82 FR 57784 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Availability of a Proposed Amendment to a Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Florida Scrub-Jay, Manatee and Hardee Counties, FL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 234 (December 7, 2017)

Page Range		57784-57785
FR Document		2017-26360

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC (Applicant) for amendment of incidental take permit (ITP) number TE236128-1 under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, in Manatee and Hardee Counties, Florida. We request public comments on the application and accompanying proposed amended habitat conservation plan (HCP) as well as on our preliminary determination that the plan qualifies as low-effect under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, which are also available for review.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 234 (Thursday, December 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57784-57785]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26360]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2017-N145; FXES11130400000EA-123-FF04EF1000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Availability of a 
Proposed Amendment to a Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the 
Florida Scrub-Jay, Manatee and Hardee Counties, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an 
application from Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC (Applicant) for amendment of 
incidental take permit (ITP) number TE236128-1 under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended, in Manatee and Hardee Counties, 
Florida. We request public comments on the application and accompanying 
proposed amended habitat conservation plan (HCP) as well as on our 
preliminary determination that the plan qualifies as low-effect under 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To make this 
determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-
effect screening form, which are also available for review.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
January 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments or request copies of the 
application, HCP, environmental action statement, or low-effect 
screening form, by any one of the following methods:
    Email: [email protected]. Use ``Attn: Permit number TE236128-2'' 
as your subject line.
    Fax: Field Supervisor, (904) 731-3191, Attn: Permit number 
TE236128-2.
    U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Ecological Services Field 
Office, Attn: Permit number TE236128-2, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
    In-person: You may deliver comments during regular business hours 
at the office address listed above under U.S. Mail or inspect the 
application, HCP, environmental action statement, or low-effect 
screening form by appointment during normal business hours at the same 
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731-
3121; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA and our implementing Federal regulations in 
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17 prohibit the 
``take'' of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or 
threatened. Take of listed fish or wildlife is defined under the ESA as 
``to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or 
collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 
1532(19)). However, under limited circumstances, we issue permits to 
authorize incidental take--i.e., take that is incidental to, and not 
the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity.
    Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered and 
threatened species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, respectively. The 
ESA's take prohibitions do not apply to federally listed plants on 
private lands unless such take would violate State law. In addition to 
meeting other criteria, an incidental take permit's proposed actions 
must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, 
or plants.

Applicant's Proposal

    Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC, is requesting amendment to existing 
incidental take permit number TE236128-1, which was issued on May 18, 
2012, and made available via the Federal Register on February 28, 2012 
(77 FR 12074). Permit number TE236128-1 authorized the take of 
approximately 75 acres (ac) of occupied Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma 
coerulescens) habitat incidental to land clearing and phosphate mining 
and of no more than three eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais 
couperi) within each 5-year period throughout the 41-year-long duration 
of the permit within the 4,345-ac project area located on parcel 
#45400059, within sections 13, 22-27, and 34, Township 34 South, Range 
22 East, Manatee County, Florida. The requested amendment is to expand 
the area in which eastern indigo snakes may be incidentally taken to 
include an additional 900 acres located in sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 
and 30 of Township 34 South, Range 23 East, in western Hardee County 
adjacent to the Manatee County parcel. No increase in the amount of 
take for the eastern indigo snake or the Florida scrub-jay has been 
requested. The HCP describes the measures the Applicant proposes to 
undertake to mitigate and minimize the effects of the project on the 
threatened Florida scrub-jay and threatened eastern indigo snake.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We have determined that the Applicant's proposal, including the 
proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or 
negligible effects on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, we 
have determined that the ITP for this project would be ``low effect'' 
and qualify as a categorically excluded under NEPA, as provided by 43 
CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A low-effect HCP is one involving (1) minor or 
negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species and their 
habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental 
values or resources.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate the HCP and comments we receive to determine 
whether the ITP application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of 
the ESA. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the ITP complies 
with section 7 of the ESA by conducting an intra-Service consultation. 
We will use the results of this consultation, in combination with the 
above findings, in our final analysis to determine whether or not to 
issue the amended ITP. If the requirements are met, we will issue ITP 
number TE236128-2 to the applicant.

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the permit application, HCP, or 
associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods 
listed above 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

[[Page 57785]]

to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, 
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Authority: We provide this notice under section 10 of the ESA 
and NEPA regulation 40 CFR 1506.6.

Jay B. Herrington,
Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2017-26360 Filed 12-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 234 / Thursday, December 7, 2017 / Notices 57785

to withhold your personal identifying SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 10- DATES: The Southeast Oregon RAC’s
information from public review, we member Council advises the Secretary LWCSubcommittee will meet via
cannot guarantee that we will be able to of the Interior, through the BLM, on a teleconference Wednesday, December
do so. variety of planning and management 20, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Authority: We provide this notice under issues associated with the resource Mountain Time. There will be a public
section 10 of the ESA and NEPA regulation management plan (RMP) process for the comment period from 3:15 p.m. to 3:45
40 CFR 1506.6. Dominguez-Escalante NCA and p.m.
Dominguez Canyon Wilderness. Topics ADDRESSES: The LWC subcommittee
Jay B. Herrington, of discussion during the meeting may meeting will be held via teleconference.
Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, include presentations from BLM staff on The telephone conference line number
Southeast Region. implementation of the approved RMP for the meeting is 1–866–524–6456,
[FR Doc. 2017–26360 Filed 12–6–17; 8:45 am] and travel management plan. Participant Code: 608605#.
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P These meetings are open to the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
public. At the December 20, 2017, Larisa Bogardus, Public Affairs Officer,
meeting there will be public comment 1301 S G Street, Lakeview, Oregon
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR periods from 4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and
97630; 541–947–6237; lbogardus@
from 5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. At the
Bureau of Land Management blm.gov. Persons who use a
January 8, 2018, meeting there will be
telecommunications device for the deaf
a public comment period from 4:00 p.m.
[LLCOS09000–L16100000–DR0000–18X] (TDD) may call the Federal Relay
to 4:15 p.m. The public may present
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to
Notice of Resource Advisory Council written comments to the Council at the
contact the above individual during
Meetings for the Dominguez-Escalante meeting. Before including your address,
normal business hours. The FRS is
National Conservation Area Advisory phone number, email address, or other
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
Council, Colorado personal identifying information in your
to leave a message or question with the
comment, you should be aware that
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, your entire comment—including your above individual. You will receive a
Interior. personal identifying information—may reply during normal business hours.
be made publicly available at any time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15-
ACTION: Notice of public meetings.
While you can ask us in your comment member Southeast Oregon RAC was
SUMMARY: In accordance with the to withhold your personal identifying chartered and appointed by the
Federal Land Policy and Management information from public review, we Secretary of the Interior. The RAC
Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory cannot guarantee that we will be able to members’ diverse perspectives are
Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. do so. represented in commodity,
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Depending on the number of persons conservation, and general interests.
Land Management (BLM) Dominguez- wishing to comment and time available, They provide advice to BLM and Forest
Escalante National Conservation Area the time for individual oral comments Service resource managers regarding
(NCA) Advisory Council (Council) will may be limited at the discretion of the management plans and proposed
meet as indicated below. chair. resource actions on public land in
DATES: The meetings will be held on
southeast Oregon. Agenda items include
Gregory P. Shoop, discussing possible management
December 20, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. to Acting BLM Colorado State Director.
6:00 p.m. and January 8, 2018, from 3:00 approaches for areas identified by BLM
[FR Doc. 2017–26396 Filed 12–6–17; 8:45 am] as LWC for a subsequent
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Any adjustments to
these meetings will be advertised on the
BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P recommendation to the full Southeast
Dominguez-Escalante NCA Resource Oregon RAC as part of the Vale and
Management Plan (RMP) Web site: Lakeview Districts’ respective Resource
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Management Plan Amendment(s)
http://1.usa.gov/1qKkMVi.
process. A final agenda will be posted
ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held Bureau of Land Management
online at https://www.blm.gov/get-
on December 20, 2017, at the Mesa [LLORV00000. L10200000. DF0000. involved/resource-advisory-council/
County Central Services Building, 200 LXSSH1050000.18X.HAG 18–0031] near-you/oregon-washington/southeast-
S. Spruce St., Room 40, Grand Junction, oregon-rac at least one week prior to
CO 81501 and on January 8, 2018, at the Notice of Public Meetings for the each teleconference.
Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 530 Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory All meetings are open to the public in
Gunnison River Drive, Delta, CO 81416. Council’s Lands With Wilderness their entirety. Information to be
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Characteristics Subcommittee distributed to the LWC Subcommittee or
Collin Ewing, Advisory Council AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, the Southeast Oregon RAC is requested
Designated Federal Official, 2815 H Interior. prior to the start of each meeting.
Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506. Phone: ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.
Before including your address, phone
(970) 244–3049. Email: cewing@blm.gov. number, email address, or other
Persons who use a telecommunications SUMMARY: In accordance with the personal identifying information in your
device for the deaf may call the Federal Federal Land Policy and Management comments, please be aware that your
Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory entire comment—including your
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

to contact the above individual during Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. personal identifying information—may
normal business hours. The FRS is Department of the Interior, Bureau of be made publicly available at any time.
available 24 hours a day, seven days a Land Management (BLM), Southeast While you can ask us in your comment
week, to leave a message or question Oregon Resource Advisory Council to withhold your personal identifying
with the above individual. You will (RAC) Lands with Wilderness information from public review, we
receive a reply during normal business Characteristics (LWC) Subcommittee cannot guarantee that we will be able to
hours. will meet as indicated below. do so.

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Document Created: 2017-12-07 00:34:42
Document Modified: 2017-12-07 00:34:42

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 comments.
Dates		To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by January 8, 2018.
Contact		Erin M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731- 3121; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 57784

82 FR 57784 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Availability of a Proposed Amendment to a Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Florida Scrub-Jay, Manatee and Hardee Counties, FL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 234 (December 7, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service