Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 72 / Monday, April 16, 2007 / Notices 19015 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

Final Comprehensive Conservation 

Plan for Horicon and Fox River 

National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) 

Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Marquette 

Counties, WI 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of availability. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service announces that the Final 

Comprehensive Conservation Plan 

(CCP) is available for Horicon and Fox 

River NWRs, Wisconsin. 

The CCP was prepared pursuant to 

the National Wildlife Refuge System 

Administration Act of 1966, as amended 

by the National Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act of 1997, and the 

National Environmental Policy Act of 

1969. Goals and objectives in the CCP 

describe how the agency intends to 

manage the refuge over the next 15 

years. 

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final CCP are 

available on compact disk or hard copy. 

You may obtain a copy by writing to: 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division 

of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry 

Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal 

Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111 

or you may access and download a copy 

via the planning Web site at http:// 

www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/ 

horicon. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patti 

Meyers, (920) 387–2658. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

21,417-acre Horicon NWR was 

established in 1941 through land 

purchases approved by the Migratory 

Bird Conservation Commission. The 

1,004-acre Fox River NWR is 

administered by the Horicon staff and 

was established by the Director in 

October 1978. The southern one-third of 

the Horicon Marsh is managed by the 

Department of Natural Resources and 

their land managers actively 

participated in the development of the 

CCP. 

The National Wildlife Refuge System 

Administration Act of 1966, as amended 

by the National Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 

668dd–668ee et seq.), requires the 

Service to develop a CCP for each 

National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose 

in developing a CCP is to provide refuge 

managers with a 15-year strategy for 

achieving refuge purposes and 

contributing toward the mission of the 

National Wildlife Refuge System, 

consistent with sound principles of fish 

and wildlife management, conservation, 

legal mandates, and Service policies. In 

addition to outlining broad management 

direction for conserving wildlife and 

their habitats, the CCP identifies 

wildlife-dependent recreational 

opportunities available to the public, 

including opportunities for hunting, 

fishing, wildlife observation and 

photography, and environmental 

education and interpretation. We will 

review and update these CCPs at least 

every 15 years. 

Management of the Refuges for the 

next 15 years will focus on: (1) 

Improving the long-term sustainability 

of wildlife habitats; (2) increasing 

opportunities for wildlife-dependent 

recreation; and (3) strengthening and 

expanding partnerships with 

government agencies, organizations, and 

communities. 

This document was received at the Office 

of the Federal Register on April 11, 2007. 

Dated: December 8, 2006. 

Charles M. Wooley, 

Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, Minnesota. 

[FR Doc. E7–7109 Filed 4–13–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

Draft Indiana Bat Recovery Plan, First 

Revision; Draft Survey Protocol 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of availability for review 

and comment. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service), announce 

availability of the draft revised recovery 

plan and draft survey protocol for the 

Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) for public 

review and comment. This species is 

federally listed as endangered under the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended (Act). 

DATES: In order to consider your 

comments on the draft recovery plan 

and draft survey protocol, we must 

receive them on or before July 16, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: Recovery Plan: You may 

obtain a copy of the recovery plan by 

any of the following means: 

1. World Wide Web: http:// 

midwest.fws.gov/endangered; or 

2. U.S. mail or in-person pickup: 

Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Ecological Services Field 

Office, 620 South Walker Street, 

Bloomington, IN 47403–2121. 

You may submit electronic comments 

on the recovery plan to this e-mail 

address: ibat_recovery_plan@fws.gov. 

Draft Survey Protocol: The draft 

survey protocol is available at http:// 

www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/ 

mammals/ibat_srvyprtcl.html; this Web 

page also provides instructions and 

addresses for submitting comments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Lori Pruitt, by U.S. mail or e-mail (see 

ADDRESSES). 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Recovery of endangered or threatened 

animals or plants is a primary goal of 

our endangered species program. 

Recovery plans describe actions 

considered necessary for the 

conservation of the species, establish 

criteria for delisting species, and 

provide estimates of the time and cost 

for implementing the measures needed 

for recovery. 

The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 

requires the development of recovery 

plans for listed species, unless such a 

plan would not promote the 

conservation of a particular species. 

Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended in 

1988, requires that we provide public 

notice and opportunity for public 

review and comment during recovery 

plan development. The Service will 

consider all information presented 

during a public comment period prior to 

approval of each new or revised 

recovery plan. The Service and other 

Federal agencies all also take these 

comments into consideration in the 

course of implementing approved 

recovery plans. 

The species was originally listed as in 

danger of extinction under the 

Exchanged Species Preservation Act of 

1966. The original recovery plan for the 

species was published in 1983; this is 

the first recovery plan revision. As of 

October 2006, the Service had records of 

extant winter populations at 

approximately 281 hibernacula in 19 

states and 269 maternity colonies in 16 

states. The 2005 winter census estimate 

of the population was 457,000. 

During winter, Indiana bats are 

restricted to suitable underground 

hibernacula. The vast majority of these 

sites are caves located in karst areas of 

the east-central United State; however, 

Indiana bats also hibernate in other 

cave-like locations, including 

abandoned mines. Most Indiana bats 

hibernate in caves or mines where the 

ambient temperature remains below 10° 

C but infrequently drops below freezing, 

and the temperature is relatively stable. 

In summer, most reproductive females 


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19016 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 72 / Monday, April 16, 2007 / Notices 

occupy roost sites under exfoliating bark 

of dead trees that retain large, thick 

slabs of peeling bark. These trees are 

typically within canopy gaps in a forest, 

in a fenceline, or along a wooded edge. 

Habitats in which maternity roosts 

occur include riparian zones, 

bottomland and floodplain habitats, 

wooded wetlands, and upland 

communities. Indiana bats typically 

forage in semi-open to closed forested 

habitats, forest edges, and riparian areas. 

Threats to the Indiana bat vary during 

its annual cycle. At the hibernacula, 

threats include modifications to caves, 

mines, and surrounding areas that 

change airflow and alter microclimate in 

the hibernacula. Human disturbance 

and vandalism pose significant threats 

during hibernation through direct 

mortality and by inducing arousal and 

consequent depletion of fat reserves. 

Natural catastrophes can also have a 

significant effect during winter because 

of the concentration of individuals in a 

relatively few sites. During summer 

months, possible threats relate to the 

loss and degradation of forested habitat. 

Migration pathways and swarming sites 

may also be affected by habitat loss and 

degradation. In addition to these threats, 

significant information gaps remain 

regarding the species’ ecology that 

hinder sound decision-making on how 

best to manage and protect the species. 

The objective of the recovery plan is 

to provide a framework for the recovery 

of Indiana bat so that protection by the 

Act is no longer necessary. We may 

consider Indiana bat for classification 

from Endangered to Threatened status 

when the likelihood of the species 

becoming extinct in the foreseeable 

future has been precluded by 

achievement of the following criteria: 

(1) Permanent protection of a minimum 

of 80 percent of Priority-1 hibernacula 

in each of four Recovery Units (OzarkCentral, Midwest, Appalachian 

Mountains, and Northeast), with a 

minimum of one Priority-1 

hibernaculum protected in each unit; (2) 

A minimum overall population estimate 

equal to the 2005 population estimate of 

457,000; and (3) Documentation that 

shows important hibernacula within 

each Recovery Unit have a positive 

annual population growth rate over the 

next 10-year period (i.e., five survey 

periods). 

We will consider Indiana bat for 

delisting when the likelihood of the 

species becoming threatened in the 

foreseeable future has been reduced by 

the achievement of the following 

criteria: (1) Permanent protection of a 

minimum of 50 percent of Priority-2 

hibernacula in each Recovery Unit: (2) 

A minimum overall population estimate 

equal to the 2005 population estimate of 

457,000; and (3) Documentation that 

shows a positive population growth rate 

within each Recovery Unit over an 

additional five sequential survey 

periods (i.e., 10 years). If research on 

summer habitat requirements indicates 

the quality or quantity of maternity 

habitat is threatening recovery of the 

species, the Service will amend these 

criteria. Additional details on 

reclassification and delisting criteria are 

available in the recovery plan. 

We will meet these criteria through 

the following actions: (1) Conserving 

and managing hibernacula and their 

winter populations, (2) Conserving and 

managing summer habitat to maximize 

survival and fecundity, (3) Planning and 

conducting research essential for 

recovery, and (4) Developing and 

implementing a public information and 

outreach program. 

In addition to seeking comments on 

the content of the entire recovery plan, 

we request any information on the 

appropriate scope and breadth of this 

recovery plan as it relates to the 

inclusion of available science for 

summer habitat. Furthermore, we are 

seeking any information related to 

hybridization that may be occurring 

with other bats within the range of 

Indiana bat. We are interested to know 

about this, the extent of such 

hybridization and its potential to affect 

the Indiana bat as a species. We also 

request information about the use of 

records of captured individuals to 

describe the summer, winter and 

maternity distribution of the species. In 

addition to soliciting comment on the 

recovery plan, we are seeking comment 

on a draft survey protocol for 

determining presence or probable 

absence of Indiana bats at cave portals 

or abandoned mines that could serve as 

hibernacula. Our goal is to incorporate 

comments and finalize the draft survey 

protocol in time to be included in the 

approved Indiana Bat Recovery Plan. 

The draft survey protocol, with 

instructions for commenting, is 

available on the Internet (see 

ADDRESSES). 

Public Comments Solicited 

The Service solicits written comments 

on the recovery plan and the draft 

survey protocol. All comments received 

by the date specified will be considered 

prior to approval of the plan. Written 

comments and materials regarding the 

draft recovery plan should be addressed 

to the Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES). 

Comments and materials received about 

the draft recovery plan will be available 

by appointment for public inspection 

during normal business hours at the 

above address. For information on 

commenting on the draft survey 

protocol, see ADDRESSES. 

Authority: The authority for this action is 

section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 

16 U.S.C. 1533(f). 

Dated: April 4, 2007. 

Lynn Lewis, 

Deputy Assistant Regional Director, 

Ecological Services, Region 3, Fort Snelling, 

Minnesota. 

[FR Doc. 07–1866 Filed 4–13–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–M 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, 

Seal Beach, Orange County, CA 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a 

comprehensive conservation plan and 

environmental assessment; 

announcement of public open house 

meetings; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service, we), intend to 

gather information necessary to prepare 

a comprehensive conservation plan 

(CCP) and associated environmental 

documents for the Seal Beach National 

Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We furnish this 

notice in compliance with our CCP 

policy to advise other agencies and the 

public of our intentions, and to obtain 

suggestions and information on the 

scope of issues to be considered in the 

planning process. 

DATES: To ensure consideration, we 

must receive your written comments by 

May 18, 2007. Two public open house 

meetings will be held during the 

scoping phase of the comprehensive 

conservation plan development process. 

Special mailings, newspaper articles, 

and other media announcements will be 

used to inform the public and Tribe, 

state, and local governments of the dates 

and opportunities for input throughout 

the planning process. 

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or 

requests for more information to 

Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner, 

San Diego National Wildlife Refuge 

Complex, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, 

Carlsbad, CA 92011; telephone: 760–

431–9440 ex. 349; fax: 760–930–0256; or 

electronic mail: 

Victoria_Touchstone@fws.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner, 

San Diego NWR Complex, 760–431–

9440 extension 349. 


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