Department of the Interior September 5, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The City of Adrian (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed duration of the permit is 30 years. The Applicant has prepared a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to address potential impacts to the federally endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka). This notice, provided pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, advises the public and other agencies of the availability of the HCP for review and comment. The Service has made a preliminary determination that the HCP and permit application are eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The basis for this determination is contained in an Environmental Action Statement and low-effect screening form, which are also available for public review.

The following permit was issued.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of comment periods for three actions that are being promulgated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act): (1) A proposed revision of critical habitat for the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and its associated draft economic analysis; (2) a proposed revision of critical habitat for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina); and (3) the development of a recovery plan for the northern spotted owl. In order to provide a combined comment period for these three actions, we are reopening the comment periods to allow additional time for interested parties to comment on any or all of these actions. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are already part of the public record and will be fully considered in preparation of any critical habitat rule(s) and the recovery plan.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in cooperation with the National Park Service, and the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, propose to reestablish the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), a Federally listed endangered fish, into its historic habitat in the Big Bend reach of the Rio Grande in Presidio, Brewster, and Terrell counties, Texas. We propose to reestablish the Rio Grande silvery minnow under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), and to classify it as a nonessential experimental population (NEP). On the Rio Grande, the geographic boundaries of the NEP would extend from Little Box Canyon downstream of Ft. Quitman, Hudspeth County, Texas, through Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, to Amistad Dam and the nearby railroad bridge (Big Bend reach of the Rio Grande). On the Pecos River, the geographic boundaries of the NEP would extend from the river's confluence with Independence Creek to its confluence with the Rio Grande. This proposed reestablishment is part of the recovery actions that the Service, Federal and State agencies, and other partners are conducting throughout the species' historic range. This proposed rule provides a plan for establishing the NEP and provides for limited allowable legal taking of Rio Grande silvery minnows within the defined NEP area. A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared on this proposed action and is available for comment (see ADDRESSES section below).