Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of an Incidental Take Permit Application for the California Condor; Availability of Draft Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment; Pine Tree Wind Farm, Kern County, California, 9081-9082 [2022-03465]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 33 / Thursday, February 17, 2022 / Notices (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Information Collection Requirement OMB Control Number 1652–0035; Enhanced Security Procedures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Each person who wishes to operate an aircraft into and out of DCA must designate a security coordinator and adopt the DASSP. See 49 CFR 1562.21 and 1562.23. Once aircraft operators have adopted the DASSP, the operators must request a tentative slot reservation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and request authorization from TSA to fly into or out of DCA (this information is collected under OMB control number 1652–0033 TSA Airspace Waiver Program). If TSA approves the flight, TSA will transmit that information to FAA. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 DCA Access Standard Security Program The DASSP application collects basic information about the applicant, the aircraft operator, and the security coordinator that the operator wishes to designate, as well as the identifier of the airport used as a base of operation and whether the operator presently complies with a TSA Standard Security Program. TSA also requires the following individuals to submit fingerprints for a criminal history records check (CHRC) and other identifying information for a name-based security threat assessment: Individuals designated as security coordinators by Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) under 49 CFR 1562.25 1 and GA aircraft operators under 1562.23; crewmembers who operate GA aircraft into and out of DCA in accordance with 49 CFR 1562.23 and DASSP; and ASOs approved in accordance with 49 CFR part 1562.29. For crewmembers, TSA also uses this information to check their FAA records to determine whether they have a record of violation of specified FAA regulations. As part of the threat assessment process, TSA shares the information with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the FAA. Aircraft operators must also maintain CHRC records of all employees and authorized representatives for whom a CHRC has been completed. These records must be made available to TSA upon request. Armed Security Officer Program Each aircraft operating into or out of DCA must have onboard at least one armed security officer, with limited exceptions. See 49 CFR 1562.23(e)(7). Under the Armed Security Officer Program, established in accordance with 49 CFR 1562.29, aircraft operators and FBOs participating in this program can nominate the individuals they would like to be qualified as ASOs by submitting an ASO nomination form to TSA. Once nominated, the ASOs are required to submit fingerprints and identifying information, personal history information, a photograph, and weapon information before an ASO application can be approved. TSA uses the applicants’ information to conduct a complete vetting to include fingerprintbased CHRC and security threat assessment, including an employment history verification check of all prior law enforcement positions. Upon successful completion of these checks and law enforcement employment history review, TSA makes the final determination of ASO applicant eligibility. All qualified applicants must then successfully complete a TSAapproved training course. TSA estimates a total of 76 respondents annually for DASSP applications, with an annual hour burden estimate of 76. In addition, TSA estimates 84 respondents annually for ASO nominations, with an annual hour burden estimate of 98. The total number of respondents is estimated to be 160 and the annual burden is estimated to be 174 hours. Dated: February 11, 2022. Christina A. Walsh, TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology. [FR Doc. 2022–03388 Filed 2–16–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–05–P 1 An FBO is a business granted the right by the airport sponsor to operate on an airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangering, tiedown and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, etc. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Feb 16, 2022 Jkt 256001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9081 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2021–0157; FXES11140800000–20223FF08ECAR00] Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of an Incidental Take Permit Application for the California Condor; Availability of Draft Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment; Pine Tree Wind Farm, Kern County, California Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit would authorize take of the federally endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with operation of the existing Pine Tree Wind Farm. We invite comments on the draft conservation plan and the draft environmental assessment, which we have prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. We will take comments into consideration before deciding whether to issue an incidental take permit. DATES: To ensure consideration, please submit your written comments by March 21, 2022. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may obtain copies of the documents online in Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2021–0157 at https://www.regulations.gov. Submitting Comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the documents, you may do so in writing by any of the following methods: • Email: fw8cfwocomments@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Pine Tree Wind Farm Incidental Take Permit’’ in the subject line of the message. • U.S. Mail: Assistant Field Supervisor, Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 777 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 208, Palm Springs, CA 92262. We request that you send written comments by only one of the methods described above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Sanzenbacher, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, by mail at Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office (address above), by phone at 760–322–2070, extension 425, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM 17FEN1 9082 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 33 / Thursday, February 17, 2022 / Notices or via email at peter_sanzenbacher@ fws.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled, please call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (applicant) for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The application addresses the potential take of the federally endangered California condor (condor), incidental to otherwise lawful activities at the Pine Tree Wind Farm (project), as described in the applicant’s draft conservation plan. The project began operations in 2009 and is within the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area in the eastern foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada in Kern County, California. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Background Section 9 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1538) and Federal regulations promulgated pursuant to section 4(d) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1533) prohibit the take of endangered species without special exemption. Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539), we may 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 permits for endangered and threatened species are set forth in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 17, sections 17.22 and 17.32. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) requires Federal agencies to analyze their proposed actions to determine whether the actions may significantly affect the human environment. In the NEPA analysis, the Federal agency will identify the effects, as well as possible mitigation for effects on environmental resources, that could occur with the implementation of the proposed action and alternatives. The Federal action in this case is the Service’s proposed issuance of an incidental take permit for the federally endangered California condor. Permit Application The applicant has submitted a draft conservation plan that describes the activities covered by the permit, such as the operation of wind turbines and other specified activities associated with project components. To minimize the risk of incidental take, the applicant will maintain a program to detect condors approaching the project and temporarily curtail operating wind VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:23 Feb 16, 2022 Jkt 256001 turbines when appropriate. The conservation plan also includes adaptive management to allow for maintaining the protection of condors as technologies, condor behavior, and other factors change over time. To mitigate the impact of the potential incidental take, the applicant proposes to work with an existing captive breeding facility to fund the production of additional condors for release into the wild. The Service and applicant used a population viability analysis to inform the mitigation strategy and ensure that the level of potential injury or mortality of condors permitted at the project would not impede recovery of the species. The population viability analysis report is appended to the draft conservation plan. The Service prepared a draft environmental assessment to evaluate the impacts of issuing the proposed incidental take permit on the human environment, consistent with the purpose and goals of NEPA and pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality’s implementing NEPA regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500– 1508. Additionally, the draft environmental assessment was prepared consistent with the Department of the Interior NEPA regulations (43 CFR part 46); longstanding Federal judicial and regulatory interpretations; and Administration priorities and policies including Secretary’s Order No. 3399 requiring bureaus and offices to use ‘‘the same application or level of NEPA that would have been applied to a proposed action before the 2020 Rule went into effect.’’ A ‘‘Frequently Asked Questions’’ document for the above-described population viability analysis is attached to the draft environmental assessment. The draft conservation plan and the draft environmental assessment consider alternatives to the proposed action, including a no action alternative. Public Comments If you wish to comment on the draft conservation plan and draft environmental assessment, you may submit comments by one of the methods in ADDRESSES. Public Availability of Comments You may submit comments by one of the methods shown under ADDRESSES. All comments and materials we receive in response to this request will become part of the decision record associated with this action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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. Authority We issue this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539) 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 and 43 CFR 46.305). Scott Sobiech, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Carlsbad, California. [FR Doc. 2022–03465 Filed 2–16–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Geological Survey [GX22LR000F60100; OMB Control Number 1028–0060/Renewal] Agency Information Collection Activities; Mine, Development, and Mineral Exploration Supplement U.S. Geological Survey, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to renew an information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before April 18, 2022. ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request (ICR) by mail to U.S. Geological Survey, Information Collections Officer, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; or by email to gs-info_ collections@usgs.gov. Please reference OMB Control Number 1028–0060 in the subject line of your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Shonta E. Osborne by email at sosborne@usgs.gov, or by telephone at 703–648–7960. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1– 800–877–8339 for TTY assistance. You may also view the ICR at https:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\17FEN1.SGM 17FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9081-9082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03465]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2021-0157; FXES11140800000-20223FF08ECAR00]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of an Incidental Take 
Permit Application for the California Condor; Availability of Draft 
Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment; Pine Tree Wind 
Farm, Kern County, California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
received an application from the Los Angeles Department of Water and 
Power for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended. The permit would authorize take of the federally 
endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) incidental to 
otherwise lawful activities associated with operation of the existing 
Pine Tree Wind Farm. We invite comments on the draft conservation plan 
and the draft environmental assessment, which we have prepared pursuant 
to the National Environmental Policy Act. We will take comments into 
consideration before deciding whether to issue an incidental take 
permit.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please submit your written comments by 
March 21, 2022.

ADDRESSES: 
    Obtaining Documents: You may obtain copies of the documents online 
in Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2021-0157 at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Submitting Comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the 
documents, you may do so in writing by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Pine Tree Wind 
Farm Incidental Take Permit'' in the subject line of the message.
     U.S. Mail: Assistant Field Supervisor, Palm Springs Fish 
and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 777 East Tahquitz 
Canyon Way, Suite 208, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
    We request that you send written comments by only one of the 
methods described above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Sanzenbacher, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, by mail at Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office (address 
above), by phone at 760-322-2070, extension 425,

[[Page 9082]]

or via email at [email protected]. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech 
disabled, please call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from the Los 
Angeles Department of Water and Power (applicant) for an incidental 
take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The application addresses the potential take 
of the federally endangered California condor (condor), incidental to 
otherwise lawful activities at the Pine Tree Wind Farm (project), as 
described in the applicant's draft conservation plan. The project began 
operations in 2009 and is within the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area in 
the eastern foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada in Kern County, 
California.

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1538) and Federal regulations 
promulgated pursuant to section 4(d) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1533) 
prohibit the take of endangered species without special exemption. 
Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539), we may 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 permits for endangered and threatened 
species are set forth in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR) at part 17, sections 17.22 and 17.32.
    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.) requires Federal agencies to analyze their proposed actions to 
determine whether the actions may significantly affect the human 
environment. In the NEPA analysis, the Federal agency will identify the 
effects, as well as possible mitigation for effects on environmental 
resources, that could occur with the implementation of the proposed 
action and alternatives. The Federal action in this case is the 
Service's proposed issuance of an incidental take permit for the 
federally endangered California condor.

Permit Application

    The applicant has submitted a draft conservation plan that 
describes the activities covered by the permit, such as the operation 
of wind turbines and other specified activities associated with project 
components. To minimize the risk of incidental take, the applicant will 
maintain a program to detect condors approaching the project and 
temporarily curtail operating wind turbines when appropriate. The 
conservation plan also includes adaptive management to allow for 
maintaining the protection of condors as technologies, condor behavior, 
and other factors change over time. To mitigate the impact of the 
potential incidental take, the applicant proposes to work with an 
existing captive breeding facility to fund the production of additional 
condors for release into the wild. The Service and applicant used a 
population viability analysis to inform the mitigation strategy and 
ensure that the level of potential injury or mortality of condors 
permitted at the project would not impede recovery of the species. The 
population viability analysis report is appended to the draft 
conservation plan.
    The Service prepared a draft environmental assessment to evaluate 
the impacts of issuing the proposed incidental take permit on the human 
environment, consistent with the purpose and goals of NEPA and pursuant 
to the Council on Environmental Quality's implementing NEPA regulations 
at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508. Additionally, the draft environmental 
assessment was prepared consistent with the Department of the Interior 
NEPA regulations (43 CFR part 46); longstanding Federal judicial and 
regulatory interpretations; and Administration priorities and policies 
including Secretary's Order No. 3399 requiring bureaus and offices to 
use ``the same application or level of NEPA that would have been 
applied to a proposed action before the 2020 Rule went into effect.''
    A ``Frequently Asked Questions'' document for the above-described 
population viability analysis is attached to the draft environmental 
assessment. The draft conservation plan and the draft environmental 
assessment consider alternatives to the proposed action, including a no 
action alternative.

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the draft conservation plan and draft 
environmental assessment, you may submit comments by one of the methods 
in ADDRESSES.

Public Availability of Comments

    You may submit comments by one of the methods shown under 
ADDRESSES. All comments and materials we receive in response to this 
request will become part of the decision record associated with this 
action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying 
information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
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.

Authority

    We issue this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA (16 
U.S.C. 1539) 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 and 43 CFR 46.305).

Scott Sobiech,
Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Carlsbad, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2022-03465 Filed 2-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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