DOCSLIB.ORG

Federal Register/Vol. 79, No. 3/Monday, January 6, 2014

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Federal Register/Vol. 79, No. 3/Monday, January 6, 2014 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Notices 661 Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing utility, and clarity of the information to through applications, semi-annual and Urban Development, 451 7th Street be collected and (4) Minimize the reports, and close out reports. The SW., Washington, DC 20410; email burden of collection of information on information that is collected is used to Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@ those who are to respond; including the assess performance. Grantees are units hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. use of appropriate automated collection of state and local government, This is not a toll-free number. Persons techniques or other forms of technology, nonprofits and Indian tribes. with hearing or speech impairments e.g., permitting electronic submission of Respondents are initially identified by may access this number through TTY by responses. congress and generally fall into two calling the toll-free Federal Relay This Notice also lists the following categories: Economic Development Service at (800) 877–8339. information: Initiative—Special Project (EDI–SP) Copies of available documents A. Overview of Information Collection grantees and Neighborhood Initiative submitted to OMB may be obtained (NI) grantees. The agency has used the from Ms. Pollard. Title of Information Collection: application, semi-annual reports and Congressional Earmark Grants. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This close out reports to track grantee OMB Approval Number: 2506–0179. performance in the implementation of notice informs the public that HUD is Type of Request (i.e. new, revision or approved projects. seeking approval from OMB for the extension of currently approved information collection described in collection): extension of a currently Respondents (i.e. affected public): Section A. approved collection. local and state governments, nonprofits This Notice is soliciting comments Form Number: SF–424; SF–LLL; and Indian tribes. from members of the public and affected SF–1199A; HUD–27054; SF–425; HUD Estimated Number of Respondents: agencies concerning the proposed 27053, HUD–27056. 1400. collection of information to: (1) Evaluate Description of the need for the Estimated Number of Responses: whether the proposed collection is information and proposed use: HUD’s 2800. necessary for the proper performance of Congressional Grants Division and its Frequency of Response: 2. the functions of the agency, including Environmental Officers in the field use whether the information will have this information to make funds available Average Hours per Response: .5. practical utility; (2) Evaluate the to entities directed to receive funds Total Estimated Burdens: 1400. accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the appropriated by Congress. This Note: Preparer of this notice may substitute burden of proposed collection of information is used to collect, receive, the chart for everything beginning with information; (3) Enhance the quality, review and monitor program activities estimated number of respondents above: Number of Frequency of Responses Burden hour Annual burden Hourly cost Information collection respondents response per annum per response hours per response Annual cost 1400 2 2800 .5 1400 33.50 $46,900 Total ............................. ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ B. Solicitation of Public Comment Dated: December 27, 2013. September 16, 2010, Stipulated This notice is soliciting comments Mark Johnston, Settlement Agreement between from members of the public and affected Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs WildEarth Guardians and the Secretary parties concerning the collection of Program. of the Interior. This species historically information described in Section A on [FR Doc. 2013–31573 Filed 1–3–14; 8:45 am] occurred in southern Texas in the the following: BILLING CODE 4210–67–P United States, and is currently known to (1) Whether the proposed collection occur in eastern Mexico as far south as of information is necessary for the Veracruz. proper performance of the functions of DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the the agency, including whether the final recovery plan, you may obtain a information will have practical utility; Fish and Wildlife Service copy by any one of the following (2) The accuracy of the agency’s methods: [FWS–R2–ES–2013–N275; • estimate of the burden of the proposed FXES11130200000C2–112–FF02ENEH00] Internet: http://www.fws.gov/ collection of information; endangered/species/recovery- (3) Ways to enhance the quality, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife plans.html; utility, and clarity of the information to and Plants; Final Recovery Plan for the • U.S. mail: South Texas Refuges be collected; and Gulf Coast Jaguarundi Complex Headquarters, Attn: Mitch Sternberg, 3325 Green Jay Road, Alamo, (4) Ways to minimize the burden of AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, TX 78516; the collection of information on those Interior. who are to respond; including through • Telephone: (956) 784–7500; ACTION: Notice of availability; request the use of appropriate automated • Fax: (956) 787–8338; or for comment. collection techniques or other forms of • Email: [email protected]. information technology, e.g., permitting SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: electronic submission of responses. Wildlife Service, announce the Mitch Sternberg, at the above address, HUD encourages interested parties to availability of our final recovery plan for phone number, or email. submit comment in response to these the Gulf Coast jaguarundi under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We questions. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as announce the availability of our final Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork amended (Act). We have developed this recovery plan for the Gulf Coast Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. final recovery plan to comply with a jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:08 Jan 03, 2014 Jkt 232001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06JAN1.SGM 06JAN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 662 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 3 / Monday, January 6, 2014 / Notices cacomitli). The recovery plan was The Sinaloan jaguarundi (Puma • Assure the long-term viability of prepared by biologists from the United yagouaroundi tolteca) was originally jaguarundi conservation through States, with input from experts in listed under the Act at the same time as partnerships, the development and Mexico. We made the draft recovery the Gulf Coast subspecies. Because all of application of incentives for plan available via a Federal Register the current information indicates that landowners, application of existing notice published on December 26, 2012 the tolteca subspecies occurs entirely regulations, and public education and (77 FR 76066); this notice opened a outside the United States and has never outreach. comment period that ran through been confirmed within the United • Practice adaptive management, in February 22, 2013, and requested States, the Sinaloan jaguarundi was which recovery is monitored and comments from local, State, and Federal exempted from recovery planning on recovery tasks are revised by the FWS agencies; and the public. We considered June 7, 2011. as new information becomes available. information we received from these The Gulf Coast jaguarundi is found in The draft revised recovery plan entities, as well as that obtained from the Tamaulipan Biotic Province of contains recovery criteria based on two independent peer reviewers, in northeast Mexico and south Texas. maintaining and increasing population finalizing this revised recovery plan. Within Mexico it occurs in the eastern numbers and habitat quality and Background lowlands and has not been recorded in quantity. The revised recovery plan the Central Highlands. In southern focuses on protecting populations, Recovery of endangered or threatened Texas, jaguarundis used dense thorny managing threats, maintaining habitat, animals and plants to the point where shrublands. Jaguarundis will use monitoring progress, and building they are again secure, self-sustaining bunchgrass pastures if dense brush or partnerships to facilitate recovery. members of their ecosystems is a woody cover is nearby. As the subspecies meets recovery primary goal of our endangered species The primary known threats to the criteria, we will review the subspecies’ program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et Gulf Coast jaguarundi are habitat status and consider removal from the seq.). Recovery means improvement of destruction, degradation, and List. the status of listed species to the point fragmentation associated with at which listing is no longer appropriate Authority agriculture and urbanization, and, to under the criteria set out in section some extent, border security activities. We developed our final recovery plan 4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the Mortality from collisions with vehicles under the authority of section 4(f) of the development of recovery plans for listed is also a threat. Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this species, unless such a plan would not notice under section 4(f) Endangered promote the conservation of a particular Recovery Plan Goals Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 species. The objective of an agency recovery U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Species’ History plan is to provide a framework for the Dated: December 20, 2013.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2003 AMENDED BIOLOGICAL OPINION United States Department of the Interior
    2003 AMENDED BIOLOGICAL OPINION United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDUFE SERVICE Ecological Services do TAMU-CC, Campus Box 338 6300 Ocean Drive Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 May23, 2003 Ms. Sylvia A, Waggoner Division Engineer Environmental Management Division International Boundary and Water Commission The Commons, Building C, Suite 310 4171 N. Mesa Street El Paso, TX 79902 Consultation No. 2-11-91-F-144 Dear Ms. Waggoner: This document transmits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) reinitiated Final Biological Opinion based on our review of the United States Section, International Boundary and Water Commission's (USIBWC) ongoing implementation of vegetation management practices for the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project (LRGFCP) in Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties, Texas. We have analyzed the proposed action and its effects on the endangered ocelot Leopardus (Felis) pardalis, listed throughout its entire range that includes Texas, Arizona, Mexico to Central and South America, and the Gulf Coast jaguarundi Hemailurus yagouaroundi cacomitli that ranges from Texas to Mexico, in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). USffiWC's request and information provided for reinitiation of the 1993 formal consultation and Biological Opinion was considered complete by the Corpus Christi, Texas Ecological Services Field Office (CCESFO) on December 11, 2002. This biological opinion is based on information provided in the April 2002 "Threatened and Endangered Species Report in Support of the Environmental Impact Statement f~r the Maintenance Program of the Lower Rio Grande Flood Control Project", Volume III of the Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement {PDEIS) entitled Alternative Vegetation Management Practices for the LRGFCP Cameron, Hildago, and Willacy Counties, Texas, as well as telephone conversations, field investigations, and other relevant sources of information.
    [Show full text]
  • Intra-Service Section 7 Biological Evaluation Form
    INTRA-SERVICE SECTION 7 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION FORM Originating Person: Boyd Blihovde, Refuge Manager Telephone Number: 956-245-7823 Date: January 19, 2020 I. Region: Southwest II. Service Activity (Program): Proposed expansion of Hunt Program at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR) to include Bahia Grande, LANWR Subunit 4, LANWR Subunit 7, and La Selva Verde Unit. Proposed approval of new Refuge Hunt Plan: “Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge White-tailed Deer, Exotic Ungulate, and American Alligator Hunt Plan” III. Pertinent Species and Habitat: A. Listed species and/or their critical habitat within the action area: Laguna Atascosa NWR–Cameron County, TX Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), no Designated Critical Habitat – Dense brush habitat on lomas/uplands. Jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi cacomitli), no Designated Critical Habitat – Dense brush habitat and cordgrass habitats. Northern Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), no Designated Critical Habitat – Coastal “prairie” /savannah grassland. Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), Designated Critical Habitat – Shoreline: coastal beaches, sandflats, and mudflats. Red Knot (Calidris canutus), no Designated Critical Habitat – Shoreline: sandy beaches, saltmarshes, lagoons, mudflats, salt ponds, and mangrove swamps. B. Proposed species and/or proposed critical habitat within the action area: Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis), no proposed Designated Critical Habitat – Coastal wetlands and marshes. C. Candidate species within the action area: None. D. The ocelot, jaguarundi, Northern Aplomado Falcon, Piping Plover, Red Knot, and Eastern Black Rail may occur within suitable habitat within Laguna Atascosa NWR. See attached map. IV. Geographic area or station name and action: Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. V. Location: See attached map. A. County and state: Cameron, Texas.
    [Show full text]
  • Cattle Fever Tick Eradication on Laguna Atascosa and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges
    Final Environmental Assessment Cattle Fever Tick Eradication on Laguna Atascosa and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges February 2018 Lead Agency U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Cooperating Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System Southwest Region Table of Contents 1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION ALTERNATIVE .......................... 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Action Area ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Background ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 USDA-APHIS Efforts to Eradicate Cattle Fever Ticks .................................................. 4 1.3.2 FWS Efforts to Control CFT .......................................................................................... 7 1.4 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action .......................................................................... 8 1.5 Decision to be Made .............................................................................................................. 8 1.6 Public Comments .................................................................................................................. 9 2.0 ALTERNATIVES....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 5: Maintaining Species in the South 113 Chapter 5
    TERRE Chapter 5: Maintaining Species in the South 113 Chapter 5: S What conditions will be Maintaining Species TRIAL needed to maintain animal species associations in the South? in the South Margaret Katherine Trani (Griep) Southern Region, USDA Forest Service mammals of concern include the ■ Many reptiles and amphibians Key Findings Carolina and Virginia northern are long-lived and late maturing, flying squirrels, the river otter, and have restricted geographic ■ Geographic patterns of diversity and several rodents. ranges. Managing for these species in the South indicate that species ■ Twenty species of bats inhabit will require different strategies than richness is highest in Texas, Florida, the South. Four are listed as those in place for birds and mammals. North Carolina, and Georgia. Texas endangered: the gray bat, Indiana The paucity of monitoring data leads in the richness of mammals, bat, and Ozark and Virginia big- further inhibits their management. birds, and reptiles; North Carolina eared bats. Human disturbance leads in amphibian diversity. Texas to hibernation and maternity colonies dominates vertebrate richness by Introduction is a major factor in their decline. virtue of its large size and the variety of its ecosystems. ■ The South is the center of The biodiversity of the South is amphibian biodiversity in the ■ Loss of habitat is the primary impressive. Factors contributing to Nation. However, there are growing cause of endangerment of terrestrial that diversity include regional gradients concerns about amphibian declines. vertebrates. Forests, grasslands, in climate, geologic and edaphic site Potential causes include habitat shrublands, and wetlands have conditions, topographic variation, destruction, exotic species, water been converted to urban, industrial, natural disturbance processes, and pollution, ozone depletion leading and agricultural uses.
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Environmental Assessment for the Rio Grande City Station Road
    DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFIGANT IMPACT (FONSI) RIO GRANDE CITY STATION ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS, RIO GRANDE VALLEY SECTOR, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. BORDER PATROL, RIO GRANDE VALLEY SECTOR, TEXAS U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON, D.C. INTRODUCTION: United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to upgrade and lengthen four existing roads in the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Rio Grande City (RGC) Station’s Area of Responsibility (AOR). The Border Patrol Air and Marine Program Management Office (BPAM-PMO) within CBP has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA). This EA addresses the proposed upgrade and construction of the four aforementioned roads and the BPAM-PMO is preparing this EA on behalf of the USBP Headquarters. CBP is the law enforcement component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that is responsible for securing the border and facilitating lawful international trade and travel. USBP is the uniformed law enforcement subcomponent of CBP responsible for patrolling and securing the border between the land ports of entry. PROJECT LOCATION: The roads are located within the RGC Station’s AOR, Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector, in Starr County, Texas. The RGC Station’s AOR encompasses approximately 1,228 square miles, including approximately 68 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border and the Rio Grande from the Starr/Zapata County line to the Starr/Hidalgo County line. From north to south, the four road segments are named Mouth of River to Chapeno Hard Top, Chapeno USIBWC Gate to Salineno, Salineno to Enron, and 19-20 Area to Fronton Fishing, and all of these segments are located south of Falcon International Reservoir (Falcon Lake), generally parallel to the Rio Grande.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Assessment Cattle Fever Tick Eradication on Laguna Atascosa and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges
    Environmental Assessment Cattle Fever Tick Eradication on Laguna Atascosa and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuges December 2017 Lead Agency U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Cooperating Agency U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System Southwest Region Table of Contents 1.0 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION ALTERNATIVE .......................... 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Action Area ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Background ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 USDA-APHIS Efforts to Eradicate Cattle Fever Ticks .................................................. 4 1.4 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action .......................................................................... 8 1.5 Decision to be Made .............................................................................................................. 8 2.0 ALTERNATIVES..................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Alternative A – Continue current CFT Treatment Modalities on LANWR and LRGVNWR (No Action Alternative) .............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix N Inshore and Offshore T&E Species Report
    DEEPWATER PORT LICENSE APPLICATION FOR THE BLUEWATER SPM PROJECT VOLUME II APPENDICES (PUBLIC) APPENDIX N INSHORE AND OFFSHORE T&E SPECIES REPORT 1 Bluewater SPM Project THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES REPORT FOR INSHORE COMPONENTS OF THE PROPOSED BLUEWATER SPM PROJECT IN ARANSAS, NUECES, AND SAN PATRICIO COUNTIES, TEXAS Prepared for Lloyd Engineering, Inc. 6565 West Loop South, Ste. 708 Bellaire, Texas 77401 Prepared by SWCA Environmental Consultants 10245 W. Little York Road, Suite 600 Houston, Texas 77040 (281) 617-3217 www.swca.com SWCA Project No. 53739 March 2019 Threatened and Endangered Species Report for Inshore Components of the Proposed Bluewater SPM Project in Aransas, Nueces, and San Patricio Counties, Texas CONTENTS 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Methods ................................................................................................................................................. 1 2.1 Species Identification ................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Species Evaluation ........................................................................................................................ 1 2.3 Field Reconnaissance ................................................................................................................... 2 3 Results...................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Endangered Species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley
    Endangered Species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley; Anthropogenic Activities and their Consequences on Species Diversity Victoria Cantu, Teresa Feria Arroyo [email protected] and [email protected] 1The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Department of Biology, 1201 W University Drive Edinburg, TX 78539, USA ⒸQUATAR ⒸRob Palmer Abstract The Area of Study: Results & Discussion The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is one of the most unique Most papers address issues related to species such as the Ocelot. Few papers address issues related to plants such as Manihot walkerae, an endangered transboundary regions in terms of ecology and the increasing pressures of Around 110 species Over 90% of the endemic species that occurs in the Tamaulipas Thorne Forest. human development.The goals of this research are: natural have become 1. 1. To document the research that has been done related to endangered landscape has threatened or There are several things that can be done in order to mitigate the risk to been deforested The Lower Rio endangered in the species in the LRGV and in the LRGV. Grande Valley LRGV. threatened and endangered species in the region. 2. To bring awareness among the local communities of the endangered pictured here, spans an • The general public should be aware of the threat to biodiversity in area of around 60,000 animal and plant populations of the LRGV. square miles. the region. As preliminary results, we found that there are multiple pressures put on • Conserve suitable habitat of the LRGV. By maintaining these lands free the endangered species of this area.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of the Species and Critical Habitat
    SMCRA Biological Opinion 10/16/2020 APPENDIX C: STATUS OF THE SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT Fish and Wildlife Guilds The species in Table 1 of the Biological Opinion were assigned to functional guilds based on similarities in their life history traits. These guilds, and their representative species and critical habitats, are discussed in more detail below. Guild information was taken from OSMRE’s Biological Assessment unless otherwise specified. Species status information was taken from OSMRE’s Biological Assessment, verified and revised as needed. Additional information on status of the species and critical habitat can be found by species at Contents 1.1.1 Birds – Cuckoos .................................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2 Birds – Raptors ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.1.3 Birds – Wading Birds ............................................................................................................ 6 1.1.4 Birds – Woodpeckers ........................................................................................................... 7 1.1.5 Birds – Passerines ................................................................................................................ 8 1.1.6 Birds – Shorebirds .............................................................................................................. 11 1.1.7 Birds – Grouse ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Jaguarundi 1 Jaguarundi
    Jaguarundi 1 Jaguarundi Jaguarundi[1] Conservation status [2] Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Puma Species: P. yagouaroundi Binomial name Puma yagouaroundi (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803)[3] Jaguarundi 2 Jaguarundi range Synonyms The jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi) is a small-sized wild cat native to Central and South America. In 2002, the IUCN classified the jaguarundi as Least Concern as it is likely that no conservation units, with the probable exception of the mega-reserves of the Amazon basin could sustain long-term viable populations. It is probably extinct in Texas. Its presence in Uruguay is uncertain.[2] Etymology and naming The two Color phases were once thought to represent two distinct species; the grey one called jaguarundi English [4] pronunciation: /ˌʒæɡwəˈrʌndi/ zhag-wə-run-dee, and the red one called eyra. In some Spanish speaking countries, the jaguarundi is also called leoncillo, which means little lion. Other Spanish common names for the jaguarundi include: "gato colorado", "gato moro", "león brenero", "onza", and "tigrillo".[5] Description In terms of physical appearance, the jaguarundi is perhaps the least cat-like of all the cats. It has a total length of 53 to 77 cm (21 to 30 in), not including the 31 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) tail, and weighs 3.5 to 9.1 kg (7.7 to 20 lb).[6] [7] [8] It has short legs, an elongated body and a long tail, giving it an appearance somewhat like an otter or marten. For this reason, these animals are sometimes referred to as "otter cats." The ears are short and rounded.
    [Show full text]
  • Jaguarundi (Herpailurus Yagouaroundi Cacomitli, Herpailurus Yagouaroundi Tolteca)
    Petition to Designate Critical Habitat for the Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi cacomitli, Herpailurus yagouaroundi tolteca) Photo: The Wildcat Sanctuary Petition Submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Interior Acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Petitioner: WildEarth Guardians 312 Montezuma Ave. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 (505) 988-9126 February 3, 2010 WildEarth Guardians 1 Petition to Designate Critical Habitat for the Jaguarundi Executive Summary WildEarth Guardians requests critical habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act for the Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi cacomitli & Herpailurus yagouaroundi tolteca) in the U.S. portion of its historic range. Research has shown that critical habitat is effective in promoting recovery of listed species, but the Jaguarundi has never been granted critical habitat protection. Habitat protection is the most important way that the Jaguarundi can be safeguarded in the U.S. The Jaguarundi is known to still occur in south Texas, using dense thornscrub habitats also inhabited by the Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and may also occur in Arizona. There has been, and continues to be, extensive, ongoing habitat destruction occurring in the U.S. portion of the Jaguarundi’s range. Human population growth within this wildcat’s range is a driver of continued loss of habitat to agriculture and development. Border installations and related activity further degrade and fragment its habitat, as well as dividing small U.S. populations from larger populations in Mexico. The dense thornscrub habitats upon which the Jaguarundi depends have been reduced by more than 90% in south Texas. The small fragments that remain are isolated. To protect the Jaguarundi from extinction, its suitable habitat must be expanded and connected.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Department of the Interior
    United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Texas Coastal Ecological Services Field Office TAMU-CC,6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5837, In Reply Refer To: Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 361/994-9005/ (Fax) 361/994-8262 Mr. Carlos Swonke Texas Department of Transportation Environmental Affairs Division 125 East 11th Street Austin, Texas 78701-2483 Consultation No. 02ETCC00-2015-F-0022 Dear Mr. Swonke: This document transmits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) Biological Opinion (BO), based on our review of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) proposed wildlife conservation improvements to State Highway (SH) 100, from four miles east of Farm-to-Market (FM) 1847 to 1.75 miles west of FM 510, in Cameron County, Texas. In this document we evaluate the effects of the proposed action on the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and Gulf Coast jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi cocamitli) in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). TxDOT’s final Biological Assessment (BA) and request for formal consultation was received on May 27, 2015. Section 7 of the Act requires that all Federal agencies consult with the Service to ensure that the actions authorized, funded, or carried out by such agencies do not jeopardize the continued existence of any threatened or endangered species or adversely modify or destroy designated critical habitat (CH) of such species. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) assigned responsibility for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and all federal resource agency consultations, including section 7 formal consultations, to TxDOT in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated December 16, 2014 (23 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]