83_FR_14351 83 FR 14287 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for Spikedace, Loach Minnow, and Gila Chub; Eagle Creek and Lower San Francisco River in Greenlee and Graham Counties, Arizona

83 FR 14287 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Assessment for a Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for Spikedace, Loach Minnow, and Gila Chub; Eagle Creek and Lower San Francisco River in Greenlee and Graham Counties, Arizona

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 64 (April 3, 2018)

Page Range14287-14289
FR Document2018-06713

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, advise the public that we intend to prepare a draft environmental assessment (EA), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, to evaluate the impacts of, and alternatives to, the proposed issuance of an enhancement of survival permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, to Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Freeport-McMoRan Morenci, Inc., and the Morenci Water and Electric Company (FMMI/MWE) (collectively referred to as the applicant) for conservation of federally-listed fish species. The applicant proposes to draft a safe harbor agreement. Via this notice, we also open a public scoping period.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14287-14289]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06713]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2017-N179; FXES11130200000-189-FF02ENEH00]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Assessment for 
a Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for Spikedace, Loach Minnow, and Gila 
Chub; Eagle Creek and Lower San Francisco River in Greenlee and Graham 
Counties, Arizona

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, advise the public that 
we intend to prepare a draft environmental assessment (EA), pursuant to 
the National Environmental Policy Act, to evaluate the impacts of, and 
alternatives to, the proposed issuance of an enhancement of survival 
permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, to 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Freeport-McMoRan Morenci, Inc., and the Morenci 
Water and Electric Company (FMMI/MWE) (collectively referred to as the 
applicant) for conservation of federally-listed fish species. The 
applicant proposes to draft a safe harbor agreement. Via this notice, 
we also open a public scoping period.

DATES: Written suggestions or comments on alternatives and issues to be 
addressed in the Service's draft environmental analysis must be 
received by close of business on or before May 3, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To request further information or submit written comments, 
use one of the following methods, and note that your information 
request or comment is in reference to the FMMI/MWE NEPA scoping:
     Email: [email protected];
     U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services 
Office, 9828 N 31st Avenue, Suite C3, Phoenix, Arizona 85051;
     Fax: 602-242-2513; or
     Phone: 602-242-0210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), advise the public that we intend to prepare a draft EA, 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.; NEPA), to evaluate the impacts of, and alternatives to, the 
proposed issuance of an enhancement of survival permit (EOS Permit) 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.; ESA), to Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Freeport-McMoRan Morenci, Inc., 
and the Morenci Water and Electric Company (FMMI/MWE) (collectively 
referred to as the applicant) for conservation of three federally-
listed species: The endangered spikedace (Meda fulgida), endangered 
loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), and endangered Gila chub (Gila 
intermedia) (collectively referred to as covered species). In support 
of the EOS Permit, the applicant proposes to draft a safe harbor 
agreement (SHA) for land and water uses at Eagle Creek and the lower 
San Francisco River, as well as for long-term management and monitoring 
activities, including construction of a nonnative fish barrier; an 
exotic species study; annual surveys for covered species and other fish 
species; and the continued implementation of the Spikedace and Loach 
Minnow Management Plan (October 2011) at Eagle Creek and the lower San 
Francisco River in Greenlee and Graham Counties, Arizona.

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit 
``take'' of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered or 
threatened under the ESA. The ESA defines ``take'' as ``to harass, 
harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect 
listed animal species, or attempt to engage in such conduct'' (16 
U.S.C. 1533). The term ``harm'' is defined in the regulations as 
significant habitat modification or degradation that results in death 
or injury to listed species by significantly impairing essential 
behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR 
17.3). However, we may, under specified circumstances, issue permits 
that allow the take of federally listed species, provided that the take 
is incidental to, but not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activity. 
EOS Permits issued to applicants in association with approved SHAs 
authorize incidental take of the covered species from implementation of 
the conservation activities and ongoing covered activities above the 
baseline condition. Baseline condition for a species could be described 
as the existing number of individuals, acres of habitat, or length of 
occupied stream present in the permit area prior to implementation of 
the SHA.
    Application requirements and issuance criteria for EOS permits for 
SHAs are found in the Code of Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 
17.22(c)(2)(ii) and 17.32(c)(2)(ii), respectively. See also the joint 
policy on SHAs, which the Service and the Department of Commerce's 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine 
Fisheries Service published in the Federal Register on June 17, 1999 
(64 FR 32717).
    The purpose of issuing the proposed EOS Permit is to authorize take 
associated with the applicant's proposed activities while conserving 
covered species and their habitats. We expect that the applicant will 
request EOS Permit coverage for a period of 50 years.

The Applicant's Proposed Project

    The proposed activities would include ongoing land and water 
management activities associated with water-related improvements, 
including a diversion dam and appurtenant pumping facilities and 
pipelines, groundwater pumping stations and water transmission 
pipelines, access roads, power lines, and related infrastructure. 
During the term of the SHA, the permittee anticipates improving, 
replacing, repairing, reconstructing, and maintaining these facilities 
and related infrastructure on land adjacent to Eagle Creek and the 
lower San Francisco River. We have worked with the applicant to design 
conservation activities expected to have a net conservation benefit to 
the spikedace, loach minnow, and Gila

[[Page 14288]]

chub within the area to be covered under this proposed SHA. These 
conservation activities would include the following:
    (1) Allocation of $4,000,000 over the next 10 years to complete the 
design and construction of a fish barrier on Eagle Creek to protect and 
enhance aquatic habitat for the covered species. Design of the barrier 
is almost complete, and the location for the barrier has been selected 
by the applicant. The fish barrier would prevent nonnative aquatic 
species from moving upstream into the upper portion of the creek, 
protecting the covered species and their habitat. Loach minnow and Gila 
chub are primarily found above the proposed barrier location, and the 
best remaining habitat for the three species is also above the proposed 
barrier location.
    (2) Development and implementation of a 3-year monitoring program 
to detect the presence of other types of nonnative invasive species 
(e.g., bullfrogs and crayfish) within the upper reach of Eagle Creek, 
and investigation of the practicability and cost of actions to suppress 
the populations of these species in the upper segment of Eagle Creek, 
above the fish barrier.
    (3) Annual monitoring along Eagle Creek and the lower reach of the 
San Francisco River to gather data for use in informing future 
conservation and management activities and assisting in the recovery of 
the Covered Species.
    These conservation activities are expected to:
    (1) Protect existing upper Eagle Creek populations of spikedace, 
loach minnow, and Gila chub, as well as other native fish species, 
against future upstream incursion of nonnative aquatic organisms from 
the Gila River and lower Eagle Creek. Spikedace, loach minnow, and Gila 
chub all occur in approximately 10 to 15 percent of their historical 
ranges, having been extirpated from other areas due to habitat 
alteration, competition with or predation by nonnative species, and 
other factors. The Gila River and lower Eagle Creek are currently 
occupied by a variety of nonnative fish species known to be detrimental 
to native fishes, including flathead catfish, channel catfish, 
smallmouth bass, red shiner, and green sunfish.
    (2) Provide data that can be used to inform future management 
actions to remove nonnative species (e.g., crayfish and bullfrogs) 
within Eagle Creek.
    (3) Provide a cooperative approach that allows for continuation of 
mining operations and native fish conservation.
    Ongoing land and water management activities, as well as 
conservation activities under the SHA, would occur along portions of 
Eagle Creek and the lower San Francisco River in Graham and Greenlee 
Counties, Arizona, on lands currently owned by the applicant.

Potentially Affected Species

    The applicant may apply for an EOS Permit to cover the spikedace, 
loach minnow, and Gila chub. The permit area may include an additional 
three species federally listed as threatened: The western distinct 
population segment of the yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), 
Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis), and narrow-headed 
gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus). The ultimate list of species 
covered by the proposed EOS Permit and associated SHA may change based 
on the outcome of more detailed reviews of the best available science, 
changes to the list of protected species, or further assessments of the 
likelihood of take from the proposed activities.

Possible Alternatives in the Environmental Assessment

    The proposed action presented in the draft EA would be compared to 
the No-Action Alternative. The No-Action Alternative represents the 
estimated future conditions without the proposed Federal action.

No-Action Alternative

    In the No-Action Alternative, the applicant would not request, and 
we would not issue, an EOS Permit for the ongoing use and management of 
land and water along Eagle Creek and the lower San Francisco River. 
Therefore, ongoing use and management of land and water on the 
applicant's property, should incidental take occur, would require the 
applicant to seek coverage for incidental take in some other manner. 
Additionally, the non-native fish barrier would not be built, and 
monitoring would not occur.

Proposed Alternative

    The proposed action would be the issuance of an EOS Permit for the 
covered species for the conservation and covered activities within the 
plan area, when and if the applicant determines to move forward with an 
SHA and development of a nonnative fish barrier. The draft SHA, which 
must be consistent with the final SHA policy (64 FR 32717), would be 
developed in coordination with the Service and implemented by the 
applicant.
    The proposed alternative would need to provide a net conservation 
benefit for the listed species covered by the SHA, and would need to 
provide long-term protection of native fish habitat in portions of 
upper Eagle Creek and the lower San Francisco River. Actions covered 
under the requested EOS Permit may include possible take of the species 
associated with proposed land and water management activities above the 
baseline condition for the species, as well as construction of the 
nonnative fish barrier.

Other Alternatives

    Possible alternatives include mechanical or chemical stream 
renovation with barrier construction, or alternative sites for barrier 
construction. We are requesting information regarding other reasonable 
alternatives during this scoping period.

National Historic Preservation Act

    We will use and coordinate the NEPA process to fulfill our 
obligations under the National Historic Preservation Act [(Pub. L. 89-
665, as amended by Pub. L. 96-515, and as provided in 36 CFR 
800.2(d)(3) and 800.8c)]. A cultural resource inventory has already 
been completed for the project; we will address the findings of that 
report and continue coordinating with tribes and the State Historic 
Preservation Office during project development.

Environmental Review

    The Service will draft an EA to analyze the proposed action, as 
well as other alternatives, and the associated impacts of each 
alternative on the human environment and each species covered for the 
range of alternatives to be addressed. The draft EA is expected to 
provide biological descriptions of the affected species and habitats, 
as well as the effects of the alternatives on other resources, such as 
vegetation, wetlands, wildlife, geology, and soils, air quality, water 
resources, water quality, cultural resources, land use, recreation, 
water use, local economy, and environmental justice, as appropriate for 
the proposed action.

Public Availability of Comments

    Written comments received will become part of the public record 
associated with this action. 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. 
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.

[[Page 14289]]

Authority

    We publish this notice in compliance with NEPA and its implementing 
regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 1506.6, and 1508.22), and section 10(c) of 
the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539(c)).

Amy Lueders,
Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 2018-06713 Filed 4-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P



                                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices                                                                                  14287

                                                         Permit No.                                                                                 Applicant                                                                    Permit issuance date

                                             41581C ...............................     Smithsonian National Zoological Park ...................................................................................                 December   6, 2017.
                                             34054C ...............................     Cynthia Page-Kargian, Florida Atlantic University .................................................................                      December   18, 2017.
                                             43158C ...............................     Center for the Conservation of the Tropical Ungulates .........................................................                          December   20, 2017.
                                             013008 ................................    777 Ranch, Inc .......................................................................................................................   December   27, 2017.



                                             Authority                                                               • Email: incomingazcorr@fws.gov;                                        feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR 17.3).
                                               We issue this notice under the                                        • U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor,                                          However, we may, under specified
                                             authority of the ESA, as amended (16                                  Arizona Ecological Services Office, 9828                                  circumstances, issue permits that allow
                                             U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).                                                 N 31st Avenue, Suite C3, Phoenix,                                         the take of federally listed species,
                                                                                                                   Arizona 85051;                                                            provided that the take is incidental to,
                                             Joyce Russell,                                                          • Fax: 602–242–2513; or                                                 but not the purpose of, otherwise lawful
                                             Government Information Specialist, Branch                               • Phone: 602–242–0210.                                                  activity. EOS Permits issued to
                                             of Permits, Division of Management                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the                                        applicants in association with approved
                                             Authority.                                                            U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),                                 SHAs authorize incidental take of the
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–06667 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am]                            advise the public that we intend to                                       covered species from implementation of
                                             BILLING CODE 4333–15–P                                                prepare a draft EA, pursuant to the                                       the conservation activities and ongoing
                                                                                                                   National Environmental Policy Act (42                                     covered activities above the baseline
                                                                                                                   U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA), to evaluate                                   condition. Baseline condition for a
                                             DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                            the impacts of, and alternatives to, the                                  species could be described as the
                                                                                                                   proposed issuance of an enhancement of                                    existing number of individuals, acres of
                                             Fish and Wildlife Service
                                                                                                                   survival permit (EOS Permit) under the                                    habitat, or length of occupied stream
                                             [FWS–R2–ES–2017–N179;                                                 Endangered Species Act of 1973, as                                        present in the permit area prior to
                                             FXES11130200000–189–FF02ENEH00]                                       amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; ESA),                                    implementation of the SHA.
                                                                                                                   to Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., Freeport-                                         Application requirements and
                                             Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft                                   McMoRan Morenci, Inc., and the                                            issuance criteria for EOS permits for
                                             Environmental Assessment for a                                        Morenci Water and Electric Company                                        SHAs are found in the Code of
                                             Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for                                    (FMMI/MWE) (collectively referred to as                                   Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR
                                             Spikedace, Loach Minnow, and Gila                                     the applicant) for conservation of three                                  17.22(c)(2)(ii) and 17.32(c)(2)(ii),
                                             Chub; Eagle Creek and Lower San                                       federally-listed species: The endangered                                  respectively. See also the joint policy on
                                             Francisco River in Greenlee and                                       spikedace (Meda fulgida), endangered                                      SHAs, which the Service and the
                                             Graham Counties, Arizona
                                                                                                                   loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), and                                       Department of Commerce’s National
                                             AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,                                  endangered Gila chub (Gila intermedia)                                    Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                             Interior.                                                             (collectively referred to as covered                                      Administration, National Marine
                                             ACTION: Notice of intent; request for                                 species). In support of the EOS Permit,                                   Fisheries Service published in the
                                             comments.                                                             the applicant proposes to draft a safe                                    Federal Register on June 17, 1999 (64
                                                                                                                   harbor agreement (SHA) for land and                                       FR 32717).
                                             SUMMARY:   We, the U.S. Fish and                                      water uses at Eagle Creek and the lower                                      The purpose of issuing the proposed
                                             Wildlife Service, advise the public that                              San Francisco River, as well as for long-                                 EOS Permit is to authorize take
                                             we intend to prepare a draft                                          term management and monitoring                                            associated with the applicant’s
                                             environmental assessment (EA),                                        activities, including construction of a                                   proposed activities while conserving
                                             pursuant to the National Environmental                                nonnative fish barrier; an exotic species                                 covered species and their habitats. We
                                             Policy Act, to evaluate the impacts of,                               study; annual surveys for covered                                         expect that the applicant will request
                                             and alternatives to, the proposed                                     species and other fish species; and the                                   EOS Permit coverage for a period of 50
                                             issuance of an enhancement of survival                                continued implementation of the                                           years.
                                             permit under the Endangered Species                                   Spikedace and Loach Minnow
                                             Act of 1973, as amended, to Freeport-                                                                                                           The Applicant’s Proposed Project
                                                                                                                   Management Plan (October 2011) at
                                             McMoRan, Inc., Freeport-McMoRan                                       Eagle Creek and the lower San Francisco                                     The proposed activities would
                                             Morenci, Inc., and the Morenci Water                                  River in Greenlee and Graham Counties,                                    include ongoing land and water
                                             and Electric Company (FMMI/MWE)                                       Arizona.                                                                  management activities associated with
                                             (collectively referred to as the applicant)                                                                                                     water-related improvements, including
                                             for conservation of federally-listed fish                             Background                                                                a diversion dam and appurtenant
                                             species. The applicant proposes to draft                                 Section 9 of the ESA and its                                           pumping facilities and pipelines,
                                             a safe harbor agreement. Via this notice,                             implementing regulations prohibit                                         groundwater pumping stations and
                                             we also open a public scoping period.                                 ‘‘take’’ of fish and wildlife species listed                              water transmission pipelines, access
                                             DATES: Written suggestions or comments                                as endangered or threatened under the                                     roads, power lines, and related
                                             on alternatives and issues to be                                      ESA. The ESA defines ‘‘take’’ as ‘‘to                                     infrastructure. During the term of the
                                             addressed in the Service’s draft                                      harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot,                                        SHA, the permittee anticipates
                                             environmental analysis must be                                        wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect                                    improving, replacing, repairing,
                                             received by close of business on or                                   listed animal species, or attempt to                                      reconstructing, and maintaining these
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES




                                             before May 3, 2018.                                                   engage in such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C.                                       facilities and related infrastructure on
                                             ADDRESSES: To request further                                         1533). The term ‘‘harm’’ is defined in                                    land adjacent to Eagle Creek and the
                                             information or submit written                                         the regulations as significant habitat                                    lower San Francisco River. We have
                                             comments, use one of the following                                    modification or degradation that results                                  worked with the applicant to design
                                             methods, and note that your information                               in death or injury to listed species by                                   conservation activities expected to have
                                             request or comment is in reference to                                 significantly impairing essential                                         a net conservation benefit to the
                                             the FMMI/MWE NEPA scoping:                                            behavioral patterns, including breeding,                                  spikedace, loach minnow, and Gila


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                                             14288                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices

                                             chub within the area to be covered                      along portions of Eagle Creek and the                 lower San Francisco River. Actions
                                             under this proposed SHA. These                          lower San Francisco River in Graham                   covered under the requested EOS Permit
                                             conservation activities would include                   and Greenlee Counties, Arizona, on                    may include possible take of the species
                                             the following:                                          lands currently owned by the applicant.               associated with proposed land and
                                                (1) Allocation of $4,000,000 over the                                                                      water management activities above the
                                             next 10 years to complete the design                    Potentially Affected Species
                                                                                                                                                           baseline condition for the species, as
                                             and construction of a fish barrier on                     The applicant may apply for an EOS                  well as construction of the nonnative
                                             Eagle Creek to protect and enhance                      Permit to cover the spikedace, loach                  fish barrier.
                                             aquatic habitat for the covered species.                minnow, and Gila chub. The permit area
                                             Design of the barrier is almost complete,               may include an additional three species               Other Alternatives
                                             and the location for the barrier has been               federally listed as threatened: The
                                             selected by the applicant. The fish                     western distinct population segment of                   Possible alternatives include
                                             barrier would prevent nonnative aquatic                 the yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus                    mechanical or chemical stream
                                             species from moving upstream into the                   americanus), Chiricahua leopard frog                  renovation with barrier construction, or
                                             upper portion of the creek, protecting                  (Lithobates chiricahuensis), and narrow-              alternative sites for barrier construction.
                                             the covered species and their habitat.                  headed gartersnake (Thamnophis                        We are requesting information regarding
                                             Loach minnow and Gila chub are                          rufipunctatus). The ultimate list of                  other reasonable alternatives during this
                                             primarily found above the proposed                      species covered by the proposed EOS                   scoping period.
                                             barrier location, and the best remaining                Permit and associated SHA may change                  National Historic Preservation Act
                                             habitat for the three species is also                   based on the outcome of more detailed
                                             above the proposed barrier location.                    reviews of the best available science,                   We will use and coordinate the NEPA
                                                (2) Development and implementation                   changes to the list of protected species,             process to fulfill our obligations under
                                             of a 3-year monitoring program to detect                or further assessments of the likelihood              the National Historic Preservation Act
                                             the presence of other types of nonnative                of take from the proposed activities.                 [(Pub. L. 89–665, as amended by Pub. L.
                                             invasive species (e.g., bullfrogs and                                                                         96–515, and as provided in 36 CFR
                                             crayfish) within the upper reach of                     Possible Alternatives in the
                                                                                                     Environmental Assessment                              800.2(d)(3) and 800.8c)]. A cultural
                                             Eagle Creek, and investigation of the                                                                         resource inventory has already been
                                             practicability and cost of actions to                     The proposed action presented in the                completed for the project; we will
                                             suppress the populations of these                       draft EA would be compared to the No-                 address the findings of that report and
                                             species in the upper segment of Eagle                   Action Alternative. The No-Action                     continue coordinating with tribes and
                                             Creek, above the fish barrier.                          Alternative represents the estimated                  the State Historic Preservation Office
                                                (3) Annual monitoring along Eagle                    future conditions without the proposed                during project development.
                                             Creek and the lower reach of the San                    Federal action.
                                             Francisco River to gather data for use in                                                                     Environmental Review
                                                                                                     No-Action Alternative
                                             informing future conservation and
                                             management activities and assisting in                     In the No-Action Alternative, the                     The Service will draft an EA to
                                             the recovery of the Covered Species.                    applicant would not request, and we                   analyze the proposed action, as well as
                                                These conservation activities are                    would not issue, an EOS Permit for the                other alternatives, and the associated
                                             expected to:                                            ongoing use and management of land                    impacts of each alternative on the
                                                (1) Protect existing upper Eagle Creek               and water along Eagle Creek and the                   human environment and each species
                                             populations of spikedace, loach                         lower San Francisco River. Therefore,                 covered for the range of alternatives to
                                             minnow, and Gila chub, as well as other                 ongoing use and management of land                    be addressed. The draft EA is expected
                                             native fish species, against future                     and water on the applicant’s property,                to provide biological descriptions of the
                                             upstream incursion of nonnative aquatic                 should incidental take occur, would                   affected species and habitats, as well as
                                             organisms from the Gila River and lower                 require the applicant to seek coverage                the effects of the alternatives on other
                                             Eagle Creek. Spikedace, loach minnow,                   for incidental take in some other                     resources, such as vegetation, wetlands,
                                             and Gila chub all occur in                              manner. Additionally, the non-native                  wildlife, geology, and soils, air quality,
                                             approximately 10 to 15 percent of their                 fish barrier would not be built, and                  water resources, water quality, cultural
                                             historical ranges, having been extirpated               monitoring would not occur.                           resources, land use, recreation, water
                                             from other areas due to habitat                                                                               use, local economy, and environmental
                                                                                                     Proposed Alternative
                                             alteration, competition with or                                                                               justice, as appropriate for the proposed
                                             predation by nonnative species, and                        The proposed action would be the                   action.
                                             other factors. The Gila River and lower                 issuance of an EOS Permit for the
                                             Eagle Creek are currently occupied by a                 covered species for the conservation and              Public Availability of Comments
                                             variety of nonnative fish species known                 covered activities within the plan area,
                                                                                                     when and if the applicant determines to                  Written comments received will
                                             to be detrimental to native fishes,
                                             including flathead catfish, channel                     move forward with an SHA and                          become part of the public record
                                             catfish, smallmouth bass, red shiner,                   development of a nonnative fish barrier.              associated with this action. Before
                                             and green sunfish.                                      The draft SHA, which must be                          including your address, phone number,
                                                (2) Provide data that can be used to                 consistent with the final SHA policy (64              email address, or other personal
                                             inform future management actions to                     FR 32717), would be developed in                      identifying information in your
                                             remove nonnative species (e.g., crayfish                coordination with the Service and                     comment, you should be aware that
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                                             and bullfrogs) within Eagle Creek.                      implemented by the applicant.                         your entire comment, including your
                                                (3) Provide a cooperative approach                      The proposed alternative would need                personal identifying information, may
                                             that allows for continuation of mining                  to provide a net conservation benefit for             be made publicly available. While you
                                             operations and native fish conservation.                the listed species covered by the SHA,                can ask us in your comment to withhold
                                                Ongoing land and water management                    and would need to provide long-term                   your personal identifying information
                                             activities, as well as conservation                     protection of native fish habitat in                  from public review, we cannot
                                             activities under the SHA, would occur                   portions of upper Eagle Creek and the                 guarantee that we will be able to do so.


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 64 / Tuesday, April 3, 2018 / Notices                                            14289

                                             Authority                                               at the above address, or fax them to                  second order tributaries to larger, fourth
                                               We publish this notice in compliance                  502–695–1024; or                                      order streams such as Jellico Creek,
                                             with NEPA and its implementing                             3. You may send comments by email                  Whitley County, Kentucky. Little is
                                             regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 1506.6, and                 to mike_floyd@fws.gov. Please include                 known of the species’ life history or
                                             1508.22), and section 10(c) of the ESA                  ‘‘Cumberland Darter Draft Recovery                    microhabitat suitability, but it is often
                                                                                                     Plan Comments’’ on the subject line.                  encountered in pools or shallow runs of
                                             (16 U.S.C. 1539(c)).
                                                                                                        For additional information about                   low-to-moderate-gradient sections of
                                             Amy Lueders,                                            submitting comments, see the Request                  streams with sand, silt, or sand-covered
                                             Regional Director, Southwest Region,                    for Public Comments section.                          bedrock substrates. Most of these
                                             Albuquerque, New Mexico.                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      habitats contain isolated boulders and
                                             [FR Doc. 2018–06713 Filed 4–2–18; 8:45 am]              Michael Floyd (see ADDRESSES).                        large cobble that the species likely uses
                                             BILLING CODE 4333–15–P                                                                                        as cover.
                                                                                                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the
                                                                                                                                                              We designated critical habitat for the
                                                                                                     Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),                  Cumberland darter on October 16, 2012
                                                                                                     announce the availability of the                      (77 FR 63604). A total of 54 river miles
                                             DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                                                                     technical/agency draft recovery plan for              (86 rkm) were designated, including 13
                                             Fish and Wildlife Service                               the endangered Cumberland darter, a                   streams in McCreary and Whitley
                                                                                                     fish. The draft recovery plan includes                Counties, Kentucky, and Campbell and
                                             [FWS–R4–ES–2017–N089;                                   specific recovery objectives and criteria             Scott Counties, Tennessee.
                                             FXES11130400000C2–178–FF04E00000]                       that would be used to delist this fish
                                                                                                     under the Endangered Species Act of                   Threats
                                             Endangered and Threatened Wildlife                      1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et                      The majority of streams within the
                                             and Plants; Technical/Agency Draft                      seq.; Act). We request review and                     upper Cumberland River basin have
                                             Recovery Plan for the Cumberland                        comment on this draft recovery plan                   been modified from their historical
                                             Darter                                                  from local, State, and Federal agencies,              condition due to a number of
                                             AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,                    and the public.                                       anthropogenic activities such as
                                             Interior.                                               Background                                            agriculture, logging, residential
                                             ACTION: Notice of availability and                                                                            development, road construction, and
                                                                                                       The Act requires the development of                 surface coal mining. As a result of these
                                             request for public comment.                             recovery plans for listed species, unless             activities and associated stressors (e.g.,
                                             SUMMARY:   We, the Fish and Wildlife                    such a plan would not promote the                     siltation), the Cumberland darter has
                                             Service (Service), announce the                         conservation of a particular species.                 been extirpated from at least six streams
                                             availability of the technical/agency draft              Recovery plans describe actions                       and is now restricted to nine isolated
                                             recovery plan for the endangered                        considered necessary for conservation of              watersheds. Limiting factors include the
                                             Cumberland darter, a fish. The draft                    species, establish criteria for delisting,            following: (1) Anthropogenic activities
                                             recovery plan includes specific recovery                and estimate time and cost for                        that cause siltation, disturbance of
                                             objectives and criteria that will guide                 implementing recovery measures.                       riparian corridors, and changes in
                                             the process of recovery under the                       Section 4(f) of the Act requires us to                channel morphology; (2) water quality
                                             Endangered Species Act of 1973, as                      provide public notice and an                          degradation caused by a variety of
                                             amended (Act). We request review and                    opportunity for public review and                     nonpoint-source pollutants; and (3)
                                             comment on this draft recovery plan                     comment during recovery plan                          naturally small population size and
                                             from local, State, and Federal agencies,                development. We will consider all                     reduced geographic range.
                                             and the public.                                         information presented during a public
                                                                                                     comment period prior to approval of                   Recovery Plan Components
                                             DATES: In order to be considered,
                                                                                                     each new or revised recovery plan. We                    The primary goal of this recovery plan
                                             comments on the draft recovery plan
                                                                                                     and other Federal agencies will take                  is to recover Cumberland darter
                                             must be received on or before June 4,
                                                                                                     these comments into consideration in                  populations to the point that listing
                                             2018.
                                                                                                     the course of implementing approved                   under the Act is no longer necessary. To
                                             ADDRESSES:                                              recovery plans.                                       achieve these goals, it is necessary to
                                               Reviewing documents: If you wish to                                                                         produce self-sustaining, viable
                                             review this technical/agency draft                      About the Species
                                                                                                                                                           populations that possess healthy, long-
                                             recovery plan, you may obtain a copy by                    We listed the Cumberland darter                    term demographic and genetic trends
                                             contacting Michael Floyd, U.S. Fish and                 (Etheostoma susanae) as endangered                    (e.g., evidence of multiple age classes
                                             Wildlife Service, Kentucky Ecological                   under the Act on September 8, 2011 (76                and continued recruitment, high genetic
                                             Services Field Office, 330 West                         FR 48722). The Cumberland darter is a                 diversity), and that are no longer
                                             Broadway, Suite 265, Frankfort, KY                      small fish endemic to the upper                       threatened by any of the factors
                                             40601; tel. 502–695–0468; or by visiting                Cumberland River basin, above                         discussed above.
                                             the Service’s Kentucky Field Office                     Cumberland Falls, in Kentucky and
                                             website at http://www.fws.gov/                          Tennessee. Cumberland darters occur in                Management Units
                                             frankfort/.                                             9 widely separated populations (total of                For this Recovery Plan, we identify
                                                Submitting comments: If you wish to                  16 streams) in southeastern Kentucky                  nine management units for the
                                             comment, you may submit your                            and north-central Tennessee. No                       Cumberland Darter (refer to the
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES




                                             comments by one of the following                        population estimates or status trends are             associated Recovery Implementation
                                             methods:                                                available; however, survey results by                 Strategy, Figure 1). Based on the
                                                1. You may submit written comments                   Thomas (2007) suggest that the species                species’ current distribution (refer to the
                                             and materials to us at the Kentucky                     is uncommon or occurs in low densities                associated Species Biological Report,
                                             Field Office address;                                   across its range.                                     Figures 1 and 2) and our knowledge of
                                                2. You may hand-deliver written                         Cumberland darters are known from                  the species’ movement patterns, we
                                             comments to our Kentucky Field Office,                  streams ranging in size from small,                   consider each management unit to


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Document Created: 2018-04-03 00:50:18
Document Modified: 2018-04-03 00:50:18
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of intent; request for comments.
DatesWritten suggestions or comments on alternatives and issues to be
FR Citation83 FR 14287 

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