Fish and Wildlife Service January 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing 38 Species on Molokai, Lanai, and Maui as Endangered and Designating Critical Habitat on Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe for 135 Species
Document Number: 2013-02002
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-31
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period on our June 11, 2012 (77 FR 34464), proposal to list 38 species as endangered, reaffirm the listing of 2 endemic Hawaiian plants currently listed as endangered, and designate critical habitat for 39 of these 40 plant and animal species on the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai, Lanai, and Maui; designate critical habitat for 11 plant and animal species that are already listed as endangered; and revise critical habitat for 85 plant species that are already listed as endangered or threatened on the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation and an amended required determinations section of the proposed designation. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule, the associated DEA, and the amended required determinations section. Comments previously submitted on this rulemaking do not need to be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. We also announce a public hearing and public information meeting on our proposed rule and associated documents.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2013-01952
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following application for a permit to conduct activities with the purpose of enhancing the survival of endangered species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits certain activities with respect to endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before issuing such permits.
Draft Environmental Assessment and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Interim Operations of PacifiCorp's Klamath Hydroelectric Project on the Klamath River, Klamath County, OR, and Siskiyou County, CA
Document Number: 2013-01664
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the interim operations of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project in response to an application from PacifiCorp (applicant) for a 10-year incidental take permit for two species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 UDC 1531, et seq; Act). We request data, comments, new information or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party on the applicant's permit application and associated habitat conservation plan (plan), and also on the associated draft EA.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit Applications
Document Number: 2013-01575
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (Act) prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Draft Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances and Draft Environmental Assessment; Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, New Mexico and Colorado
Document Number: 2013-01573
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Vermejo Park, LLC, d/b/a Vermejo Park Ranch (Applicant), has applied for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit application includes a draft Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and Vermejo Park Ranch for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Taos County, New Mexico, and Costilla County, Colorado. If the Rio Grande cutthroat trout becomes listed in the future, the enhancement of survival permit will become effective, authorizing incidental take of Rio Grande cutthroat trout resulting from ongoing, otherwise lawful activities on enrolled lands. The draft CCAA and the draft environmental assessment are available for public review, and we seek public comment on the potential issuance of the above permit.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for Permit
Document Number: 2013-01559
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.
Quagga Mussel Strategic Planning Meeting
Document Number: 2013-01468
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This notice announces a meeting to gather information for planning an FY13 strategy to minimize the spread of quagga mussels from the Colorado River and a framework for working beyond FY13. Priorities for minimizing the spread of these mussels will be discussed. The meeting is open to the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Four Central Texas Salamanders and Designation of Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2013-01307
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the reopening of the public comment period on the August 22, 2012, proposed listing and proposed designation of critical habitat for the Austin blind salamander, Georgetown salamander, Jollyville Plateau salamander, and Salado salamander under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Based on additional salamander locations we identified during the 60- day comment period, we are proposing to revise previously proposed critical habitat units for the Georgetown and Jollyville Plateau salamanders. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the four central Texas salamanders, an amended required determinations section of the proposal, an amended exclusions section of the proposal, and the availability of a refined impervious cover analysis. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the original proposed rule, this revised proposed rule, the associated draft economic analysis, the amended required determinations and exclusions sections, and the refined impervious cover analysis. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. Document Availability: You may obtain copies of the original proposed rule, this revised proposed rule, the draft economic analysis, and the refined impervious cover analysis on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0035 or Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2013-0001 or by mail from the Austin Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Endangered Status for the Zuni Bluehead Sucker
Document Number: 2013-01303
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list the Zuni bluehead sucker as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and propose to designate critical habitat for the species. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this subspecies and its critical habitat. The effect of these regulations will be to conserve the Zuni bluehead sucker and protect its habitat under the Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Zuni Bluehead Sucker
Document Number: 2013-01302
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to designate critical habitat for the Zuni bluehead sucker. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this subspecies' critical habitat. The effect of these regulations will be to protect the Zuni bluehead sucker's habitat under the Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Plan for the Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis)
Document Number: 2013-01293
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the approved Recovery Plan for the Columbia Basin Distinct Population Segment of the Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). The recovery plan includes recovery objectives and criteria and prescribes specific recovery actions considered necessary to achieve downlisting of the population from endangered to threatened status on the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Enhancement of Survival Permit Application; Draft Black-Footed Ferret Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement and Environmental Assessment; Reopening of Public Comment Period
Document Number: 2013-01292
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the public comment period for an application from the Black- footed Ferret Recovery Implementation Coordinator for an enhancement of survival permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The documents available for public review are a draft programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) to reintroduce the federally endangered black-footed ferret on properties of voluntary participants across the species' range to further recovery of this species and a draft environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). If you have previously submitted comments, please do not resubmit them, because we have already incorporated them in the public record and will fully consider them in our final decision.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2013-01155
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the public comment period on our October 2, 2012, 12-month petition finding and proposed rule to remove the valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The 60-day comment period for our proposed rule ended on December 3, 2012. This notice announces a 30-day reopening of the comment period to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule and to submit information on the status of the species. If you submitted comments previously, you do not need to resubmit them because we have already incorporated them into the public record and will fully consider them in preparation of the final rule.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Topeka Shiner in Northern Missouri
Document Number: 2013-01153
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka), a federally endangered fish, under the authority of section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This proposed rule provides a plan for reintroducing Topeka shiners into portions of the species' historical range in Adair, Gentry, Harrison, Putnam, Sullivan, and Worth Counties, Missouri and provides for allowable legal incidental taking of the Topeka shiner within the defined NEP area. Topeka shiners will not be reintroduced into the NEP area until after we issue a final regulation that establishes the NEP.
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, FL; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2013-01171
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact for the environmental assessment for Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Citrus and Hernando Counties, Florida. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2013-01170
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered or threatened species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan; Polk County, FL
Document Number: 2013-01168
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an incidental take permit (ITP) application and a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Palmetto Lake Hamilton-Highway 17, LLC (the applicant) requests an ITP under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant anticipates taking about 1.71 acres of sand skink (Neopseps reynoldsi) and bluetail mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus) (skinks) foraging, breeding, and sheltering habitat incidental to land preparation and construction of a Dollar General Store, including a storm water retention area and parking lot, in Polk County, Florida (project). The applicant's HCP describes the mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the effects of the project on the skinks.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit
Document Number: 2013-01039
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.
Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council
Document Number: 2013-00978
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a public teleconference of the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (Council).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Wood Bison in Alaska
Document Number: 2013-00692
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in cooperation with the State of Alaska, propose to establish a nonessential experimental population of wood bison in central Alaska, in accordance with section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This proposal, if made final, would also establish provisions under which wood bison in Alaska would be managed. We are seeking comments on this proposal and on our draft environmental assessment, prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, which analyzes the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed reintroduction.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, IN; Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, MN; Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, MN; Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge, WI
Document Number: 2013-00899
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our intent to prepare comprehensive conservation plans (CCP) and associated environmental documents for the Big Oaks, Glacial Ridge, Northern Tallgrass Prairie, and Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuges (Refuge, NWR). In these CCPs we will describe how we propose to manage the refuges for the next 15 years. We also invite public comment on the scope of issues that should be considered during the planning process. We will hold open house-style meetings to receive comments and provide information on the planning process. In addition, we will use special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of opportunities for input.
Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Big Stone and Lac Qui Parle Counties, MN; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2013-00898
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NWR). In this final CCP, we describe how we intend to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.
Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Becker County, MN; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2013-00896
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for the Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge, NWR). In this final CCP, we describe how we intend to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Service Regulations Committee Meeting
Document Number: 2013-00784
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service) will conduct an open meeting on February 6, 2013, to identify and discuss preliminary issues concerning the 2013-14 migratory bird hunting regulations.
Establishment of Swan Valley Conservation Area, Montana
Document Number: 2013-00658
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has established the Swan Valley Conservation Area as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Service established the Swan Valley Conservation Area on August 6, 2012, with the donation of an 80-acre conservation easement in Missoula County, Montana.
Draft Policy on Donations, Fundraising, and Solicitation
Document Number: 2013-00654
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to establish a policy that covers Service procedures for accepting, using, and recognizing donations. This draft donations policy is an extension of the Department of the Interior's guidance on donations, found in the Departmental Manual (DM) at 374 DM 6. It focuses on the ethical considerations of all types of donations, as opposed to our Fish and Wildlife Service Manual (FW) guidance, 342 FW 5, Non-Purchase Acquisition, which covers the acquisition of real property rights by methods other than purchase, including donation. If finalized, this draft policy would establish procedures for reviewing and evaluating potential donors and donations. It lists delegations of authority for accepting donations and the roles and responsibilities of the Service's Donations Senior Manager and employees authorized to accept donations. It provides guidance on soliciting donations, where appropriate, and provides general guidance on fundraising by non-Federal entities on the Service's behalf. It also covers recognition of donors. We propose to incorporate this draft policy as 212 FW 8 in the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual (https://www.fws.gov/policy/manuals/).
St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, FL; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2013-00653
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact for the environmental assessment for St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Franklin and Gulf Counties, Florida. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge for the next 15 years.
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, MS; Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2013-00652
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Noxubee, Oktibbeha, and Winston Counties, Mississippi. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Native-American tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Indiana Bat Summer Survey Guidelines
Document Number: C1-2013-00213
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2014-15 and 2015-16 Subsistence Taking of Wildlife Regulations
Document Number: 2013-00325
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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 2014-15 and 2015-16 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board is on a schedule of completing the process of revising subsistence taking of wildlife regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence taking of fish and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable cycle. When final, the resulting rulemaking will replace the existing subsistence wildlife taking regulations. This rule would also amend the general regulations on subsistence taking of fish and wildlife.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Gunnison Sage-Grouse
Document Number: 2012-31667
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The effect of this regulation would be to add the Gunnison sage-grouse to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Gunnison Sage-Grouse
Document Number: 2012-31666
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to designate critical habitat for the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. The effect of this regulation is to designate critical habitat for the Gunnison sage-grouse under the Act. In total, approximately 689,675 hectares (ha) (1,704,227 acres (ac)) are being proposed for designation as critical habitat in Chaffee, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache, and San Miguel Counties in Colorado, and in Grand and San Juan Counties in Utah.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the Blue-Throated Macaw
Document Number: 2013-00291
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-10
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This species is endemic to a small area in Bolivia, and there are estimated to be fewer than 150 individuals remaining in the wild. Its population continues to decrease despite intense conservation efforts. The primary threat to the species is lack of reproductive success (loss of nestlings) due to nest failure, which primarily is caused by competition for nest sites and predation by larger avian species, in addition to diminished availability of suitable habitat. We seek information from the public on the proposed listing for this species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2013-00133
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered or threatened species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities
Document Number: 2012-31347
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA), and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we), propose regulations that authorize the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during oil and gas industry (Industry) exploration activities in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent western coast of Alaska. If adopted as proposed, this rule would be effective for 5 years from the date of issuance of the final rule. We propose a finding that the total expected takings of Pacific walruses (walruses) and polar bears during Industry exploration activities will impact small numbers of animals, will have a negligible impact on these species, and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of these species for subsistence use by Alaska Natives. The proposed regulations include: Permissible methods of nonlethal taking; measures to ensure that Industry activities will have the least practicable adverse impact on the species and their habitat, and on the availability of these species for subsistence uses; and requirements for monitoring and reporting of any incidental takings which may occur, to the Service. If this rule is made final, the Service will issue Letters of Authorization (LOAs), upon request, for activities proposed to be conducted in accordance with the regulations.
Otay River Estuary Restoration Project; South San Diego Bay Unit and Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, California; Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
Document Number: 2013-00134
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reinitiating scoping with regard to the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Otay River Estuary Restoration Project. As originally proposed, the project involved the restoration of estuarine and salt marsh (subtidal and intertidal wetlands) habitats within the western terminus of the Otay River and a portion of the salt ponds in the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge-South San Diego Bay Unit. Based on information developed since the original scoping period, the proposed project may now also include the restoration of a portion of the D Street Fill, located within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge-Sweetwater Marsh Unit. We originally published a notice of intent on November 14, 2011 (76 FR 70480), and scoping comments were accepted through January 12, 2012. Since then, we have expanded the Area of Potential Effect of the restoration project to include the salt ponds and D Street Fill within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This second notice advises the public that we intend to gather additional information through scoping regarding an EIS for the expanded project. We encourage the public and other agencies to participate in the NEPA scoping process by sending written suggestions and information on the issues and concerns that should be addressed in the draft EIS, including the range of alternatives, appropriate mitigation measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts. Comments submitted during the earlier scoping period do not need to be resubmitted.
Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Annual Certification of Hunting and Sport Fishing Licenses Issued
Document Number: 2012-31681
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) have sent an Information Collection Request (ICR) to OMB for review and approval. We summarize the ICR below and describe the nature of the collection and the estimated burden and cost. This information collection is scheduled to expire on February 28, 2013. 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. However, under OMB regulations, we may continue to conduct or sponsor this information collection while it is pending at OMB.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit
Document Number: 2012-31488
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2012-31487
Type: Notice
Date: 2013-01-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. We issue these permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the Honduran Emerald Hummingbird
Document Number: 2012-31095
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2013-01-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list as endangered the Honduran emerald hummingbird (Amazilia luciae) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This species is endemic to a small area in Honduras, and the population is estimated to be less than 1,000 and decreasing. Its suitable habitat has decreased in the past 100 years and continues to diminish. This document also serves as the completion of the status review (also known as the 12-month finding). We seek information from the public on the proposed listing for this species.
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