83 FR 38164 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Texas Snowbells
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 150 (August 3, 2018)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 150 (August 3, 2018)
| Page Range | 38164-38166 | |
| FR Document | 2018-16655 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 38164-38166] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-16655] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-ES-2018-N071; FXES11130200000-189-FF02ENEH00] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Texas Snowbells AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of our draft revised recovery plan for Texas snowbells, listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Texas snowbells is a rare, endemic shrub of the Edwards Plateau, and is found in Real, Edwards, and Val Verde Counties, Texas. We provide this notice to seek comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before October 2, 2018. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. ADDRESSES: Reviewing document: You may obtain a copy of the draft revised recovery plan by any one of the following methods: Internet: Download the file at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/ESA_Species_news.html. U.S. mail: Send a request to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; or Telephone: 512-490-0057. [[Page 38165]] Submitting comments: Submit your comments in writing by any one of the following methods:U.S. mail: Project Leader, at the above Austin Ecological Services Field Office address; Hand-delivery: Project Leader, at the above Austin Ecological Services Field Office address; Fax: 512-490-0974; or Email: chris_best@fws.gov. For additional information about submitting comments, see Request for Public Comments and Public Availability of Comments under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, at the above address and phone number, or by email at adam_zerrenner@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of our draft revised recovery plan for Texas snowbells (Styrax platanifolius ssp. texanus; formerly Styrax texanus), listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Texas snowbells is a rare, endemic shrub of the Edwards Plateau, and is found in Real, Edwards, and Val Verde Counties, Texas. The draft revised recovery plan includes specific recovery objectives and criteria that, when achieved, will enable us to remove Texas snowbells from the list of endangered and threatened 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 Texas snowbells throughout its range to assist in finalizing the recovery plan. 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 ESA. 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 ESA. The ESA requires the development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. The Service approved a recovery plan for Texas snowbells in 1987; however, the original plan did not establish criteria for reclassifying Texas snowbells from an endangered to threatened status (downlisting) or for removal from the endangered species list (delisting) (Service 1987). Therefore, this plan will serve as a revision to the 1987 recovery plan for Texas snowbells. We utilized a streamlined approach to recovery planning and implementation by first conducting a species status assessment (SSA) of Texas snowbells (Service 2017), which is a comprehensive analysis of the taxon's needs, current condition, threats, and future viability. The information in the SSA report provides the biological background, a threats assessment, and a basis for a strategy for recovery of Texas snowbells. We then used this information to prepare an abbreviated draft revised recovery plan for Texas snowbells that includes prioritized recovery actions, downlisting and delisting criteria, and the estimated time and cost to recovery. A separate recovery implementation strategy has also been prepared and includes the specific tasks necessary to implement recovery actions (Service 2018). Summary of Subspecies Information Texas snowbells is a rare, endemic shrub of the Edwards Plateau of Texas. We listed it as an endangered species, Styrax texanus, on October 12, 1984 (49 FR 40036). We currently recognize this plant as S. platanifolius ssp. texanus, one of five closely related subspecies described in the most recent taxonomic treatment (Fritsch 1997). When listed as endangered, only 25 individuals had been documented in 5 locations. Since 1986, field surveyors have documented 400 mature and 452 immature Texas snowbells plants in 22 naturally occurring sites over a range of 121 km (75 mi) east to west and 35 km (22 mi) north to south in Real, Edwards, and Val Verde Counties. The known populations occur along watercourses, on or near steep slopes, in exposed limestone and gravel of the upper reaches of the Nueces, West Nueces, and Devils River watersheds. We estimate that about 15,043 ha (37,172 ac) of potential habitat exists in these watersheds. Texas snowbells usually flowers in April and fertilization is believed to require out-crossing (transfer of pollen between individuals that are not too closely related). The subspecies' pollinators include bumble bees (Bombus sp.), carpenter bees (Xylocopa sp.), and honey bees (Apis sp.). Texas snowbells seed production depends on the grouping of genetically diverse individuals within their pollinators' forage ranges of 0.5 to 1.0 km (0.3 to 0.6 mi). Almost all documented reproduction of Texas snowbells in the wild occurs where at least 56 mature individuals are distributed over a distance of 1.6 km (1.0 mi) or less. For this reason, small population sizes, the isolation of populations, and low levels of genetic diversity are significant factors affecting the viability of the subspecies, viability being defined as the likelihood of persistence over the long term. Other factors affecting the viability of Texas snowbells include severe browsing by native white-tailed deer (Cervus elaphus) and introduced ungulate species, severe floods, and endemism to a small geographic and habitat range. In addition to the above stressors, drought attributed to climate changes and pollinator deficiency are also projected to affect the future viability of Texas snowbells. A large portion of known individuals and populations occurs on privately owned lands where there is no protection under the ESA unless there is a Federal nexus. Activities impacting plants on private lands without Federal involvement are not regulated under the ESA. So, without a Federal nexus, conservation on private lands is entirely voluntary and thus more challenging. Texas snowbells is endemic to a small geographic area and has a low level of genetic diversity, and therefore has low representation (ability to adapt to environmental changes and to colonize new sites). Since there are few populations, redundancy (the number and geographic distribution of populations or sites necessary to endure catastrophic events) is also low. In addition, population resilience (ability to endure stochastic environmental variation) is low because all known populations are far below the estimated minimum viable population level. In synthesis, the current viability of Texas snowbells is low. For a detailed discussion of the subspecies' natural history, current status, and future viability, please refer to the SSA report for Texas snowbells (Service 2017). Recovery Plan Goals The objective of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the recovery of a species so that protection under the ESA 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 lists of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. 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. The original Texas snowbells recovery plan (Service 1987) did not establish delisting or downlisting criteria. The [[Page 38166]] core conservation strategy of the revised plan is to increase recruitment and decrease mortality, thereby allowing populations of Texas snowbells to grow naturally. One recovery objective is to reduce the intensity of ungulate browsing throughout the subspecies' range, allowing populations to become self-sustaining without human intervention. Another recovery objective is population augmentation and strategic placement of reintroduced populations to restore population connectivity, thereby enhancing gene flow and fertilization between genetically diverse individuals and populations. To date, cooperating landowners and volunteers have made significant progress toward accomplishing these objectives. The downlisting and delisting criteria provided in the revised recovery plan are based on the natural recruitment of new Texas snowbells individuals, their growth to maturity, and the increase of populations to a viable level that is sustained without human intervention. The time required to improve the viability of Texas snowbells is influenced largely by its life history. Request for Public Comments Section 4(f) of the ESA 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, ongoing beneficial management efforts, and the costs associated with implementing the recommended recovery actions. Public Availability of Comments All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and will be available to the public. Before including your address, phone number, electronic mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--will be publicly available. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, 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). Authority We developed our draft recovery plan and publish this notice under the authority of section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: May 24, 2018. Amy L. Lueders, Regional Director, Southwest Region. [FR Doc. 2018-16655 Filed 8-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![38164 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2018 / Notices
to comment on this application. Before Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877– propagation or survival of the species.
issuing the requested permit, we will 8339 for TTY assistance. These activities often include such
take into consideration any information SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the prohibited actions as capture and
that we receive during the public U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite collection. Our regulations
comment period. the public to comment on an implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) for
DATES: We must receive your written application for a permit under section these permits are found in the Code of
comments on or before September 4, 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 17.22 for
2018. Act, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 endangered wildlife species, 50 CFR
ADDRESSES: Document availability and et seq.). The requested permit would 17.32 for threatened wildlife species, 50
comment submission: Submit requests allow the applicant to conduct activities CFR 17.62 for endangered plant species,
for a copy of the application and related intended to promote recovery of species and 50 CFR 17.72 for threatened plant
documents and submit any comments that are listed as endangered or species.
by one of the following methods. All threatened under the ESA. Permit Application Available for
requests and comments should specify Review and Comment
Background
the applicant name and application
number (i.e., Greg Fitzpatrick, TE– With some exceptions, the ESA Proposed activities in the following
08913A–2): prohibits activities that constitute take permit request are for the recovery and
• Email: permitsR1ES@fws.gov. of listed species unless a Federal permit enhancement of propagation or survival
• U.S. Mail: Marilet Zablan, Program is issued that allows such activity. The of the species in the wild. The ESA
Manager, Restoration and Endangered ESA’s definition of ‘‘take’’ includes such requires that we invite public comment
Species Classification, Ecological activities as pursuing, harassing, before issuing this permit. Accordingly,
Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, trapping, capturing, or collecting in we invite local, State, Tribal, and
Pacific Regional Office, 911 NE 11th addition to hunting, shooting, harming, Federal agencies and the public to
Avenue, Portland, OR 97232–4181. wounding, or killing. submit written data, views, or
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A recovery permit issued by us under arguments with respect to this
Colleen Henson, Recovery Permit section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA application. The comments and
Coordinator, Ecological Services, (503) authorizes the permittee to conduct recommendations that will be most
231–6131 (phone); permitsR1ES@ activities with endangered or threatened useful and likely to influence agency
fws.gov (email). Individuals who are species for scientific purposes that decisions are those supported by
hearing or speech impaired may call the promote recovery or for enhancement of quantitative information or studies.
Permit
Application No. Applicant, city, state Species Location Take activity action
TE–08913A–2 ............ Greg Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick Fender’s blue butterfly (Icaricia OR Capture, handle, identify, mark, Renew.
Ecological Consulting, Cor- icarioides fenderi). temporarily hold and
vallis, OR. translocate, and release.
Public Availability of Comments Authority availability of our draft revised recovery
We publish this notice under section plan for Texas snowbells, listed as
Written comments we receive become endangered under the Endangered
part of the administrative record 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et Species Act. Texas snowbells is a rare,
associated with this action. Before endemic shrub of the Edwards Plateau,
seq.).
including your address, phone number, and is found in Real, Edwards, and Val
email address, or other personal Rachel Merkel, Verde Counties, Texas. We provide this
identifying information in your Acting Deputy Assistant Regional Director— notice to seek comments from the public
comment, you should be aware that Ecological Services, Pacific Region. and Federal, Tribal, State, and local
your entire comment—including your [FR Doc. 2018–16625 Filed 8–2–18; 8:45 am] governments.
personal identifying information—may BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
be made publicly available at any time. DATES: To ensure consideration, we
While you can request in your comment must receive written comments on or
that we withhold your personal DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR before October 2, 2018. However, we
identifying information from public will accept information about any
Fish and Wildlife Service species at any time.
review, we cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so. All submissions [FWS–R2–ES–2018–N071; ADDRESSES: Reviewing document: You
from organizations or businesses, and FXES11130200000–189–FF02ENEH00] may obtain a copy of the draft revised
from individuals identifying themselves recovery plan by any one of the
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
as representatives or officials of following methods:
and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery
organizations or businesses, will be Plan for Texas Snowbells Internet: Download the file at http://
made available for public disclosure in www.fws.gov/southwest/es/
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
their entirety. AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, AustinTexas/ESA_Species_news.html.
Interior.
Next Steps U.S. mail: Send a request to U.S. Fish
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological
If we decide to issue a permit to the for comment. Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet
applicant listed in this notice, we will Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; or
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
publish a notice in the Federal Register. Wildlife Service, announce the Telephone: 512–490–0057.
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![38166 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 150 / Friday, August 3, 2018 / Notices
core conservation strategy of the revised Public Availability of Comments 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho
plan is to increase recruitment and All comments received, including 83705.
decrease mortality, thereby allowing names and addresses, will become part FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
populations of Texas snowbells to grow of the administrative record and will be Michael Williamson, BLM Boise
naturally. One recovery objective is to available to the public. Before including District, Idaho, 3948 Development
reduce the intensity of ungulate your address, phone number, electronic Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705, 208–384–
browsing throughout the subspecies’ mail address, or other personal 3393, email mwilliamson@blm.gov.
range, allowing populations to become identifying information in your Persons who use a telecommunications
self-sustaining without human comment, you should be aware that device for the deaf (TDD) may contact
intervention. Another recovery objective your entire comment—including your Mr. Williamson by calling the Federal
is population augmentation and personal identifying information—will Relay Service (FRS) at (800) 877–8339.
strategic placement of reintroduced be publicly available. If you submit a The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7
populations to restore population hardcopy comment that includes days a week, to leave a message or
connectivity, thereby enhancing gene personal identifying information, you question with Mr. Williamson. You will
flow and fertilization between may request at the top of your document receive a reply during normal business
genetically diverse individuals and that we withhold this information from hours.
populations. To date, cooperating public review. However, we cannot
landowners and volunteers have made guarantee that we will be able to do so. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15-
significant progress toward Comments and materials we receive will member RAC advises the Secretary of
accomplishing these objectives. be available, by appointment, for public the Interior, through the BLM, on a
inspection during normal business variety of planning and management
The downlisting and delisting criteria issues associated with public land
provided in the revised recovery plan hours at our office (see ADDRESSES).
management in Idaho. During the
are based on the natural recruitment of Authority September 13, 2018 meeting, the Boise
new Texas snowbells individuals, their District RAC will have a briefing on the
We developed our draft recovery plan
growth to maturity, and the increase of Boise District’s wild horse program, Tri-
and publish this notice under the
populations to a viable level that is State fuel breaks project, travel
authority of section 4(f) of the
sustained without human intervention. management planning, and other Field
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
The time required to improve the Office updates. Additional topics may
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
viability of Texas snowbells is be added and will be included in local
influenced largely by its life history. Dated: May 24, 2018.
media announcements.
Amy L. Lueders,
Request for Public Comments RAC meetings are open to the public.
Regional Director, Southwest Region.
The public may present written
Section 4(f) of the ESA requires us to [FR Doc. 2018–16655 Filed 8–2–18; 8:45 am]
comments to the Council at the address
provide public notice and an BILLING CODE 4333–15–P provided above. Each formal Council
opportunity for public review and meeting will also have time allocated for
comment during recovery plan hearing public comments. Depending on
development. It is also our policy to DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
the number of persons wishing to
request peer review of recovery plans Bureau of Land Management comment and time available, the time
(July 1, 1994; 59 FR 34270). In an for individual oral comments may be
appendix to the approved recovery plan, [LLIDB00100 L17110000.PH0000 limited.
we will summarize and respond to the LXSS024D0000 45001222254]
Before including your address, phone
issues raised by the public and peer number, email address, or other
reviewers. Substantive comments may Notice of Public Meeting, Boise District
Resource Advisory Council, Idaho personal identifying information in your
or may not result in changes to the comments, please be aware that your
recovery plan; comments regarding AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, entire comment, including your
recovery plan implementation will be Interior. personal identifying information, may
forwarded as appropriate to Federal or ACTION: Notice of public meeting. be made publicly available at any time.
other entities so that they can be taken While you can ask us in your comment
into account during the course of SUMMARY: In accordance with the to withhold your personal identifying
implementing recovery actions. Federal Land Policy and Management information from public review, we
Responses to individual commenters Act of 1976, the Federal Advisory cannot guarantee that we will be able to
will not be provided, but we will Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. do so. Individuals who plan to attend
provide a summary of how we Department of the Interior, Bureau of and need special assistance, such as
addressed substantive comments in an Land Management (BLM) Boise District sign language interpretation, tour
appendix to the approved recovery plan. Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will transportation or other reasonable
We invite written comments on the meet as indicated below. accommodations, should contact the
draft recovery plan. In particular, we are DATES: The Boise District RAC will meet BLM as provided above.
interested in additional information September 13, 2018. The meeting will Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2
regarding the current threats to the begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
species, ongoing beneficial management The public comment period will take Lara Douglas,
efforts, and the costs associated with place from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. District Manager.
implementing the recommended ADDRESSES: The Boise District RAC will [FR Doc. 2018–16589 Filed 8–2–18; 8:45 am]
recovery actions. meet at the BLM Boise District Office, BILLING CODE 4310–AK–P
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Document Created: 2018-11-06 10:34:37
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 10:34:37
| 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 October 2, 2018. However, we will accept information about any species at any time. | |
| Contact | Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, at | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 38164 |
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