Fish and Wildlife Service 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service or we) proposes to establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2007-08 hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. This proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule, describes the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2007-08 duck hunting seasons, requests proposals from Indian tribes that wish to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands, and requests proposals for the 2008 spring/summer migratory bird subsistence season in Alaska. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide hunting opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.

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

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex is 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 CCP for each national wildlife refuge. This Draft CCP, when final, will describe how we intend to manage the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex over the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period on the proposed designation of critical habitat for two southern California plants: Ceanothus ophiochilus (Vail Lake ceanothus) and Fremontodendron mexicanum (Mexican flannelbush). We also announce the availability of the draft economic analysis for the proposed critical habitat designations and an amended Required Determinations section of the proposal. The draft economic analysis identifies potential costs will be $385,000 to $659,000 in undiscounted dollars over a 20-year period as a result of the proposed designation of critical habitat, including those costs coextensive with listing and recovery. Discounted future costs are estimated to be $325,000 to $559,000 ($22,000 to $38,000 annualized) at a 3 percent discount rate, or $272,000 to $471,000 ($26,000 to $44,000 annualized) at a 7 percent discount rate. The amended Required Determinations section provides our determination concerning compliance with applicable statutes and Executive Orders that we have deferred until the information from the draft economic analysis of this proposal was available. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule, the associated draft economic analysis, and the amended Required Determinations section.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are adding four marine taxa to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. These amendments are based on previously published determinations by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, which has jurisdiction for these species. These four taxa are the Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris), staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn (Acropora palmata) corals, and the Southern Resident killer whale DPS (Orcinus orca).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the reopening of the public comment period on our April 24, 2003, proposed rule (68 FR 20228) to designate critical habitat for the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) and our April 22, 2003, proposed rule (68 FR 19888) to designate critical habitat for the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). The comment period will provide the public and Federal, State, and local agencies and Tribes with an opportunity to submit in writing updated comments and information on these species and associated habitat, the proposed critical habitat designations, and respective draft economic analyses. Comments relevant to issues identified for consideration in the April 22 and April 24, 2003, proposed critical habitat rules and the April 8, 2004, notice of availability of the draft economic analyses for these species that were previously submitted during one of the prior public comment periods need not be resubmitted as they have already been incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in any final decision. Comments relevant to issues identified in the April 8, 2004, Federal Register notice (69 FR 18515) reopening the comment period on the proposed determination of a Distinct Vertebrate Population Segment for the California gnatcatcher also need not be resubmitted as that determination will be made separately from the critical habitat designations for the coastal California gnatcatcher and San Diego fairy shrimp.

This notice announces the availability of the Recirculated Draft Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan/ Natural Community Conservation Plan (MSHCP), Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR), and Implementing Agreement for public review and comment. The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), Coachella Valley Conservation Commission, County of Riverside, Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Riverside County Parks and Open Space District, Riverside County Waste Management District, Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, California Department of Transportation, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy, and the cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage (Applicants) 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 Applicants also seek a Section 2835 permit under the California Natural Community Conservation Planning Act of 2002. The Applicants are requesting a permit to incidentally take 22 animal species and seeking assurances for 5 plant species, including 17 unlisted species should any of them become listed under the Act during the proposed 75-year term of the permit. The permit is needed to authorize incidental take of listed animal species (including harm, injury, and harassment) during development in the approximately 1.10 million-acre (1,719-square mile) Plan Area in the Coachella Valley of Riverside County, California. The MSHCP also incorporates a Public Use and Trails Plan which includes proposals that address non-motorized recreation activities on Federal and non-Federal lands in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a Cooperating Agency in this planning process and will use this EIS/EIR to make decisions on BLM-administered public lands pertaining to trail use in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. The proposals constitute activity (implementation) level actions in furtherance of the California Desert Conservation Area Plan (1980), as amended, and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Management Plan (2004). The BLM will issue a separate Record of Decision regarding non-motorized recreation activities on public lands. A Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement, which is the Federal portion of the EIS/EIR, has been prepared jointly by the Service and CVAG, along with the biological consultant, to analyze the impacts of the MSHCP and is also available for public review. The analyses provided in the EIS/EIR are intended to inform the public of the proposed action, alternatives, and associated impacts; disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects of the proposed action and each of the alternatives; and indicate any irreversible commitment of resources that would result from implementation of the proposed action. All of the alternatives in the EIS/EIR are the same as the alternatives identified in the Final MSHCP and Final EIS/EIS, dated February 6, 2006, with one exception: the Preferred Alternative without the City of Palm Springs is no longer included. The Service and the cooperating agency issued a notice of intent to prepare an EIS/EIR for the proposed MSHCP, on June 28, 2000 (65 FR 39920); a notice of availability of the Draft EIS/EIR for the proposed MSHCP on November 5, 2004 (69 FR 64581); and a notice of availability of the Final EIS/EIR for the proposed MSHCP on April 21, 2006 (71 FR 20719). The Service is issuing this notice to advise the public of revisions to the MSHCP and associated EIS/EIR which includes the following primary changes: (1) Removing the City of Desert Hot Springs as an Applicant; (2) including a Riverside County Flood Control/Water Conservation District flood control project as a Covered Activity within the Morongo Wash area, if the project meets the MSHCP's biological goals and objectives for the Covered Species and the biological goals and objectives for maintaining fluvial sand transport and providing an adequate corridor for habitat connectivity; (3) identifying the revised Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Trails Plan as the chosen trails management alternative in the EIS/EIR. The Plan is structured to be consistent with larger recovery efforts for the bighorn sheep and takes an adaptive management approach to balancing its goals of: (a) Minimizing the risk of potential adverse impacts to Peninsular bighorn sheep from recreational activities, and (b) providing recreational opportunities for hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers; and (4) identifying changes to conservation area boundaries to reflect ``like exchanges'' approved by the applicants since the publication of the Final MSHCP, dated February 6, 2006. The ``like exchanges'' include Citrus Ranch, Lumkes Family Trust, Nott, Indio Water Authority Reservoirs, and the City of Cathedral City.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Siskiyou Mountains salamander (Plethodon stormi) and Scott Bar salamander (Plethodon asupak) as threatened or endangered, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing these species may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating status reviews of these species, and we will issue a 12-month finding to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the status review of the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders is comprehensive, we are soliciting scientific and commercial data regarding these species. A determination on critical habitat will be made if and when a listing action is initiated for these species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we or us), hereby establish a distinct population segment (DPS) of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) for the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and surrounding area (hereafter referred to as the Yellowstone DPS, Yellowstone grizzly bear DPS, or Yellowstone grizzly bear population) and remove this DPS from the List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. The Yellowstone grizzly bear population is no longer an endangered or threatened population pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Endangered Species Act or the Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), based on the best scientific and commercial data available. Robust population growth, coupled with State and Federal cooperation to manage mortality and habitat, widespread public support for grizzly bear recovery, and the development of adequate regulatory mechanisms has brought the Yellowstone grizzly bear population to the point where making a change to its status is appropriate. The delisting of the Yellowstone DPS does not change the threatened status of the remaining grizzly bears in the lower 48 States, which remain protected by the Act. In an upcoming but separate notice, we will initiate a 5-year status review of the grizzly bear as listed under the Act based on additional scientific information that is currently being collected and analyzed. Finally, we announce a 90-day finding on a petition (submitted during the public comment period for the proposed rule) to list the Yellowstone grizzly bear population as endangered on the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife under the Act and to designate critical habitat. We find that the petition and additional information in our files did not present substantial scientific information indicating that listing the Yellowstone grizzly bear population as endangered may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating a status review in response to this petition.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Pecos sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 1579.3 acres (ac) (639.1 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. Proposed critical habitat is located in Chaves, Cibola, Guadalupe, Socorro, and Valencia Counties, New Mexico, and in Pecos County, Texas.

The County of Bastrop (County) 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 applicant has been assigned permit number TE-113500-0. The requested permit, which is for a period of 30 years, would authorize the incidental take of the endangered Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The proposed take would occur as a result of new residential, commercial, and multi-family development; expansion of existing residential, commercial, and multi- family development; ongoing uses of previously developed lands; Bastrop County infrastructure maintenance and improvement; emergency services; conservation subdivision development; wildlife management activities; forestry management activities; and agricultural management activities in an approximately 124,000-acre Plan Area in Bastrop 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 Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), publish this notice to list programs or portions of our programs that are eligible for inclusion in Fiscal Year 2007 funding agreements with self- governance tribes, and to list programmatic targets pursuant to section 405(c)(4) of the Tribal Self-Governance Act.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC, which is scheduled to expire on July 31, 2007. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

On August 10, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') published a final rule on resident Canada goose management. This proposed rule clarifies and slightly modifies several program requirements regarding eligibility, definitions, methodologies, and dates.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for the spikedace (Meda fulgida) and loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 522.2 river miles (mi) (840.4 kilometers (km)) are designated as critical habitat. Critical habitat is located in Catron, Grant, and Hidalgo Counties in New Mexico, and Apache, Graham, Greenlee, Pinal, and Yavapai Counties in Arizona.

We invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare comprehensive conservation plans and environmental assessments pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations for Mandalay and Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuges in Terrebonne and Saint Mary Parishes, Louisiana. Mandalay and Bayou Teche Refuges are two of the eight refuges administered by the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex. 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 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 documents.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an incidental take permit (ITP) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Royal Tequesta LLC (Applicant) requests an ITP pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Applicant anticipates taking about 2.24 acres of Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) (scrub-jay) foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to partial land clearing of their 6-acre lot and subsequent commercial and residential construction and supporting infrastructure in Palm Beach County, Florida (Project). The destruction of 2.24 acre of foraging and sheltering habitat is expected to result in the take of one family of scrub-jays. The Applicant's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) describes the mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the effects of the Project to the Florida scrub-jay.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC, which is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2007. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period on the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Peck's cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki), Comal Springs dryopid beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis), and Comal Springs riffle beetle (Heterelmis comalensis) (Comal springs invertebrates, or CSI) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and the availability of the draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat. The draft economic analysis forecasts future impacts associated with conservation efforts in areas proposed as critical habitat to be $23.3 million over the next 20 years under scenario 1 (scenario description described in Background), or $152 million under scenario 2 in undiscounted dollars (annualized dollars are estimated at $1.2 million under scenario 1 and $7.6 million under scenario 2). Future economic impacts associated with conservation efforts in areas proposed as critical habitat at a 3 percent discount rate are estimated to be $17.1 million over the next 20 years under Scenario 1, or $111.3 million under scenario 2 (annualized dollars are estimated at $1.2 million under scenario 1 and $7.5 million under scenario 2). Future economic impacts associated with conservation efforts in areas proposed as critical habitat at a 7 percent discount rate are estimated to be $11.9 million over the next 20 years under scenario 1, or $77.3 million under scenario 2 (annualized dollars are estimated at $1.2 million under scenario 1 and $7.4 million under scenario 2). It should be noted that the majority of economic impacts quantified in this draft EA are jointly caused by eight endangered species, including the three CSI. Because all of these species reside in the same habitat, separating future impacts of CSI from those of the other listed species in the aquifer is not possible.

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

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.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of two supplements to the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) Recovery Plan. The supplements, appended to the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan, present revised methods to estimate population size and sustainable mortality limits for the Yellowstone grizzly bear population, and establish habitat-based recovery criteria for the Yellowstone grizzly bear population.

The following permits were issued.

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

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, intend to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and associated environmental documents for the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. We furnish this notice in compliance with our comprehensive conservation planning policy to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning process.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Post-delisting Monitoring Plan for Eggert's sunflower (Helianthus eggertii) (Monitoring Plan). The status of Eggert's sunflower will be monitored over a 5-year period from 2006 through 2010, through annual evaluation of information routinely being collected by seven agencies that have entered into long-term management agreements with us covering 27 populations of Eggert's sunflowers, combined with a total census of these populations during the second and fifth year of the monitoring period.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) are proposing a restoration plan for 15,100 acres (6,111 hectares) of former commercial salt ponds in south San Francisco Bay. This South Bay Salt Pond (SBSP) Restoration Project would use a combination of restored tidal marsh, managed ponds, flood control measures and public access features to meet the three goals of the plan: to restore wildlife habitat, to provide flood protection and to provide wildlife-oriented public access. The ponds are located at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge and at the Eden Landing State Ecological Reserve. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) includes program-level evaluation of the SBSP long- term alternatives as well as project-level analysis of the first phase of restoration (the Phase 1 actions). The Draft EIS/EIR has been prepared jointly by the Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the CDFG to analyze the impacts of the SBSP. The EIS/EIR presents a limited evaluation of the potential impacts associated with the list of possible South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Study (Shoreline Study) actions. The Shoreline Study area includes the SBSP Restoration Project area as well as shoreline and floodplain areas in the counties of Alameda, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. The Corps and non-Federal sponsors will prepare an EIS/EIR for the Shoreline Study, which will tier off of this EIS/EIR and cover specific project-level actions. Note that the Draft SBSP EIS/EIR is being submitted for public review under separate Federal and State processes. The following addresses and due dates are applicable to the Federal NEPA review process:

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of five Incidental Take Permit (ITP) Applications and Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) from the following four applicants: Formosa Homes, Inc., LaPalma Construction, Inc., Vincent Scorpio, and Today Homes Development, Inc. Each requests one or more ITPs for a duration of 2 years under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicants collectively anticipate taking a total of approximately 1.5 acres (ac) of Florida scrub-jay (Alphelocoma coerulescens)occupied habitat incidental to constructing six single-family homes in Volusia County, Florida (Projects). The applicants' HCPs describe the mitigation and minimization measures the applicants propose to address the effects of the Projects to the scrub- jay.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the initiation of a 5-year review of 71 species under section 4(c)(2)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The purpose of a 5-year review is to ensure that the classification of a species as threatened or endangered on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is accurate and consistent with the best scientific and commercial data currently available. We are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the original listing of each of the 71 species identified in Table 1 below. Based on the results of these 5-year reviews, we will determine whether any species should be proposed for removal from the list or its listing status should be changed pursuant to section 4(c)(2)(B) of the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 90-day and 12-month findings on a petition to revise critical habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific information indicating that revising critical habitat for the Indiana bat may be warranted. However, we have also elected to make a 12-month finding at this time.

Lee Combs (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE-141705-0) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of five years, would authorize incidental take of the Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and occupation of commercial development on Lot 2, a 0.75- acre property located on Highway 71 in the Tahitian Village Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas. We invite public comment.

CA 1100, LTD. (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE-139553-0) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of 30 years, would authorize incidental take of the golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and occupation of a residential development on 176 acres of the Shadow Canyon property, Williamson County, Texas. We invite public comment.

We invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Draft CCP/EIS) for the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge is available for review and comment. This Draft CCP/EIS 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, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Draft CCP/EIS describes how the Service intends to manage the refuge over the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we) intend to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated environmental documents for twelve (12) National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) located in the State of North Dakota. The twelve (12) NWRs are Stump Lake, Lake Alice, Kellys Slough, Audubon, Chase Lake, Lake Nettie, McLean, Lake Zahl, Shell Lake, White Lake, Lake Ilo, and Stewart Lake. We furnish this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning process.

Notice is hereby given that Darlene R. Ketten, Ph.D., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Biology Department, MRF- Room 233, MS 50, Woods Hole, MA 02543 has been issued a permit to receive, import, and export marine mammal specimens for scientific research purposes.

Mr. Verl Bagley (Applicant/Cooperator) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an Enhancement of Survival Permit (ESP) for the Utah prairie dog (UPD) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This permit application includes a Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) between the Applicant and the Service. The Service requests information, views, and opinions from the public via this notice. Further, the Service is soliciting information regarding the adequacy of the SHA as measured against the Service's Safe Harbor Policy and the regulations that implement it.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This meeting is open to the public. The Advisory Group for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) grants program (Advisory Group) will hold its third meeting. This meeting is open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements.

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

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

The following permit was issued.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for Wapack National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Greenfield, Lyndeborough, and Temple, New Hampshire. We furnish this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning process.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), will be developing a revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Innoko National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). We will use special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements to inform the public of opportunities to provide input throughout the planning process. We will hold public meetings in communities near the Refuge (Grayling, Anvik, Shageluk, Holy Cross, Kaltag, McGrath and Takotna).

This document provides notice that we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued two permits for the incidental take of the Utah prairie dog, a threatened species, on the Cedar Ridge Golf Course and the Paiute Tribal Lands in Iron County, Utah.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this information collection.

We (Fish and Wildlife Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC, which is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2007. We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

We, the United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), will attend the fourteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP14) in The Hague, The Netherlands, June 3- 15, 2007. Currently, the United States is developing its negotiating positions on proposed resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals), as well as other agenda items that have been submitted by other Party countries and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP14. With this notice we announce the provisional agenda for CoP14, solicit your comments on the items on the provisional agenda, and announce a public meeting to discuss the items on the provisional agenda.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are extending the public comment period on the proposed rule to remove the Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), more commonly known as the West Virginia northern flying squirrel, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, due to recovery. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they have been incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final determination.

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

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

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.

The following applicant has applied for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list Astragalus debequaeus (DeBeque milkvetch) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing A. debequaeus may be warranted. Therefore, 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 A. debequaeus or threats to its habitat at any time. This information will help us monitor and encourage the conservation of the species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Jollyville Plateau salamander (Eurycea tonkawae) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the Jollyville Plateau salamander may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this notice, we are initiating a status review to determine if listing the species is warranted. To ensure that the status review of the Jollyville Plateau salamander is comprehensive, we are soliciting information and data regarding this species.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a public teleconference of the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (Council).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a combined Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is available. This CCP describes how the Service intends to manage the Refuge for the next 15 years.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS) establish the Western Great Lakes (WGL) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The geographic extent of this DPS includes all of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan; the eastern half of North Dakota and South Dakota; the northern half of Iowa; the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana; and the northwestern portion of Ohio. We also remove the WGL DPS from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife established under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are taking these actions because available data indicate that this DPS no longer meets the definitions of threatened or endangered under the Act. The threats have been reduced or eliminated, as evidenced by a population that is stable or increasing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and greatly exceeds the numerical recovery criteria established in its recovery plan. Completed State wolf management plans will provide adequate protection and management of the WGL DPS after delisting. This final rule removes this DPS from the lists of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife, removes the currently designated critical habitat for the gray wolf in Minnesota and Michigan, removes the current special regulations for gray wolves in Minnesota and takes an administrative action that corrects gray wolf designations in the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife at 50 CFR 17.11 and the associated special regulations at Sec. 17.40(n) and (o).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 31,428 acres (ac) (12,719 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. The proposed critical habitat is located in Baker, Calhoun, Franklin, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington Counties in Florida; Baker and Miller Counties in Georgia; and Berkeley, Charleston, and Jasper Counties in South Carolina.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Souris River Basin National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges) is available. This draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage these Refuges for the next 15 years. We request public comment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), announce our 12-month finding on a petition to list, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, (Act) as amended, the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) as a threatened or endangered species throughout its range. After a thorough review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the American eel as either threatened or endangered is not warranted at this time. We ask the public to continue to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of or threats to the species. This information will help us to monitor and encourage the ongoing conservation of this species.

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has completed a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for the McNary and Umatilla National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges). It is available for public review and comment. The Draft CCP/EA describes the Service's proposal for managing the Refuges for the next 15 years. Draft compatibility determinations for public uses are available for review with the Draft CCP/EA.

This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and an associated environmental assessment for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The Service is providing this notice to advise other agencies, Tribal Governments, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of the issues and alternatives to include in the CCP and environmental assessment.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge are available for distribution. The plan was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environment Policy Act of 1969, and describes how the refuge will be managed for the next 15 years. The compatibility determinations for fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education and interpretation, research, and pets are also available within the plan.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the preparation of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We intend to gather the information necessary for preparing the CCP and EA pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. We are providing this notice to advise other Federal and State agencies and the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the environmental document. We will involve the public through open houses, informational and technical meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and announcements will provide information about opportunities for public involvement in the planning process.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of the availability of the Report of Findings on a feathered headdress in the possession of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and in the control of the Department of the Interior (DOI). This notice is given so that the Service may continue to fulfill its obligations under NAGPRA by distributing its findings for review by all interested parties. Copies of this report have already been provided to the requesting Tribes.

The following permits were issued.

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

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, have drafted permit conditions to allow the use of raptors protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for abatement activities. We will authorize the use of these raptors for this purpose under our special purpose permits. We are asking for comments on our draft permit conditions. Allowing the use of raptors to conduct abatement activities is consistent with ensuring the long-term conservation of these species and will serve a public need.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provide a clarification of the finding we made in support of the final rule that listed the contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) (lynx) as threatened. In that rule, we found that, ``collectively, the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Southern Rockies do not constitute a significant portion of the range of the DPS (Distinct Population Segment).'' In response to a court order, we now clarify that finding.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) as threatened with critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of all available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the polar bear as a threatened species under the Act is warranted. Accordingly, we herein propose to list the polar bear as threatened throughout its range pursuant to the Act. This proposed rule, if made final, would extend the Act's protections to this species. Critical habitat for the polar bear is not determinable at this time. The Service seeks data and comments from the public on this proposed listing rule.

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 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 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 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 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 issues to include in the environmental document.