[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39310-39311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15705]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-R-2013-N025; FXFR13350900000-134-FF09F14000]


Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of 
Aquatic Invasive Species; Recreational Activities and Water Gardening

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), announces the 
availability of two draft documents for public review:

[[Page 39311]]

     Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and 
Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Recreational Activities
     Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and 
Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Water Gardening
    These voluntary guidelines are intended to be used by agencies and 
organizations to develop materials that inform the public and industry 
about the risks associated with many everyday activities that may 
spread aquatic invasive species and harm the environment and the 
economy. The intent of this information is to encourage the public and 
industry to take precautions to limit the spread of aquatic invasive 
species.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
July 31, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: The two draft documents may be obtained 
online, by mail, or by email:
     http://anstaskforce.gov/documents.php;
     U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of 
Aquatic Invasive Species, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 740, Arlington, 
VA 22203; or
     Email: [email protected].
    Submitting Comments: Please submit your comments in writing by one 
of the following methods:
     U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of 
Aquatic Invasive Species, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 740, Arlington, 
VA 22203; or
     Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Norcutt, 703-358-2398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Through provisions in Title 50, part 16, of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) 16, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
regulates the importation and interstate transport of certain aquatic 
species that have been determined to be injurious. The Nonindigenous 
Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et 
seq.) established the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF), an 
intergovernmental organization co-chaired by the Service and the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and dedicated to 
prevent and control the spread of aquatic nuisance species. In 2000, 
the ANSTF developed Recommended Voluntary Guidelines for Preventing the 
Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species Associated with Recreational 
Activities and announced the availability of the guidelines via a 
Federal Register notice (65 FR 82447; December 28, 2000).

Development of Draft Guidelines Documents

    In 2011 the ANSTF established committees to revise the Recommended 
Voluntary Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance 
Species Associated with Recreational Activities and to develop new 
guidelines that would prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by 
water gardening. The goal of the two committees was to develop clear, 
easy-to-use standardized national guidelines that are easily 
communicated to user groups and can be incorporated into education and 
outreach media. An additional benefit to recreationists and water 
gardeners who follow these guidelines is to avoid possible violation of 
Federal, Tribal, and State laws that prohibit the transport of aquatic 
invasive species.

Recreational Activities

    In July 2011, the ANSTF established a committee of about 50 
representatives of Federal and State agencies, nongovernmental 
organizations, and industry to update the recreational guidelines from 
2000. The revised draft document, Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the 
Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Recreational 
Activities, will provide guidance to agencies, organizations, and the 
public on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species through 
activities such as angling, boating, scuba diving, waterfowl hunting, 
and operating seaplanes.

Water Gardening

    In November 2011, the ANSTF established a committee to develop 
guidance to address the potential spread of aquatic invasive species by 
water gardening. The product, a draft document titled Voluntary 
Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive 
Species: Water Gardening, will provide concise guidelines to be used by 
agencies, organizations, and the public for education and outreach.

Request for Public Comments

    The draft revised guidelines are available on the ANSTF Web site 
(see ADDRESSES) for public review and comment.
    We request review and comment on our guidelines from local, State, 
Tribal, and Federal agencies and the public. All comments received by 
the date specified in DATES will be considered in preparing final 
documents. Methods of submitting comments are in ADDRESSES.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. You can ask 
the Service in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review; however, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so.
    Responses to individual commenters will not be provided, but we 
will provide the comments we receive and a summary of how we addressed 
substantive comments in a document on the ANSTF Web site listed above 
in ADDRESSES. Individuals without internet access may request an 
appointment to inspect the comments during normal business hours at our 
office (see ADDRESSES).

    Dated: April 15, 2013.
Stephen Guertin,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15705 Filed 6-28-13; 8:45 am]
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