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

The Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seek nominations for membership on the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council (Council). The Council reports to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations regarding the establishment and implementation of conservation endeavors that benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, sporting conservation organizations, and Federal, State, Tribal, and territorial governments; and benefit recreational hunting and recreational shooting sports.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), make available an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) supported by a low-effect habitat conservation plan (LEHCP) for the Four Corners Water Development Project, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. The Pueblo of Santa Clara has applied to the Service for an ITP under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The requested ITP, which would be in effect for a period of 20 years, if granted, would authorize incidental take of the federally endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow. In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, we have determined that the proposed action qualifies for a categorical exclusion as low effect. We are accepting comments on the permit application, proposed LEHCP, and draft NEPA screening form.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for a permit to conduct activities with the potential to take listed species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out otherwise lawful activities. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act prohibits certain activities that may impact listed species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. We invite comments on this application and the accompanying Environmental Assessment, which we will take into consideration before issuing a permit.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Paulding Wind Farm II, LLC; Paulding Wind Farm III, LLC; and Paulding Wind Farm IV (collectively, the applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for the Timber Road II, III, and IV Wind Farms 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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), revise the proposed critical habitat for the western distinct population segment of the yellow-billed cuckoo (western yellow-billed cuckoo) (Coccyzus americanus) under the Endangered Species Act. In total, approximately 493,665 acres (199,779 hectares) are now being proposed for designation as critical habitat in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and associated draft environmental assessment (EA) for activities associated with an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of listed species incidental to construction of a residential development proposed by Oak Hills Estate, LLC (applicant). The applicant developed the draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft EA 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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Florida bristle fern (Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. In total, approximately 1,624 hectares (4,014 acres) in Miami-Dade and Sumter Counties, Florida, 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 subspecies' critical habitat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat.

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 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, announce the availability of a peer-reviewed scientific manuscript and associated model regarding seismic survey design and potential impacts to maternal polar bear dens. This manuscript contains information, including a methodology and model that may be used for evaluating the effects of future seismic survey proposals for their potential impacts to maternal polar bear dens. We are also announcing public webinars that will provide an overview of the manuscript and model and respond to questions. We request public comments on the value of the model and the associated methodology described in the peer-viewed scientific manuscript in assisting in the evaluation of the effects of future seismic survey proposals for their potential impacts to maternal polar bear dens.

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 with revisions.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.

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.

This document advises that we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a draft environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The Service hereby notifies Federal, State, and local agencies, tribes, and the public of our intentions to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposal to adopt a regulation that clarifies that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act's prohibitions on pursuing, hunting, taking, capturing, killing, or attempting to do the same, apply only to actions directed at migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs, and, therefore, do not extend to incidental take, which occurs when injury or mortality to migratory birds results from, but is not the purpose of, an activity. The review will analyze the environmental effects of the proposed approach and will provide detailed analysis of the environmental effects of the proposed rule. We invite input from other Federal and State agencies, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and members of the public on the scope of the proposed NEPA analysis, the pertinent issues we should address, and alternatives to our proposed approach for implementing the MBTA. We will hold multiple public scoping webinars to inform the public about the proposal.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose revising regulations governing the annual Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest (also known as the Federal Duck Stamp Contest (Contest)). Our proposed amendments would specify a permanent theme and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element beginning with the 2020 Contest, make a permanent change to the qualifications of the judging panel, and remove references to the 2018 Contest.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Big Sandy crayfish (Cambarus callainus) and the Guyandotte River crayfish (C. veteranus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 582 stream kilometers (skm) (362 stream miles (smi)) in Martin and Pike Counties, Kentucky; Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise Counties, Virginia; and McDowell, Mingo, and Wayne Counties, West Virginia, are proposed as critical habitat for the Big Sandy crayfish. Approximately 135 skm (84 smi) in Logan and Wyoming Counties, West Virginia, are proposed as critical habitat for the Guyandotte River crayfish. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to these species' critical habitat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for these species.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have developed a draft revised marine mammal stock assessment report for the southern sea otter stock in the State of California. We now make the draft stock assessment report available for public review and comment.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received two applications for an incidental take permit (ITP), one for the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and one for the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The County of Santa Cruz submitted a permit application that, if issued, would authorize take of the Mount Hermon June beetle incidental to otherwise lawful activities described in the draft habitat conservation plan for renovation of the County of Santa Cruz Juvenile Hall. Verizon Wireless submitted a permit application that, if issued, would authorize take of the Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper incidental to otherwise lawful activities described in the Verizon Wireless telecommunications facility expansion project draft habitat conservation plan. We invite public comment on these documents.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the threatened Dakota skipper for public review and comment. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the Fiscal Year 2018 priority list of 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. Once projects are awarded, this list must be published into the Federal Register. We have reviewed the list and recommended all projects on the list for award to the Service Director. The Service Director approved the entire list of projects for award, and we have awarded all projects from the list.

This document advises the public that we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, intends to gather information necessary to develop a proposed rule to expand management of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) throughout the United States, and prepare a draft environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. We are furnishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions; obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the environmental review; and announce public scoping webinars to occur in 2020.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for Topeka shiner, a fish species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. We are requesting review and comment from the public on this draft plan.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Summergate Development, 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 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 Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Dean Wooley (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed scrub-jay incidental to construction in Brevard 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 Ernie Caldwell Properties, 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 Polk 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.