82 FR 47021 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 194 (October 10, 2017)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 194 (October 10, 2017)
| Page Range | 47021-47023 | |
| FR Document | 2017-21733 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 47021-47023] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-21733] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-HQ-ES-2017-N096; FXHC11220900000-167-FF09E33000; OMB Control Number 1018-0148] Agency Information Collection Activities; Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines 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. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 11, 2017. 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 1018-0148 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. [[Page 47022]] 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: As wind energy production increased, both developers and wildlife agencies recognize the need for a system to evaluate and address the potential negative impacts of wind energy projects on species of concern. As a result, the Service worked with the wind energy industry, conservation non-governmental organizations, federal and state agencies, Tribes, and academia to develop the voluntary Land- Based Wind Energy Guidelines (Guidelines; http://www.fws.gov/windenergy) to provide a structured, scientific process for addressing wildlife conservation concerns at all stages of land-based wind energy development. Released in 2012, the Guidelines promote effective communication among wind energy developers and Federal, State, tribal, and local conservation agencies. When used in concert with appropriate regulatory tools, the Guidelines are the best practical approach for conserving species of concern. The Guidelines discuss various risks to species of concern from wind energy projects, including collisions with wind turbines and associated infrastructure; loss and degradation of habitat from turbines and infrastructure; fragmentation of large habitat blocks into smaller segments that may not support sensitive species; displacement and behavioral changes; and indirect effects such as increased predator populations or introduction of invasive plants. The Guidelines assist developers in identifying species of concern that may potentially be affected by proposed projects, including, but not limited to:Migratory birds; Bats; Bald and golden eagles, and other birds of prey; Prairie chickens and sage grouse; and Listed, proposed, or candidate endangered and threatened species. The Guidelines follow a tiered approach. The wind energy developer begins at Tier 1 or Tier 2, which entails gathering of existing data to help identify any potential risks to wildlife and their habitats at proposed wind energy project sites. The developer then proceeds through subsequent tiers, as appropriate, to collect information in increasing detail until the level of risk is adequately ascertained and a decision on whether or not to develop the site can be made. Many projects may not proceed beyond Tier 1 or 2, when developers become aware of potential barriers, including high risks to wildlife. Developers would only have an interest in adhering to the Guidelines for those projects that proceed beyond Tier 1 or 2. At each tier, wind energy developers and operators should retain documentation to provide to the Service. Such documentation may include copies of correspondence with the Service, results of pre- and post- construction studies conducted at project sites, bird and bat conservation strategies, or any other record that supports a developer's adherence to the Guidelines. The extent of the documentation will depend on the conditions of the site being developed. Sites with greater risk of impacts to wildlife and habitats will likely involve more extensive communication with the Service and longer durations of pre- and post-construction studies than sites with little risk. Distributed or community-scale wind energy projects are unlikely to have significant adverse impacts to wildlife and their habitats. The Guidelines recommend that developers of these small-scale projects conduct the desktop analysis described in Tier 1 or Tier 2 using publicly available information to determine whether they should communicate with the Service. Since such project designs usually include a single turbine associated with existing development, conducting a Tier 1 or Tier 2 analysis for distributed or community- scale wind energy projects should incur limited non-hour burden costs. For such projects, if there is no potential risk identified, a developer will have no need to communicate with the Service regarding the project or to conduct studies described in Tiers 3, 4, and 5. Adherence to the Guidelines is voluntary. Following the Guidelines does not relieve any individual, company, or agency of the responsibility to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Developers of wind energy projects have a responsibility to comply with the law; for example, they must obtain incidental take authorization for species protected by the Endangered Species Act and/or Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Title of Collection: Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines. OMB Control Number: 1018-0148. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: Developers and operators of wind energy facilities. Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary. Frequency of Collection: On occasion. Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $7,187,265. Costs will depend on the size and complexity of issues associated with each project. These expenses may include, but are not limited to: Travel expenses for site visits, studies conducted, and meetings with the Service and other Federal and State agencies; training in survey methodologies; data management; special transportation, such as all- terrain vehicles or helicopters; equipment needed for acoustic, telemetry, or radar monitoring, and carcass storage. [[Page 47023]] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total Estimated Total estimated estimated completion estimated Requirement number of Number of number of time per number of annual responses each annual response annual burden respondents responses (hours) hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 1 (Desktop Analysis) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 40 1 40 80 3,200 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 1 40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 2 (Site Characterization) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 35 1 35 366 12,810 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 3 105 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 3 (Pre-construction studies) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 30 1 30 14,690 440,700 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 5 150 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 4 (Post-construction fatality monitoring and habitat studies) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 45 1 45 4,018 180,810 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 5 225 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tier 5 (Other post-construction studies) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporting....................... 10 1 10 6,934 69,340 Recordkeeping................... .............. .............. .............. 5 50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals...................... 160 .............. 160 .............. 707,430 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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). Madonna L. Baucum, Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2017-21733 Filed 10-6-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2017 / Notices 47021
2009), which call on all Federal (Spheniscus demersus) to enhance the VI. Authority
agencies to promote openness and propagation or survival of the species. The authority for this action is the
transparency in Government by This notification covers activities to be Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
disclosing information to the public, we conducted by the applicant over a 5- U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
invite public comment on these permit year period.
applications before final action is taken. Joyce Russell,
Applicant: Lucky 7 Exotics Ranch, Government Information Specialist, Branch
III. Permit Applications Eden, TX; PRT–70470A of Permits, Division of Management
We invite the public to comment on The applicant requests a renewal of a Authority.
applications to conduct certain captive-bred wildlife registration under [FR Doc. 2017–21660 Filed 10–6–17; 8:45 am]
activities with endangered species. With 50 CFR 17.21(g) for barasingha BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
some exceptions, the Endangered (Rucervus duvaucelii), Eld’s deer
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; (Rucervus eldii), Arabian oryx (Oryx
ESA) prohibits activities with listed leucoryx), and red lechwe (Kobus leche) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
species unless Federal authorization is to enhance the propagation or survival
acquired that allows such activities. Fish and Wildlife Service
of the species. This notification covers
Applicant: Zoological Society of San activities to be conducted by the [FWS–HQ–ES–2017–N096;
Diego, San Diego, CA; PRT–33261C applicant over a 5-year period. FXHC11220900000–167–FF09E33000; OMB
The applicant requests a permit to Control Number 1018–0148]
Multiple Trophy Applicants
import one male captive-born Amur
leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) Agency Information Collection
The following applicants each request Activities; Land-Based Wind Energy
from the Parco Faunistico La Torbiera a permit to import sport-hunted trophies
Zoo, Piemonte, Italy, to enhance the Guidelines
of a male bontebok (Damaliscus
propagation or survival of the species. pygargus pygargus) culled from a AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
This notification is for a single import. captive herd maintained under the Interior.
Applicant: St. Catherine’s Island management program of the Republic of ACTION: Notice of information collection;
Foundation, Midway, GA; PRT– South Africa, to enhance the request for comment.
34507C propagation or survival of the species.
The applicant requests a permit to SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Applicant: Ronald D. Urbanczyk, San Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
export 12 male captive-born ring-tailed Antonio, TX; PRT–36855C
lemurs (Lemur catta) to Australia Zoo, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Queensland, Australia, to enhance the Applicant: Richard Frank Rueden, New (Service) are proposing to renew an
propogation or survival of the species. Berlin, WI; PRT–35535C information collection.
This notification is for a single export. Applicant: John T. Tubbs, Belgrade, MT; DATES: Interested persons are invited to
Applicant: Auburn University, Auburn, PRT–33449C submit comments on or before
AL; PRT–33510C December 11, 2017.
IV. Next Steps ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the
The applicant requests a permit to
import biological samples from captive- If the Service decides to issue permits information collection request (ICR) by
held Asian elephants (Elephas to any of the applicants listed in this mail to the Service Information
maximus) from Canada for the purpose Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish
notice, we will publish a notice in the
of scientific research. This notification and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275
Federal Register. You may locate the
covers activities to be conducted by the Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–
Federal Register notice announcing the
applicant over a 5-year period. 3803 (mail); or by email to Info_Coll@
permit issuance date by searching
fws.gov. Please reference OMB Control
Applicant: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, regulations.gov under the permit
Number 1018–0148 in the subject line of
Powell, Ohio; PRT–28059C number listed in this document.
your comments.
The applicant requests a permit to V. Public Comments FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
export two captive-born bonobo (Pan
request additional information about
paniscus) to Germany to enhance the You may submit your comments and
this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum,
propagation or survival of the species. materials concerning this notice by one
Service Information Collection
This notification is for a single export. of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We Clearance Officer, by email at Info_
Applicant: Thomas Wright, Queen will not consider comments sent by Coll@fws.gov, or by telephone at (703)
Creek, AZ; PRT–21374C email or fax or to an address not listed 358–2503.
The applicant requests a captive-bred in ADDRESSES.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
wildlife registration under 50 CFR If you submit a comment via accordance with the Paperwork
17.21(g) for the golden parakeet regulations.gov, your entire comment, Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the
(Guaruba guarouba) to enhance the including any personal identifying general public and other Federal
propagation or survival of the species. information, will be posted on the Web agencies with an opportunity to
This notification covers activities to be site. If you submit a hardcopy comment comment on new, proposed, revised,
conducted by the applicant over a 5- that includes personal identifying and continuing collections of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
year period. information, you may request at the top information. This helps us assess the
Applicant: Ripley’s Aquarium of your document that we withhold this impact of our information collection
(Gatlinburg), L.L.C., Gatlinburg, TN; information from public review. requirements and minimize the public’s
PRT–72630A However, we cannot guarantee that we reporting burden. It also helps the
The applicant requests a renewal of a will be able to do so. public understand our information
captive-bred wildlife registration under We will post all hardcopy comments collection requirements and provide the
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the jackass penguin on regulations.gov. requested data in the desired format.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:26 Oct 06, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM 10OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_47215/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 10, 2017 / Notices 47023
Total Total Estimated Total
estimated Number of estimated completion estimated
Requirement number of responses number of time per number of
annual each annual response annual burden
respondents responses (hours) hours
Tier 1 (Desktop Analysis)
Reporting .............................................................................. 40 1 40 80 3,200
Recordkeeping ..................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 1 40
Tier 2 (Site Characterization)
Reporting .............................................................................. 35 1 35 366 12,810
Recordkeeping ..................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 3 105
Tier 3 (Pre-construction studies)
Reporting .............................................................................. 30 1 30 14,690 440,700
Recordkeeping ..................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 5 150
Tier 4 (Post-construction fatality monitoring and habitat studies)
Reporting .............................................................................. 45 1 45 4,018 180,810
Recordkeeping ..................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 5 225
Tier 5 (Other post-construction studies)
Reporting .............................................................................. 10 1 10 6,934 69,340
Recordkeeping ..................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................ 5 50
Totals ............................................................................ 160 ........................ 160 ........................ 707,430
An agency may not conduct or Office, Bureau of Land Management, North, Range 10 East, of the New
sponsor and a person is not required to 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted
respond to a collection of information Mexico. Copies may be obtained from June 8, 2017, for Group 1180 NM. This
unless it displays a currently valid OMB this office upon payment. Contact survey was executed at the request of
control number. Carlos Martinez at 505–954–2096, or by the U.S. Forest Service, Region 3, and is
The authority for this action is the email at cjjmarti@blm.gov, for necessary for the management of these
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 assistance. Persons who use a lands.
U.S.C. 3501 et seq). telecommunications device for the deaf The plat representing the dependent
Madonna L. Baucum, (TDD) may call the Federal Information resurvey and survey in Township 23
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 North, Range 5 East, of the New Mexico
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. to contact the above individual during Principal Meridian, accepted September
normal business hours. 26, 2017, for Group 1171 NM. This
[FR Doc. 2017–21733 Filed 10–6–17; 8:45 am]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: survey was executed at the request of
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and
New Mexico Principal Meridian, New is necessary for the management of
Mexico (NM) these lands.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The plat, in three sheets, representing The plat representing the dependent
Bureau of Land Management the dependent resurvey and survey, in resurvey and survey in Township 27
Townships 13 & 14 North, Range 17 North, Range 20 West, of the New
[LLNM950000L13400000.BX0000] Mexico Principal Meridian, accepted
West, of the New Mexico Principal
Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey, New Meridian, accepted September 6, 2017, August 9, 2017, for Group 1177 NM.
Mexico for Group 1186 NM. This survey was This survey was executed at the request
executed at the request of the Bureau of of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Indian Affairs, Southwest Region, and is Region, and is necessary for the
Interior. necessary for the management of these management of these lands.
ACTION: Notice of filing of Plats of lands. The Supplemental plat representing
Survey. The plat representing the dependent Township 29 North, Range 11 East, of
resurvey and survey in Township 19 the New Mexico Principal Meridian,
SUMMARY: The plats of survey described North, Range 9 East, of the New Mexico accepted July 13, 2017, for Group 1187
below are scheduled to be officially Principal Meridian, accepted May 25, NM. This survey was executed at the
filed in the New Mexico State Office, request of the Bureau of Land
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
2017, for Group 1120 NM. This survey
Bureau of Land Management (BLM), was executed at the request of the Management, Taos District Office, and is
Santa Fe, New Mexico, thirty (30) Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southwest necessary for the management of these
calendar days from the date of this Region, for the Pojoaque Pueblo, and is lands.
publication. necessary for the management of these The Supplemental plat representing
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: lands. Township 21 North, Range 10 East, of
These plats will be available for The plat representing the dependent the New Mexico Principal Meridian,
inspection in the New Mexico State resurvey and survey in Township 18 accepted December 14, 2016, for Group
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:26 Oct 06, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM 10OCN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_47215/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-10-07 10:32:10
Document Modified: 2017-10-07 10:32:10
| 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 information collection; request for comment. | |
| Dates | Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 11, 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 47021 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR