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

Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization
Document Number: 2014-23233
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to the replacement of pier piles and the potable water line at USCG Station Monterey in Monterey County, California. In accordance with provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), as amended, we request comments on our proposed authorization for the applicant to incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of southern sea otters from November 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015. We anticipate no take by injury or death and include none in this proposed authorization, which would be for take by harassment only.
Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Coastal Impact Assistance Program
Document Number: 2014-23100
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-29
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 September 30, 2014. 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.
Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; Monitoring Recovered Species After Delisting-American Peregrine Falcon
Document Number: 2014-22925
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-26
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 September 30, 2014. 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.
Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2014-22922
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-26
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 marine mammals. We issue these permits under Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
Endangered Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit
Document Number: 2014-22921
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-26
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.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Late Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for Certain Migratory Game Birds
Document Number: 2014-22853
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits for general waterfowl seasons and those early seasons for which States previously deferred selection. Taking of migratory birds is prohibited unless specifically provided for by annual regulations. This rule permits the taking of designated species during the 2014-15 season.
Notice of Availability of the Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report, California
Document Number: 2014-22834
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA); the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA); and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA); the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) have partnered with the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) (collectively, the Agencies) to prepare the Draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR). The Draft DRECP includes Draft BLM Land Use Plan Amendments for the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) Plan, Bishop Resource Management Plan (RMP), and the Caliente/ Bakersfield RMP; a FWS-proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (General Conservation Plan); and a CDFW-proposed Natural Community Conservation Plan. The Draft DRECP covers parts of Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties, California. By this notice, the Agencies are announcing the availability of the Draft DRECP and Draft EIS/EIR, the receipt of permit applications under Section 10 of the ESA from CEC and the California State Lands Commission (CSLC), and the opening of the comment period on the Draft DRECP and Draft EIS/EIR and the information provided in the permit applications.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii and Eriogonum diatomaceum
Document Number: 2014-22668
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the plants Eriogonum diatomaceum (Churchill Narrows buckwheat) and Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii (Las Vegas buckwheat) as endangered or threatened species and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing either Eriogonum diatomaceum or Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii is not warranted at this time. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the threats to the Eriogonum diatomaceum or Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii or their habitats at any time.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 2014-15 Late Season
Document Number: 2014-22506
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes special late-season migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands. This rule responds to tribal requests for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) recognition of their authority to regulate hunting under established guidelines. This rule allows the establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels compatible with populations and habitat conditions.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Status Reviews of 27 Southeastern Species
Document Number: 2014-22594
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are initiating 5-year status reviews of 27 species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We conduct these reviews to ensure that the classification of species as threatened or endangered on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is accurate. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of information that has become available since the last review of each of these species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing and Designation of Critical Habitat for the Dakota Skipper and the Poweshiek Skipperling
Document Number: 2014-22577
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-23
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 the October 24, 2013, proposal to designate critical habitat for the Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) and Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek) and proposed 4(d) rule for the Dakota skipper under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are also revising our proposed critical habitat rule to add two proposed critical habitat units for the Poweshiek skipperling in Minnesota, remove two proposed units (one for the Dakota skipper in Minnesota and one for the Poweshiek skipperling in North Dakota), and revise the boundaries of seven Poweshiek skipperling units and five Dakota skipper units in Minnesota. These changes are proposed based on new or updated biological and ecological information for those areas. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling and an amended required determinations section of the proposal. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed 4(d) rule, the proposed critical habitat rule (including the changes described in this document), the associated DEA, and the amended required determinations section. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.
Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking; Meeting
Document Number: 2014-22538
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a public meeting of the Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking (Council). The Council's purpose is to provide expertise and support to the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking. You may attend the meeting in person, or you may participate via telephone. At this time, we are inviting submissions of questions and information for consideration during the meeting.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Document Number: 2014-22518
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final late-season frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2014-15 migratory bird hunting seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which commences on September 27, 2014. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons and to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake as Endangered or Threatened
Document Number: 2014-22331
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Tucson shovel-nosed snake (Chionactis occipitalis klauberi) as an endangered or threatened species 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 Tucson shovel-nosed snake as an endangered or threatened species is not warranted, and, therefore, we are removing this subspecies from our candidate list.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To Remove the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2014-22063
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus), more commonly called the Delmarva fox squirrel (DFS), from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to recovery. This proposed action is based on a thorough review of all available information, which indicates that the subspecies is now sufficiently abundant and distributed to withstand current and foreseeable threats to its long-term viability and thus no longer meets the definition of a threatened species or an endangered species under the Act. We are also providing notification that a draft post-delisting monitoring (PDM) plan is available for public review. We are seeking information and comments from the public on this proposed rule and the PDM plan.
Policy Regarding Voluntary Prelisting Conservation Actions
Document Number: 2014-22493
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
On July 22, 2014, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced a draft policy on crediting voluntary conservation actions taken for species prior to their listing under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed policy seeks to give landowners, government agencies, and others incentives to carry out voluntary conservation actions for nonlisted species by allowing the benefits to the species from a voluntary conservation action undertaken prior to listing under the Act to be usedeither by the person who undertook such action or by a third partyto mitigate or to serve as a compensatory measure for the detrimental effects of another action undertaken after listing. This draft policy, if adopted, would help us further our efforts to protect native species and conserve the ecosystems on which they depend. We announce the extension of the comment period for our July 22, 2014, proposed policy to ensure the public has sufficient time to comment on the proposed policy.
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
Document Number: 2014-22272
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, which includes the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR and Coachella Valley NWR. In the CCP, we describe how we will manage these Refuges for the next 15 years.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List Symphyotrichum georgianum as an Endangered or Threatened Species
Document Number: 2014-22242
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Symphyotrichum georgianum (Georgia aster) as an endangered 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 S. georgianum is not warranted at this time. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the threats to the S. georgianum or its habitat at any time.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List Eriogonum kelloggii (Red Mountain buckwheat) and Sedum eastwoodiae (Red Mountain stonecrop) as Endangered or Threatened Species
Document Number: 2014-22224
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list Eriogonum kelloggii (Red Mountain buckwheat) and Sedum eastwoodiae (Red Mountain stonecrop) as endangered or threatened species 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 Eriogonum kelloggii and Sedum eastwoodiae is not warranted at this time. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning threats to the two species or their habitat at any time.
Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, American Samoa; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2014-21667
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment (EA) for the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (NWR or Refuge). In this CCP, we describe how we will manage the Refuge for the next 15 years.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of the Proposed Rule To Remove the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2014-21585
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), withdraw the proposed rule to remove the valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. This withdrawal is based on our determination that the proposed rule did not fully analyze the best available information. We find the best scientific and commercial data available indicate that the threats to the species and its habitat have not been reduced to the point where the species no longer meets the statutory definition of an endangered or threatened species.
Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council
Document Number: 2014-22166
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-16
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).
Information Collection Request Sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Approval; International Grant Programs
Document Number: 2014-21972
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-16
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 September 30, 2014. 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 and Threatened Species Permit Applications
Document Number: 2014-21922
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-15
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 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 activities. Both the Act and the National Environmental Policy Act require that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Financial Assistance: Wildlife Restoration, Sport Fish Restoration, Hunter Education and Safety; Correction
Document Number: 2014-21824
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule in the Federal Register on August 1, 2011 (76 FR 46150). We included in this final rule a combined symbol to use when referring to both the Wildlife Restoration and the Sport Fish Restoration programs together. The language around the symbol is in reverse order, and this document corrects the error.
Proposed Information Collection; North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey
Document Number: 2014-21797
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 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. This IC is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2015. 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.
Endangered Species; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2014-21767
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-12
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 Species; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2014-21764
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-12
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 recovery 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 endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before issuing such permits.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2014-21753
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-12
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 Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit
Document Number: 2014-21752
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-12
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Status for Arabis georgiana (Georgia rockcress)
Document Number: 2014-21394
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, determine threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for Arabis georgiana (Georgia rockcress), a plant species in Georgia and Alabama. The effect of this regulation is to add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants and extend the Act's protections to this species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Georgia Rockcress
Document Number: 2014-21380
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designate critical habitat for Arabis georgiana (Georgia rockcress) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, we are designating approximately 297 hectares (732 acres) of riparian, river bluff habitat in Georgia, including parts of Gordon, Floyd, Harris, Muscogee, and Clay Counties, and in Alabama, including parts of Bibb, Dallas, Elmore, Monroe, Sumter, and Wilcox Counties, as critical habitat for this species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous United States Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx and Revised Distinct Population Segment Boundary
Document Number: 2014-21013
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are finalizing two actions with this rule: We are designating revised critical habitat for the contiguous United States distinct population segment of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and we are revising the boundary of the Canada lynx distinct population segment. These revisions fulfill our obligations under two settlement agreements and address issues raised by two courts regarding our previous critical habitat designation. This rule revises critical habitat for the lynx and extends the Endangered Species Act's protections to the species wherever it occurs in the contiguous United States, including New Mexico. The effect of this regulation is to conserve the Canada lynx and its habitats in the contiguous United States under the Endangered Species Act.
Receipt of an Incidental Take Permit Application for Participation in the Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan for the American Burying Beetle in Oklahoma
Document Number: 2014-21660
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-11
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 an incidental take permit application 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 permit would be issued 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).
Emergency Exemption; Issuance of Emergency Permits to Survey for New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse Within Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico
Document Number: 2014-21659
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The final rule to list the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse as endangered throughout its range in New Mexico published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2014. Without authorized personnel to survey for this species, valuable information on population numbers for this elusive species would be lost for the 2014 field season. Under an Endangered Species Act permit, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have authorized qualified researchers to survey for New Mexico meadow jumping mouse during its survey season of July and August 2014.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Availability of a Technical/Agency Draft Recovery Plan for the Dusky Gopher Frog
Document Number: 2014-21549
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-10
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the technical/agency draft recovery plan for the endangered dusky gopher frog. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public.
Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2014-21420
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-09
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 Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, which is authorized within the 20 counties that lie along the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Louis, Missouri. In this final CCP, we describe how we intend to manage the refuge for the next 15 years.
National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2014-21415
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that our draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for the National Elk Refuge is available. This draft CCP describes how the Service intends to manage this refuge for the next 15 years.
Proposed Information Collection; Fish Monitoring Survey-Central Valley, CA
Document Number: 2014-21353
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We (U.S. 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 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Agave eggersiana, Gonocalyx concolor, and Varronia rupicola
Document Number: 2014-21232
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for three Caribbean plants, Agave eggersiana (no common name), Gonocalyx concolor (no common name), and Varronia rupicola (no common name), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, we are designating approximately 50.6 acres (20.5 hectares) of critical habitat for A. eggersiana in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), 198 ac (80.1 ha) for G. concolor in Puerto Rico, and 6,547 ac (2,648 ha) for V. rupicola in southern Puerto Rico and Vieques Island. The effect of this regulation is to conserve habitat for these plants under the Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Agave eggersiana and Gonocalyx concolor, and Threatened Species Status for Varronia rupicola
Document Number: 2014-21231
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-09
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, as amended (Act), for Agave eggersiana (no common name) and Gonocalyx concolor (no common name), and threatened species status for Varronia rupicola (no common name). These three plants are endemic to the Caribbean. The effect of this regulation will be to add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Oregon Spotted Frog
Document Number: 2014-21230
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-09
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 the June 18, 2014, document that made available the draft economic analysis for the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the draft economic analysis for the August 29, 2013, proposed designation of critical habitat and on the June 18, 2014, changes to the proposed designation of critical habitat. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement; Proposed Washington Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Lands Habitat Conservation Plan, Washington
Document Number: 2014-21198
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has submitted applications to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) (together, the Services) for incidental take permits (permits) for a term of 50 years, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permit applications address incidental take of listed species caused by WDNR authorizations of shellfish aquaculture, log booming and storage, and overwater structures undertaken by individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies on 2.6 million acres of State-owned aquatic lands, including marine and freshwater tidelands, shorelands, and bedlands of the State of Washington. The proposed permits would authorize take, incidental to otherwise lawful activities, of 29 species of fish and wildlife, including federally listed threatened and endangered species. As required by the ESA, WNDR has prepared a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) designed to minimize and mitigate the impacts to the maximum extent practicable, that will likely result from such taking. A draft implementing agreement (IA) for the HCP has also been prepared. The Services have jointly prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in accordance with requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The DEIS evaluates the impacts of, and alternatives to, the proposed HCP and issuance of the permits. We are announcing public meetings and requesting public comment on the DEIS, proposed HCP, and the IA.
Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest in Alaska; Harvest Regulations for Migratory Birds in Alaska During the 2015 Season
Document Number: 2014-21195
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2014-09-05
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska for the 2015 season. These regulations allow for the continuation of customary and traditional subsistence uses of migratory birds in Alaska and prescribe regional information on when and where the harvesting of birds may occur. These regulations were developed under a co-management process involving the Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Alaska Native representatives. The rulemaking is necessary because the regulations governing the subsistence harvest of migratory birds in Alaska are subject to annual review. This rulemaking proposes region- specific regulations that would go into effect on April 2, 2015, and expire on August 31, 2015.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Brickellia mosieri (Florida Brickell-bush) and Linum carteri var. carteri (Carter's Small-flowered Flax)
Document Number: 2014-21110
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-04
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 Brickellia mosieri (Florida brickell-bush) and Linum carteri var. carteri (Carter's small-flowered flax), two plants from Miami-Dade County, Florida. The effect of this regulation will be to add these plants to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Adding 10 Species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2014-21078
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), are amending the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) by adding: five species of foreign sturgeon (Adriatic sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii), Chinese sturgeon (A. sinensis), European sturgeon (A. sturio), Kaluga sturgeon (Huso dauricus), and Sakhalin sturgeon (A. mikadoi)); four distinct population segments (DPSs) of scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) (Central and Southwest Atlantic (Central & SW Atlantic) DPS, Eastern Atlantic DPS, Indo-West Pacific DPS, and Eastern Pacific DPS); and a nonessential experimental population of Upper Columbia River spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). These amendments are based on previously published determinations by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, which has jurisdiction for these species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Draft Recovery Plan for the Coterminous United States Population of Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
Document Number: 2014-21026
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the Revised Draft Recovery Plan for the Coterminous United States Population of Bull Trout under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The revised draft recovery plan includes specific goals, objectives, and criteria that should be met to remove the species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. We request review and comment on this revised draft recovery plan from Federal, State and local agencies, Native American Tribes, and the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Enhancement of Survival Permit Applications; Greater Sage-Grouse Umbrella Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for Wyoming Ranch Management
Document Number: 2014-21023
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received applications for enhancement of survival permits (EOS permits) under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), pursuant to the Greater Sage-grouse Umbrella Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for Wyoming Ranch Management (Umbrella CCAA). The permit applications, if approved, would authorize incidental take associated with implementation of specified individual Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (individual CCAAs) developed in accordance with the Umbrella CCAA. We invite the public to comment on the EOS permit applications set out below. The Act requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
National Bison Range Complex, Moiese, MT; Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Annual Funding Agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Extension of Public Comment Period
Document Number: 2014-21014
Type: Notice
Date: 2014-09-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that we are extending the public review and comment period for the draft environmental assessment for a draft annual funding agreement at the National Bison Range Complex.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 2014-15 Early Season
Document Number: 2014-20841
Type: Rule
Date: 2014-09-03
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes special early-season migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands. This rule responds to tribal requests for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) recognition of tribal authority to regulate hunting under established guidelines. This rule allows the establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest, at levels compatible with populations and habitat conditions.
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