[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39310-39311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15705]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-HQ-R-2013-N025; 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; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), announces the
availability of two draft documents for public review:
[[Page 39311]]
Voluntary Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and
Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Recreational Activities
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.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
July 31, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: The two draft documents may be obtained
online, by mail, or by email:
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: Laura_Norcutt@fws.gov.
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: Laura_Norcutt@fws.gov.
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) 16, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
regulates the importation and interstate transport of certain aquatic
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
prevent and control the spread of aquatic nuisance species. 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.
Recreational Activities
In July 2011, the ANSTF established a committee of about 50
representatives of Federal and State agencies, nongovernmental
organizations, and industry to update the recreational guidelines from
2000. The revised draft 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
In November 2011, the ANSTF established a committee to develop
guidance to address the potential spread of aquatic invasive species by
water gardening. The product, a draft document titled Voluntary
Guidelines to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive
Species: Water Gardening, will provide concise guidelines to be used by
agencies, organizations, and the public for education and outreach.
Request for Public Comments
The draft revised guidelines are available on the ANSTF Web site
(see ADDRESSES) for public review and comment.
We request review and comment on our guidelines from local, State,
Tribal, and Federal agencies and 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 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 without internet access may request an
appointment to inspect the comments during normal business hours at our
office (see ADDRESSES).
Dated: April 15, 2013.
Stephen Guertin,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15705 Filed 6-28-13; 8:45 am]
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