80 FR 38729 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan Draft Addendum
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 129 (July 7, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 129 (July 7, 2015)
| Page Range | 38729-38730 | |
| FR Document | 2015-16595 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 38729-38730] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-16595] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-ES-2015-N104; FXES11130200000C2-112-FF02ENEH00] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan Draft Addendum AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft addendum to the 2005 Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) Recovery Plan, to include the Austin blind salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis). Both species are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). These salamander species are currently found in Barton Springs in Austin, Texas. The Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan (Recovery Plan) currently includes specific recovery objectives and criteria to be met in order to enable us to remove the Barton Springs salamander from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. This draft addendum adds to the Recovery Plan's recovery goals, objectives, downlisting criteria, and delisting criteria in order to reflect the addition of the Austin blind salamander. The Recovery Plan also includes additional time and cost estimates for recovery actions for the Austin blind salamander. We request review and comment on this draft addendum from local, State, and Federal agencies; Tribes; and the public. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before September 8, 2015. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the draft addendum, you may obtain a copy by any one of the following methods: Internet: Access the file at www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/BSS_RP_DraftAddendum_June2015.pdf; http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/; U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; or Telephone: (512) 490-0057. If you wish to comment on the draft addendum, you may submit your comments in writing by any one of the following methods:U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the above address; Hand-delivery: Austin Ecological Services Field Office, at the above address; Fax: (512) 490-0974; or Email: [email protected]. For additional information about submitting comments, see the ``Request for Public Comments'' section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, at the above address and phone number, or by email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Recovery means improvement of the status of listed species to the point [[Page 38730]] at which listing is no longer appropriate under the criteria set out in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Species History The Austin blind salamander was federally listed as endangered throughout its range on September 9, 2013 (78 FR 51277), and detailed background information on the taxonomy, habitat, range, threats, and life history attributes of the Austin blind salamander can be found in the final rule. It has a recovery priority number of 2C, which is based on a high degree of threat, high potential for recovery, taxonomic classification as a species, and potential for conflict over resources (primarily water quality and quantity) and economic development. When we developed the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan, the Austin blind salamander was a candidate for Federal listing as endangered or threatened (67 FR 40657). We included information on the Austin blind salamander to facilitate adding this species to the Recovery Plan if it ultimately became listed. The existing recovery plan for the Barton Springs salamander presents a recovery strategy, objective and measurable recovery criteria, and site-specific management actions to monitor and reduce or remove threats to the Barton Springs salamander. The Barton Springs and Austin blind salamanders occur in the same ecosystem, have similar ecology and life history needs, and face similar threats. The Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan was developed to address the Barton Springs ecosystem as a whole, as well as both salamander species, which are vulnerable to threats to this ecosystem. Therefore, the recovery strategy for the Barton Springs salamander is also applicable to and appropriate for the Austin blind salamander. For these reasons, we are proposing an efficient approach to recovery planning for the Austin blind salamander by supplementing the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan with an addendum to include the Austin blind salamander. Request for Public Comments Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. We are, therefore, providing the public the opportunity to comment on the draft addendum. Because the Barton Springs Salamander Recovery Plan has already been through peer and public review and because this plan is a valid recovery plan, we seek public comments on only the draft addendum. We will summarize and respond to the issues raised by the public and post our responses on our Web site. Substantive comments may or may not result in changes to the draft addendum; comments regarding recovery plan implementation will be forwarded as appropriate to Federal or other entities so that they can be taken into account during the course of implementing recovery actions. We invite written comments on the draft addendum. In particular, we are interested in additional information regarding the appropriateness of the draft recovery criteria and recovery actions for the Austin blind salamander as well as the costs associated with implementing the recommended recovery actions. Before we approve a final addendum, we will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES. Methods of submitting comments are in the ADDRESSES section. Public Availability of Comments 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. Comments and materials we receive will be available on our Web site http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/, by appointment, for public inspection during normal business hours at our office (see ADDRESSES). References Cited A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon request from the Austin Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section). Authority We developed this recovery plan addendum under the authority of section 4(f) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under section 4(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: June 18, 2015. Joy E. Nicholopoulos, Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2015-16595 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices 38729
Online location of
Location and case Chief executive Effective date of Community
State and county Community map repository letter of map revi-
No. officer of community modification No.
sion
Wake .............. City of Raleigh The Honorable Nancy Public Works Department, http://www.msc. Jun. 26, 2015 ................ 370243
(14–04–8341P). McFarlane, Mayor, City of 222 West Hargett Street, fema.gov/lomc.
Raleigh, P.O. Box 590, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Raleigh, NC 27602.
Wake .............. Unincorporated The Honorable James Wake County Environ- http://www.msc. Jun. 26, 2015 ................ 370368
areas of Wake West, Chairman, Wake mental Services Depart- fema.gov/lomc.
County (14–04– County Board of Commis- ment, 336 Fayetteville
8341P). sioners, P.O. Box 550, Street, Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC 27602. 27602.
South Carolina: City of Charleston The Honorable Joseph P. Engineering Department, 75 http://www.msc. Jun. 19, 2015 ................ 455412
Charleston. (15–04–0605P). Riley, Jr., Mayor, City of Calhoun Street Division fema.gov/lomc.
Charleston, P.O. Box 301, Charleston, SC
652, Charleston, SC 29402.
29402.
Utah:
Davis .............. City of Farmington The Honorable Jim Talbot, GIS Department, 1600 http://www. Jun. 26, 2015 ................ 490044
(15–08–0034P). Mayor, City of Farm- South Main, Farmington, msc.fema.gov/
ington, 160 South Main, UT 84025. lomc.
Farmington, UT 84025.
Davis .............. City of Fruit The Honorable Don Carroll, City Hall, 910 South Moun- http://www.msc. Jun. 5, 2015 .................. 490045
Heights (14–08– Mayor, City of Fruit tain Road, Fruit Heights, fema.gov/lomc.
1211P). Heights, 910 South UT 84307.
Mountain Road, Fruit
Heights, UT 84037.
Davis .............. City of Kaysville The Honorable Steve A. City Hall, 23 East Center http://www.msc. Jun. 5, 2015 .................. 490046
(14–08–1178P). Hiatt, Mayor, City of Street, Kaysville, UT fema.gov/lomc.
Kaysville, 23 East Center 84037.
Street, Kaysville, UT
84037.
Davis .............. City of Kaysville The Honorable Steve A. City Hall, 23 East Center http://www.msc. Jun. 5, 2015 .................. 490046
(14–08–1211P). Hiatt, Mayor, City of Street, Kaysville, UT fema.gov/lomc.
Kaysville, 23 East Center 84037.
Street, Kaysville, UT
84037.
Washington .... Town of Spring- The Honorable Stan Smith, Planning and Zoning De- http://www.msc. May 22, 2015 ................ 490179
dale (14–08– Mayor, Town of Spring- partment, 118 Lion Boule- fema.gov/lomc.
1247P). dale, 118 Lion Boulevard, vard, Springdale, UT
Springdale, UT 84767. 84767.
[FR Doc. C1–2015–10535 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am] (Recovery Plan) currently includes U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
BILLING CODE 1505–01D specific recovery objectives and criteria Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200,
to be met in order to enable us to Austin, TX 78758; or
remove the Barton Springs salamander Telephone: (512) 490–0057.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR from the list of endangered and If you wish to comment on the draft
threatened wildlife and plants. This addendum, you may submit your
Fish and Wildlife Service draft addendum adds to the Recovery comments in writing by any one of the
following methods:
[FWS–R2–ES–2015–N104; Plan’s recovery goals, objectives, • U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the
FXES11130200000C2–112–FF02ENEH00] downlisting criteria, and delisting above address;
criteria in order to reflect the addition • Hand-delivery: Austin Ecological
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of the Austin blind salamander. The Services Field Office, at the above
and Plants; Barton Springs Recovery Plan also includes additional address;
Salamander Recovery Plan Draft time and cost estimates for recovery • Fax: (512) 490–0974; or
Addendum actions for the Austin blind salamander. • Email: Adam_Zerrenner@fws.gov.
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, We request review and comment on this For additional information about
Interior. draft addendum from local, State, and submitting comments, see the ‘‘Request
ACTION: Notice of availability; request Federal agencies; Tribes; and the public. for Public Comments’’ section below.
for comment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DATES: To ensure consideration, we Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, at
SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife must receive written comments on or the above address and phone number, or
Service (Service), announce the before September 8, 2015. However, we by email at Adam_Zerrenner@fws.gov.
availability of a draft addendum to the will accept information about any SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
2005 Barton Springs salamander species at any time.
(Eurycea sosorum) Recovery Plan, to Background
ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the
include the Austin blind salamander Recovery of endangered or threatened
draft addendum, you may obtain a copy
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(Eurycea waterlooensis). Both species animals and plants to the point where
are listed as endangered under the by any one of the following methods: they are again secure, self-sustaining
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Internet: Access the file at members of their ecosystems is a
amended (Act). These salamander www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/ primary goal of our endangered species
species are currently found in Barton R2ES/BSS_RP_DraftAddendum_ program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
Springs in Austin, Texas. The Barton June2015.pdf; http://www.fws.gov/ seq.). Recovery means improvement of
Springs Salamander Recovery Plan southwest/es/AustinTexas/; the status of listed species to the point
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![38730 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 129 / Tuesday, July 7, 2015 / Notices
at which listing is no longer appropriate Recovery Plan has already been through Dated: June 18, 2015.
under the criteria set out in section peer and public review and because this Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the plan is a valid recovery plan, we seek Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region,
development of recovery plans for listed public comments on only the draft U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
species, unless such a plan would not addendum. We will summarize and [FR Doc. 2015–16595 Filed 7–6–15; 8:45 am]
promote the conservation of a particular respond to the issues raised by the BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
species. public and post our responses on our
Species History Web site. Substantive comments may or
may not result in changes to the draft DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The Austin blind salamander was
addendum; comments regarding
federally listed as endangered UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION
throughout its range on September 9, recovery plan implementation will be AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION
2013 (78 FR 51277), and detailed forwarded as appropriate to Federal or
other entities so that they can be taken [RC0ZCUPCA0, 155R0680R1,
background information on the RR.17549897.2015101.02]
taxonomy, habitat, range, threats, and into account during the course of
life history attributes of the Austin blind implementing recovery actions. Notice of Availability of the Records of
salamander can be found in the final We invite written comments on the Decision for the Provo River Delta
rule. It has a recovery priority number draft addendum. In particular, we are Restoration Project
of 2C, which is based on a high degree interested in additional information
of threat, high potential for recovery, AGENCY: Office of the Assistant
regarding the appropriateness of the
taxonomic classification as a species, Secretary for Water and Science,
draft recovery criteria and recovery Interior; Utah Reclamation Mitigation
and potential for conflict over resources actions for the Austin blind salamander
(primarily water quality and quantity) and Conservation Commission.
as well as the costs associated with
and economic development. ACTION: Notice.
implementing the recommended
When we developed the Barton recovery actions. SUMMARY: The Department of the
Springs Salamander Recovery Plan, the
Before we approve a final addendum, Interior and the Utah Reclamation
Austin blind salamander was a
we will consider all comments we Mitigation and Conservation
candidate for Federal listing as
receive by the date specified in DATES. Commission have prepared separate
endangered or threatened (67 FR 40657).
Methods of submitting comments are in Records of Decision (RODs) that
We included information on the Austin
the ADDRESSES section. disclose their selection of Alternative B
blind salamander to facilitate adding
for implementing the restoration of the
this species to the Recovery Plan if it
Public Availability of Comments Provo River Delta as described in the
ultimately became listed. The existing
Provo River Delta Restoration Project
recovery plan for the Barton Springs Before including your address, phone (PRDRP) Final Environmental Impact
salamander presents a recovery strategy, number, email address, or other Statement (FEIS). Both agencies have
objective and measurable recovery personal identifying information in your
criteria, and site-specific management also selected to implement Option 2 for
comment, you should be aware that the improvement of the existing Provo
actions to monitor and reduce or remove your entire comment—including your
threats to the Barton Springs River Channel. The size of Alternative B
personal identifying information—may may be increased by acquiring
salamander. The Barton Springs and
be made publicly available at any time. additional land described under
Austin blind salamanders occur in the
While you can ask us in your comment Alternative A. However, such additional
same ecosystem, have similar ecology
to withhold your personal identifying land acquisition will only be
and life history needs, and face similar
information from public review, we accomplished if the additional land can
threats. The Barton Springs Salamander
Recovery Plan was developed to address cannot guarantee that we will be able to be acquired on a willing-seller basis.
the Barton Springs ecosystem as a do so. Therefore, a potentially enlarged
whole, as well as both salamander Comments and materials we receive Alternative B (the Preferred Alternative)
species, which are vulnerable to threats will be available on our Web site and Option 2 are adopted as the
to this ecosystem. Therefore, the http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ Selected Action. The implementation of
recovery strategy for the Barton Springs AustinTexas/, by appointment, for Alternative B as potentially modified
salamander is also applicable to and public inspection during normal and Option 2 will significantly aid in
appropriate for the Austin blind business hours at our office (see meeting recovery actions within the
salamander. For these reasons, we are approved June Sucker Recovery Plan of
ADDRESSES).
proposing an efficient approach to 1999.
recovery planning for the Austin blind References Cited DATES: The Department of the Interior
salamander by supplementing the and the Utah Reclamation Mitigation
A complete list of all references cited and Conservation Commission signed
Barton Springs Salamander Recovery herein is available upon request from
Plan with an addendum to include the separate RODs on May 26, 2015 and
the Austin Ecological Services Field subsequently made them available to
Austin blind salamander. Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION the public.
Request for Public Comments CONTACT section).
ADDRESSES: Send written
Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to Authority correspondence or requests for copies to
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
provide public notice and an Mr. W. Russ Findlay, Department of the
opportunity for public review and We developed this recovery plan Interior, Central Utah Project
comment during recovery plan addendum under the authority of Completion Act Office, 302 East 1860
development. We are, therefore, section 4(f) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). South, Provo, Utah 846060–7317; or Mr.
providing the public the opportunity to We publish this notice under section Richard Mingo, Utah Reclamation
comment on the draft addendum. 4(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Mitigation and Conservation
Because the Barton Springs Salamander amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Commission, 230 South 500 East Suite
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:27:25
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:27:25
| 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; request for comment. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before September 8, 2015. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. | |
| Contact | Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, at | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 38729 |
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