81 FR 28885 - Department of Defense; Proposed Gopher Tortoise Conservation and Crediting Strategy
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 90 (May 10, 2016)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 90 (May 10, 2016)
| Page Range | 28885-28886 | |
| FR Document | 2016-10939 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 28885-28886] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-10939] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R4-ES-2016-N031; FF04E00000-167-FXES11150400000] Department of Defense; Proposed Gopher Tortoise Conservation and Crediting Strategy AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability for comment of a proposed ``Gopher Tortoise Conservation and Crediting Strategy'' to be implemented in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, where the gopher tortoise occurs but is unlisted. DATES: We must receive any written comments at our Regional Office (see ADDRESSES) on or before June 9, 2016. ADDRESSES: To request further information, review documents, or submit written comments, please use the following methods and specify that your information request or comments are in reference to the ``DOD Gopher Tortoise Conservation and Crediting Strategy.''Internet: Documents may be viewed and downloaded on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/candidateconservation/examples.html. Email: [email protected]. Include ``DOD Gopher Tortoise Conservation and Crediting Strategy'' in the subject line of your message. U.S. Mail: Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345. In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 404-679-7066 to make an appointment (necessary for viewing or pickup only) during regular business hours at the Fish and Wildlife Service's Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345. 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). Note that requests for any documents must be in writing to be processed. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species Coordinator, at the Regional Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404- 679-7066. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877- 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction We announce the availability for comment of a proposed ``Gopher Tortoise Conservation and Crediting Strategy'' (Strategy) for implementation in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina (Strategy Area), where the gopher tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) occurs but is unlisted. The Strategy Area is within the historic range of the species. The Strategy would enable the military services of the Department of Defense to generate conservation credits to be used to offset impacts to the gopher tortoise from military training [[Page 28886]] and operations if the species were to be listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), in the future. Strategy The Strategy was developed by the Service in conjunction with the following State wildlife agencies: Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; and, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The Strategy describes conservation activities designed to protect and enhance habitats for the gopher tortoise on lands that have been permanently protected in the Strategy Area. The focus of the conservation activities would be the areas where significant gopher tortoise populations, as identified through population and habitat analyses conducted by the Service and the State wildlife agencies, could be conserved. Under the Strategy, the military services would voluntarily agree to undertake specified conservation activities to conserve gopher tortoise populations and habitat within the Strategy Area. The suite of conservation activities that could be performed includes land acquisition for the permanent protection of populations of the species; enhancement, restoration, or maintenance of the species' habitat via prescribed fire and thinning to maintain forest habitats and control of invasive exotic species; and/or, translocation of gopher tortoises to augment existing populations in permanently protected conservation areas within the Strategy Area. The military services could generate and accumulate Gopher Tortoise Conservation Credits (GTCCs) for undertaking the conservation activities set forth in the Strategy. Those GTCCs could, in turn, be tendered to the Service to offset impacts to the species from training operations were the gopher tortoise to be federally-listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' in the portion of the Strategy Area where the impacts occurred. Pursuant to 50 CFR 402.14 (g)(8), during formal consultation under section 7 of the Act, the Service must ``give appropriate consideration to any beneficial actions taken by the Federal agency or applicant, including any actions taken prior to the initiation of consultation.'' We specifically request information, views, and opinions from the public via this notice on the proposed Strategy. We will evaluate the Strategy under section 7 of the Act as a programmatic action as defined in 50 CFR 402.02. As a framework programmatic action, we have determined that the Strategy qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with the Department of the Interior's NEPA implementing regulations in Part 46 of Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (43 CFR sections 46.205, 46.210, and 46.215). We will conduct independent NEPA evaluations of each project undertaken by the military services under this Strategy as such is proposed. Public Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Next Steps Prior to making a final decision on whether to approve the Strategy, we will evaluate the Strategy and fully consider all comments received during the 30-day comment period. We also will conduct an intra-Service section 7 consultation to determine whether the Strategy meets the requirements of section 7 of the Act. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will approve and adopt the Strategy for implementation in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements, including 50 CFR 402.14(g)(8). Authority We provide this notice under section 7 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: April 20, 2016. Mike Oetker, Deputy Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2016-10939 Filed 5-9-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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for individual case status inquiries. Overview of This Information ‘‘Gopher Tortoise Conservation and
Applicants seeking information about Collection Crediting Strategy’’ to be implemented
the status of their individual cases can (1) Type of Information Collection: in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South
check Case Status Online, available at Revision of a Currently Approved Carolina, where the gopher tortoise
the USCIS Web site at http:// Collection. occurs but is unlisted.
www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS (2) Title of the Form/Collection: DATES: We must receive any written
National Customer Service Center at Report of Medical Examination and comments at our Regional Office (see
(800) 375–5283; TTY (800) 767–1833. Vaccination Record. ADDRESSES) on or before June 9, 2016.
(3) Agency form number, if any, and ADDRESSES: To request further
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
the applicable component of the DHS information, review documents, or
Comments sponsoring the collection: I–693, USCIS. submit written comments, please use
(4) Affected public who will be asked the following methods and specify that
You may access the information or required to respond, as well as a brief your information request or comments
collection instrument with instructions, abstract: Primary: Individuals or are in reference to the ‘‘DOD Gopher
or additional information by visiting the households. Form I–693 is necessary for Tortoise Conservation and Crediting
Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: USCIS to determine the eligibility of an Strategy.’’
http://www.regulations.gov and enter applicant for lawful permanent resident • Internet: Documents may be viewed
USCIS–2006–0074 in the search box. status, creating a potential public health and downloaded on the Internet at
Regardless of the method used for risk or denying the applicant an http://www.fws.gov/southeast/
submitting comments or material, all immigration benefit to which he or she candidateconservation/examples.html.
submissions will be posted, without may be legally entitled. • Email: michael_harris@fws.gov.
change, to the Federal eRulemaking (5) An estimate of the total number of Include ‘‘DOD Gopher Tortoise
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, respondents and the amount of time Conservation and Crediting Strategy’’ in
and will include any personal estimated for an average respondent to the subject line of your message.
respond: The estimated total number of • U.S. Mail: Mr. Michael Harris, At-
information you provide. Therefore,
respondents for the information Risk Species Coordinator, Fish and
submitting this information makes it
collection I–693 is 574,000 and the Wildlife Service, Southeast Regional
public. You may wish to consider
estimated hour burden per response is Office, 1875 Century Boulevard,
limiting the amount of personal
2.5 hours. Atlanta, GA 30345.
information that you provide in any • In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or
voluntary submission you make to DHS. (6) An estimate of the total public
burden (in hours) associated with the Pickup: Call 404–679–7066 to make an
DHS may withhold information appointment (necessary for viewing or
collection: The total estimated annual
provided in comments from public pickup only) during regular business
hour burden associated with this
viewing that it determines may impact hours at the Fish and Wildlife Service’s
collection is 1,435,000 hours.
the privacy of an individual or is (7) An estimate of the total public Regional Office, 1875 Century
offensive. For additional information, burden (in cost) associated with the Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA
please read the Privacy Act notice that collection: The estimated total annual 30345. Written comments can be
is available via the link in the footer of cost burden associated with this dropped off during regular business
http://www.regulations.gov. collection of information is hours at the above address on or before
Written comments and suggestions $283,412,500. the closing date of the public comment
from the public and affected agencies period (see DATES). Note that requests
Dated: May 4, 2016.
should address one or more of the for any documents must be in writing to
Samantha Deshommes, be processed.
following four points: Acting Chief, Regulatory Coordination
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, Michael Harris, At-Risk Species
collection of information is necessary
Department of Homeland Security. Coordinator, at the Regional Office (see
for the proper performance of the
[FR Doc. 2016–10851 Filed 5–9–16; 8:45 am]
ADDRESSES), telephone: 404–679–7066.
functions of the agency, including If you use a telecommunications device
whether the information will have BILLING CODE 9111–97–P
for the deaf (TDD), please call the
practical utility; Federal Information Relay Service
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the (FIRS) at 800–877–8339.
agency’s estimate of the burden of the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
proposed collection of information, Fish and Wildlife Service
including the validity of the Introduction
methodology and assumptions used; [FWS–R4–ES–2016–N031; FF04E00000– We announce the availability for
167–FXES11150400000] comment of a proposed ‘‘Gopher
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be Tortoise Conservation and Crediting
Department of Defense; Proposed
collected; and Strategy’’ (Strategy) for implementation
Gopher Tortoise Conservation and
in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South
(4) Minimize the burden of the Crediting Strategy
Carolina (Strategy Area), where the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
collection of information on those who AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, gopher tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus)
are to respond, including through the Interior. occurs but is unlisted. The Strategy Area
use of appropriate automated, ACTION: Notice of availability; request is within the historic range of the
electronic, mechanical, or other for comment. species. The Strategy would enable the
technological collection techniques or military services of the Department of
other forms of information technology, SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Defense to generate conservation credits
e.g., permitting electronic submission of Wildlife Service (Service), announce the to be used to offset impacts to the
responses. availability for comment of a proposed gopher tortoise from military training
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and operations if the species were to be will evaluate the Strategy under section DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
listed as ‘‘threatened’’ or ‘‘endangered’’ 7 of the Act as a programmatic action as
under the Endangered Species Act of defined in 50 CFR 402.02. As a Bureau of Reclamation
1973, as amended (Act), in the future. framework programmatic action, we [RR04084000, XXXR4081X1,
Strategy have determined that the Strategy RN.20350010.REG0000]
qualifies for categorical exclusion under
The Strategy was developed by the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
the National Environmental Policy Act
Service in conjunction with the Advisory Council Notice of Public
(NEPA) in accordance with the
following State wildlife agencies: Meeting
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Department of the Interior’s NEPA
Division of the Alabama Department of implementing regulations in Part 46 of AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation,
Conservation and Natural Resources; Title 43 of the Code of Federal Interior.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Regulations (43 CFR sections 46.205, ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
Commission; Wildlife Resources 46.210, and 46.215). We will conduct
Division of the Georgia Department of independent NEPA evaluations of each SUMMARY: The Colorado River Basin
Natural Resources; and, the South project undertaken by the military Salinity Control Advisory Council
Carolina Department of Natural services under this Strategy as such is (Council) was established by the
Resources. The Strategy describes proposed. Colorado River Basin Salinity Control
conservation activities designed to Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93–320) (Act) to
protect and enhance habitats for the Public Comments receive reports and advise Federal
gopher tortoise on lands that have been agencies on implementing the Act. In
Before including your address, phone
permanently protected in the Strategy accordance with the Federal Advisory
number, email address, or other Committee Act, the Bureau of
Area. The focus of the conservation personal identifying information in your
activities would be the areas where Reclamation announces that the Council
comment, you should be aware that will meet as detailed below. The
significant gopher tortoise populations,
your entire comment—including your meeting of the Council is open to the
as identified through population and
habitat analyses conducted by the personal identifying information—may public.
Service and the State wildlife agencies, be made publicly available at any time.
DATES: The Council will convene the
could be conserved. While you can ask us in your comment
meeting on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at
Under the Strategy, the military to withhold your personal identifying
1:00 p.m. and adjourn at approximately
services would voluntarily agree to information from public review, we
5:00 p.m. The Council will reconvene
undertake specified conservation cannot guarantee that we will be able to the meeting on Thursday, June 9, 2016,
activities to conserve gopher tortoise do so. at 8:30 a.m. and adjourn the meeting at
populations and habitat within the approximately 11:00 a.m.
Next Steps
Strategy Area. The suite of conservation
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
activities that could be performed Prior to making a final decision on the Castle Peak Room—Keystone
includes land acquisition for the whether to approve the Strategy, we will Conference Center, 21966 Highway 6,
permanent protection of populations of evaluate the Strategy and fully consider Keystone, Colorado. Send written
the species; enhancement, restoration, all comments received during the 30- comments to Mr. Kib Jacobson, Bureau
or maintenance of the species’ habitat
day comment period. We also will of Reclamation, Upper Colorado
via prescribed fire and thinning to
conduct an intra-Service section 7 Regional Office, 125 South State Street,
maintain forest habitats and control of
invasive exotic species; and/or, consultation to determine whether the Room 8100, Salt Lake City, Utah 84138–
translocation of gopher tortoises to Strategy meets the requirements of 1147; telephone (801) 524–3753;
augment existing populations in section 7 of the Act. If we determine facsimile (801) 524–3847; email at:
permanently protected conservation that the requirements are met, we will kjacobson@usbr.gov.
areas within the Strategy Area. approve and adopt the Strategy for FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kib
The military services could generate implementation in accordance with the Jacobson, telephone (801) 524–3753;
and accumulate Gopher Tortoise applicable regulatory requirements, facsimile (801) 524–3847; email at:
Conservation Credits (GTCCs) for including 50 CFR 402.14(g)(8). kjacobson@usbr.gov.
undertaking the conservation activities SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Any
Authority member of the public may file written
set forth in the Strategy. Those GTCCs
could, in turn, be tendered to the We provide this notice under section statements with the Council before,
Service to offset impacts to the species 7 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and during, or up to 30 days after the
from training operations were the NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). meeting either in person or by mail. To
gopher tortoise to be federally-listed as the extent that time permits, the Council
‘‘threatened’’ or ‘‘endangered’’ in the Dated: April 20, 2016. chairman will allow public presentation
portion of the Strategy Area where the Mike Oetker, of oral comments at the meeting. To
impacts occurred. Pursuant to 50 CFR Deputy Regional Director. allow full consideration of information
402.14 (g)(8), during formal consultation [FR Doc. 2016–10939 Filed 5–9–16; 8:45 am] by Council members, written notice
under section 7 of the Act, the Service must be provided at least 5 days prior
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
must ‘‘give appropriate consideration to to the meeting. Any written comments
any beneficial actions taken by the received prior to the meeting will be
Federal agency or applicant, including provided to Council members at the
any actions taken prior to the initiation meeting.
of consultation.’’ The purpose of the meeting is to
We specifically request information, discuss and take appropriate actions
views, and opinions from the public via regarding the following: (1) The Basin
this notice on the proposed Strategy. We States Program created by Public Law
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 May 09, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10MYN1.SGM 10MYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_28975/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2016-05-10 05:19:20
Document Modified: 2016-05-10 05:19:20
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability; request for comment. | |
| Dates | We must receive any written comments at our Regional Office (see | |
| Contact | Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 28885 |
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