1 DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR Fish
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 08/26/2016 and available online at http://federalregister.gov/a/2016-20352, and on FDsys.gov Billing Code 4333-15-P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2012–0074; 4500030113] RIN 1018-AY07 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog, the Northern DPS of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog, and the Yosemite Toad AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. 1 SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae), the northern distinct population segment (DPS) of the mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa), and the Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). There is significant overlap in the critical habitat designations for these three species. The designated area, taking into account overlap in the critical habitat designations for these three species, is in total approximately 733,357 hectares (ha) (1,812,164 acres (ac)) in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties, California. All critical habitat units and subunits are occupied by the respective species. The effect of this rule is to designate critical habitat under the Act for the conservation of the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad. DATES: This rule is effective [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF FEDERAL REGISTER PUBLICATION]. ADDRESSES: This final rule is available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and http://www.fws.gov/sacramento. Comments and materials we received, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing this final rule, are available for public inspection at http://www.regulations.gov. All of the comments, materials, and documentation that we considered in this rulemaking are available by appointment, during normal business hours, at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2605, Sacramento CA 95825; telephone 916– 414–6600; facsimile 916–414–6612. 2 The coordinates or plot points or both from which the maps are generated are included in the administrative record for this critical habitat designation and are available at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R8–ES–2012–0074, and at the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office (http://www.fws.gov/sacramento; see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, below). Any additional tools or supporting information that we developed for this critical habitat designation will also be available at the Fish and Wildlife Service website and Field Office set out above, and may also be included in the preamble of this rule and at http://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2605, Sacramento CA 95825; telephone 916–414–6700; facsimile 916–414–6612. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Summary Why we need to publish a rule. This is a final rule to designate critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad. Under the Endangered Species Act, any species that is determined to be an endangered or threatened species requires critical habitat to be designated, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable. Designations and revisions of critical habitat can only be completed by issuing a rule. We listed the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog as endangered species, and the Yosemite toad as a 3 threatened species, on April 29, 2014 (79 FR 24256). On April 25, 2013, we published in the Federal Register a proposed critical habitat designation for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad (78 FR 24516). Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall designate critical habitat on the basis of the best available scientific data after taking into consideration the economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The critical habitat areas we are designating in this rule constitute our current best assessment of the areas that meet the definition of critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad. Here we are designating: Approximately 437,929 ha (1,082,147 ac) for the Sierra Nevada yellow- legged frog in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Alpine, Mariposa, Mono, Madera, Tuolumne, Fresno, and Inyo Counties, California; Approximately 89,637 hectares (221,498 acres) for the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog in Fresno, Inyoand Tulare Counties, California; and Approximately 303,889 hectares (750,926 acres) for the Yosemite toad in Alpine, Tuolumne, Mono, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, and Inyo Counties, California. This rule is a final rule designating critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada yellow- legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad. This rule designates critical habitat necessary for the conservation of these listed species. We have prepared an economic analysis of the designation of critical habitat. In 4 order to consider economic impacts, we have prepared an analysis of the economic impacts of the critical habitat designations and related factors. We announced the availability of the draft economic analysis (DEA) in the Federal Register on January 10, 2014 (79 FR 1805), allowing the public to provide comments on our DEA. We have incorporated the comments and have completed the final economic analysis (FEA) concurrently with this final determination. Peer review and public comment. We formally sought comments from five independent specialists to ensure that our designations are based on scientifically sound data and analyses. We obtained opinions from three knowledgeable individuals with scientific expertise to review our technical assumptions and analysis, and whether or not we had used the best available information. These peer reviewers generally concurred with our methods and conclusions, and provided additional information, clarifications, and suggestions to improve this final rule. Information we received from peer review is incorporated in these final designations. We also considered all comments and information we received from the public during the comment periods. Previous Federal Actions Please refer to the proposed listing rule for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad (78 FR 24472, April 25, 2013) for a detailed description of previous Federal actions concerning these species. Summary of Comments and Recommendations We requested written comments from the public on the proposed designation of 5 critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad during three comment periods. The first comment period associated with the publication of the proposed designation (78 FR 24516) opened on April 25, 2013, and closed on June 24, 2013. A second comment period opened on July 19, 2013, and closed on November 18, 2013 (78 FR 43122). We also requested comments on the proposed critical habitat designation and associated draft economic analysis (DEA) during a third comment period that opened on January 10, 2014, and closed on March 11, 2014 (79 FR 1805). We received requests for public hearings, and two were held in Sacramento, California, on January 30, 2014. We also held two public informational meetings, one in Bridgeport, California, on January 8, 2014, and the other in Fresno, California, on January 13, 2014. We also participated in several public forums, one sponsored by Congressman McClintock and two sponsored by Congressman LaMalfa. We also contacted appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies; scientific organizations; and other interested parties and invited them to comment on the proposed rule and DEA during these comment periods. During the first comment period, we received six comment letters directly addressing the proposed critical habitat designation. During the second comment period, we received 545 comment letters addressing the proposed critical habitat designation or DEA. During the third comment period, we received 221 comment letters addressing the proposed critical habitat designation or DEA. During the January 30, 2014, public hearings, 21 individuals or organizations made comments on the designation of critical habitat for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the northern DPS of the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad. 6 All substantive information provided during the comment periods has either been incorporated directly into this final determination or is addressed below. Comments we received are either directly answered, or are sometimes grouped into general issues specifically relating to the proposed critical