Department of the Interior November 23, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) plan to request that OMB renew approval for our information collection associated with the recruitment of Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Council members. The current OMB control number for this information collection is 1018-0120, which expires February 28, 2006. We will request that OMB renew approval of this information collection for a 3-year term.

The following applicants have applied for scientific research permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Draft Post-delisting Monitoring Plan for the Douglas County Distinct Population Segment of the Columbian White- tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus leucurus) (Monitoring Plan). The status of the Douglas County distinct population segment of the Columbian white-tailed deer will be monitored over a 5-year period through spring and fall population trend monitoring surveys, regular disease outbreak monitoring, and an annual habitat status review. We solicit review and comment on this Monitoring Plan from local, State and Federal agencies, and the public.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the fluvial Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit application includes a proposed Umbrella Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (Agreement) between the FWP and the Service. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) also are signatories for the proposed Agreement. The Agreement, the permit application, and the Environmental Assessment are made available for public comment by this notice. The purpose of the Agreement is for private landowners and the FWP, NRCS, DNRC, and the Service to implement conservation measures for the fluvial Arctic grayling in the upper Big Hole River in southwestern Montana. The effort is in support of the FWP's ongoing efforts to enhance the abundance and distribution of the fluvial Arctic grayling throughout its historic range in the upper Missouri River basin. The conservation measures would be implemented by FWP, NRCS, DNRC, the Service, and by participating landowners. A technical working group comprised of FWP, NRCS, DNRC, and the Service developed the conservation measures for the proposed Agreement. Consistent with the Service's Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances Final Policy (CCAA Policy) (64 FR 32726, June 17, 1999), the Agreement is intended to facilitate the conservation of fluvial Arctic grayling by giving the State of Montana and cooperating private landowners incentives to implement conservation measures. Participating Landowners would receive regulatory certainty concerning land and water use restrictions that might otherwise apply should the fluvial Arctic grayling become listed under the ESA. Participating Landowners with eligible property in the upper Big Hole River watershed in southwestern Montana could sign up under the Agreement and the associated permit through site-specific plans for their property and a Certificate of Inclusion. The proposed term of the Agreement and the permit is 20 years. The Service and FWP have prepared a joint Environmental Assessment for execution of the Agreement and issuance of the permit pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (for the Service) and implementation of the Agreement pursuant to the Montana Environmental Policy Act (for FWP). The environmental assessment considers the biological, environmental, and socioeconomic effects of the proposed Agreement and permit. The assessment also evaluates two alternatives to the Agreement and permit, and their potential impacts on the environment. We request comments from the public on the permit application, draft Agreement, and draft Environmental Assessment. All comments we receive, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be released to the public.