Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 2014 / Notices 65983 

Alabama; and the lower Coosa River, 

Alabama. Surviving populations of 

Georgia pigtoe occur in the Conasauga 

River, Georgia, and possibly in the 

Coosa River (Weiss Bypass), Alabama. 

Both the rough hornsnail and 

interrupted rocksnail are State listed as 

a Priority 1 (P1) species in Alabama, 

while the Georgia pigtoe is State listed 

as endangered in Georgia. 

Approximately 258 km (160 mi) of 

stream channels in the Coosa River 

drainage have been designated as 

critical habitat for the interrupted 

rocksnail (101 km (63 mi)), rough 

hornsnail (27.4 km (17 mi)), and Georgia 

pigtoe mussel (153 km (95 mi)). Critical 

habitat is located in Cherokee, Clay, 

Coosa, Elmore and Shelby Counties, 

Alabama; Gordon, Floyd, Murray, and 

Whitfield Counties, Georgia; and 

Bradley and Polk Counties, Tennessee. 

The Georgia pigtoe mussel has a 

Federal recovery priority number of 5, 

which indicates that the species faces a 

high degree of threat but also has a low 

recovery potential. The interrupted 

rocksnail and rough hornsnail both have 

a recovery priority number of 2, which 

indicates that both species are facing a 

high degree of threat but have a high 

recovery potential. 

Background 

Restoring an endangered or 

threatened animal or plant to the point 

where it is again a secure, selfsustaining member of its ecosystem is a 

primary goal of our endangered species 

program. To help guide the recovery 

effort, we prepare recovery plans for 

most listed 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. 

The Act 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 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. 

We made the draft of this recovery 

plan available for public comment from 

July 3, 2013, through September 3, 2013 

(78 FR 40162). We received no public 

comments. We considered the 

information received from peer 

reviewers in our preparation and 

approval of this final recovery plan. 

Recovery Plan Components 

The Service’s recovery objectives are 

to work to reduce threats so that the 

interrupted rocksnail and rough 

hornsnail may be downlisted to 

threatened status, and to prevent further 

decline of the Georgia pigtoe’s 

Conasauga River population and 

prevent extinction of the species as a 

whole. Defining reasonable downlisting 

or delisting criteria for the Georgia 

pigtoe is not possible at this time, given 

the current low number of populations 

and individuals, lack of information 

about the species’ biology, and 

magnitude of threats. Therefore, this 

recovery plan only establishes 

downlisting criteria for the two snails. 

Instead of establishing downlisting or 

delisting criteria at this time for Georgia 

pigtoe, we are identifying preliminary 

actions to help us prevent its extinction 

until we can obtain further information 

on this species and determine recovery 

criteria. 

Downlisting of the interrupted 

rocksnail and rough hornsnail will be 

considered when we: 

1. Protect and manage at least three 

geographically distinct populations for 

each species (to achieve this criterion, 

the populations can include the 

Oostanaula for the interrupted rocksnail 

and Yellowleaf Creek and Lower Coosa 

River for the rough hornsnail); 

2. Achieve demonstrated and 

sustainable natural reproduction and 

recruitment in each population for each 

species as evident by multiple age 

classes of individuals, including 

naturally recruited juveniles, and 

recruitment rates exceeding mortality 

rates for a period of 5 years; and 

3. Develop and implement habitat and 

population monitoring programs for 

each population. 

The following actions are identified as 

necessary to help prevent the extinction 

of the Georgia pigtoe: 

1. Maintain, and where possible 

conduct efforts to improve, the 

Conasauga River population; 

2. Develop and implement a 

monitoring plan to evaluate population 

size in response to management actions; 

3. Develop a captive propagation 

program and establish an ark population 

(a secure, maintained captive 

population) to help support the 

Conasauga River population; 

4. Conduct research, such as 

identification of an appropriate fish 

host, that is important to gain better 

understanding of this mussel’s life 

history; and 

5. Identify, monitor, and where 

possible improve potential 

reintroduction sites in the species’ 

historic range. 

Authority 

The authority for this action is section 

4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 

U.S.C. 1533 (f). 

Dated: August 20, 2014. 

Mike Oetker, 

Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. 

[FR Doc. 2014–26362 Filed 11–4–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

[FWS–R2–ES–2014–N230; 

FXES11130200000F5–156–FF02ENEH00] 

Emergency Exemption; Issuance of 

Emergency Permit To Capture a 

Suspected Gray Wolf in the Area of the 

North Rim of the Grand Canyon, 

Arizona 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of issuance. 

SUMMARY: The final rule to list the gray 

wolf as endangered throughout its range 

in the United States published in 1978. 

On October 6, 2014, a suspected gray 

wolf was seen wandering in the area of 

the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 

Arizona. Deer hunting season is 

beginning in this area of Arizona, and it 

is believed that the wolf may be in 

danger of possible harm and could 

accidentally be shot either as a result of 

misunderstanding of status or 

misidentification. We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service have, under an 

Endangered Species Act (ESA) permit, 

authorized qualified researchers to 

capture, draw blood, and possibly affix 

a brightly colored GPS radio collar on 

the suspect wolf and release it back into 

the general area where it was captured. 

It is essential for its safety to conduct 

these actions. 

ADDRESSES: Documents and other 

information concerning the permit are 

available for review, subject to the 

requirements of the Privacy Act and 

Freedom of Information Act. Documents 

will be available for public inspection, 

by appointment only, during normal 

business hours at the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Ave. SW., 

Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87103. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Division of 

Classification and Restoration, P.O. Box 

1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103; (505) 

248–6920. 

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65984 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 2014 / Notices 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Several 

agencies and individuals notified the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 

that a suspected gray wolf (Canis lupus) 

was wandering in the area of the North 

Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. 

Without being able to trap and identify 

the animal, it is unknown as to whether 

it is a gray wolf or some type of wolfdog hybrid. We believe it is in the 

animal’s best interest, with the 

upcoming deer hunting season opening 

in this area of Arizona, to capture, affix 

a brightly colored radio collar (if it is 

found to be a gray wolf), and draw blood 

(to identify the species), to help protect 

the animal from harm. We, the Service, 

under an Endangered Species Act (16 

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) permit, have 

authorized the following researchers to 

conduct the above-mentioned activities 

for gray wolf in the North Rim of the 

Grand Canyon, Arizona. 

Permit TE–676811 

Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Region 2, Regional Director 

Blanket Permit, Albuquerque, New 

Mexico. 

We approved the applicant’s request 

for an amendment to a current permit 

for research and recovery purposes to 

survey for, locate, capture, temporarily 

hold, draw blood, and radio collar, a 

gray wolf (Canis lupus) within the area 

of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, 

Arizona. 

This emergency permit is issued for 

the sole purpose of protecting the 

suspected gray wolf in Arizona. Any 

further authorization for surveys or 

research of the gray wolf will be 

processed separately. 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. 

Dated: October 30, 2014. 

Joy E. Nicholopoulos, 

Deputy Regional Director, Southwest Region, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–26457 Filed 11–5–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[LLMTC 00900.L16100000.DP0000 

MO#4500073795] 

Notice of Public Meeting, Eastern 

Montana Resource Advisory Council 

Meeting 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of public meeting. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

Federal Land Policy and Management 

Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of 

Land Management (BLM) Eastern 

Montana Resource Advisory Council 

(RAC) will meet as indicated below. 

DATES: The Eastern Montana Resource 

Advisory Council meeting will be held 

on December 4, 2014 in Billings, 

Montana. The meeting will start at 8:00 

a.m. and adjourn at approximately 4:30 

p.m. 

ADDRESSES: Billings Hampton Inn, 5110 

Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Mark Jacobsen, Public Affairs Specialist, 

BLM Eastern Montana/Dakotas District, 

111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, 

Montana 59301; (406) 233–2831; 

mjacobse@blm.gov. Persons who use a 

telecommunications device for the deaf 

(TDD) may call the Federal Information 

Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–677–8339 

to contact the above individual during 

normal business hours. The FIRS is 

available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 

to leave a message or a question with 

the above individual. You will receive 

a reply during normal business hours. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15- 

member Resource Advisory Council 

advises the Secretary of the Interior 

through the BLM on a variety of 

planning and management issues 

associated with public land 

management in Montana. At this 

meeting, the agenda will include: A 

welcome to the new RAC members, 

councilmember and BLM staff 

introductions, an Eastern Montana/

Dakotas District Manager update, Miles 

City Field Office and Billings Field 

Office progress briefings, a progress 

report by the Pumpkin Creek Area RAC 

subcommittee, individual RAC member 

reports to BLM managers and other 

issues that the council may raise during 

the course of discussion at this meeting. 

All meetings are open to the public. 

This RAC meeting will have time 

allocated for hearing public comments 

and the public may also present written 

comments to the council. Depending on 

the number of persons wishing to 

comment and the time available, the 

time for individual oral comments may 

be limited. Individuals who plan to 

attend and need special assistance, such 

as sign language interpretation, tour 

transportation or other reasonable 

accommodations should contact the 

BLM as provided above. 

Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–2. 

Diane M. Friez, 

Eastern Montana/Dakotas District Manager. 

[FR Doc. 2014–26454 Filed 11–5–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–DN–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Bureau of Land Management 

[LLMT926000– 

L14200000.BJ0000;14X1109AF, MO 

#4500073723] 

Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey; 

North Dakota 

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of filing of plats of 

survey. 

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) will file the plat of 

survey of the lands described below in 

the BLM Montana State Office, Billings, 

Montana, on December 8, 2014. 

DATES: Protests of the survey must be 

filed before December 8, 2014 to be 

considered. 

ADDRESSES: Protests of the survey 

should be sent to the Branch of 

Cadastral Survey, Bureau of Land 

Management, 5001 Southgate Drive, 

Billings, Montana 59101–4669. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marvin Montoya, Cadastral Surveyor, 

Branch of Cadastral Survey, Bureau of 

Land Management, 5001 Southgate 

Drive, Billings, Montana 59101–4669, 

telephone (406) 896–5124 or (406) 896– 

5007, Marvin_Montoya@blm.gov. 

Persons who use a telecommunications 

device for the deaf (TDD) may call the 

Federal Information Relay Service 

(FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the 

above individual during normal 

business hours. The FIRS is available 24 

hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a 

message or question with the above 

individual. You will receive a reply 

during normal business hours. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

survey was executed at the request of 

the Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals, 

Bureau of Land Management, Montana 

State Office, Billings, Montana, and was 

necessary to determine Federal Leasable 

Mineral Lands. 

The lands we surveyed are: 

Fifth Principal Meridian, North Dakota 

T. 148 N., R. 97 W. 

The plat, in 9 sheets: 

Representing the dependent resurvey of a 

portion of the 12th Standard Parallel, through 

Ranges 96 and 97 West, a portion of the east 

boundary, a portion of the subdivisional 

lines, the adjusted original meanders of the 

former left and right banks of the Little 

Missouri River, through sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 

and 12, and the subdivision of section 3, the 

subdivision of certain sections, and the 

survey of the meanders of the present left and 

right banks of the Little Missouri River and 

informative traverse, through sections 1, 2, 3, 

4, and 12, the limits of erosion in sections 1, 

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