[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32308-32309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12977]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-R-2013-N274; 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 of final documents.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the 
availability of two final documents for public outreach use:

 Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of 
Aquatic Invasive Species: Recreational Activities

[[Page 32309]]

 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.

ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: The two documents may be obtained 
online, by mail, or by email:
     Online: 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].

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), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
regulates the importation and interstate transport of certain aquatic 
invasive 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 the development and implementation of a program for U.S. 
waters to prevent introduction and disposal of aquatic invasive species 
(AIS); to monitor, control, and study such species; and to disseminate 
related information. 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. Public comment was requested via a Federal Register 
notice (78 FR 39310; July 1, 2013). Comments were addressed, and the 
documents were modified accordingly. There were no substantive 
comments.

Recreational Activities

    The revised 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

    The Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of 
Aquatic Invasive Species: Water Gardening will provide guidelines to 
address the potential spread of aquatic invasive species by water 
gardening to be used by agencies, organizations, and the public for 
education and outreach.

Availability of Documents

    The two sets of guidelines are available on the ANSTF Web site, by 
U.S. mail from the Service or by email (see ADDRESSES) for public 
outreach use.

    Dated: May 20, 2014.
Rowan W. Gould,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12977 Filed 6-3-14; 8:45 am]
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