82 FR 52936 - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Issuance of Depredation Permits for Double-Crested Cormorants

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 219 (November 15, 2017)

This notice advises the public of the completion of an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI). The EA analyzed the potential impacts of a proposal to make decisions on depredation permit applications for the annual take (i.e., lethal removal) of up to 51,571 double-crested cormorants, Phalcrocorax auritus, across 37 central and eastern States and the District of Columbia. The EA considered two alternatives: The proposed action; and the reduced take alternative (which is the preferred alternative). The scope of the EA is to issue permits to manage cormorant damage at aquaculture facilities, protect human health and safety, protect threatened and endangered wildlife, and alleviate damage to property. Based on the analysis contained in the EA, the Service finds that the preferred alternative would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, as outlined in the accompanying FONSI.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 15, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52936-52937]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24702]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-MB-2017-N149; 91200-FF09M21200-178-FXMB1231099BPP0]


Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for 
the Issuance of Depredation Permits for Double-Crested Cormorants

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public of the completion of an 
environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI). The EA analyzed the potential impacts of a proposal to make 
decisions on depredation permit applications for the annual take (i.e., 
lethal removal) of up to 51,571 double-crested cormorants, Phalcrocorax 
auritus, across 37 central and eastern States and the District of 
Columbia. The EA considered two alternatives: The proposed action; and 
the reduced take alternative (which is the preferred alternative). The 
scope of the EA is to issue permits to manage cormorant damage at 
aquaculture facilities, protect human health and safety, protect 
threatened and endangered wildlife, and alleviate damage to property. 
Based on the analysis contained in the EA, the Service finds that the 
preferred alternative would not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, as 
outlined in the accompanying FONSI.

ADDRESSES: You can obtain a copy of the EA and FONSI by writing to the 
Division of Migratory Bird Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls 
Church, VA 22041. We will also post the EA on our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Richkus, Deputy Chief, Division of 
Migratory Bird Management, (703) 358-1730; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is the Federal agency 
delegated the primary responsibility for managing migratory birds. Our 
authority derives from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as 
amended (MBTA or Act, 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), which implements 
conventions with Great Britain (for Canada), Mexico, Japan, and the 
Russia Federation. The MBTA protects certain migratory birds from take, 
except as permitted under the Act. We implement the provisions of the 
MBTA through regulations in parts 10, 13, 20, 21, and 22 of title 50 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Regulations pertaining to 
migratory bird permits are at 50 CFR part 21.
    The EA serves as a framework for the Service to make timely 
decisions on depredation permit applications submitted pursuant to 50 
CFR 21.41 for the lethal take of cormorants. Based on the scope and 
environmental consequences identified in the EA, the

[[Page 52937]]

Service will evaluate each permit application that we receive on an 
individual basis. We will also conduct a tiered review under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 
NEPA) and produce a finding identifying whether any additional actions 
or assessments are needed.
    The proposed action and the preferred alternative in the EA address 
the need of the Service to maintain cormorant populations and process 
depredation permit applications for the lethal take of cormorants to: 
(1) Alleviate damage at or near aquaculture facilities; (2) protect 
human health and safety; (3) protect threatened and endangered species 
(as listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)); and (4) alleviate damage to property. The 
geographic scope of the EA is limited to 37 central and eastern States 
and the District of Columbia, as identified in the EA. This EA assists 
with our compliance with NEPA and aids us in making a determination as 
to whether the actions could ``significantly'' impact the human 
environment, which includes ``the natural and physical environment and 
the relationship of people with that environment'' (40 CFR 1508.14).
    Based on the independent analysis within the EA, the Service has 
found that this action would not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. A FONSI 
has been signed for the proposed action of making decisions on 
depredation permit applications to manage cormorant damage related to 
human health and safety, aquaculture facilities, protection of 
threatened and endangered species, and property damage and is now 
available.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

    Dated: October 27, 2017.
Gregory J. Sheehan,
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24702 Filed 11-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P