81_FR_15794 81 FR 15737 - Proposed Template Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for the Fisher in Oregon and a Draft Environmental Action Statement

81 FR 15737 - Proposed Template Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for the Fisher in Oregon and a Draft Environmental Action Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 57 (March 24, 2016)

Page Range15737-15739
FR Document2016-06627

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed a proposed template Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for the West Coast Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the fisher in Oregon, and proposes to issue enhancement of survival (EOS) permits under the CCAA, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The permits would authorize incidental take with assurances to eligible landowners who are willing to enroll in the template CCAA and carry out conservation measures that would benefit the West Coast DPS of the fisher. We request comments from the public on the proposed template CCAA, the issuance of EOS permits, and on the Service's draft Environmental Action Statement (EAS) for our preliminary determination that the CCAA and issuance of EOS permits qualify for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15737-15739]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06627]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-ES-2016-N042; FXES11120100000-167-FF01E00000]


Proposed Template Candidate Conservation Agreement With 
Assurances for the Fisher in Oregon and a Draft Environmental Action 
Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has developed a 
proposed template Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances 
(CCAA) for the West Coast Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the 
fisher in Oregon, and proposes to issue enhancement of survival (EOS) 
permits under the CCAA, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended (ESA). The permits would authorize incidental take with 
assurances to eligible landowners who are willing to enroll in the 
template CCAA and carry out conservation measures that would benefit 
the West Coast DPS of the fisher. We request comments from the public 
on the proposed template CCAA, the issuance of EOS permits, and on the 
Service's draft Environmental Action Statement (EAS) for our 
preliminary determination that the CCAA and issuance of EOS permits 
qualify for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received from 
interested parties no later than April 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To request further information or submit written comments, 
please use one of the following methods, and note that your information 
request or comments are in reference to the ``Template Fisher CCAA.''
     Internet: Documents may be viewed on the Internet at 
http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/.
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Template 
Fisher CCAA'' in the subject line of the message or comments.
     U.S. Mail: State Supervisor, Oregon Fish and Wildlife 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2600 SE. 98th Avenue, Suite 
100; Portland, OR 97266.
     Fax: 503-231-6195, Attn: Template Fisher CCAA.
     In-Person Drop-off, Viewing or Pickup: Comments and 
materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment (necessary for viewing or picking up documents only), 
during normal business hours at the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2600 SE. 98th Avenue, Suite 100; 
Portland, OR 97266; telephone 503-231-6179. Written comments can be 
dropped off during regular business hours at the above address on or 
before the closing date of the public comment period (see DATES).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jody Caicco, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (see ADDRESSES); telephone: 503-231-6179; facsimile: 503-231-
6195. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, please call 
the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    A CCAA is a voluntary agreement whereby landowners agree to manage 
their lands to remove or reduce threats to species that may become 
listed under the ESA (64 FR 32726; June 17, 1999). CCAAs are intended 
to facilitate the conservation of proposed and candidate species, and 
species likely to become candidates in the near future by giving non-
Federal property owners incentives to implement conservation measures 
for declining species by providing certainty with regard to land, 
water, or resource use restrictions that might be imposed should the 
species later become listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. 
In return for managing their lands to the benefit of the covered 
species, enrolled landowners receive assurances that additional 
regulatory requirements pertaining to the covered species will not be 
required if the covered species becomes listed as threatened or 
endangered under the ESA so long as the CCAA remains in place and is 
being fully implemented.
    A CCAA serves as the basis for the Service to issue EOS permits to 
non-Federal participants pursuant section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA. EOS 
permits are issued to applicants in association with an approved CCAA 
to authorize incidental take of the covered species from covered 
activities, should the species become listed. Through a CCAA and its 
associated EOS permit, the Service provides assurances to property 
owners that they will not be subjected to increased land use 
restrictions if the covered species become listed under the ESA in the 
future, provided certain conditions are met. Because enrollment in a 
CCAA is voluntary, participating landowners may subsequently choose to 
discontinue their participation and their ESA section 10(a)1(A) permit 
coverage would then lapse.
    Application requirements and issuance criteria for EOS permits for 
CCAAs are found in the Code of Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22(d) and 
17.32(d), respectively. See also our joint policy on CCAAs that was 
published in the Federal Register by the Service and the Department of 
Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National 
Marine Fisheries Service (64 FR 32726; June 17, 1999). Each prospective 
CCAA participant will need to complete and submit to the Service an ESA 
section 10(a)1(A) EOS permit application form.
    On April 8, 2004, the Service published a 12-month status review 
(69 FR 18769) finding that listing the West Coast Distinct Population 
Segment (DPS) of the fisher (Pekania pennanti) as threatened or 
endangered under the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1538) was warranted, but precluded 
by higher priority actions. On October 7, 2014, the Service published a 
proposed rule (79 FR 60419) to list the West Coast DPS of the fisher as 
threatened under the ESA. In that proposed rule, the Service identified 
habitat loss from wildfire and vegetation management, toxicants 
(rodenticides), and the cumulative impact of these and other stressors 
in small populations as threats to the continued existence of the West 
Coast DPS of the fisher. On April 14, 2015, the Service issued a 6-
month extension to

[[Page 15738]]

the final determination based on substantial disagreement regarding 
available information (80 FR 19953). The Service will issue a final 
regulation implementing the proposed rule or a notice that the proposed 
regulation is being withdrawn by April 7, 2016. The Service's Oregon 
Fish and Wildlife Office developed the proposed template CCAA on behalf 
of non-Federal landowners in western Oregon to address some of the 
threats to the fisher that were identified in the 2014 proposed listing 
rule.

Proposed Action

    The Service proposes to issue EOS permits pursuant to section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA under a proposed template CCAA for the West 
Coast DPS of the fisher within Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, 
Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, 
Klamath, Lane, Linn, Lincoln, Polk, Tillamook, Yamhill, Wasco, and 
Washington counties, Oregon. The geographic area covered by the 
proposed CCAA and EOS permits includes the known and potential range of 
the fisher in those portions of the above listed Oregon counties that 
contain suitable forested habitat. The term of the proposed CCAA and 
EOS permits is 30 years.
    The proposed template CCAA is between the Service and prospective 
non-Federal landowners and managers (participants) who would 
voluntarily commit to conservation measures, that when taken together 
with a sufficient number of other properties, may preclude or remove 
the need to list the West Coast DPS of the fisher as threatened or 
endangered. The CCAA is a template in that it establishes general 
guidelines and identifies minimum conservation measures for 
participants in the CCAA. Interested participants would enroll their 
property under the CCAA through individual ``site plans.'' Once the 
CCAA is signed, the documentation needs and approval process to enroll 
participants with their individual site plans will be significantly 
streamlined as they will be able to reference and rely upon the 
information and completed administrative procedures associated with 
finalizing the template CCAA and finalizing the EAS for purposes of 
compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) (NEPA).
    To qualify for take coverage, all enrollees must agree to implement 
the following conservation measures on enrolled lands:
     Allow the Service or its agents to access enrolled lands 
to evaluate fisher presence for the 30-year term of the CCAA and to 
determine if one or more female fisher are occupying dens and raising 
kits;
     Protect confirmed denning female fisher and their young by 
limiting or preventing access and disturbance near occupied sites, 
including preventing the destruction of the denning structure itself;
     Prohibit trapping and nuisance animal control activities 
on enrolled lands within 2.5 miles of known fisher occupied dens;
     Report to the Service within 48 hours upon finding any 
potentially fisher occupied den sites or any dead, sick, or 
incidentally trapped and released fishers on enrolled lands; cover all 
man-made structures on enrolled lands that pose an entrapment risk to 
fishers; and,
     Where suitable habitat exists and where agreed upon by the 
participant and the Service, allow for the reintroduction of fishers.
    Details regarding the actual reintroduction of fishers, including 
when the reintroduction might occur, the sources and numbers of 
fishers, the duration of the reintroduction effort, and the parties 
responsible for the capture and movement of fisher are unknown at this 
time. We anticipate that any required environmental or regulatory 
analysis for fisher reintroduction will be done by the Service or other 
responsible parties when a reintroduction plan is developed under the 
laws and policies in effect at that time.
    Covered activities include those activities that may be carried out 
by participating landowners or their authorized representatives on 
enrolled lands that may result in the incidental take of the fisher 
consistent with the provisions of the CCAA and their EOS permit. 
Covered activities under the proposed CCAA include the following land-
management related activities commonly practiced on forest lands: 
Timber harvest and reforestation, road maintenance and construction, 
transport of timber and rock, collection of minor forest products, and 
recreational activities.

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

    The proposed issuance of an ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) permit with its 
associated CCAA is a Federal action that triggers the need for 
compliance with NEPA. We have made a preliminary determination that the 
proposed CCAA and the proposed issuance of EOS permits under the CCAA 
are eligible for categorical exclusion under NEPA. The basis for our 
preliminary determination is contained in an EAS, which is available 
for public review (see ADDRESSES).

Public Comments

    You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. We request data, comments, new 
information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned 
governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or 
any other interested party on our proposed Federal action.

Public Availability of Comments

    All comments and materials we receive become part of the public 
record associated with this action. Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comments, 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. All submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their 
entirety. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation, will be available for public inspection by appointment, 
during normal business hours, at our Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office 
(see ADDRESSES).

Next Steps

    After considering public comments, the Service will make a decision 
regarding the proposed CCAA, the draft EAS, and our preliminary 
determination that the proposed permit action is eligible for 
categorical exclusion under NEPA, provided they meet the requirements 
of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA and the requirements of NEPA. We will 
not make a final decision on NEPA and the template CCAA until after the 
end of the 30-day public comment period on this notice, and we will 
fully consider all comments we receive during the public comment 
period. If we determine that all the requirements are met, we will sign 
the CCAA and be able to accept EOS permit applications submitted under 
the requirements of the CCAA and section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA. The 
Service will

[[Page 15739]]

then be able to issue EOS permits to interested, eligible landowners 
for the potential take of the West Coast DPS of the fisher incidental 
to otherwise lawful activities in accordance with the terms of the 
CCAA, the site plans, and appropriate EOS permit conditions.

Authority

    We provide this notice in accordance with the requirements of 
section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) and their implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22 and 
17.32, and 40 CFR 1506.6, respectively).

Rollie White,
Acting State Supervisor, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2016-06627 Filed 3-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P



                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2016 / Notices                                           15737

                                                    Public Availability of Comments                         (EAS) for our preliminary determination               should the species later become listed as
                                                      All comments and materials we                         that the CCAA and issuance of EOS                     threatened or endangered under the
                                                    receive in response to these requests                   permits qualify for categorical exclusion             ESA. In return for managing their lands
                                                    will be available for public inspection,                under the National Environmental                      to the benefit of the covered species,
                                                    by appointment, during normal business                  Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).                            enrolled landowners receive assurances
                                                    hours at the address listed in the                      DATES: To ensure consideration, written               that additional regulatory requirements
                                                    ADDRESSES section of this notice.                       comments must be received from                        pertaining to the covered species will
                                                      Before including your address, phone                  interested parties no later than April 25,            not be required if the covered species
                                                    number, email address, or other                         2016.                                                 becomes listed as threatened or
                                                                                                            ADDRESSES: To request further
                                                                                                                                                                  endangered under the ESA so long as
                                                    personal identifying information in your
                                                                                                            information or submit written                         the CCAA remains in place and is being
                                                    comment, you should be aware that
                                                                                                            comments, please use one of the                       fully implemented.
                                                    your entire comment—including your                                                                               A CCAA serves as the basis for the
                                                    personal identifying information—may                    following methods, and note that your
                                                                                                                                                                  Service to issue EOS permits to non-
                                                    be made publicly available at any time.                 information request or comments are in
                                                                                                                                                                  Federal participants pursuant section
                                                    While you can ask us in your comment                    reference to the ‘‘Template Fisher
                                                                                                                                                                  10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA. EOS permits are
                                                    to withhold your personal identifying                   CCAA.’’
                                                                                                                                                                  issued to applicants in association with
                                                    information from public review, we                        • Internet: Documents may be viewed
                                                                                                                                                                  an approved CCAA to authorize
                                                    cannot guarantee that we will be able to                on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/
                                                                                                                                                                  incidental take of the covered species
                                                    do so.                                                  oregonfwo/.
                                                                                                                                                                  from covered activities, should the
                                                                                                              • Email: ORfisherCCAAcomments@
                                                    Authority                                                                                                     species become listed. Through a CCAA
                                                                                                            fws.gov. Include ‘‘Template Fisher
                                                                                                                                                                  and its associated EOS permit, the
                                                      We provide this notice under section                  CCAA’’ in the subject line of the
                                                                                                                                                                  Service provides assurances to property
                                                    10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).                 message or comments.
                                                                                                                                                                  owners that they will not be subjected
                                                                                                              • U.S. Mail: State Supervisor, Oregon
                                                    Michael G. Thabault,                                                                                          to increased land use restrictions if the
                                                                                                            Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and
                                                    Assistant Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie                                                                 covered species become listed under the
                                                                                                            Wildlife Service; 2600 SE. 98th Avenue,
                                                    Region.                                                                                                       ESA in the future, provided certain
                                                                                                            Suite 100; Portland, OR 97266.
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–06591 Filed 3–23–16; 8:45 am]               • Fax: 503–231–6195, Attn: Template                 conditions are met. Because enrollment
                                                                                                                                                                  in a CCAA is voluntary, participating
                                                    BILLING CODE 4333–15–P                                  Fisher CCAA.
                                                                                                              • In-Person Drop-off, Viewing or                    landowners may subsequently choose to
                                                                                                            Pickup: Comments and materials                        discontinue their participation and their
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                              received will be available for public                 ESA section 10(a)1(A) permit coverage
                                                                                                            inspection, by appointment (necessary                 would then lapse.
                                                    Fish and Wildlife Service                                                                                        Application requirements and
                                                                                                            for viewing or picking up documents
                                                                                                                                                                  issuance criteria for EOS permits for
                                                    [FWS–R1–ES–2016–N042;                                   only), during normal business hours at
                                                    FXES11120100000–167–FF01E00000]
                                                                                                                                                                  CCAAs are found in the Code of
                                                                                                            the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office,                  Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22(d)
                                                                                                            U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2600 SE.              and 17.32(d), respectively. See also our
                                                    Proposed Template Candidate                             98th Avenue, Suite 100; Portland, OR
                                                    Conservation Agreement With                                                                                   joint policy on CCAAs that was
                                                                                                            97266; telephone 503–231–6179.                        published in the Federal Register by the
                                                    Assurances for the Fisher in Oregon                     Written comments can be dropped off
                                                    and a Draft Environmental Action                                                                              Service and the Department of
                                                                                                            during regular business hours at the                  Commerce’s National Oceanic and
                                                    Statement                                               above address on or before the closing                Atmospheric Administration, National
                                                    AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,                    date of the public comment period (see                Marine Fisheries Service (64 FR 32726;
                                                    Interior.                                               DATES).                                               June 17, 1999). Each prospective CCAA
                                                    ACTION: Notice of availability; request                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jody                 participant will need to complete and
                                                    for comments.                                           Caicco, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service                submit to the Service an ESA section
                                                                                                            (see ADDRESSES); telephone: 503–231–                  10(a)1(A) EOS permit application form.
                                                    SUMMARY:   The U.S. Fish and Wildlife                   6179; facsimile: 503–231–6195. If you                    On April 8, 2004, the Service
                                                    Service (Service) has developed a                       use a telecommunications device for the               published a 12-month status review (69
                                                    proposed template Candidate                             deaf, please call the Federal Information             FR 18769) finding that listing the West
                                                    Conservation Agreement with                             Relay Service at 800–877–8339.                        Coast Distinct Population Segment
                                                    Assurances (CCAA) for the West Coast                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            (DPS) of the fisher (Pekania pennanti) as
                                                    Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of                                                                          threatened or endangered under the
                                                    the fisher in Oregon, and proposes to                   Background                                            ESA (16 U.S.C. 1538) was warranted,
                                                    issue enhancement of survival (EOS)                       A CCAA is a voluntary agreement                     but precluded by higher priority actions.
                                                    permits under the CCAA, pursuant to                     whereby landowners agree to manage                    On October 7, 2014, the Service
                                                    the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as                  their lands to remove or reduce threats               published a proposed rule (79 FR
                                                    amended (ESA). The permits would                        to species that may become listed under               60419) to list the West Coast DPS of the
                                                    authorize incidental take with                          the ESA (64 FR 32726; June 17, 1999).                 fisher as threatened under the ESA. In
                                                    assurances to eligible landowners who                   CCAAs are intended to facilitate the                  that proposed rule, the Service
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    are willing to enroll in the template                   conservation of proposed and candidate                identified habitat loss from wildfire and
                                                    CCAA and carry out conservation                         species, and species likely to become                 vegetation management, toxicants
                                                    measures that would benefit the West                    candidates in the near future by giving               (rodenticides), and the cumulative
                                                    Coast DPS of the fisher. We request                     non-Federal property owners incentives                impact of these and other stressors in
                                                    comments from the public on the                         to implement conservation measures for                small populations as threats to the
                                                    proposed template CCAA, the issuance                    declining species by providing certainty              continued existence of the West Coast
                                                    of EOS permits, and on the Service’s                    with regard to land, water, or resource               DPS of the fisher. On April 14, 2015, the
                                                    draft Environmental Action Statement                    use restrictions that might be imposed                Service issued a 6-month extension to


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                                                    15738                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2016 / Notices

                                                    the final determination based on                           • Allow the Service or its agents to               permits under the CCAA are eligible for
                                                    substantial disagreement regarding                      access enrolled lands to evaluate fisher              categorical exclusion under NEPA. The
                                                    available information (80 FR 19953).                    presence for the 30-year term of the                  basis for our preliminary determination
                                                    The Service will issue a final regulation               CCAA and to determine if one or more                  is contained in an EAS, which is
                                                    implementing the proposed rule or a                     female fisher are occupying dens and                  available for public review (see
                                                    notice that the proposed regulation is                  raising kits;                                         ADDRESSES).
                                                    being withdrawn by April 7, 2016. The                      • Protect confirmed denning female
                                                                                                            fisher and their young by limiting or                 Public Comments
                                                    Service’s Oregon Fish and Wildlife
                                                    Office developed the proposed template                  preventing access and disturbance near                  You may submit your comments and
                                                    CCAA on behalf of non-Federal                           occupied sites, including preventing the              materials by one of the methods listed
                                                    landowners in western Oregon to                         destruction of the denning structure                  in the ADDRESSES section. We request
                                                    address some of the threats to the fisher               itself;                                               data, comments, new information, or
                                                    that were identified in the 2014                           • Prohibit trapping and nuisance                   suggestions from the public, other
                                                    proposed listing rule.                                  animal control activities on enrolled                 concerned governmental agencies, the
                                                                                                            lands within 2.5 miles of known fisher                scientific community, Tribes, industry,
                                                    Proposed Action                                         occupied dens;                                        or any other interested party on our
                                                       The Service proposes to issue EOS                       • Report to the Service within 48                  proposed Federal action.
                                                    permits pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A)                 hours upon finding any potentially
                                                                                                                                                                  Public Availability of Comments
                                                    of the ESA under a proposed template                    fisher occupied den sites or any dead,
                                                                                                            sick, or incidentally trapped and                       All comments and materials we
                                                    CCAA for the West Coast DPS of the
                                                                                                            released fishers on enrolled lands; cover             receive become part of the public record
                                                    fisher within Benton, Clackamas,
                                                                                                            all man-made structures on enrolled                   associated with this action. Before
                                                    Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry,                                                                               including your address, phone number,
                                                    Deschutes, Douglas, Hood, Jackson,                      lands that pose an entrapment risk to
                                                                                                            fishers; and,                                         email address, or other personal
                                                    Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane,
                                                    Linn, Lincoln, Polk, Tillamook,                            • Where suitable habitat exists and                identifying information in your
                                                                                                            where agreed upon by the participant                  comments, you should be aware that
                                                    Yamhill, Wasco, and Washington                                                                                your entire comment—including your
                                                    counties, Oregon. The geographic area                   and the Service, allow for the
                                                                                                            reintroduction of fishers.                            personal identifying information—may
                                                    covered by the proposed CCAA and                                                                              be made publicly available at any time.
                                                                                                               Details regarding the actual
                                                    EOS permits includes the known and                                                                            While you can ask us in your comment
                                                                                                            reintroduction of fishers, including
                                                    potential range of the fisher in those                                                                        to withhold your personal identifying
                                                                                                            when the reintroduction might occur,
                                                    portions of the above listed Oregon                                                                           information from public review, we
                                                                                                            the sources and numbers of fishers, the
                                                    counties that contain suitable forested                                                                       cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                                                                                            duration of the reintroduction effort,
                                                    habitat. The term of the proposed CCAA                                                                        do so. All submissions from
                                                                                                            and the parties responsible for the
                                                    and EOS permits is 30 years.                                                                                  organizations or businesses, and from
                                                                                                            capture and movement of fisher are
                                                       The proposed template CCAA is                        unknown at this time. We anticipate                   individuals identifying themselves as
                                                    between the Service and prospective                     that any required environmental or                    representatives or officials of
                                                    non-Federal landowners and managers                     regulatory analysis for fisher                        organizations or businesses, will be
                                                    (participants) who would voluntarily                    reintroduction will be done by the                    made available for public disclosure in
                                                    commit to conservation measures, that                   Service or other responsible parties                  their entirety. Comments and materials
                                                    when taken together with a sufficient                   when a reintroduction plan is                         we receive, as well as supporting
                                                    number of other properties, may                         developed under the laws and policies                 documentation, will be available for
                                                    preclude or remove the need to list the                 in effect at that time.                               public inspection by appointment,
                                                    West Coast DPS of the fisher as                            Covered activities include those                   during normal business hours, at our
                                                    threatened or endangered. The CCAA is                   activities that may be carried out by                 Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office (see
                                                    a template in that it establishes general               participating landowners or their                     ADDRESSES).
                                                    guidelines and identifies minimum                       authorized representatives on enrolled
                                                    conservation measures for participants                                                                        Next Steps
                                                                                                            lands that may result in the incidental
                                                    in the CCAA. Interested participants                    take of the fisher consistent with the                   After considering public comments,
                                                    would enroll their property under the                   provisions of the CCAA and their EOS                  the Service will make a decision
                                                    CCAA through individual ‘‘site plans.’’                 permit. Covered activities under the                  regarding the proposed CCAA, the draft
                                                    Once the CCAA is signed, the                            proposed CCAA include the following                   EAS, and our preliminary determination
                                                    documentation needs and approval                        land-management related activities                    that the proposed permit action is
                                                    process to enroll participants with their               commonly practiced on forest lands:                   eligible for categorical exclusion under
                                                    individual site plans will be                           Timber harvest and reforestation, road                NEPA, provided they meet the
                                                    significantly streamlined as they will be               maintenance and construction, transport               requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of
                                                    able to reference and rely upon the                     of timber and rock, collection of minor               the ESA and the requirements of NEPA.
                                                    information and completed                               forest products, and recreational                     We will not make a final decision on
                                                    administrative procedures associated                    activities.                                           NEPA and the template CCAA until
                                                    with finalizing the template CCAA and                                                                         after the end of the 30-day public
                                                    finalizing the EAS for purposes of                      National Environmental Policy Act                     comment period on this notice, and we
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    compliance with the requirements of the                 Compliance                                            will fully consider all comments we
                                                    National Environmental Policy Act of                       The proposed issuance of an ESA                    receive during the public comment
                                                    1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et                     section 10(a)(1)(A) permit with its                   period. If we determine that all the
                                                    seq.) (NEPA).                                           associated CCAA is a Federal action that              requirements are met, we will sign the
                                                       To qualify for take coverage, all                    triggers the need for compliance with                 CCAA and be able to accept EOS permit
                                                    enrollees must agree to implement the                   NEPA. We have made a preliminary                      applications submitted under the
                                                    following conservation measures on                      determination that the proposed CCAA                  requirements of the CCAA and section
                                                    enrolled lands:                                         and the proposed issuance of EOS                      10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA. The Service will


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 57 / Thursday, March 24, 2016 / Notices                                            15739

                                                    then be able to issue EOS permits to                    Data System (NCRDS). Please also                      II. Data
                                                    interested, eligible landowners for the                 forward a copy of your comments and                     OMB Control Number: 1028–0094.
                                                    potential take of the West Coast DPS of                 suggestions on this information                         Form Number: None.
                                                    the fisher incidental to otherwise lawful               collection to the Information Collection                Title: Energy Cooperatives to Support
                                                    activities in accordance with the terms                 Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological                    the National Coal Resources Data
                                                    of the CCAA, the site plans, and                        Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS                 System (NCRDS).
                                                    appropriate EOS permit conditions.                      807, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); (703)                     Type of Request: Revision of a
                                                                                                            648–7195 (fax); or gs-info_collections@               currently approved information
                                                    Authority
                                                                                                            usgs.gov (email). Please reference ‘OMB               collection.
                                                      We provide this notice in accordance                  Information Collection 1028–0094:                       Respondent Obligation: Required to
                                                    with the requirements of section 10(c) of               Energy Cooperatives to Support the                    obtain or retain benefits.
                                                    the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and                   National Coal Resources Data System                     Frequency of Collection: One time
                                                    NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and their                 (NCRDS) in all correspondence.                        every 5 years for applications and final
                                                    implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      reports; annually for progress reports.
                                                    and 17.32, and 40 CFR 1506.6,                           Joseph East, Eastern Energy Resources                   Description of Respondents: State,
                                                    respectively).                                          Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey,               local and tribal governments; State
                                                    Rollie White,                                           12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop                 Geological Surveys, State universities.
                                                    Acting State Supervisor, Oregon Fish and                956, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); 703–648–                  Estimated Total Number of Annual
                                                    Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,        6450 (phone); or jeast@usgs.gov (email).              Responses: 21.
                                                    Portland, Oregon.                                       You may also find information about                     Estimated Time per Response: We
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–06627 Filed 3–23–16; 8:45 am]             this ICR at www.reginfo.gov.                          estimate that it will take 20 hours to
                                                    BILLING CODE 4333–15–P                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            complete an application and 4.6 hours
                                                                                                                                                                  to prepare annual reports.
                                                                                                            I. Abstract                                             Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 181.
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                 The primary objective of the National                Estimated Reporting and
                                                                                                            Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS) is                 Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’
                                                    Geological Survey                                       to advance the understanding of the                   Burden: There are no ‘‘non-hour cost’’
                                                    [GX16NM00FU5010]                                        energy endowment of the United States                 burdens associated with this collection
                                                                                                            (U.S.) by gathering and organizing                    of information.
                                                    Agency Information Collection                           digital geologic information related to                 Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA
                                                    Activities: Request for Comments                        coal, coal bed gas, shale gas,                        (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an
                                                                                                            conventional and unconventional oil                   agency may not conduct or sponsor and
                                                    AGENCY:   U.S. Geological Survey (USGS),                and gas, geothermal, and other energy                 you are not required to respond to a
                                                    Interior.                                               resources and related information                     collection of information unless it
                                                    ACTION: Notice of revision of a currently               regarding these resources, along with                 displays a currently valid OMB control
                                                    approved information collection, (1028–                 environmental impacts from using these                number. Until the OMB approves a
                                                    0094).                                                  resources. These data are needed to                   collection of information, you are not
                                                                                                            support regional or national assessments              obliged to respond.
                                                    SUMMARY:  We (the U.S. Geological
                                                                                                            concerning energy resources. Requesting                 Comments: On 11/23/2015, we
                                                    Survey) are notifying the public that we
                                                                                                            external cooperation is a way for                     published a Federal Register notice (80
                                                    have submitted to the Office of
                                                                                                            NCRDS to collect energy data and                      FR 72985) announcing that we would
                                                    Management and Budget (OMB) the
                                                                                                            perform research and analyses on the                  submit this ICR to OMB for approval
                                                    information collection request (ICR)
                                                                                                            characterization of geologic material,                and soliciting comments. The comment
                                                    described below. To comply with the
                                                                                                            and obtain other information (including               period closed on 1/22/2016. We
                                                    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)
                                                                                                            geophysical or seismic data, sample                   received No comments.
                                                    and as part of our continuing efforts to
                                                                                                            collection for generation of thermal
                                                    reduce paperwork and respondent                                                                               III. Request for Comments
                                                                                                            maturity data) that can be used in
                                                    burden, we invite the general public and
                                                                                                            energy resource assessments and related                 We again invite comments concerning
                                                    other Federal agencies to take this
                                                                                                            studies.                                              this ICR as to: (a) Whether the proposed
                                                    opportunity to comment on this ICR.
                                                                                                               The USGS will issue a call for                     collection of information is necessary
                                                    This collection is scheduled to expire
                                                                                                            proposals to support researchers from                 for the agency to perform its duties,
                                                    on 3/31/2016.
                                                                                                            State Geological Surveys and associated               including whether the information is
                                                    DATES: To ensure that your comments                     accredited state universities that can                useful; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s
                                                    on this ICR are considered, OMB must                    provide geologic data to support NCRDS                estimate of the burden of the proposed
                                                    receive them on or before April 25,                     and other energy assessment projects                  collection of information; (c) how to
                                                    2016.                                                   being conducted by the USGS.                          enhance the quality, usefulness, and
                                                    ADDRESSES:   Please submit written                         Data submitted to NCRDS by external                clarity of the information to be
                                                    comments on this information                            cooperators constitute more than two-                 collected; and (d) how to minimize the
                                                    collection directly to the Office of                    thirds of the USGS point-source                       burden on the respondents, including
                                                    Management and Budget (OMB), Office                     stratigraphic database (USTRAT) on                    the use of automated collection
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    of Information and Regulatory Affairs,                  coal occurrence. In 2015, NCRDS                       techniques or other forms of information
                                                    Attention: Desk Officer for the                         supported 21 projects in 19 States. This              technology.
                                                    Department of the Interior, via email:                  program is conducted under various                      Please note that comments submitted
                                                    (OIRA_SUBMISSION@omb.eop.gov); or                       authorities, including 30 U.S.C. 208–1,               in response to this notice are a matter
                                                    by fax (202) 395–5806; and identify your                42 U.S.C. 15801, and 43 U.S.C. 31 et                  of public record. Before including your
                                                    submission with ‘OMB Control Number                     seq. This collection will consist of                  personal mailing address, phone
                                                    1028–0094 Energy Cooperatives to                        applications, proposals and reports                   number, email address, or other
                                                    Support the National Coal Resources                     (annual and final).                                   personally identifiable information in


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Document Created: 2016-03-24 00:58:00
Document Modified: 2016-03-24 00:58:00
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability; request for comments.
DatesTo ensure consideration, written comments must be received from interested parties no later than April 25, 2016.
ContactJody Caicco, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
FR Citation81 FR 15737 

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