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

The following applicants have applied for survival enhancement permits 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 the public, and from local, State, and Federal agencies on the following permit requests.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter, Service or we) proposes special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands for the 2005-06 migratory bird hunting season.

The following permits were issued.

The Fish and Wildlife Service (We) will send a request to OMB to renew approval for the collection of information described below under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This information collection covers the following types of grant programs: Sport Fish Restoration, Wildlife Restoration, Coastal Wetland Restoration, Clean Vessel, Boating Infrastructure, and Partnerships for Wildlife and Endangered Species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are providing this notice to advise the public that a draft environmental assessment will be prepared, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, in conjunction with a proposed rule to establish, under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), a Nonessential Experimental Population (NEP) of Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) (silvery minnow) in the Rio Grande River in Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in Texas. We will hold three public informational sessions and scoping meetings (see DATES and ADDRESSES sections). Through this notice and the public scoping meetings, we are seeking comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, Tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties concerning the scope of the environmental analysis, including the alternatives that should be analyzed.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), announce a 90- day finding for a petition to remove Sclerocactus wrightiae (Wright fishhook cactus), throughout its range, from the Federal list of threatened and endangered species, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We reviewed the petition and supporting documentation and find that there is not substantial information indicating that delisting of Wright fishhook cactus may be warranted. Therefore, we will not be initiating a further 12-month status review in response to this petition. However, we are initiating a 5-year review of this species under section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA that will consider new information that has become available since the listing of the species. This will provide the States, Tribes, other agencies, university researchers, and the public an opportunity to provide information on the status of the species. We are requesting any new information on the Wright fishhook cactus that has become available since its original listing as an endangered species in 1979.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service or Service) have submitted the collection of information described below to OMB for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The information collected for the Private Stewardship Grants Program (PSGP) is needed to review requests for funding and to comply with Federal reporting requirements for grants awarded under this program.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 74,223 acres (ac) (30,037 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. The proposed critical habitat is located in Sonoma County, California.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is proposing to establish the 2005-06 early-season hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the maximum number of birds that may be taken and possessed in early seasons. Early seasons may open as early as September 1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of specific final seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population status and habitat conditions.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge are available for review and comment. 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 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 habitat, 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 notice announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is now available for review and comment. 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 and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. Proposed goals for the refuge include: Preserving, restoring, and enhancing diverse habitats to provide favorable conditions for migratory and native wildlife species; Maintaining healthy and viable native fish and wildlife populations on the refuge to contribute to the purpose for which it was established and to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System; Providing opportunities for safe, quality, compatible, wildlife-dependent public use and recreation, which includes hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation; Protecting cultural resources in accordance with Federal and state historic preservation legislation and regulations; and Developing and maintaining the Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Headquarters in a manner that supports, directs, and manages the needs, resources, and staff of Cameron Prairie, Sabine, and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges. Also available for review are the draft compatibility determinations for: recreational fishing; recreational hunting; environmental education and interpretation; wildlife observation and photography; commercial alligator harvest; commercially guided wildlife viewing, photography, environmental education, and interpretation; research and monitoring; commercial video and photography; adjacent property access; and beneficial use of dredge material.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) advise interested parties of their intent to conduct public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to gather information to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to a permit application from Lewis County, Washington for the incidental take of listed species. The permit application would be associated with the Family Forest Habitat Conservation Plan in the Chehalis and Cowlitz River watersheds located in Lewis County, Washington.

Results Home Buyer Inc. (Applicant) requests an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended (Act). The Applicant anticipates removal of about 0.18 acre of Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) (scrub-jay) foraging, sheltering, and possibly nesting habitat, incidental to lot preparation for the construction of a single-family residence and supporting infrastructure in Venice, Sarasota County, Florida (project). The take of one family of scrub-jays, consisting of up to four individuals, could occur as a result of the Applicant's proposed activities. The Applicant's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) describes the mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the effects of the project to the scrub-jay. These measures are outlined in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. The Service has determined that the Applicant's proposal, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, will individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the ITP is a ``low-effect'' project and qualifies as a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by the Department of Interior Manual (516 DM 2, Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6, Appendix 1). The Service announces the availability of the ITP application, HCP, and Screening Form for Low-Effect HCP Determinations for this incidental take application. Copies of the ITP application, HCP, and Screening Form may be obtained by making a request to the Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). Requests must be in writing to be processed. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10 of the Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

On February 15, 2005, a notice was published in the Federal Register (Vol. 70, No. 30, FR 7754), that an application had been filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) by the Triview Metropolitan District and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District for a permit to incidentally take, pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1539) as amended, Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), pursuant to the terms of the ``Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for Issuance of an Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit for the Incidental Take of the Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) for the Monument Creek Interceptor Tie-In Along Jackson Creek, El Paso County, Colorado.'' Notice is hereby given that on June 30, 2005, as authorized by the provisions of the Endangered Species Act, the Service issued a permit (TE-097228-0) to the above named party subject to certain conditions set forth therein. The permit was granted only after the Service determined that it was applied for in good faith, that granting the permit will not be to the disadvantage of the threatened species, and that it will be consistent with the purposes and policy set forth in the Endangered Species Act, as amended. Additional information on this permit action may be requested by contacting the Colorado Field Office, 755 Parfet Street, Suite 361, Lakewood, Colorado 80215, telephone (303) 275-2370, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to gather information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 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 issues to include in the environmental document.

The Hillcrest Travel Plaza (applicant) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service is considering the issuance of a 10-year permit to the applicant that would authorize take of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) incidental to otherwise lawful activities. Such take would occur during the construction and operation of the applicant's proposed travel plaza in Fresno County, California. Construction of the proposed travel plaza would result in the loss of up to 9.27 acres of foraging and migration habitat for the San Joaquin kit fox. We request comments from the public on the permit application and an Environmental Assessment, both of which are available for review. The permit application includes the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) and an accompanying Implementing Agreement. The Plan describes the proposed project and the measures that the applicant would undertake to minimize and mitigate take of the San Joaquin kit fox.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), as lead agencies, announce that the Draft Bison and Elk Management Plan (Plan) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park/John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway (Grand Teton National Park) is available. This draft Plan/EIS was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (NWRS Improvement Act), as amended; the National Park Service Management Policies 2001; and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The draft Plan/EIS was prepared in cooperation and partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); the U.S. Forest Service; the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF); the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); and the State of Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD). The draft Plan/EIS describes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's and the National Park Service's proposal for management of the Jackson bison and elk populations within their respective jurisdictions for 15 years, beginning at the completion of a Record of Decision (ROD) on the final Plan/EIS. Six alternatives for the management of bison and elk populations in the National Elk Refuge and the Grand Teton National Park are considered in the draft Plan/EIS.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announce that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge is available. This CCP, prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to manage this refuge for the next 15 years.

Pursuant to section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the following requests are made:

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

Northern Indiana Public Service Company and the Indiana- American Water Company, Inc. (Applicants) have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for a joint incidental take permit for one covered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the endangered Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) from management activities associated with electric power transmission line, natural gas pipeline, and potable water pipeline right-of-ways in northern Lake and Porter Counties, Indiana. A conservation program to mitigate for the project activities would be implemented as described in the proposed Low Effect Habitat Conservation Plan (proposed Plan), which would be implemented by the Applicants. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on the preliminary determination that the proposed Plan qualifies as a ``Low-Effect'' Habitat Conservation Plan, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the reopening of the comment period on the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Central population of the California tiger salamander and the availability of the draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat. The draft economic analysis identifies potential costs of approximately $367 million over a 20-year period or $32.8 million per year as a result of the designation of critical habitat, including those costs coextensive with listing. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule and the associated draft economic analysis. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the public record as part of this comment period, and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) document for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) which are part of the Sacramento NWR Complex (NWRC). This notice advises the public that the Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare a CCP and an EA pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The public is invited to participate in the planning process. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with the Service's CCP policy to: 1. Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions; 2. Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the environmental documents; and The Service will solicit information from the public via open houses, meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and announcements will provide information regarding opportunities for public involvement in the planning process.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) are available for review. The Final CCP and EIS were 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. 6688dd et seq.), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The CCP describes how the Service intends to manage the refuge over the next 15 years.

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.