Source: http://www.regulations.gov/?_escaped_fragment_=documentDetail;D=FWS-R2-ES-2012-0071-0311
Timestamp: 2016-07-27 21:12:11
Document Index: 190045637

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 17', 'art 17', '§ 17', '§ 17', '§ 17', 'art 17']

Skip Navigation HomeHelpResourcesContact Us Advanced Search Start of Main Content Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Listing Lesser Prairie-Chicken as Threatened Species with Special Rule This Proposed Rule document was issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) For related information, Open Docket Folder Show agency attachment(s) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
SummaryWe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to create a special rule under authority of section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), that provides measures that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). In addition, we announce the reopening of the public comment period on the December 11, 2012, proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species under the Act. We also announce the availability of a draft rangewide conservation plan for the lesser prairie-chicken, which has been prepared by the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Interstate Working Group, and request comments on the plan as it relates to our determination of status under section 4(a)(1) of the Act.
DatesWe will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 20, 2013. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (seeADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for public hearings, in writing, at the address shown inADDRESSESby June 20, 2013.
Supplementary InformationExecutive SummaryThis document consists of: (1) A proposed special rule under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), that outlines the prohibitions, and exceptions to those prohibitions, necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken; and (2) a reopening of the comment period for the proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species under the Act.
The proposed 4(d) special rule allows for take of the lesser prairie-chicken incidental to activities conducted pursuant to a comprehensive conservation program that was developed by or in coordination with a State agency and that has been determined by the Service pursuant to the criteria outlined in this proposed rule to provide a net conservation benefit to the lesser prairie-chicken. Additionally, the proposed 4(d) special rule provides that any take of lesser prairie-chickens incidental to agricultural activities that are included within a conservation plan developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for private agricultural lands in connection with NRCS's Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative (LPCI), as specified in this proposed rule, is not a prohibited action under the Act. If an activity resulting in take of lesser prairie-chicken is not exempted under this 4(d) special rule, then the general prohibitions at 50 CFR 17.31 would apply. We would require a permit for such an activity as specified in our regulations. Nothing in this proposed 4(d) special rule affects the consultation requirements under section 7 of the Act.
The Basis for Our Action. Under section 4(d) of the Act, the Secretary of the Interior has discretion to issue such regulations as [s]he deems necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the species. The Secretary also has the discretion to prohibit by regulation with respect to a threatened species any act prohibited by section 9(a)(1) of the Act.Public CommentsTo allow the public to comment simultaneously on this proposed 4(d) special rule, the proposed listing rule, and the draft rangewide conservation plan for the lesser prairie-chicken prepared by the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Interstate Working Group, we also announce the reopening of the comment period on the Service's December 11, 2012, proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species under the Act. We intend to finalize the 4(d) special rule concurrent with the final listing rule, if the result of our final listing determination concludes that threatened species status is appropriate. Any final action resulting from the proposed rules will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request comments or information from other concerned governmental agencies, Native American tribes, the scientific community, industry, general public, and other interested parties concerning the proposed listing rule and 4(d) special rule. We particularly seek comments regarding:
Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office (seeFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).Previous Federal ActionsA settlement agreement in In re Endangered Species Act Section 4 Deadline Litigation, No. 10-377 (EGS), MDL Docket No. 2165 (D.D.C. May 10, 2011) was reached with WildEarth Guardians in which we agreed to submit a proposed listing rule for the lesser prairie-chicken to theFederal Registerfor publication by September 30, 2012. On September 27, 2012, the settlement agreement was modified to require that the proposed listing rule be submitted to theFederal Registeron or before November 29, 2012. On December 11, 2012, we published in theFederal Registera proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species under the Act (77 FR 73828). The proposed listing rule had a 90-day comment period, ending March 11, 2013. We held a public meeting and hearing in Woodward, Oklahoma, on February 5, 2013; in Garden City, Kansas, on February 7, 2013; in Lubbock, Texas, on February 11, 2013; and in Roswell, New Mexico, on February 12, 2013. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, a final listing determination is to be submitted to theFederal Registeron or before September 30, 2013, unless the Secretary finds that substantial disagreement exists regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data relevant to the listing determination, in which case the final listing determination is to be submitted to theFederal Registeron or before March 31, 2014.
For information on previous Federal actions pertaining to the lesser prairie-chicken, please refer to the proposed listing rule, which we published in theFederal Registeron December 11, 2012 (77 FR 73828).BackgroundThis document discusses only those topics directly relevant to the proposed 4(d) special rule for the lesser prairie-chicken. For more information on the lesser prairie-chicken and its habitat, please refer to the December 11, 2012, proposed listing rule (77 FR 73828), which is available online at http://www.regulations.gov (at Docket Number FWS-R2-ES-2012-0071) or from the Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office (seeFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Since the time of the proposed listing rule, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Interstate Working Group, in association with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, has drafted a rangewide conservation plan for the lesser prairie-chicken. We would like to consider the conservation measures in this plan in our final listing determination for the lesser prairie-chicken. As such, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public an opportunity to provide comment on the draft plan as it applies to our determination of status under section 4(a)(1) of the Act, particularly comments or information to help us assess the certainty that the rangewide conservation plan will be effective in conserving the lesser prairie-chicken and will be implemented. The draft plan is available on the Internet in Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0071 at http://www.regulations.gov. Provisions of the Proposed 4(d) Special Rule for the Lesser Prairie-ChickenUnder section 4(d) of the Act, the Secretary may publish a special rule that modifies the standard protections for threatened species with special measures tailored to the conservation of the species that are determined to be necessary and advisable. Under this proposed 4(d) special rule, the Service proposes that all of the prohibitions under 50 CFR 17.31 and 17.32 will apply to the lesser prairie-chicken, except as noted below. The proposed 4(d) special rule will not remove or alter in any way the consultation requirements under section 7 of the Act.Conservation ProgramsThe Service proposes that take incidental to activities conducted pursuant to a comprehensive conservation program that was developed by or in coordination with the State agency or agencies responsiblefor the management and conservation of fish and wildlife within the affected State(s), or their agent(s), that has a clear mechanism for enrollment of participating landowners, and that has been determined by the Service to provide a net conservation benefit to the lesser prairie-chicken, will not be prohibited. In making its determination, the Service will consider:
The criteria presented here are meant to encourage the development of a coordinated and comprehensive effort to improve habitat conditions and the status of the species across its entire range. For the Service to approve coverage of a comprehensive conservation program under this 4(d) special rule, the program must provide a net conservation benefit to the lesser prairie-chicken population. Conservation, as defined in section 3(3) of the Act, means “to use and the use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered species or threatened species to the point at which the measures provided pursuant to the Act are no longer necessary.” The program must also be periodically reviewed by the Service and determined that it continues to provide a net conservation benefit to the lesser prairie-chicken. As a result of this provision, the Service expects that rangewide conservation actions will be implemented with a high level of certainty that the program will lead to the long-term conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken.Agricultural ActivitiesThe Service proposes that take of the lesser prairie-chicken will not be prohibited provided the take is incidental to activities that are conducted in accordance with NRCS's Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative (LPCI).
The Service issued a conference report to the NRCS in connection with the NRCS's LPCI on June 30, 2011 (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1044884.pdf), in which the Service determined that the proposed action, which incorporates the procedures, practice standards, and conservation measures of the LPCI, is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the lesser prairie-chicken. Conference procedures under section 7 of the Act are required only when a Federal agency (action agency) proposes an activity that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a species that has been proposed for listing under the Act or when the proposed activity is likely to destroy or adversely modify proposed critical habitat. However, conference procedures may also be used to assist an action agency in planning a proposed action so that potential conflicts may be identified and resolved early in the planning process. During the conference, the Service may provide recommendations on ways to avoid or minimize adverse effects of the proposed action. The conclusions reached during a conference and any subsequent recommendations are then provided to the action agency in a conference report.
This provision of the proposed 4(d) special rule for agricultural activities will promote conservation of the species by encouraging landowners and ranchers to continue managing the remaining landscape in ways that meet the needs of their operation while simultaneously providing suitable habitat for the lesser prairie-chicken.Proposed DeterminationSection 4(d) of the Act states that “the Secretary shall issue such regulations as [s]he deems necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation” of species listed as a threatened species. Conservation is defined in the Act to mean “to use and the use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered species or threatened species to the point at which the measures provided pursuant to [the Act] are no longer necessary.” Additionally, section 4(d) states that the Secretary “may by regulation prohibit with respect to any threatened species any act prohibited under section 9(a)(1).”
Section 9 prohibitions make it illegal for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take (including harass, harm, pursue, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect; or attemptany of these), import or export, ship in interstate commerce in the course of commercial activity, or sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce any wildlife species listed as an endangered species, without written authorization. It also is illegal under section 9(a)(1) of the Act to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any such wildlife that is taken illegally. Prohibited actions consistent with section 9 of the Act are outlined for threatened species in 50 CFR 17.31(a) and (b). This proposed 4(d) special rule proposes that all prohibitions in 50 CFR 17.31(a) and (b) will apply to the lesser prairie-chicken, except in two instances.
Based on the rationale explained above, the provisions included in this proposed 4(d) special rule are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the lesser prairie-chicken. Nothing in this proposed 4(d) special rule changes in any way the recovery planning provisions of section 4(f) and consultation requirements under section 7 of the Act or the ability of the Service to enter into partnerships for the management and protection of the lesser prairie-chicken.Additional Provisions Under ConsiderationThe Service is considering several additional provisions and specifically seeks information and comment on the following issues at this time.
Finally, the Service is also considering whether it is appropriate to expand the scope of the 4(d) special rule to: (a) Encourage landowners removing their lands from the Conservation Reserve Program to continue managing those areas for the benefit of the lesser prairie-chicken; (b) encourage farmers and ranchers not participating in the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative to manage their lands for the benefit of the lesser prairie-chicken; and (c) allow incidental take of lesser prairie-chickens if the take results from implementation of a comprehensive lesser prairie-chicken conservation program that was developed by an entity other than a State agency or their agent(s) or was developed without coordination with a State agency or their agent(s).Peer ReviewIn accordance with our joint policy published in theFederal Registeron July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we will seek the expert opinions of at least three appropriate and independent specialists regarding this proposed rule. The purpose of such review is to ensure that our determination of status for this species is based on scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses. We will send peer reviewers copies of thisproposed rule immediately following publication in theFederal Register. We will invite these peer reviewers to comment, during the reopening of the public comment period, on our use and interpretation of the science used in developing our proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken and this proposed 4(d) special rule.
We will consider all comments and information we receive during the comment period on this proposed rule during preparation of a final rulemaking. Accordingly, the final decision may differ from this proposal.Required DeterminationsClarity of the RuleWe are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This means that each rule we publish must: (a) Be logically organized; (b) use the active voice to address readers directly; (c) use clear language rather than jargon; (d) be divided into short sections and sentences; and (e) use lists and tables wherever possible.
If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us comments by one of the methods listed inADDRESSES. To better help us revise the proposed rule, your comments should be as specific as possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, etc.Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.)This rule does not contain any new collections of information that require approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This rule will not impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals, businesses, or organizations. 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.National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, need not be prepared in connection with listing a species as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination in theFederal Registeron October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). We intend to incorporate this proposed special rule into our final determination concerning the listing of the species or withdrawal of the proposal if new information is provided that supports that decision.Government-to-Government Relationship With TribesIn accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994 (Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make information available to tribes.
By letter dated April 19, 2011, we contacted known tribal governments throughout the historical range of the lesser prairie-chicken. We sought their input on our development of a proposed rule to list the lesser prairie-chicken and encouraged them to contact the Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office if any portion of our request was unclear or to request additional information. We did not receive any comments regarding this request.References CitedA complete list of all references cited in this proposed rule is available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0071 or upon request from the Field Supervisor, Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office (seeFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).AuthorsThe primary authors of this proposed rule are the staff members of the Oklahoma Ecological Services Field Office (seeFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Proposed Regulation PromulgationAccordingly, we propose to further amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as proposed to be amended at 77 FR 73828 (December 11, 2012) as follows:Part 17 Amended
2. Amend § 17.11(h) by adding an entry for “Prairie-chicken, lesser” to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in alphabetical order under Birds to read as set forth below:
SpeciesCommon nameScientific nameHistoric rangeVertebrate population whereendangered orthreatenedStatusWhen listedCritical habitatSpecial rules
******* Birds ******* Prairie-chicken, lesser(Tympanuchus pallidicinctus)U.S.A. (CO, KS, NM, OK, TX)EntireTNA17.41(a)
******* 3. Amend § 17.41 by adding paragraph (a) to read as follows:
(1) Prohibitions. Except as noted in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this section, all prohibitions and provisions of §§ 17.31 and 17.32 apply to the lesser prairie-chicken.
[FR Doc. 2013-10497 Filed 5-3-13; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
Attachments View All (0) View document: No documents available. Attachments View All (0) Comment Now! Comment Period Closed Jun 20 2013, at 11:59 PM ET ID: FWS-R2-ES-2012-0071-0311 Tracking Number: View original printed format: Document Information Date Posted: May 6, 2013RIN: 1018-AY21CFR: 50 CFR Part 17Federal Register Number: 2013-10497 Show More Details Submitter Information Comments23,795 Comments Received* Marilyn Roe's Comment View Comment vanita Menapace's Comment
(County of Harding/New Mexico) View Comment Jeff and Ivy Ward's Comment View Comment Docket Information This document is contained in FWS-R2-ES-2012-0071 Related Dockets: NoneRelated RINs: NoneRelated Documents: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Status for...Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Special Rule...Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Listing the... Related Comments: View all * This count refers to the total comment/submissions received on this document, as of 11:59 PM yesterday. Note: Agencies review all submissions, however some agencies may choose to redact, or withhold, certain submissions (or portions thereof) such as those containing private or proprietary information, inappropriate language, or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. This can result in discrepancies between this count and those displayed when conducting searches on the Public Submission document type. For specific information about an agency’s public submission policy, refer to its website or the Federal Register document. Document text and images courtesy of the Federal Register Home Search Advanced Search Browse By Category Learn About Us eRulemaking Program Media Toolkit Agencies Awards & Recognition Enhancements & Fixes Resources Site Data Regulatory Agenda Agency Reports Required by Statute API Overview Developers Help How to use Regulations.gov FAQs Glossary Connect With Contact Us Privacy and Security Notice User Notice Accessibility Statement Partner Sites We the People Federal Register Reginfo Congress.gov USA.gov E-Gov Opengov Participate Today!