83 FR 31766 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Coquí Llanero
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 131 (July 9, 2018)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 131 (July 9, 2018)
| Page Range | 31766-31767 | |
| FR Document | 2018-14683 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 31766-31767] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-14683] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R4-ES-2015-N040; FXES11130400000C2-156-FF04E00000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Coqu[iacute] Llanero AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the endangered coqu[iacute] llanero, a frog endemic to Puerto Rico. The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that must be met in order for us to remove this species from listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. DATES: In order to be considered, comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before September 7, 2018. ADDRESSES: Document availability: You may obtain a copy of this draft recovery plan by contacting Jan Zegarra, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, P.O. Box 491, Boquer[oacute]n, PR 00622; tel. (787) 851-7297; or by visiting the Service's Caribbean Field Office website at https://www.fws.gov/caribbean/ES/Index.html. Comment submission: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: 1. Submit written comments and materials by mail or hand-delivery to Jan Zegarra, at the above address. 2. Fax them to (787) 851-7440. 3. Send comments by email to jan_zegarra@fws.gov. Please include ``Coqu[iacute] llanero Draft Recovery Plan Comments'' in the subject line. For additional information about submitting comments, see Request for Public Comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jan Zegarra at (787) 851-7297, or see ADDRESSES for further methods of contact. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the endangered coqu[iacute] llanero (Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi). The draft recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that must be met in order for us to remove this species from listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies and the public. Background The coqu[iacute] llanero is a small frog species endemic to Puerto Rico. In 2007, it was described as a new species of the genus Eleutherodactylus, family Leptodactylidae. Males measure approximately 0.58 in (14.7 mm), and females 0.62 in (15.8 mm). It has the smallest clutch size of all Eleutherodactylus species on Puerto Rico, and a high-frequency call. The only population estimate available for the coqu[iacute] llanero indicates a mean population size of 473.3186 individuals per ha (or 192 per ac; R[iacute]os-L[oacute]pez pers. comm. 2011). The coqu[iacute] llanero is currently known to be restricted to one freshwater herbaceous wetland in the municipality of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The herbaceous vegetation in the wetland consists of Blechnum serrulatum (toothed midsorus fern), Thelypteris interrupta (willdenow's maiden fern), Sagittaria lancifolia (bulltongue arrowhead), Cyperus sp. (flatsedges), Eleocharis sp. (spike rushes), and vines and grasses (R[iacute]os-L[oacute]pez and Thomas 2007). The species is currently threatened by the combined influences of urban development, activities associated with the operation and future closure of the Toa Baja municipal landfill, activities associated with clearing water channels for flood control, and invasive wetland plant species. Additional threats include restricted distribution and highly specialized ecological requirements, which may exacerbate other potential threats like landfill leachate pollution, the use of herbicides, brush fires, competition, and environmental effects resulting from climate change. Under the ESA, the Service added the coqu[iacute] llanero as an endangered species to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations on October 4, 2012 (77 FR 60778). The 2012 final rule also designated critical habitat, covering an area of 615 ac (249 ha), for the species. The recovery strategy for the coqu[iacute] llanero includes protection and management of occupied habitat and suitable unoccupied habitat for potential future introductions, and addresses immediate threats that led to its listing. Because of stressors like reduced geographic distribution, limited dispersal capabilities, and the species' specialized breeding requirements, the species is likely to have reduced adaptive capacity. Therefore, in order to meet the recovery goal of delisting, we must increase the number of coqu[iacute] llanero populations. This strategy seeks to safeguard the only existing coqu[iacute] llanero population in case the species does not withstand or recover from a stochastic or catastrophic event. Section 4(f) of the ESA requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Recovery plans describe actions considered necessary for conservation of the species, establish criteria for downlisting or delisting, and estimate time and cost for implementing recovery measures. Section 4(f) of the ESA also requires us to provide public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment during recovery plan development. We will consider all information presented during a public comment period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. We and other Federal agencies will take these comments into account in the course of implementing approved recovery plans. [[Page 31767]] Recovery Plan The ultimate recovery goal is to remove the coqu[iacute] llanero from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (delist) at 50 CFR 17.11(h) by ensuring the long-term viability of the species in the wild. In the recovery plan, we define the following reasonable delisting criteria based on the best available information on the species. These criteria will be reevaluated as new information becomes available: 1. Three viable * coqu[iacute] llanero populations demonstrate stable or increasing population trends (addresses Listing Factors A and E). 2. Habitat for three viable coqu[iacute] llanero populations is protected in perpetuity through a conservation mechanism (e.g., land acquisition, conservation easements) (addresses Listing Factor A). 3. Threats and causes of decline have been reduced or eliminated to a degree that the coqu[iacute] llanero does not need protection under the Act (e.g., developing management plans, public awareness and education) (addresses Listing Factor A and E). * The term ``viable'' is defined in the draft recovery plan. Request for Public Comments We request written comments on the draft recovery plan. We will consider all comments we receive by the date specified in DATES prior to final approval of the plan. 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. Authority The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Dated: June 29, 2018. Michael Oetker, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2018-14683 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![31766 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Notices
hydrochloride, and inactive ingredients by contacting Jan Zegarra, U.S. Fish and and grasses (Rı́os-López and Thomas
to form Malarone tablets in Canada Wildlife Service, Caribbean Ecological 2007). The species is currently
results in a substantial transformation. Services Field Office, P.O. Box 491, threatened by the combined influences
The country of origin of the Malarone Boquerón, PR 00622; tel. (787) 851– of urban development, activities
tablets is therefore Canada. 7297; or by visiting the Service’s associated with the operation and future
Caribbean Field Office website at closure of the Toa Baja municipal
HOLDING:
https://www.fws.gov/caribbean/ES/ landfill, activities associated with
The country of origin of the Malarone Index.html. clearing water channels for flood
tablets for purposes of U.S. Government Comment submission: You may control, and invasive wetland plant
procurement is Canada. submit comments by one of the species. Additional threats include
Notice of this final determination will following methods: restricted distribution and highly
be given in the Federal Register, as 1. Submit written comments and specialized ecological requirements,
required by 19 C.F.R. § 177.29. Any materials by mail or hand-delivery to which may exacerbate other potential
party-at-interest other than the party Jan Zegarra, at the above address. threats like landfill leachate pollution,
which requested this final 2. Fax them to (787) 851–7440. the use of herbicides, brush fires,
determination may request, pursuant to 3. Send comments by email to jan_ competition, and environmental effects
19 C.F.R. § 177.31, that CBP reexamine zegarra@fws.gov. Please include ‘‘Coquı́
resulting from climate change.
the matter anew and issue a new final llanero Draft Recovery Plan Comments’’
determination. Pursuant to 19 C.F.R. in the subject line. Under the ESA, the Service added the
§ 177.30, any party-at-interest may, For additional information about coquı́ llanero as an endangered species
within 30 days of publication of the submitting comments, see Request for to the Federal List of Endangered and
Federal Register Notice referenced Public Comments. Threatened Wildlife in title 50 of the
above, seek judicial review of this final FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jan Code of Federal Regulations on October
determination before the Court of Zegarra at (787) 851–7297, or see 4, 2012 (77 FR 60778). The 2012 final
International Trade. ADDRESSES for further methods of rule also designated critical habitat,
Sincerely, contact. covering an area of 615 ac (249 ha), for
the species.
Alice A. Kipel, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the
Executive Director, Regulations & Rulings U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The recovery strategy for the coquı́
Office of Trade. announce the availability of the draft llanero includes protection and
[FR Doc. 2018–14632 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am] recovery plan for the endangered coquı́ management of occupied habitat and
BILLING CODE 9111–14–P llanero (Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi). suitable unoccupied habitat for
The draft recovery plan includes potential future introductions, and
specific recovery objectives and criteria addresses immediate threats that led to
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR that must be met in order for us to its listing. Because of stressors like
remove this species from listing under reduced geographic distribution, limited
Fish and Wildlife Service the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as dispersal capabilities, and the species’
[FWS–R4–ES–2015–N040; amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). specialized breeding requirements, the
FXES11130400000C2–156–FF04E00000] We request review and comment on this species is likely to have reduced
draft recovery plan from local, State, adaptive capacity. Therefore, in order to
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Federal agencies and the public. meet the recovery goal of delisting, we
and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for must increase the number of coquı́
Background
Coquı́ Llanero llanero populations. This strategy seeks
The coquı́ llanero is a small frog to safeguard the only existing coquı́
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, species endemic to Puerto Rico. In 2007, llanero population in case the species
Interior. it was described as a new species of the does not withstand or recover from a
ACTION: Notice of availability and genus Eleutherodactylus, family stochastic or catastrophic event.
request for public comment. Leptodactylidae. Males measure
approximately 0.58 in (14.7 mm), and Section 4(f) of the ESA requires the
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and females 0.62 in (15.8 mm). It has the development of recovery plans for listed
Wildlife Service, announce the smallest clutch size of all species, unless such a plan would not
availability of the draft recovery plan for Eleutherodactylus species on Puerto promote the conservation of a particular
the endangered coquı́ llanero, a frog Rico, and a high-frequency call. The species. Recovery plans describe actions
endemic to Puerto Rico. The draft only population estimate available for considered necessary for conservation of
recovery plan includes specific recovery the coquı́ llanero indicates a mean the species, establish criteria for
objectives and criteria that must be met population size of 473.3 ± 186 downlisting or delisting, and estimate
in order for us to remove this species individuals per ha (or 192 per ac; Rı́os- time and cost for implementing recovery
from listing under the Endangered López pers. comm. 2011). measures. Section 4(f) of the ESA also
Species Act of 1973, as amended. We The coquı́ llanero is currently known requires us to provide public notice and
request review and comment on this to be restricted to one freshwater an opportunity for public review and
draft recovery plan from local, State, herbaceous wetland in the municipality comment during recovery plan
and Federal agencies, and the public. of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The development. We will consider all
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
DATES: In order to be considered, herbaceous vegetation in the wetland information presented during a public
comments on the draft recovery plan consists of Blechnum serrulatum comment period prior to approval of
must be received on or before (toothed midsorus fern), Thelypteris each new or revised recovery plan. We
September 7, 2018. interrupta (willdenow’s maiden fern), and other Federal agencies will take
ADDRESSES: Sagittaria lancifolia (bulltongue these comments into account in the
Document availability: You may arrowhead), Cyperus sp. (flatsedges), course of implementing approved
obtain a copy of this draft recovery plan Eleocharis sp. (spike rushes), and vines recovery plans.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Notices 31767
Recovery Plan DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR public record. We will include or
summarize each comment in our request
The ultimate recovery goal is to Geological Survey to OMB to approve this ICR. Before
remove the coquı́ llanero from the including your address, phone number,
[GX18LR000F60100; OMB Control Number
Federal List of Endangered and 1028–0062] email address, or other personal
Threatened Wildlife (delist) at 50 CFR identifying information in your
17.11(h) by ensuring the long-term Agency Information Collection comment, you should be aware that
viability of the species in the wild. In Activities; Industrial Minerals Surveys your entire comment—including your
the recovery plan, we define the personal identifying information—may
following reasonable delisting criteria AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, be made publicly available at any time.
based on the best available information Interior. While you may ask us in your comment
on the species. These criteria will be ACTION: Notice of information collection; to withhold your personal identifying
reevaluated as new information request for comment. information from public review, we
becomes available: SUMMARY: In accordance with the cannot guarantee that we will be able to
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the do so.
1. Three viable * coquı́ llanero
Abstract: Respondents to these forms
populations demonstrate stable or U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is
supply the USGS with domestic
increasing population trends (addresses proposing to renew an information
production and consumption data for
Listing Factors A and E). collection.
industrial mineral commodities, some of
2. Habitat for three viable coquı́ DATES: Interested persons are invited to which are considered strategic and
llanero populations is protected in submit comments on or before critical, to assist in determining
perpetuity through a conservation September 7, 2018. stockpile goals. These data and derived
mechanism (e.g., land acquisition, ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information will be published as
conservation easements) (addresses information collection request (ICR) by chapters in Minerals Yearbooks,
Listing Factor A). mail to the USGS, Information monthly Mineral Industry Surveys,
Collections Officer, 12201 Sunrise annual Mineral Commodity Summaries,
3. Threats and causes of decline have
Valley Drive MS 159, Reston, VA 20192; and special publications, for use by
been reduced or eliminated to a degree
or by email to gs-info_collections@ Government agencies, industry,
that the coquı́ llanero does not need usgs.gov. Please reference OMB Control education programs, and the general
protection under the Act (e.g., Number 1028–0062 in the subject line of public.
developing management plans, public your comments. Title of Collection: Industrial Minerals
awareness and education) (addresses Surveys.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
Listing Factor A and E). request additional information about OMB Control Number: 1028–0062.
* The term ‘‘viable’’ is defined in the this ICR, contact Elizabeth Sangine by Form Number: Various (38 forms).
draft recovery plan. email at escottsangine@usgs.gov, or by Type of Review: Extension of a
telephone at 703–648–7720. currently approved collection.
Request for Public Comments Respondents/Affected Public:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Business or Other-For-Profit
We request written comments on the accordance with the Paperwork Institutions: U.S. nonfuel minerals
draft recovery plan. We will consider all Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the producers and consumers of industrial
comments we receive by the date general public and other Federal minerals. Public sector: State and local
specified in DATES prior to final agencies with an opportunity to governments.
approval of the plan. comment on proposed, revised, and Total Estimated Number of Annual
continuing collections of information. Respondents: 14,955.
Before including your address, phone
This helps us assess the impact of our Total Estimated Number of Annual
number, email address, or other information collection requirements and
personal identifying information in your Responses: 17,134.
minimize the public’s reporting burden. Estimated Completion Time per
comment, you should be aware that It also helps the public understand our Response: For each form, we will
your entire comment—including your information collection requirements and include an average burden time ranging
personal identifying information—may provide the requested data in the from 15 minutes to 5 hours.
be made publicly available at any time. desired format. Total Estimated Number of Annual
While you can ask us in your comment We are soliciting comments on the Burden Hours: 11,897.
to withhold your personal identifying proposed ICR that is described below. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
information from public review, we We are especially interested in public Frequency of Collection: Monthly,
cannot guarantee that we will be able to comment addressing the following Quarterly, Semiannually, or Annually.
do so. issues: (1) Is the collection necessary for Total Estimated Annual Non-hour
USGS to perform its duties, including Burden Cost: There are no ‘‘non-hour
Authority whether the information is useful; (2) cost’’ burdens associated with this IC.
The authority for this action is section the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of An agency may not conduct or
4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 the burden of the proposed collection of sponsor and a person is not required to
U.S.C. 1533(f). information; (3) ways to enhance the respond to a collection of information
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the unless it displays a currently valid OMB
Dated: June 29, 2018. information to be collected; and (4) how control number and current expiration
Michael Oetker, to minimize the burden of this date.
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. collection on the respondents, including The authorities for this action are the
[FR Doc. 2018–14683 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am] through the use of information Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
technology. U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), the National
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
Comments that you submit in Materials and Minerals Policy, Research
response to this notice are a matter of and Development Act of 1980 (30 U.S.C.
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Document Created: 2018-07-07 00:42:25
Document Modified: 2018-07-07 00:42:25
| 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 and request for public comment. | |
| Dates | In order to be considered, comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before September 7, 2018. | |
| Contact | Jan Zegarra at (787) 851-7297, or see | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 31766 |
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