Fish and Wildlife Service August 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization
Document Number: 2014-20618
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received applications from Apache Alaska Corporation (Apache), SAExploration, Inc., LLC (SAE), and BlueCrest Energy, Inc. (BlueCrest), formerly Buccaneer Alaska Operations, LLC, for authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), as amended, to take small numbers of northern sea otters from the Southcentral stock by harassment incidental to proposed oil and gas exploration activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska. In accordance with provisions of the MMPA, we request comments on our proposed authorization for the applicant to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of northern sea otters from the Southcentral stock for a period of 1 year. We anticipate no take by injury or death and include none in this proposed authorization, which would be for take by harassment only.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Early Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for Certain Migratory Game Birds in the Contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
Document Number: 2014-20363
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits of mourning, white-winged, and white- tipped doves; band-tailed pigeons; rails; moorhens and gallinules; woodcock; common snipe; sandhill cranes; sea ducks; early (September) waterfowl seasons; migratory game birds in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; youth waterfowl day; and some extended falconry seasons. Taking of migratory birds is prohibited unless specifically provided for by annual regulations. This rule permits taking of designated species during the 2014-15 season.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status for Oregon Spotted Frog
Document Number: 2014-20059
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa), an amphibian species from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. The effect of this regulation will be to add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2014-20479
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in Oktibbeha, Winston, and Noxubee Counties, Mississippi, for public review and comment. In this Draft CCP/EA, we describe the alternative we propose to use to manage this refuge for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Permits
Document Number: 2014-20464
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species under the authority of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (Act).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean Distinct Population Segment of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle; Correction
Document Number: 2014-20463
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, published a final rule in the Federal Register on July 10, 2014, that designated specific areas in the terrestrial environment of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts as critical habitat for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean distinct population segment of the loggerhead sea turtle under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. On July 23, 2014, we published another final rule that set forth additions, removal, updates, and corrections to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife for marine and anadromous taxa, including the loggerhead sea turtle. Neither the July 10, 2014, final rule nor the July 23, 2014, final rule presented a complete and accurate entry for the loggerhead sea turtle in the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; the complete and accurate entry is a combination of the two, as well as an additional citation. With this document, we correct the entry for the loggerhead sea turtle in the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2014-20456
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-28
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. With some exceptions, 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 requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2014-20455
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-28
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. With some exceptions, 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 requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Document Number: 2014-20361
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2014-15 migratory bird hunting seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October 1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2014-20485
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-27
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a public meeting of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (Council). The Council provides advice about wildlife and habitat conservation endeavors that benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, the States, Native American tribes, and the Federal Government; and benefit recreational hunting.
San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Alamosa, Rio Grande, and Saguache, CO; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
Document Number: 2014-20236
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and draft environmental impact statement for the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex (refuge complex) in Alamosa, Rio Grande, and Saguache, Colorado. In these documents, we describe alternatives, including our proposed action alternative, to manage the refuge complex for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Vandenberg Monkeyflower
Document Number: 2014-20054
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for Diplacus vandenbergensis (Vandenberg monkeyflower), a plant species from Santa Barbara County, California. The effect of this regulation will be to add this species to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on the Petition To List Least Chub as an Endangered or Threatened Species
Document Number: 2014-19927
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a revised 12-month finding on a petition to list the least chub (Iotichthys phlegethontis) as an endangered or threatened species and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the least chub is not warranted at this time. Therefore, we are removing the species from our list of candidates under the Act. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning threats to the least chub or its habitat at any time.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Physaria globosa (Short's bladderpod), Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower), and Leavenworthia crassa (fleshy-fruit gladecress)
Document Number: 2014-19558
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for Physaria globosa (Short's bladderpod), Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower), and Leavenworthia crassa (fleshy- fruit gladecress) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 1,006 hectares (ha) (2,488 acres (ac)) in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designations.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Document Number: 2014-19855
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is proposing to establish the 2014-15 late-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 number of birds that may be taken and possessed in late seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population and habitat conditions.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Applications for Transfer of Permits
Document Number: 2014-19796
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-21
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received two applications for transfer of permits associated with two habitat conservation plans issued under the Endangered Species Act (Act). The new landowners have agreed to assume the responsibilities of, and to be bound by, the terms and conditions of the original permits. We intend to transfer these permits as long as the applicants meet issuance criteria under the Act and all other requirements for holding a permit.
National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy; Teleconference of the Joint Implementation Working Group
Document Number: 2014-19761
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-20
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a public teleconference of the Joint Implementation Working Group (Working Group) for the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy (Strategy). The purpose of the Strategy is to inspire and enable natural resource professionals and other decision makers to take action to conserve the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and ecosystem functions, as well as the human uses and values these natural systems provide, in a changing climate. At this meeting, the Working Group will review the first Strategy Implementation Progress Report, discuss future approaches to implementation, hear comments from stakeholders, and make plans for the Fall-2014 in-person meeting. With this notice, we also initiate the Working Group's recently approved Stakeholder Engagement Plan, which commits the Working Group to open meetings going forward. This will be the only announcement of meetings made in the Federal Register. All future meetings (including logistical information) will be made only via the Strategy Web site (www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov).
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi; Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment; Correction
Document Number: 2014-19377
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-20
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
On July 30, 2014, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced the availability for public review and comment of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment (draft CCP/EA) for Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi. However, edits had not yet been completed on the draft CCP/EA, and the document is not yet ready for public review. We will publish a second Federal Register notice when the draft CCP/EA is ready for review.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Upper Missouri River Distinct Population Segment of Arctic Grayling as an Endangered or Threatened Species
Document Number: 2014-19353
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-20
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a revised 12-month finding on a petition to list the Upper Missouri River distinct population segment (Upper Missouri River DPS) of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling is not warranted at this time. The best available scientific and commercial information indicates that habitat-related threats previously identified, including habitat fragmentation, dewatering, thermal stress, entrainment, riparian habitat loss, and effects from climate change, for the Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling have been sufficiently ameliorated and that 19 of 20 populations of Arctic grayling are either stable or increasing. This action removes the Upper Missouri River DPS of the Arctic grayling from our candidate list. Although listing is not warranted at this time, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the threats to the Upper Missouri River DPS of Arctic grayling or its habitat at any time.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for the Florida Leafwing and Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak Butterflies; Correction
Document Number: 2014-19590
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-19
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 12, 2014, that determined endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the Florida leafwing (Anaea troglodyta floridalis) and Bartram's scrub-hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami), two butterflies endemic to South Florida. In that rule, we made an error in our amendatory language. With this document, we correct our error.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Island Marble Butterfly as an Endangered Species
Document Number: 2014-19560
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-19
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce our 90-day finding on a petition To list the island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. Based on our review, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial data indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we are notifying the public that when resources become available, we will be conducting a review of the status of this subspecies to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. In order to assure that the best scientific and commercial data informs the status review and, if warranted, the subsequent listing determination, and to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to provide information for consideration for the status review, we are requesting information regarding the island marble butterfly. Based on the results of our status review, we will issue a 12-month finding on the petition, which will address whether the petitioned action is warranted, as provided in section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act.
Environmental Impact Statement; Major Amendment to the Multiple Species Conservation Program County of San Diego Subarea Plan for the Otay Hills Aggregate Quarry and Inert Debris Landfill, San Diego County, California
Document Number: 2014-19492
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act regarding an application to amend the Endangered Species Act permit issued for the Multiple Species Conservation Program County of San Diego Subarea Plan (Subarea Plan). The EIS will evaluate the impacts of several alternatives related to the proposed issuance of an amended incidental take permit to the County of San Diego (applicant) for the quarry and landfill project in San Diego County, California. 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.
Draft Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances and Receipt of Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the Greater Sage-Grouse on Private Rangelands, Baker and Malheur Counties, Oregon
Document Number: 2014-19371
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for an enhancement of survival permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit application includes a draft candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for the greater sage-grouse on private rangelands in Baker and Malheur Counties, Oregon. We invite comments from all interested parties on the application, including the draft CCAA, and a draft environmental action statement prepared pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for Permit
Document Number: 2014-19341
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-15
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.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2014-19340
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-15
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; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Western Distinct Population Segment of the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
Document Number: 2014-19178
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the western distinct population segment of the yellow-billed cuckoo (western yellow-billed cuckoo) (Coccyzus americanus) under the Endangered Species Act. In total, approximately 546,335 acres (221,094 hectares) are being proposed for designation as critical habitat in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. The effect of this regulation, if finalized, is to designate critical habitat for the western yellow- billed cuckoo under the Endangered Species Act.
Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Cokeville, Wyoming; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2014-18670
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-14
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) we prepared on the CCP for Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. The final CCP describes how we intend to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.
Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group; Public Meeting and Teleconference
Document Number: 2014-19163
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a public meeting of the Trinity Adaptive Management Working Group (TAMWG). The TAMWG is a Federal advisory committee that affords stakeholders the opportunity to give policy, management, and technical input concerning Trinity River (California) restoration efforts to the Trinity Management Council (TMC). The TMC interprets and recommends policy, coordinates and reviews management actions, and provides organizational budget oversight.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Warton's Cave Meshweaver as Endangered or Threatened
Document Number: 2014-19089
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Warton's cave meshweaver (Cicurina wartoni) as an endangered or threatened species and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. After a review of the best available scientific information, we find that C. wartoni is not a distinct species. Therefore, we find that C. wartoni is not a listable entity under the Act and does not warrant listing as an endangered or threatened species. As a result, we are removing this species from the candidate list. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available at any time.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status for the Distinct Population Segment of the North American Wolverine Occurring in the Contiguous United States; Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of the North American Wolverine in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico
Document Number: 2014-18743
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, withdraw the proposed rule to list the distinct population segment of the North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) occurring in the contiguous United States as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This withdrawal is based on our conclusion that the factors affecting the DPS as identified in the proposed rule are not as significant as believed at the time of the proposed rule's publication (February 4, 2013). We base this conclusion on our analysis of current and future threat factors. Therefore, we withdraw our proposal to list the wolverine within the contiguous U.S. as a threatened species. As a result, we also withdraw our associated proposed rule under section 4(d) of the Act contained in the proposed listing rule and withdraw the proposed nonessential experimental population designation under section 10(j) of the Act for the southern Rocky Mountains, which published in a separate document on February 4, 2013.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for the Florida Leafwing and Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak Butterflies
Document Number: 2014-18614
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for the Florida leafwing (Anaea troglodyta floridalis) and Bartram's scrub-hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami), two butterflies endemic to South Florida. This final rule implements the protections provided by the Act for these species. This regulation will result in the addition of these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Florida Leafwing and Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak Butterflies
Document Number: 2014-18611
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designate critical habitat for the Florida leafwing (Anaea troglodyta floridalis) and Bartram's scrub-hairstreak (Strymon acis bartrami) butterflies under the Endangered Species Act. In total, approximately 4,273 hectares (10,561 acres) in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation for the Florida leafwing butterfly, and approximately 4,670 hectares (11,539 acres) in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation for the Bartram's scrub-hairstreak butterfly.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 2014-15 Season
Document Number: 2014-18861
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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 2014-15 migratory bird hunting season.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan; City of Deltona, Volusia County, FL and Adventist Health System/Sunbelt, Inc., Orange County, FL
Document Number: 2014-18591
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received applications from the City of Deltona and Adventist Health System/ Sunbelt, Inc. (applicants) for incidental take permits under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The City of Deltona has applied for modification of an ITP (ITP; modification TE28377B-1), and Adventist Health System/Sunbelt, Inc. has applied for a 10-year incidental take permit (ITP; TE41877B- 0). We request public comment on the permit applications and accompanying proposed habitat conservation plans (HCPs), as well as on our preliminary determination that the plan qualifies as low-effect under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, which are also available for review.
Notice of Availability of Draft Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit; Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC
Document Number: 2014-18590
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an incidental take permit (ITP) application, draft habitat conservation plan (HCP), and a draft Implementing Agreement (IA) from Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC (applicant), located in Ford and Iroquois Counties, Illinois. If approved, the ITP would authorize incidental take of two species of bats (covered species): the Indiana bat, a federally endangered species, and northern long-eared bat, proposed for Federal listing under the ESA. In accordance with the NEPA, the Service has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in response to the permit application. We invite public comment on the ITP application, draft HCP, draft IA, and draft EA.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit Applications
Document Number: 2014-18589
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-06
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 we've received for permits to authorize take of federally listed species. Although the Endangered Species Act (Act) prohibits the take of species listed as endangered or threatened under the Act, the USFWS may issue permits authorizing the take of endangered or threatened species if certain conditions are met by the applicant, and when such take will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of the species in the wild. The Act requires that we invite public comment before we issue these permits.
Availability of a Revised Environmental Assessment and Incidental Take Plan for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's Trapping Program
Document Number: 2014-18548
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
On November 9, 2011, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a notice of availability of a draft environmental assessment (DEA) and receipt of an application for an incidental take permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), submitted by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), for the Maine Trapping Program Incidental Take Plan (ITP). MDIFW is requesting a permit under the ESA to authorize take of the federally threatened Canada lynx incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with MDIFW's statewide furbearer trapping program. The permit would be in effect for 15 years. During the 60-day comment period, the Service received numerous comments on the DEA and the ITP. MDIFW revised the draft ITP to address public and Service comments and submitted a revised ITP to the Service in July 2013. The Service then revised its DEA. This notice announces the availability for a 30-day supplemental public comment period of both the revised DEA and the revised ITP for MDIFW's incidental take permit application.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of the Proposed Rules To List Graham's Beardtongue (Penstemon grahamii) and White River Beardtongue (Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis) and Designate Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2014-18368
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, withdraw the proposed rule to list Graham's beardtongue (Penstemon grahamii) and White River beardtongue (Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis) as threatened species throughout their ranges under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This withdrawal is based on our conclusion that the threats to the species as identified in the proposed rule no longer are as significant as we previously determined. We base this conclusion on our analysis of new information concerning current and future threats and conservation efforts. We find the best scientific and commercial data available indicate that the threats to the species and their habitats have been reduced so that the two species no longer meet the statutory definition of threatened or endangered species. Therefore, we are withdrawing both our proposed rule to list these species as threatened species and our proposed rule to designate critical habitat for these species.
National Bison Range Complex, Moiese, MT; Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Annual Funding Agreement With the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
Document Number: 2014-18450
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-05
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that our draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed Annual Funding Agreement (AFA) with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) is available. The proposed AFA would allow CSKT to design, manage, and implement the biology, visitor services, fire, and maintenance program on the National Bison Range Complex. This draft EA describes and analyzes four alternatives, including the draft AFA and the No Action alternative.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status for the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse With Special Rule
Document Number: 2014-18180
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-08-05
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 28, 2013, proposed rule to list the bi-State distinct population segment (DPS) of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, with a special rule. We are taking this action based on new information received regarding population trends, and recent State and Federal agency funding and staffing commitments for various conservation efforts associated with the Bi-State Action Plan, making it necessary to solicit feedback by reopening the comment period for 30 days. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final listing determination. We anticipate publishing a final listing determination on or before April 28, 2015.
Incidental Take Permit and Environmental Assessment for Condominium Construction, Perdido Key, Escambia County, Florida
Document Number: 2014-18310
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Under the Endangered Species Act (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the receipt and availability of a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for take of the Perdido Key beach mouse incidental to construction of a multi-unit condominium in Escambia County, Florida. We invite public comments on these documents.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Sharpnose Shiner and Smalleye Shiner
Document Number: 2014-17694
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designate critical habitat for the sharpnose shiner (Notropis oxyrhynchus) and smalleye shiner (N. buccula) under the Endangered Species Act. In total, approximately 1,002 river kilometers (623 river miles) of river segments occupied by the species in Baylor, Crosby, Fisher, Garza, Haskell, Kent, King, Knox, Stonewall, Throckmorton, and Young Counties, in the upper Brazos River basin of Texas, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The effect of this regulation is to designate critical habitat for sharpnose shiner and smalleye shiner under the Endangered Species Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered Status for the Sharpnose Shiner and Smalleye Shiner
Document Number: 2014-17692
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for the sharpnose shiner (Notropis oxyrhynchus) and smalleye shiner (N. buccula), two fish species from Texas. The effect of this regulation will be to add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. We have also determined that critical habitat for the sharpnose shiner and smalleye shiner is prudent and determinable. Elsewhere in today's Federal Register, we designate critical habitat for the sharpnose shiner and smalleye shiner under the Act.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Applications for Participation of Applicants in the Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan for the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma
Document Number: 2014-18165
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on incidental take permit (ITP) applications for take of the federally listed American burying beetle resulting from activities associated with the construction, operation, maintenance, repair, and decommissioning of oil and gas pipelines and related well field activities in Oklahoma. If approved, the permits would be issued to applicants under the approved Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan Associated With Issuance of Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permits for the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma (ICP).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Physaria globosa (Short's Bladderpod), Helianthus verticillatus (Whorled sunflower), and Leavenworthia crassa (Fleshy-Fruit Gladecress)
Document Number: 2014-18103
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-08-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for Physaria globosa (Short's bladderpod), Helianthus verticillatus (whorled sunflower), and Leavenworthia crassa (fleshy-fruit gladecress). Short's bladderpod occurs in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Whorled sunflower occurs in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Fleshy-fruit gladecress occurs only in Alabama. The effect of this regulation will be to add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Final Programmatic Agreement; Ballville Dam Project, Sandusky County, Ohio
Document Number: 2014-17917
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-08-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is advising the public of the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Ballville Dam Project, in Sandusky County Ohio. Additionally, the Service is advising the public of the availability of the final Programmatic Agreement under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations. The Service is furnishing this notice to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on these documents. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to NEPA.
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