81 FR 83864 - Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment for Streaked Horned Lark; Port of Portland Properties, Portland, Oregon
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 225 (November 22, 2016)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 225 (November 22, 2016)
| Page Range | 83864-83867 | |
| FR Document | 2016-28064 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 83864-83867] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-28064] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R1-ES-2016-N171]; [FXES11120100000-167-FF01E00000] Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment for Streaked Horned Lark; Port of Portland Properties, Portland, Oregon AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of permit application; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an incidental take permit application from the Port of Portland pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The requested permit would authorize the take of the streaked horned lark. The permit application includes a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) that describes the activities that would result in the incidental taking, and the measures the applicant will take to minimize and mitigate for the potential adverse impacts to streaked horned larks. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) that has been prepared to evaluate the permit application in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). We are making the permit application package, including the HCP, and draft EA available for public review and comment. DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received from interested parties no later than January 6, 2017. 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 ``Port of Portland HCP.''Internet: Documents may be viewed on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/. Email: [email protected]. Include ``Port of Portland HCP'' 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: Port of Portland HCP. 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: Richard Szlemp, 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: We have received an incidental take permit application from the Port of Portland pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; ESA). The requested permit would authorize the take of the streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata). The permit application includes a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) that describes the activities that would result in the incidental taking, and the measures the applicant will take to minimize and mitigate for the potential adverse impacts to streaked horned larks. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) that has been prepared to evaluate the permit application in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA). We are making the permit application package, [[Page 83865]] including the HCP, and draft EA available for public review and comment. Background Section 9 of the ESA prohibits the take of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the ESA. Under the ESA, the term ``take'' means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct (16 U.S.C. 1532(19)). The term ``harm,'' as defined in our regulations, includes significant habitat modification or degradation that results in death or injury to listed species by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR 17.3). The term ``harass'' is defined in our regulations as an intentional or negligent act or omission which creates the likelihood of injury to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns, which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR 17.3). Under specified circumstances, we may issue permits that authorize take of federally listed species, provided the take is incidental to, but not the purpose of, an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing permits for threatened species are at 50 CFR 17.32. Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA contains provisions for issuing such incidental take permits to non-Federal entities for the take of federally listed species, provided the following criteria are met: (1) The taking will be incidental; (2) The applicant will prepare a conservation plan that, to the maximum extent practicable, identifies the steps the applicant will take to minimize and mitigate the impact of such taking; (3) The applicant will ensure that adequate funding for the plan will be provided; (4) The taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of the species in the wild; and (5) The applicant will carry out any other measures that we may require as being necessary or appropriate for the purposes of the plan We listed the streaked horned lark as a threatened species on October 3, 2013 (78 FR 61452), with critical habitat, and established a special rule under section 4(d) of the ESA to exempt certain airport maintenance activities and operations, agricultural activities, and noxious weed control activities from the take prohibitions of the ESA. Historically, nesting habitat was found on western Oregon prairies, and on sandy beaches and spits along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Today, the streaked horned lark nests in a broad range of habitats, including native prairies, coastal dunes, fallow and active agricultural fields, wetland mudflats, sparsely vegetated edges of grass fields, recently planted Christmas tree farms with extensive bare ground, fields denuded by overwintering Canada geese, gravel roads or gravel shoulders of lightly traveled roads, airports, and dredge deposition sites in the lower Columbia River. Wintering streaked horned larks use habitats that are very similar to breeding habitats. Proposed Action We propose to approve the HCP and to issue a permit with a term of 30 years to the Port of Portland for incidental take of streaked horned larks caused by covered activities, if permit issuance criteria are met. The Port of Portland owns and manages lands occupied by nesting and wintering streaked horned larks, including undeveloped lands within the Rivergate Industrial District (Rivergate) and at the Portland International Airport (PDX), including the PDX Intermediate Zone and Southwest Quadrant (SW Quad), collectively, the project areas. Incidental take of up to a total of 46 streaked horned lark nesting pairs over a 30-year permit term may occur. Incidental take would be associated with future commercial and industrial land development within the project areas, as well as aviation wildlife hazard management activities within the PDX Intermediate Zone and SW Quad. The Port of Portland would create the Sandy Island Conservation Area to mitigate for the anticipated take of streaked horned lark. The Rivergate Project Area is located within the Rivergate Industrial District in Portland, Oregon, on the peninsula in north Portland bordered by the Columbia River, the Willamette River, and their confluence. The Rivergate Industrial District is Portland's largest industrial park, including 2,800 acres of warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, and processing facilities. The land itself was created or improved for development by the Port with the placement of fill material (mostly sandy dredged material) to elevate building sites to the surrounding grade and provide a substrate suitable for development. The Rivergate Project Area consists of approximately 120.5 acres across six undeveloped parcels that are scattered among other developed parcels within the industrial district, of which approximately 40.7 acres is considered suitable habitat for the streaked horned lark. The Rivergate parcels are bordered by roads, rail lines, parking lots, industrial buildings, and the Columbia Slough. The creation of suitable habitat for streaked horned larks at Rivergate was an unintended consequence of the development of the Rivergate Industrial Park and the Port of Portland's ongoing use and maintenance of the site. The Port of Portland's preparation of building sites within the Rivergate Industrial Park, including the parcels of the Rivergate Project Area, created large open areas with exposed soils that have proved to be attractive to the streaked horned lark. These conditions have been largely maintained by routine site management, such as occasional mowing and discing, to keep parcels ready for development and to generally reduce seasonal fire hazards within the industrial district. This site is planned to be developed for industrial use within one to two years. Most of the Port of Portland's aviation wildlife hazard management activities occur within the 4,867- acre PDX Intermediate Zone comprising: The area within the airfield perimeter fence, a 300-foot buffer around the perimeter fence, and runway protection zones (together, the Primary Zone); and Port of Portland owned airport land outside of the Primary Zone, much of which is under the approach or transitional surfaces of the runways. Land management decisions within the Primary Zone are subject to the single dedicated land use of operating an airport and the associated public aviation safety concerns. The Port of Portland's land management objectives for the remainder of the PDX Intermediate Zone are similar and land uses in this area are intended to be compatible with aviation public safety. Throughout the PDX Intermediate Zone, wildlife management is critical to airport safety and the Port of Portland designs and implements its Federal Aviation Administration approved wildlife hazard management plan with the objective of eliminating or reducing to the extent practicable all attractants for wildlife species of aviation concern, including streaked horned larks. Most of the PDX Intermediate Zone is either developed or paved or is regularly mowed or disced to maintain low, sparse herbaceous cover or bare ground. This regular maintenance to eliminate or reduce aviation wildlife hazards, in accordance with the wildlife hazard management plan, promotes conditions consistent with suitable streaked horned lark habitat. Most of the undeveloped upland portions of the PDX [[Page 83866]] Intermediate Zone have the potential to be used by streaked horned larks, although the specific extent of currently suitable streaked horned lark habitat within the PDX Intermediate Zone is unknown. The SW Quad is an approximately 204.7-acre open field within the PDX Intermediate Zone and immediately adjacent to PDX runways and taxiways. For this reason, the SW Quad is an optimal location for future PDX airport infrastructure. The SW Quad is also bordered by paved roads, other PDX commercial buildings, and open space lands associated with the Riverside Country Club and the Broadmoor Golf Course. Historically, the SW Quad contained extensive wetlands. However, the Port of Portland filled these wetlands (in accordance with applicable regulations) between 1994 and 2005 and installed a perforated pipe drainfield to prevent the recurrence of wetland habitat attractive to wildlife species of concern to aviation safety. The SW Quad is currently an open expanse of mostly barren fill material with sparse herbaceous weedy plants. Much of the SW Quad is mowed or disced annually to deter and discourage avian species of concern to aviation safety from the airfield and surrounding properties and to reduce the risk of wildlife/aircraft collisions; however, this management inadvertently created and currently maintains suitable streaked horned lark habitat. Of the 204.7 acres at the SW Quad, approximately 77 acres are considered suitable habitat for the streaked horned lark. This site is anticipated to be developed about 20 or more years from now. Sandy Island is located in the Columbia River at River Mile 75.8, directly across from the public boat ramp at the Port of Kalama in unincorporated Columbia County, Oregon. Sandy Island is composed of approximately 340 acres. Approximately 312 acres of Sandy Island is human-made by historic and current dredged material placement. This portion of the island is owned by the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL). The original island landform is approximately 28 acres and is in private ownership. Because Sandy Island is within waters of the state, DSL regulates the natural resources of the island. Sandy Island is open to the public and accessible by boat. The proposed Sandy Island Conservation Area consists of piled dredged sand with a relatively flat, sparsely vegetated plateau. The plateau is perched 40 to 50 feet above the shoreline and includes a small grove of approximately 20 black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) trees and a small depression along the northern portion of the site. Vegetation is partly sparse and the land cover is a mosaic of bare sand, grasses, forbs, invasive Scot's broom (Cytisus scoparius) shrubs, mosses, and lichens, but also transitions abruptly to forested wetlands and riparian habitat. The repeated placement of dredged material at the proposed Sandy Island Conservation Area, with the most recent depositions occurring between 1997 and 2011, created habitat for the streaked horned lark that has been occupied by three to five nesting pairs in recent years. No additional dredged material placement is anticipated, as this site is considered to be full. Without recurring site disturbance and/ or vegetation management, natural succession of the vegetation will degrade existing streaked horned lark habitat and is expected to cause the loss of suitable habitat at this site in the near future. The 32.0 acres of the proposed Sandy Island Conservation Area is designated critical habitat for the streaked horned lark. Proposed mitigation measures consist of the Port of Portland refraining from conducting vegetation management within Rivergate, the SW Quad, and the proposed Sandy Island Conservation Area during the streaked horned lark nesting season (April 1 to August 31) to avoid directly killing or wounding individuals or causing nest abandonment. Interim conservation measures consist of the reinstatement or continuation of occasional mowing or discing at Rivergate, and continued implementation of similar activities at SW Quad for existing streaked horned lark habitat. The Port of Portland will also continue to mow roadside perimeters and will maintain Jersey barriers currently in place as an interim conservation measure at Rivergate to prevent unwarranted site access and to reduce the risk of fire. These activities satisfy the Port of Portland's needs to properly maintain its properties, but incidentally benefit the streaked horned lark by maintaining the characteristics of suitable habitat at Rivergate and the SW Quad until development occurs. The conservation benefit of this routine site management allows Rivergate and the SW Quad to maintain more habitat for use by streaked horned larks over the duration of the incidental take permit than would likely be achieved in the absence of these activities. The Port of Portland will enter into a 30-year term conservation easement on the Sandy Island Conservation Area with DSL. Immediately following the issuance of the incidental take permit, the Port of Portland will provide for the protection, management, and monitoring of approximately 32 acres of currently suitable and restorable streaked horned lark habitat at the proposed Sandy Island Conservation Area to maintain and attract additional nesting streaked horned larks as added mitigation for the impacts of the requested incidental taking of streaked horned larks. National Environmental Policy Act Compliance The proposed issuance of a section 10(a)(1)(B) permit under the Act is a Federal action that triggers the need for compliance with NEPA. We have prepared a draft EA to analyze the environmental impacts of two alternatives related to the issuance of a permit and implementation of the conservation program under the proposed HCP. The two alternatives are the No Action alternative and the proposed action (see Proposed Action described above). We also considered several other alternatives that are briefly described in the draft EA but dismissed them from detailed analysis for the reasons described in the draft EA. Under the No Action alternative, an incidental take permit would not be issued by the Service, and the Port of Portland's proposed HCP would not be approved. Any incidental take outside the 4(d) Special Rule exemption would not be authorized and the Port of Portland would assume all legal risks for unauthorized take without an incidental take permit. Under the No Action Alternative, the Port of Portland would not use the project areas in a way that would result in the incidental taking of streaked horned larks outside activities covered under the 4(d) Special Rule Exemption. The Port of Portland has unintentionally created suitable streaked horned lark habitat within the Project Areas. The Port of Portland would cease active site management contributing to the creation of suitable streaked horned lark habitat, and allow the Project Areas to naturally transition out of suitable habitat as vegetation increases in density and height. Once streaked horned larks no longer breed on site at Rivergate, and streaked horned larks do not occupy the area, the Port of Portland would move forward in developing the parcels. The Port of Portland would continue to rely on the authority of the 4(d) Special Rule to continue aviation wildlife hazard management activities on SW Quad, likely changing the type of management strategies to those that do not favor the creation or maintenance of streaked [[Page 83867]] horned lark habitat. It is expected that streaked horned larks would leave the site before development of the SW Quad occurs. The Port of Portland would not establish the Sandy Island Conservation Area to provide conservation benefits to streaked horned larks. Without active site management to maintain and improve suitable streaked horned lark habitat at this site, increasing levels of encroaching vegetation would naturally transition out of suitable and occupied habitat. 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, we will make a decision regarding whether the proposed HCP and draft EA meet the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA and the requirements of NEPA. We will not make a final decision on our proposed action until after the end of the 45-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 would issue the incidental take permit under the authority of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA and sign a finding of no significant impact following the requirements of NEPA. 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 17.32, and 40 CFR 1506.6, respectively). Theresa Rabot, Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 2016-28064 Filed 11-21-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![83864 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 22, 2016 / Notices
species, 50 CFR 17.32 for threatened hours at the address listed in the interested parties no later than January
wildlife species, 50 CFR 17.62 for ADDRESSES section. 6, 2017.
endangered plant species, and 50 CFR Before including your address, phone ADDRESSES: To request further
17.72 for threatened plant species. number, email address, or other information or submit written
personal identifying information in your comments, please use one of the
Applications Available for Review and comment, you should be aware that
Comment following methods, and note that your
your entire comment—including your information request or comments are in
We invite local, State, and Federal personal identifying information—may reference to the ‘‘Port of Portland HCP.’’
agencies and the public to comment on be made publicly available at any time. • Internet: Documents may be viewed
the following applications. Please refer While you can ask us in your comment on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/
to the permit number for the application to withhold your personal identifying oregonfwo/.
when submitting comments. information from public review, we • Email: PDXHCPcomments@fws.gov.
Documents and other information cannot guarantee that we will be able to Include ‘‘Port of Portland HCP’’ in the
submitted with these applications are do so. subject line of the message or
available for review by request from the comments.
Program Manager for Restoration and Authority
• U.S. Mail: State Supervisor, Oregon
Endangered Species Classification at the We provide this notice under section Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and
address listed in the ADDRESSES section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Wildlife Service; 2600 SE 98th Avenue,
of this notice, subject to the Suite 100; Portland, OR 97266.
Theresa E Rabot,
requirements of the Privacy Act (5 • Fax: 503–231–6195, Attn: Port of
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S.
U.S.C. 552a) and the Freedom of Portland HCP.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). • In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or
[FR Doc. 2016–28055 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am]
Permit Number: TE–08598C BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
Pickup: Comments and materials
received will be available for public
Applicant: The Institute for Bird inspection, by appointment (necessary
Populations, Point Reyes Station, for viewing or picking up documents
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
California only), during normal business hours at
The applicant requests a new permit Fish and Wildlife Service the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office,
to take (survey, monitor, capture, [FWS–R1–ES–2016–N171]; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2600 SE
handle, band, collect bio-samples, [FXES11120100000–167–FF01E00000] 98th Avenue, Suite 100; Portland, OR
attach transmitters, and release) 97266; telephone 503–231–6179.
Friendly ground-dove (Gallicolumba Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan Written comments can be dropped off
stairi) in conjunction with research, and Draft Environmental Assessment during regular business hours at the
survey, and population monitoring for Streaked Horned Lark; Port of above address on or before the closing
activities in American Samoa, for the Portland Properties, Portland, Oregon date of the public comment period (see
purpose of enhancing the species’ DATES).
survival. AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Permit Number: TE–04236C Richard Szlemp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of
Service (see ADDRESSES); telephone:
Applicant: James W. Gore, Paragould, permit application; request for
comments. 503–231–6179; facsimile: 503–231–
Arizona 6195. If you use a telecommunications
The applicant requests a new permit SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and device for the deaf, please call the
to take (survey, monitor, identify roosts, Wildlife Service, have received an Federal Information Relay Service at
capture, handle, measure, band, attach incidental take permit application from 800–877–8339.
transmitters, and release) Hawaiian the Port of Portland pursuant to the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have
hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) in Endangered Species Act of 1973, as received an incidental take permit
conjunction with research, survey, and amended (ESA). The requested permit application from the Port of Portland
population monitoring activities in would authorize the take of the streaked pursuant to the Endangered Species Act
Hawai‘I, for the purpose of enhancing horned lark. The permit application of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
the species’ survival. includes a proposed habitat seq.; ESA). The requested permit would
conservation plan (HCP) that describes authorize the take of the streaked
Permit Number: TE–146777
the activities that would result in the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris
Applicant: Arleone Dibben-Young, incidental taking, and the measures the strigata). The permit application
Kaunakakai, Hawaii applicant will take to minimize and includes a proposed habitat
The applicant requests a permit mitigate for the potential adverse conservation plan (HCP) that describes
amendment to take (mark with leg flags, impacts to streaked horned larks. We the activities that would result in the
collect blood and feather samples) the also announce the availability of a draft incidental taking, and the measures the
ae‘o or Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus environmental assessment (EA) that has applicant will take to minimize and
mexicanus knudseni) on the island of been prepared to evaluate the permit mitigate for the potential adverse
Molokai, Hawai‘i, for the purposes of application in accordance with the impacts to streaked horned larks. We
requirements of the National also announce the availability of a draft
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
scientific research and enhancing the
species’ survival. Environmental Policy Act of 1969 environmental assessment (EA) that has
(NEPA). We are making the permit been prepared to evaluate the permit
Public Availability of Comments application package, including the HCP, application in accordance with the
All comments and materials we and draft EA available for public review requirements of the National
receive in response to this request will and comment. Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
be available for public inspection, by DATES: To ensure consideration, written U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA). We are
appointment, during normal business comments must be received from making the permit application package,
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:52 Nov 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM 22NON1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_84089/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 225 / Tuesday, November 22, 2016 / Notices 83867
horned lark habitat. It is expected that authority of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to
streaked horned larks would leave the ESA and sign a finding of no significant the Forest Supervisor, Custer Gallatin
site before development of the SW Quad impact following the requirements of National Forest, P.O. Box 130, 10 East
occurs. The Port of Portland would not NEPA. Babcock Avenue, Bozeman, Montana
establish the Sandy Island Conservation 59771; or the Bureau of Land
Authority
Area to provide conservation benefits to Management, Montana State Office
streaked horned larks. Without active We provide this notice in accordance (MT924), 5001 Southgate Drive,
site management to maintain and with the requirements of section 10(c) of Billings, Montana 59101.
improve suitable streaked horned lark the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
habitat at this site, increasing levels of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and their
encroaching vegetation would naturally implementing regulations (50 CFR Mary Erickson, Forest Supervisor,
transition out of suitable and occupied 17.32, and 40 CFR 1506.6, respectively). Custer Gallatin National Forest, 406–
habitat. 587–6949 or Deborah Sorg, BLM
Theresa Rabot, Montana/Dakotas State Office, 406–896–
Public Comments Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. 5045 during regular business hours, 8:00
You may submit your comments and Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through
materials by one of the methods listed [FR Doc. 2016–28064 Filed 11–21–16; 8:45 am] Friday, except holidays. Persons who
in the ADDRESSES section. We request BILLING CODE 4333–15–P use a telecommunications device for the
data, comments, new information, or deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
suggestions from the public, other Service at 1–800–877–8339 to contact
concerned governmental agencies, the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR either of the above individuals. The
scientific community, Tribes, industry, Service is available 24 hours a day, 7
or any other interested party on our Bureau of Land Management days a week, to leave a message or
proposed Federal action. [MTM 109072] question. You will receive a reply
during normal business hours.
Public Availability of Comments Notice of Application for Withdrawal
All comments and materials we and Notification of Public Meeting; SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
receive become part of the public record Montana applicant is the USFS. The application
associated with this action. Before requests the Secretary of the Interior to
including your address, phone number, AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, withdraw, subject to valid existing
email address, or other personal Interior. rights, the following described lands
identifying information in your ACTION: Notice. from location and entry under the
comments, you should be aware that United States mining laws, but not from
your entire comment—including your SUMMARY: The United States Forest leasing under the mineral and
personal identifying information—may Service (USFS) has filed an application geothermal leasing laws, for a period of
be made publicly available at any time. with the Bureau of Land Management 20 years, to protect and preserve the
While you can ask us in your comment (BLM) requesting that the Secretary of area for its scenic integrity, important
to withhold your personal identifying the Interior withdraw, for a 20-year wildlife corridors, and high quality
information from public review, we term, approximately 30,370 acres of recreation values. Portions of these
cannot guarantee that we will be able to National Forest System lands from lands are unsurveyed and the acres were
do so. All submissions from location and entry under the United obtained from protraction diagrams or
organizations or businesses, and from States mining laws, but not from leasing calculated using the Geographic
individuals identifying themselves as under mineral and geothermal laws. The Information System.
representatives or officials of purpose of the withdrawal is to protect
Custer Gallatin National Forest
organizations or businesses, will be and preserve the scenic integrity,
important wildlife corridors, and high Principal Meridian, Montana
made available for public disclosure in
their entirety. Comments and materials quality recreation values of the Emigrant T. 6 S., R. 8 E.,
we receive, as well as supporting Crevice area located in the Custer Secs. 34 and 35;
documentation, will be available for Gallatin National Forest, Park County, Sec. 36, lots 1 thru 8, W1⁄2NE1⁄4, W1⁄2, and
Montana. Publication of this notice SE1⁄4SE1⁄4.
public inspection by appointment, T. 7 S., R. 8 E.,
during normal business hours, at our temporarily segregates the lands for up
to 2 years from location and entry under Sec. 10, lot 1, N1⁄2, N1⁄2SW1⁄4, SE1⁄4SW1⁄4,
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office (see and SE1⁄4;
ADDRESSES).
the United States mining laws while the
Sec. 11, S1⁄2;
withdrawal application is being
Next Steps Sec. 12, S1⁄2;
processed. The lands have been and will Secs. 13, 14, and 15;
After considering public comments, remain open to such forms of Protracted blocks 37 thru 41.
we will make a decision regarding disposition as may be allowed by law on T. 6 S., R. 9 E.,
whether the proposed HCP and draft EA National Forest System lands, and to Sec. 31, lots 1 thru 6, NE1⁄4, E1⁄2NW1⁄4,
meet the requirements of section leasing under the mineral and NE1⁄4SE1⁄4, and W1⁄2SE1⁄4;
10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA and the geothermal leasing laws. This notice Sec. 32, S1⁄2;
requirements of NEPA. We will not also gives the public an opportunity to Sec. 33, S1⁄2.
make a final decision on our proposed comment on the withdrawal T. 7 S., R 9 E.,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
application, and announces the date, Sec. 9, unsurveyed;
action until after the end of the 45-day
time and location of the public meeting. Sec. 10, W1⁄2, unsurveyed;
public comment period on this notice, Secs. 16 and 17, unsurveyed;
and we will fully consider all comments DATES: Comments must be received by Protracted blocks 39 thru 45.
we receive during the public comment February 21, 2017. The USFS will hold T. 8 S., R. 9 E.,
period. If we determine that all the a public meeting in connection with the Secs. 22 thru 26, unsurveyed, those
requirements are met, we would issue proposed withdrawal on January 18, portions not within the Absaroka-
the incidental take permit under the 2017. Beartooth Wilderness;
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:52 Nov 21, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22NON1.SGM 22NON1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_84089/page/4.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:29:11
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:29:11
| 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; notice of permit application; request for comments. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, written comments must be received from interested parties no later than January 6, 2017. | |
| Contact | Richard Szlemp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 83864 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR