81 FR 8923 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for Indus River Dolphin

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 35 (February 23, 2016)

Page Range		8923-8924
FR Document		2016-03628

We, NMFS, announce a 5-year review of the Indus River dolphin (Platanista gangetica minor) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the listing classification of a species is accurate. The 5-year review will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we request submission of any such information on Indus River dolphins that has become available since their original listing as endangered in January 1991. Based on the results of this 5-year review, we will make the requisite determination under the ESA.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8923-8924]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03628]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE441

Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review
for Indus River Dolphin

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of initiation of 5-year review; request for information.

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SUMMARY: We, NMFS, announce a 5-year review of the Indus River dolphin
(Platanista gangetica minor) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (ESA). The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that the
listing classification of a species is accurate. The 5-year review will
be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the
time of the review; therefore, we request submission of any such
information on Indus River dolphins that has become available since
their original listing as endangered in January 1991. Based on the
results of this 5-year review, we will make the requisite determination
under the ESA.

DATES: To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must
receive your information no later than May 23, 2016. However, we will
continue to accept new information about any listed species at any
time.

ADDRESSES: You may submit information on this document identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0016 by either of the following methods:
Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov. To
submit comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, first click the
``submit a comment'' icon, then enter NOAA-NMFS-2016-0016 in the
keyword search. Locate the document you wish to comment on from the
resulting list and click on the ``Submit a Comment'' icon on the right
of that line.
Mail or hand-delivery: Therese Conant, NMFS Office of
Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Instructions: Comments must be submitted by one of the above
methods to ensure that the comments are received, documented, and
considered by NMFS. Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered. All comments received are a part of the public
record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.) submitted voluntarily by the
sender will be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you
wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Therese Conant, NMFS Office of
Protected Resources, 301-427-8456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the ESA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service maintains a list of endangered and threatened wildlife and
plant species at 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals and 17.12 (for plants).
Section 4(c)(2)(A) of the ESA requires that we conduct a review of
listed species at least once every five years. On the basis of such
reviews under section 4(c)(2)(B), we determine whether or not any
species should be delisted or reclassified from endangered to
threatened or from threatened to endangered. Delisting a species must
be supported by the best scientific and commercial data available and
only considered if such data substantiates that the species is neither
endangered nor threatened for one or more of the following reasons: (1)
The species is considered extinct; (2) the species is considered to be
recovered; and/or (3) the original data available when the species was
listed, or the interpretation of such data, were in error. Any change
in Federal classification would require a separate rulemaking process.
The regulations in 50 CFR 424.21 require that we publish a notice in
the Federal Register announcing those species currently under active
review. This notice announces our active review of the Indus River
dolphin currently listed as endangered (56 FR 1463; January 14, 1991).
Background information on Indus River dolphins including the
endangered listing is available on the NMFS Office of Protected Species
Web site at: http://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/dolphins/indus-river-dolphin.html#documents.

Determining if a Species Is Threatened or Endangered

Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA requires that we determine whether a
species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five
following factors: (1) The present or threatened destruction,
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2)
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or
educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors
affecting its continued existence. Section 4(b) also requires that our
determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and
commercial data available after taking into account those efforts, if
any, being made by any State or foreign nation, to protect such
species.

Public Solicitation of New Information

To ensure that the 5-year review is complete and based on the best
available scientific and commercial information, we are soliciting new
information from the public, governmental agencies, Tribes, the
scientific community, industry, environmental entities, and any other
interested parties concerning the status of Indus River dolphins. The
5-year review considers the best scientific and commercial data and all
new information that has become available since the listing
determination or most recent status review. Categories of requested
information include: (1) Species biology including, but not limited to,
population trends,

[[Page 8924]]

distribution, abundance, demographics, and genetics; (2) habitat
conditions including, but not limited to, amount, distribution, and
important features for conservation; (3) status and trends of threats;
(4) conservation measures that have been implemented that benefit the
species, including monitoring data demonstrating effectiveness of such
measures; (5) need for additional conservation measures; and (6) other
new information, data, or corrections including, but not limited to,
taxonomic or nomenclatural changes, identification of erroneous
information contained in the list of endangered and threatened species,
and improved analytical methods for evaluating extinction risk.
If you wish to provide information for this 5-year review, you may
submit your information and materials electronically or via mail (see
ADDRESSES section). We request that all information be accompanied by
supporting documentation such as maps, bibliographic references, or
reprints of pertinent publications. We also would appreciate the
submitter's name, address, and any association, institution, or
business that the person represents; however, anonymous submissions
will also be accepted.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

Dated: February 17, 2016.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-03628 Filed 2-22-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

8924 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2016 / Notices

distribution, abundance, demographics, on its proposal to issue an incidental NMFS’ EA (2010), and this notice
and genetics; (2) habitat conditions harassment authorization (IHA) to collectively provide the environmental
including, but not limited to, amount, SCWA to incidentally take marine information related to proposed
distribution, and important features for mammals, by Level B harassment only, issuance of this IHA for public review
conservation; (3) status and trends of during the specified activity. and comment. We will review all
threats; (4) conservation measures that DATES: Comments and information must comments submitted in response to this
have been implemented that benefit the be received no later than March 24, notice as we complete the NEPA
species, including monitoring data 2016. process, including a decision of whether
demonstrating effectiveness of such the existing EA and FONSI provide
ADDRESSES: Comments on the
measures; (5) need for additional adequate analysis related to the
application should be addressed to Jolie
conservation measures; and (6) other potential environmental effects of
Harrison, Chief, Permits and issuing an IHA to SCWA, prior to a final
new information, data, or corrections Conservation Division, Office of
including, but not limited to, taxonomic decision on the incidental take
Protected Resources, National Marine authorization request.
or nomenclatural changes, identification Fisheries Service. Physical comments
of erroneous information contained in should be sent to 1315 East-West Background
the list of endangered and threatened Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and
species, and improved analytical Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
electronic comments should be sent to MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
methods for evaluating extinction risk. ITP.Laws@noaa.gov.
If you wish to provide information for the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
Instructions: NMFS is not responsible upon request by U.S. citizens who
this 5-year review, you may submit your for comments sent by any other method,
information and materials electronically engage in a specified activity (other than
to any other address or individual, or commercial fishing) within a specified
or via mail (see ADDRESSES section). We received after the end of the comment
request that all information be area, the incidental, but not intentional,
period. Comments received taking of small numbers of marine
accompanied by supporting electronically, including all
documentation such as maps, mammals, providing that certain
attachments, must not exceed a 25- findings are made and the necessary
bibliographic references, or reprints of megabyte file size. Attachments to
pertinent publications. We also would prescriptions are established.
electronic comments will be accepted in The incidental taking of small
appreciate the submitter’s name, Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF numbers of marine mammals may be
address, and any association, file formats only. All comments allowed only if NMFS (through
institution, or business that the person received are a part of the public record authority delegated by the Secretary)
represents; however, anonymous and will generally be posted to the finds that the total taking by the
submissions will also be accepted. Internet at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ specified activity during the specified
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. permits/incidental/construction.htm time period will (i) have a negligible
Dated: February 17, 2016. without change. All personal identifying impact on the species or stock(s) and (ii)
Angela Somma, information (e.g., name, address) not have an unmitigable adverse impact
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
voluntarily submitted by the commenter on the availability of the species or
of Protected Resources, National Marine may be publicly accessible. Do not stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
Fisheries Service. submit confidential business relevant). Further, the permissible
[FR Doc. 2016–03628 Filed 2–22–16; 8:45 am] information or otherwise sensitive or methods of taking and requirements
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
protected information. pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben and reporting of such taking must be set
Laws, Office of Protected Resources, forth.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NMFS, (301) 427–8401. The allowance of such incidental
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: taking under section 101(a)(5)(A), by
National Oceanic and Atmospheric harassment, serious injury, death, or a
Administration Availability combination thereof, requires that
An electronic copy of SCWA’s regulations be established.
RIN 0648–XE428
application and supporting documents, Subsequently, a Letter of Authorization
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to as well as a list of the references cited may be issued pursuant to the
Specified Activities; Taking Marine in this document, may be obtained by prescriptions established in such
Mammals Incidental to Russian River visiting the Internet at: regulations, providing that the level of
Estuary Management Activities www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ taking will be consistent with the
incidental.htm. In case of problems findings made for the total taking
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries accessing these documents, please call allowable under the specific regulations.
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and the contact listed above (see FOR Under section 101(a)(5)(D), NMFS may
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). authorize such incidental taking by
Commerce. harassment only, for periods of not more
National Environmental Policy Act than one year, pursuant to requirements
ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental
(NEPA) and conditions contained within an
harassment authorization; request for
comments. NMFS has prepared an Environmental IHA. The establishment of these
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Assessment (EA; 2010) and associated prescriptions requires notice and
SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request Finding of No Significant Impact opportunity for public comment.
from the Sonoma County Water Agency (FONSI) in accordance with NEPA and NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
(SCWA) for authorization to take marine the regulations published by the impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘. . . an
mammals incidental to Russian River Council on Environmental Quality. impact resulting from the specified
estuary management activities. Pursuant These documents are posted at the activity that cannot be reasonably
to the Marine Mammal Protection Act aforementioned Internet address. expected to, and is not reasonably likely
(MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments Information in SCWA’s application, to, adversely affect the species or stock

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Document Created: 2018-02-02 14:33:10
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 14:33:10

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 initiation of 5-year review; request for information.
Dates		To allow us adequate time to conduct this review, we must receive your information no later than May 23, 2016. However, we will continue to accept new information about any listed species at any time.
Contact		Therese Conant, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8456.
FR Citation		81 FR 8923
RIN Number		0648-XE44

81 FR 8923 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for Indus River Dolphin

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 35 (February 23, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration