82 FR 29914 - Proposed Programmatic Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for the Louisiana Pinesnake in Louisiana
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 125 (June 30, 2017)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 125 (June 30, 2017)
| Page Range | 29914-29915 | |
| FR Document | 2017-13760 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 29914-29915] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-13760] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R4-ES-2017-N020; FXES111604C0000-178-FF04E00000] Proposed Programmatic Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for the Louisiana Pinesnake in Louisiana AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The permit application includes a proposed programmatic candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for the Louisiana pinesnake. The term of the agreement would be 99 years. If approved, the CCAA would allow the applicant to enter into conservation management agreements with eligible non-Federal landowners throughout Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, Louisiana, and to issue certificates of inclusion to enrollees. We invite public comments on these documents. DATES: We must receive any written comments at our Regional Office (see ADDRESSES) on or before July 31, 2017. ADDRESSES: To request further information, review documents, or submit written comments, please use the following methods and specify that your information request or comments are in reference to the ``Programmatic CCAA for the Louisiana Pinesnake.'' [[Page 29915]]Internet: Documents may be viewed and downloaded on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/candidaetconservation/examples.html. Email: [email protected]. Include ``Programmatic CCAA for the Louisiana Pinesnake'' in the subject line. Please include your name and return address in your message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your message, contact us directly at either telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. U.S. Mail: Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345, or Mr. Joseph Ranson, Field Supervisor, Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, LA 70506. In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 404-679-7066 to make an appointment (necessary for viewing or pick-up only) during regular business hours at the Fish and Wildlife Service's Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345; or call 337-291-3112 to make an appointment at the Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, LA 70506. Written comments can be dropped off during regular business hours at either address on or before the closing date of the public comment period (see DATES). Requests for any documents must be in writing. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species Coordinator, at the Regional Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404- 679-7066; or Mr. David Castellanos, Imperiled Species Biologist, at the Louisiana Field Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 337-291-3112. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). The permit application includes a proposed programmatic candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for the Louisiana pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni). The term of the CCAA would be 99 years. If approved, the CCAA would allow the applicant to enter into conservation management agreements with eligible non-Federal landowners throughout Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, Louisiana, and to issue certificates of inclusion to enrollees. We invite public comments on these documents. Candidate Conservation Agreements With Assurances Under a CCAA, participating property owners voluntarily undertake management activities on their properties to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species that may warrant listing under the Act. CCAAs encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation efforts for candidate and at-risk species by assuring them that they will not be subjected to increased property use restrictions should the species become listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under the Act in the future. Application requirements and issuance criteria for CCAAs are found in 50 CFR 17.22(d) and 17.32(d). Parties' Agreement The CCAA describes conservation measures designed to protect and enhance habitat for the benefit of the Louisiana pinesnake (covered species) on private or non-Federal public lands enrolled under the agreement. Enrolled landowners who implement these measures would receive assurances against take liability if the covered species were to be federally listed in the future. Conservation land use practices would vary according to the needs of a particular enrolled landowner. Typical measures include the use of prescribed fire, thinning of forests, and restoration of open-canopied pine (including longleaf pine). The CCAA also contemplates that other conservation measures may be developed in the future. We specifically request information, views, and opinions from the public via this notice on our proposed Federal action, including our determination that the CCAA, including its proposed conservation measures, would have minor or negligible effects on the covered species. Therefore, we have determined that the incidental take permit for this project is ``low effect'' and qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 43 CFR 46.210. A low-effect project involves (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species or their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. Further, we specifically solicit information regarding the adequacy of the CCAA per 50 CFR parts 13 and 17. Public Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Covered Area The CCAA covers eligible lands in Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes, Louisiana. Next Steps We will evaluate the application for enhancement of survival permit through candidate conservation agreement with assurances, including the CCAA, and any comments we receive to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act and of applicable implementing regulations. We will also evaluate whether the section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement of survival permit would comply with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will issue a permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the applicant in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. We will not make our final decision until after the end of the 30-day comment period and will fully consider all comments received during the comment period. Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: June 23, 2017. Luis J. Santiago, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 2017-13760 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![29914 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Notices
information provided here is solely for Form I–864A, Form I–864EZ, and Form (6) An estimate of the total public
questions regarding this notice. It is not I–864W; USCIS. burden (in hours) associated with the
for individual case status inquiries. (4) Affected public who will be asked collection: The total estimated annual
Applicants seeking information about or required to respond, as well as a brief hour burden associated with this
the status of their individual cases can abstract: information collection is 3,138,208
check Case Status Online, available at Primary: Individuals or households; hours.
the USCIS Web site at http:// USCIS uses the data collected on Form (7) An estimate of the total public
www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS I–864 to determine whether the sponsor burden (in cost) associated with the
National Customer Service Center at has the ability to support the sponsored collection: The estimated total annual
(800) 375–5283; TTY (800) 767–1833. alien under section 213A of the cost burden associated with this
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Immigration and Nationality Act. This information collection is $161,526,540.
form standardizes evaluation of a Dated: June 26, 2017.
Comments
sponsor’s ability to support the Jerry Rigdon,
The information collection notice was sponsored alien and ensures that basic Deputy Chief, Regulatory Coordination
previously published in the Federal information required to assess eligibility Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S.
Register on March 8, 2017, at 82 FR is provided by petitioners. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
13650, allowing for a 60-day public Form I–864A is a contract between Department of Homeland Security.
comment period. USCIS did receive the sponsor and the sponsor’s [FR Doc. 2017–13717 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am]
comments in connection with the 60- household members. It is only required BILLING CODE 9111–97–P
day notice. if the sponsor used the income of his or
You may access the information her household members to reach the
collection instrument with instructions, required 125 percent of the Federal
or additional information by visiting the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
poverty guidelines. The contract holds
Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: these household members jointly and Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.regulations.gov and enter severally liable for the support of the
USCIS–2007–0029 in the search box. [FWS–R4–ES–2017–N020;
sponsored immigrant. The information
Written comments and suggestions from FXES111604C0000–178–FF04E00000]
collection required on Form I–864A is
the public and affected agencies should necessary for public benefit agencies to Proposed Programmatic Candidate
address one or more of the following enforce the Affidavit of Support in the Conservation Agreement With
four points: event the sponsor used income of his or
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed Assurances for the Louisiana
her household members to reach the Pinesnake in Louisiana
collection of information is necessary required income level and the public
for the proper performance of the benefit agencies are requesting AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
functions of the agency, including reimbursement from the sponsor. Interior.
whether the information will have USCIS uses Form I–864EZ in exactly ACTION: Notice.
practical utility; the same way as Form I–864; however,
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the less information is collected from the SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
agency’s estimate of the burden of the sponsors as less information is needed Wildlife Service, have received an
proposed collection of information, from those who qualify in order to make application from the Louisiana
including the validity of the a thorough adjudication. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for
methodology and assumptions used; an enhancement of survival permit
USCIS uses Form I–864W to
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and (permit) pursuant to the Endangered
determine whether the intending
clarity of the information to be Species Act of 1973. The permit
immigrant meets the criteria for
collected; and application includes a proposed
(4) Minimize the burden of the exemption of section 213A
requirements. This form collects the programmatic candidate conservation
collection of information on those who agreement with assurances (CCAA) for
are to respond, including through the immigrant’s basic information, such as
name and address, the reason for the the Louisiana pinesnake. The term of
use of appropriate automated, the agreement would be 99 years. If
electronic, mechanical, or other exemption, and accompanying
documentation in support of the approved, the CCAA would allow the
technological collection techniques or applicant to enter into conservation
other forms of information technology, immigrant’s claim that they are not
subject to section 213A. management agreements with eligible
e.g., permitting electronic submission of non-Federal landowners throughout
responses. (5) An estimate of the total number of
respondents and the amount of time Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson,
Overview of This Information estimated for an average respondent to Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon,
Collection respond: The estimated total number of Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes,
respondents for Form I–864 is 446,313 Louisiana, and to issue certificates of
(1) Type of Information Collection
and the estimated hour burden per inclusion to enrollees. We invite public
Request: Revision of a Currently
response is 6 hours; the estimated total comments on these documents.
Approved Collection.
(2) Title of the Form/Collection: number of respondents for Form I–864A DATES: We must receive any written
Affidavit of Support Under Section is 42,892 and the estimated hour burden comments at our Regional Office (see
213A of the Act; Contract Between per response is 1.75 hours; the ADDRESSES) on or before July 31, 2017.
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
Sponsor and Household Member; EZ estimated total number of respondents ADDRESSES: To request further
Affidavit of Support under Section 213 for Form I–864EZ is 114,860 and the information, review documents, or
of the Act; Intending Immigrant’s estimated hour burden per response is submit written comments, please use
Affidavit of Support Exemption. 2.5 hours; the estimated total number of the following methods and specify that
(3) Agency form number, if any, and respondents for Form I–864W is 98,119 your information request or comments
the applicable component of the DHS hours and the estimated hour burden are in reference to the ‘‘Programmatic
sponsoring the collection: Form I–864, per response is 1 hour. CCAA for the Louisiana Pinesnake.’’
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 125 / Friday, June 30, 2017 / Notices 29915
• Internet: Documents may be viewed and Allen Parishes, Louisiana, and to Public Comments
and downloaded on the Internet at issue certificates of inclusion to
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/ enrollees. We invite public comments Before including your address, phone
candidaetconservation/examples.html. on these documents. number, email address, or other
• Email: michael_harris@fws.gov. personal identifying information in your
Candidate Conservation Agreements comment, you should be aware that
Include ‘‘Programmatic CCAA for the
With Assurances your entire comment—including your
Louisiana Pinesnake’’ in the subject
line. Please include your name and Under a CCAA, participating property personal identifying information—may
return address in your message. If you owners voluntarily undertake be made publicly available at any time.
do not receive a confirmation from us management activities on their While you can ask us in your comment
that we have received your message, properties to enhance, restore, or to withhold your personal identifying
contact us directly at either telephone maintain habitat benefiting species that information from public review, we
number listed under FOR FURTHER may warrant listing under the Act. cannot guarantee that we will be able to
INFORMATION CONTACT. CCAAs encourage private and other
do so.
• U.S. Mail: Mr. Michael Harris, At- non-Federal property owners to
Risk Species Coordinator, Fish and implement conservation efforts for Covered Area
Wildlife Service, Southeast Regional candidate and at-risk species by
assuring them that they will not be The CCAA covers eligible lands in
Office, 1875 Century Boulevard,
Atlanta, GA 30345, or Mr. Joseph subjected to increased property use Bienville, Beauregard, Jackson,
Ranson, Field Supervisor, Fish and restrictions should the species become Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon,
Wildlife Service, Louisiana Ecological listed as ‘‘threatened’’ or ‘‘endangered’’ Winn, Grant, and Allen Parishes,
Services Field Office, 646 Cajundome under the Act in the future. Application Louisiana.
Boulevard, Suite 400, Lafayette, LA requirements and issuance criteria for
CCAAs are found in 50 CFR 17.22(d) Next Steps
70506.
• In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or and 17.32(d). We will evaluate the application for
Pickup: Call 404–679–7066 to make an Parties’ Agreement enhancement of survival permit through
appointment (necessary for viewing or candidate conservation agreement with
The CCAA describes conservation
pick-up only) during regular business assurances, including the CCAA, and
measures designed to protect and
hours at the Fish and Wildlife Service’s any comments we receive to determine
enhance habitat for the benefit of the
Regional Office, 1875 Century whether the application meets the
Louisiana pinesnake (covered species)
Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of
on private or non-Federal public lands
30345; or call 337–291–3112 to make an the Act and of applicable implementing
enrolled under the agreement. Enrolled
appointment at the Louisiana Ecological landowners who implement these regulations. We will also evaluate
Services Field Office, Fish and Wildlife measures would receive assurances whether the section 10(a)(1)(A)
Service, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, against take liability if the covered enhancement of survival permit would
Suite 400, Lafayette, LA 70506. Written species were to be federally listed in the comply with section 7 of the Act by
comments can be dropped off during future. Conservation land use practices conducting an intra-Service section 7
regular business hours at either address would vary according to the needs of a
on or before the closing date of the consultation. If we determine that the
particular enrolled landowner. Typical requirements are met, we will issue a
public comment period (see DATES). measures include the use of prescribed
Requests for any documents must be in permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the
fire, thinning of forests, and restoration Act to the applicant in accordance with
writing. of open-canopied pine (including
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
the applicable regulatory requirements.
longleaf pine). The CCAA also We will not make our final decision
Michael Harris, At-Risk Species contemplates that other conservation
Coordinator, at the Regional Office (see until after the end of the 30-day
measures may be developed in the
ADDRESSES), telephone: 404–679–7066; comment period and will fully consider
future.
or Mr. David Castellanos, Imperiled We specifically request information, all comments received during the
Species Biologist, at the Louisiana Field views, and opinions from the public via comment period.
Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 337– this notice on our proposed Federal Authority
291–3112. action, including our determination that
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have the CCAA, including its proposed We provide this notice under section
received an application from the conservation measures, would have 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and minor or negligible effects on the and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
Fisheries for an enhancement of covered species. Therefore, we have Dated: June 23, 2017.
survival permit (permit) pursuant to the determined that the incidental take
Luis J. Santiago,
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act). permit for this project is ‘‘low effect’’
The permit application includes a and qualifies for categorical exclusion Acting Regional Director.
proposed programmatic candidate under the National Environmental [FR Doc. 2017–13760 Filed 6–29–17; 8:45 am]
conservation agreement with assurances Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by 43 BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
(CCAA) for the Louisiana pinesnake CFR 46.205 and 43 CFR 46.210. A low-
(Pituophis ruthveni). The term of the effect project involves (1) minor or
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
CCAA would be 99 years. If approved, negligible effects on federally listed or
the CCAA would allow the applicant to candidate species or their habitats, and
enter into conservation management (2) minor or negligible effects on other
agreements with eligible non-Federal environmental values or resources.
landowners throughout Bienville, Further, we specifically solicit
Beauregard, Jackson, Natchitoches, information regarding the adequacy of
Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Grant, the CCAA per 50 CFR parts 13 and 17.
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Document Created: 2017-06-30 06:01:54
Document Modified: 2017-06-30 06:01:54
| 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. | |
| Dates | We must receive any written comments at our Regional Office (see | |
| Contact | Mr. Michael Harris, At-Risk Species | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 29914 |
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