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Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2020–0048; FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 201]
This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 09/15/2020 and available online at federalregister.gov/d/2020-17921, and on govinfo.gov Billing Code 4333–15 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2020–0048; FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 201] RIN 1018–BE78 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Georgetown and Salado Salamanders AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; revisions and reopening of comment period. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are revising our proposed designation of critical habitat for the Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia) and Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis) in Bell and Williamson Counties, Texas. Based on published genetic analyses, we are revising the distribution of the Georgetown and Salado salamanders and are adjusting previously proposed critical habitat units accordingly. We also propose changes to our description of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species. We propose a total of approximately 1,519 acres (ac) (622 hectares (ha)) of critical habitat for the species in Bell and Williamson Counties, Texas. The total amount of critical habitat we are proposing for both salamanders has increased by approximately 116 ac (47 ha). The reasons for this increase are the addition of a new occupied site for the Salado salamander and refined mapping of previously proposed critical habitat units based on more precise spring locations. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the revised proposed designation of critical habitat for the Georgetown and Salado salamanders. -
Salado Residents Want Better Science on Salamander
Shopping Map of Salado on pages 4B-5B Salado illageillage oiceoice VOL. XXXV, NUMBER 9V TVHUrsDAY, JUNE 21, 2012 254/947-5321 FAX 254/947-9479 V V WWW.SALADOVILLAGEVOICE.COM 50¢ Residents want better science on salamander BY TIM FLEISCHER of the Salado Creek water- line the approach to the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF shed and the water quality $60,000 year-long study and water quantity of the and to introduce the prin- As traffic on Highway habitat of the Salado sala- cipal scientists who will be 45 in Round Rock roared mander. gathering data in the com- overhead, Congressman Neither of these efforts ing months. John Carter announced are likely to impact the Meanwhile, the U.S. at a June 18 press confer- pending decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service ence his plans to attach an U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser- (FWS) is slated to an- amendment to the Interior vice to add the Salado sala- nounce whether the four and Environment Appro- mander as an Endangered species of salamanders in priations Bill that would species. Bell, Williamson and Tra- strip any funding “to ad- While Rep. Carter said vis counties will be listed vance or pursue adding any he will propose the House as endangered. The dead- of the population of blind bill amendment within a line for FWS to propose salamanders of Salado, week, the Appropriations those species for listing is Jollyville Plateau, George- bill has many hurdles to Sept. 30. The schedule for town or Austin, Texas, to pass. First, it has to get out listing the salamander spe- the list of endangered spe- of Appropriations com- cies is part of a settlement cies or as a threatened spe- mittee (with the amend- between USFWS and the cies under the Endangered ment in place) and to the Center for Biological Di- Species Act of 1973.” House floor. -
Revision of Karst Species Zones for the Austin, Texas, Area
FINAL REPORT As Required by THE ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAM TEXAS Grant No. E - 52 Endangered and Threatened Species Conservation REVISION OF KARST SPECIES ZONES FOR THE AUSTIN, TEXAS, AREA Prepared by: George Veni Robert Cook Executive Director Matt Wagner Mike Berger Program Director, Wildlife Diversity Division Director, Wildlife 3 October 2006 FINAL REPORT STATE: ____Texas_______________ GRANT NUMBER: ___E - 52____________ GRANT TITLE: Revision of Karst Species Zones for the Austin, Texas Area REPORTING PERIOD: ____1 September 2004 to 31 August 2006 OBJECTIVE: To re-evaluate and redraw, as necessary and in a GIS, all four karst zones within the twenty-two 7.5’ topographic quadrangle area as defined by Veni and Associates (1992). SEGMENT OBJECTIVE: 1. Re-evaluate and re-draw, as necessary and into a Geographic Information System (GIS), all four karzt zones within the twenty-two 7.5’ topographic quadrangle area as defined by Veni and Associates (1992) within six (6) months of contract award date. SIGNIFICANT DEVIATION: None. SUMMARY OF PROGRESS: Please see Attachment A. LOCATION: Austin Area, Texas. PREPARED BY: ___Craig Farquhar______ DATE: October 3, 2006 APPROVED BY: _____________________ DATE: October 10, 2006 Neil (Nick) E. Carter Federal Aid Coordinator 2 George Veni & Associates Hydrogeologists and Biologists Environmental Management Consulting Cave and Karst Specialists REVISION OF KARST SPECIES ZONES FOR THE AUSTIN, TEXAS, AREA by George Veni, Ph.D., and Cecilio Martinez prepared for: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 4200 -
Comal County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Comal County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan Environmental Impact Statement Prepared for: Comal County, Texas Comal County Commissioners Court Prepared by: SWCA Environmental Consultants Smith, Robertson, Elliott, Glen, Klein & Bell, L.L.P. Prime Strategies, Inc. Texas Perspectives, Inc. Capital Market Research, Inc. April 2010 SWCA Project Number 12659-139-AUS DRAFT COMAL COUNTY REGIONAL HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT April 2010 Type of Action: Administrative Lead Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Responsible Official: Adam Zerrenner Field Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas For Information: Bill Seawell Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200 Austin, Texas Tele: 512-490-0057 Abstract: Comal County, Texas, is applying for an incidental take permit (Permit) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 16 U.S.C. § 1531, et seq. (ESA), to authorize the incidental take of two endangered species, the golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) and the black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), referred to collectively as the “Covered Species.” In support of the Permit application, the County has prepared a regional habitat conservation plan (Proposed RHCP), covering a 30-year period from 2010 to 2040. The Permit Area for the Proposed RHCP and the area of potential effect for this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is Comal County in central Texas. The requested Permit would authorize the following incidental take and mitigation for the golden-cheeked warbler: Take: As conservation credits are created through habitat preservation, authorize up to 5,238 acres (2,120 hectares) of golden-cheeked warbler habitat to be impacted over the 30-year life of the Proposed RHCP. -
Txu-Oclc-252896947.Pdf
Copyright by Jonathan Ogren 2008 Conservation Planning in Central Texas by Jonathan Ogren, B.A. Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Arts The University of Texas at Austin May 2008 Conservation Planning in Central Texas Approved by Supervising Committee: Robin W. Doughty, Co-supervisor Kenneth R. Young, Co-supervisor Dedication To Crescent and Simon Acknowledgements Much thanks goes to the many people who helped bring this project to completion. My advisor’s Robin Doughty and Ken Young tirelessly evaluated the quality of the work and the clarity of the writing. Their supervision made this project a profound learning experience on a number of levels. Generous financial support came from a two-year fellowship through The Environmental Protection Agency’s National Network for Environmental Management Studies under the supervision of John Johnston. Additional support in the form of a well equipped, comfortable place to work, flexible hours, and insightful information about open space was supplied by Don Bosse. Many people contributed information and support including: Debbie Benesh, Sinclair Black, David Braun, Kent Butler, Bill Carr, George Coffer, David Diamond, Jeff Francel, Trevon Fuller, Justin Garson, Alan Glen, Frank Heitmuller, Clif Ladd, Flo Oxley, Lars Pomara, Jackie Poole, Jose Portillo, Dana Price, Chuck Sexton, Jason Spangler, and Fritz Steiner. Laura Smith, Sheri Russell, and Crescent, Simon, Linda, and Dennis Ogren offered general support and motivation. E.O.Wilson, Rachel Carson, Sam Beam, and David Orr provided inspirational words and writings. -
Petition to Delist the Bone Cave Harvestman (Texella Reyesi) in Accordance with Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973
Petition to delist the Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi) in accordance with Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 PETITION TO DELIST THE BONE CAVE HARVESTMAN (TEXELLA REYESI) IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4 OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973 Petitioned By: John F. Yearwood Kathryn Heidemann Charles & Cheryl Shell Walter Sidney Shell Management Trust American Stewards of Liberty Steven W. Carothers June 02, 2014 This page intentionally left blank. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The federally endangered Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi) is a terrestrial karst invertebrate that occurs in caves and voids north of the Colorado River in Travis and Williamson counties, Texas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed T. reyesi as endangered in 1988 on the basis of only five to six known localities that occurred in a rapidly developing area. Little was known about the species at the time, but the USFWS deemed listing was warranted to respond to immediate development threats. The current body of information on T. reyesi documents a much broader range of known localities than known at the time of listing and resilience to the human activities that USFWS deemed to be threats to the species. Status of the Species • An increase in known localities from five or six at the time of listing to 172 today. • Significant conservation is in place with at least 94 known localities (55 percent of the total known localities) currently protected in preserves, parks, or other open spaces. • Regulatory protections are afforded to most caves in Travis and Williamson counties via state laws and regulations and local ordinances. -
Karst Invertebrates Taxonomy
Endangered Karst Invertebrate Taxonomy of Central Texas U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Austin Ecological Services Field Office 10711 Burnet Rd. Suite #200 Austin, TX 78758 Original date: July 28, 2011 Revised on: April 4, 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 ENDANGERED KARST INVERTEBRATE TAXONOMY ................................................. 1 2.1 Batrisodes texanus (Coffin Cave mold beetle) ......................................................................... 2 2.2 Batrisodes venyivi (Helotes mold beetle) .................................................................................. 3 2.3 Cicurina baronia (Robber Baron Cave meshweaver) ............................................................... 4 2.4 Cicurina madla (Madla Cave meshweaver) .............................................................................. 5 2.5 Cicurina venii (Braken Bat Cave meshweaver) ........................................................................ 6 2.6 Cicurina vespera (Government Canyon Bat Cave meshweaver) ............................................. 7 2.7 Neoleptoneta microps (Government Canyon Bat Cave spider) ................................................ 8 2.8 Neoleptoneta myopica (Tooth Cave spider) .............................................................................. 9 2.9 Rhadine exilis (no common name) ......................................................................................... -
Environmental Factors Potentially Affecting Eurycea Naufragia
Report to the Williamson County Conservation Foundation Review of Research Literature Related to the Biology, Evolution, and Conservation of Georgetown Salamander, Eurycea naufragia Benjamin A. Pierce and Ashley Wall Department of Biology Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas 78626 June 22, 2011 1 The Georgetown Salamander The Georgetown salamander, Eurycea naufragia, is a spring and cave-dwelling salamander restricted to the San Gabriel River drainage of Williamson County, Texas. The species is known from only 15 sites occurring along the major tributaries of the upper San Gabriel River (South, Middle, and North forks and Berry Creek; Figure 1). At some of these sites, salamanders have not been observed in recent years and access to all sites is not available. All but two of the known sites are on privately-owned land. The entire range of the species occurs within the immediate vicinity of Georgetown, Texas, an area that is undergoing rapid urbanization (Figure 2), and nearly all known populations are at risk from urban development. The Georgetown salamander has been included as a candidate for listing as an endangered species (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2001) but is not currently protected by federal or state regulation. Candidate species are given a priority listing by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which ranges from 1 to 12 and indicates the magnitude and immediacy of threats they face and their taxonomic uniqueness, with higher priority assigned to lower numbers. Largely because of the implementation of the Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan, the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2008 reduced the listing priority number of the Georgetown salamander from 2 to 8 (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2008). -
Examining the Role of Cave Crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) in Central Texas Cave Ecosystems: Isotope Ratios (Δ13c, Δ15n) and Radio Tracking
Final Report Examining the Role of Cave Crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) in Central Texas Cave Ecosystems: Isotope Ratios (δ13C, δ15N) and Radio Tracking Steven J. Taylor1, Keith Hackley2, Jean K. Krejca3, Michael J. Dreslik 1, Sallie E. Greenberg2, and Erin L. Raboin1 1Center for Biodiversity Illinois Natural History Survey 607 East Peabody Drive Champaign, Illinois 61820 (217) 333-5702 [email protected] 2 Isotope Geochemistry Laboratory Illinois State Geological Survey 615 East Peabody Drive Champaign, Illinois 61820 3Zara Environmental LLC 118 West Goforth Road Buda, Texas 78610 Illinois Natural History Survey Center for Biodiversity Technical Report 2004 (9) Prepared for: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center ERDC-CTC, ATTN: Michael L. Denight 2902 Newmark Drive Champaign, IL 61822-1076 27 September 2004 Cover: A cave cricket (Ceuthophilus The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis secretus) shedding its exuvium on a shrub (False Indigo, Amorpha fruticosa L.) outside invicta Buren, RIFA) has been shown to enter and of Big Red Cave. Photo by Jean K. Krejca. forage in caves in central Texas (Elliott 1992, 1994; Reddell 2001; Reddell and Cokendolpher 2001b). Many of these caves are home to federally endangered invertebrates (USFWS 1988, 1993, 2000) or closely related, often rare taxa (Reddell 2001, Reddell and Cokendolpher 2001a). The majority of these caves are small – at Fort Hood (Bell and Coryell counties), the mean length1 of the caves is 51.7 m (range 2.1 - 2571.6 m, n=105 caves). Few of the caves harbor large numbers of bats, perhaps because low ceiling heights increase their vulnerability to depredation by other vertebrate predators (e.g., raccoons, Procyon lotor). -
A Biodiversity and Conservation Assessment of the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion
A Biodiversity and Conservation Assessment of the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion June 2004 © The Nature Conservancy This document may be cited as follows: The Nature Conservancy. 2004. A Biodiversity and Conservation Assessment of the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion. Edwards Plateau Ecoregional Planning Team, The Nature Conservancy, San Antonio, TX, USA. Acknowledgements Jasper, Dean Keddy-Hector, Jean Krejca, Clifton Ladd, Glen Longley, Dorothy Mattiza, Terry The results presented in this report would not have Maxwell, Pat McNeal, Bob O'Kennon, George been possible without the encouragement and Ozuna, Jackie Poole, Paula Power, Andy Price, assistance of many individuals and organizations. James Reddell, David Riskind, Chuck Sexton, Cliff Most of the day-to-day work in completing this Shackelford, Geary Shindel, Alisa Shull, Jason assessment was done by Jim Bergan, Bill Carr, David Singhurst, Jack Stanford, Sue Tracy, Paul Turner, O. Certain, Amalie Couvillion, Lee Elliott, Aliya William Van Auken, George Veni, and David Wolfe. Ercelawn, Mark Gallyoun, Steve Gilbert, Russell We apologize for any inadvertent omissions. McDowell, Wayne Ostlie, and Ryan Smith. Finally, essential external funding for this work This project also benefited significantly from the came from the Department of Defense and the U. S. involvement of several current and former Nature Army Corps of Engineers through the Legacy Grant Conservancy staff including: Craig Groves, Greg program. Without this financial support, many of the Lowe, Robert Potts, and Jim Sulentich. Thanks for critical steps in the planning process might not have the push and encouragement. Our understanding of ever been completed. Thank you. the conservation issues important to the Edwards Plateau was greatly improved through the knowledge and experiences shared by many Conservancy staff including Angela Anders, Gary Amaon, Paul Barwick, Paul Cavanagh, Dave Mehlman, Laura Sanchez, Dan Snodgrass, Steve Jester, Bea Harrison, Jim Harrison, and Nurani Hogue. -
Documentation Outline
United States Departmentnt of Agriculture Marketing and Proposed Release of Regulatory Programs Three Parasitoids for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Biological Control of the Service Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in the Continental United States Environmental Assessment, April 2, 2007 Proposed Release of Three Parasitoids for the Biological Control of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in the Continental United States Environmental Assessment, April 2007 Agency Contact: Juli Gould United States Department of Agriculture Plant Protection and Quarantine Center for Plant Health Science and Technology Otis Pest Survey, Detection, and Exclusion Laboratory Building 1398 Otis ANGB, MA 02542-5008 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 1 Table of Contents I. Background and Introduction ..................................................... -
Report Title
COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND: HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN (HCP) PLANNING ASSISTANCE Fiscal Year: 2021 F21AS00171 Amending Williamson County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan to Cover Six Additional Species Benefitting: Georgetown Salamander (Eurycea naufragia) Salado Salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis) Jollyville Plateau Salamander (Eurycea tonkawae) Tooth Cave Spider (Tayshaneta myopica) Dragonfly Cave Mold Beetle (Batrisodes cryptotexanus) Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus) Submitted by: Williamson County, Texas and Williamson County Conservation Foundation To Revise: HCP permit # TE-181840-1 57899776.v2 PROJECT CONTACTS Gary Boyd Rebecca Hays Barho Project Director Nossaman LLP Williamson County Conservation Foundation 816 Congress Ave., Ste. 970 219 Perry Mayfield Austin, Texas 78701 Leander, Texas 78641 Tel: (512) 813-7942 Tel: (512) 943-1921 [email protected] [email protected] Steve Carothers, Ph.D. Kemble White, Ph.D. SWCA Environmental Consultants Cambrian Environmental 4407 Monterey Oaks Blvd. 4422 Pack Saddle Pass, Suite 204 Austin, Texas 78749 Austin, TX 78745 Tel: (512) 476-0891 Tel: (512) 663-0156 [email protected] [email protected] PROJECT NARRATIVE This Project Narrative includes the information necessary to address the grant eligibility and evaluation, consistent with the requirements provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity specific to the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: HCP Planning Assistance, Fiscal Year 2021, Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00171