80 FR 58767 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Plan for the Coterminous United States Population of Bull Trout
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 189 (September 30, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 189 (September 30, 2015)
| Page Range | 58767-58768 | |
| FR Document | 2015-24670 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 189 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 58767-58768] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-24670] [[Page 58767]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R1-ES-2015-N151; FXES11130100000-156-FF01E00000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Plan for the Coterminous United States Population of Bull Trout AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of document availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final Recovery Plan for the Coterminous United States Population of Bull Trout, including six final recovery unit implementation plans, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The recovery plan includes specific goals, objectives, and criteria that should be met in order to consider removing the species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of the recovery plan is available at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/recovery-plans.html and http://www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/endangered/recovery/plans.html. Copies of the recovery plan are also available by request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, ID 83709; telephone (208) 378-5345. Printed copies of the recovery plan will be available for distribution approximately 4 to 6 weeks after publication of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Carrier, State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, at the above Boise address; telephone (208) 378-5243. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In November 1999, all populations of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) within the coterminous United States were listed as a threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act) (64 FR 58910; November 1, 1999). This final listing added bull trout in the Coastal-Puget Sound populations (Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound regions) and Saint Mary- Belly River populations (east of the Continental Divide in Montana) to the previous listing of three distinct population segments of bull trout in the Columbia River, Klamath River, and Jarbidge River basins (63 FR 31647, June 10, 1998; 64 FR 17110, April 8, 1999). Recovery of endangered and threatened animals and plants is a primary goal of our endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, we prepare recovery plans for most listed species. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for downlisting or delisting, and estimate time and cost for implementing recovery measures. Section 4(f) of the Act requires that public notice, and an opportunity for public review and comment, be provided during recovery plan development. For the coterminous population of bull trout, three separate draft bull trout recovery plans were completed in 2002 and 2004. The 2002 draft recovery plan (USFWS 2002) addressed bull trout populations within the Columbia, St. Mary-Belly, and Klamath River basins and included individual chapters for 24 separate recovery units. In 2004, draft recovery plans were developed for the Coastal-Puget Sound drainages in western Washington, including two recovery unit chapters (USFWS 2004a), and for the Jarbidge River in Nevada (USFWS 2004b). These draft recovery plans were not finalized, but they have served to identify recovery actions across the range of the species, and provide the framework for implementing numerous recovery actions by our partner agencies, local working groups, and others with an interest in bull trout conservation. A revised draft recovery plan, addressing the overall recovery strategy for bull trout throughout its range in the coterminous United States, was made available for public comment from September 4 through December 3, 2014 (79 FR 52741). Subsequently, from June 4 through July 20, 2015 (80 FR 31916), we made available for public comment our proposed modifications to the recovery criteria, as well as six associated draft recovery unit implementation plans (RUIPs), supplemental recovery planning documents which describe more detailed site-specific conservation actions and implementation schedules for each of the six recovery units (Coastal, Klamath, Mid- Columbia, Columbia Headwaters, Upper Snake, and St. Mary). We considered information we received from public comments and peer reviewers in our preparation of the final recovery plan. Updated information was incorporated into the final recovery plan and the six final RUIPs as appropriate, and substantive issues and comments, together with our responses, are summarized in appendices. Comments relating to overall recovery strategy and criteria are addressed in an appendix to the final recovery plan, while those comments specific to individual recovery units are addressed in appendices to each RUIP. Recovery Plan Components The primary recovery strategy for bull trout in the coterminous United States that we describe in the recovery plan is to: (1) Conserve bull trout so that they are geographically widespread across representative habitats and demographically stable in six recovery units; (2) effectively manage and ameliorate the primary threats in each of six recovery units at the core area scale such that bull trout are not likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future; (3) build upon the numerous and ongoing conservation actions implemented on behalf of bull trout since their listing in 1999, and improve our understanding of how various threat factors potentially affect the species; (4) use that information to work cooperatively with our partners to design, fund, prioritize, and implement effective conservation actions in those areas that offer the greatest long-term benefit to sustain bull trout and where recovery can be achieved; and (5) apply adaptive management principles to implementing the bull trout recovery program to incorporate new information. Bull trout population status is stable or increasing in some core areas. However, in developing this recovery plan, we also acknowledge that despite our best conservation efforts, it is possible that some existing bull trout core areas may become extirpated due to various factors, including the effects of small populations and isolation. Our current approach to developing recovery criteria and necessary recovery actions for bull trout is intended to ensure adequate conservation of genetic diversity, life history features, and broad geographical representation of bull trout populations while acknowledging some local extirpations may occur. We may initiate an assessment of whether recovery has been achieved and delisting is warranted when the recovery criteria below have been met in each recovery unit. Alternatively, if recovery criteria are met in an individual recovery unit, we may initiate an assessment of whether it is possible to designate that recovery unit as a distinct population segment and if [[Page 58768]] delisting of that distinct population segment would be warranted. For the Coastal, Mid-Columbia, and Upper Snake Recovery Units, the recovery criteria provide that primary threats must be managed effectively in at least 75 percent of all core areas, representing 75 percent or more of bull trout local populations within each of these three recovery units. For the Columbia Headwaters Recovery Unit, the recovery criteria provide that primary threats must be managed effectively in at least 75 percent of complex core areas and at least 75 percent of simple core areas, representing 75 percent or more of bull trout local populations within the recovery unit. For the Klamath and St. Mary Recovery Units, the recovery criteria provide that all primary threats must be managed effectively in all existing core areas, representing all existing local populations. In addition, because 9 of the 17 known local populations in the Klamath Recovery Unit have been extirpated and others are significantly imperiled and require active management, we believe that the geographic distribution of bull trout within this recovery unit needs to be substantially expanded before it can be considered to have met recovery goals. To achieve recovery, we seek to add seven additional local populations distributed among the three core areas (two in the Upper Klamath Lake core area, three in the Sycan core area, and two in the Upper Sprague core area). In recovery units where shared foraging/migratory/overwintering (FMO) habitat outside core areas has been identified, connectivity and habitat in these shared FMO areas should be maintained in a condition sufficient for regular bull trout use and successful dispersal among the connecting core areas for those core areas to meet the criterion. If threats are effectively managed at these thresholds, we expect that bull trout populations will respond accordingly and reflect the biodiversity principles of resiliency, redundancy, and representation. Specifically, achieving the recovery criteria in each recovery unit would result in geographically widespread and demographically stable local bull trout populations within the range of natural variation, with their essential cold water habitats connected to allow their diverse life history forms to persist into the foreseeable future; therefore, the species would be brought to the point where the protections of the Act are no longer necessary. Authority: The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: September 3, 2015. Robyn Thorson, Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2015-24670 Filed 9-29-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 189 / Wednesday, September 30, 2015 / Notices 58767
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR listing of three distinct population final recovery plan and the six final
segments of bull trout in the Columbia RUIPs as appropriate, and substantive
Fish and Wildlife Service River, Klamath River, and Jarbidge River issues and comments, together with our
basins (63 FR 31647, June 10, 1998; 64 responses, are summarized in
[FWS–R1–ES–2015–N151;
FXES11130100000–156–FF01E00000]
FR 17110, April 8, 1999). appendices. Comments relating to
Recovery of endangered and overall recovery strategy and criteria are
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife threatened animals and plants is a addressed in an appendix to the final
and Plants; Recovery Plan for the primary goal of our endangered species recovery plan, while those comments
Coterminous United States Population program. To help guide the recovery specific to individual recovery units are
of Bull Trout effort, we prepare recovery plans for addressed in appendices to each RUIP.
most listed species. Recovery plans
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, describe actions considered necessary Recovery Plan Components
Interior. for conservation of the species, establish The primary recovery strategy for bull
ACTION: Notice of document availability. criteria for downlisting or delisting, and trout in the coterminous United States
estimate time and cost for implementing that we describe in the recovery plan is
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and recovery measures. to: (1) Conserve bull trout so that they
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the Section 4(f) of the Act requires that are geographically widespread across
availability of the final Recovery Plan public notice, and an opportunity for representative habitats and
for the Coterminous United States public review and comment, be demographically stable in six recovery
Population of Bull Trout, including six provided during recovery plan units; (2) effectively manage and
final recovery unit implementation development. For the coterminous ameliorate the primary threats in each of
plans, under the Endangered Species population of bull trout, three separate six recovery units at the core area scale
Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The draft bull trout recovery plans were such that bull trout are not likely to
recovery plan includes specific goals, completed in 2002 and 2004. The 2002 become endangered in the foreseeable
objectives, and criteria that should be draft recovery plan (USFWS 2002) future; (3) build upon the numerous and
met in order to consider removing the addressed bull trout populations within ongoing conservation actions
species from the Federal List of the Columbia, St. Mary-Belly, and implemented on behalf of bull trout
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Klamath River basins and included since their listing in 1999, and improve
ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of the individual chapters for 24 separate our understanding of how various threat
recovery plan is available at http:// recovery units. In 2004, draft recovery factors potentially affect the species; (4)
www.fws.gov/endangered/species/ plans were developed for the Coastal- use that information to work
recovery-plans.html and http:// Puget Sound drainages in western cooperatively with our partners to
www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/ Washington, including two recovery
design, fund, prioritize, and implement
endangered/recovery/plans.html. Copies unit chapters (USFWS 2004a), and for effective conservation actions in those
of the recovery plan are also available the Jarbidge River in Nevada (USFWS
areas that offer the greatest long-term
by request from the U.S. Fish and 2004b). These draft recovery plans were
benefit to sustain bull trout and where
Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and not finalized, but they have served to
recovery can be achieved; and (5) apply
Wildlife Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, identify recovery actions across the
adaptive management principles to
Room 368, Boise, ID 83709; telephone range of the species, and provide the
implementing the bull trout recovery
(208) 378–5345. Printed copies of the framework for implementing numerous
program to incorporate new
recovery plan will be available for recovery actions by our partner
information.
distribution approximately 4 to 6 weeks agencies, local working groups, and Bull trout population status is stable
others with an interest in bull trout
after publication of this notice. or increasing in some core areas.
conservation. A revised draft recovery
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: plan, addressing the overall recovery However, in developing this recovery
Michael Carrier, State Supervisor, U.S. strategy for bull trout throughout its plan, we also acknowledge that despite
Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish range in the coterminous United States, our best conservation efforts, it is
and Wildlife Office, at the above Boise was made available for public comment possible that some existing bull trout
address; telephone (208) 378–5243. If from September 4 through December 3, core areas may become extirpated due to
you use a telecommunications device 2014 (79 FR 52741). Subsequently, from various factors, including the effects of
for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal June 4 through July 20, 2015 (80 FR small populations and isolation. Our
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 31916), we made available for public current approach to developing recovery
1–800–877–8339. comment our proposed modifications to criteria and necessary recovery actions
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: the recovery criteria, as well as six for bull trout is intended to ensure
associated draft recovery unit adequate conservation of genetic
Background diversity, life history features, and broad
implementation plans (RUIPs),
In November 1999, all populations of supplemental recovery planning geographical representation of bull trout
bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) documents which describe more populations while acknowledging some
within the coterminous United States detailed site-specific conservation local extirpations may occur.
were listed as a threatened species actions and implementation schedules We may initiate an assessment of
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act for each of the six recovery units whether recovery has been achieved and
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et (Coastal, Klamath, Mid-Columbia, delisting is warranted when the
seq.; Act) (64 FR 58910; November 1, Columbia Headwaters, Upper Snake, recovery criteria below have been met in
1999). This final listing added bull trout and St. Mary). each recovery unit. Alternatively, if
in the Coastal-Puget Sound populations We considered information we recovery criteria are met in an
(Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound received from public comments and individual recovery unit, we may
regions) and Saint Mary-Belly River peer reviewers in our preparation of the initiate an assessment of whether it is
populations (east of the Continental final recovery plan. Updated possible to designate that recovery unit
Divide in Montana) to the previous information was incorporated into the as a distinct population segment and if
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![58768 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 189 / Wednesday, September 30, 2015 / Notices
delisting of that distinct population Authority: The authority for this action is for public inspection on http://
segment would be warranted. section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of www.regulations.gov, or by
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4
For the Coastal, Mid-Columbia, and
Upper Snake Recovery Units, the Dated: September 3, 2015. p.m., Monday through Friday, except
recovery criteria provide that primary Robyn Thorson, Federal holidays, at the U.S. Fish and
threats must be managed effectively in Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Division of
and Wildlife Service. Management Authority, 5275 Leesburg
at least 75 percent of all core areas,
[FR Doc. 2015–24670 Filed 9–29–15; 8:45 am] Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803;
representing 75 percent or more of bull
telephone 703–358–2095.
trout local populations within each of BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
these three recovery units. For the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Columbia Headwaters Recovery Unit, Endangered Species Applications:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Brenda Tapia, Program Analyst/Data
the recovery criteria provide that
primary threats must be managed Administrator, Division of Management
Fish and Wildlife Service Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
effectively in at least 75 percent of
complex core areas and at least 75 [Docket No. FWS–HQ–IA–2015–0152; Service Headquarters, MS: IA; 5275
percent of simple core areas,
FXIA16710900000–156–FF09A30000] Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–
3803; telephone 703–358–2104;
representing 75 percent or more of bull Endangered Species; Receipt of facsimile 703–358–2280.
trout local populations within the Applications for Permit Wild Bird Conservation Act
recovery unit. For the Klamath and St.
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Applications: Craig Hoover, Chief,
Mary Recovery Units, the recovery
Interior. Division of Management Authority, U.S.
criteria provide that all primary threats
Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters,
must be managed effectively in all ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications
MS: IA; 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
existing core areas, representing all for permit.
Church, VA 22041–3803; telephone
existing local populations. In addition, 703–358–2095; facsimile 703–358–2298.
because 9 of the 17 known local SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, invite the public to If you use a telecommunications
populations in the Klamath Recovery device for the deaf (TDD), call the
comment on the applications to conduct
Unit have been extirpated and others are Federal Information Relay Service
certain activities with endangered
significantly imperiled and require (FIRS) at 800–877–8339.
species and migratory birds. With some
active management, we believe that the
exceptions, the Endangered Species Act SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
geographic distribution of bull trout
(ESA) prohibits activities with listed
within this recovery unit needs to be species unless Federal authorization is I. Public Comment Procedures
substantially expanded before it can be acquired that allows such activities. The A. How do I obtain copies of
considered to have met recovery goals. public is also invited to comment on the applications or comment on submitted
To achieve recovery, we seek to add following applications for approval to applications?
seven additional local populations conduct certain activities with bird
distributed among the three core areas For how to obtain copies of the
species covered under the Wild Bird
(two in the Upper Klamath Lake core complete applications, and how to
Conservation Act of 1992, which was
area, three in the Sycan core area, and submit written data or comments, see
enacted to ensure that exotic bird
two in the Upper Sprague core area). In ADDRESSES. Please include the Federal
species are not harmed by international
recovery units where shared foraging/ Register notice publication date, the
trade and to encourage wild bird
migratory/overwintering (FMO) habitat PRT–number, and the name of the
conservation programs in countries of
outside core areas has been identified, applicant in your request or submission.
origin.
connectivity and habitat in these shared We will not consider comments sent to
FMO areas should be maintained in a DATES: We must receive comments or an email or address not listed under
requests for documents on or before ADDRESSES.
condition sufficient for regular bull
October 30, 2015. Please make your comments as
trout use and successful dispersal
among the connecting core areas for ADDRESSES: Submitting Comments: You specific as possible. Please confine your
those core areas to meet the criterion. may submit comments by one of the comments to issues for which we seek
following methods: comments in this notice, and explain
If threats are effectively managed at • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// the basis for your comments. Include
these thresholds, we expect that bull www.regulations.gov. Follow the sufficient information with your
trout populations will respond instructions for submitting comments comments to allow us to authenticate
accordingly and reflect the biodiversity on Docket No. FWS–HQ–IA–2015–0152. any scientific or commercial data you
principles of resiliency, redundancy, • U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public include.
and representation. Specifically, Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. The comments and recommendations
achieving the recovery criteria in each FWS–HQ–IA–2015–0152; U.S. Fish and that will be most useful and likely to
recovery unit would result in Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: influence agency decisions are: (1)
geographically widespread and BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Those supported by quantitative
demographically stable local bull trout Church, VA 22041–3803. information or studies; and (2) Those
populations within the range of natural
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
We will post all comments on that include citations to, and analyses
variation, with their essential cold water http://www.regulations.gov. This of, the applicable laws and regulations.
habitats connected to allow their diverse generally means that we will post any We will not consider or include in our
life history forms to persist into the personal information you provide us administrative record comments we
foreseeable future; therefore, the species (see the Public Comments section below receive after the close of the comment
would be brought to the point where the for more information). period (see DATES) or comments
protections of the Act are no longer Viewing Comments: Comments and delivered to an address other than those
necessary. materials we receive will be available listed above (see ADDRESSES).
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 09:32:12
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 09:32:12
| 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 document availability. | |
| Contact | Michael Carrier, State Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, at the | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 58767 |
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