83 FR 59406 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 226 (November 23, 2018)

Page Range		59406-59408
FR Document		2018-25454

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 226 (Friday, November 23, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59406-59408]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25454]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-ES-2018-N145; MO# 300030113; OMB Control Number 1018-0119]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Policy for 
Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to renew an 
information collection with revisions.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
December 24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or 
via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments 
to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803 (mail); or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 1018-0119 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at (703) 358-2503. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact 
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
February 28, 2018 (83 FR 8698). The following comments were received:
    Comment 1: Letter dated April 30, 2018, from Myles P. Culhane, 
Assistant General Counsel, Occidental Petroleum Corporation. Received 
via email on April 30, 2018.
    Occidental Petroleum Corporation provided comments on whether PECE 
is necessary to the proper functions of the Service, whether we will 
use the information in a timely manner, and how to enhance the 
information being collected. They stated that PECE is very important to 
encourage voluntary conservation efforts prior to listing decisions 
such that listing may not be necessary. They offered three suggestions 
to improve information collection in the context of specific listing 
decisions:
    (1) Ensure that we are collecting the right types of information by 
considering what will be useful in predicting future conservation 
actions and results, and articulating the factors we think will inform 
such predictions,
    (2) Ensure that we have the ability to update our listing decisions 
up until the last minute regarding current information about 
conservation efforts, and
    (3) Ensure that PECE analyses are cumulative and include all 
qualifying conservation efforts together rather than in isolation.
    FWS Response to Comment 1: The Service appreciates this comment and 
does consider the best available scientific and commercial information 
received through the public comment period, information solicitation, 
or other means related to conservation efforts when making listing 
determinations. The Service maintains that in every proposed or final 
listing decision, we articulate the species' needs, the threats to the 
species and its response to those threats, and any actions that may 
ameliorate or exacerbate those threats. Each particular situation is 
unique, but in the Service's final PECE, we articulated the non-
exhaustive list of criteria that we would use to evaluate each 
conservation effort that did not have a track record of implementation 
or effectiveness. The Service is required to consider best available 
scientific and commercial information in making listing decisions, 
including information on conservation efforts that do not have a track 
record of implementation or effectiveness. The Service evaluates the 
certainty of implementation and effectiveness by considering the 
criteria in the PECE, and those efforts that meet the PECE standard of 
sufficiently certain to be implemented and effective are then evaluated 
in the status assessment for the species. The Service understands that 
stakeholders want a transparent and flexible process, and the Service 
is open to communication and collaboration with these stakeholders 
which will encourage conservation of species.
    Comment 2: Letter dated April 27, 2018, from Steve Wright, General 
Manager, Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County, WA. Received 
via email on May, 7, 2018.
    Chelan Public Utility District No. 1 commented that it finds PECE 
useful because it encourages aggregation of information about 
conservation efforts, which can provide notice to permit applicants and 
other entities possibly affected by a listing, both of the listing and 
the efforts. It can also encourage entities to participate in 
conservation efforts, which can be meaningful for species. It finds 
that encouraging conservation efforts is consistent with the ESA and 
benefits species.
    FWS Response to Comment 2: The Service appreciates the District's 
comments about the utility and benefits of PECE.
    We are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is 
described below. We are especially interested in public comment 
addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the 
proper functions of the Service; (2) will this information be processed 
and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; 
(4) how might the Service enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the

[[Page 59407]]

information to be collected; and (5) how might the Service minimize the 
burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use 
of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. 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 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.
    Abstract: Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) outlines the process by which we can list a species as a 
threatened species or an endangered species. When we consider whether 
to list a species, the ESA requires us to take into account the efforts 
made by any State or any political subdivision of a State to protect 
such species. We also take into account the efforts made by other 
entities. States or other entities often formalize conservation efforts 
in conservation agreements, conservation plans, management plans, or 
similar documents. The conservation efforts recommended or described in 
such documents could prevent some species from becoming so imperiled 
that they meet the definition of a threatened species or an endangered 
species under the ESA.
    The Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making 
Listing Decisions (PECE) (68 FR 15100, March 28, 2003) encourages the 
development of conservation agreements or plans and provides certainty 
about the standard that an individual conservation effort must meet in 
order for us to consider whether it is likely to make a difference in a 
species' status. PECE applies to ``formalized conservation efforts'' 
that have not been implemented or have been implemented but have not 
yet demonstrated if they are effective at the time of a listing 
decision.
    Under PECE, formalized conservation efforts are defined as 
conservation efforts (specific actions, activities, or programs 
designed to eliminate or reduce threats or otherwise improve the status 
of a species) identified in a conservation agreement, conservation 
plan, management plan, or similar document. To assist us in evaluating 
a formalized conservation effort under PECE, we collect information 
such as conservation plans, monitoring results, and progress reports. 
The development of any agreement or plan is voluntary. There is no 
requirement that the individual conservation efforts included in such 
documents be designed to meet the standard in PECE. The PECE policy is 
posted on our Candidate Conservation website at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/PECE-final.pdf.
    We are not reporting an increase in burden with this renewal, 
although we revised the collection to include burden for individuals, 
businesses, and not-for-profit organizations who may develop 
agreements/plans or may agree to implement certain conservation efforts 
identified in a State agreement or plan. Previously, we reported all 
burden estimates as government, although it was possible to receive 
submissions from individuals and private sector respondents. This 
submission breaks their burden out separately, with a placeholder of 
one submission for each category, to account for the rare occasion that 
we may receive a submission from these additional respondent 
categories.
    Title of Collection: Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts 
When Making Listing Decisions (PECE).
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0119.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Primarily State, local, or Tribal 
governments. However, individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit 
organizations could develop agreements/plans or may agree to implement 
certain conservation efforts identified in a State agreement or plan.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Estimated                       Estimated      Completion
                                     number of    Average number     number of       time per        Estimated
            Activity                  annual      of submissions      annual         response      annual burden
                                    respondents        each          responses        (hours)          hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 PECE--Reporting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals.....................               1               1               1             120             120
Private Sector..................               1               1               1             120             120
Government......................               5               1               5             120             600
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                PECE--Monitoring
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals.....................               1               1               1             600             600
Private Sector..................               1               1               1             600             600
Government......................               5               1               5             600           3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       PECE--Development of Conservation Plan/Agreement (One-Time Burden)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Individuals.....................               1               1               1           2,000           2,000
Private Sector..................               1               1               1           2,000           2,000
Government......................               2               1               2           2,000           4,000
    Totals......................              18  ..............              18  ..............          13,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 59408]]

    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

    Dated: November 16, 2018.
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-25454 Filed 11-21-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

59406 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 226 / Friday, November 23, 2018 / Notices

OPERATING COST ADJUSTMENT Number 1018–0119 in the subject line of scientific and commercial information
FACTORS FOR 2019—Continued your comments. received through the public comment
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To period, information solicitation, or other
OCAF request additional information about means related to conservation efforts
State (%) this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, when making listing determinations.
Service Information Collection The Service maintains that in every
Ohio ...................................... 2.7 proposed or final listing decision, we
Oklahoma ............................. 2.7 Clearance Officer, by email at Info_
Coll@fws.gov, or by telephone at (703) articulate the species’ needs, the threats
Oregon .................................. 2.6
Pacific Islands ....................... 3.2 358–2503. You may also view the ICR to the species and its response to those
Pennsylvania ........................ 2.9 at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ threats, and any actions that may
Puerto Rico ........................... 2.6 PRAMain. ameliorate or exacerbate those threats.
Rhode Island ........................ 2.5 Each particular situation is unique, but
South Carolina ...................... 2.7
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In in the Service’s final PECE, we
South Dakota ........................ 2.8 accordance with the Paperwork articulated the non-exhaustive list of
Tennessee ............................ 2.7 Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the criteria that we would use to evaluate
Texas .................................... 2.9 general public and other Federal each conservation effort that did not
Utah ...................................... 2.6 agencies with an opportunity to have a track record of implementation
Vermont ................................ 0.9 comment on new, proposed, revised, or effectiveness. The Service is required
Virgin Islands ........................ 2.5 and continuing collections of
Virginia .................................. 2.6
to consider best available scientific and
information. This helps us assess the commercial information in making
Washington ........................... 2.7 impact of our information collection
West Virginia ........................ 2.6 listing decisions, including information
Wisconsin ............................. 3.0
requirements and minimize the public’s on conservation efforts that do not have
Wyoming ............................... 2.7 reporting burden. It also helps the a track record of implementation or
U.S ........................................ 2.9 public understand our information effectiveness. The Service evaluates the
collection requirements and provide the certainty of implementation and
[FR Doc. 2018–25440 Filed 11–21–18; 8:45 am] requested data in the desired format. effectiveness by considering the criteria
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P A Federal Register notice with a 60- in the PECE, and those efforts that meet
day public comment period soliciting the PECE standard of sufficiently certain
comments on this collection of to be implemented and effective are
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR information was published on February then evaluated in the status assessment
28, 2018 (83 FR 8698). The following for the species. The Service understands
Fish and Wildlife Service comments were received: that stakeholders want a transparent and
Comment 1: Letter dated April 30, flexible process, and the Service is open
[FWS–HQ–ES–2018–N145; MO# 300030113;
OMB Control Number 1018–0119]
2018, from Myles P. Culhane, Assistant to communication and collaboration
General Counsel, Occidental Petroleum with these stakeholders which will
Agency Information Collection Corporation. Received via email on encourage conservation of species.
Activities; Submission to the Office of April 30, 2018. Comment 2: Letter dated April 27,
Management and Budget for Review Occidental Petroleum Corporation 2018, from Steve Wright, General
and Approval; Policy for Evaluation of provided comments on whether PECE is Manager, Public Utility District No. 1 of
Conservation Efforts When Making necessary to the proper functions of the Chelan County, WA. Received via email
Listing Decisions (PECE) Service, whether we will use the on May, 7, 2018.
information in a timely manner, and Chelan Public Utility District No. 1
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, how to enhance the information being commented that it finds PECE useful
Interior. collected. They stated that PECE is very because it encourages aggregation of
ACTION: Notice of information collection; important to encourage voluntary information about conservation efforts,
request for comment. conservation efforts prior to listing which can provide notice to permit
decisions such that listing may not be applicants and other entities possibly
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
necessary. They offered three affected by a listing, both of the listing
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
suggestions to improve information and the efforts. It can also encourage
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are
collection in the context of specific entities to participate in conservation
proposing to renew an information
listing decisions: efforts, which can be meaningful for
collection with revisions. (1) Ensure that we are collecting the species. It finds that encouraging
DATES: Interested persons are invited to right types of information by conservation efforts is consistent with
submit comments on or before considering what will be useful in the ESA and benefits species.
December 24, 2018. predicting future conservation actions FWS Response to Comment 2: The
ADDRESSES: Send written comments on and results, and articulating the factors Service appreciates the District’s
this information collection request (ICR) we think will inform such predictions, comments about the utility and benefits
to the Office of Management and (2) Ensure that we have the ability to of PECE.
Budget’s Desk Officer for the update our listing decisions up until the We are again soliciting comments on
Department of the Interior by email at last minute regarding current the proposed ICR that is described
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov; or via information about conservation efforts, below. We are especially interested in
facsimile to (202) 395–5806. Please and public comment addressing the
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

provide a copy of your comments to the (3) Ensure that PECE analyses are following issues: (1) Is the collection
Service Information Collection cumulative and include all qualifying necessary to the proper functions of the
Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and conservation efforts together rather than Service; (2) will this information be
Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 in isolation. processed and used in a timely manner;
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041– FWS Response to Comment 1: The (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
3803 (mail); or by email to Info_Coll@ Service appreciates this comment and (4) how might the Service enhance the
fws.gov. Please reference OMB Control does consider the best available quality, utility, and clarity of the

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59408 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 226 / Friday, November 23, 2018 / Notices

An agency may not conduct or Management and Budget Circular A–16. cannot guarantee that we will be able to
sponsor and a person is not required to The NGAC reviews and comments on do so.
respond to a collection of information geospatial policy and management
James Sayer,
unless it displays a currently valid OMB issues and provides a forum to convey
control number. Federal Advisory Committee, GPO,
views representative of non-federal Information Management and Delivery,
The authority for this action is the stakeholders in the geospatial USGS.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 community. The NGAC meeting is one [FR Doc. 2018–25561 Filed 11–21–18; 8:45 am]
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). of the primary ways that the FGDC
BILLING CODE 4338–11–P
Dated: November 16, 2018. collaborates with its broad network of
Madonna Baucum, partners. Additional information about
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. the NGAC meeting is available at: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service. www.fgdc.gov/ngac.
[FR Doc. 2018–25454 Filed 11–21–18; 8:45 am] Agenda Topics: Bureau of Indian Affairs
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
—FGDC Update [190A2100DD/AAKC001030/
A0A501010.999900 253G; OMB Control
—Geospatial Data as Services Number 1076–NEW]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR —Cultural and Historical Geospatial
Resources Agency Information Collection
Geological Survey Activities; Human Capital Management
—Geospatial Infrastructure Strengths and Needs Assessment
[GX19EE000101100]
—NSDI Strategic Plan
AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Public Meeting of the National —Landsat Advisory Group Interior.
Geospatial Advisory Committee ACTION: Notice of information collection;
Meeting Accessibility/Special
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Accommodations: The webinar meeting request for comment.
Interior. is open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to SUMMARY: In accordance with the
ACTION: Notice of public meeting. 4:30 p.m. on December 6, 2018. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
Members of the public wishing to attend the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) are
SUMMARY: In accordance with the the meeting should contact Ms. Lucia
Federal Advisory Committee Act of proposing a new information collection
Foulkes by email at lfoulkes@usgs.gov to to gain an understanding of processes
1972, the U.S. Geological Survey register no later than Monday, December
(USGS) is publishing this notice to and practices within BIE schools.
3, 2018. Webinar/conference line
announce that a Federal Advisory DATES: Interested persons are invited to
instructions will be provided to submit comments on or before January
Committee meeting of the National registered attendees prior to the
Geospatial Advisory Committee will 22, 2019.
meeting. Individuals requiring special
take place. ADDRESSES: Send your comments on
accommodations to access the public
DATES: The meeting will be held on
this information collection request (ICR)
meeting should contact Ms. Lucia
Thursday, December 6, 2018 from 1:00 by mail to The Bureau of Indian
Foulkes at the email stated above or by
p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Education, 1011 Indian School Road
telephone at 703–648–4142 no later
Time). NW, Suite 332, Albuquerque, NM
than Friday, November 30, 2018 so that
87104; or by email to Veronica Lane,
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held appropriate arrangements can be made.
Veronica.Lane@bie.edu. Please
via web conference and teleconference. Public Disclosure of Comments: Time reference OMB Control Number 1076–
Send your comments to Group Federal will be allowed at the meeting for any NEW in the subject line of your
Officer by email to gs-faca-mail@ individual or organization wishing to comments.
usgs.gov. make formal oral comments. To allow
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. for full consideration of information by
request additional information about
John Mahoney, Federal Geographic Data the NGAC members at the meeting,
this ICR, contact Veronica Lane by email
Committee, U.S. Geological Survey, 909 written comments must be provided to at Veronica.Lane@bie.edu, or by
First Avenue, Suite 800, Seattle, WA Ms. Lucia Foulkes, Federal Geographic telephone at 505–563–5279.
98104; by email at jmahoney@usgs.gov; Data Committee, U.S. Geological
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
or by telephone at (206) 220–4621. Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive,
accordance with the Paperwork
MS–590, Reston, VA 20192; by email at
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the
lfoulkes@usgs.gov; or by telephone at
meeting is being held under the general public and other Federal
provisions of the Federal Advisory 703–648–4142, no later than Monday,
agencies with an opportunity to
Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., December 3, 2018. Any written
comment on new, proposed, revised,
Appendix, as amended), the comments received will be provided to
and continuing collections of
Government in the Sunshine Act of the NGAC members.
information. This helps us assess the
1976 (5 U.S.C. 552B, as amended), and Before including your address, phone impact of our information collection
41 CFR 102–3.140 and 102–3.150. number, email address, or other requirements and minimize the public’s
Purpose of the Meeting: The National personal identifying information in your reporting burden. It also helps the
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) comment, you should be aware that public understand our information
provides advice and recommendations your entire comment—including your collection requirements and provide the
related to management of Federal and personal identifying information—may requested data in the desired format.
national geospatial programs, the be made publicly available at any time. We are soliciting comments on the
development of the National Spatial While you may ask us in your comment proposed ICR that is described below.
Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and the to withhold your personal identifying We are especially interested in public
implementation of Office of information from public review, we comment addressing the following

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Document Created: 2018-11-27 12:59:47
Document Modified: 2018-11-27 12:59:47

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 information collection; request for comment.
Dates		Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before December 24, 2018.
Contact		To request additional information about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by telephone at (703) 358-2503. You may also view the ICR at http:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
FR Citation		83 FR 59406

83 FR 59406 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 226 (November 23, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service