Fish and Wildlife Service 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. We also announce receipt of an application for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and receipt of a draft habitat conservation plan. Central 40, LLC has applied for an incidental take permit under the ESA for the Central 40 Solar Project in Stanislaus County, California. The permit would authorize the take of two species incidental to the development, construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of the project. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on the application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the elfin-woods warbler (Setophaga angelae) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 27,488 acres (11,125 hectares) in the Maricao, San Germ[aacute]n, Sabana Grande, Yauco, R[iacute]o Grande, Can[oacute]vanas, Las Piedras, Naguabo, Ceiba, Cayey, San Lorenzo, Guayama, and Patillas municipalities in Puerto Rico fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The effect of this regulation is to extend the Act's protections to the elfin-woods warbler's critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the Sonoyta mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, 12.28 acres (4.97 hectares) in Pima County, Arizona, located entirely within the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. This rule extends the Act's protections to this subspecies' designated critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit for take of endangered and threatened species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out otherwise lawful activities. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act and its implementing regulations as applicable to the species at issue prohibit take of endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. We invite comments on this application which we will take into consideration before issuing a permit.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and draft categorical exclusion for activities described in an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of a listed species incidental to construction of a single-family residence. The applicant developed the draft HCP in support of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft categorical exclusion in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicant. We invite public comment on these documents.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (OPLMA), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as co-lead agencies, announce the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider a right-of-way (ROW) application submitted by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) (referred to henceforth as the Northern Corridor Project), and potential amendments to the St. George Field Office and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (NCA) Resource Management Plans (RMPs).

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we) proposes to amend its refuge-specific regulations on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to allow State-regulated trapping, harvest of brown bears over bait, discharge of firearms along the Kenai and Russian Rivers during certain times of the year in accordance with State law, increased access for the public using bicycles and game carts, and the use of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and utility task vehicles on certain lakes when there is adequate snow and ice cover. The purpose of this proposed rule is to align public use regulations on Kenai NWR with State of Alaska regulations, align Service and State management of fish and wildlife to the extent practicable and consistent with Federal law, enhance consistency with harvest regulations on adjacent non-Federal lands and waters, and increase access to Federal lands in furtherance of Secretarial Orders 3347 and 3356.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). Approximately 598,261 hectares (ha) (1,478,333 acres (ac)) in portions of 10 Florida counties fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to establish a new permit for State and federally recognized Tribal (hereafter ``Tribe'' or ``Tribal'') wildlife agencies for the management of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus; hereafter ``cormorants''). The new permit would authorize specific take activities that are normally prohibited and are intended to relieve or prevent impacts from cormorants on lands within State or Tribal jurisdictions to address conflicts related to the following issues: wild and publicly stocked fish stocked by State agencies or Tribes; Tribal- and State-owned or operated aquaculture facilities (including hatcheries); human health and safety; State- or Tribal-owned property and assets; and threatened and endangered species (listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, or identified in State- or Tribal-specific legislation as threatened or endangered). The Service would retain ultimate authority for regulating the take of cormorants. States and Tribes would have the discretion to determine whether, when, where, and for which of the above purposes they would conduct lethal take within limits and allocations set by the Service.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Hog Creek Wind Project, LLC (the applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for the Hog Creek Wind Farm Project. If approved, the ITP would authorize the incidental take of the Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat for a 30-year term. The applicant has prepared a draft habitat conservation plan, which is available for public review. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. We request public comment on the application and associated documents.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), will request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of an existing collection in use without an OMB control number.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), propose to remove San Benito evening-primrose (Camissonia benitensis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the threats to the species have been reduced or eliminated so that the plant no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are seeking information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule and the draft post-delisting monitoring plan for San Benito evening-primrose.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection in use without an OMB Control Number.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), received an application for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). If granted, the requested permit would authorize the applicant's take of the fisher, incidental to otherwise lawful activities should the species become federally listed under the ESA. The application is associated with a template candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) developed by the Service for the conservation of the fisher. The conservation measures in the CCAA are intended to provide a net conservation benefit to the fisher. We have also prepared a draft environmental action statement that the 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to reinstate a previously approved information collection with revisions.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to renew an existing information collection with revisions.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from VK Avalon Groves LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink incidental to construction in Orange County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Michael Collard Properties Inc. (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink incidental to construction in Lake County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act (Act), as amended, for the Southern Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of fisher (Pekania pennanti). This DPS occurs in California. The effect of this regulation will be to add this DPS to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from the School Board of Polk County (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to construction in Polk County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and on the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low- effect,'' categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing changes to the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. 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 proposed changes would update the regulations to incorporate revisions requested by these partners.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a management plan (plan) for bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) for Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (refuge). We will also prepare an environmental impact statement to develop alternatives for management actions in the plan and evaluate the environmental effects of those actions. We provide this notice in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act to advise the public, other Federal and State agencies, and Tribes of our intentions, and to obtain public comments and suggestions on the scope of the issues to consider in the planning process.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the island marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides insulanus) and designate critical habitat. In total, approximately 812 acres (329 hectares) on the south end of San Juan Island, San Juan County, Washington, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation.