Availability of an Environmental Action Statement and Receipt of an Application for a Permit to Enhance the Survival of Hawaiian Goose or Nene Through a Safe Harbor Agreement for Reintroduction of the Species to Puu O Hoku Ranch, Molokai

Puu O Hoku Ranch, Limited has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of a survival permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit application includes a Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) between the Ranch, the Service, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. The proposed Agreement and permit application are available for public comment. The proposed Agreement allows for reintroduction and management of the endangered Hawaiian goose or nene (Branta sandvicensis) onto private land owned and managed by the Ranch on the island of Molokai. Nene historically occurred on Molokai, but do not currently exist in the wild on the island. The proposed duration of the proposed Agreement is 7 years. The proposed permit would allow the Ranch to return to existing baseline conditions of zero nene; however, we anticipate that any nene taken would not be injured or harmed, but would be relocated to other suitable lands. We expect this proposed Agreement to result in a net conservation benefit by establishing a self-sustaining population of nene on Molokai. The Service has made a preliminary determination that the proposed Agreement and permit application are eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. We explain the basis for this determination in an Environmental Action Statement, which also is available for public review. We request comments from the public on the permit application, proposed Agreement, and an Environmental Action Statement. All comments we receive, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be released to the public.