80 FR 36841 - Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Shasta Crayfish on Rock Creek, in Shasta County, California
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 123 (June 26, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 123 (June 26, 2015)
| Page Range | 36841-36842 | |
| FR Document | 2015-15708 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 36841-36842] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-15708] [[Page 36841]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R8-ES-2014-N106; FXHC-1113-0000-F3] Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Shasta Crayfish on Rock Creek, in Shasta County, California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: 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. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by July 27, 2015. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Rick Kuyper, via U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605, Sacramento, CA 95825, or via email at [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Kuyper, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone: (916) 414-6649. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The permit application includes a proposed safe harbor agreement (agreement) between the applicant and the Service for the federally endangered Shasta crayfish (Pacifastacus fortis). The agreement is available for public comment. Availability of Documents You may obtain copies of the document for review by contacting the individual named above. You may also make an appointment to view the document at the above address during normal business hours. Background Under a safe harbor agreement, participating landowners voluntarily undertake management activities on their property to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species listed under the Act. Safe harbor agreements, and the subsequent enhancement of survival permits that are issued pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act, encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation efforts for listed species by assuring property owners that they will not be subjected to increased property use restrictions as a result of their efforts to attract listed species to their property, or to increase the numbers or distribution of listed species already on their property. Application requirements and issuance criteria for enhancement of survival permits through safe harbor agreements are found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22(c) and 17.32(c). An enhancement of survival permit allows any necessary future incidental take of species above the mutually agreed upon baseline conditions for the species, as long as the take is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit and accompanying agreement. The federally endangered Shasta crayfish is also listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act, and the Service has worked closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife during the development of this safe harbor agreement. Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Shasta Crayfish The agreement would cover a 200-foot buffer along both sides of Rock Creek located on the applicant's property (enrolled property). One section of Rock Creek, known as the Upper Pool, has no direct inflow or outflow from surface waterways and is fed by an isolated spring that flows from an extensive basalt lava flow. The Upper Pool has barriers both upstream and downstream that prevent species that prey upon, or compete with, Shasta crayfish from entering. Currently, Rock Creek does not contain Shasta crayfish, predatory species, or nonnative crayfish that would compete with and prey upon the Shasta crayfish. Because the Upper Pool does not contain Shasta crayfish, the baseline for the agreement would be zero individuals, but the existing habitat would remain in place. Other native aquatic flora and fauna that could be important for Shasta crayfish are present and plentiful. The applicant has agreed to allow the Service to relocate Shasta crayfish from another nearby location to the Upper Pool which will establish a new population within the species' historical range. Some incidental take of Shasta crayfish could occur in the future during routine maintenance and operation activities, timber management activities, and other activities as described in the agreement. These activities would be conducted by the applicant and also by Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery staff. Should the applicant elect to return the enrolled property to baseline conditions, the agreement has a provision that allows the Service access to the property to capture and relocate Shasta crayfish to other suitable habitat. The agreement would be in effect until 2043. Upon approval of this agreement and satisfactory completion of all other applicable legal requirements, and consistent with the Service's Safe Harbor Policy (64 FR 32717), the Service would issue an enhancement of survival permit to the applicant. This permit will authorize the applicant to take Shasta crayfish incidental to the following: (1) Implementation of the management activities specified in the agreement; (2) other lawful uses of the property, including ongoing and routine land management activities; and (3) a return to baseline conditions, if desired by the applicant. An applicant would receive assurances under our ``No Surprises'' regulations (50 CFR 17.22(c)(5) and 17.32(c)(5)) for Shasta crayfish. In addition to meeting other criteria, actions to be performed under an enhancement of survival permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plants. Public Review and Comments The Service has made a preliminary determination that the proposed agreement and permit application are eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). We explain the basis for this determination in an environmental action statement, which is also available for public review. Individuals wishing copies of the environmental action statement, and/or copies of the full text of the agreement, including a map of the proposed permit area, should contact the office and personnel listed in the ADDRESSES section above. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. [[Page 36842]] The Service will evaluate this permit application, associated documents, and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the permit application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act and NEPA regulations. If the Service determines that the requirements are met, we will sign the proposed agreement and issue an enhancement of survival permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the applicant for take of the Shasta crayfish incidental to otherwise lawful activities in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The Service will not make our final decision until after the end of the 30- day comment period and will fully consider all comments received during the comment period. Authority The Service provides this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act and pursuant to implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6). Jennifer M. Norris, Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2015-15708 Filed 6-25-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 123 / Friday, June 26, 2015 / Notices 36841
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR maintain habitat benefiting species operation activities, timber management
listed under the Act. Safe harbor activities, and other activities as
Fish and Wildlife Service agreements, and the subsequent described in the agreement. These
[FWS–R8–ES–2014–N106; FXHC–1113– enhancement of survival permits that activities would be conducted by the
0000–F3] are issued pursuant to section applicant and also by Crystal Lake Fish
10(a)(1)(A) of the Act, encourage private Hatchery staff. Should the applicant
Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for and other non-Federal property owners elect to return the enrolled property to
the Shasta Crayfish on Rock Creek, in to implement conservation efforts for baseline conditions, the agreement has a
Shasta County, California listed species by assuring property provision that allows the Service access
owners that they will not be subjected to the property to capture and relocate
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, to increased property use restrictions as Shasta crayfish to other suitable habitat.
Interior. a result of their efforts to attract listed The agreement would be in effect until
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of species to their property, or to increase 2043.
application. the numbers or distribution of listed Upon approval of this agreement and
species already on their property. satisfactory completion of all other
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public Application requirements and issuance applicable legal requirements, and
that Pacific Gas and Electric Company criteria for enhancement of survival consistent with the Service’s Safe
(applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish permits through safe harbor agreements Harbor Policy (64 FR 32717), the Service
and Wildlife Service (Service) for an are found in the Code of Federal would issue an enhancement of survival
Enhancement of Survival permit under Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22(c) permit to the applicant. This permit will
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as and 17.32(c). An enhancement of authorize the applicant to take Shasta
amended (Act). The permit application survival permit allows any necessary crayfish incidental to the following: (1)
includes a proposed safe harbor future incidental take of species above Implementation of the management
agreement (agreement) between the the mutually agreed upon baseline activities specified in the agreement; (2)
applicant and the Service for the conditions for the species, as long as the other lawful uses of the property,
federally endangered Shasta crayfish. take is in accordance with the terms and including ongoing and routine land
The agreement is available for public conditions of the permit and management activities; and (3) a return
comment. accompanying agreement. The federally to baseline conditions, if desired by the
DATES: To ensure consideration, please endangered Shasta crayfish is also listed applicant.
send your written comments by July 27, as endangered under the California An applicant would receive
2015. Endangered Species Act, and the assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’
Service has worked closely with the regulations (50 CFR 17.22(c)(5) and
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Rick
California Department of Fish and 17.32(c)(5)) for Shasta crayfish. In
Kuyper, via U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and
Wildlife during the development of this addition to meeting other criteria,
Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way,
safe harbor agreement. actions to be performed under an
Room W–2605, Sacramento, CA 95825,
enhancement of survival permit must
or via email at richard_kuyper@fws.gov. Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for not jeopardize the existence of federally
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. the Shasta Crayfish listed fish, wildlife, or plants.
Rick Kuyper, Sacramento Fish and The agreement would cover a 200-foot
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES); buffer along both sides of Rock Creek Public Review and Comments
telephone: (916) 414–6649. located on the applicant’s property The Service has made a preliminary
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This (enrolled property). One section of Rock determination that the proposed
notice advises the public that Pacific Creek, known as the Upper Pool, has no agreement and permit application are
Gas and Electric Company (applicant) direct inflow or outflow from surface eligible for categorical exclusion under
has applied to the U.S. Fish and waterways and is fed by an isolated the National Environmental Policy Act
Wildlife Service (Service) for an spring that flows from an extensive of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Enhancement of Survival permit under basalt lava flow. The Upper Pool has We explain the basis for this
the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The barriers both upstream and downstream determination in an environmental
permit application includes a proposed that prevent species that prey upon, or action statement, which is also available
safe harbor agreement (agreement) compete with, Shasta crayfish from for public review.
between the applicant and the Service entering. Currently, Rock Creek does not Individuals wishing copies of the
for the federally endangered Shasta contain Shasta crayfish, predatory environmental action statement, and/or
crayfish (Pacifastacus fortis). The species, or nonnative crayfish that copies of the full text of the agreement,
agreement is available for public would compete with and prey upon the including a map of the proposed permit
comment. Shasta crayfish. Because the Upper Pool area, should contact the office and
does not contain Shasta crayfish, the personnel listed in the ADDRESSES
Availability of Documents baseline for the agreement would be section above.
You may obtain copies of the zero individuals, but the existing habitat Before including your address, phone
document for review by contacting the would remain in place. Other native number, email address, or other
individual named above. You may also aquatic flora and fauna that could be personal identifying information in your
make an appointment to view the important for Shasta crayfish are present comment, you should be aware that
document at the above address during and plentiful. The applicant has agreed your entire comment—including your
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
normal business hours. to allow the Service to relocate Shasta personal identifying information—may
crayfish from another nearby location to be made publicly available at any time.
Background the Upper Pool which will establish a While you can ask us in your comment
Under a safe harbor agreement, new population within the species’ to withhold your personal identifying
participating landowners voluntarily historical range. Some incidental take of information from public review, we
undertake management activities on Shasta crayfish could occur in the future cannot guarantee that we will be able to
their property to enhance, restore, or during routine maintenance and do so.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Jun 25, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM 26JNN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_36964/page/1.svg)
![36842 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 123 / Friday, June 26, 2015 / Notices
The Service will evaluate this permit Information and Regulatory Affairs, asked in languages other than English
application, associated documents, and OMB, by email at oira_docket@ (e.g., Spanish) where appropriate.
comments submitted thereon to omb.eop.gov or by fax at 202–395–5806. Topic areas serve as a guide within
determine whether the permit Please also send a copy of your which the bureaus and offices will
application meets the requirements of comments to the Department of the develop questions. No one survey will
section 10(a) of the Act and NEPA Interior; Office of Policy Analysis; cover all the topic areas. The topic areas
regulations. If the Service determines Attention: Don Bieniewicz; Mail Stop include:
that the requirements are met, we will 3530; 1849 C Street NW., Washington, (1) Delivery, quality and value of
sign the proposed agreement and issue DC 20240, or by fax to 202–208–4867, products, information, and services.
an enhancement of survival permit or by email to Donald_Bieniewicz@ Respondents may be asked for feedback
under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to ios.doi.gov. Reference ‘‘DOI regarding the following attributes of the
the applicant for take of the Shasta Programmatic Clearance for Customer information, service, and products
crayfish incidental to otherwise lawful Satisfaction Surveys’’ in your email provided:
activities in accordance with the terms subject line. Include your name and (a) Timeliness
of the agreement. The Service will not return address in your email message (b) Consistency
make our final decision until after the and mark your message for return (c) Accuracy
end of the 30-day comment period and receipt. (d) Ease of Use and Usefulness
will fully consider all comments (e) Ease of Information Access
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don (f) Helpfulness
received during the comment period.
Bieniewicz on 202–208–4915. You may (g) Quality
Authority also review the submitted information (h) Value for fee paid for information/
The Service provides this notice collection request online at http:// product/service.
pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act and www.reginfo.gov. Follow the (2) Management practices. This area
pursuant to implementing regulations instructions to review Department of the covers questions relating to how well
for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6). Interior collections under review by customers are satisfied with DOI
OMB. management practices and processes,
Jennifer M. Norris, what improvements they might make to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and specific processes, and whether or not
Wildlife Office, Sacramento, California. I. Abstract they feel specific issues were addressed
[FR Doc. 2015–15708 Filed 6–25–15; 8:45 am]
The Government Performance and and reconciled in a timely, courteous,
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) (Pub. L. and responsive manner.
(3) Mission management. We will ask
103–62) requires agencies to ‘‘improve
customers to provide satisfaction data
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Federal program effectiveness and
related to DOI’s ability to protect,
public accountability by promoting a
conserve, provide access to, provide
Office of the Secretary new focus on results, service quality,
scientific data about, and preserve
and customer satisfaction.’’ In order to
[156D0102DM DLSN00000.000000 natural, cultural, and recreational
fulfill this responsibility, DOI bureaus
DS61200000 DX61201] resources that we manage, and how well
and offices must collect data from their
we are carrying out our trust
Renewal of Information Collection; respective user groups to better
responsibilities to American Indians.
OMB Control Number 1040–0001, DOI understand the needs and desires of the (4) Rules, regulations, policies. This
Programmatic Clearance for Customer public and to respond accordingly. E.O. area focuses on obtaining feedback from
Satisfaction Surveys 12862 ‘‘Setting Customer Service customers regarding fairness, adequacy,
Standards’’ also requires all executive and consistency in enforcing rules,
AGENCY: Department of the Interior. departments to ‘‘survey customers to regulations, and policies for which DOI
ACTION: Notice of submission to OMB; determine . . . their level of satisfaction is responsible. It will also help us
request for comments. with existing services.’’ E.O. 13571 understand public awareness of rules
‘‘Streamlining Service Delivery and and regulations and whether or not they
SUMMARY: We (Department of the Improving Customer Service’’ further
Interior, DOI) have submitted a request are explained in a clear and
mandates ‘‘establishing mechanisms to understandable manner.
to the Office of Management and Budget solicit customer feedback on (5) Interactions with DOI Personnel
(OMB) to approve the information Government services and using such and Contractors. Questions will range
collection (IC) described below. This IC feedback regularly to make service from timeliness and quality of
is scheduled to expire June 30, 2015. As improvements.’’ interactions to skill level of staff
required by the Paperwork Reduction We use customer satisfaction surveys providing the assistance, as well as their
Act of 1995 and as part of our to help us fulfill our responsibilities to courtesy and responsiveness during the
continuing efforts to reduce paperwork provide excellence in government by interaction.
and respondent burden, we invite the proactively consulting with those we (6) General demographics. Some
general public and other Federal serve. This programmatic clearance general demographics may be gathered
agencies to take this opportunity to provides an expedited approval process to augment satisfaction questions so that
comment on this IC. for DOI bureaus and offices to conduct we can better understand the customer
DATES: OMB has 60 days to review this customer research through external and improve how we serve that
request but may act after 30 days,
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
surveys such as questionnaires and customer. We may ask customers how
therefore you should submit your comment cards. many times they have used a service,
comments on or before July 27, 2015. The proposed renewal covers all of visited a facility within a specific
ADDRESSES: You may submit your the organizational units and bureaus in timeframe, their ethnic group, or their
comments directly to the Desk Officer DOI. Information obtained from race.
for the Department of the Interior (OMB customers by bureaus and offices will be All requests to collect information
control #1040–0001), Office of provided voluntarily. Questions may be under the auspices of this proposed
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Jun 25, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM 26JNN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_36964/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-15 14:14:24
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 14:14:24
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability; receipt of application. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by July 27, 2015. | |
| Contact | Mr. Rick Kuyper, Sacramento Fish and | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 36841 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR