80_FR_34710 80 FR 34594 - 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

80 FR 34594 - 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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 116 (June 17, 2015)

Page Range34594-34595
FR Document2015-14906

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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34594-34595]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14906]



[[Page 34594]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 223 and 224

RIN 0648-XB089
[Docket No. 120425024-5503-03]


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

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce; United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS), Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period and public hearing 
schedule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: 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.

DATES: Public hearings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., with 
informational open houses starting at 5:30 p.m. as follows: in Pago 
Pago, American Samoa on July 6, 2015; in Saipan, CNMI on July 13, 2015; 
and in Mangilao, Guam on July 15, 2015. The comment period for the 
proposed rule published on March 23, 2015 (80 FR 15271), has been 
extended. Comments and information regarding this proposed rule must be 
received by close of business on July 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2012-0154, by any 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-2012-0154,
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, 
and
    3. Enter or attach your comments.

OR

     Mail: Submit written comments to Green Turtle Proposed 
Listing Rule, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13535, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
or Green Turtle Proposed Listing Rule, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
North Florida Ecological Services Office, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 
200, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

OR

     Public hearing: Interested parties may provide oral or 
written comments at one of the public hearings detailed below, to be 
held at: the Lecture Hall of the American Samoa Community College, Pago 
Pago, American Samoa; the Multi-Purpose Center, Beach Road (Route 30), 
Susupe, Saipan, CNMI 96950; the Multi-Purpose Room at the School of 
Business and Public Administration, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam 
96923.
    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 the Services. All comments received will be 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 information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. The Services will accept 
anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to 
remain anonymous). The proposed rule is available electronically at 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/green.htm and http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/seaturtles/turtle%20factsheets/green-sea-turtle.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Schultz, NMFS (ph. 301-427-
8443, email [email protected]), or Ann Marie Lauritsen, USFWS 
(ph. 904-731-3032, email [email protected]). Persons who use a 
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, and 
7 days a week.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The green turtle is currently listed under the ESA as a threatened 
species globally, with the exception of the Florida and Mexican Pacific 
coast breeding populations, which are listed as endangered. On March 
23, 2015 (80 FR 15271), the Services published a proposed rule to 
revise these listings because we find that the green turtle is composed 
of 11 distinct population segments (DPSs) that qualify as ``species'' 
for listing under the ESA. We proposed to remove the current range-wide 
listing and, in its place, list eight DPSs as threatened and three as 
endangered. We proposed to list the Central West Pacific DPS (including 
green turtles originating from Guam and CNMI) and the Central South 
Pacific DPS (including green turtles originating from American Samoa) 
as endangered. We also proposed to apply existing protective 
regulations to the DPSs and to continue the existing critical habitat 
designation (i.e., waters surrounding Culebra Island, Puerto Rico) in 
effect for the North Atlantic DPS. We solicited comments on these 
proposed actions; we indicated that comments must be received by June 
22, 2015.
    We received several requests for additional public hearings. In 
response to the requests, by this notice we announce that we will host 
additional public hearings in Guam, CNMI, and American Samoa, and 
extend the public comment period through July 27, 2015. Previously 
submitted comments do not need to be resubmitted.

Public Hearings

    The Services will hold a public hearing in Pago Pago, American 
Samoa. Interested parties may provide oral or written comments at this 
hearing, which will be held on July 6, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m., with an 
informational open house starting at 5:30 p.m., at Lecture Hall of the 
American Samoa Community College.
    The Services will hold a public hearing in Saipan, CNMI. Interested 
parties may provide oral or written comments at this hearing, which 
will be held on July 13, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m., with an informational 
open house starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Multipurpose Center, Beach 
Road, Call Box 1007, Saipan, CNMI 96950.

[[Page 34595]]

    The Services will hold a public hearing in Mangilao, Guam. 
Interested parties may provide oral or written comments at this 
hearing, which will be held on July 15, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m., with an 
informational open house starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Multi-Purpose 
Room of the School of Business and Public Administration, University of 
Guam, Mangilao, Guam 96923.

Special Accommodations

    These hearings will be physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other 
accommodations should be directed to Jennifer Schultz (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT) as soon as possible, but no later than 7 business 
days prior to the hearing date.

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

    Dated: June 5, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    Dated: June 10, 2015.
Gary Frazer,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14906 Filed 6-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

34594 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 116 / Wednesday, June 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ADDRESSES: You may submit comments lauritsen@fws.gov). Persons who use a on the proposed rule, identified by Telecommunications Device for the Deaf Fish and Wildlife Service NOAA–NMFS–2012–0154, by any of the (TDD) may call the Federal Information following methods: Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– 50 CFR Part 17 • Electronic Submissions: Submit all 8339, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a electronic public comments via the week. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Go to www.regulations.gov/ National Oceanic and Atmospheric #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2012- Background Administration 0154, The green turtle is currently listed 2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, under the ESA as a threatened species 50 CFR Parts 223 and 224 complete the required fields, and globally, with the exception of the RIN 0648–XB089 3. Enter or attach your comments. Florida and Mexican Pacific coast OR breeding populations, which are listed [Docket No. 120425024–5503–03] • Mail: Submit written comments to as endangered. On March 23, 2015 (80 Endangered and Threatened Species; Green Turtle Proposed Listing Rule, FR 15271), the Services published a Identification and Proposed Listing of Office of Protected Resources, National proposed rule to revise these listings Eleven Distinct Population Segments Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East- because we find that the green turtle is of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) West Highway, Room 13535, Silver composed of 11 distinct population as Endangered or Threatened and Spring, MD 20910; or Green Turtle segments (DPSs) that qualify as Revision of Current Listings; Public Proposed Listing Rule, U.S. Fish and ‘‘species’’ for listing under the ESA. We Hearings; Extension of Comment Wildlife Service, North Florida proposed to remove the current range- Period Ecological Services Office, 7915 wide listing and, in its place, list eight Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, DPSs as threatened and three as AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Jacksonville, FL 32256. endangered. We proposed to list the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and OR Central West Pacific DPS (including Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), green turtles originating from Guam and Commerce; United States Fish and • Public hearing: Interested parties CNMI) and the Central South Pacific Wildlife Service (USFWS), Interior. may provide oral or written comments DPS (including green turtles originating at one of the public hearings detailed ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of from American Samoa) as endangered. below, to be held at: the Lecture Hall of comment period and public hearing We also proposed to apply existing the American Samoa Community schedule. protective regulations to the DPSs and College, Pago Pago, American Samoa; to continue the existing critical habitat SUMMARY: On March 23, 2015, we the Multi-Purpose Center, Beach Road designation (i.e., waters surrounding (NMFS and USFWS, or the Services) (Route 30), Susupe, Saipan, CNMI Culebra Island, Puerto Rico) in effect for published a proposed rule to revise the 96950; the Multi-Purpose Room at the the North Atlantic DPS. We solicited green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas; School of Business and Public comments on these proposed actions; hereafter referred to as the green turtle) Administration, University of Guam, we indicated that comments must be listings under the Endangered Species Mangilao, Guam 96923. received by June 22, 2015. Act (ESA). We proposed to remove the Instructions: Comments sent by any We received several requests for current range-wide listing and, in its other method, to any other address or additional public hearings. In response place, list eight distinct population individual, or received after the end of to the requests, by this notice we segments (DPSs) as threatened and three the comment period, may not be announce that we will host additional as endangered. We opened a public considered by the Services. All public hearings in Guam, CNMI, and comment period that lasted through comments received will be a part of the American Samoa, and extend the public June 22, 2015, announced a public public record and will generally be comment period through July 27, 2015. hearing in Honolulu, Hawaii, and posted for public viewing on Previously submitted comments do not solicited requests for additional public www.regulations.gov without change. need to be resubmitted. hearings. With this document, we All personal identifying information announce additional public hearings in (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential Public Hearings Guam, the Commonwealth of the business information, or otherwise The Services will hold a public Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and sensitive information submitted hearing in Pago Pago, American Samoa. American Samoa. To allow adequate voluntarily by the sender will be Interested parties may provide oral or time for comments after the last public publicly accessible. The Services will written comments at this hearing, which hearing, we extend the public comment accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ will be held on July 6, 2015 from 6 to period through July 27, 2015. A’’ in the required fields if you wish to 8 p.m., with an informational open DATES: Public hearings will be held from remain anonymous). The proposed rule house starting at 5:30 p.m., at Lecture 6 to 8 p.m., with informational open is available electronically at http:// Hall of the American Samoa Community houses starting at 5:30 p.m. as follows: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/ College. in Pago Pago, American Samoa on July green.htm and http://www.fws.gov/ The Services will hold a public srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 6, 2015; in Saipan, CNMI on July 13, northflorida/seaturtles/ hearing in Saipan, CNMI. Interested 2015; and in Mangilao, Guam on July turtle%20factsheets/green-sea- parties may provide oral or written 15, 2015. The comment period for the turtle.htm. comments at this hearing, which will be proposed rule published on March 23, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: held on July 13, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m., 2015 (80 FR 15271), has been extended. Jennifer Schultz, NMFS (ph. 301–427– with an informational open house Comments and information regarding 8443, email jennifer.schultz@noaa.gov), starting at 5:30 p.m., at the this proposed rule must be received by or Ann Marie Lauritsen, USFWS (ph. Multipurpose Center, Beach Road, Call close of business on July 27, 2015. 904–731–3032, email annmarie_ Box 1007, Saipan, CNMI 96950. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:32 Jun 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\17JNP1.SGM 17JNP1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 116 / Wednesday, June 17, 2015 / Proposed Rules 34595 The Services will hold a public reasons, it is highly unlikely that an speech-impaired may call the Federal hearing in Mangilao, Guam. Interested eastern puma population could remain Relay Service at 1–800–877–8337 for parties may provide oral or written undetected over the time span since the TTY assistance. General information comments at this hearing, which will be last confirmed sighting was documented regarding the eastern puma and the held on July 15, 2015 from 6 to 8 p.m., in 1938. delisting process may also be accessed with an informational open house DATES: We will accept comments at: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/ starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Multi- received or postmarked on or before ECougar. Purpose Room of the School of Business August 17, 2015. Comments submitted SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and Public Administration, University electronically using the Federal of Guam, Mangilao, Guam 96923. eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES Information Requested Special Accommodations below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. We intend that any final action Eastern Time on the closing date. We resulting from this proposed rule will be These hearings will be physically must receive requests for public based on the best scientific and accessible to people with disabilities. hearings, in writing, at the address commercial data available and be as Requests for sign language shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION accurate and effective as possible. interpretation or other accommodations CONTACT by August 3, 2015. Therefore, we invite tribal and should be directed to Jennifer Schultz Informational webinars will be governmental agencies, the scientific (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) scheduled upon request. community, and other interested parties as soon as possible, but no later than 7 ADDRESSES: Written comments: You may to submit comments and new data business days prior to the hearing date. submit comments by one of the regarding this proposed rule. In Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. following methods: particular, we are seeking targeted Dated: June 5, 2015. Electronically: Go to the Federal information and comments concerning Samuel D. Rauch III, eRulemaking Portal: http:// the following: Deputy Assistant Administrator for www.regulations.gov. In the search box, (1) The persistence or extinction of a Regulatory Programs, National Marine type FWS–R5–ES–2015–001 which is breeding population of the eastern puma Fisheries Service. the docket number for this proposed subspecies within its historical range; Dated: June 10, 2015. rule. Then, click on the search button. (2) Verifiable reports or evidence of Gary Frazer, In the Search panel on the left side of wild-origin pumas within the historical the screen, under the Document Type range of the eastern puma subspecies; Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. heading, click on the box next to (3) Our analysis of the status of the ‘‘Proposed Rule’’ to locate this eastern puma; and [FR Doc. 2015–14906 Filed 6–16–15; 8:45 am] document. When you have located the (4) The taxonomy of North American BILLING CODE 3510–22–P correct document, you may submit a pumas. comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment Please include sufficient information DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Now!’’ with your submission (such as scientific By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or journal articles or other publications) to Fish and Wildlife Service hand-delivery to: Public Comments allow us to verify any scientific or Processing, Attn: FWS–R5–ES–2015– commercial information you include. 50 CFR Part 17 0001, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, MS: Bear in mind that comments simply BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls advocating or opposing the proposed [Docket No. FWS–R5–ES–2015–0001; Church, VA 22041–3803. action without providing supporting 50120–1113–000] We will post all comments at: information will be noted but not RIN 1018–AY05 http://www.regulations.gov. This considered in making a determination, generally means that we will post any as section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Endangered Endangered and Threatened Wildlife personal information you provide us Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 and Plants; Removing Eastern Puma (see Information Requested below, for U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (Act), directs that (=Cougar) From the Federal List of more information). determinations as to whether any Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Copies of documents: This proposed species is an endangered species or rule and and primary supporting threatened species shall be made ‘‘solely AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, documents are available at: http:// Interior. on the basis of the best scientific and www.regulations.gov. In addition, the commercial data available.’’ ACTION: Proposed rule. supporting files for this proposed rule You may submit your comments and SUMMARY: The best available scientific will be available for public inspection, materials concerning the proposed rule and commercial data indicate that the by appointment and during normal by one of the methods listed in eastern puma (=cougar) (Puma (=Felis) business hours, at the U.S. Fish and ADDRESSES. We request that you send concolor couguar) is extinct. Therefore, Wildlife Service’s Maine Field Office, comments only to an address listed in under the authority of the Endangered 17 Godfrey Drive, Suite #2, Orono, ME ADDRESSES. All comments must be Species Act of 1973, as amended, we, 04473, and on the Eastern Cougar Web submitted to http:// the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site at: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/ www.regulations.gov, hand delivered, or (Service), propose to remove this ECougar. postmarked by the deadline specified in srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS subspecies from the Federal List of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DATES. If you submit information via Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Questions and requests for additional http://www.regulations.gov, your entire This proposed action is based on a information may be directed to Martin submission—including any personal thorough review of all available Miller, Northeast Regional Office, identifying information—will be posted information, which indicates that there telephone 413–253–8615, or to Mark on the Web site. If your submission is is no evidence of the existence of either McCollough, Maine Field Office, made via a hardcopy that includes an extant population or individuals of telephone 207–866–3344, extension personal identifying information, you the eastern puma and that, for various 115. Individuals who are hearing- or may request at the top of your document VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:32 Jun 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\17JNP1.SGM 17JNP1


Document Created: 2015-12-15 14:22:45
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 14:22:45
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule; extension of comment period and public hearing schedule.
DatesPublic hearings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., with informational open houses starting at 5:30 p.m. as follows: in Pago Pago, American Samoa on July 6, 2015; in Saipan, CNMI on July 13, 2015; and in Mangilao, Guam on July 15, 2015. The comment period for the proposed rule published on March 23, 2015 (80 FR 15271), has been extended. Comments and information regarding this proposed rule must be received by close of business on July 27, 2015.
ContactJennifer Schultz, NMFS (ph. 301-427- 8443, email [email protected]), or Ann Marie Lauritsen, USFWS (ph. 904-731-3032, email [email protected]). Persons who use a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.
FR Citation80 FR 34594 
RIN Number0648-XB08
CFR Citation50 CFR 17
50 CFR 223
50 CFR 224
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR