Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Critical Habitat Designations for Florida Manatee and Antillean Manatee, 92881-92883 [2024-27529]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 227 / Monday, November 25, 2024 / Proposed Rules C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This action will not impose any requirements on small entities beyond those imposed by state law. The proposed CDD and approval of the base year emissions inventory does not create any new requirements and does not directly regulate any entities. D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. This action does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state law. Accordingly, no additional costs to state, local, or tribal governments, or to the private sector, will result from this action. E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Pursuant to the CAA, this action proposes a CDD and to approve a base year emissions inventory. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS F. Executive Order 13175: Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175, because the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction, and it will not impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this action. G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks The EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those regulatory actions that concern environmental health or safety risks that the EPA has reason to believe may disproportionately affect children, per the definition of ‘‘covered regulatory action’’ in section 2–202 of the Executive Order. Therefore, this action is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it merely proposes a CDD and to approve a base year emissions VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:16 Nov 22, 2024 Jkt 265001 inventory as meeting federal requirements. Furthermore, the EPA’s Policy on Children’s Health does not apply to this action. H. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211, because it is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) Section 12(d) of the NTTAA directs the EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. The EPA believes that this action is not subject to the requirements of section 12(d) of the NTTAA because application of those requirements would be inconsistent with the CAA. J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, 59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) directs Federal agencies to identify and address ‘‘disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects’’ of their actions on communities with EJ concerns to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law. Executive Order 14096 (Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, 88 FR 25251, April 26, 2023) builds on and supplements E.O. 12898 and defines EJ as, among other things, ‘‘the just treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, or Tribal affiliation, or disability in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect human health and the environment.’’ For the SIP portion of this action, under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and applicable federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA’s role is to review state choices and approve those choices if they meet the minimum criteria of the Act. Accordingly, this proposed CDD and approval of a base year emissions inventory does not impose any additional regulatory requirements on sources beyond those imposed by state law. The State did not evaluate EJ PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 92881 considerations as part of its attainment plan for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS; the CAA and applicable implementing regulations neither prohibit nor require such an evaluation. Consistent with the EPA’s discretion under the CAA, the EPA has evaluated the EJ considerations of this action, as is described in the section of this document titled, ‘‘Environmental Justice Considerations.’’ The analysis was included in this document for the purpose of providing additional context and information about this rulemaking to the public, not as a basis of the proposed action. Due to the nature of the action being proposed here, this action is expected to have a neutral impact on the air quality of the affected area. In addition, there is no information in the record upon which this decision is based inconsistent with the stated goal of E.O. 12898/14096 of achieving EJ for communities with EJ concerns. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52 Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Ammonia, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen oxides, Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile organic compounds. Dated: November 18, 2024. Martha Guzman Aceves, Regional Administrator, Region IX. [FR Doc. 2024–27517 Filed 11–22–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2024–0073; FXES1111090FEDR–256–FF09E21000] RIN 1018–BH47 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Critical Habitat Designations for Florida Manatee and Antillean Manatee Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are extending the comment period on our September 24, 2024, proposed rule to revise critical habitat for Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and to designate critical habitat for Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25NOP1.SGM 25NOP1 92882 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 227 / Monday, November 25, 2024 / Proposed Rules We are extending the proposed rule’s comment period for 60 days to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final rule. DATES: The comment period on the proposed rule that published on September 24, 2024, at 89 FR 78134 is extended. We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before January 24, 2025. 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–R4–ES–2024–0073, which is the docket number for the September 24, 2024, proposed rule. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate the correct document. You may submit a comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment.’’ (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–R4–ES–2024–0073, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 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). khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nikki Colangelo, Classification and Recovery Division Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Ecological Services Field Office, 777 37th Street, Suite D–101, Vero Beach, FL 32960; telephone 772–226–8138. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. Please see Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2024–0073 on VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:16 Nov 22, 2024 Jkt 265001 https://www.regulations.gov for a document that summarizes the September 24, 2024, proposed rule. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On September 24, 2024, we published in the Federal Register (89 FR 78134) a proposed rule to revise critical habitat for the Florida manatee and to designate critical habitat for the Antillean manatee under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The proposed rule opened a 60-day comment period, ending November 25, 2024. We have received multiple requests to extend the public comment period due to impacts from recent hurricanes. With this document, we extend the public comment period for an additional 60 days, as specified above in DATES. Public Comments We will accept written comments and information during the extended comment period on our September 24, 2024, proposed critical habitat rule for the West Indian manatee (89 FR 78134). We will consider information from all interested parties. We intend that any final action resulting from the proposal will be based on the best scientific data available and will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Our final critical habitat designation will take into consideration all comments and any additional information we receive during the open comment period on the proposed rule. Because we will consider all comments and information we receive during the open comment period, as well as any information that may become available after the publication of our proposal, our final designations may differ from our September 24, 2024, proposed rule (89 FR 78134). Based on new information we may receive (and, if relevant, any comments on that new information), we may modify the proposed critical habitat designations. Our final designations may not include all areas proposed, may include some additional areas that meet the definition of critical habitat, or may exclude some areas if we find the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion and exclusion will not result in the extinction of the species. In our final rule, we will clearly explain our rationale and the basis for our final decision, including why we made PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 changes, if any, that differ from the September 24, 2024, proposed rule. If you already submitted comments or information on the September 24, 2024, proposed rule, please do not resubmit them. Any such comments are incorporated as part of the public record of the rulemaking proceeding, and we will fully consider them in the preparation of our 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 information you assert. Please note that submissions merely stating support for, or opposition to, the action under consideration without providing supporting information, although noted, do not provide substantial information necessary to support a determination. Section 4(b)(2) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(2)) directs that the Secretary shall designate critical habitat on the basis of the best scientific 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 the proposed rule, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2024–0073. Authors The primary authors of this document are members of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Species Assessment Team and the Florida and Caribbean Ecological Services Field Offices. Authority The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), is the authority for this action. E:\FR\FM\25NOP1.SGM 25NOP1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 227 / Monday, November 25, 2024 / Proposed Rules Signing Authority Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved this action on November 14, 2024, for publication. On November 20, 2024, Martha Williams authorized the undersigned to sign the document electronically and submit it to the Office of the Federal Register for publication as 92883 an official document of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Madonna Baucum, Regulations and Policy Chief, Division of Policy, Economics, Risk Management, and Analytics of the Joint Administrative Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2024–27529 Filed 11–22–24; 8:45 am] khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS BILLING CODE 4333–15–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:16 Nov 22, 2024 Jkt 265001 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\25NOP1.SGM 25NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 92881-92883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27529]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0073; FXES1111090FEDR-256-FF09E21000]
RIN 1018-BH47


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Critical Habitat 
Designations for Florida Manatee and Antillean Manatee

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
extending the comment period on our September 24, 2024, proposed rule 
to revise critical habitat for Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus 
latirostris) and to designate critical habitat for Antillean manatee 
(T. m. manatus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as 
amended.

[[Page 92882]]

We are extending the proposed rule's comment period for 60 days to give 
all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the 
proposed rule. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as 
they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully 
considered in the final rule.

DATES: The comment period on the proposed rule that published on 
September 24, 2024, at 89 FR 78134 is extended. We will accept comments 
received or postmarked on or before January 24, 2025.

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-R4-ES-2024-0073, 
which is the docket number for the September 24, 2024, proposed rule. 
Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the panel 
on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check 
the Proposed Rule box to locate the correct document. You may submit a 
comment by clicking on ``Comment.''
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2024-0073, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
MS: PRB/3W, 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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nikki Colangelo, Classification and 
Recovery Division Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida 
Ecological Services Field Office, 777 37th Street, Suite D-101, Vero 
Beach, FL 32960; telephone 772-226-8138. Individuals in the United 
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech 
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United 
States should use the relay services offered within their country to 
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States. 
Please see Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0073 on https://www.regulations.gov for a document that summarizes the September 24, 
2024, proposed rule.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On September 24, 2024, we published in the Federal Register (89 FR 
78134) a proposed rule to revise critical habitat for the Florida 
manatee and to designate critical habitat for the Antillean manatee 
under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The proposed rule opened a 60-
day comment period, ending November 25, 2024. We have received multiple 
requests to extend the public comment period due to impacts from recent 
hurricanes. With this document, we extend the public comment period for 
an additional 60 days, as specified above in DATES.

Public Comments

    We will accept written comments and information during the extended 
comment period on our September 24, 2024, proposed critical habitat 
rule for the West Indian manatee (89 FR 78134). We will consider 
information from all interested parties. We intend that any final 
action resulting from the proposal will be based on the best scientific 
data available and will be as accurate and as effective as possible. 
Our final critical habitat designation will take into consideration all 
comments and any additional information we receive during the open 
comment period on the proposed rule.
    Because we will consider all comments and information we receive 
during the open comment period, as well as any information that may 
become available after the publication of our proposal, our final 
designations may differ from our September 24, 2024, proposed rule (89 
FR 78134). Based on new information we may receive (and, if relevant, 
any comments on that new information), we may modify the proposed 
critical habitat designations. Our final designations may not include 
all areas proposed, may include some additional areas that meet the 
definition of critical habitat, or may exclude some areas if we find 
the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion and 
exclusion will not result in the extinction of the species. In our 
final rule, we will clearly explain our rationale and the basis for our 
final decision, including why we made changes, if any, that differ from 
the September 24, 2024, proposed rule.
    If you already submitted comments or information on the September 
24, 2024, proposed rule, please do not resubmit them. Any such comments 
are incorporated as part of the public record of the rulemaking 
proceeding, and we will fully consider them in the preparation of our 
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 
information you assert. Please note that submissions merely stating 
support for, or opposition to, the action under consideration without 
providing supporting information, although noted, do not provide 
substantial information necessary to support a determination. Section 
4(b)(2) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(2)) directs that the Secretary 
shall designate critical habitat on the basis of the best scientific 
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 the 
proposed rule, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0073.

Authors

    The primary authors of this document are members of the Fish and 
Wildlife Service's Species Assessment Team and the Florida and 
Caribbean Ecological Services Field Offices.

Authority

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

[[Page 92883]]

Signing Authority

    Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
approved this action on November 14, 2024, for publication. On November 
20, 2024, Martha Williams authorized the undersigned to sign the 
document electronically and submit it to the Office of the Federal 
Register for publication as an official document of the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service.

Madonna Baucum,
Regulations and Policy Chief, Division of Policy, Economics, Risk 
Management, and Analytics of the Joint Administrative Operations, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27529 Filed 11-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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