81 FR 3817 - Draft Environmental Assessment; Dallas Zoo Management; Dallas, Texas
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 14 (January 22, 2016)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 14 (January 22, 2016)
| Page Range | 3817-3818 | |
| FR Document | 2016-01226 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 14 (Friday, January 22, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 3817-3818] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-01226] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2015-0157; FXIA16710900000-156-FF09A300000] Draft Environmental Assessment; Dallas Zoo Management; Dallas, Texas AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are making available the final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact under the National Environmental Policy Act regarding a permit application submitted by Dallas Zoo Management, on behalf of the Dallas Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo, and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. The three zoos have requested authorization under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to import up to 18 live African elephants from Swaziland. ADDRESSES: Availability of Documents Internet: You may obtain copies of the final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact by going to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-HQ-IA-2015-0157, which is the docket number for this notice. Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' link. In-Person: Copies of the final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact are also available for public inspection and review at the following location, by appointment and written request only, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Van Norman, Chief, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS-IA, Falls Church, VA 22041; or by phone at (703) 358-2350. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [[Page 3818]] We are making available the final environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for an application submitted by Dallas Zoo Management for a permit to import up to 18 live African elephants (Loxadonta africana) from Swaziland. The elephants will be housed at the Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas; Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas; and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska. The requested permit would authorize the importation, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (27 U.S.T. 1087), of up to 3 adult females, 3 subadult males, and 12 subadult females. CITES is an international treaty designed to regulate international trade in certain animal and plant species that are affected by trade and are now, or potentially may become, threatened with extinction. These species are listed in the Appendices to CITES, which are available on the CITES Secretariat's Web site at http://www.cites.org. African elephants in Swaziland are listed in CITES Appendix I. The Service's regulations implementing CITES are found at title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in part 23. The African elephant is also classified as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), with a rule under section 4(d) of the ESA at 50 CFR 17.40(e). To import African elephants into the United States, ESA and CITES requirements must be met. Pursuant to the ESA section 4(d) rule for the African elephant (50 CFR 17.40(e)(3)(i)), live elephants may be imported if all requirements under Service regulations at 50 CFR part 13 (general permitting) and 50 CFR part 23 (CITES) are met. Issuance of a CITES import permit is categorically excluded under Department of the Interior internal agency policy and procedures from requiring completion of an EA under NEPA (Departmental Manual Part 516, Chapter 8.5(C)(1)). However, we decided to prepare an EA in this case to help ensure that we have conducted a thorough review of all relevant factors and potential impacts on the quality of the human environment as envisioned under NEPA. We announced the availability of the draft EA in a notice published in the Federal Register on October 22, 2015 (80 FR 64008). The EA considered the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the importation of up to 18 live elephants from Swaziland, including the measures that would be implemented to minimize and mitigate the impacts of the importation and housing of these animals. We received more than 8,000 comments on the draft EA; they may be found at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2015-0157. Proposed Action The proposed action is the issuance of a CITES permit by the Service for the importation of up to 18 African elephants from Swaziland. The elephants are currently housed in an enclosure at the Mkhaya Game Reserve, Swaziland. The elephants were removed from Mkhaya Game Reserve and Hlane National Park, Swaziland, due to overpopulation of elephants within the two protected areas and the negative impact the elephants were having on the vegetation and other wildlife species. Big Game Parks (BPG), the delegated authority responsible for implementation of Swaziland's Game Act of 1953, has determined that the number of elephants in the two protected areas must be reduced. Further, the reduction in the number of elephants within each of the protected areas will facilitate BGP's efforts to increase the population of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), a critically endangered species, within the two protected areas. Alternatives We also considered two alternatives to the proposed action: 1. No Action--No CITES import permit would be issued. According to the applicant and BGP, the 18 elephants will not be returned to the two protected areas. Instead, if importation is not authorized, BGP has stated that they have no option but to cull the animals. 2. Issue a CITES import permit for a reduced number of elephants-- This alternative is similar to the Proposed Action, in that the Service would issue an import permit, but the number of elephants authorized for import would be reduced. This alternative could result in some elephants being imported into the United States and housed at one or more of the three zoos. However, according to the applicant and BGP, the elephants that are not imported into the United States would be culled. Finding of No Significant Impact The proposed action of issuing the import permit for the 18 elephants is the preferred action. As evaluated in the EA, the proposed action is not expected to result in significant effects to the human environment within the meaning of NEPA and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality. Although we describe potential actions and consequences that could flow from each of the alternatives, we find there is no basis to infer that any such effects, even viewed broadly, will be significant. Therefore, based on a review and evaluation of the information contained in the EA, it is the Service's determination that the issuance of a permit authorizing the import of 18 African elephants from Swaziland will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment under the meaning of section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended). As such, an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. Authority We provide this notice under NEPA and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Brenda Tapia, Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority. [FR Doc. 2016-01226 Filed 1-21-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2016 / Notices 3817
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purpose of this notice is to allow for an submitted to OMB may be obtained Public Housing Authorities) to make a
additional 30 days of public comment. from Ms. Pollard. pledge, the must provide the amount of
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Renewable Energy Commitment Form.
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and Urban Development, 451 7th Street currently approved collection. year.
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Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@ Description of the need for the Total Estimated Burdens: 25 burden
hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. information and proposed use: hours.
Burden Hourly
Information Number of Frequency of Responses Annual
hour per cost per Annual cost
collection respondents response per annum burden hours
response response
Total ............................. 50 1 1 .5 25 N/A N/A
B. Solicitation of Public Comment Dated: January 13, 2016. Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to
Colette Pollard, import up to 18 live African elephants
This notice is soliciting comments Department Reports Management Officer, from Swaziland.
from members of the public and affected Office of the Chief Information Officer. ADDRESSES:
parties concerning the collection of [FR Doc. 2016–01170 Filed 1–21–16; 8:45 am]
information described in Section A on BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
Availability of Documents
the following:
Internet: You may obtain copies of the
(1) Whether the proposed collection final environmental assessment and
of information is necessary for the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR finding of no significant impact by going
proper performance of the functions of to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal:
the agency, including whether the Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.regulations.gov. In the
information will have practical utility; Search box, enter FWS–HQ–IA–2015–
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–IA–2015–0157;
(2) The accuracy of the agency’s FXIA16710900000–156–FF09A300000]
0157, which is the docket number for
estimate of the burden of the proposed this notice. Click the ‘‘Open Docket
collection of information; Draft Environmental Assessment; Folder’’ link.
Dallas Zoo Management; Dallas, Texas In-Person: Copies of the final
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, environmental assessment and finding
utility, and clarity of the information to AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, of no significant impact are also
be collected; and Interior. available for public inspection and
(4) Ways to minimize the burden of ACTION: Notice of availability. review at the following location, by
the collection of information on those appointment and written request only, 8
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
who are to respond; including through
Wildlife Service, are making available Service, Division of Management
the use of appropriate automated
the final environmental assessment and Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
collection techniques or other forms of finding of no significant impact under
information technology, e.g., permitting Church, VA 22041.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the National Environmental Policy Act
electronic submission of responses. regarding a permit application FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
HUD encourages interested parties to submitted by Dallas Zoo Management, Timothy Van Norman, Chief, Branch of
submit comment in response to these on behalf of the Dallas Zoo, Sedgwick Permits, Division of Management
questions. County Zoo, and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS–IA,
Zoo. The three zoos have requested Falls Church, VA 22041; or by phone at
Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. authorization under the Convention on (703) 358–2350.
International Trade in Endangered SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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![3818 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2016 / Notices
We are making available the final implemented to minimize and mitigate Although we describe potential actions
environmental assessment (EA) and the impacts of the importation and and consequences that could flow from
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) housing of these animals. We received each of the alternatives, we find there is
under the National Environmental more than 8,000 comments on the draft no basis to infer that any such effects,
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. EA; they may be found at http:// even viewed broadly, will be significant.
4321 et seq.) for an application www.regulations.gov in Docket No. Therefore, based on a review and
submitted by Dallas Zoo Management FWS–HQ–IA–2015–0157. evaluation of the information contained
for a permit to import up to 18 live in the EA, it is the Service’s
Proposed Action
African elephants (Loxadonta africana) determination that the issuance of a
from Swaziland. The elephants will be The proposed action is the issuance of permit authorizing the import of 18
housed at the Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas; a CITES permit by the Service for the African elephants from Swaziland will
Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas; importation of up to 18 African not have a significant effect on the
and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, elephants from Swaziland. The quality of the human environment
Nebraska. The requested permit would elephants are currently housed in an under the meaning of section 102(2)(c)
authorize the importation, under the enclosure at the Mkhaya Game Reserve, of the National Environmental Policy
Convention on International Trade in Swaziland. The elephants were removed Act of 1969 (as amended). As such, an
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and from Mkhaya Game Reserve and Hlane Environmental Impact Statement is not
Flora (CITES) (27 U.S.T. 1087), of up to National Park, Swaziland, due to required.
3 adult females, 3 subadult males, and overpopulation of elephants within the
12 subadult females. CITES is an two protected areas and the negative Authority
international treaty designed to regulate impact the elephants were having on the We provide this notice under NEPA
international trade in certain animal and vegetation and other wildlife species. and its implementing regulations (40
plant species that are affected by trade Big Game Parks (BPG), the delegated CFR 1506.6).
and are now, or potentially may authority responsible for
become, threatened with extinction. implementation of Swaziland’s Game Brenda Tapia,
These species are listed in the Act of 1953, has determined that the Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch
Appendices to CITES, which are number of elephants in the two of Permits, Division of Management
Authority.
available on the CITES Secretariat’s Web protected areas must be reduced.
site at http://www.cites.org. African [FR Doc. 2016–01226 Filed 1–21–16; 8:45 am]
Further, the reduction in the number of
elephants in Swaziland are listed in elephants within each of the protected BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
CITES Appendix I. The Service’s areas will facilitate BGP’s efforts to
regulations implementing CITES are increase the population of black
found at title 50 of the Code of Federal rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), a critically DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Regulations (CFR) in part 23. endangered species, within the two Bureau of Land Management
The African elephant is also classified protected areas.
as threatened under the U.S. [LLCA930000 L14400000.ET0000; CACA
Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 Alternatives 032220]
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), with a rule under We also considered two alternatives
section 4(d) of the ESA at 50 CFR to the proposed action: Public Land Order No. 7848; Extension
17.40(e). To import African elephants 1. No Action—No CITES import of Public Land Order No. 7179,
into the United States, ESA and CITES permit would be issued. According to California
requirements must be met. Pursuant to the applicant and BGP, the 18 elephants AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
the ESA section 4(d) rule for the African will not be returned to the two protected Interior.
elephant (50 CFR 17.40(e)(3)(i)), live areas. Instead, if importation is not
ACTION: Public Land Order.
elephants may be imported if all authorized, BGP has stated that they
requirements under Service regulations have no option but to cull the animals. SUMMARY: This order extends the
at 50 CFR part 13 (general permitting) 2. Issue a CITES import permit for a duration of the withdrawal created by
and 50 CFR part 23 (CITES) are met. reduced number of elephants—This Public Land Order No. 7179 for an
Issuance of a CITES import permit is alternative is similar to the Proposed additional 20-year period. The
categorically excluded under Action, in that the Service would issue extension is necessary to continue
Department of the Interior internal an import permit, but the number of protection of the seismic integrity of the
agency policy and procedures from elephants authorized for import would University of California–Berkeley
requiring completion of an EA under be reduced. This alternative could result Seismic Observatory located in the
NEPA (Departmental Manual Part 516, in some elephants being imported into Klamath National Forest, Siskiyou
Chapter 8.5(C)(1)). However, we decided the United States and housed at one or County which will expire on January 24,
to prepare an EA in this case to help more of the three zoos. However, 2016, unless extended.
ensure that we have conducted a according to the applicant and BGP, the
thorough review of all relevant factors DATES: This withdrawal extension is
elephants that are not imported into the
and potential impacts on the quality of United States would be culled. effective on January 25, 2016.
the human environment as envisioned FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
under NEPA. Finding of No Significant Impact Nathan Price, United States Forest
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
We announced the availability of the The proposed action of issuing the Service, Regional Office, R5, 1323 Club
draft EA in a notice published in the import permit for the 18 elephants is the Drive, Vallejo, California 94592, 707–
Federal Register on October 22, 2015 preferred action. As evaluated in the 562–8963, or Elizabeth Easley, Bureau
(80 FR 64008). The EA considered the EA, the proposed action is not expected of Land Management California State
direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to result in significant effects to the Office (CA–930), Federal Building
of the importation of up to 18 live human environment within the meaning (Room W–1928), 2800 Cottage Way,
elephants from Swaziland, including of NEPA and the regulations of the Sacramento, California 95825–1886;
the measures that would be Council on Environmental Quality. 916–979–4673. Persons who use a
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Document Created: 2016-01-22 01:16:51
Document Modified: 2016-01-22 01:16:51
| 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. | |
| Contact | Timothy Van Norman, Chief, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS-IA, Falls Church, VA 22041; or by phone at (703) 358-2350. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 3817 |
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