80_FR_28019 80 FR 27925 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Draft Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale

80 FR 27925 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Draft Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 94 (May 15, 2015)

Page Range27925-27926
FR Document2015-11700

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the availability of the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Draft Recovery Plan for public review. NMFS is soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the draft Plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the review period before submitting the Plan for final approval.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27925-27926]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11700]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XU02


Endangered and Threatened Species; Draft Recovery Plan for the 
Cook Inlet Beluga Whale

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the 
availability of the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) 
Draft Recovery Plan for public review. NMFS is soliciting review and 
comment from the public and all interested parties on the draft Plan, 
and will consider all substantive comments received during the review 
period before submitting the Plan for final approval.

DATES: Comments on the draft Plan must be received by close of business 
on July 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2015-0053 by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0053,
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon and complete the required 
fields,
    3. Enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Jon Kurland, Assistant 
Regional Administrator for Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office, Protected Resources 
Division, P.O. Box 21668, 709 W. 9th St., Rm. 420, Juneau, Alaska 
99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information submitted 
voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mandy Migura (907-271-1332), email 
[email protected] or Therese Conant (301-427-8456), email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Recovery plans describe actions beneficial to the conservation and 
recovery of species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Section 4(f)(1) of the ESA 
requires that recovery plans incorporate: (1) Objective, measurable 
criteria which, when met, would result in a determination that the 
species is no longer threatened or endangered; (2) site-specific 
management actions necessary to achieve the Plan's goals; and (3) 
estimates of the time required and costs to implement recovery actions. 
The ESA requires the development of recovery plans for each listed 
species unless such a plan would not promote its recovery.
    NMFS began conducting comprehensive and systematic aerial surveys 
of the Cook Inlet beluga whale population in 1993. These surveys 
documented a decline in abundance from 653 whales in 1994 to 347 whales 
in 1998, a decline of nearly 50 percent. This rapid decline was 
associated with a substantial, unregulated subsistence hunt. Subsequent 
cooperative efforts between NMFS and Alaska Native subsistence users 
dramatically reduced subsistence hunts beginning in 1999. If 
subsistence harvest was the only factor limiting population growth, 
this reduction in hunting should have allowed the Cook Inlet beluga 
whale population to begin recovering at a rate of 2 to 6 percent per 
year; however, survey data indicated that the population was not 
recovering upon removal of hunting pressure. This lack of population 
growth led NMFS to reevaluate the status of Cook Inlet beluga whales. 
In October 2008, NMFS listed the Cook Inlet beluga whale

[[Page 27926]]

distinct population segment (DPS) as endangered under the ESA (73 FR 
62919, October 22, 2008). The most recent (2014) abundance survey 
indicates a population of 340 Cook Inlet beluga whales that has 
declined 0.4 percent per year over the past ten years.
    The Cook Inlet belugas are the most reproductively and 
demographically isolated of all the Alaskan belugas, and are unique in 
Alaska because their habitat, a semi-enclosed tidal estuary in 
southcentral Alaska, is in close proximity to most of Alaska's human 
population. The distribution of Cook Inlet belugas has changed 
significantly since the 1970s; in recent years the summer range has 
contracted to the upper reaches of Cook Inlet near Anchorage. This 
range contraction was coincident with the decline in population size.
    Ten potential threat types are identified and assessed in this 
draft recovery plan, based on current knowledge of threat factors. 
Assessments were made based on the information and data gaps presented 
in the plan's background section. Climate change, while considered a 
potential threat to Cook Inlet beluga recovery, is not addressed as a 
separate threat, but rather is discussed with respect to how it may 
affect each of the listed threats. The ten identified threats were 
ranked in order of their relative concern (high, medium, low) to the 
Cook Inlet beluga population.
    Due to an incomplete understanding of the threats facing Cook Inlet 
beluga whales, NMFS is unable to identify with certainty the actions 
that will most immediately encourage recovery. Until we know which 
threats are limiting recovery, the strategy of this recovery plan is to 
focus on threats identified as medium or high concern. This should 
focus efforts and resources on actions that are more likely to benefit 
Cook Inlet beluga whale recovery.
    Under section 4(f)(1) of the ESA, recovery plans must contain 
objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a 
determination that the species be delisted. This recovery plan contains 
both demographic and threats-based criteria for down- and delisting. 
The threat-based recovery criteria are designed to evaluate the five 
ESA section 4(a)(1) factors described in the ESA listing determination 
of the Cook Inlet belugas. The draft recovery plan proposes that Cook 
Inlet beluga whales may be reclassified from endangered to threatened 
(i.e., downlisted) when all of the following have been met: (1) The 
abundance estimate for the Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS is greater than 
or equal to 520 individuals and there is 95 percent or greater 
probability that the 25-year population abundance trend (representative 
of one full generation) is positive; and (2) the 15 downlisting 
threats-based criteria are satisfied. The draft recovery plan proposes 
that the population will be considered for delisting when all of the 
following are met: (1) The abundance estimate for the Cook Inlet beluga 
whale DPS is greater than or equal to 780 individuals and there is 95 
percent or greater probability that the 25-year population abundance 
trend (representative of one full generation) is positive; and (2) the 
15 downlisting and 6 delisting threats-based criteria are satisfied.
    When determining recovery actions, we aimed to improve 
understanding of whether a particular threat is limiting recovery and 
to eliminate or mitigate that threat, or to improve our understanding 
of, and ability to manage, that threat. The actions in this recovery 
plan include research, management, monitoring, and outreach efforts, 
since a comprehensive approach to Cook Inlet beluga whale recovery is 
likely to have greater success than focusing on any one type of action. 
There are also actions targeted at incorporating new information and 
conducting regular reassessments, making this recovery plan an adaptive 
management plan.
    The total time and cost to recovery are very difficult to predict 
with the current information, and the total cost to recovery will be 
largely dependent upon the number of recovery actions requiring 
implementation. Since that cannot be determined prior to implementation 
of portions of this plan, the total cost presented assumes 
implementation of all recovery actions. As recovery progresses and we 
better understand the relationship between discrete threats and 
population dynamics, it may become apparent that there are some threats 
that need not be addressed to achieve recovery. However, we expect that 
recovery may take at least two generations (50 years).
    If every identified recovery action is implemented, and if recovery 
implementation lasts for 50 years (two generations), then the estimated 
cost of implementing this entire recovery program would be 
approximately $78.3 million. Any projections of total costs over the 
full recovery period are likely to be imprecise, and the cost estimates 
do not imply that funding will necessarily be available for all Cook 
Inlet beluga whale recovery tasks.
    NMFS requests and will consider all substantive comments and 
information presented during the public comment period as we finalize 
this Plan. NMFS concludes that the Draft Recovery Plan meets the 
requirements of the ESA.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

    Dated: May 11, 2015.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-11700 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 94 / Friday, May 15, 2015 / Notices 27925 modifications in the activities are Beaufort Sea. Please include with your the comment period, may not be appropriate. comments any supporting data or considered by NMFS. All comments (c) In the event that Hilcorp discovers literature citations to help inform our received are a part of the public record an injured or dead marine mammal, and final decision on Hilcorp’s request for and will generally be posted for public the lead PSO determines that the injury an MMPA authorization. viewing on www.regulations.gov or death is not associated with or related Dated: May 11, 2015. without change. All personal identifying to the activities authorized in Condition information (e.g., name, address, etc.), Donna S. Wieting, 3 of this Authorization (e.g., previously confidential business information, or wounded animal, carcass with moderate Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. otherwise sensitive or protected to advanced decomposition, or information submitted voluntarily by scavenger damage), Hilcorp shall report [FR Doc. 2015–11701 Filed 5–14–15; 8:45 am] the sender will be publicly accessible. the incident to the Chief, Permits and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P NMFS will accept anonymous Conservation Division, Office of comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required Protected Resources, NMFS, at 301– fields if you wish to remain 427–8401, and/or by email to DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE anonymous). Jolie.Harrison@noaa.gov and National Oceanic and Atmospheric FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane.Guan@noaa.gov and the NMFS Administration Mandy Migura (907–271–1332), email Alaska Stranding Hotline (1–877–925– RIN 0648–XU02 Mandy.Migura@noaa.gov or Therese 7773) and/or by email to the Alaska Conant (301–427–8456), email Regional Stranding Coordinators Endangered and Threatened Species; Therese.Conant@noaa.gov. (Aleria.Jensen@noaa.gov and Barbara.Mahoney@noaa.gov), within 24 Draft Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: hours of the discovery. Hilcorp shall Beluga Whale Background provide photographs or video footage (if AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Recovery plans describe actions available) or other documentation of the Service, National Oceanic and beneficial to the conservation and stranded animal sighting to NMFS and Atmospheric Administration, recovery of species listed under the the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Commerce. Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), Hilcorp can continue its operations ACTION: Notice of availability; request as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). under such a case. for comments. (11) Activities related to the Section 4(f)(1) of the ESA requires that monitoring described in this recovery plans incorporate: (1) SUMMARY: The National Marine Objective, measurable criteria which, Authorization do not require a separate Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the scientific research permit issued under when met, would result in a availability of the Cook Inlet Beluga determination that the species is no section 104 of the Marine Mammal Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Draft Protection Act. longer threatened or endangered; (2) Recovery Plan for public review. NMFS site-specific management actions (12) The Plan of Cooperation is soliciting review and comment from outlining the steps that will be taken to necessary to achieve the Plan’s goals; the public and all interested parties on and (3) estimates of the time required cooperate and communicate with the the draft Plan, and will consider all native communities to ensure the and costs to implement recovery substantive comments received during actions. The ESA requires the availability of marine mammals for the review period before submitting the subsistence uses, must be implemented. development of recovery plans for each Plan for final approval. listed species unless such a plan would (13) This Authorization may be DATES: Comments on the draft Plan not promote its recovery. modified, suspended, or withdrawn if the holder fails to abide by the must be received by close of business on NMFS began conducting conditions prescribed herein or if the July 14, 2015. comprehensive and systematic aerial authorized taking is having more than a ADDRESSES: You may submit comments surveys of the Cook Inlet beluga whale negligible impact on the species or stock on this document, identified by NOAA– population in 1993. These surveys of affected marine mammals, or if there NMFS–2015–0053 by either of the documented a decline in abundance is an unmitigable adverse impact on the following methods: from 653 whales in 1994 to 347 whales availability of such species or stocks for • Electronic Submissions: Submit all in 1998, a decline of nearly 50 percent. subsistence uses. electronic public comments via the This rapid decline was associated with (14) A copy of this Authorization and Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. a substantial, unregulated subsistence the Incidental Take Statement must be 1. Go to www.regulations.gov/ hunt. Subsequent cooperative efforts in the possession of each survey vessel #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015- between NMFS and Alaska Native operator taking marine mammals under 0053, subsistence users dramatically reduced the authority of this Incidental 2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon subsistence hunts beginning in 1999. If Harassment Authorization. and complete the required fields, subsistence harvest was the only factor (15) Hilcorp is required to comply 3. Enter or attach your comments. limiting population growth, this with the Terms and Conditions of the • Mail: Submit written comments to reduction in hunting should have Incidental Take Statement Jon Kurland, Assistant Regional allowed the Cook Inlet beluga whale corresponding to NMFS’ Biological Administrator for Protected Resources, population to begin recovering at a rate mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Opinion. National Marine Fisheries Service, of 2 to 6 percent per year; however, Alaska Regional Office, Protected survey data indicated that the Request for Public Comments Resources Division, P.O. Box 21668, 709 population was not recovering upon NMFS requests comment on our W. 9th St., Rm. 420, Juneau, Alaska removal of hunting pressure. This lack analysis, the draft authorization, and 99802–1668. of population growth led NMFS to any other aspect of the Notice of Instructions: Comments sent by any reevaluate the status of Cook Inlet Proposed IHA for Hilcorp’s proposed other method, to any other address or beluga whales. In October 2008, NMFS shallow geohazard survey in the individual, or received after the end of listed the Cook Inlet beluga whale VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1

27926 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 94 / Friday, May 15, 2015 / Notices distinct population segment (DPS) as percent or greater probability that the concludes that the Draft Recovery Plan endangered under the ESA (73 FR 25-year population abundance trend meets the requirements of the ESA. 62919, October 22, 2008). The most (representative of one full generation) is Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. recent (2014) abundance survey positive; and (2) the 15 downlisting Dated: May 11, 2015. indicates a population of 340 Cook Inlet threats-based criteria are satisfied. The beluga whales that has declined 0.4 draft recovery plan proposes that the Angela Somma, percent per year over the past ten years. population will be considered for Chief, Endangered Species Conservation The Cook Inlet belugas are the most delisting when all of the following are Division, Office of Protected Resources, reproductively and demographically National Marine Fisheries Service. met: (1) The abundance estimate for the isolated of all the Alaskan belugas, and [FR Doc. 2015–11700 Filed 5–14–15; 8:45 am] Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS is greater are unique in Alaska because their than or equal to 780 individuals and BILLING CODE 3510–22–P habitat, a semi-enclosed tidal estuary in there is 95 percent or greater probability southcentral Alaska, is in close that the 25-year population abundance proximity to most of Alaska’s human DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE trend (representative of one full population. The distribution of Cook generation) is positive; and (2) the 15 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Inlet belugas has changed significantly downlisting and 6 delisting threats- Administration since the 1970s; in recent years the based criteria are satisfied. summer range has contracted to the When determining recovery actions, Availability of Seats for National upper reaches of Cook Inlet near we aimed to improve understanding of Marine Sanctuary Advisory Councils Anchorage. This range contraction was whether a particular threat is limiting coincident with the decline in AGENCY: Office of National Marine recovery and to eliminate or mitigate population size. Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean that threat, or to improve our Ten potential threat types are Service (NOS), National Oceanic and understanding of, and ability to manage, identified and assessed in this draft Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), that threat. The actions in this recovery recovery plan, based on current Department of Commerce (DOC). plan include research, management, knowledge of threat factors. monitoring, and outreach efforts, since a ACTION: Notice and request for Assessments were made based on the comprehensive approach to Cook Inlet applications. information and data gaps presented in beluga whale recovery is likely to have SUMMARY: ONMS is seeking applications the plan’s background section. Climate greater success than focusing on any one for vacant seats for 7 of its 13 national change, while considered a potential type of action. There are also actions marine sanctuary advisory councils and threat to Cook Inlet beluga recovery, is targeted at incorporating new for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands not addressed as a separate threat, but information and conducting regular Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory rather is discussed with respect to how reassessments, making this recovery Council (advisory councils). Vacant it may affect each of the listed threats. plan an adaptive management plan. seats, including positions (i.e., primary The ten identified threats were ranked in order of their relative concern (high, The total time and cost to recovery are member and alternate), for each of the medium, low) to the Cook Inlet beluga very difficult to predict with the current advisory councils are listed in this population. information, and the total cost to notice under SUPPLEMENTARY Due to an incomplete understanding recovery will be largely dependent upon INFORMATION. Applicants are chosen of the threats facing Cook Inlet beluga the number of recovery actions based upon their particular expertise whales, NMFS is unable to identify with requiring implementation. Since that and experience in relation to the seat for certainty the actions that will most cannot be determined prior to which they are applying; community immediately encourage recovery. Until implementation of portions of this plan, and professional affiliations; views we know which threats are limiting the total cost presented assumes regarding the protection and recovery, the strategy of this recovery implementation of all recovery actions. management of marine or Great Lake plan is to focus on threats identified as As recovery progresses and we better resources; and possibly the length of medium or high concern. This should understand the relationship between residence in the area affected by the focus efforts and resources on actions discrete threats and population sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen that are more likely to benefit Cook Inlet dynamics, it may become apparent that as members or alternates should expect beluga whale recovery. there are some threats that need not be to serve two- or three year terms, Under section 4(f)(1) of the ESA, addressed to achieve recovery. pursuant to the charter of the specific recovery plans must contain objective, However, we expect that recovery may national marine sanctuary advisory measurable criteria which, when met, take at least two generations (50 years). council or the Northwestern Hawaiian would result in a determination that the If every identified recovery action is Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve species be delisted. This recovery plan implemented, and if recovery Advisory Council. contains both demographic and threats- implementation lasts for 50 years (two DATES: Applications are due by June 30, based criteria for down- and delisting. generations), then the estimated cost of 2015. The threat-based recovery criteria are implementing this entire recovery ADDRESSES: Application kits are specific designed to evaluate the five ESA program would be approximately $78.3 to each advisory council. As such, section 4(a)(1) factors described in the million. Any projections of total costs application kits must be obtained from ESA listing determination of the Cook over the full recovery period are likely and returned to the council-specific to be imprecise, and the cost estimates mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Inlet belugas. The draft recovery plan addresses noted below. proposes that Cook Inlet beluga whales do not imply that funding will • Channel Islands National Marine may be reclassified from endangered to necessarily be available for all Cook Sanctuary Advisory Council: Michael threatened (i.e., downlisted) when all of Inlet beluga whale recovery tasks. Murray, Channel Islands National the following have been met: (1) The NMFS requests and will consider all Marine Sanctuary, University of abundance estimate for the Cook Inlet substantive comments and information California Santa Barbara, Ocean Science beluga whale DPS is greater than or presented during the public comment Education Building 514, MC 6155, Santa equal to 520 individuals and there is 95 period as we finalize this Plan. NMFS Barbara, CA, 93106–6155; (805) 893– VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\15MYN1.SGM 15MYN1


Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:27:16
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:27:16
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability; request for comments.
DatesComments on the draft Plan must be received by close of business on July 14, 2015.
ContactMandy Migura (907-271-1332), email [email protected] or Therese Conant (301-427-8456), email [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 27925 
RIN Number0648-XU02
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