[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34342-34343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14013]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-R-2013-N273FXFR13350900000-134-FF09F14000]


Classroom Guidelines for Preventing the Introduction and Spread 
of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces the 
availability of the Classroom Guidelines for Preventing the 
Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). These 
voluntary guidelines are intended to be used by agencies and 
organizations to develop materials that inform educators and students 
about the risks of spreading aquatic invasive species, and to limit 
their spread via the disposal of unwanted live educational specimens 
(animals, plants, and microorganisms) into local waters, including 
release into drains or flushing down toilets.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
July 16, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The guidelines may be obtained online, by U.S. mail, or by 
email:
     Online: http://anstaskforce.gov/documents.php;
     U.S. mail: Laura Norcutt, 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 the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42), 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 preventing and controlling the spread 
of aquatic nuisance species.

Development of the Guidelines

    In 2011 the ANSTF established a committee to develop guidelines 
that would help to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species 
through the disposal of unwanted live educational specimens (animals, 
plants, and microorganisms) into local waters and municipal water 
systems. The goal of the committee was to develop clear, easy-to-use 
standardized national guidelines that are easily communicated to 
educators and students and can be incorporated into education and 
outreach media. An additional benefit to

[[Page 34343]]

educators and students who follow these guidelines is to avoid possible 
violation of Federal, Tribal, and State laws that prohibit the 
transport or release of aquatic invasive species. The committee's 
product, a document titled Classroom Guidelines for Preventing the 
Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), will provide 
concise useable guidelines for agencies, and organizations to develop 
materials that inform educators and students about the risks of 
spreading aquatic invasive species.

Preparing Final Documents

    Because these documents are guidance only, there is no requirement 
to provide the public with an opportunity to submit comments. However, 
we are opening a comment period to receive information and comments 
that may be useful for future versions of the guidelines.

Request for Public Comments

    The guidelines are available on the ANSTF Web site (see ADDRESSES) 
for public review and comment.
    We invite review and comment on our guidelines from local, State, 
Tribal, and Federal agencies, and from 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 a summary of 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 may request an appointment to 
inspect the comments during normal business hours at our office (see 
ADDRESSES).

    Dated: May 23, 2014.
Stephen Guertin,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14013 Filed 6-13-14; 8:45 am]
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