Department of the Interior October 3, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of the Interior is giving notice of renewal of the Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee to offer recommendations, alternatives and possible solutions to management of off-road vehicles at Big Cypress National Preserve.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are listing the blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This species is endemic to a small area in Bolivia, and there are estimated to be fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild. Its status remains tenuous despite conservation efforts. Threats to the species include: lack of reproductive success (loss of nestlings) due to nest failure, which primarily is caused by competition for nest sites and predation by larger avian species; and the lack of suitable, available habitat in addition to its small population size.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for Brickellia mosieri (Florida brickell- bush) and Linum carteri var. carteri (Carter's small-flowered flax) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 1,071 ha (2,646 ac) for Brickellia mosieri and approximately 1,054 ha (2,605 ac) for Linum carteri var. carteri. The critical habitat areas proposed for these plants overlap, for a combined total of approximately 1,096 ha (2,707 ac). The proposed critical habitat for both plants is located entirely in Miami-Dade County, Florida. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it will extend the Act's protections to these plants' critical habitats.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) as an endangered or threatened species and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the Kittlitz's murrelet is not warranted at this time. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning threats to the Kittlitz's murrelet or its habitat at any time.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the yellow-billed cuckoo in the western portions of the United States, Canada, and Mexico (western yellow-billed cuckoo) as a threatened distinct vertebrate population segment under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to the western yellow- billed cuckoo. The effect of this regulation would be to add the western yellow-billed cuckoo to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designate critical habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) and streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 1,941 acres (786 hectares) in Island, Clallam, and Thurston Counties in Washington, and in Benton County in Oregon, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Approximately 4,629 acres (1,873 hectares) in Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties in Washington, and in Clatsop, Columbia, Marion, Polk, and Benton Counties in Oregon, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation for streaked horned lark. The effect of this regulation is to designate critical habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark under the Act for the conservation of the species.