[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22141-22144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10830]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AH83


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed 
Designation of Critical Habitat for the Robust Spineflower; Correction

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed Rule; technical corrections.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, published a proposed 
rule to establish critical habitat for the robust spineflower 
(Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta) in the Federal Register on February 
15, 2001. The proposed rule contained several errors in the map and 
legal description for the Freedom mapping unit (Unit D). This document 
contains corrections to the proposed rule to designate critical habitat 
for Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta for this proposed critical habitat 
unit.

DATES: We will accept comments until the close of business on June 4, 
2001. Requests for public hearings must be received by May 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comment submission: If you wish to comment, you may submit 
your comments and materials by any one of several methods:
    1. You may submit written comments and information to Diane Noda, 
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2394 Portola Road, 
Suite B, Ventura, California 93003. You may also hand-deliver written 
comments to our Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office at the address given 
above.
    2. You may send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to: 
[email protected] See the Public Comments Solicited section below for 
file format and other information on electronic filing.
    Comments and materials received, as well as supporting 
documentation used in the preparation of this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection,

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by appointment, during normal business hours at the Ventura Fish and 
Wildlife Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Noda, Field Supervisor, at the 
address above (telephone 805/644-1766; facsimile 805/644-3958).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 15, 2001, we proposed critical habitat for the robust 
spineflower (Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta), pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) (66 FR 10419). A total of approximately 660 hectares (ha) (1,635 
acres (ac)) of land fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical 
habitat designation, all in Santa Cruz County, California.
    The proposed rulemaking contained errors in the mapping and legal 
description for the Freedom mapping unit (Unit D). In the proposed 
rule, we inadvertently mapped this unit to the north and east of the 
correct location. We are providing a corrected Geographic Information 
System (GIS) map and a corrected legal description of the mapping unit. 
The GIS map is provided to help the public understand the general 
location of the proposed critical habitat. A corrected version of Table 
5 is also provided; this table provides approximate areas of proposed 
critical habitat for Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta by land 
ownership. The corrected table indicates that for the Freedom Unit, 
approximately 3.8 ha (9.5 ac) are on private lands and 0.2 ha (0.5 ac) 
are on lands under local jurisdiction.

Public Comments Solicited

    We intend that any final action resulting from this technical 
clarification be as accurate as possible. Comments and suggestions from 
the public, concerned governmental entities, private interests, or any 
other interested party are solicited. Comments are invited specifically 
concerning:
    (1) Biological data concerning any threat (or lack thereof) to 
Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta;
    (2) The location of any additional populations of the species, and 
the reasons why any habitat in should or should not be designated as 
critical habitat, as provided by section 4 of the Act;
    (3) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and 
population size of Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta; and
    (4) Current or planned activities within the proposed critical 
habitat units and their possible impacts on the species.

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental 
impact statements, as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969, need not be prepared in connection with regulations adopted 
pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. We published a notice outlining 
our reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on October 
25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain any new collections of information other 
than those already approved under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., and assigned Office of Management and Budget 
clearance number 1018-0094. 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 control number. For additional 
information concerning permit and associated requirements for 
endangered species, see 50 CFR 17.62 and 17.63.

Author(s)

    The primary authors of this proposed rule is Connie Rutherford (see 
ADDRESSES section), and Barbara Behan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232 (telephone 503/231-6131).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
    In proposed rule FR Doc. 01-1837, published February 15, 2001 (66 
FR 10419), make the following corrections.
    1. On page 10425, correct Table 5 to read as follows:

  Table 5.--Approximate Areas, in Hectares (ha) and Acres (ac),\1\ of Proposed Critical Habitat for Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta by Land Ownership
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                                                                                      City and other local
             Unit name                     State lands            Private lands          jurisdictions          Federal lands              Total
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A. Pogonip.........................  20 ha (50 ac).........  45 ha (115 ac)........  100 ha (250 ac)......  .....................  165 ha (410 ac).
B. Branciforte.....................  ......................  5 ha (10 ac)..........  .....................  .....................  5 ha (10 ac).
C. Aptos...........................  ......................  30 ha (80 ac).........  .....................  .....................  30 ha (80 ac).
D. Freedom.........................  ......................  3.8 ha (9.5 ac).......  0.2 ha (0.5 ac)......  .....................  4 ha (10 ac).
E. Buena Vista.....................  ......................  75 ha (185 ac)........  .....................  .....................  75 ha (185 ac).
F. Sunset..........................  55 ha (130 ac)........  ......................  .....................  .....................  55 ha (130 ac).
G. Former Fort Ord.................  ......................  ......................  .....................  325 ha (805 ac)......  325 ha (805 ac).
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      Total........................  75 ha (180 ac)........  157 ha (396 ac).......  102 ha (254 ac)......  325 ha (805 ac)......  659 ha (1,635 ac).
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\1\ Approximate acres have been converted to hectares (1 ha = 2.47 ac). Based on the level of imprecision of mapping of each unit, hectares and acres
  greater than 10 have been rounded to the nearest 5; hectares and acres less than or equal to 10 have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Totals
  are sums of units.

Sec. 17.96  [Corrected]

    2. On page 10434, correct the legal description for Map Unit D to 
read as follows:

    Map Unit D (Freedom). Santa Cruz County, California. From USGS 
7.5' quadrangle map Watsonville West, California. The following 
lands within the Aptos Land Grant: T. 11 S. R.1 E., W\1/2\ of NW\1/
4\ of NW\1/4\ of SE\1/4\; the NE\1/4\ of NE\1/4\ of NE\1/4\ of SW\1/
4\; and SE\1/4\ of SE\1/4\ of SE\1/4\ of NW\1/4\, Mount Diablo Base 
Principal Meridian, sec. 16 (protracted).

    3. On page 10435, correct the map for Freedom Unit (Unit D) to read 
as follows:

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP03MY01.000

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    Dated: April 25, 2001.
Daniel Welsh,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations.
[FR Doc. 01-10830 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P