Fish and Wildlife Service August 14, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We announce the receipt of applications to conduct certain activities pertaining to enhancement of survival of endangered species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to extend permits TE-025997-2 and TE-025965-2 (permits) associated with the 46-Subdivision Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for two additional years from the date of reissuance, pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The existing permits cover both direct and indirect incidental take of the Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis) and Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) during the construction and occupation of single-family residences or other similar structures within the 46 subdivisions listed in the HCP. The current permit will expire on July 27, 2006.

We, the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to amend the regulations governing subsistence use of fish and wildlife in Alaska by creating an additional subsistence resource region for the Kenai Peninsula. This addition of a separate subsistence resource region will allow for the creation of a separate Federal subsistence regional advisory council for that region. A new regional council responsible for only the Kenai Peninsula area will better ensure that residents with personal knowledge of the Kenai Peninsula area will have a meaningful role in the complex issues and management challenges of subsistence management on the Federal lands of the Kenai Peninsula.

This proposed rule would establish regulations for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses during the 2007-2008 regulatory year. The rulemaking is necessary because Subpart D is subject to an annual public review cycle. When final, this rulemaking would replace the wildlife taking regulations included in the ``Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska, Subpart D2006-2007 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Wildlife Regulations,'' which expire on June 30, 2007. This rule would also amend the Customary and Traditional Use Determinations of the Federal Subsistence Board and the General Regulations on taking of wildlife. In addition, at the request of the Southcentral Subsistence Regional Advisory Council, the Federal Subsistence Board is accepting proposals to revise the regulations for fishing seasons, harvest limits, and methods related to taking of fish on the Kenai Peninsula for subsistence uses during the 2007-2008 regulatory year.