Encroaching non-native plants, such as California grass… Such activities may include the use of predator effigies (including raptor kites, predator replicas, etc. 1999, p. 20). comm., as cited in USFWS 2004). Nene habitat is similarly protected on lands owned by the National Park Service. As discussed in the proposed rule and this final rule, under Factor A, certain habitat stresses continue to exist, but as nene have proven adaptable to diverse native and human-modified habitats, it appears that, with active management, the extent and quality of existing breeding habitat is sufficient to support robust populations in multiple localities throughout the species' range. On Maui, three facilities with a total of 40 WTGs are in operation, Kaheawa Wind Power I (20 WTGs) and Kaheawa Wind Power II (12 WTGs) in western Maui, and Auwahi Wind (8 WTGs) in southeastern Maui. 10, 12, 17-18, 32-33; Giambelluca 2013, p. 6). Cats were introduced to Hawaii in the early 1800s, and are present on all the main Hawaiian islands (Tomich 1986, p. 101). Until the ACFR grants it official status, the XML Description. 2:19-31). funding land aquisition, restoration of habitat, and/or control of threats relevant to each species. We sought comments from independent specialists to ensure that our determination is based on scientifically Start Printed Page 69919sound data, assumptions, and analyses. This 4(d) rule identifies these activities to provide protective mechanisms to landowners and their agents so that they may continue with certain activities that are not anticipated to cause direct injury or mortality to nene and that will facilitate the conservation and recovery of nene. In the following analysis, we evaluated the status of the nene throughout all of its range as indicated by the five-factor analysis of threats currently affecting the species, or that are likely to affect the species within the foreseeable future. 0000008653 00000 n Vehicle collisions are an ongoing cause of nene mortality (Hoshide et al. Despite the existing regulatory mechanisms and conservation efforts (Factor D), the factors identified above continue to affect the nene such that it is likely to become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all of its range. 1988). The Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife also provides supplemental food for nene populations on Hawaii Island. Under the Act, we may determine that a species is an endangered or threatened species based on any one or a combination of five factors described in section 4(a)(1) of the Act: (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. Current populations are sustained by ongoing management (e.g., predator control, habitat management for feral ungulates and nonnative plants). Rigorous and standardized fatality monitoring is conducted on a 4- to 7-day interval year-round for all wind energy facilities that have incidental take permits. Mongoose are believed to be the most serious egg predator responsible for the most nene nest failures on Hawaii and Maui (Hoshide et al. If an activity creates the likelihood of injury to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns such as breeding, feeding, and sheltering, then the activity has the potential to cause take in the form of harassment. Our Response: We agree that wind energy production has increased over the past 10 years and that new prospects are underway. Nene on Kauai have less genetic variation than birds sampled from six wild populations on Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai (Rave 1995, p. 87). Drought was also thought to have contributed to the population decline (10 percent) at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the late 1990s (Rave et al. 6-7). We are always seeking more effective ways to best reach the public and create awareness about endangered species and surrounding issues, including nene. comm.). Direct all questions or requests for additional information to: U.S. One commented that nene are recognized as the most genetically bottlenecked listed species given their Start Printed Page 69938near extinction in the 1940s, and that genetic fecundity of nene is unknown and needs to be adequately assessed and demonstrated as independently viable on all islands on which it occurs before downlisting is biologically supportable. The historical record indicates that Hawaii tends to be dry (relative to a running average) during El Niño phases and wet during La Niña phases (Chu and Chen 2005, pp. 2015, p. 691). Global Change Research Program (US-GCRP) 2009, pp. These partnerships are voluntary alliances of public and private landowners, “committed to the common value of protecting forested watersheds for water recharge, conservation, and other ecosystem services through collaborative management” (HAWP 2019, entire). Thus, although we cannot predict the timing, extent, or magnitude of specific events given that RCP scenarios diverge after around 2035, we expect effects of climate change (changes in tropical cyclone frequency and intensity, drought frequency, and sea-level rise) to exacerbate the current threats to this species such as predation, inadequate nutrition, and habitat loss and degradation. However, under 50 CFR 402.14, the Federal agency will still need to consult with the Service if the proposed action may affect nene, unless the agency determines with written concurrence from the Service that the proposed action is not likely to adversely affect the nene. Vehicle collisions do not achieve this goal; therefore, we did not except them from take prohibitions in the 4(d) rule. Hawaii's wetlands are inhabited by five endangered endemic waterbird species and most wetland management is executed to enhance their populations. 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