Fish and Wildlife Service June 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Invasive Rodent and Mongoose Control and Eradication on U.S. Pacific Islands Within the National Wildlife Refuge System and in Native Ecosystems in Hawaii
Document Number: 2015-16152
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a Programmatic Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDEIS) to analyze the impacts of, and alternatives to, using integrated pest management (IPM) to control or eradicate invasive rodents and mongooses on U.S. Pacific Islands within the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) and in native ecosystems in Hawaii and to protect native wildlife and plants, including federally listed threatened and endangered species and designated critical habitats. The PDEIS is for informational and planning purposes to improve and facilitate rodent and mongoose control on Federal, State, and private lands through the IPM process; it does not initiate any specific action or project. The PDEIS will be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in compliance with the State of Hawaii's environmental review process. The lead agencies for preparing the PDEIS are the Service and the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). With this notice, the Service and DOFAW request comments, recommendations, and advice on the scope of issues, alternatives, and mitigation to be addressed in the PDEIS.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Mount Charleston Blue Butterfly (Icaricia (Plebejus) shasta charlestonensis
Document Number: 2015-15947
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-06-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the Mount Charleston blue butterfly (Icaricia (Plebejus) shasta charlestonensis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 5,214 acres (2,110 hectares) in the Spring Mountains of Clark County, Nevada, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The effect of this rule is to extend the Act's protections to the butterfly's critical habitat.
Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Shasta Crayfish on Rock Creek, in Shasta County, California
Document Number: 2015-15708
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This notice advises the public that Pacific Gas and Electric Company (applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an Enhancement of Survival permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The permit application includes a proposed safe harbor agreement (agreement) between the applicant and the Service for the federally endangered Shasta crayfish. The agreement is available for public comment.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2015-15606
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on eight applications to conduct activities intended to enhance the survival of target endangered species.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2015-15578
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-25
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: 2015-15577
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-25
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 Species; Recovery Permit Application
Document Number: 2015-15396
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-23
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 an 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 and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit Renewal; Availability of Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan and Associated Documents; Charlotte County, FL
Document Number: 2015-15387
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an incidental take permit (ITP) renewal application and a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). TAVCOR, LLC (applicant) requests renewal of ITP TE207151-1 under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant anticipates taking about 1.91 acres of feeding, breeding, and sheltering habitat used by the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) (scrub-jay) incidental to land preparation and construction in Charlotte County, Florida. The applicant's HCP describes proposed minimization measures and completed mitigation measures to address the effects of development on the covered species.
Proposed Information Collection; National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Check-In Permit and Use Report
Document Number: 2015-15329
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-23
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. This IC is scheduled to expire on December 31, 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 and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Leona's Little Blue Butterfly as Endangered or Threatened
Document Number: 2015-15296
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-23
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 Leona's little blue butterfly (Philotiella leona) 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 Leona's little blue butterfly 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 species or its habitat at any time.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technical Corrections for 54 Wildlife and Plant Species on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants
Document Number: 2015-15212
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-06-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the revised taxonomy of 4 wildlife species and 50 plant species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are revising the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants to reflect the current scientifically accepted taxonomy and nomenclature of these species.
Proposed Information Collection; Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE)
Document Number: 2015-15035
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-19
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. This IC is scheduled to expire on August 31, 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.
Receipt of Enhancement of Survival Permit Applications Developed in Accordance With the Template Safe Harbor Agreement for the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit
Document Number: 2015-14996
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the receipt of nine Enhancement of Survival Permit applications that were developed in accordance with the Template Safe Harbor Agreement (Template SHA) for the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) and pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The nine permit applicants are: (1) Morris Farms; (2) Overen Living Trust; (3) North Ranches, LLC; (4) Baird Springs Environmental; (5) Buster Boruff, LLC; (6) Ms. Susan Chace; (7) Mr. Garey Clements; (8) Mr. Greg Lehr and Ms. Christine Lehr; and (9) Sandygren Properties Limited Partnership. Issuance of permits to these applicants would exempt incidental take of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, which would otherwise be prohibited by section 9 of the Act, that is above the baseline conditions of properties enrolled under the Template SHA and that may result from the permittees' otherwise lawful land-use activities. The Service requests comments from the public regarding the proposed issuance of permits to these nine applicants.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Eastern Puma (=Cougar) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2015-14931
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The best available scientific and commercial data indicate that the eastern puma (=cougar) (Puma (=Felis) concolor couguar) is extinct. Therefore, under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove this subspecies from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This proposed action is based on a thorough review of all available information, which indicates that there is no evidence of the existence of either an extant population or individuals of the eastern puma and that, for various reasons, it is highly unlikely that an eastern puma population could remain undetected over the time span since the last confirmed sighting was documented in 1938.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Identification and Proposed Listing of Eleven Distinct Population Segments of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) as Endangered or Threatened and Revision of Current Listings; Public Hearings; Extension of Comment Period
Document Number: 2015-14906
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-17
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
On March 23, 2015, we (NMFS and USFWS, or the Services) published a proposed rule to revise the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas; hereafter referred to as the green turtle) listings under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We proposed to remove the current range- wide listing and, in its place, list eight distinct population segments (DPSs) as threatened and three as endangered. We opened a public comment period that lasted through June 22, 2015, announced a public hearing in Honolulu, Hawaii, and solicited requests for additional public hearings. With this document, we announce additional public hearings in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and American Samoa. To allow adequate time for comments after the last public hearing, we extend the public comment period through July 27, 2015.
Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the California Tiger Salamander and California Red-Legged Frog, Sonoma County, California
Document Number: 2015-14853
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Steven Sannella (applicant) for a 5-year incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of two listed animals, the California tiger salamander and California red- legged frog. The applicant would implement a conservation program to minimize and mitigate the project activities, as described in the applicant's low-effect habitat conservation plan (HCP). We request comments on the applicant's application and HCP, and our preliminary determination that the HCP qualifies as a ``low-effect'' HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). We discuss our basis for this determination in our environmental action statement (EAS), also available for public review.
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, Brazoria County, TX; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement on a Proposed Right-of-Way Permit Application for Pipelines Crossing the Refuge
Document Number: 2015-14714
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are in the process of considering an application from Praxair, Inc. (Praxair) for a right-of-way (ROW) permit to construct, operate, and maintain two pipelines within an existing maintained pipeline corridor crossing the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Brazoria County, Texas. The Service requests comments on environmental issues and announces the opening of the scoping process, which will inform the decision to prepare either an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. This notice provides an opportunity for input from other Federal and State agencies, local government, Native American Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, the public, and other interested parties on the scope of the NEPA analysis, pertinent issues which should be addressed, and the alternatives to be analyzed.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing All Chimpanzees as Endangered Species
Document Number: 2015-14232
Type: Rule
Date: 2015-06-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status for all chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This rule eliminates the separate classification of captive and wild chimpanzees under the Act. We are also amending the rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for primates, which is set forth at 50 CFR 17.40(c), by removing chimpanzees from that rule. This final rule implements the Federal protections provided by the Act for all chimpanzees, whether found in captivity or in the wild.
Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley Wildlife Management Areas, Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yuba, Sacramento, Sutter, Placer, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin Counties, CA
Document Number: 2015-14655
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for public review and comment. The CCP/EA, prepared under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the Service proposes to manage the three WMAs for the next 15 years. Draft compatibility determinations for several existing and proposed public uses are also available for review and public comment with the Draft CCP/EA.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plans, Lake, Brevard, and Volusia County, FL
Document Number: 2015-14650
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received three applications for incidental take permits (ITPs) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). DCS Capital Investments I, LLC requests a 15-year ITP; Preferred Materials, Inc., doing business as Conrad Yelvington Distributers, requests a 3-year ITP; and Wickham Summerbrook, LLC requests a 5-year ITP. We request public comment on the permit applications and accompanying proposed habitat conservation plans (HCPs), as well as on our preliminary determination that the plans qualify 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 the Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment for Enbridge Line 6B Oil Discharges Near Marshall, MI
Document Number: 2015-14410
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribe; and the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of the Pottawatomi Indians have written a Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft Plan), which describes proposed alternatives for restoring injured natural resources and compensating for losses resulting from the discharges of oil from Enbridge's Line 6B oil pipeline near Marshall, Michigan, in July 2010. The Draft Plan was prepared in accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the availability of the Draft Plan and to seek written comments.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan
Document Number: 2015-14408
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that we intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the impacts of several alternatives relating to the proposed issuance of Endangered Species Act (ESA) Incidental Take Permits (Permit(s) or ITP(s)) under the Midwest Wind Energy Multi- Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). We also provide this notice to announce a public scoping period. The MSHCP is being prepared by the Service and their planning partners for wind energy development within an eight-state Plan Area. The activities covered under the MSHCP (``Covered Activities'') include the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of wind energy facilities within portions of the Plan Area where ESA incidental take coverage may be considered, as well as activities associated with the management of mitigation lands. The planning partners have requested incidental take coverage for eight species in the MSHCP (``Covered Species''), including six species that are federally listed, one species that is not federally listed but may become listed during the term of the MSHCP, and the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act; 50 CFR 22.11). As allowed under the Eagle Act, we anticipate extending Eagle Act take authorization for bald eagle through the section 10(a)(1)(B) permit(s) associated with the MSHCP, provided permittees are in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the ITP and Eagle Act.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for Permit
Document Number: 2015-14334
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-12
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 or marine mammals. 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.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan for the Na Pua Makani Wind Energy Project, Oahu, HI
Document Number: 2015-14194
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Na Pua Makani Power Partners, LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The applicant is requesting an ITP to authorize take of one threatened and six endangered species (``covered species''). If issued, the ITP would authorize incidental take of the covered species that may occur as a result of the construction and operation of the Na Pua Makani Wind Energy Project (Project). The ITP application includes a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) describing the applicant's actions and the measures the applicant will implement to minimize, mitigate, and monitor incidental take of the covered species. The Service also announces the availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that has been prepared in response to the permit application in accordance with requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We are making the ITP application, including the draft HCP and the draft EIS, available for public review and comment.
Meeting Announcement: North American Wetlands Conservation Council
Document Number: 2015-14266
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This meeting is open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements.
Meeting Announcement: North American Wetlands Conservation Council
Document Number: 2015-14260
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This meeting is open to the public, and interested persons may present oral or written statements.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Supplemental Proposals for Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations for the 2015-16 Hunting Season; Notice of Meetings
Document Number: 2015-14128
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), proposed in an earlier document to establish annual hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds for the 2015-16 hunting season. This supplement to the proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule, announces the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings, and provides Flyway Council recommendations resulting from their March meetings.
2015-2016 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
Document Number: 2015-13831
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to add 1 national wildlife refuge (NWR or refuge) to the list of areas open for hunting, add 4 NWRs to the list of areas open for fishing, increase the hunting activities available at 16 other NWRs, increase fishing opportunities at 1 NWR, and add pertinent refuge-specific regulations for other NWRs that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for the 2015-2016 season.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating Critical Habitat on Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe for 135 Species
Document Number: 2015-13850
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-10
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 our June 11, 2012 (77 FR 34464), proposal to designate or revise critical habitat for 135 plant and animal species on the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Kahoolawe under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). These 135 species include 2 plant species for which we reaffirmed their endangered listing status on May 28, 2013 (78 FR 32014); 37 plant and animal species we proposed for listing on June 11, 2012, and subsequently listed as endangered on May 28, 2013 (78 FR 32014); 11 plant and animal species that are also already listed as endangered but do not have critical habitat designations; and 85 plant species that are already listed as endangered or threatened and have designated critical habitat, but for which we proposed revisions to critical habitat. We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties further opportunity to comment on areas that we are considering for exclusion in the final rule. Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule do not need to be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.
National Wildlife Refuge System; Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Use of Genetically Modified Crops in National Wildlife Refuge Farming Programs in Region 4 (Southeast Region) of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Discontinuation of Preparation of NEPA Document
Document Number: 2015-13842
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and in accordance with the negotiated settlement of a lawsuit, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a notice in the Federal Register on April 30, 2013, announcing and inviting comments on our intention to develop a draft programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) of the effects of the cultivation and use of genetically modified crops (GMCs) on certain refuges in the Southeast Region to meet wildlife management objectives. As part of the settlement agreement, we also agreed to discontinue cultivating and using the GMCs in the Southeast Region after the 2012 crop year and to refrain from such activities until 90 days after completion of an appropriate NEPA analysis of such activities. On July 17, 2014, the Chief of the Service's National Wildlife Refuge System issued a memorandum announcing that the use of GMCs to meet wildlife management objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System (System) would be phased out and discontinued by January 2016. Accordingly, we have concluded that our NEPA process is no longer necessary and, therefore, are notifying the public that we are discontinuing preparation of the PEA.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Draft Recovery Plan for the Coterminous United States Population of Bull Trout and Draft Recovery Unit Implementation Plans
Document Number: 2015-13624
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of six draft recovery unit implementation plans (RUIPs) that are part of the recovery plan we are developing for the coterminous United States population of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). On September 4, 2014, we announced the availability of the Revised Draft Recovery Plan for the Coterminous United States Population of Bull Trout, along with a 90-day comment period. While the revised draft recovery plan proposed the specific goals, objectives, and criteria that should be met to remove the species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, the principal conservation actions needed to advance the recovery of bull trout had not yet been developed. We have been working through an interagency collaboration of interested and knowledgeable Federal, Tribal, State, private, and other parties to develop individual draft RUIPs that propose site-specific conservation actions for each of six recovery units (Coastal, Klamath, Mid-Columbia, Columbia Headwaters, Upper Snake, and St. Mary). Based on comments received on the revised draft recovery plan, we are also proposing a modification to the recovery criteria for the Columbia Headwaters Recovery Unit. We consider this a substantive change to the current revised draft recovery plan. We request review and comment on the draft RUIPs and recovery criteria modifications from Federal, State and local agencies, Native American Tribes, and the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Hualapai Mexican Vole From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2015-13479
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-04
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), announce a 12-month finding on a petition and a proposed rule to remove the Hualapai Mexican vole (Microtus mexicanus hualpaiensis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife because the original classification is no longer the most appropriate determination. This action is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the currently listed subspecies is not a valid taxonomic entity. We are seeking information, data, and comments from the public on this proposed rule.
Endangered and Threatened Species Permit Applications
Document Number: 2015-13341
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-02
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.
Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Application
Document Number: 2015-13085
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-02
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 an 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 and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To Remove the Bone Cave Harvestman (Texella reyesi) From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2015-13136
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2015-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on a petition to remove the Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi) from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petition does not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating a status review in response to this petition. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information that becomes available concerning the status of, or threats to, the Bone Cave harvestman or its habitat at any time.
Proposed Information Collection; Wildlife and Sport Fish Grants and Cooperative Agreements
Document Number: 2015-13089
Type: Notice
Date: 2015-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) published a notice on May 11, 2015, announcing our intention to ask the Office of Management to renew approval for the information collection (IC) described below. We are revising that notice to: (1) Provide the estimated date for States to begin entering information into the new electronic system (Wildlife Tracking and Reporting Actions for the Conservation of Species); (2) revise the burden for reporting the information; and (3) extend the comment period. 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 September 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.
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