Fish and Wildlife Service September 8, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Mississippi State University (MSU or Applicant) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit (ESP) under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The ESP application includes a proposed Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (RCW) for a period of 20 years. If approved, the Agreement would allow the Applicant to establish and enhance RCW habitat on the John W. Starr Memorial Forest (JSMF). We announce the opening of a 30-day comment period and request comments from the public on the Applicant's ESP application, the accompanying proposed Agreement, and the supporting Environmental Action Statement (EAS) Screening Form.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces 5-year reviews of the Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates), eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), Red Hills salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti), Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae), bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum), southern combshell (Epioblasma = Dysnomia penita), Arkansas fatmucket (Lampsilis powelli), Louisiana pearlshell (Margaritifera hembeli), black clubshell (Pleurobema curtum), flat pigtoe (Pleurobema marshalli), heavy pigtoe (Pleurobema taitianum), stirrupshell (Quadrula stapes), Kral's water-plantain (Sagittaria secundifolia), and Alabama streak-sorus fern (Thelypteris pilosa var. alabamensis) under section 4(c)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The purpose of reviews conducted under this section of the Act is to ensure that the classification of species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12) is accurate. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review.

The Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment for Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, 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 mandate, 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 machine 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.