Fish and Wildlife Service August 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for Midwestern Bat and Bird Species; MidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa
Document Number: 2018-18989
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-31
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) in support of an application from MidAmerican Energy Company (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) for the federally endangered Indiana bat, federally threatened northern long-eared bat, and federally protected bald eagle; also included in the permit would be the little brown bat and tricolored bat. The take is expected to result from operation of wind turbines in 22 counties in Iowa. Also available for review is the Service's draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), which was prepared in response to the application. We are seeking public comments on the draft HCP and DEIS.
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Least Bell's Vireo; Categorical Exclusion for Chandler's Sand and Gravel Project, Orange, California
Document Number: 2018-18908
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Chandler's Sand and Gravel, LLC for a 10-year incidental take permit for the endangered least Bell's vireo pursuant to the Endangered Species Act, as amended. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on our preliminary determination that the applicant's accompanying proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) qualifies as low effect, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. The basis for this determination is discussed in our environmental action statement (EAS) and associated low-effect screening form, which are also available for public review.
Draft Safe Harbor Agreement Amendment and Application for an Enhancement of Survival Permit for the Rio Salado Project, in Tempe, Arizona
Document Number: 2018-18809
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receiving the City of Tempe's survival enhancement permit application, under the Endangered Species Act. The requested amended permit would allow for the City of Tempe to conduct, to a greater degree, adaptive biological monitoring and would authorize incidental take of the yellow-billed cuckoo as a result of operation and maintenance activities associated with the Rio Salado Project, in the City of Tempe (Tempe Reach), Maricopa County, AZ. In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, we have determined that the proposed action qualifies under a categorical exclusion. We are accepting comments on the draft safe harbor agreement amendment (Draft SHA Amendment), and draft NEPA screening form supporting the use of a categorical exclusion.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) and Junior Duck Stamp Contests
Document Number: 2018-18671
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), are proposing a new information collection.
Announcement of Public Meetings: North American Wetlands Conservation Council; Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Advisory Group
Document Number: 2018-18461
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-27
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). The Council will consider Canada, Mexico, and U.S. Standard grant proposals. The Advisory Group for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) grants program (Advisory Group) also will meet. The Advisory Group will discuss the strategic direction and management of the NMBCA program. Both meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 2018-19 Season
Document Number: 2018-18382
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-08-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes special 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.
The Fiscal Year 2017 Multistate Conservation Grant Program Award List
Document Number: 2018-18235
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 priority list of grant awards for the wildlife and sport fish conservation projects from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association). As required by the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act of 2000, the Association submits a list of projects to us each year to consider for funding under the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. We have reviewed the list and recommended all for award to the Director. The Director approved the list of projects for award and we have awarded all projects from the list.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Annual Certification of Hunting and Sport Fishing Licenses Issued
Document Number: 2018-18085
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Three Plant Species on Hawaii Island
Document Number: 2018-17514
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-08-21
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla (kookoolau), Isodendrion pyrifolium (wahine noho kula), and Mezoneuron kavaiense (uhiuhi) respectively, under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, approximately 11,640 acres (ac) (4,711 hectares (ha)) in North Kona and South Kohala on Hawaii Island fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. Approximately 72 percent of this area is already designated as critical habitat for 42 plants and the Blackburn's sphinx moth (Manduca blackburni). We are excluding, under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, approximately 7,027 ac (2,844 ha) of land on the island of Hawaii that meet the definition of critical habitat from this final critical habitat designation.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Neosho Mucket
Document Number: 2018-17753
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the endangered Neosho mucket. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that must be met in order for us to delist this species under the Endangered Species Act. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies; Tribes; and the public.
Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan and Categorical Exclusion; Gaver Ranch, Castroville, Monterey County, California
Document Number: 2018-17669
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Midnight Sun, Inc., for a 20-year incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the federally threatened California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander that is likely to occur incidental to ongoing agricultural activities, flood and erosion control activities, and habitat restoration at Gaver Ranch near the community of Castroville in unincorporated Monterey County, California. We invite comments from the public on the application package, which includes a low-effect habitat conservation plan.
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Yelm Subspecies of the Mazama Pocket Gopher, Thurston County, Washington
Document Number: 2018-17668
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), received an application from Mr. Todd Tveten for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The ITP would authorize ``take'' of the Yelm pocket gopher, incidental to otherwise lawful activities during construction of a single-family home and agricultural shop in Thurston County, Washington. The application includes a habitat conservation plan (HCP) with measures to minimize and mitigate the impacts of the taking on the covered species. We have also prepared a draft environmental action statement (EAS) for our preliminary determination that the HCP and permit decision may be eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. We provide this notice to open a public comment period and invite comments from all interested parties regarding the documents.
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Interior Least Tern and Application To Renew Incidental Take Permit; Gibson County, Indiana
Document Number: 2018-17664
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on an application to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Receipt of Application Incidental Take Permit; Draft Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail; Phillips Single-Family Residence, Community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California
Document Number: 2018-17663
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Richard Phillips for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit would authorize take of the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail that would occur incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the construction and maintenance of a single-family residence and associated uses addressed in the draft low-effect habitat conservation plan prepared for the project. We invite public comment.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Incidental Take Permit Application, Habitat Conservation Plan for the Alabama Beach Mouse, and Environmental Assessment for Gulf Place East Parking Lot in Gulf Shores, AL
Document Number: 2018-17606
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The city of Gulf Shores, Alabama, is requesting a 30-year ITP for take of the federally listed Alabama beach mouse incidental to construction. We request public comments on the permit application, which includes a proposed habitat conservation plan, and an environmental assessment prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Incidental Take Permit Applications Received To Participate in the American Burying-Beetle Amended Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan in Oklahoma
Document Number: 2018-17502
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-14
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on Federally-listed American burying-beetle incidental take permit (ITP) applications. The applicants anticipate American burying-beetle take as a result of impacts to Oklahoma habitat the species uses for breeding, feeding, and sheltering. The take would be incidental to the applicants' activities associated with oil and gas well field and pipeline infrastructure (gathering, transmission, and distribution), including geophysical exploration (seismic), construction, maintenance, operation, repair, decommissioning, and reclamation. If approved, the permits would be issued under the approved American Burying Beetle Amended Oil and Gas Industry Conservation Plan (ICP) Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit Issuance in Oklahoma.
Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit, Headwaters Wind Farm, Randolph County, Indiana
Document Number: 2018-17485
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-14
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Headwaters Wind Farm LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), for its Headwaters Wind Farm (Headwaters) (project). If approved, the ITP would be for a 27-year period and would authorize the incidental take of an endangered species, the Indiana bat, and a threatened species, the northern long-eared bat. The applicant has prepared a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) that describes the actions and measures that the applicant would implement to avoid, minimize, and mitigate incidental take of the Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat. We also announce the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment (DEA), which has been prepared in response to the permit application in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We request public comment on the application and associated documents.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for Certain Migratory Game Birds
Document Number: 2018-17321
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-08-14
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits for migratory game birds. Taking of migratory birds is prohibited unless specifically provided for by annual regulations. This rule permits the taking of designated species during the 2018-19 season.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for Florida Scrub-Jay; Sarasota County, Florida
Document Number: 2018-17325
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. Residential Development Corporation (applicant) is requesting a 2-year ITP for take of the Florida scrub-jay. We request public comment on the permit application, which includes a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and our preliminary determination that the HCP 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Replacement of the Regulations for the Nonessential Experimental Population of Red Wolves in Northeastern North Carolina
Document Number: 2018-17320
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the public comment period on our June 28, 2018, proposed rule to replace the existing regulations governing the nonessential experimental population designation of the red wolf (Canis rufus) under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are reopening the comment period to allow the public an additional opportunity to review and comment on the proposed rule. Comments already submitted need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the Hyacinth Macaw
Document Number: 2018-17319
Type: Rule
Date: 2018-08-13
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 (Act), as amended, for the hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), a species that occurs almost exclusively in Brazil and marginally in Bolivia and Paraguay. This rule adds this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. We are also establishing a rule pursuant to section 4(d) of the Act to further provide for the conservation of the hyacinth macaw.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 11 Species in the Mountain-Prairie Region
Document Number: 2018-17143
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-10
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year status reviews under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), of six animal and five plant species. A 5-year status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any new information on these species that has become available since the last review of the species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 19 Northeastern Species
Document Number: 2018-16931
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are initiating 5-year reviews under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA), for 19 northeastern species. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the previous 5-year review for each species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Status Reviews for 42 Southeastern Species
Document Number: 2018-16734
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-06
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 42 species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. 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 reviews of these species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Texas Snowbells
Document Number: 2018-16655
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-03
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of our draft revised recovery plan for Texas snowbells, listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Texas snowbells is a rare, endemic shrub of the Edwards Plateau, and is found in Real, Edwards, and Val Verde Counties, Texas. We provide this notice to seek comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Application
Document Number: 2018-16625
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-08-03
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on this application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
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