[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 72 (Monday, April 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19015-19016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1866]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Draft Indiana Bat Recovery Plan, First Revision; Draft Survey
Protocol
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability for review and comment.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce
availability of the draft revised recovery plan and draft survey
protocol for the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) for public review and
comment. This species is federally listed as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
DATES: In order to consider your comments on the draft recovery plan
and draft survey protocol, we must receive them on or before July 16,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Recovery Plan: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan by
any of the following means:
1. World Wide Web: http://midwest.fws.gov/endangered; or
2. U.S. mail or in-person pickup: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, 620 South Walker
Street, Bloomington, IN 47403-2121.
You may submit electronic comments on the recovery plan to this e-
mail address: [email protected].
Draft Survey Protocol: The draft survey protocol is available at
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/ibat_srvyprtcl.html;
this Web page also provides instructions and addresses for submitting
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Lori Pruitt, by U.S. mail or e-
mail (see ADDRESSES).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Recovery of endangered or threatened animals or plants is a primary
goal of our endangered species program. Recovery plans describe actions
considered necessary for the conservation of the species, establish
criteria for delisting species, and provide estimates of the time and
cost for implementing the measures needed for recovery.
The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires the development of
recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan would not promote
the conservation of a particular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as
amended in 1988, requires that we provide public notice and opportunity
for public review and comment during recovery plan development. The
Service will consider all information presented during a public comment
period prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The
Service and other Federal agencies all also take these comments into
consideration in the course of implementing approved recovery plans.
The species was originally listed as in danger of extinction under
the Exchanged Species Preservation Act of 1966. The original recovery
plan for the species was published in 1983; this is the first recovery
plan revision. As of October 2006, the Service had records of extant
winter populations at approximately 281 hibernacula in 19 states and
269 maternity colonies in 16 states. The 2005 winter census estimate of
the population was 457,000.
During winter, Indiana bats are restricted to suitable underground
hibernacula. The vast majority of these sites are caves located in
karst areas of the east-central United State; however, Indiana bats
also hibernate in other cave-like locations, including abandoned mines.
Most Indiana bats hibernate in caves or mines where the ambient
temperature remains below 10[deg] C but infrequently drops below
freezing, and the temperature is relatively stable. In summer, most
reproductive females
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occupy roost sites under exfoliating bark of dead trees that retain
large, thick slabs of peeling bark. These trees are typically within
canopy gaps in a forest, in a fenceline, or along a wooded edge.
Habitats in which maternity roosts occur include riparian zones,
bottomland and floodplain habitats, wooded wetlands, and upland
communities. Indiana bats typically forage in semi-open to closed
forested habitats, forest edges, and riparian areas.
Threats to the Indiana bat vary during its annual cycle. At the
hibernacula, threats include modifications to caves, mines, and
surrounding areas that change airflow and alter microclimate in the
hibernacula. Human disturbance and vandalism pose significant threats
during hibernation through direct mortality and by inducing arousal and
consequent depletion of fat reserves. Natural catastrophes can also
have a significant effect during winter because of the concentration of
individuals in a relatively few sites. During summer months, possible
threats relate to the loss and degradation of forested habitat.
Migration pathways and swarming sites may also be affected by habitat
loss and degradation. In addition to these threats, significant
information gaps remain regarding the species' ecology that hinder
sound decision-making on how best to manage and protect the species.
The objective of the recovery plan is to provide a framework for
the recovery of Indiana bat so that protection by the Act is no longer
necessary. We may consider Indiana bat for classification from
Endangered to Threatened status when the likelihood of the species
becoming extinct in the foreseeable future has been precluded by
achievement of the following criteria: (1) Permanent protection of a
minimum of 80 percent of Priority-1 hibernacula in each of four
Recovery Units (Ozark-Central, Midwest, Appalachian Mountains, and
Northeast), with a minimum of one Priority-1 hibernaculum protected in
each unit; (2) A minimum overall population estimate equal to the 2005
population estimate of 457,000; and (3) Documentation that shows
important hibernacula within each Recovery Unit have a positive annual
population growth rate over the next 10-year period (i.e., five survey
periods).
We will consider Indiana bat for delisting when the likelihood of
the species becoming threatened in the foreseeable future has been
reduced by the achievement of the following criteria: (1) Permanent
protection of a minimum of 50 percent of Priority-2 hibernacula in each
Recovery Unit: (2) A minimum overall population estimate equal to the
2005 population estimate of 457,000; and (3) Documentation that shows a
positive population growth rate within each Recovery Unit over an
additional five sequential survey periods (i.e., 10 years). If research
on summer habitat requirements indicates the quality or quantity of
maternity habitat is threatening recovery of the species, the Service
will amend these criteria. Additional details on reclassification and
delisting criteria are available in the recovery plan.
We will meet these criteria through the following actions: (1)
Conserving and managing hibernacula and their winter populations, (2)
Conserving and managing summer habitat to maximize survival and
fecundity, (3) Planning and conducting research essential for recovery,
and (4) Developing and implementing a public information and outreach
program.
In addition to seeking comments on the content of the entire
recovery plan, we request any information on the appropriate scope and
breadth of this recovery plan as it relates to the inclusion of
available science for summer habitat. Furthermore, we are seeking any
information related to hybridization that may be occurring with other
bats within the range of Indiana bat. We are interested to know about
this, the extent of such hybridization and its potential to affect the
Indiana bat as a species. We also request information about the use of
records of captured individuals to describe the summer, winter and
maternity distribution of the species. In addition to soliciting
comment on the recovery plan, we are seeking comment on a draft survey
protocol for determining presence or probable absence of Indiana bats
at cave portals or abandoned mines that could serve as hibernacula. Our
goal is to incorporate comments and finalize the draft survey protocol
in time to be included in the approved Indiana Bat Recovery Plan. The
draft survey protocol, with instructions for commenting, is available
on the Internet (see ADDRESSES).
Public Comments Solicited
The Service solicits written comments on the recovery plan and the
draft survey protocol. All comments received by the date specified will
be considered prior to approval of the plan. Written comments and
materials regarding the draft recovery plan should be addressed to the
Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES). Comments and materials received about
the draft recovery plan will be available by appointment for public
inspection during normal business hours at the above address. For
information on commenting on the draft survey protocol, see ADDRESSES.
Authority: The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f).
Dated: April 4, 2007.
Lynn Lewis,
Deputy Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3, Fort
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. 07-1866 Filed 4-13-07; 8:45 am]
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