Endangered and Threatened Species; Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment and Notice of Initiation of 5-Year Review, 65791-65793 [2020-22950]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 201 / Friday, October 16, 2020 / Notices
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
of origin. The applicable Section 301
decisions require subject merchandise
to be admitted to FTZs in privileged
foreign status.
Public comment is invited from
interested parties. Submissions shall be
addressed to the Board’s Executive
Secretary and sent to: ftz@trade.gov. The
closing period for their receipt is
November 25, 2020.
A copy of the notification will be
available for public inspection in the
‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the Board’s
website, which is accessible via
www.trade.gov/ftz.
For further information, contact
Christopher Wedderburn at
Chris.Wedderburn@trade.gov or (202)
482–1963.
Currently, the preliminary
determinations are due no later than
November 9, 2020.
Postponement of Preliminary
Determinations
Section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act
of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires
Commerce to issue the preliminary
determination in an LTFV investigation
within 140 days of the date on which
Commerce initiated the investigation.
However, section 733(c)(1) of the Act
permits Commerce to postpone the
preliminary determination until no later
than 190 days after the date on which
Commerce initiated the investigation if:
(A) The petitioner makes a timely
request for a postponement; or (B)
Commerce concludes that the parties
Dated: October 13, 2020.
concerned are cooperating, that the
Andrew McGilvray,
investigation is extraordinarily
Executive Secretary.
complicated, and that additional time is
[FR Doc. 2020–22954 Filed 10–15–20; 8:45 am]
necessary to make a preliminary
determination. Under 19 CFR
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a
request for postponement 25 days or
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
more before the scheduled date of the
preliminary determination and must
International Trade Administration
state the reasons for the request.
[A–580–908, A–583–869, A–549–842, A–552– Commerce will grant the request unless
it finds compelling reasons to deny the
828]
request.
On October 1, 2020, the United Steel,
Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck
Paper and Forestry, Rubber,
Tires From the Republic of Korea,
Manufacturing, Energy, Allied
Taiwan, Thailand, and the Socialist
Republic of Vietnam: Postponement of Industrial and Service Workers
International Union, AFL–CIO, CLC (the
Preliminary Determinations in the
petitioner) submitted a timely request
Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations
that Commerce postpone the
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance,
preliminary determinations in these
International Trade Administration,
LTFV investigations.2 The petitioner
Department of Commerce.
stated that it requests postponement due
DATES: Applicable October 16, 2020.
to the complexity of selecting the
mandatory respondents and obtaining
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leo
initial and supplemental questionnaire
Ayala at (202) 482–3945 (Republic of
responses. Under the current timeline,
Korea (Korea) and Thailand); Lauren
Caserta at (202) 482–4737 (Taiwan); and the petitioner believes that Commerce
will not have complete responses and
Jasun Moy at (202) 482–8194 (the
sufficient information to issue these
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
preliminary determinations.3
(Vietnam)), AD/CVD Operations,
For the reasons stated above, and
Enforcement and Compliance,
because there are no compelling reasons
International Trade Administration,
to deny the request, Commerce, in
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401
accordance with section 733(c)(1)(A) of
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington,
the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(e), is
DC 20230.
postponing the deadline for the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
preliminary determinations by 50 days
Background
(i.e., 190 days after the date on which
these investigations were initiated). As
On June 22, 2020, the Department of
a result, Commerce will issue its
Commerce (Commerce) initiated lessthan-fair-value (LTFV) investigations of
Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 85 FR 38854 (June
imports of passenger vehicle and light
29, 2020).
truck tires (passenger tires) from Korea,
2 See Petitioner’s Letter, ‘‘Passenger Vehicle and
1
Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Light Truck Tires from the Republic of Korea,
1 See
Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires
from the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Initiation of Less-
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:59 Oct 15, 2020
Jkt 253001
Taiwan, Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam: Petitioner’s Request for Extension of
Preliminary Determination,’’ dated October 1, 2020.
3 Id.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65791
preliminary determinations no later
than December 29, 2020. In accordance
with section 735(a)(1) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the
final determinations in these
investigations will continue to be 75
days after the date of the preliminary
determinations, unless postponed at a
later date.
Notification to Interested Parties
This notice is issued and published
pursuant to section 733(c)(2) of the Act
and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).
Dated: October 9, 2020.
Jeffrey I. Kessler,
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2020–22958 Filed 10–15–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[RTID 0648–XA467]
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Draft Recovery Plan and Draft
Recovery Implementation Strategy for
the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular
False Killer Whale Distinct Population
Segment and Notice of Initiation of 5Year Review
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of draft
recovery plan and draft recovery
implementation strategy; request for
comments; notice of initiation of a 5year review; request for information.
AGENCY:
We, the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce the
availability of the Draft Recovery Plan
and Draft Recovery Implementation
Strategy for the Main Hawaiian Islands
Insular False Killer Whale (MHI IFKW;
Pseudorca crassidens) Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) for public
review. We are soliciting review and
comment from the public and all
interested parties on the Draft Recovery
Plan and Draft Recovery
Implementation Strategy, and will
consider all substantive comments
received during the review period
before submitting the Recovery Plan and
Recovery Implementation Strategy for
final approval. We are also initiating a
5-year review of the MHI IFKW and are
requesting new information on its
status.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM
16OCN1
65792
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 201 / Friday, October 16, 2020 / Notices
Comments on the Draft Recovery
Plan and Draft Recovery
Implementation Strategy must be
received by December 15, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on the Draft Recovery Plan, the Draft
Recovery Implementation Strategy, and
information for the 5-year review,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2020–124
by either of the following methods:
• Electronic Submissions: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal.
1. Go to www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020124.
2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon
and complete the required fields, and
3. Enter or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments or
information for the 5-year review to Ann
Garrett, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Protected Resources
Division, NMFS, Pacific Islands
Regional Office, Attn: Krista Graham,
1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176,
Honolulu, HI 96818.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
The Draft Recovery Plan and Draft
Recovery Implementation Strategy are
available online at www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020124 or from https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/falsekiller-whale#conservation-management
or upon request from the NMFS Pacific
Islands Regional Office, Protected
Resources Division.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Krista Graham, (808) 725–5152,
krista.graham@noaa.gov; Kristen
Koyama, (301) 427–8403,
kristen.koyama@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
DATES:
Background
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of
1973, as amended (15 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.), requires that NMFS develop and
implement recovery plans for the
conservation and survival of threatened
and endangered species under its
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:59 Oct 15, 2020
Jkt 253001
jurisdiction, unless it is determined that
such plans would not promote the
conservation of the species. Section
4(f)(1) of the ESA requires that recovery
plans incorporate: (1) Objective,
measurable criteria which, when met,
would result in a determination that the
species is no longer threatened or
endangered; (2) site-specific
management actions necessary to
achieve the plan’s goals; and (3)
estimates of the time required and costs
to implement recovery actions.
The MHI IFKW was listed as an
endangered DPS on November 28, 2012,
under the ESA (77 FR 70915). The
listing determination and the extinction
risk assessment were informed by the
best available scientific and commercial
data, as well as the status review
conducted by a Biological Review Team
(Oleson et al. 2010). The final critical
habitat rule for the MHI IFKW DPS was
published in the Federal Register on
July 24, 2018 (83 FR 35062).
Although three populations of false
killer whales occur within the Hawaiian
Archipelago, the MHI IFKW DPS is a
unique island-associated population
with a range that entirely surrounds the
main Hawaiian Islands. The most recent
abundance estimate from 2015 was 167
(SE=23; 95 percent CI=128–218)
animals, with annual estimates over a
16-year survey period ranging from 144
to 187 animals (Bradford et al. 2018).
This estimate is similar to multi-year
aggregated estimates previously
reported (Oleson et al. 2010). Several
lines of evidence indicate that the MHI
IFKW has likely declined until at least
the early 2000s. Because of changes in
survey design and effort, it is unknown
whether the MHI IFKW has continued
to decline, has recently stabilized, or
has recently increased.
Development of the Draft Plan
In September 2016, we developed a
recovery outline to systematically and
cohesively guide recovery actions for
the MHI IFKW until we completed a
recovery plan. The recovery outline is
available from our website at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/falsekiller-whale#conservation-management.
In October 2016, we held a four-day
recovery planning workshop for the
MHI IFKW. The purpose of the
workshop was to review and update the
original threats analysis from the 2010
status review report (Oleson et al. 2010)
and the 2012 final listing rule (77 FR
70915), as well as identify potential
recovery criteria and actions to address
the threats to the species. We invited
experts in specific topic areas, including
the species’ biology/ecology, threats to
the species and the species’ habitat, and
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
the recovery planning process itself.
Identified experts included
representatives of federal and state
agencies, scientific experts, individuals
from conservation partners and nongovernmental organizations, and
commercial and recreational fishermen.
The workshop summary was published
in February 2017 and is available from
our website at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/falsekiller-whale#conservation-management.
The recovery planning components
for the MHI IFKW DPS is divided into
three separate documents. The first
document, the Recovery Status Review
(NMFS 2020a), provides all the detailed
information on the MHI IFKWs’ biology,
ecology, status and threats, and
conservation efforts to date, which have
typically been included in the
background section of a species’
recovery plan. This separate, peerreviewed document is designed to
inform all post-listing activities,
including recovery planning, and is a
comprehensive update to the original
2010 status review (Oleson et al. 2010).
The Recovery Status Review is a living
document that will be updated
regularly. The second document, the
Draft Recovery Plan (NMFS 2020b),
focuses on the statutory requirements of
the ESA: (1) A description of sitespecific management actions necessary
to conserve the species; (2) objective,
measurable criteria that, when met, will
allow the species to be removed from
the endangered and threatened species
list; and (3) estimates of the time and
funding required to achieve the plan’s
goals. Recovery actions in the Draft
Recovery Plan are described at a higherlevel and are more strategic. The third
document, the Draft Recovery
Implementation Strategy (NMFS 2020c),
is a flexible, operational document
separate from the Draft Recovery Plan
that provides specific, prioritized
activities necessary to fully implement
recovery actions in the Draft Recovery
Plan, while affording us the ability to
modify these activities in real time to
reflect changes in the information
available as well as progress towards
recovery. All recovery planning
documents, including the Recovery
Status Review, the Draft Recovery Plan,
and the Draft Recovery Implementation
Strategy, are available on the NMFS
false killer whale species profile website
at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
species/false-killer-whale#conservationmanagement.
We have determined that this Draft
Recovery Plan for the MHI IFKW DPS
meets the statutory requirements for a
recovery plan and are proposing to
adopt it as the ESA recovery plan for
E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM
16OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 201 / Friday, October 16, 2020 / Notices
this endangered DPS. Section 4(f) of the
ESA, as amended in 1988, requires that
public notice and an opportunity to
comment be provided prior to final
approval of a recovery plan. This notice
solicits comments on this Draft
Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery
Implementation Strategy.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
Contents of the Draft Recovery Plan
The Draft Recovery Plan presents
NMFS’ proposed recovery goal,
objectives, and criteria for making a
downlisting (to threatened) and
delisting decision. The proposed
demographic and threats-based recovery
objectives and criteria are based on the
five listing factors found in the ESA
section 4(a)(1). Before NMFS can
remove the MHI IFKW DPS from
protection under the ESA, the factors
that led to the ESA listing need to have
been reduced or eliminated to the point
where federal protection under the ESA
is no longer needed, and there is
reasonable certainty that the relevant
regulatory mechanisms are adequate to
protect MHI IFKWs. The proposed
demographic and threats-based recovery
objectives and criteria for the MHI IFKW
address threats from small population
size, incidental take, inadequate
regulatory mechanisms, competition
with fisheries for prey, environmental
contaminants and biotoxins,
anthropogenic noise, effects from
climate change, and secondary threats
and synergies. The Draft Recovery Plan
also describes specific information on
the following: Current status of MHI
IFKWs; pressures (limiting factors) and
threats that have contributed to the MHI
IFKWs’ decline; recovery strategies to
address the threats based on the best
available science; and site-specific
actions with timelines. The Draft
Recovery Plan also summarizes time
and costs required to implement
recovery actions.
The Draft Recovery Implementation
Strategy provides specific, prioritized
activities necessary to fully implement
recovery actions in the Draft Recovery
Plan. This stepped-down approach will
afford us the ability to modify these
activities in real time to reflect changes
in the information available as well as
progress towards recovery.
How NMFS and Others Expect To Use
the Plan
In addition to continuing to carry out
actions already underway, such as
photo identification efforts and satellite
tag deployment and analysis, we have
begun implementation of outreach
actions as described in the plan, such as
developing strategic outreach messaging
and tools for fishermen and boaters to
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18:59 Oct 15, 2020
Jkt 253001
report sightings of false killer whales,
and anonymously reporting interactions
with false killer whales. After public
comment and the adoption of the Final
Recovery Plan and Final Recovery
Implementation Strategy, we will
implement the actions and activities for
which we have authority and funding;
encourage other federal, state, and local
agencies to implement recovery actions
and activities for which they have
responsibility, authority, and funding;
and work cooperatively with the public
and local stakeholders on
implementation of other actions and
activities. We expect the Recovery Plan
to guide us and other federal agencies in
evaluating federal actions under ESA
section 7, as well as in implementing
other provisions of the ESA, such as
considering permits under section 10,
and other statutes.
When we are considering a species for
delisting, the agency will examine
whether the ESA section 4(a)(1) listing
factors have been addressed. To assist in
this examination, we will use the
delisting criteria described in the Draft
Recovery Plan, which include both
demographic criteria and threats-based
criteria addressing each of the ESA
section 4(a)(1) listing factors, as well as
any other relevant data and policy
considerations.
Public Comments Solicited
We are soliciting written comments
on the Draft Recovery Plan and Draft
Recovery Implementation Strategy. All
substantive comments received by the
date specified above will be considered
and incorporated, as appropriate, prior
to our decision whether to approve this
Recovery Plan and Recovery
Implementation Strategy. While we
invite comments on all aspects of the
Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery
Implementation Strategy, we are
particularly interested in comments on
the proposed objectives, criteria, and
actions, as well as comments on the
estimated time and cost of recovery
actions and activities.
In addition, the ESA requires that we
conduct a review of listed species at
least once every five years. On the basis
of such review under section
(4)(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any
species should be removed from the list
(i.e., delisted) or reclassified from
endangered to threatened or from
threatened to endangered (16 U.S.C.
1533(c)(2)(B)). Any change in federal
classification would require a separate
rulemaking process. The regulations in
50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish
a notice in the Federal Register
announcing those species currently
under active review. This notice
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65793
announces our active review of the MHI
IFKW listed as an endangered DPS (77
FR 70915; November 28, 2012).
Comments and information submitted
will be considered in the 5-year review,
as applicable.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: October 13, 2020.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–22950 Filed 10–15–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
SEVERELY DISABLED
Procurement List; Proposed Additions
and Deletions
Committee for Purchase From
People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled.
ACTION: Proposed additions the
Procurement List.
AGENCY:
The Committee is proposing
to add product(s) and service(s) to the
Procurement List that will be furnished
by nonprofit agencies employing
persons who are blind or have other
severe disabilities.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before: November 15, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
From People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled, 1401 S Clark Street, Suite 715,
Arlington, Virginia 22202–4149.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information or to submit
comments contact: Michael R.
Jurkowski, Telephone: (703) 603–2117,
Fax: (703) 603–0655, or email
CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice is published pursuant to 41
U.S.C. 8503(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–2.3. Its
purpose is to provide interested persons
an opportunity to submit comments on
the proposed actions.
SUMMARY:
Additions
If the Committee approves the
proposed additions, the entities of the
Federal Government identified in this
notice will be required to procure the
product(s) and service(s) listed below
from nonprofit agencies employing
persons who are blind or have other
severe disabilities.
The following product(s) and
service(s) are proposed for addition to
the Procurement List for production by
the nonprofit agencies listed:
E:\FR\FM\16OCN1.SGM
16OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 201 (Friday, October 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65791-65793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22950]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[RTID 0648-XA467]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Draft Recovery Plan and Draft
Recovery Implementation Strategy for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular
False Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment and Notice of Initiation
of 5-Year Review
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of draft recovery plan and draft
recovery implementation strategy; request for comments; notice of
initiation of a 5-year review; request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announce the
availability of the Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery
Implementation Strategy for the Main Hawaiian Islands Insular False
Killer Whale (MHI IFKW; Pseudorca crassidens) Distinct Population
Segment (DPS) for public review. We are soliciting review and comment
from the public and all interested parties on the Draft Recovery Plan
and Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy, and will consider all
substantive comments received during the review period before
submitting the Recovery Plan and Recovery Implementation Strategy for
final approval. We are also initiating a 5-year review of the MHI IFKW
and are requesting new information on its status.
[[Page 65792]]
DATES: Comments on the Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery
Implementation Strategy must be received by December 15, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the Draft Recovery Plan, the
Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy, and information for the 5-year
review, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2020-124 by either of the following
methods:
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-124.
2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon and complete the required
fields, and
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments or information for the 5-
year review to Ann Garrett, Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected
Resources Division, NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Attn: Krista
Graham, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
The Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy
are available online at www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-
2020-124 or from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/false-killer-whale#conservation-management or upon request from the NMFS Pacific
Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources Division.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Graham, (808) 725-5152,
[email protected]; Kristen Koyama, (301) 427-8403,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (15 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.), requires that NMFS develop and implement recovery plans
for the conservation and survival of threatened and endangered species
under its jurisdiction, unless it is determined that such plans would
not promote the conservation of the species. Section 4(f)(1) of the ESA
requires that recovery plans incorporate: (1) Objective, measurable
criteria which, when met, would result in a determination that the
species is no longer threatened or endangered; (2) site-specific
management actions necessary to achieve the plan's goals; and (3)
estimates of the time required and costs to implement recovery actions.
The MHI IFKW was listed as an endangered DPS on November 28, 2012,
under the ESA (77 FR 70915). The listing determination and the
extinction risk assessment were informed by the best available
scientific and commercial data, as well as the status review conducted
by a Biological Review Team (Oleson et al. 2010). The final critical
habitat rule for the MHI IFKW DPS was published in the Federal Register
on July 24, 2018 (83 FR 35062).
Although three populations of false killer whales occur within the
Hawaiian Archipelago, the MHI IFKW DPS is a unique island-associated
population with a range that entirely surrounds the main Hawaiian
Islands. The most recent abundance estimate from 2015 was 167 (SE=23;
95 percent CI=128-218) animals, with annual estimates over a 16-year
survey period ranging from 144 to 187 animals (Bradford et al. 2018).
This estimate is similar to multi-year aggregated estimates previously
reported (Oleson et al. 2010). Several lines of evidence indicate that
the MHI IFKW has likely declined until at least the early 2000s.
Because of changes in survey design and effort, it is unknown whether
the MHI IFKW has continued to decline, has recently stabilized, or has
recently increased.
Development of the Draft Plan
In September 2016, we developed a recovery outline to
systematically and cohesively guide recovery actions for the MHI IFKW
until we completed a recovery plan. The recovery outline is available
from our website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/false-killer-whale#conservation-management.
In October 2016, we held a four-day recovery planning workshop for
the MHI IFKW. The purpose of the workshop was to review and update the
original threats analysis from the 2010 status review report (Oleson et
al. 2010) and the 2012 final listing rule (77 FR 70915), as well as
identify potential recovery criteria and actions to address the threats
to the species. We invited experts in specific topic areas, including
the species' biology/ecology, threats to the species and the species'
habitat, and the recovery planning process itself. Identified experts
included representatives of federal and state agencies, scientific
experts, individuals from conservation partners and non-governmental
organizations, and commercial and recreational fishermen. The workshop
summary was published in February 2017 and is available from our
website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/false-killer-whale#conservation-management.
The recovery planning components for the MHI IFKW DPS is divided
into three separate documents. The first document, the Recovery Status
Review (NMFS 2020a), provides all the detailed information on the MHI
IFKWs' biology, ecology, status and threats, and conservation efforts
to date, which have typically been included in the background section
of a species' recovery plan. This separate, peer-reviewed document is
designed to inform all post-listing activities, including recovery
planning, and is a comprehensive update to the original 2010 status
review (Oleson et al. 2010). The Recovery Status Review is a living
document that will be updated regularly. The second document, the Draft
Recovery Plan (NMFS 2020b), focuses on the statutory requirements of
the ESA: (1) A description of site-specific management actions
necessary to conserve the species; (2) objective, measurable criteria
that, when met, will allow the species to be removed from the
endangered and threatened species list; and (3) estimates of the time
and funding required to achieve the plan's goals. Recovery actions in
the Draft Recovery Plan are described at a higher-level and are more
strategic. The third document, the Draft Recovery Implementation
Strategy (NMFS 2020c), is a flexible, operational document separate
from the Draft Recovery Plan that provides specific, prioritized
activities necessary to fully implement recovery actions in the Draft
Recovery Plan, while affording us the ability to modify these
activities in real time to reflect changes in the information available
as well as progress towards recovery. All recovery planning documents,
including the Recovery Status Review, the Draft Recovery Plan, and the
Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy, are available on the NMFS false
killer whale species profile website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/false-killer-whale#conservation-management.
We have determined that this Draft Recovery Plan for the MHI IFKW
DPS meets the statutory requirements for a recovery plan and are
proposing to adopt it as the ESA recovery plan for
[[Page 65793]]
this endangered DPS. Section 4(f) of the ESA, as amended in 1988,
requires that public notice and an opportunity to comment be provided
prior to final approval of a recovery plan. This notice solicits
comments on this Draft Recovery Plan and Draft Recovery Implementation
Strategy.
Contents of the Draft Recovery Plan
The Draft Recovery Plan presents NMFS' proposed recovery goal,
objectives, and criteria for making a downlisting (to threatened) and
delisting decision. The proposed demographic and threats-based recovery
objectives and criteria are based on the five listing factors found in
the ESA section 4(a)(1). Before NMFS can remove the MHI IFKW DPS from
protection under the ESA, the factors that led to the ESA listing need
to have been reduced or eliminated to the point where federal
protection under the ESA is no longer needed, and there is reasonable
certainty that the relevant regulatory mechanisms are adequate to
protect MHI IFKWs. The proposed demographic and threats-based recovery
objectives and criteria for the MHI IFKW address threats from small
population size, incidental take, inadequate regulatory mechanisms,
competition with fisheries for prey, environmental contaminants and
biotoxins, anthropogenic noise, effects from climate change, and
secondary threats and synergies. The Draft Recovery Plan also describes
specific information on the following: Current status of MHI IFKWs;
pressures (limiting factors) and threats that have contributed to the
MHI IFKWs' decline; recovery strategies to address the threats based on
the best available science; and site-specific actions with timelines.
The Draft Recovery Plan also summarizes time and costs required to
implement recovery actions.
The Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy provides specific,
prioritized activities necessary to fully implement recovery actions in
the Draft Recovery Plan. This stepped-down approach will afford us the
ability to modify these activities in real time to reflect changes in
the information available as well as progress towards recovery.
How NMFS and Others Expect To Use the Plan
In addition to continuing to carry out actions already underway,
such as photo identification efforts and satellite tag deployment and
analysis, we have begun implementation of outreach actions as described
in the plan, such as developing strategic outreach messaging and tools
for fishermen and boaters to report sightings of false killer whales,
and anonymously reporting interactions with false killer whales. After
public comment and the adoption of the Final Recovery Plan and Final
Recovery Implementation Strategy, we will implement the actions and
activities for which we have authority and funding; encourage other
federal, state, and local agencies to implement recovery actions and
activities for which they have responsibility, authority, and funding;
and work cooperatively with the public and local stakeholders on
implementation of other actions and activities. We expect the Recovery
Plan to guide us and other federal agencies in evaluating federal
actions under ESA section 7, as well as in implementing other
provisions of the ESA, such as considering permits under section 10,
and other statutes.
When we are considering a species for delisting, the agency will
examine whether the ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors have been
addressed. To assist in this examination, we will use the delisting
criteria described in the Draft Recovery Plan, which include both
demographic criteria and threats-based criteria addressing each of the
ESA section 4(a)(1) listing factors, as well as any other relevant data
and policy considerations.
Public Comments Solicited
We are soliciting written comments on the Draft Recovery Plan and
Draft Recovery Implementation Strategy. All substantive comments
received by the date specified above will be considered and
incorporated, as appropriate, prior to our decision whether to approve
this Recovery Plan and Recovery Implementation Strategy. While we
invite comments on all aspects of the Draft Recovery Plan and Draft
Recovery Implementation Strategy, we are particularly interested in
comments on the proposed objectives, criteria, and actions, as well as
comments on the estimated time and cost of recovery actions and
activities.
In addition, the ESA requires that we conduct a review of listed
species at least once every five years. On the basis of such review
under section (4)(c)(2)(B), we determine whether any species should be
removed from the list (i.e., delisted) or reclassified from endangered
to threatened or from threatened to endangered (16 U.S.C.
1533(c)(2)(B)). Any change in federal classification would require a
separate rulemaking process. The regulations in 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 MHI IFKW listed as an endangered DPS (77 FR 70915;
November 28, 2012). Comments and information submitted will be
considered in the 5-year review, as applicable.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: October 13, 2020.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-22950 Filed 10-15-20; 8:45 am]
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