 FR 60278) opened a 30-day public comment period, ending December 9, 2019. The Service now reopens the comment period as specified above in DATES. See the November 7, 2019, Federal Register publication (84 FR 60278) for more information about previous Federal actions concerning this DPS. Public Comments We will accept comments and information during this reopened comment period on our November 7, 2019, revised proposed rule (84 FR 60278). We will consider information and recommendations from all interested parties. We intend that any final action resulting from the proposal will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Our final determination will take into consideration all comments and any additional information we receive during the comment period. Therefore, the final decision may differ from the November 7, 2019, revised proposed rule (84 FR 60278), based on our review of all information we receive during this rulemaking. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final determination. Comments should be as specific as possible. Please include sufficient information with your submission (such as scientific journal articles or other publications) to allow us to verify any scientific or commercial information you assert. Please note that submissions merely stating support for, or opposition to, the action under consideration without providing supporting information, although noted, will not meet the standard of best available scientific and commercial data. Section E:\FR\FM\19DEP1.SGM 19DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Proposed Rules 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that determinations as to whether any species is endangered or threatened must be made ‘‘solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.’’ You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request that you send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES. If you submit information via https:// www.regulations.gov, your entire submission—including your personal identifying information—will be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2018–0105, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES). Our final determination concerning the November 7, 2019, revised proposed rule (84 FR 60278) will take into consideration all written comments we receive during the open comment periods and comments from peer reviewers. These comments will be included in the public record for this rulemaking, and we will fully consider them in the preparation of our final determination. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: December 10, 2019. Margaret E. Everson, Principal Deputy Director, Exercising the Authority of the Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2019–27270 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [4500030115] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for Two Species Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of petition findings and initiation of status reviews. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90day findings on two petitions to add species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we plan to initiate status reviews of the Bethany Beach firefly (Photuris bethaniensis) and Gulf Coast solitary bee (Hesperapis oraria) to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors that may affect their status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month petition findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act. DATES: These findings were made on December 19, 2019. As we commence our status reviews, we seek any new information concerning the status of, or threats to, the species or their habitats. Any information received during the course of our status reviews will be considered. ADDRESSES: Supporting documents: Summaries of the bases for the petition findings contained in this document are SUMMARY: Species common name lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with PROPOSALS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:58 Dec 18, 2019 Jkt 250001 available on https://www.regulations.gov under the appropriate docket number (see table under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). In addition, this supporting information is available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours by contacting the appropriate person, as specified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Status reviews: If you have new scientific or commercial data or other information concerning the status of, or threats to, the species for which we are initiating status reviews, please provide those data or information by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter the appropriate docket number (see table under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Then, click on the ‘‘Search’’ button. After finding the correct document, you may submit information by clicking on ‘‘Comment Now!’’ If your information will fit in the provided comment box, please use this feature of https://www.regulations.gov, as it is most compatible with our information review procedures. If you attach your information as a separate document, our preferred file format is Microsoft Word. If you attach multiple comments (such as form letters), our preferred format is a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: [Insert appropriate docket number; see table under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION], U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/1N, 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041– 3803. We request that you send information only by the methods described above. We will post all information we receive on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact person Bethany Beach firefly ............................................................................... Gulf Coast solitary bee ............................................................................. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, please call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. 69713 Krishna Gifford, 413–253–8619; krishna_gifford@fws.gov. Sean Blomquist, 850–769–0552; sean_blomquist@fws.gov. Background Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing regulations in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for adding species to, PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 removing species from, or reclassifying species on the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List or Lists) in 50 CFR part 17. Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act requires that we make a finding on whether a E:\FR\FM\19DEP1.SGM 19DEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69712-69713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27270]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2018-0105; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-BD85


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species 
Status for West Coast Distinct Population Segment of Fisher With 
Section 4(d) Rule

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Revised proposed rule; reopening of public comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), recently 
published a document proposing changes to our October 7, 2014, proposed 
rule to list the West Coast distinct population segment (DPS) of fisher 
(Pekania pennanti) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species 
Act (Act) and proposing a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for 
this DPS. We announced the opening of a 30-day public comment period on 
the revised proposed rule, ending December 9, 2019. We now reopen the 
public comment period for an additional 15 days, to allow all 
interested parties more time to comment on the revised proposed rule. 
Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully 
considered in preparation of the final determination.

DATES: The public comment period on the revised proposed rule that 
published November 7, 2019, at 84 FR 60278, is reopened. We will accept 
comments received or postmarked on or before January 3, 2020. Please 
note that if you are using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see 
ADDRESSES, below), the deadline for submitting an electronic comment is 
11:59 p.m. Eastern time on this date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-R8-ES-2018-0105, 
which is the docket number for the action. Then, click on the Search 
button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left side of 
the screen, under the Document Type heading, click on the Proposed Rule 
box to locate the correct document. You may submit a comment by 
clicking on ``Comment Now!'' Please ensure that you have found the 
correct rulemaking before submitting your comment.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery to: Public 
Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2018-0105, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, MS: JAO/1N, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 
22041-3803.
    We request that you send comments only by the methods described 
above. We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see Public Comments, below, for more information).
    Document availability: The revised proposed rule is available on 
https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2018-0105 and on our 
website at https://www.fws.gov/Yreka. Comments and materials we 
received during a previous comment period, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing the preceding proposed rule, are 
also available for public inspection at Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2014-0041. 
In addition, the supporting files for the revised proposed rule will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at our Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office, 1829 South Oregon Street, 
Yreka, CA 96097; telephone 530-842-5763.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jenny Ericson, Field Supervisor, Yreka 
Fish and Wildlife Office, telephone: 530-842-5763. Direct all questions 
or requests for additional information to: WEST COAST DPS FISHER 
QUESTIONS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Yreka Fish and Wildlife 
Office, 1829 South Oregon Street, Yreka, CA 96097. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On November 7, 2019, we published in the Federal Register (84 FR 
60278) a document that proposed: (1) Changes to our October 7, 2014, 
proposed rule (79 FR 60419) to list the West Coast DPS of fisher as a 
threatened species under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and (2) a 
rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for this DPS. The November 7, 
2019, Federal Register publication (84 FR 60278) opened a 30-day public 
comment period, ending December 9, 2019. The Service now reopens the 
comment period as specified above in DATES.
    See the November 7, 2019, Federal Register publication (84 FR 
60278) for more information about previous Federal actions concerning 
this DPS.

Public Comments

    We will accept comments and information during this reopened 
comment period on our November 7, 2019, revised proposed rule (84 FR 
60278). We will consider information and recommendations from all 
interested parties. We intend that any final action resulting from the 
proposal will be based on the best scientific and commercial data 
available and will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Our 
final determination will take into consideration all comments and any 
additional information we receive during the comment period. Therefore, 
the final decision may differ from the November 7, 2019, revised 
proposed rule (84 FR 60278), based on our review of all information we 
receive during this rulemaking. Comments previously submitted need not 
be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final 
determination.
    Comments should be as specific as possible. Please include 
sufficient information with your submission (such as scientific journal 
articles or other publications) to allow us to verify any scientific or 
commercial information you assert. Please note that submissions merely 
stating support for, or opposition to, the action under consideration 
without providing supporting information, although noted, will not meet 
the standard of best available scientific and commercial data. Section

[[Page 69713]]

4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that determinations as to whether any 
species is endangered or threatened must be made ``solely on the basis 
of the best scientific and commercial data available.''
    You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods 
listed in ADDRESSES. We request that you send comments only by the 
methods described in ADDRESSES. If you submit information via https://www.regulations.gov, your entire submission--including your personal 
identifying information--will be posted on the website. If your 
submission is made via a hardcopy that includes personal identifying 
information, you may request at the top of your document that we 
withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy 
submissions on https://www.regulations.gov.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket 
No. FWS-R8-ES-2018-0105, or by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES). Our final 
determination concerning the November 7, 2019, revised proposed rule 
(84 FR 60278) will take into consideration all written comments we 
receive during the open comment periods and comments from peer 
reviewers. These comments will be included in the public record for 
this rulemaking, and we will fully consider them in the preparation of 
our final determination.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: December 10, 2019.
Margaret E. Everson,
Principal Deputy Director, Exercising the Authority of the Director for 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-27270 Filed 12-18-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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