Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the Rufa Red Knot, 26062-26063 [2021-10064]

Download as PDF 26062 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 12, 2021 / Notices Hypersensitivity, Autoimmune, and Immunemediated Diseases Study Section. Date: June 17–18, 2021. Time: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications. Place: National Institutes of Health, Rockledge II, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 (Virtual Meeting). Contact Person: Deborah Hodge, Ph.D., Scientific Review Officer, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 4207, MSC 7812, Bethesda, MD 20892, (301) 435– 1238, hodged@mail.nih.gov. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.306, Comparative Medicine; 93.333, Clinical Research, 93.306, 93.333, 93.337, 93.393–93.396, 93.837–93.844, 93.846–93.878, 93.892, 93.893, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: May 7, 2021. Melanie J. Pantoja, Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 2021–10020 Filed 5–11–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS–R5–ES–2020–0098; FXES11130500000–212–FF05E00000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the Rufa Red Knot Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for rufa red knot, a bird subspecies listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. DATES: We must receive comments by July 12, 2021. ADDRESSES: Document availability: The draft recovery plan, along with any comments and other materials that we receive, will be available for public inspection at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS–R5–ES–2020–0098. Submitting Comments: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: • Internet: https:// www.regulations.gov. Search for and submit comments on Docket No. FWS– R5–ES–2020–0098. • U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R5– khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 May 11, 2021 Jkt 253001 ES–2020–0098; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: PRB/3W; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. For more information, see Availability of Public Comments under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Schrading, Field Supervisor by phone at 609–382–5272, via email at eric_ schrading@fws.gov, or via the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the threatened rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) for public review and comment. The draft recovery plan includes objective, measurable criteria and management actions as may be necessary for removal of the species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. coastal and inland staging areas and an ample supply of other coastal and inland stopover habitats distributed across the range. In the final listing rule published on December 12, 2014 (79 FR 73705), the Service determined that the rufa red knot is threatened under the ESA due to the following primary threats: Loss of breeding and nonbreeding habitat (including sea level rise, coastal engineering, coastal development, and arctic ecosystem change); likely effects related to disruption of natural predator cycles on the breeding grounds; reduced prey availability throughout the nonbreeding range; and increasing frequency and severity of asynchronies (mismatches) in the timing of the birds’ annual migratory cycle relative to favorable food and weather conditions. Refer to the Species Status Assessment Report (USFWS 2020) for a full discussion of the species’ biology and threats. Recovery Planning The recovery strategy is to prevent loss of the rufa red knot’s adaptive capacity by maintaining representation within and among four Recovery Units, and improving their resiliency and redundancy. Recovery efforts will focus on protecting, restoring, maintaining, and managing important nonbreeding habitats for adults and juveniles. Recovery actions will directly abate threats to red knots in their wintering and migration ranges, and will also increase resiliency of populations to withstand threats that stem from climate change in their Arctic breeding range and elsewhere. These actions include monitoring and safeguarding ample food supplies; preventing impacts from development and shoreline stabilization; managing human disturbance; and restoring key habitats. They may also include land acquisition, facilitated migration of certain beaches or tidal flats, and restoring natural coastal processes that create and maintain red knot habitat. Section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Also pursuant to section 4(f) of the Act, a recovery plan must, to the maximum extent practicable, include (1) a description of site-specific management actions as may be necessary to achieve the plan’s goals for the conservation and survival of the species; (2) objective, measurable criteria that, when met, would support a determination under section 4(a)(1) that the species should be removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species; and (3) estimates of the time and costs required to carry out those measures needed to achieve the plan’s goal. Species Background The rufa red knot is a medium-sized, highly migratory shorebird that ranges across nearly the full latitude gradient of the Western Hemisphere. This subspecies is among the longestdistance migrants in the animal kingdom, and among the best-studied shorebirds in the world. Rufa red knots migrate annually between their breeding grounds on the central Canadian arctic tundra and four wintering regions that include the Atlantic coasts of Argentina and Chile, the northern coast of South America, the western Gulf of Mexico, and the southeast United States and the Caribbean. During migration, rufa red knots require a reliable network of PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Recovery Strategy Availability of Public Comments 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 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. E:\FR\FM\12MYN1.SGM 12MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 12, 2021 / Notices Authority The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Sharon Marino, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, North Atlantic—Appalachian Region. [FR Doc. 2021–10064 Filed 5–11–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2020–N110; FXES11140800000–201–FF08EVEN00] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Categorical Exclusion for the Santa Barbara County Distinct Population Segment of the California Tiger Salamander; Orcutt Hill Resource and Solar Project, Pacific Coast Energy Company, Santa Barbara County, California Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft categorical exclusion (CatEx) for activities described in an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of the Santa Barbara County distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander incidental to activities associated with oil production facilities and a solar photovoltaic system near the city of Orcutt in Santa Barbara County, California. The applicant developed the draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft CatEx in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicant. We invite public comment on these documents. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before June 11, 2021. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may download a copy of the draft HCP and draft CatEx at https://www.fws.gov/ ventura/, or you may request copies of the documents by U.S. mail (below) or by email (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 May 11, 2021 Jkt 253001 Submitting Written Comments: Please send us your written comments using one of the following methods: • U.S. mail: Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. • Email: rachel_henry@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Henry, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, by email, via the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 for TTY assistance, or by mail at the Ventura address (see ADDRESSES). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft categorical exclusion (CatEx) with an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) by Pacific Coast Energy Company, LLC (applicant). The ITP would authorize take of the federally endangered Santa Barbara County distinct population segment (DPS) of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) incidental to activities described in the HCP for activities associated with the operation and maintenance of existing ongoing oil production facilities and operations; the maintenance and management of 101 seep cans; the installation, maintenance, and management of future seep cans; and the installation, operation, and maintenance of a solar photovoltaic system near the City of Orcutt in Santa Barbara County, California. The applicant developed a draft HCP as part of the application for an ITP under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The Service prepared a draft CatEx in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicant. We invite public comment on these documents. Background The Service listed the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander as endangered on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 57242). Section 9 of the ESA prohibits take of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered (16 U.S.C. 1538). Under the ESA, ‘‘take’’ is defined to include the following activities: ‘‘to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532). Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(B)), we may PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26063 issue permits to authorize take of listed fish and wildlife species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered species are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22. Issuance of an ITP also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species, pursuant to section 7 of the ESA and 50 CFR 402.02. The permittee would receive assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’ regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5)). Proposed Activities The applicant has applied for a permit for incidental take of the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. The take would occur in association with the operation and maintenance of existing ongoing oil production facilities and installation, operation, and maintenance of a solar photovoltaic system. The HCP includes avoidance and minimization measures for the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander and mitigation for unavoidable loss of habitat. As mitigation for habitat loss, the applicant proposes to establish a conservation easement within an area that is known to support the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander or purchase credits from a Serviceapproved mitigation bank. Public Availability of Comments 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 ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Stephen Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2021–10045 Filed 5–11–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P E:\FR\FM\12MYN1.SGM 12MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26062-26063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10064]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-R5-ES-2020-0098; FXES11130500000-212-FF05E00000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery 
Plan for the Rufa Red Knot

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability of the draft recovery plan for rufa red knot, a bird 
subspecies listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We 
request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, 
State, and Federal agencies, and the public.

DATES: We must receive comments by July 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: The draft recovery plan, along with any 
comments and other materials that we receive, will be available for 
public inspection at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-R5-
ES-2020-0098.
    Submitting Comments: You may submit comments by one of the 
following methods:
     Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for and 
submit comments on Docket No. FWS-R5-ES-2020-0098.
     U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. 
FWS-R5-ES-2020-0098; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: 
PRB/3W; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    For more information, see Availability of Public Comments under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Schrading, Field Supervisor by 
phone at 609-382-5272, via email at [email protected], or via the 
Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the 
threatened rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) for public review and 
comment. The draft recovery plan includes objective, measurable 
criteria and management actions as may be necessary for removal of the 
species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. We 
request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, 
State, and Federal agencies, and the public.

Recovery Planning

    Section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires the development of recovery 
plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the 
conservation of a particular species. Also pursuant to section 4(f) of 
the Act, a recovery plan must, to the maximum extent practicable, 
include (1) a description of site-specific management actions as may be 
necessary to achieve the plan's goals for the conservation and survival 
of the species; (2) objective, measurable criteria that, when met, 
would support a determination under section 4(a)(1) that the species 
should be removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species; 
and (3) estimates of the time and costs required to carry out those 
measures needed to achieve the plan's goal.

Species Background

    The rufa red knot is a medium-sized, highly migratory shorebird 
that ranges across nearly the full latitude gradient of the Western 
Hemisphere. This subspecies is among the longest-distance migrants in 
the animal kingdom, and among the best-studied shorebirds in the world. 
Rufa red knots migrate annually between their breeding grounds on the 
central Canadian arctic tundra and four wintering regions that include 
the Atlantic coasts of Argentina and Chile, the northern coast of South 
America, the western Gulf of Mexico, and the southeast United States 
and the Caribbean. During migration, rufa red knots require a reliable 
network of coastal and inland staging areas and an ample supply of 
other coastal and inland stopover habitats distributed across the 
range. In the final listing rule published on December 12, 2014 (79 FR 
73705), the Service determined that the rufa red knot is threatened 
under the ESA due to the following primary threats: Loss of breeding 
and nonbreeding habitat (including sea level rise, coastal engineering, 
coastal development, and arctic ecosystem change); likely effects 
related to disruption of natural predator cycles on the breeding 
grounds; reduced prey availability throughout the nonbreeding range; 
and increasing frequency and severity of asynchronies (mismatches) in 
the timing of the birds' annual migratory cycle relative to favorable 
food and weather conditions. Refer to the Species Status Assessment 
Report (USFWS 2020) for a full discussion of the species' biology and 
threats.

Recovery Strategy

    The recovery strategy is to prevent loss of the rufa red knot's 
adaptive capacity by maintaining representation within and among four 
Recovery Units, and improving their resiliency and redundancy. Recovery 
efforts will focus on protecting, restoring, maintaining, and managing 
important nonbreeding habitats for adults and juveniles. Recovery 
actions will directly abate threats to red knots in their wintering and 
migration ranges, and will also increase resiliency of populations to 
withstand threats that stem from climate change in their Arctic 
breeding range and elsewhere. These actions include monitoring and 
safeguarding ample food supplies; preventing impacts from development 
and shoreline stabilization; managing human disturbance; and restoring 
key habitats. They may also include land acquisition, facilitated 
migration of certain beaches or tidal flats, and restoring natural 
coastal processes that create and maintain red knot habitat.

Availability of Public Comments

    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 
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.

[[Page 26063]]

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered 
Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).

Sharon Marino,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, North Atlantic--
Appalachian Region.
[FR Doc. 2021-10064 Filed 5-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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