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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), propose to
designate critical habitat for the Hine’s
emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora
hineana) pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
In total, approximately 27,689 acres (ac)
(11,205 hectares (ha)) fall within the
boundaries of the proposed critical
habitat designation in 49 units located
in Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties in
Illinois; Alpena, Mackinac, and Presque
Isle Counties in Michigan; Dent, Iron,
Morgan, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley,
Shannon, Washington, and Wayne
Counties in Missouri; and Door and
Ozaukee Counties in Wisconsin. We are,
however, considering excluding all 26
units in Missouri and 2 units in
Michigan from the critical habitat
designation. If made final, this proposal
may result in additional requirements
under section 7 of the Act for Federal
agencies. No additional requirements
are expected for non-Federal actions.
The Service seeks comments on all
aspects of this proposal from the public.
DATES: Comments: We will accept
comments from all interested parties
until September 25, 2006. Public
Hearing: We have scheduled one
informational meeting followed by a
public hearing for August 15, 2006. The
informational meeting will be held from
6 to 7 p.m., followed by a public hearing
from 7:15 to 9 p.m.
ADDRESSES:
Comments: If you wish to
comment, you may submit your
comments and materials concerning this
proposal by any one of several methods:
1. You may submit written comments
and information to John Rogner, Field
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Chicago, Illinois Ecological
Services Field Office, 1250 S. Grove,
Suite 103, Barrington, Illinois 60010.
2. You may hand-deliver written
comments to our office, at the above
address.
3. You may send your comments by
electronic mail (e-mail) directly to the
Service at hedch@fws.gov or to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
www.regulations.gov.
4. You may fax your comments to
(847) 381–2285.
Comments and materials received, as
well as supporting documentation used
in the preparation of this proposed rule
will be available for public inspection,
by appointment, during normal business
hours at the Chicago, Illinois Ecological
Services Field Office at the above
address (telephone (847) 381–2253
extension 233).
Public Hearing: The August 15, 2006,
informational meeting and public
hearing will be held in Romeoville,
Illinois at the Drdak Senior/Teen Center
at the Romeoville Recreation Center at
900 West Romeo Road. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Rogner, Field Supervisor, Chicago
Illinois Ecological Services Field Office,
1250 S. Grove, Suite 103, Barrington,
Illinois 60010 (telephone (847) 381–
2253, extension 233; facsimile (847)
381–2285).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Comments Solicited We are seeking public comments on
all aspects of this proposed rule. We
intend that any final action resulting
from this proposal will be as accurate
and as effective as possible. Therefore,
comments or suggestions from the
public, other concerned governmental
agencies, the scientific community,
industry, or any other interested party
concerning this proposed rule are
hereby solicited.
Comments particularly are sought
concerning:
(1) The reasons any habitat should or
should not be determined to be critical
habitat as provided by section 4 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.),
including whether it is prudent to
designate critical habitat.
(2) Specific information on the
amount and distribution of Hine’s
emerald dragonfly habitat; what areas
should be included in the designations
that were occupied at the time of listing
and that contain the features essential
for the conservation of the species; and
what areas that were not occupied at the
time of listing are essential to the
conservation of the species. Information
submitted should include a specific
explanation as to why any area is
essential to the conservation of the
species;
(3) Land use designations and current
or planned activities in the subject areas
and their possible impacts on proposed
critical habitat;
(4) Any foreseeable economic,
national security, or other potential
impacts resulting from the proposed
designation and, in particular, any
impacts on small entities;
(5) Whether our approach to
designating critical habitat could be
improved or modified in any way to
provide for greater public participation
and understanding, or to assist us in
accommodating public concerns and
comments;
(6) Comments or information that
would add further clarity or specificity
to the physical and biological features
determined to be essential for the
conservation of the Hine’s emerald
dragonfly (i.e., primary constituent
elements);
(7) We are considering excluding
areas under the jurisdiction of the
Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan,
the Mark Twain National Forest in
Missouri, and the Missouri Department
of Conservation and units under private
ownership in Missouri from the final
designation of critical habitat under
section 4(b)(2) of the Act on the basis of
conservation programs and
partnerships. We will also review other
relevant information for units being
proposed in this rule as we receive it to
determine whether other units may be
appropriate for exclusion from the final
designation under section 4(b)(2) of the
Act. We specifically solicit comment on
the inclusion or exclusion of such areas
and:
(a) Whether these areas have features
that are essential to the conservation of
the species or are otherwise essential to
the conservation of the species;
(b) Whether these, or other areas
proposed, but not specifically addressed
in this proposal, warrant exclusion;
(c) Relevant factors that should be
considered by us when evaluating the
basis for not designating these areas as
critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of
the Act;
(d) Whether management plans in
place adequately provide conservation
measures and protect the Hine’s
emerald dragonfly and its habitat;
(e) Whether designation would assist
in the regulation of any threats not
addressed by existing management
plans; and
(f) Whether designating these lands
may result in an increased degree of
threat to the species on these lands;
(8) Whether lands not currently
occupied by the species should be
included in the designation, and if so,
the basis for such an inclusion (this rule
proposes to designate only lands
currently occupied by the Hine’s
emerald dragonfly);
(9) Whether the methodology used to
map critical habitat units captures all of
the biological and physical features essential to the conservation of the
Hine’s emerald dragonfly;
(10) Whether the benefit of exclusion
in any particular area outweigh the
benefits of inclusion under Section
4(b)(2) of the Act;
(11) Whether the primary constituent
elements as described fulfill the needs
for the various life stages of the Hine’s
emerald dragonfly. Specifically,
whether old fields adjacent to and in
near proximity to larval areas are
essential features; and
(12) Whether the small areas of
private land within the Hiawatha
National Forest, which is proposed for
exclusion, are essential for the
conservation of the Hine’s emerald
dragonfly.
When submitting electronic
comments, your submission must
include ‘‘Attn: Hine’s emerald
dragonfly’’ in the beginning of your
message, and you must not use special
characters or any form of encryption.
Electronic attachments in standard
formats (such as .pdf or .doc) are
acceptable, but please name the
software necessary to open any
attachments in formats other than those
given above. Also, please include your
name and return address in your e-mail
message. If you do not receive a
confirmation from the system that we
have received your e-mail message,
please submit your comments in writing
using one of the alternate methods
described in the ADDRESSES section. In
the event that our internet connection is
not functional, please submit your
comments by one of the alternate
methods mentioned in the ADDRESSES
section.
Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of
respondents, available for public review
during regular business hours. We will
not consider anonymous comments, and
we will make all comments available for
public inspection in their entirety.
Comments and materials received will
be available for public inspection, by
appointment, during normal business
hours at the address in the ADDRESSES
section.
Go here to view the entire Federal Register Proposed Rule to Designate Critical Habitat for the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly. The PDF document is 79 pages and 6.7 MB in size.
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