82 FR 42359 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Horseshoe Crab and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 172 (September 7, 2017)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 172 (September 7, 2017)
| Page Range | 42359-42361 | |
| FR Document | 2017-18934 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 42359-42361] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-18934] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R5-FR-2017-N106; FF05F24400-167-FXFR13350500000; OMB Control Number 1018-0127] Agency Information Collection Activities; Horseshoe Crab and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before November 6, 2017. [[Page 42360]] ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request (ICR) by mail to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number 1018-0127 in the subject line of your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by telephone at (703) 358-2503. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. We are soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the proper functions of the Service; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Service enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Service minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. 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. Abstract: The Maryland Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office (MDFWCO) will collect information on fishes captured by the public. Tag information provided by the public will be used to estimate recreational and commercial harvest rates, estimate natural mortality rates, and evaluate migratory patterns, length and age frequencies, and effectiveness of current regulations. Horseshoe crabs play a vital role commercially, biomedically, and ecologically along the Atlantic coast. Horseshoe crabs are commercially harvested and used as bait in eel and conch fisheries. Biomedical companies along the coast also collect and bleed horseshoe crabs at their facilities. Limulus amebocyte lysate, derived from crab blood, is used by pharmaceutical companies to test sterility of products. Finally, migratory shorebirds also depend on the eggs of horseshoe crabs to refuel on their migrations from South America to the Arctic. One bird in particular, the rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), feeds primarily on horseshoe crab eggs during its stopover. Effective January 12, 2015, the rufa red knot was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (79 FR 73706; December 11, 2014). In 1998, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a management organization with representatives from each State on the Atlantic Coast, developed a horseshoe crab management plan. The ASMFC plan and its subsequent addenda established mandatory State-by-State harvest quotas, and created the 1,500-square-mile Carl N. Shuster, Jr., Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary off the mouth of Delaware Bay. Restrictive measures have been taken in recent years, but populations are increasing slowly. Because horseshoe crabs do not breed until they are 9 years or older, it may take some time before the population measurably increases. Federal and State agencies, universities, and biomedical companies participate in a Horseshoe Crab Cooperative Tagging Program. The Service's MDFWCO maintains the information collected under this program and uses it to evaluate migratory patterns, survival, and abundance of horseshoe crabs. Agencies that tag and release the crabs complete FWS Form 3-2311 (Horseshoe Crab Tagging) and provide the Service with:Organization name. Contact person name. Tag number. Sex of crab. Prosomal width. Capture site, latitude, longitude, waterbody, State, and date. Members of the public who recover tagged crabs provide the following information using FWS Form 3-2310 (Horseshoe Crab Recapture Report): Tag number. Whether or not tag was removed. Whether the tag was circular or square. Condition of crab. Date captured/found. Crab fate. Finder type. Capture method. Capture location. Reporter information. Comments. At the request of the public participant reporting the tagged crab, we send data pertaining to the tagging program and tag and release information on the horseshoe crab that was found or captured. We propose a revision to this existing collection of information to include four forms currently in use which are used by the Service: Form 3-2493, ``American Shad Recapture Report''; Form 3-2494, ``Snakehead Recapture Report''; Form 3-2495, ``Striped Bass Recapture Report''; and, Form 3-2496, ``Sturgeon Recapture Report.'' Fish will be tagged with an external tag containing a toll-free number that is housed at MDFWCO. Members of the public reporting a tag will be asked a series of questions pertaining to the fish that they are referencing. This data will be used by fisheries managers throughout the east coast and mid-Atlantic region, depending on species. Currently the species that are tagged are Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), Northern Snakehead (Channa argus), and American Shad (Alosa sapidissima). Striped Bass are cooperatively managed by federal and state agencies through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The ASMFC uses fish tag return data to conduct stock assessments for Striped Bass. The database and collection is housed within MDFWCO, while the tagging is conducted by state agencies participating in Striped Bass management. Without this data collection Striped Bass management would likely suffer from a lack of quality data. Sturgeon are tagged by federal, state, and university biologists, and NGO's along the U.S. east coast and into Canada, and throughout the U.S. and Canada. Local populations of Atlantic sturgeon have been listed as either threatened or endangered since 2012 [[Page 42361]] and shortnose populations since 1973. The information collected provides data on tag retention and sturgeon movement along the east coast. The data is also used to address some of the management and research needs identified by the ASMFC Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Sturgeon Fishery Management Plan. Northern Snakehead is an invasive species found in many watersheds throughout the mid-Atlantic region. It has been firmly established in the Potomac River since at least 2004. Federal and state biologists within the Potomac River watershed have been tasked with managing the impacts of Northern Snakehead. Tagging of Northern Snakehead is used to learn more about the species so that control efforts can be better informed. Tagging is also used to estimate population sizes to monitor fluctuations in population size. Recreational and commercial fishers reporting tags provide information on catch rates and migration patterns as well. American Shad are tagged by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) and they retain all fish tagging information. The public reports tags to MDFWCO, who provides information on tag returns to NYDEC. Tag return data are used to monitor migration and abundance of shad along the Atlantic Coast. Data collected across these tagging programs is similar in nature, including: Tag number, date of capture, waterbody of capture, capture method, fish length, fish weight, fish fate (whether released or killed), fisher type (i.e., commercial, recreational, etc.). In addition, if the tag reporter desires more information on their tagged fish or wants the modest reward that comes with reporting a tag, we ask their address so that we can mail them the information. Title of Collection: Horseshoe Crab and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs. OMB Control Number: 1018-0127. Form Number: FWS Forms 3-2310, 3-2311, and 3-2493 through 3-2496. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Respondents include Federal and State agencies, universities, and biomedical companies who conduct tagging and members of the general public provide recapture information. Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 1,987. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 3,656. Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes to 95 hours, depending on activity. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 2,682 (rounded). Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary. Frequency of Collection: Respondents will provide information on occasion, upon tagging or upon encounter with a tagged crab or fish. Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Dated: August 31, 2017. Madonna L. Baucum, Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2017-18934 Filed 9-6-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices 42359
proposed project area prior to ground Hermon June beetle, Zayante band- internal Service consultation, in
disturbing activities; (5) collecting seed winged grasshopper, Ben Lomond combination with the above findings, in
of the Ben Lomond spineflower within spineflower, and Ben Lomond our final analysis to determine whether
the project area prior to the initiation of wallflower, and that the plan qualifies to issue the permits. If the requirements
ground disturbing activities, so that the as a low-effect HCP as defined by our are met, we will issue an ITP to the
seeds can be used in the post- Habitat Conservation Planning applicant for the incidental take of
construction restoration of temporarily- Handbook. We base our determinations Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante
disturbed areas; and (6) permanently on three criteria: (1) Implementation of band-winged grasshopper. We will
protect habitat for the Mount Hermon the proposed project as described in the make the final permit decision no
June beetle, Zayante band-winged HCP would result in minor or negligible sooner than 30 days after the date of this
grasshopper, Ben Lomond spineflower, effects on federally listed, proposed, notice.
and Ben Lomond wallflower to mitigate and/or candidate species and their
for habitat impacts through the habitats; (2) implementation of the HCP Public Comments
permanent protection of 0.995-ac of would result in minor or negligible If you wish to comment on the permit
high quality habitat within the proposed effects on other environmental values or applications, plans, and associated
6.7-ac conservation easement; or, the resources; and (3) HCP impacts, documents, you may submit comments
purchase of 0.813-ac of conservation considered together with those of other by any one of the methods in
credits at the Zayante Sandhills past, present, and reasonably ADDRESSES.
Conservation Bank. The applicant will foreseeable future projects, would not
Public Availability of Comments
fund up to $346,064 to ensure result in cumulatively significant
implementation of all minimization effects. In our analysis of these criteria, Before including your address, phone
measures, monitoring, and reporting we have made a preliminary number, email address, or other
requirements identified in the HCP. determination that the approval of the personal identifying information in your
In the proposed HCP, the applicant HCP and issuance of an ITP qualify for comment, you should be aware that
considers two alternatives to the categorical exclusion under NEPA (42 your entire comment—including your
proposed action: ‘‘No Action’’ and U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as provided by the personal identifying information—may
‘‘Redesign Project.’’ Under the ‘‘No Department of the Interior be made publicly available at any time.
Action’’ alternative, an ITP for the water implementing regulations in part 46 of While you can ask us in your comment
tank replacement project would not be title 43 of the Code of Federal to withhold your personal identifying
issued. The proposed conservation Regulations (43 CFR 46.205, 46.210, and information from public view, we
strategy and subsequent habitat 46.215). However, based upon our cannot guarantee that we will be able to
conservation would not occur, or, review of public comments that we do so.
alternatively, the purchase of receive in response to this notice, this
Authority
conservation credits would not be preliminary determination may be
provided to effect recovery actions for revised. We provide this notice under section
the impacted species. The ‘‘No Action’’ 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
alternative would not result in Next Steps and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
necessary improvements to the existing We will evaluate the permit Dated: August 31, 2017.
water tank and would not result in a net application, including the plan and Stephen P. Henry,
benefit for the covered species; comments we receive, to determine
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife
therefore, the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative whether the application meets the
Office, Ventura, California.
has been rejected. Under the ‘‘Redesign requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of
[FR Doc. 2017–18970 Filed 9–6–17; 8:45 am]
Project’’ alternative, the existing tank the Act. We will also evaluate whether
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
would be replaced with a new smaller issuance of the ITP would comply with
tank that would fit within the existing section 7(a)(2) of the Act by conducting
footprint, with temporary impacts an intra-Service Section 7 consultation.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
occurring within an approximately 0.12- Public Review
ac area. Under this alternative the new Fish and Wildlife Service
tank would not provide enough water We provide this notice under section
storage for fire and/or other emergencies 10(c) of the Act and the National [FWS–R5–FR–2017–N106; FF05F24400–
in addition to meeting existing water Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 167–FXFR13350500000; OMB Control
amended (NEPA), and NEPA’s public Number 1018–0127]
demand. Under this alternative the
District would permanently protect and involvement regulations (40 CFR
1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 1506.6). We Agency Information Collection
manage a smaller area within the Activities; Horseshoe Crab and
conservation easement, or purchase are requesting comments on our
determination that the applicants’ Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs
fewer credits at the Zayante Sandhills
Conservation Bank. This alternative proposal will have a minor or neglible AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
would present a significant burden to effect on the Mount Hermon June beetle, Interior.
the District without significantly Zayante band-winged grasshopper, Ben ACTION: Notice of information collection;
reducing potential impacts to the Lomond spineflower, and Ben Lomond request for comment.
impacted species; therefore, the wallflower, and that the plan qualifies
‘‘Redesign Project’’ alternative has also as a low-effect HCP as defined by our SUMMARY: In accordance with the
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been rejected. Habitat Conservation Planning Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
Handbook. We will evaluate the permit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Our Preliminary Determination application, including the plan and (Service) are proposing to renew an
We are requesting comments on our comments we receive, to determine information collection with revisions.
preliminary determination that the whether the application meets the DATES: Interested persons are invited to
applicant’s proposal will have a minor requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of submit comments on or before
or negligible effect on the Mount the Act. We will use the results of our November 6, 2017.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2017 / Notices 42361
and shortnose populations since 1973. Total Estimated Number of Annual to leave a message or question with the
The information collected provides data Burden Hours: 2,682 (rounded). above individual. You will receive a
on tag retention and sturgeon movement Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. reply during normal business hours.
along the east coast. The data is also Frequency of Collection: Respondents SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A person
used to address some of the will provide information on occasion, or party who wishes to protest a survey
management and research needs upon tagging or upon encounter with a must file a notice that they wish to
identified by the ASMFC Amendment 1 tagged crab or fish. protest with the Chief, Branch of
to the Atlantic Sturgeon Fishery Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Cadastral Survey. A statement of
Management Plan. Burden Cost: None. reasons for a protest may be filed with
Northern Snakehead is an invasive An agency may not conduct or the notice of protest and must be filed
species found in many watersheds sponsor and a person is not required to with the Chief, Branch of Cadastral
throughout the mid-Atlantic region. It respond to a collection of information Survey within 30 days after the protest
has been firmly established in the unless it displays a currently valid OMB is filed. If a protest against the survey is
Potomac River since at least 2004. control number. received prior to the date of official
Federal and state biologists within the The authority for this action is the filing, the filing will be stayed pending
Potomac River watershed have been Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 consideration of the protest. A plat will
tasked with managing the impacts of U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). not be officially filed until the day after
Northern Snakehead. Tagging of Dated: August 31, 2017. all protests have been dismissed or
Northern Snakehead is used to learn Madonna L. Baucum, otherwise resolved. Before including
more about the species so that control Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. your address, phone number, email
efforts can be better informed. Tagging Fish and Wildlife Service. address, or other personal identifying
is also used to estimate population sizes [FR Doc. 2017–18934 Filed 9–6–17; 8:45 am] information in your comment, you
to monitor fluctuations in population BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
should be aware that your entire
size. Recreational and commercial comment including your personal
fishers reporting tags provide identifying information may be made
information on catch rates and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR publicly available at any time. While
migration patterns as well. you can ask us in your comment to
American Shad are tagged by the NY Bureau of Land Management withhold your personal identifying
Department of Environmental information from public review, we
[LLES961000 L14400000 BK0000 17X]
Conservation (NYDEC) and they retain cannot guarantee that we will be able to
all fish tagging information. The public Notice of Filing of Plats Survey; do so.
reports tags to MDFWCO, who provides Eastern States The Bureau of Indian Affairs
information on tag returns to NYDEC. requested this survey in Township 7
Tag return data are used to monitor AGENCY: Notice of official filing. North, Range 10 East, Choctaw
migration and abundance of shad along SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Meridian, Mississippi for the
the Atlantic Coast. Management (BLM) Eastern States management of trust lands.
Data collected across these tagging Office is publishing this notice to The plat of survey represents the
programs is similar in nature, including: inform the public of the intent to dependent resurvey of a portion of the
Tag number, date of capture, waterbody officially file the survey plat listed subdivisional lines; the survey of the
of capture, capture method, fish length, below, and afford a proper period of subdivision of sections 14 and 23; and
fish weight, fish fate (whether released time to protest this action prior to the the metes and bounds survey of parcels
or killed), fisher type (i.e., commercial, plat filing. During this time, the plat held in trust for the Mississippi Band of
recreational, etc.). In addition, if the tag will be available for review in the BLM Choctaw in sections 14 and 23 of
reporter desires more information on Eastern States Office. The surveys, Township 7 North, Range 10 East, of the
their tagged fish or wants the modest which were executed at the request of Choctaw Meridian, in the state of
reward that comes with reporting a tag, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Mississippi, and was accepted
we ask their address so that we can mail BLM, are necessary for the management September 30th, 2016. A copy of the
them the information. of these lands. described plat will be placed in the
DATES: Unless there are protests of this open files, and available to the public as
Title of Collection: Horseshoe Crab
action, the filing of the plat described in a matter of information.
and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs.
OMB Control Number: 1018–0127. this notice will be filed on October 10, Leon Chmura,
Form Number: FWS Forms 3–2310, 3– 2017. Acting Chief Cadastral Surveyor.
2311, and 3–2493 through 3–2496. ADDRESSES: BLM Eastern States Office, [FR Doc. 2017–18959 Filed 9–6–17; 8:45 am]
Type of Review: Revision of a 20 M Street SE., Suite 950, Washington BILLING CODE 4310–GJ–P
currently approved collection. DC, 20003.
Respondents/Affected Public: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Respondents include Federal and State Leon Chmura, Acting Chief Cadastral DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
agencies, universities, and biomedical Surveyor for Eastern States; (202) 912–
companies who conduct tagging and 7760. Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service
members of the general public provide Eastern States Office, 20 M Street SE., [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–24008;
recapture information. Suite 950, Washington DC, 20003. Attn: PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000]
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Total Estimated Number of Annual Cadastral Survey. Persons who use a
Respondents: 1,987. telecommunications device for the deaf National Register of Historic Places;
Total Estimated Number of Annual (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Notification of Pending Nominations
Responses: 3,656. Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to and Related Actions
Estimated Completion Time per contact the above individual during AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
Response: Varies from 5 minutes to 95 normal business hours. The FRS is
ACTION: Notice.
hours, depending on activity. available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
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Document Created: 2017-09-07 02:02:01
Document Modified: 2017-09-07 02:02:01
| 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 information collection; request for comment. | |
| Dates | Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before November 6, 2017. | |
| Contact | To request additional information about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by telephone at (703) 358-2503. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 42359 |
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