83 FR 14023 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Four Invertebrate Species of the Pecos River Valley
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 63 (April 2, 2018)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 63 (April 2, 2018)
| Page Range | 14023-14025 | |
| FR Document | 2018-06614 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 14023-14025] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-06614] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-ES-2018-N278; FXES11130200000C2-112-FF02ENNM00] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Four Invertebrate Species of the Pecos River Valley AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our draft recovery plan for four invertebrate species-- Noel's Amphipod, Koster's springsnail, Roswell springsnail, and Pecos assiminea--all of which are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). These invertebrate species are currently found in southeastern New Mexico and southwest Texas. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria to be met in order to enable us to remove these species from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. We request review and comment on this plan from local, State, and Federal agencies; Tribes; and the public. We will also accept any new information on the status of these species throughout their range to assist in finalizing the recovery plan. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before June 1, 2018. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the draft recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by any one of the following methods:internet: www.fws.gov/southwest/es/; U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NM Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113; or Telephone: 505-346-2542. If you wish to comment on the draft recovery plan, you may submit your comments in writing by any one of the following methods: U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the above address; Hand-delivery: New Mexico Ecological Services Office, at the above address; Fax: 505-346-2542; or Email: Debra_Hill@fws.gov. For additional information about submitting comments, see the ``Request for Public Comments'' section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debra Hill, New Mexico Energy Streamlining Program Coordinator, at the above address and phone number, or by email at debra_hill@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Recovery means improvement of the status of listed species to the point at which listing is no longer appropriate under the criteria set out in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Species History Noel's amphipod (Gammarus desperatus), Koster's springsnail (Juturnia kosteri), Roswell springsnail (Pyrgulopsis roswellensis), and Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos) (four invertebrates) are associated with spring systems in desert-grasslands in southeastern New Mexico and southwestern Texas. In 2005, the four invertebrates were federally listed as endangered throughout their range, including the Roswell Basin aquifer system in southeastern New Mexico and the Toyah and Coyanosa Basins in southwest Texas. All four species are found on Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge in southern New Mexico. Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos) is also located at Diamond Y and East Sandia Spring in west Texas. Critical habitat was designated for the four species in 2011. Water quantity decreases and associated spring flow declines are the primary threats to the four invertebrate species. Groundwater pumping in the [[Page 14024]] Roswell Basin, New Mexico, and in Pecos and Reeves Counties, Texas, has led to the drying of several springs, many of which are known to have harbored one or more of the four invertebrate species. Droughts and climate change can also affect springs and groundwater recharge through decreased flow, and indirectly through increased groundwater pumping. Threats to water quality are considered to be less significant than threats to water quantity, yet still important due to the species' extremely limited range and specialized tolerances that could be impacted by spills of high magnitude (degree to which the threats are affecting or can affect the species) or scope (how much of the species' range the threats are affecting or can affect). Sources of water quality degradation include, but are not limited to (1) contamination of ground water, (2) limited oil and gas activities, (3) hazardous materials spills from train derailments or other causes, (4) golden algae blooms, and (5) urbanization and stormwater runoff, all of which are expected to increase in the future. All four invertebrate species have a localized range, limited mobility, and fragmented habitat, meaning that any perturbation, either natural or anthropogenic, could eliminate many or all of the existing populations. Having a high number of individuals at a site provides little protection against extinction should their habitat become dry or contaminated. Limited mobility restricts their dispersal abilities and the fragmented (unconnected) habitat restricts gene flow among populations. Additional threats include invasive species, inadequate existing regulatory mechanisms, and climate change. The overall strategy involves preserving, restoring, and managing their aquatic habitat, along with the water resources necessary to support resilient populations of these species and the ecosystems on which they depend. More specifically, the strategy is to: Ensure adequate water quantity; protect and improve water quality; protect and restore surface habitats; maintain and manage populations throughout each species' range, including conducting monitoring and research and establishing emergency programs necessary to maintain the species in captivity in case of catastrophic events; control invasive and predatory species; collaborate with partners to achieve conservation goals in balance with community water needs; and engage in community outreach to promote the importance of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and its diverse array of wildlife, including sensitive, rare aquatic invertebrates, worthy of preserving. Employment of this strategy will lead to preservation of the array of habitat types used by the invertebrates, and protection of genetic diversity (representation) of each of the four species. Recovery Plan Goals The objective of an agency recovery plan is to provide a framework for the recovery of a species so that protection under the Act is no longer necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about the species and provides criteria and actions necessary for us to be able to reclassify the species to threatened status or remove it from the List. Recovery plans help guide our recovery efforts by describing actions we consider necessary for the species' conservation and by estimating time and costs for implementing needed recovery measures. This draft recovery plan identifies the following objectives to achieve the goal of species' recovery: 1. Securing the long-term survival of each species with the appropriate number, size, and distribution of populations; 2. Preserving sites that contain the necessary elements for each species' persistence, such as adequate water quantity and quality; 3. Reducing threats within management units so that the four invertebrate species' populations are capable of enduring stressors; 4. Conducting monitoring and research to understand population patterns, maintain genetic diversity, and identify new sites for species' introductions or repatriation; and 5. Working with others to develop long-term management plans and educational approaches that will protect the four invertebrates and inform the community about their habitat needs and ecological importance. The draft recovery plan contains recovery criteria based on maintaining and increasing population numbers and habitat quality and quantity and mitigating significant threats to the species. Recovery actions to attain the recovery criteria focus on protecting populations, managing threats, maintaining habitat, monitoring progress, and building partnerships to facilitate recovery. When the recovery of the four species approaches these criteria, we will review the species' status and consider downlisting, and, ultimately, removal from the list of federally threatened and endangered species. Request for Public Comments Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. It is also our policy to request peer review of recovery plans (July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an appendix to the approved recovery plan, we will summarize and respond to the issues raised by the public and peer reviewers. Substantive comments may or may not result in changes to the recovery plan; comments regarding recovery plan implementation will be forwarded as appropriate to Federal or other entities so that they can be taken into account during the course of implementing recovery actions. Responses to individual commenters will not be provided, but we will provide a summary of how we addressed substantive comments in an appendix to the approved recovery plan. We invite written comments on the draft recovery plan. In particular, we are interested in additional information regarding the current threats to the species and the implementation of the recommended recovery actions. Before we approve our final recovery plan, we will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES, above. Methods of submitting comments are in the ADDRESSES section above. 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 to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Comments and materials we receive will be available, by appointment, for public inspection during normal business hours at our office (see ADDRESSES). References Cited A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of Recovery (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section). Authority We developed our draft recovery plan under the authority of section 4(f) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under section 4(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). [[Page 14025]] Dated: _February 1, 2018. Joy E. Nicholopoulos, Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2018-06614 Filed 3-30-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 63 / Monday, April 2, 2018 / Notices 14023
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: information technology, e.g., permitting Office, 2105 Osuna NE, Albuquerque,
Colette Pollard, Reports Management electronic submission of responses. NM 87113; or
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing HUD encourages interested parties to • Telephone: 505–346–2542.
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street submit comment in response to these If you wish to comment on the draft
SW, Washington, DC 20410; email questions. recovery plan, you may submit your
Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@ Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork comments in writing by any one of the
hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. following methods:
This is not a toll-free number. Persons • U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, at the
Dated: March 12, 2018.
with hearing or speech impairments above address;
may access this number through TTY by Keith W. Surber, • Hand-delivery: New Mexico
calling the toll-free Federal Relay Chief Procurement Officer. Ecological Services Office, at the above
Service at (800) 877–8339. [FR Doc. 2018–06563 Filed 3–30–18; 8:45 am] address;
Copies of available documents BILLING CODE 4210–67–P • Fax: 505–346–2542; or
submitted to OMB may be obtained • Email: Debra_Hill@fws.gov.
from Ms. Pollard. For additional information about
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR submitting comments, see the ‘‘Request
notice informs the public that HUD is for Public Comments’’ section below.
seeking approval from OMB for the Fish and Wildlife Service FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
information collection described in Debra Hill, New Mexico Energy
[FWS–R2–ES–2018–N278;
Section A. FXES11130200000C2–112–FF02ENNM00] Streamlining Program Coordinator, at
A. Overview of Information Collection the above address and phone number, or
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife by email at debra_hill@fws.gov.
Title of Information Collection: HUD and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Acquisition Regulation (HUDAR) (48 Four Invertebrate Species of the Pecos
CFR 24). River Valley Background
OMB Approval Number: 2535–0091.
Type of Request: This is an extension Recovery of endangered or threatened
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, animals and plants to the point where
of a currently approved collection. The Interior.
HUDAR supplements the Federal they are again secure, self-sustaining
ACTION: Notice of availability; request members of their ecosystems is a
Acquisition Regulation (FAR). for comment.
Information collection required of the primary goal of our endangered species
public is solely in connection with the program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife
acquisition process. seq.). Recovery means improvement of
Service (Service), announce the
Form Number: HUD–770. the status of listed species to the point
availability of our draft recovery plan
Description of the need for the at which listing is no longer appropriate
for four invertebrate species—Noel’s
information and proposed use: The under the criteria set out in section
Amphipod, Koster’s springsnail,
HUDAR (48 CFR 24) contains the 4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the
Roswell springsnail, and Pecos
Department’s supplement to the Federal development of recovery plans for listed
assiminea—all of which are listed as
Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 48 CFR species, unless such a plan would not
endangered under the Endangered
Chapter 1. The FAR sets forth uniform promote the conservation of a particular
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
policies and procedures applicable to species.
These invertebrate species are currently
Federal agencies in the procurement of found in southeastern New Mexico and Species History
personal property and non-personal southwest Texas. The draft recovery
services (including construction) and Noel’s amphipod (Gammarus
plan includes specific recovery desperatus), Koster’s springsnail
the procurement of real property by objectives and criteria to be met in order
lease. (Juturnia kosteri), Roswell springsnail
to enable us to remove these species (Pyrgulopsis roswellensis), and Pecos
B. Solicitation of Public Comment from the list of endangered and assiminea (Assiminea pecos) (four
threatened wildlife and plants. We invertebrates) are associated with spring
This notice is soliciting comments request review and comment on this
from members of the public and affected systems in desert-grasslands in
plan from local, State, and Federal southeastern New Mexico and
parties concerning the collection of agencies; Tribes; and the public. We
information described in Section A on southwestern Texas. In 2005, the four
will also accept any new information on invertebrates were federally listed as
the following: the status of these species throughout
(1) Whether the proposed collection endangered throughout their range,
their range to assist in finalizing the including the Roswell Basin aquifer
of information is necessary for the recovery plan.
proper performance of the functions of system in southeastern New Mexico and
DATES: To ensure consideration, we the Toyah and Coyanosa Basins in
the agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility; must receive written comments on or southwest Texas. All four species are
(2) The accuracy of the agency’s before June 1, 2018. However, we will found on Bitter Lake National Wildlife
estimate of the burden of the proposed accept information about any species at Refuge in southern New Mexico. Pecos
collection of information; any time. assiminea (Assiminea pecos) is also
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the located at Diamond Y and East Sandia
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
utility, and clarity of the information to draft recovery plan, you may obtain a Spring in west Texas. Critical habitat
be collected; and copy by any one of the following was designated for the four species in
(4) Ways to minimize the burden of methods: 2011.
the collection of information on those • internet: www.fws.gov/southwest/ Water quantity decreases and
who are to respond; including through es/; associated spring flow declines are the
the use of appropriate automated • U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife primary threats to the four invertebrate
collection techniques or other forms of Service, NM Ecological Services Field species. Groundwater pumping in the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 63 / Monday, April 2, 2018 / Notices 14025
Dated: _February 1, 2018. recreation fee proposals, and other CFR part 60, written comments are
Joy E. Nicholopoulos, planning updates. being accepted concerning the
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, A public comment period will take significance of the nominated properties
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. place on May 22 from 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 under the National Register criteria for
[FR Doc. 2018–06614 Filed 3–30–18; 8:45 am] p.m., where the public may address the evaluation.
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P RAC/RRAC. Depending on the number Before including your address, phone
of people who wish to speak, and the number, email address, or other
time available, the time for individual personal identifying information in your
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR comments may be limited. Written comment, you should be aware that
comments may also be sent to the BLM your entire comment—including your
Bureau of Land Management Utah State Office at the address listed in personal identifying information—may
[18X L1109AF LLUT980300 L12200000. the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. be made publicly available at any time.
PM0000–24–1A] The meeting is open to the public; While you can ask us in your comment
however, transportation, lodging, and to withhold your personal identifying
Notice of Public Meeting for the Utah meals are the responsibility of the information from public review, we
Resource Advisory Council/Recreation participating individuals. cannot guarantee that we will be able to
Resource Advisory Council Before including your address, phone do so.
number, email address, or other Nominations submitted by State
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, personal identifying information in your Historic Preservation Officers:
Interior. comments, please be aware that your
ACTION: Notice of public meeting. entire comment, including your CALIFORNIA
personal identifying information, may Los Angeles County
SUMMARY: In accordance with the be made publicly available at any time.
Federal Land Policy and Management Torrey, Joseph and Carrie, House, 711 Daisy
While you can ask us in your comment Ave., Long Beach, SG100002319
Act, the Federal Advisory Committee to withhold your personal identifying
Act, and the Federal Lands Recreation information from public review, we San Bernardino County
Enhancement Act, the U.S. Department cannot guarantee that we will be able to Integratron, 2477 Belfield Blvd., Landers,
of the Interior, Bureau of Land do so. SG100002317
Management’s (BLM) Utah Resource CONNECTICUT
Advisory Council (RAC)/Recreation Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2
Resource Advisory Council (RRAC) will Edwin L. Roberson, Fairfield County
meet as indicated below. State Director. Bridge Street Historic District, Bridge St.,
DATES: The Utah RAC/RRAC will hold Imperial Ave. & Compo Rd. S, Westport,
[FR Doc. 2018–06673 Filed 3–30–18; 8:45 am]
SG100002318
a public meeting on May 21 and 22, BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P
2018. The group will meet on May 21 New Haven County
from 1 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on May 22 Morris Cove Historic District, Between Dean
from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR & Myron Sts., Morris Causeway &
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Townsend Ave., New Haven, SG100002320
the BLM Utah State Office, 440 West National Park Service
New London County
200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–25240; Stonington Cemetery, SE corner of Main St.
Utah 84101. Written comments may be PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000] & US 1, Stonington, SG100002321
sent to the BLM Utah State Office, 440 Sound View Historic District, 4–88 Hartford,
West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake National Register of Historic Places; 4–70 Portland, & 5–86 Swan Aves., 275–
City, Utah 84101. Notification of Pending Nominations 287 Shore Rd., Old Lyme, SG100002322
and Related Actions
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lola ILLINOIS
Bird, Public Affairs Specialist, BLM AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. Madison County
Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, ACTION: Notice.
Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101; Glen Carbon Village Hall and Firehouse, 180
SUMMARY: The National Park Service is Summit Ave., Glen Carbon, SG100002326
phone (801) 539–4033; or email lbird@
blm.gov. Persons who use a soliciting comments on the significance McLean County
telecommunications device for the deaf of properties nominated before March Bloomington High School, 510 E Washington
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay 10, 2018, for listing or related actions in St., Bloomington, SG100002327
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to the National Register of Historic Places.
Rock Island County
leave a message or question for the DATES: Comments should be submitted
above individual. The FRS is available by April 17, 2018. Best Building, 1701–03 2nd Ave., Rock
Island, SG100002328
24 hours a day, seven days a week. ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent via
Replies are provided during normal U.S. Postal Service and all other carriers Wayne County
business hours. to the National Register of Historic House at 502 SE 4th St., 502 SE 4th St.,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agenda Places, National Park Service, 1849 C St. Fairfield, SG100002329
topics include BLM updates from the NW, MS 7228, Washington, DC 20240. IOWA
State Director, fire dispatch study SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
Lee County
implementation, 2018 fire season properties listed in this notice are being
outlook, updates for the planning considered for listing or related actions Old Fort Madison and Battlefield (Boundary
process of Grand Staircase-Escalante in the National Register of Historic Increase), Address Restricted, Fort
Madison vicinity, BC100002323
and Bears Ears National Monuments, Places. Nominations for their
Watershed Protection Task Force, consideration were received by the Polk County
Mountain Accord, Washington County National Park Service before March 10, Hippee Building, 206 6th Ave., Des Moines,
issues, Lake Powell pipeline project, 2018. Pursuant to Section 60.13 of 36 SG100002325
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Document Created: 2018-11-01 09:09:05
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 09:09:05
| 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 comment. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before June 1, 2018. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. | |
| Contact | Debra Hill, New Mexico Energy | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 14023 |
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