[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2996-2998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1179]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R9-SATD-2011-N263; FXSC142009000009A-123-FF09S0000]
National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments; announcement of
public workshops.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), along with
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, Department
of Commerce) and other Federal, State, and tribal partners, announce
that we are seeking public comments and input regarding the draft
National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy
(Strategy). The purpose of the Strategy will be to inspire and enable
natural resource professionals and other decision makers to take action
to conserve the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and ecosystem
functions, as well as the human uses and values these natural systems
provide, in a changing climate. In addition to this request for written
comments, several public workshops will be conducted in order to
provide additional opportunities for public involvement and discussion
of the draft. The draft Strategy is available at the following link:
http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-review-draft.php.
DATES: Submitting Comments: To ensure that we are able to consider your
comments, we must receive them by March 5, 2012 (see ADDRESSES).
Public Workshops: Five workshops are being planned for the public.
One workshop will be held in Washington, DC, and four additional
workshops will be held at various regional venues around the country
(Albany, NY; Charleston, SC; Madison, WI; and Sacramento, CA). Dates
and addresses of the public workshops will be posted on the Strategy
Web site (www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov) as they become available.
For more details, see ADDRESSES.
There will be two additional public workshops held as online web
conferences or ``webinars,'' during which interested members of the
public will be able to participate remotely. These web conferences will
be held on January 26, 2012, and February 22, 2012.
We request that all persons planning to attend a workshop in person
or participate via a webinar register at http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-workshops.php prior to the
event. For more information or to register, please see ``IV., Meeting
Participation Information,'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Tribal Consultation Sessions: Eight Tribal consultation sessions
are being planned for January and February 2012. These consultation
sessions will be held in Anchorage, AK; Albany, NY; Albuquerque, NM;
Charleston, SC; Madison, WI; Oklahoma City, OK; Sacramento, CA; and
Shelton, WA. Dates and addresses for the tribal consultation sessions
will be posted on the strategy Web site
(www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov) as they become available.
ADDRESSES: Public Comments: To provide comments and feedback on the
draft Strategy, please visit http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-comments.php. Alternatively, you may send comments by U.S. mail
to the Office of the Science Advisor, Attn: National Fish, Wildlife,
and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Shaffer, Office of the Science
Advisor, at (703) 358-2603 (telephone) or
wildlifeadaptationstrategy@fws.gov (email), or via the Strategy Web
site at http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/contact-us.php. If
you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In cooperation with NOAA and other Federal,
State, and tribal partners, we are soliciting public comments on the
draft National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy
(Strategy).
The adverse impacts of climate change transcend political and
administrative boundaries. No single entity or level of government can
safeguard wildlife and society against the effects of climate change.
When finalized, this draft Strategy will present a unified approach--
reflecting shared principles and science-based practices--for reducing
the negative impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, plants,
habitats, and our natural resource heritage. The Strategy will provide
a basis for sensible actions that can be taken now, in spite of the
uncertainties that exist about precise impacts of climate change. It
also will provide guidance about what further actions are most likely
to promote natural resource adaptation to climate change, and will
describe mechanisms that will foster collaboration among all levels of
government, conservation organizations, and private landowners.
I. Background
Climate change affects more than temperature. According to the U.S.
Global Change Research Program, impacts include shifts in rainfall and
storm patterns, increasing wildfires, and more frequent water
shortages, as well as rising sea levels, loss of sea ice, ocean
acidification, and coastal flooding and erosion. Given the magnitude of
the observed changes in climate, it is not surprising that fish,
wildlife, and plant resources in the United States and around the world
are already being affected. The impacts can be seen everywhere, from
working landscapes like tree farms and pastures to wilderness areas far
from human habitation. As the climate continues to change over the next
century, so too will the effects on species, ecosystems, and their
functions. Furthermore, climate-induced changes are also likely to
exacerbate existing stresses like habitat loss and fragmentation,
putting additional pressure on our nation's valued living resources.
Rapid warming may also begin to threaten the benefits that natural
systems provide to people and communities, creating new challenges for
human health, infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, and energy
supplies. At risk are clean air and water; flood and erosion control;
natural resource jobs and income; hunting, fishing, and wildlife-
related recreation; and, ultimately, our quality of life.
[[Page 2997]]
Most simply, climate adaptation means helping people and natural
systems prepare for and cope with the effects of a changing climate.
Climate adaptation is an essential complement to climate change
mitigation, or efforts to decrease the rate and extent of climate
change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions or enhancing carbon
uptake and storage. Coordinated adaptation planning can help limit the
damage climate change causes to our natural resources and communities,
and will require new approaches, additional resources, and a
coordinated approach across Federal, State, Tribal and local partners.
II. Strategy Development
Over the past decade, there have been an increasing number of calls
for action by government and nongovernmental entities to better
understand, prepare for, and address the impacts of climate change on
natural resources and the communities that depend on those resources.
For example, in 2007 the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
released a study entitled ``Climate Change: Agencies Should Develop
Guidance for Addressing the Effects on Federal Land and Water
Resources,'' recommending that guidance and tools be developed to help
Federal natural resource managers incorporate and address climate
change in their resource management efforts. In 2008, the U.S. Global
Change Research Program released the report ``Preliminary Review of
Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources,''
which called for and identified a variety of new approaches to natural
resource management to increase resiliency and adaptation of ecosystems
and resources.
In 2009, Congress asked the Department of the Interior (DOI) and
the White House Council on Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) to
develop a national, government-wide climate adaptation strategy for
fish, wildlife, plants, and related ecological processes. Language in
the Conference Report for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Interior,
Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (House Report 111-
316, pages 76-77) urged CEQ and DOI to ``develop a national,
government-wide strategy to address climate impacts on fish, wildlife,
plants, and associated ecological processes'' and ``provide that there
is integration, coordination, and public accountability to ensure
efficiency and avoid duplication.'' In addition, CEQ's Interagency
Climate Change Adaptation Task Force supported this request and called
for the development of a climate adaptation strategy for fish,
wildlife, and plants in its 2010 Progress Report to the President.
In the fall of 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and CEQ
invited NOAA and State wildlife agencies (with the New York Division of
Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources as the State agencies' lead
representative) to co-lead the development of the strategy. The
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is also providing support
through a cooperative agreement with the Service.
Initial public outreach during 2009 and 2010 contributed toward
developing the following set of key principles to help guide this
effort as it moves forward:
Build a national framework for cooperative climate
response.
Respect jurisdictional authorities.
Provide a blueprint for collective action that promotes
collaboration and communication across government and non-government
entities.
Adopt a landscape/seascape-based approach that integrates
best-available science and adaptive management.
Focus actions and investments on natural resources of the
United States and its Territories.
Identify critical scientific and management needs.
Engage the public.
Integrate strategies for natural resources adaptation with
those of other sectors such as transportation and agriculture.
Identify opportunities to integrate climate adaptation and
mitigation efforts.
Act now: Time is of the essence.
In late 2010, a diverse group of Federal, State, and tribal
agencies were asked to participate as members of an intergovernmental
Steering Committee, to provide advice and support for development of
the Strategy. The Steering Committee includes representatives from 16
Federal agencies with management authorities for fish, wildlife,
plants, or habitat, as well as representatives from 5 State fish and
wildlife agencies and two intertribal fish and wildlife commissions.
The Steering Committee charged a small Management Team, made up of
representatives of the FWS, NOAA, Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies (on behalf of the States), the Great Lakes Indian Fish and
Wildlife Commission, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to oversee the
day-to-day development of the Strategy. The Management Team was asked
to engage with a diverse group of stakeholders, as well as to
coordinate and communicate across agencies and departments.
In March of 2011, the Management Team invited more than 90 natural
resource professionals (both researchers and managers) from Federal,
State, and tribal agencies to form five Technical Teams based around
major U.S. ecosystems (marine, coastal, inland waters, forest, and
combined grasslands/shrublands/deserts/tundra systems). These Teams,
which were co-chaired by Federal, State, and tribal representatives,
worked approximately 7 months to provide technical information on
climate change impacts and to collectively develop strategies and
actions for adapting to climate change.
We initially requested public comments and input on the development
of the Strategy in a May 24, 2011, notice of intent in the Federal
Register (76 FR 30193). After we incorporated initial input, in
November 2011 we requested comments on a preliminary draft of the
Strategy from selected Federal, State, and Tribal agencies.
We now open the public comment period (see DATES). After
considering and incorporating comments from the public, we anticipate
releasing a revised, final Strategy by early summer 2012.
Key milestones are shown below:
Outreach and Engagement Sessions--2009/2010
Steering Committee Formed--December 2010
Technical Teams Established--February 2011
Agency Review Draft Circulated--November 2011
Public Review Draft Announced--January 2012
Release Final Strategy--May/June 2012
Ultimately, the Strategy will be a blueprint for common action that
outlines needed scientific support, policy, and legal frameworks;
recommended management practices; processes for integration and
communication; and a framework for implementing these approaches. It
will enable national and international conservation communities to
harness collective expertise, authority, and skills in order to define
and prioritize a shared set of conservation goals and objectives.
III. Request for Public Comments
Public involvement is critical for the development of a robust and
relevant response to the impacts of climate change. Particularly
valuable to the effort are public guidance on priorities,
recommendations for approaches, and suggestions based on local
knowledge and experience.
[[Page 2998]]
Initial outreach and planning for the Strategy began in 2009 and
early 2010, with a number of listening and engagement sessions, as well
as several Conservation Leadership Forums. More information about past
engagement efforts, as well as upcoming meetings and engagement
opportunities, is available at http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/participate.php.
We will be accepting public comments through our Web site until the
date specified in DATES. We will also accept verbal and written
comments at upcoming public review workshops (see ADDRESSES).
We encourage the public to submit comments and input on the draft
Strategy. The comments that are most useful are those that you support
by quantitative information or studies and those that include citations
and analyses of applicable laws and regulations. Please make your
comments as specific as possible and explain the basis for them. In
addition, please include sufficient information with your comments to
allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you include.
You must submit your comments and materials by one of the methods
listed above in the ADDRESSES section. We will not accept comments sent
to an address not listed in ADDRESSES.
We are committed to transparency in developing and implementing the
National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy. The
Service, NOAA, and other partners will also actively engage interested
parties, including, as appropriate, State, Tribal, and local
authorities; regional governance structures; academic institutions;
nongovernmental organizations; recreational interests; and private
enterprise.
IV. Meeting Participation Information
Several public workshops will be held around the country, as
described in ADDRESSES. These workshops will provide interested members
of the public the opportunity to learn more about the development and
goals of the Strategy, ask questions, and provide their public comments
verbally or in writing. If you wish to attend one of these workshops in
person, please register online prior to the workshop through our Web
site at http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-workshops.php.
There will also be two additional public workshops that will be
held as an online web conference or ``webinar'' (see DATES). Interested
members of the public will be able to participate remotely, including
viewing a presentation and contributing questions and comments. For
more information or to register for the web conference, please visit
our Web site at http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/public-workshops.php.
Please visit the Strategy Web site at http://www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov for additional background on the
Strategy.
V. 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. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
VI. Authority
Conference Report for the Interior, Environment and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010.
Gabriela Chavarria,
Science Advisor to the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-1179 Filed 1-19-12; 8:45 am]
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