82 FR 28875 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Pima Pineapple Cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina) Draft Recovery Plan
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 121 (June 26, 2017)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 121 (June 26, 2017)
| Page Range | 28875-28877 | |
| FR Document | 2017-13309 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 121 (Monday, June 26, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 28875-28877] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-13309] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-ES-2016-N203; FXES11130200000-167-FF02ENEH00] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Pima Pineapple Cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina) Draft Recovery Plan AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that of our Pima pineapple cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina) draft recovery plan is available. The cactus is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This plant species is currently found in southern Arizona and in northern Sonora, Mexico. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria to be met in order to enable us to remove this species from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife [[Page 28876]] and plants. We request that local, State, and Federal agencies; Tribes; and the public review and comment. We will also accept any new species status information throughout its range to assist with recovery plan finalization. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before August 25, 2017. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: If you wish to review the draft recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by any one of the following methods: Internet: Download the file at www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/CoryphanthaScheeriRobustispina_DraftRecoveryPlan_Final_February2015.pdf; U.S. mail: Request a copy by writing to the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 9828 N 31st Ave. #C3, Phoenix, AZ 85051-2517; or Telephone: Request a copy by calling (602) 242-0210. Submitting Comments: If you wish to comment on the draft recovery plan, you may submit your comments in writing by any one of the following methods: U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the above address; Hand-delivery: Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, at the above address; Fax: (602) 242-2513; or Email: [email protected]. For additional information about submitting comments, see Request for Public Comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, at the above address and phone number, or by email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background A primary goal of our endangered species program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is endangered or threatened animals and plants recovery to the point that they are again secure, self-sustaining ecosystem members. Recovery means improving the listed species' status to the point that listing is no longer appropriate under the Act's section 4(a)(1) criteria. The Act requires recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote conserving a particular species. Species History Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina (Pima pineapple cactus) is found in lower Sonoran desert-scrubland, desert-grassland, or the ecotone between desert-scrubland and desert-grassland in southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. It was federally listed as endangered on September 23, 1993; critical habitat was not designated. The taxon has been found historically in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona, and northern Sonora, Mexico, where it occupies a small area proximal to the U.S. border. Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is not listed under Mexican protected species regulations by the Secretar[iacute]a de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. The recovery priority number for Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is 3C, meaning that the listed entity is a subspecies, the level of threat is high, the potential for recovery is high, and there is a conflict with some form of economic activity (urbanization). The first 5-year status review for Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina was signed on February 8, 2007. Based on the static or declining status of the species across its range and continued threats, it was recommended in the 5-year review that the taxon remain listed as endangered. Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is a small, hemispheric-to- cylindrical stem succulent perennial of the Cactaceae (cactus family). Its stems reach 5 to 46 centimeters (cm) (1.9 to 18.1 inches (in)) in height and 5 to 21 cm (1.9 to 8.3 in) in diameter, are comprised primarily of tough, fleshy pulp, and are protected by a leathery outer skin. Stems may be singular or form clumps. The surface of the stems are covered in 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) long rounded projections called tubercles, each of which is grooved along the upper surface and contains one to several extra floral nectaries (places that secrete nectar to attract pollinators) along each groove. The flowers of C. scheeri var. robustispina average 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long with pale yellow tepals (petals and sepals) that are variously tinged with red pigments. Flowers generally open early to mid-July following summer rains. Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina occurs within two subbasins of the Santa Cruz Watershed: Brawley Wash and the Upper Santa Cruz. These subbasins face largely differing threats and stressors and are managed in differing ways. The major threats within Brawley Wash, which is managed primarily for livestock grazing, include the spread of invasive, non-native grasses and the resultant altered fire regimes and increased competition. A major threat within Upper Santa Cruz, which includes Tucson, Nogales, and the urban areas between, is urbanization. Throughout the entire range, C. scheeri var. robustispina is stressed by drought and climate change impacts, as well as predation by mammals and insects. Plants are found on lands owned or managed by the Federal government (approximately 12 percent), State government (approximately 46 percent), Tribal government (approximately 2 percent), and private entities (approximately 40 percent). Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina is typically found widely spaced in the landscape. A total of 6,712 individuals have been documented in our files from surveys of 43,072 hectares (106,433 acres) of suitable habitat. Similarly, as of the summer of 2015, the Arizona Natural Heritage Program database of locations for this taxon consisted of 7,558 records, of which 1,837 were known to no longer exist, primarily due to development and not natural causes. The principal C. scheeri var. robustispina recovery strategy is to preserve and restore quality habitat to protect individuals and their seedbanks within two recovery units representing the range of the taxon. Providing conservation and restoration of the taxon and its habitat will allow a stable, self-sustaining population to persist with some level of connectivity and opportunities for expansion and dispersal. Recovery Plan Goals The objective of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the recovery of a species so that protection under the Act is no longer necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about the species and provides criteria and actions necessary for us to be able to reclassify the species to threatened status or remove it from the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (List) at 50 CFR 17.12(h). Recovery plans help guide our recovery efforts by describing actions we consider necessary for the species' conservation, and by estimating time and costs for implementing needed recovery measures. To achieve its goals, this draft recovery plan identifies the following objectives: 1. Threat-based objective: Reduce or mitigate habitat loss and degradation, non-native species spread and the resultant altered fire regimes and increased competition, and other stressors, to enhance the continued survival of C. scheeri var. robustispina and its pollinators. 2. Habitat-based objective: Conserve, restore, and properly manage the quantity and quality of habitat needed [[Page 28877]] for the continued survival of C. scheeri var. robustispina and its pollinators. 3. Population-based objective: Conserve, protect, and restore existing and newly discovered C. scheeri var. robustispina individuals and their associated seedbanks needed for the continued survival of the taxon. The population must be self-sustaining, of sufficient number to endure climatic variation, stochastic events, and catastrophic losses, and must represent the full range of the species' geographic and genetic variability. The draft recovery plan focuses on conserving and enhancing habitat quality, protecting the population, managing threats, monitoring progress, and building partnerships to facilitate recovery. When the recovery of C. scheeri var. robustispina approaches these criteria, we will review the species' status and consider downlisting, and, ultimately, removal from the List. Request for Public Comments Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. It is also our policy to request peer review of recovery plans (July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an appendix to the approved recovery plan, we will summarize and respond to the issues raised by the public and peer reviewers. Substantive comments may or may not result in changes to the recovery plan; comments regarding recovery plan implementation will be forwarded as appropriate to Federal or other entities so that they can be taken into account during the course of implementing recovery actions. Responses to individual commenters will not be provided, but we will provide a summary of how we addressed substantive comments in an appendix to the approved recovery plan. We invite written comments on the draft recovery plan. In particular, we are interested in additional information regarding the current threats to the species and the costs associated with implementing the recommended recovery actions. Before we approve our final recovery plan, we will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES. Methods of submitting comments are in ADDRESSES. Public Availability of 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. Comments and materials we receive will be available, by appointment, for public inspection during normal business hours at our office (see ADDRESSES). References Cited A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon request from the Arizona Ecological Services Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Authority We developed our draft recovery plan under the authority of section 4(f) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under section 4(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: December 15, 2016. Benjamin N. Tuggle, Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Editorial Note: The Office of the Federal Register received this document on June 21, 2017. [FR Doc. 2017-13309 Filed 6-23-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CFR 17.31; threatened species permit threatened species permits in
requirements are at 50 CFR 17.32. In accordance with 50 CFR 17.44(y)(5) for
Fish and Wildlife Service 2005, the Service promulgated Sturgeon AquaFarms’ aquaculture
regulations under section 4(d) of the Act facility in Bascom, Florida. In
[FWS–HQ–IA–2016–N174;
FXIA16710900000–177–FF09A10000]
for the beluga sturgeon, a threatened evaluating the application, the Service
species (70 FR 10493, March 4, 2005); sought additional information from the
Threatened Species; Exemption From these regulations are codified at 50 CFR applicant, the State of Florida, and the
Threatened Species Permits for a 17.44(y). littoral states with which the applicant
Qualifying Beluga Sturgeon In accordance with 50 CFR has entered into formal agreements (the
Aquaculture Facility 17.44(y)(5), we consider applications for Russian Federation and the Republic of
exemptions from threatened species Azerbaijan). We also conducted a site
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, permits for beluga sturgeon caviar and visit at the Sturgeon AquaFarms’
Interior. meat obtained from aquaculture aquaculture facility in Bascom, Florida.
ACTION: Notice. facilities located outside the littoral On June 15, 2016, the Service approved,
States of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, under certain conditions, the requested
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, exemption from threatened species
Wildlife Service (Service), provide Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia permitting requirements to allow the
notice of an exemption to threatened and Montenegro, Turkey, Turkmenistan, take of beluga sturgeon from Sturgeon
species permit requirements granted and Ukraine. These exemptions are for AquaFarms’ aquacultured stock, located
under our Endangered Species Act (Act) individual facilities. Through an at its facility in Bascom, Florida, for the
regulations for beluga sturgeon (Huso exemption, the Service may authorize purpose of harvesting beluga meat and
huso). The exemption is for beluga aquacultured beluga sturgeon caviar and to allow for the interstate commerce and
sturgeon reared in an aquaculture meat originating from the facility to be export of beluga meat the facility
facility in Florida that the Service found imported, exported, re-exported, or harvests from its aquacultured stock.
meets the criteria under our regulations. traded in interstate and foreign This exemption applies to aquacultured
The exemption authorizes the facility to commerce without threatened species beluga meat only; it does not apply to
take beluga sturgeon from its permits issued under 50 CFR 17.32. trade in beluga caviar or live beluga
aquacultured stock for the purpose of Additionally, the Service may authorize sturgeon.
harvesting aquacultured beluga sturgeon an exemption for aquaculture facilities Authority: We issue this notice under the
meat and also authorizes the facility to within the United States from authority of the Endangered Species Act (16
engage in interstate commerce and prohibitions against take for purposes of U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and in accordance with
export of beluga sturgeon meat, which it harvesting caviar or meat or for 50 CFR 17.44(y)(5)(iv).
harvests from its aquacultured stock conducting activities involving research
Brenda Tapia,
without a threatened species permit. to enhance the survival or propagation
of the species. Program Analyst, Division of Management
ADDRESSES: Documents and other Authority.
information submitted with the Under the 4(d) rule, the Service may
issue such exemptions only after a [FR Doc. 2017–13232 Filed 6–23–17; 8:45 am]
application are available for review,
subject to the requirements of the facility has satisfactorily demonstrated BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
Privacy Act and Freedom of Information to us that criteria in § 17.44(y)(5)(i)
Act, by any party who submits a written through (iii) have been met, including:
(1) The relevant regulatory authority has DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
request for a copy of such documents to:
certified that the facility implements Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division
sufficient controls to prevent the escape
of Scientific Authority, MS: IA, 5275 [FWS–R2–ES–2016–N203;
of live animals and disease pathogens
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041; FXES11130200000–167–FF02ENEH00]
into local ecosystems; (2) the facility
fax (703) 358–2276.
does not rely on wild beluga sturgeon
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. for broodstock; and (3) the facility has Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Rosemarie Gnam, (703) 358–1708 entered into a formal agreement with and Plants; Pima Pineapple Cactus
(telephone); (703) 358–2276 (fax); one or more littoral states to study, (Coryphantha scheeri var.
Rosemarie_Gnam@fws.gov (email). protect, or otherwise enhance the robustispina) Draft Recovery Plan
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: survival of wild populations of beluga AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
sturgeon. Exemptions granted under Interior.
Background
§ 17.44(y)(5) shall not apply to trade ACTION: Notice of availability; request
Under section 4(d) of the Endangered (import, export, re-export, or interstate for comment.
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 and foreign commerce) in live beluga
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Service has sturgeon. Exemptions may be revoked at SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife
discretion to issue regulations that we any time if the Service determines that Service (Service), announce that of our
find necessary and advisable to provide any of the criteria shown in paragraphs Pima pineapple cactus (Coryphantha
for the conservation of threatened (y)(5)(i) through (iii) are not met by the scheeri var. robustispina) draft recovery
wildlife. We may also prohibit by facility, and applicants are required to plan is available. The cactus is listed as
regulation, with respect to threatened submit biennial reports on their endangered under the Endangered
wildlife, any act that is prohibited by Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
compliance. In addition to meeting all
section 9(a)(1) of the Act for endangered requirements of the 4(d) rule, all This plant species is currently found in
wildlife. In exercising this discretion, applicable provisions in 50 CFR parts southern Arizona and in northern
the Service enforces general 13, 14, and 23 remain in effect and must Sonora, Mexico. The draft recovery plan
prohibitions that are appropriate for also be met. includes specific recovery objectives
most threatened species. These On March 6, 2013, we received an and criteria to be met in order to enable
prohibitions are codified in title 50 of application from Sturgeon AquaFarms us to remove this species from the list
the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 that requested an exemption from of endangered and threatened wildlife
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 121 / Monday, June 26, 2017 / Notices 28877
for the continued survival of C. scheeri personal identifying information—may Statement are available for inspection at
var. robustispina and its pollinators. be made publicly available at any time. the Department of Justice’s Web site at
3. Population-based objective: While you can ask us in your comment http://www.justice.gov/atr and at the
Conserve, protect, and restore existing to withhold your personal identifying Office of the Clerk of the United States
and newly discovered C. scheeri var. information from public review, we District Court for the District of
robustispina individuals and their cannot guarantee that we will be able to Columbia. Copies of these materials may
associated seedbanks needed for the do so. be obtained from the Antitrust Division
continued survival of the taxon. The Comments and materials we receive upon request and payment of the
population must be self-sustaining, of will be available, by appointment, for copying fee set by Department of Justice
sufficient number to endure climatic public inspection during normal regulations.
variation, stochastic events, and business hours at our office (see Public comment is invited within 60
catastrophic losses, and must represent ADDRESSES). days of the date of this notice. Such
the full range of the species’ geographic comments, including the name of the
References Cited
and genetic variability. submitter, and responses thereto, will be
The draft recovery plan focuses on A complete list of all references cited posted on the Antitrust Division’s Web
conserving and enhancing habitat herein is available upon request from site, filed with the Court, and, under
quality, protecting the population, the Arizona Ecological Services Office certain circumstances, published in the
managing threats, monitoring progress, (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Federal Register. Comments should be
and building partnerships to facilitate Authority directed to Kathleen S. O’Neill, Chief,
recovery. When the recovery of C. Transportation, Energy & Agriculture
scheeri var. robustispina approaches We developed our draft recovery plan
Section, Antitrust Division, Department
these criteria, we will review the under the authority of section 4(f) of the
of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW., Suite
species’ status and consider Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this
notice under section 4(f) Endangered 8000, Washington, DC 20530.
downlisting, and, ultimately, removal
from the List. Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 Patricia A. Brink,
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Director of Civil Enforcement.
Request for Public Comments Dated: December 15, 2016. United States District Court for the
Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to Benjamin N. Tuggle, District of Columbia
provide public notice and an Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S.
opportunity for public review and Fish and Wildlife Service. United States of America, U.S. Department
comment during recovery plan of Justice, Antitrust Division, 450 5th Street
Editorial Note: The Office of the Federal NW., Suite 8000, Washington DC 20001,
development. It is also our policy to
Register received this document on June 21, Plaintiff, v. General Electric Co., 41
request peer review of recovery plans 2017. Farnsworth Street, Boston MA 02210, and
(July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an Baker Hughes Incorporated, 2929 Allen
[FR Doc. 2017–13309 Filed 6–23–17; 8:45 am]
appendix to the approved recovery plan, Parkway, Suite 2100, Houston TX 77019,
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
we will summarize and respond to the Defendants.
issues raised by the public and peer Case No.: 1:17–cv–01146
reviewers. Substantive comments may Judge: Beryl A. Howell
or may not result in changes to the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMPLAINT
recovery plan; comments regarding
Antitrust Division The United States of America, acting
recovery plan implementation will be
forwarded as appropriate to Federal or United States v. General Electric Co., under the direction of the Attorney
other entities so that they can be taken et al., Proposed Final Judgment and General of the United States, brings this
into account during the course of Competitive Impact Statement civil action to enjoin the acquisition of
implementing recovery actions. Baker Hughes Incorporated (‘‘Baker
Responses to individual commenters Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Hughes’’) by General Electric Co. (‘‘GE’’)
will not be provided, but we will Antitrust Procedures and Penalties Act, and to obtain other equitable relief. The
provide a summary of how we 15 U.S.C. 16(b)–(h), that a proposed United States alleges as follows:
addressed substantive comments in an Final Judgment, Stipulation and
Competitive Impact Statement have I. NATURE OF THE ACTION
appendix to the approved recovery plan.
We invite written comments on the been filed with the United States 1. GE’s acquisition of Baker Hughes
draft recovery plan. In particular, we are District Court for the District of would combine two of the leading
interested in additional information Columbia in United States of America v. providers of refinery process chemicals
regarding the current threats to the General Electric Co., et al., Civil Action and services in the United States.
species and the costs associated with No. 1:17–cv–1146. On June 12, 2017, the Refineries process crude oil and natural
implementing the recommended United States filed a Complaint alleging gas extracted from wells
recovery actions. that the proposed acquisition by General (‘‘hydrocarbons’’) into finished products
Before we approve our final recovery Electric Co. of Baker Hughes like gasoline. To perform this process,
plan, we will consider all comments we Incorporated, would violate Section 7 of refineries rely on a variety of special
receive by the date specified in DATES. the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18. The chemicals, collectively known as
Methods of submitting comments are in proposed Final Judgment, filed the same refinery process chemicals, to remove
salts, solids, metals, and other
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
ADDRESSES. time as the Complaint, requires General
Electric Co. to sell its GE Water & impurities from the hydrocarbons and to
Public Availability of Comments Process Technologies business, prevent corrosion and damage to
Before including your address, phone including certain tangible and refinery equipment. Refineries rely on
number, email address, or other intangible assets, to one or more process chemical and service providers
personal identifying information in your acquirers approved by the United States. to evaluate the specific hydrocarbons
comment, you should be aware that Copies of the Complaint, proposed flowing into their refineries and to
your entire comment—including your Final Judgment, and Competitive Impact formulate and apply customized
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Document Created: 2018-11-14 10:11:09
Document Modified: 2018-11-14 10:11:09
| 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 | To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before August 25, 2017. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. | |
| Contact | Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 28875 |
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