80 FR 51830 - Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Seventeenth Regular Meeting: Taxa Being Considered for Amendments to the CITES Appendices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 165 (August 26, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 165 (August 26, 2015)
| Page Range | 51830-51834 | |
| FR Document | 2015-21033 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 165 (Wednesday, August 26, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 51830-51834] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-21033] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2014-0018; FF09A1000-145-FXIA16710900000] Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Seventeenth Regular Meeting: Taxa Being Considered for Amendments to the CITES Appendices AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), may propose amendments to the CITES Appendices for consideration at meetings of the Conference of the Parties. The seventeenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17) is scheduled to be held in South Africa, September 24 to October 5, 2016. With this notice, we describe proposed amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals) that the United States might submit for consideration at CoP17 and invite your comments and information on these proposals. DATES: We will consider written information and comments we receive by October 26, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments pertaining to species proposals for consideration at CoP17 by one of the following methods:Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ- IA-2014-0018. U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-IA-2014-0018; Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: BPHC; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. We will not consider comments sent by email or fax or to an address not listed in ADDRESSES. We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal [[Page 51831]] information you provide us. If you submit a comment via http://www.regulations.gov, your entire comment--including any personal identifying information--will be posted on the Web site. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy comments on http://www.regulations.gov. Comments and materials we receive in response to this notice will be available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Scientific Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: IA, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; phone 703-358-1708. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosemarie Gnam Ph.D., Chief, Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at 703-358- 1708 (phone), 703-358-2276 (fax), or scientificauthority@fws.gov (email). If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, hereinafter referred to as CITES or the Convention, is an international treaty designed to control and regulate international trade in certain animal and plant species that are affected by trade and are now, or potentially may become, threatened with extinction. These species are included in the Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat's Web site at www.cites.org. Currently, 181 Parties, including the United States, have joined CITES. The Convention calls for regular biennial meetings of the Conference of the Parties, unless the Conference decides otherwise, and meetings are typically held every 2 to 3 years. At these meetings, the Parties review the implementation of CITES, make provisions enabling the CITES Secretariat in Switzerland to carry out its functions, consider amendments to the list of species in Appendices I and II, consider reports presented by the Secretariat, and make recommendations for the improved effectiveness of CITES. Any country that is a Party to CITES may propose amendments to Appendices I and II, as well as resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for consideration by all the Parties. This is our third in a series of Federal Register notices that, together with an announced public meeting (time and place to be announced), provide you with an opportunity to participate in the development of the U.S. submissions and negotiating positions for the seventeenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17), which is scheduled to be held in South Africa, from September 24 to October 5, 2016. We published our first CoP17-related Federal Register notice on June 27, 2014 (79 FR 36550), in which we requested information and recommendations on animal and plant species proposals for the United States to consider submitting for consideration at CoP17. You may obtain information on that Federal Register notice from the Division of Scientific Authority at the address provided in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above. We published our second CoP17- related Federal Register notice on May 11, 2015 (80 FR 26948), in which we requested information and recommendations on resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States might consider submitting for discussion at CoP17, and provided preliminary information on how to request approved observer status for national nongovernmental organizations within the United States that wish to attend the meeting. Comments received on that notice may be viewed at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2014-0018. You may obtain information on that Federal Register notice by contacting Craig Hoover, Chief, Wildlife Trade and Conservation Branch, Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at 703-358-2095 (phone), 703-358-2298 (fax), or managementauthority@fws.gov (email). Our regulations governing this public process are found in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at Sec. 23.87. Recommendations for Species Proposals for the United States to Consider Submitting for CoP17 In our Federal Register notice of June 27, 2014 (79 FR 36550), we requested information and recommendations on potential species proposals for the United States to consider submitting for consideration at CoP17. We received recommendations from 22 individuals and the following organizations for possible proposals involving 80 taxa (2 families, 6 genera, 70 individual species, and 2 general groups (U.S. and foreign softshell turtles and North American map turtles)): the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA); Center for Biological Diversity (CBD); Earthtrust; Ginseng Board of Wisconsin (GBW); Hsu's Ginseng Enterprises, Inc. (HGE); Humane Society International (HSI); International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW); International Union for Conservation of Nature-Species Survival Commission (IUCN-SSC) Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group; Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Pew Environment Group (PEG); Species Survival Network (SSN); United Plant Savers (UPS); Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS); and World Wildlife Fund (WWF)/TRAFFIC. We also received general comments from individual commenters for CITES protections on the following species: 7 on rhinoceroses, elephants, and lions; 44 on elephants; 39 on rhinoceroses; and 29,738 on polar bears, pangolins, nautiluses, snapping and map turtles, walruses, sea cucumbers, and seahorses. Additionally, the United States may submit proposals on six animal species, one plant species, and one plant genus currently under periodic review by the CITES technical committees, and is undecided about submitting proposals regarding four bird species based on recent taxonomic changes. We have undertaken initial assessments of the available trade and biological information on all of these taxa. Based on these assessments, we made provisional evaluations of whether to proceed with the development of proposals for species to be included in, removed from, or transferred between the CITES Appendices. We made these evaluations by considering the biological and trade information available on the species; the presence, absence, and effectiveness of other mechanisms that may preclude the need for species' inclusion in the CITES Appendices (e.g., range country actions or other international agreements); and availability of resources. We have also considered the following factors, as per the U.S. approach for CoP17 discussed in our June 27, 2014, Federal Register notice: (1) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife or plant trade issue that the United States is experiencing as a range country for species in trade? (2) Does the proposed action address a serious wildlife or plant trade issue for species not native to the United States? (3) Does the proposed action provide additional conservation benefit for a species already covered by another international agreement? Based on our initial assessments, we have assigned each taxon to one of three categories, which reflects the likelihood [[Page 51832]] of our submitting a proposal. In sections A, B, and C below, we have listed the current status of each species proposal recommended by the public, as well as species proposals we have been developing on our own. Please note that we have only provided here a list of taxa and the proposed action. We have posted an extended version of this notice on our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/international/publications-and-media/federal-register-notices.html, with text describing in more detail each proposed action and explaining the rationale for the tentative U.S. position on each possible proposal. Copies of the extended version of the notice are also available from the Division of Scientific Authority at the above address or at www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2014-0018. We welcome your comments, especially if you are able to provide any additional biological or trade information on these species. For each species, more detailed information is on file in the Division of Scientific Authority. A. What species proposals is the United States likely to submit for consideration at CoP17? The United States is likely to develop and submit proposals for the following taxa. Most of the taxa in this section are undergoing periodic review of the CITES Appendices by the Animals Committee (AC) and Plants Committee (PC), in accordance with Resolution Conf. 14.8 (Rev. CoP16). This is a regular process under CITES to evaluate whether listings of taxa in CITES Appendices I and II continue to be appropriate, based on current biological and trade information. These taxa are at various stages in the periodic review process. This process includes an initial assessment that is put before the appropriate Committee (Plants or Animals) for discussion, which may result in an AC or PC recommendation that a taxon be uplisted (transferred from Appendix II to Appendix I); or downlisted (transferred from Appendix I to Appendix II, or deleted from Appendix II); or that no change be made to the listing. Plants 1. Saw-toothed Lewisia (Lewisia serrata)--Potential amendment to Appendix-II listing 2. Fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus spp.)--Potential amendments to Appendix-I and Appendix-II listings Invertebrates 3. Wabash riffleshell (Epioblasma sampsonii)--Potential amendment to Appendix-I listing Reptiles 4. Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus)--Amendment to Appendix-I listing Mammals 5. Caribbean monk seal (Monachus tropicalis)--Potential amendment to Appendix-I listing 6. Guam flying-fox (Pteropus tokudae)--Potential amendment to Appendix- II listing 7. Eastern cougar (Puma concolor couguar) and Florida panther (P. concolor coryi)--Potential amendments to Appendix I listings--Potential amendments to Appendix-II listings 8. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I B. On what species proposals is the United States still undecided, pending additional information and consultations? The United States is still undecided on whether to submit proposals for CoP17 for the following taxa. In most cases, we have not completed our consultations with relevant range countries. In other cases, we expect meetings to occur in the immediate future, at which participants will generate important recommendations, trade analyses, or biological information on the taxon in question that may be useful to our final decision-making. Invertebrates 1. Sea cucumbers native to the United States: Pepino de mar (Actinopyga agassizii), Deep-water redfish (A. echinites), Stonefish (A. lecanora), Surf redfish (A. mauritiana), Blackfish (A. miliaris), Giant California sea cucumber (Apostichopus californicus), Warty sea cucumber (A. parvimensis), Furry sea cucumber (Astichopus multifidus), Leopard fish (Bohadschia argus), Brown sandfish (B. vitiensis), Orange-footed sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa), Tripang (Holothuria arenicola), Lollyfish (H. atra), Zanga fleur (H. cinerascens), Snakefish (H. coluber), Pinkfish (H. edulis), Red snakefish (H. flavomaculata), Labuyo (H. fuscocinerea), White teatfish (H. fuscogilva), Elephant trunkfish (H. fuscopunctata), Tiger tail (H. hilla), Spotted sea cucumber (H. impatiens), Golden sandfish (H. lessoni), White threadfish (H. leucospilota), Pepino de mar (H. mexicana), Bantunan (H. pardalis), ``Unknown'' (H. pervicax), Black teatfish (H. whitmaei), Four-sided sea cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus), Blackspotted sea cucumber (Pearsonothuria graeffei), Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus), Curryfish (S. herrmanni), Selenka's sea cucumber (S. horrens), Prickly redfish (Thelenota ananas), Amber fish (T. anax), and Lemonfish (T. rubralineata)--Inclusion in Appendix II 2. Chambered nautiluses (Allonautilus spp. and Nautilus spp.)-- Inclusion in Appendix II 3. Red and pink corals (Corallium spp. and Paracorallium spp.)-- Inclusion in Appendix II Fishes 4. American eel (Anguilla rostrata)--Inclusion in Appendix II 5. Lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I 6. Dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I 7. Devil rays (Mobula spp.): Pygmy devil ray (M. eregoodootenkee), Atlantic devil ray (M. hypostoma), Spinetail devil ray (M. japanica), Shortfin devil ray (M. kuhlii), Giant devil ray (M. mobular), Smoothtail devil ray (M. munkiana), Lesser Guinean devil ray (M. rochebrunei), Sicklefin devil ray (M. tarapacana), and Smoothtail devil ray (M. thurstoni))--Inclusion in Appendix II Reptiles 8. Chaco side-necked turtle (Acanthochelys pallidipectoris)--Inclusion in Appendix II or Appendix I 9. African and Middle Eastern softshell turtles in the family Trionychidae: Aubry's flapshell turtle (Cycloderma aubryi); Zambezi flapshell turtle (C. frenatum); Nubian flapshell turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans); Senegal flapshell turtle (C. senegalensis); Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus); and African or Nile softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis)--Inclusion in Appendix II 10. African pygmy chameleons (Rhampholeon spp. and Rieppeleon spp): Mount Gorongosa pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon gorongosae), Marshall's pygmy chameleon (R. marshalli), Cameroon stumptail chameleon (R. spectrum), East Usambara pygmy [[Page 51833]] chameleon (R. temporalis), Rare (Green) pygmy chameleon (R. viridis), Nguru spiny pygmy chameleon (R. acuminatus), Beraducci's pygmy chameleon (R. beraduccii), Boulenger's pygmy chameleon (R. boulangeri), Chapman's pygmy chameleon (R. chapmanorum), Udzungwa pygmy chameleon (R. moyeri), Nchisi pygmy chameleon (R. nchisiensis), Mulanje pygmy chameleon (R. platyceps), Uluguru pygmy chameleon (R. uluguruensis), Mount Inago pygmy chameleon (R. bruessoworum), Mount Namuli pygmy chameleon (R. tilburyi), Mount Chiperone pygmy chameleon (R. nebulauctor), Mount Mabu pygmy chameleon (R. maspictus), Zomba pygmy chameleon (Rieppeleon brachyurus), Bearded pygmy chameleon (R. brevicaudatus), Kenya leaf chameleon (R. kerstenii)--Inclusion in Appendix II Birds 11. Four Indo-Pacific bird species: Loria's bird-of-paradise (Cnemophilus loriae), Crested bird-of-paradise (C. macgregorii), Yellow-breasted bird-of-paradise (Loboparadisea sericea), and Macgregor's bird-of-paradise (Macgregoria pulchra)--Removal from Appendix II 12. African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I Mammals 13. Pangolins (Manis spp.)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I 14. Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I 15. African lion (Panthera leo leo)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I C. What species proposals is the United States not likely to submit for consideration at CoP17, unless we receive significant additional information? The United States does not intend to submit proposals for the following taxa unless we receive significant additional information indicating that a proposal is warranted. As described further in the extended version of this notice on our Web site, information currently available for each of the taxa listed below does not support a proposal. Plants 1. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)--Removal from Appendix II 2. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)--Amendment of the Appendix-II listing annotation to exclude sliced roots from CITES control 3. Hawaiian sandalwoods (Santalum spp.)--Inclusion in Appendix II Invertebrates 4. Sea cucumbers not native to the United States: Deepwater blackfish (Actinopyga palauensis), Burying blackfish (A. spinea), Japanese sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicas), Brown-spotted sandfish (Bohadschia marmorata), Falalyjaka (B. subrubra), Japanese cucumaria (Cucumaria japonica), Black teatfish (Holothuria nobilis), Sandfish (H. scabra), Selenka's sea cucumber (Stichopus monotuberculatus), Selenka's sea cucumber (S. naso)--Inclusion in Appendix II Fishes 5. Thresher sharks (Alopias spp.): Bigeye thresher shark (A. pelagicus), Pelagic thresher shark A. superciliosus), Common thresher shark (A. vulpinus)--Inclusion in Appendix II 6. Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)--Inclusion in Appendix II 7. Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)--Inclusion in Appendix II 8. Mako sharks: Longfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and shortfin mako shark (I. paucus)--Inclusion in Appendix II 9. Blue shark (Prionace glauca)--Inclusion in Appendix II 10. Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae Family): Winghead shark (Eusphyra blochii), Scalloped bonnethead (Sphyrna corona), Whitefin hammerhead (S. couardi), Scoophead shark (S. media), Bonnethead shark (S. tiburo), Smalleye hammerhead shark (S. tudes)--Inclusion in Appendix II 11. Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)--Transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I Reptiles 12. North American softshell turtles in the Genus Apalone: Spiny softshell (A. spinifera, including 6 subsp.*); Smooth softshell (A. mutica, including 2 subsp.); and Florida softshell (A. ferox)-- Inclusion in Appendix II [* excluding A.s. atra, which is in Appendix I and found in Mexico] 13. North American map turtles (Graptemys spp.): Barbour's map turtle (G. barbouri); Cagle's map turtle (G. caglei); Escambia map turtle (G. ernsti); Yellow-blotched map turtle (G. flavimaculata); Northern map turtle (G. geographica); Pascagoula map turtle (G. gibbonsi); Black- knobbed map turtle (G. nigrinoda); Ringed map turtle (G. oculifera); Ouachita map turtle (G. ouachitensis); Pearl River map turtle (G. pearlensis); False map turtle (G. pseudogeographica); Alabama map turtle (G. pulchra); Texas map turtle (G. versa)--Transfer from Appendix III to Appendix II 14. Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)--Inclusion in Appendix II 15. Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)--Transfer from Appendix III to Appendix II Mammals 16. Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus)--Transfer to Appendix I 17. White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)--Inclusion of the entire species in Appendix I 18. African elephant (Loxodonta africana)--Inclusion of the entire species in Appendix I 19. Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)--Inclusion in Appendix I Future Actions As stated above, the next regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP17) is scheduled to be held in South Africa, September 24 to October 5, 2016. The United States must submit any proposals to amend Appendix I or II, or any draft resolutions, decisions, or agenda items for discussion at CoP17, to the CITES Secretariat 150 days (April 27, 2016) prior to the start of the meeting. In order to meet this deadline and to prepare for CoP17, we have developed a tentative U.S. schedule. Approximately 12 months prior to CoP17, we plan to publish a Federal Register notice announcing draft resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda items the United States is considering submitting for CoP17 and soliciting further information and comments on them. Approximately 4 months prior to CoP17, we will post on our Web site an announcement of the species proposals, draft resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda items submitted by the United States to the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP17. Through a series of additional notices and Web site postings in advance of CoP17, we will inform you about preliminary negotiating positions on resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the Appendices proposed by other [[Page 51834]] Parties for consideration at CoP17. We will also publish an announcement of a public meeting to be held approximately 3 months prior to CoP17. That meeting will enable us to receive public input on our positions regarding CoP17 issues. The procedures for developing U.S. documents and negotiating positions for a meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES are outlined in 50 CFR 23.87. As noted in paragraph (c) of that section, we may modify or suspend the procedures outlined there if they would interfere with the timely or appropriate development of documents for submission to the CoP and of U.S. negotiating positions. Author The primary author of this notice is Patricia De Angelis, Ph.D., Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: August 17, 2015. Daniel M. Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2015-21033 Filed 8-24-15; 12:00 pm] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
![51830 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 165 / Wednesday, August 26, 2015 / Notices
ACTION:Notice of availability; request Documents and other information Dated: August 18, 2015.
for comments. submitted with these applications are Stephen Zylstra,
available for review by request from the Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Program Manager for Restoration and and Wildlife Service.
Wildlife Service, invite the public to Endangered Species Classification at the [FR Doc. 2015–21096 Filed 8–25–15; 8:45 am]
comment on the following applications address listed in the ADDRESSES section BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
for recovery permits to conduct of this notice, subject to the
activities with the purpose of enhancing requirements of the Privacy Act (5
the survival of endangered species. The U.S.C. 552a) and the Freedom of DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
amended (Act), prohibits certain Fish and Wildlife Service
activities with endangered species Permit Number: TE–060179
unless a Federal permit allows such [Docket No. FWS–HQ–IA–2014–0018;
activity. The Act also requires that we Applicant: Zoological Society of San FF09A1000–145–FXIA16710900000]
invite public comment before issuing Diego, San Diego, California.
such permits. Conference of the Parties to the
The applicant requests a permit Convention on International Trade in
DATES: To ensure consideration, please amendment to take (collect eggs and Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
send your written comments by nestlings, band, radio-tag, satellite-tag, and Flora (CITES); Seventeenth
September 25, 2015. collect biosamples, release, and Regular Meeting: Taxa Being
ADDRESSES: Program Manager, recapture) the aga or Mariana crow Considered for Amendments to the
Restoration and Endangered Species (Corvus kubaryi), in conjunction with CITES Appendices
Classification, Ecological Services, U.S. captive propagation and release in the
Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Regional Office, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Islands and Guam for the purpose of Interior.
Portland, OR 97232–4181. Please refer enhancing the species’ survival. ACTION: Notice.
to the permit number for the application
when submitting comments. Permit Number: TE–829250 SUMMARY: The United States, as a Party
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicant: Hawaii Wildlife Fund, to the Convention on International
Colleen Henson, Fish and Wildlife Kahului, Hawaii. Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Biologist, at the above address, or by Fauna and Flora (CITES), may propose
telephone (503–231–6131) or fax (503– The applicant requests a permit amendments to the CITES Appendices
231–6243). amendment to take (relocate nests) the for consideration at meetings of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
honu or green sea turtle (Chelonia Conference of the Parties. The
mydas) and to take (insert temperature seventeenth regular meeting of the
Background loggers and data sensors into nests and Conference of the Parties to CITES
The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) utilize a trained turtle nest detector dog) (CoP17) is scheduled to be held in
prohibits certain activities with respect the honu or green sea turtle, the honu South Africa, September 24 to October
to endangered and threatened species ea or hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys 5, 2016. With this notice, we describe
unless a Federal permit allows such imbricata), and the olive Ridley sea proposed amendments to the CITES
activity. Along with our implementing turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), in Appendices (species proposals) that the
regulations in the Code of Federal conjunction with scientific research on United States might submit for
Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17, the Act the islands of Kaho‘olawe, Lana‘i, Maui, consideration at CoP17 and invite your
provides for certain permits, and and Moloka‘i, for the purpose of comments and information on these
requires that we invite public comment enhancing their survival. proposals.
before issuing these permits for Public Availability of Comments DATES: We will consider written
endangered species. information and comments we receive
A permit granted by us under section All comments and materials we by October 26, 2015.
10(a)(1)(A) of the Act authorizes the receive in response to this request will
permittee to conduct activities ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
be available for public inspection, by
(including take or interstate commerce) pertaining to species proposals for
appointment, during normal business
with respect to U.S. endangered or consideration at CoP17 by one of the
hours at the address listed in the
threatened species for scientific following methods:
ADDRESSES section.
purposes or enhancement of • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
propagation or survival. Our regulations Before including your address, phone www.regulations.gov. Follow the
implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) of the number, email address, or other instructions for submitting comments
Act for these permits are found at 50 personal identifying information in your on Docket No. FWS–HQ–IA–2014–0018.
CFR 17.22 for endangered wildlife comment, you should be aware that • U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public
species, 50 CFR 17.32 for threatened your entire comment—including your Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–
wildlife species, 50 CFR 17.62 for personal identifying information—may IA–2014–0018; Division of Policy,
endangered plant species, and 50 CFR be made publicly available at any time. Performance, and Management
17.72 for threatened plant species. While you can ask us in your comment Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
to withhold your personal identifying Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: BPHC;
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Applications Available for Review and information from public review, we Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.
Comment cannot guarantee that we will be able to We will not consider comments sent
We invite local, State, and Federal do so. by email or fax or to an address not
agencies and the public to comment on Authority listed in ADDRESSES. We will post all
the following applications. Please refer comments on http://
to the permit number for the application We provide this notice under section www.regulations.gov. This generally
when submitting comments. 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). means that we will post any personal
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 165 / Wednesday, August 26, 2015 / Notices 51833
chameleon (R. temporalis), Rare 2. American ginseng (Panax turtle (G. barbouri); Cagle’s map
(Green) pygmy chameleon (R. quinquefolius)—Amendment of the turtle (G. caglei); Escambia map
viridis), Nguru spiny pygmy Appendix–II listing annotation to turtle (G. ernsti); Yellow-blotched
chameleon (R. acuminatus), exclude sliced roots from CITES map turtle (G. flavimaculata);
Beraducci’s pygmy chameleon (R. control Northern map turtle (G.
beraduccii), Boulenger’s pygmy 3. Hawaiian sandalwoods (Santalum geographica); Pascagoula map turtle
chameleon (R. boulangeri), spp.)—Inclusion in Appendix II (G. gibbonsi); Black-knobbed map
Chapman’s pygmy chameleon (R. turtle (G. nigrinoda); Ringed map
Invertebrates
chapmanorum), Udzungwa pygmy turtle (G. oculifera); Ouachita map
chameleon (R. moyeri), Nchisi 4. Sea cucumbers not native to the turtle (G. ouachitensis); Pearl River
pygmy chameleon (R. nchisiensis), United States: Deepwater blackfish map turtle (G. pearlensis); False
Mulanje pygmy chameleon (R. (Actinopyga palauensis), Burying map turtle (G. pseudogeographica);
platyceps), Uluguru pygmy blackfish (A. spinea), Japanese sea Alabama map turtle (G. pulchra);
chameleon (R. uluguruensis), cucumber (Apostichopus Texas map turtle (G. versa)—
Mount Inago pygmy chameleon (R. japonicas), Brown-spotted sandfish Transfer from Appendix III to
bruessoworum), Mount Namuli (Bohadschia marmorata), Appendix II
pygmy chameleon (R. tilburyi), Falalyjaka (B. subrubra), Japanese 14. Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus
Mount Chiperone pygmy cucumaria (Cucumaria japonica), sinensis)—Inclusion in Appendix II
chameleon (R. nebulauctor), Mount Black teatfish (Holothuria nobilis), 15. Alligator snapping turtle
Mabu pygmy chameleon (R. Sandfish (H. scabra), Selenka’s sea (Macrochelys temminckii)—
maspictus), Zomba pygmy cucumber (Stichopus Transfer from Appendix III to
chameleon (Rieppeleon monotuberculatus), Selenka’s sea Appendix II
brachyurus), Bearded pygmy cucumber (S. naso)—Inclusion in
Mammals
chameleon (R. brevicaudatus), Appendix II
Kenya leaf chameleon (R. 16. Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus
Fishes pusillus)—Transfer to Appendix I
kerstenii)—Inclusion in Appendix II
5. Thresher sharks (Alopias spp.): 17. White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium
Birds Bigeye thresher shark (A. simum)—Inclusion of the entire
11. Four Indo-Pacific bird species: pelagicus), Pelagic thresher shark A. species in Appendix I
Loria’s bird-of-paradise superciliosus), Common thresher 18. African elephant (Loxodonta
(Cnemophilus loriae), Crested bird- shark (A. vulpinus)—Inclusion in africana)—Inclusion of the entire
of-paradise (C. macgregorii), Appendix II species in Appendix I
Yellow-breasted bird-of-paradise 6. Dusky shark (Carcharhinus 19. Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)—
(Loboparadisea sericea), and obscurus)—Inclusion in Appendix Inclusion in Appendix I
Macgregor’s bird-of-paradise II Future Actions
(Macgregoria pulchra)—Removal 7. Silky shark (Carcharhinus
falciformis)—Inclusion in As stated above, the next regular
from Appendix II meeting of the Conference of the Parties
12. African grey parrot (Psittacus Appendix II
8. Mako sharks: Longfin mako shark (CoP17) is scheduled to be held in
erithacus)—Transfer from
(Isurus oxyrinchus) and shortfin South Africa, September 24 to October
Appendix II to Appendix I
mako shark (I. paucus)—Inclusion 5, 2016. The United States must submit
Mammals in Appendix II any proposals to amend Appendix I or
13. Pangolins (Manis spp.)—Transfer 9. Blue shark (Prionace glauca)— II, or any draft resolutions, decisions, or
from Appendix II to Appendix I Inclusion in Appendix II agenda items for discussion at CoP17, to
14. Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)— 10. Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae the CITES Secretariat 150 days (April
Transfer from Appendix II to Family): Winghead shark (Eusphyra 27, 2016) prior to the start of the
Appendix I blochii), Scalloped bonnethead meeting. In order to meet this deadline
15. African lion (Panthera leo leo)— (Sphyrna corona), Whitefin and to prepare for CoP17, we have
Transfer from Appendix II to hammerhead (S. couardi), developed a tentative U.S. schedule.
Appendix I Scoophead shark (S. media), Approximately 12 months prior to
Bonnethead shark (S. tiburo), CoP17, we plan to publish a Federal
C. What species proposals is the United Smalleye hammerhead shark (S. Register notice announcing draft
States not likely to submit for tudes)—Inclusion in Appendix II resolutions, draft decisions, and agenda
consideration at CoP17, unless we 11. Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus items the United States is considering
receive significant additional undulatus)—Transfer from submitting for CoP17 and soliciting
information? Appendix II to Appendix I further information and comments on
The United States does not intend to them. Approximately 4 months prior to
Reptiles CoP17, we will post on our Web site an
submit proposals for the following taxa
unless we receive significant additional 12. North American softshell turtles in announcement of the species proposals,
information indicating that a proposal is the Genus Apalone: Spiny softshell draft resolutions, draft decisions, and
warranted. As described further in the (A. spinifera, including 6 subsp.*); agenda items submitted by the United
extended version of this notice on our Smooth softshell (A. mutica, States to the CITES Secretariat for
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Web site, information currently including 2 subsp.); and Florida consideration at CoP17.
available for each of the taxa listed softshell (A. ferox)—Inclusion in Through a series of additional notices
below does not support a proposal. Appendix II [* excluding A.s. atra, and Web site postings in advance of
which is in Appendix I and found CoP17, we will inform you about
Plants in Mexico] preliminary negotiating positions on
1. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)— 13. North American map turtles resolutions, decisions, and amendments
Removal from Appendix II (Graptemys spp.): Barbour’s map to the Appendices proposed by other
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![51834 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 165 / Wednesday, August 26, 2015 / Notices
Parties for consideration at CoP17. We with assurances (CCAA) for 20 State listing under the Act. CCAAs encourage
will also publish an announcement of a species of concern. The term of the private and other non-Federal property
public meeting to be held approximately agreement would be 30 years. If owners to implement conservation
3 months prior to CoP17. That meeting approved, the agreement would allow efforts for candidate and at-risk species
will enable us to receive public input on the applicants to issue certificates of by assuring property owners they will
our positions regarding CoP17 issues. inclusion (CI) to eligible non-Federal not be subjected to increased property
The procedures for developing U.S. landowners throughout the Saline, use restrictions should the species
documents and negotiating positions for Caddo, and Ouachita River become listed as threatened or
a meeting of the Conference of the (Headwaters) Watersheds in Arkansas endangered under the Act. Under a
Parties to CITES are outlined in 50 CFR whose property owner management SHA, participating property owners
23.87. As noted in paragraph (c) of that agreements (POMA) are approved. We voluntarily undertake management
section, we may modify or suspend the invite public comments on these activities on their property to enhance,
procedures outlined there if they would documents. restore, or maintain habitat benefiting
interfere with the timely or appropriate DATES: We must receive any written federally listed species under the Act.
development of documents for comments at our Regional Office (see SHAs encourage private and other non-
submission to the CoP and of U.S. ADDRESSES) on or before September 25, Federal property owners to implement
negotiating positions. 2015. conservation efforts for federally listed
species by assuring property owners
Author ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of
they will not be subjected to increased
the information available by contacting
The primary author of this notice is property use restrictions under the Act.
Melvin Tobin, Field Supervisor, Fish
Patricia De Angelis, Ph.D., Division of Application requirements and issuance
and Wildlife Service, Arkansas
Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and criteria for SHAs and CCAAs are found
Ecological Services Field Office, 110
Wildlife Service. in 50 CFR 17.22(d) and 50 CFR 17.32(d),
South Amity Road, Suite 300, Conway,
respectively. Because of the significant
Authority AR 72032. Documents are also available
overlap between the covered species’
The authority for this action is the for public inspection by appointment
habitat requirements and the anticipated
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as during normal business hours at the
beneficial effects from implementation
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Fish and Wildlife Service’s Regional
of the voluntary conservation measures,
Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite
Dated: August 17, 2015. we believe that it is appropriate to
200, Atlanta, GA 30345; or at the
Daniel M. Ashe, combine the CCAA/SHA components in
Arkansas Ecological Services Field
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. a single agreement for consideration in
Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 110 this notice.
[FR Doc. 2015–21033 Filed 8–24–15; 12:00 pm] Amity Road, Suite 300, Conway, AR
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 72032. Note that requests for any Parties’ Agreement
documents must be in writing to be The Agreement describes
processed. When you are requesting or conservation practices designed to
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR commenting on the information protect and enhance streambed and
provided in this notice, please reference bankside habitats for the benefit of the
Fish and Wildlife Service ‘‘Programmatic CCAA and SHA in the covered species on private or non-
[FWS–R4–ES–2015–N139; FF04E00000– Saline, Caddo, and Ouachita Rivers’’ in Federal public lands enrolled under the
1115–0000 156] any correspondence. agreement. Enrolled landowners who
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. implement these measures would
Proposed Joint Programmatic Michael Harris, At-Risk Species receive assurances against take liability
Candidate Conservation Agreement Coordinator, at the Regional Office (see for the federally listed species, as well
With Assurances and Safe Harbor ADDRESSES), telephone: 404–679–7066; as for the covered species that might
Agreement in the Saline, Caddo, and or Mr. Chris Davidson, Endangered become federally listed in the future.
Ouachita River (Headwaters) Species Program Supervisor, at the Conservation land use practices will
Watersheds, Arkansas Arkansas Field Office (see ADDRESSES), vary according to the needs of a
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, telephone: 501–513–4481. particular enrolled landowner. Typical
Interior. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: measures include controlling livestock
ACTION: Notice. We announce the availability of the access to streams; protection,
agreement, which covers the Arkansas enhancement, or restoration of
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public fatmucket (Lampsilis powellii), pink streamside or in-stream habitats; species
that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mucket (Lampsilis abrupta), reintroduction to unoccupied suitable
Arkansas Ecological Services Field spectaclecase (Cumberlandia habitat; and other conservation
Office (ARFO), the Arkansas Game and monodonta), and rabbitsfoot (Quadrula measures that may be developed in the
Fish Commission (AGFC), the U.S. cylindrica cylindrica) mussels, and future.
Department of Agriculture—Natural Harperella (Ptilmnium nodosum), a We specifically request information,
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), plant, and a candidate conservation views, and opinions from the public via
and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) agreement with assurances (CCAA) for this notice on our proposed Federal
have applied for enhancement of 20 State species of concern (collectively action, including our determination that
survival permits (permits) pursuant to ‘‘covered species’’). the agreement, including its proposed
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 conservation measures, would have
(Act). The permit application includes a CCAAs and SHAs minor or negligible effects on the
proposal (referred to as the Under a CCAA, participating property covered species. Therefore, we have
‘‘agreement’’) that combines a safe owners voluntarily undertake determined that the agreement is a
harbor agreement (SHA) for 5 management activities on their property ‘‘low-effect’’ project and qualifies for
endangered and threatened species and to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat categorical exclusion under the National
a candidate conservation agreement benefiting species that may warrant Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 10:59:02
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 10:59:02
| 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. | |
| Dates | We will consider written information and comments we receive by October 26, 2015. | |
| Contact | Rosemarie Gnam Ph.D., Chief, Division of Scientific Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at 703-358- 1708 (phone), 703-358-2276 (fax), or [email protected] (email). If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 51830 |
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