Fish and Wildlife Service August 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), propose to release (meaning introduce) the Guam kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus), known locally as the sihek, on Palmyra Atoll as an experimental population under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Currently, the sihek exists only in captivity and has been extinct in the wild for more than 30 years. The proposed introduction on Palmyra Atoll is outside the sihek's historical range because its primary habitat within its native range on Guam has been indefinitely altered by the accidental introduction of the predatory brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) in the mid-twentieth century. Tools to manage brown treesnakes at a landscape level are under development, but these tools are unlikely to be available for broad use within the foreseeable future. The introduction of sihek to Palmyra Atoll is not intended to be a permanent introduction that would support a self- sustaining population; rather, it is intended to facilitate the gathering of information and analysis to optimize efforts for reestablishment of the species on Guam once brown treesnakes can be sufficiently controlled at a landscape scale. The introduction of sihek to Palmyra Atoll is also likely to help increase the global population of this extinct-in-the-wild species in advance of a reintroduction effort on Guam. We propose to classify the population as a nonessential experimental population (NEP) under the Act and propose regulations for the take of sihek within the NEP area. The best available data indicate the introduction of sihek to Palmyra Atoll is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species. We are seeking comments on this proposal.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to revise a currently approved information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on foreign or native species for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With some exceptions, the MMPA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The MMPA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited with respect to any species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina venii), an arachnid, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (i.e., ``delisting'' the species) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), because of a taxonomic revision. This determination is based on our evaluation of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver is not a discrete taxonomic entity and does not meet the definition of a species as defined under the Act. The reason it does not meet the definition of a species is that the original data for classification of the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver when it was listed was in error. Braken Bat Cave meshweaver has been synonymized with Madla Cave meshweaver (Cicurina madla). Therefore, due to a taxonomic revision, Braken Bat Cave meshweaver is no longer a scientifically accepted species and cannot be listed under the Act. However, because individuals previously identified as Braken Bat Cave meshweaver have been synonymized under Madla Cave meshweaver, their status and protections under the Act remain the same because the Madla Cave meshweaver is listed as endangered under the Act.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (applicant, NCWRC) for an enhancement of survival permit for take of aquatic species in North Carolina. The applicant also submitted a combined proposed programmatic safe harbor agreement (SHA) and candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) in support of the application. The Service has prepared an environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these documents.

The United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), will attend the nineteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) in Panama City, Panama, November 14-25, 2022. Currently, the United States is developing its negotiating positions on proposed resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals), as well as other agenda items that have been submitted by other Parties, the permanent CITES committees, and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP19. With this notice, we announce the provisional agenda for CoP19, solicit your comments on the items on the provisional agenda, and announce a virtual public meeting to discuss the items on the provisional agenda.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a joint draft environmental impact statement/ environmental impact report (DEIS/EIR) for the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II Phase I (TETRP II Phase I). The Service, in partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, is proposing coastal wetland restoration within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve on portions of both the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park, in San Diego County, California. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is participating in the National Environmental Policy Act process as a cooperating agency. This notice advises the public that the DEIS/EIR, which describes the coastal wetland restoration alternatives identified for TETRP II Phase I, is available for public review and comment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and 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 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, 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 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, have received applications for permits, permit renewals, and/or permit amendments to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of 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 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, 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, are initiating 5-year status reviews of five species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. 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.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have developed a revised draft marine mammal stock assessment report (SAR) for two West Indian manatee stocks, the Florida manatee stock (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the Puerto Rico stock of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus). We now make both revised draft SARs available for public review and comment.