Fish and Wildlife Service 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and its implementing regulations. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a comprehensive conservation plan is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, plans identify wildlife- dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. The purpose of this notice is to achieve the following: (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issue to include in the environmental document.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge is available for review and comment. This Draft CCP/EA was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee et seq), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d). It describes how the Service intends to manage the refuge over the next 15 years. Compatibility determinations for several existing uses (farming, sport fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education and interpretation) were re-evaluated, and are included in the draft plan. In addition, draft compatibility determinations for two new proposed uses (grazing and hunting) are also available for review and comment in the Draft CCP/EA.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a correction to the proposed rule to revise critical habitat for the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) and Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys), and designate critical habitat for the endangered St. Andrew beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis) published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2005. The proposed rule was published with an incorrect electronic mail address for submission of comments.

This proposed rule would establish regulations for fishing seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during the 2007-08 regulatory year. The rulemaking is necessary because Subpart D is subject to an annual public review cycle. When final, this rulemaking would replace the fish and shellfish taking regulations included in the ``Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, Subpart D-2006-07 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Wildlife Regulations,'' which expire on March 31, 2007. This rule would also amend the Customary and Traditional Use Determinations of the Federal Subsistence Board and the General Regulations related to the taking of fish and shellfish.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)(collectively, the Services) announce the availability of the final recovery plan for the Gulf of Maine (GOM) distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is available for distribution. The plan was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and describes how the refuge will be managed for the next 15 years. The compatibility determinations for wildlife observation, photography, and hiking; swimming and beach use; recreational fishing; environmental education and interpretation; and scientific research are also available within the plan.

On February 26, 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) issued a section 10(a)(1)(B) permit, pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act), for incidental take of the golden-cheeked warbler (GCW) (Dendroica chrysoparia) to Mark and Brenda Hogan. This permit was subsequently transferred to Ralph Lake, Jr. on January 12, 2001. The permit (TE-005497) was for a period of five years and expired on February 26, 2004. The requested permit renewal by Ralph Lake will extend the permit expiration by five years from the date the permit is reissued.

San Gabriel Harvard Limited Partnership (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The requested permit, which is for a period of 30 years, would authorize incidental take of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), and Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus). The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and operation of a residential development on 307.85 acres (124.6 hectares) of the Shadow Canyon property, Williamson County, Texas.

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list a karst meshweaver (spider), Cicurina cueva (no common name), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Since receiving the petition, both a genetic assessment and a re-assessment of morphological characters have failed to support the distinctness of C. cueva from two other named Cicurina, C. bandida and C. reyesi. After reviewing all available scientific and commercial information, we find that current information available to us does not support the taxonomic standing of C. cueva as a species, and therefore it is not a listable entity and listing is therefore not warranted.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are listing the alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys [=Macrochelys] temminckii) and all species of map turtle (Graptemys spp.) in Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Convention, or CITES). Appendix III of CITES includes species that a CITES Party identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation, and as needing the cooperation of other Parties in the control of trade. International trade in alligator snapping turtles is largely focused on pet markets and meat for human consumption. Map turtles are popular in the pet trade and may also be sold for human consumption. Map and alligator snapping turtles are protected to varying degrees by State laws within the United States. Listing these native turtles in Appendix III is necessary to allow us to adequately monitor international trade in the taxa; to determine whether exports are occurring legally, with respect to State law; and to determine whether further measures under CITES or other laws are required to conserve these species. Appendix-III listings will lend additional support to State wildlife agencies in their efforts to regulate and manage these species, improve data gathering to increase our knowledge of trade in these species, and strengthen State and Federal wildlife enforcement activities to prevent poaching and illegal trade. Furthermore, listing alligator snapping turtles and all species of map turtles in Appendix III enlists the assistance of other Parties in our efforts to monitor and control trade in these species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise critical habitat for the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis) and Choctawhatchee beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus allophrys), and designate critical habitat for the endangered St. Andrew beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are proposing 5 units of critical habitat totaling approximately 1,264 acres (ac) (511 hectares (ha)) for the Perdido Key beach mouse, 5 units totaling approximately 2,334 ac (944 ha) for the Choctawhatchee beach mouse, and 3 units totaling approximately 2,610 ac (1,056 ha) for the St. Andrew beach mouse. In total, approximately 6,208 ac (2,511 ha) fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. The proposed critical habitat is located in Baldwin County, Alabama, and Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, and Gulf Counties, Florida.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate and exclude approximately 17,418 acres (ac) (7,049 hectares (ha)) of critical habitat for the Sonoma County distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are excluding all critical habitat based on interim conservation strategies and measures being implemented by those local governing agencies with land use authority over the area and also as a result of economic exclusions authorized under section 4(b)(2) of the Act. Therefore, no critical habitat is being designated for the Sonoma County distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander in Sonoma County, California.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for the federally threatened Brodiaea filifolia (thread-leaved brodiaea) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 597 acres (ac) (242 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The critical habitat is located in Los Angeles and San Diego counties, California. Lands in Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties that are covered by approved and draft habitat conservation plans are excluded under section 4(b)(2). Lands owned or controlled by the Department of Defense that are covered by an Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) that provides a benefit to the species are exempt from critical habitat under section 4(a)(3) of the Act. As a result of revisions based on peer and public comments and a re- evaluation of methodology and mapping, approximately 4,093 ac (1,656 ha) in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego counties proposed as critical habitat were removed or excluded from this final designation. Lands designated as critical habitat are under Federal and private ownership. No Tribal lands are included in this critical habitat designation.

The following applicants have applied for a scientific research permit to conduct certain activities with endangered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (we) solicits review and comment from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public on the following permit requests.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to delist the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in Nevada. We find that the petition and the available literature cited in the petition do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that delisting may be warranted. We will not be initiating a further status review in response to this petition. We ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of or threats to the gray wolf. This information will help us monitor and encourage the conservation of this species.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our revised 12-month finding for a petition to list the greater Adams Cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus pholeter) and the lesser Adams Cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus cataryctos) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we conclude that these species are not likely to become endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range. Therefore, we find that proposing a rule to list these species is not warranted, and we no longer consider them to be candidate species for listing. The Service will continue to seek new information on the taxonomy, biology, and ecology of these species, as well as potential threats to their continued existence.

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and marine mammals.

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we, our) announces that the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is available for review. The Service prepared this CCP/EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd, et seq.).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is publishing in the Federal Register the priority list of wildlife and sport fish conservation projects submitted by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) for funding under the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. This notice is required by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106- 408). FY 2006 grants may be awarded from this priority list.

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals.