80 FR 79090 - Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision on the Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan for Incidental Take of Nine Federally Listed Species in Central Texas
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 243 (December 18, 2015)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 243 (December 18, 2015)
| Page Range | 79090-79092 | |
| FR Document | 2015-31844 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 79090-79092] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-31844] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-ES-2015-N187; FXES11120200000F2-167-FF02ENEH00] Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision on the Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan for Incidental Take of Nine Federally Listed Species in Central Texas AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), make available the final environmental impact statement (EIS) and draft record of decision (ROD) analyzing the impacts of the issuance of an incidental take permit for implementation of the final Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan (SEP HCP). Our decision is to issue a 30-year incidental take permit for implementation of the SEP HCP preferred alternative (described below), which authorizes incidental take of animal species listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. As part of the SEP HCP, measures will be implemented to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to offset impacts to the affected species. DATES: We will finalize the ROD and a permit no sooner than 30 days after publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of the final documents by going to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/. Alternatively, you may obtain a compact disk with electronic copies of these documents by writing to Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; by calling (512) 490-0057; or by faxing (512) 490-0974. For additional information about where to review documents, see ``Reviewing Documents'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758 or (512) 490-0057. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Service, announce the availability of the final EIS and draft ROD, which we developed in compliance with the agency decision-making requirements of the NEPA, as well as the final SEP HCP as submitted by the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, Texas (Applicants). All alternatives have been described in detail, evaluated, and analyzed in our November 2015 final EIS. The ROD documents the rationale for our decision. Based on our review of the alternatives and their environmental consequences as described in our final EIS, we have selected the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative. The proposed action is to issue to the Applicants an incidental take permit (ITP) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., Act), that authorizes incidental take of nine endangered species (Covered Species): Two birds--golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga [=Dendroica] chrysoparia, GCWA) and black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla, BCVI), and seven karst invertebrates (collectively the Covered Karst Invertebrates)--R. infernalis (no common name), Rhadine exilis (no common name) Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi), Government Canyon Bat Cave spider (Neoleptoneta microps), Madla cave meshweaver (Cicurina madla), Government Canyon Bat Cave meshweaver (C. venii). The term of the permit is 30 years (2015-2045). The Applicants will implement minimization and mitigation measures to offset impacts to the Covered Species according to their SEP HCP. The minimization and mitigation measures include, but are not limited to: Restricting activities to avoid the two bird's breeding seasons, implementing oak wilt prevention techniques, conducting extensive karst invertebrate surveys prior to any activity in karst zones, preserving habitat in perpetuity for all Covered Species, and managing and monitoring preserves in perpetuity. Background The Applicants have applied for an incidental take permit (TE48571B-0, ITP) under the Act, that would authorize incidental take of nine Covered Species in all, or portions, of seven Texas counties, and would be in effect for a period of 30 years. The proposed incidental take of the Covered Species would occur from lawful, non- federal activities including: Public or private land development projects; construction, maintenance, and/or improvement of roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure; and installation and/ or maintenance of utility infrastructure (Covered Activities). The SEP HCP includes a 7-county area: Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Comal, Kendall, Kerr, and Medina counties. Incidental take coverage will: (1) Only be offered to Participants in the jurisdictions of Bexar County and the City of San Antonio, including current and future portions of the City's extra-territorial jurisdiction (except where the City of San Antonio is within Comal County and (2) be provided within any SEP HCP preserves located in 7-county plan area. The final EIS considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of implementation of the HCP, including the measures that will be implemented to minimize and mitigate such impacts to the maximum extent practicable. The Secretary of the Interior has delegated to the Service the authority to [[Page 79091]] approve or deny an ITP in accordance with the Act. To act on the Applicant's permit application, we must determine that the HCP meets the issuance criteria specified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32. The issuance of an ITP is a federal action subject to NEPA compliance, including the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508). On December 19, 2014, we issued a draft EIS and requested public comment on our evaluation of the potential impacts associated with issuance of an ITP for implementation of the SEP HCP and to evaluate alternatives (79 FR 75830). We included public comments and responses associated with the draft EIS and draft HCP in the final EIS. Purpose and Need The purpose of the section 10(a)(1)(B) permit is to authorize incidental take associated with the Covered Activities described above. We identified key issues and relevant factors through public scoping and meetings, working with other agencies and groups, and reviewing comments from the public. We received responses from 1 federal agency, 1 tribe, and 110 other non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and individuals. The Environmental Protection Agency had comments on several sections of the draft EIS including air quality and the need for a Construction Emissions Mitigation Plan, a lack of analysis regarding environmental justice, and lack of a review by potentially affected tribes. The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma stated the project would not impact sights of interest to the Caddo Nation. Comments from individuals and NGOs included both support and concern for the HCP and the EIS selection of the preferred alternative. We believe these comments are addressed and reasonably accommodated in the final documents. Alternatives We considered five alternatives in the EIS. No Action Alternative: Under the No Action Alternative, the Service would not issue an incidental take permit for the SEP HCP. Proposed SEP HCP Alternative: Our preferred alternative is the proposed HCP with a 30-year term, as described in the final EIS, which provides for the issuance of an ITP to the Applicants for incidental take of the Covered Species that may occur as a result of Covered Activities. This alternative includes a number of measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the Covered Species, including over 30,000 acres of preserves for the Covered Species, avoiding the bird's breeding seasons to reduce direct impacts, and conducting extensive karst feature surveys to minimize direct impacts to karst invertebrates. This alternative assumes 50 percent of the development activities requiring an ITP for the Covered Species over the next 30 years will participate in the SEP-HCP, which represents 50 percent of the projected GCWA and BCVI habitat loss and 20 percent of the loss of potential habitat supporting the Covered Karst Invertebrates resulting from development within the Enrollment Area over the next 30 years. 10% Participation Alternative: This alternative assumes 10 percent of the development activities requiring an ITP for the Covered Species over the next 30 years will participate in the SEP HCP. The incidental take request represents 10 percent of the projected GCWA and BCVI habitat loss and 10 percent of the loss of potential habitat for the Covered Karst Invertebrates resulting from development within the Enrollment Area over the next 30 years. Single-County Alternative: The Single-County Alternative proposes the preserve system will be located within Bexar County or within 10 miles of the Bexar County border. This alternative proposes the same amount of take for the Covered Species as the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative; however, it proposes one-half of the preserve for GCWA and BCVI and greater participation fees. Increased Mitigation Alternative--The Increased Mitigation Alternative incorporates the same mitigation for the BCVI, higher proposed mitigation for the GCWA, and two times the required amount of preserve needed to achieve conservation baselines for the Covered Karst Invertebrates than that of the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative. Additionally, this alternative calls for 60 percent of the GCWA preserve within Bexar County and/or within 5 miles of the county border. Expected participation is the same as the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative. Decision We intend to issue an ITP allowing the Applicants to implement the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative. Our decision is based on a thorough review of the alternatives and their environmental consequences. Implementation of this decision entails the issuance of the ITP by the Service and full implementation of the HCP by the Applicants, including minimization and mitigation measures, monitoring and adaptive management, and complying with all terms and conditions in the permit. Rationale for Decision We have selected the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative for implementation based on multiple environmental and social factors, including potential impacts and benefits to Covered Species and their habitats; the extent and effectiveness of avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures; and social and economic considerations. We did not choose the No Action Alternative, because compliance with the Act will continue to occur on an individual basis through project-specific consultations with the Service, permitting actions will occur at the level and scope of an individual project, and mitigation requirements will be individually negotiated with the Service. As compared with the No Action Alternative, the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative provides for a more comprehensive and efficient approach to compliance with the Act and will provide larger, more contiguous preserves providing for more robust buffering against threats. We did not choose the 10% Participation Alternative because we believe that participation in the SEP HCP will exceed the requested level of authorized take well before the 30 year time period of the proposed permit. The result of early expiration of the permit would result in either a major amendment to the SEP HCP, expiration of the permit and a return to the No Action Alternative status quo, or starting a new regional HCP planning process. All of these options undermine the expected efficiencies and increased compliance with the Act expected as part of the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative. We did not choose the Single County Alternative because we believe the proposed mitigation compared to the amount of requested take is insufficient to meet the issuance criteria (described below) for an ITP. In particular, the criteria requiring an HCP minimize and mitigate to the maximum extent practicable any impacts from proposed takings. We did not choose the Increased Mitigation Alternative because the high cost to participate in the plan would likely decrease participation in the plan causing individuals to come to the Service for individual permits, similar to the No Action Alternative. In order to issue an ITP we must ascertain that the HCP meets issuance criteria as set forth in 16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(2)(A) and (B). We have made [[Page 79092]] that determination based on the criteria summarized below. 1. The taking will be incidental. We find that take will be incidental to otherwise lawful activities, including: public or private land development projects; construction, maintenance, and/or improvement of roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure; and installation and/or maintenance of utility infrastructure. 2. The applicants will, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize and mitigate the impacts of such takings. The Applicant's have developed and are committed to implementing a wide variety of conservation measures intended to minimize and mitigate the impacts of incidental taking that may result from the Covered Activities. 3. The applicants will develop an HCP and ensure that adequate funding for the HCP will be provided. The Applicants have developed an HCP, which includes a detailed estimate of the costs of implementing the SEP HCP (see Chapter 11of the HCP). The funding necessary to pay for implementing the SEP HCP will come mostly from participation fees and public funding sources. 4. The taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of any listed species in the wild. As the federal action agency considering whether to issue an ITP to the Applicants, we have reviewed the proposed action under section 7 of the Act. Our biological opinion, dated November 20, 2015, concluded that issuance of the ITP will not jeopardize the continued existence of the Covered Species in the wild. No areas designated as critical habitat will be adversely modified. The biological opinion also analyzes other listed species within the planning area and concludes that the direct and indirect effect of the issuance of the ITP will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery of other listed species or destroy or adversely modify any designated critical habitat. 5. The applicants agree to implement other measures that the Service requires as being necessary or appropriate for the purposes of the HCP. We have assisted the Applicants in the development of the SEP HCP, commented on draft documents, participated in numerous meetings, and worked closely with them throughout the development of the HCP, so conservation of Covered Species would be assured and recovery would not be precluded by the Covered Activities. The SEP HCP incorporates our recommendations for minimization and mitigation of impacts, as well as steps to monitor the effects of the HCP and ensure success. Annual monitoring, as well as coordination and reporting mechanisms, have been designed to ensure that changes in the conservation measures can be implemented if proposed measures prove ineffective (adaptive management). We have determined that the Proposed SEP HCP Alternative best balances the protection and management of habitat for Covered Species while providing an efficient means for compliance with the Act for the Covered Species in the permit area. Considerations used in this decision include whether (1) mitigation will benefit the Covered Species, (2) adaptive management of the conservation measures will ensure that the goals and objectives of the HCP are realized, (3) conservation measures will protect and enhance habitat, (4) mitigation measures for the Covered Species will fully offset anticipated impacts to species and provide recovery opportunities, and (5) the HCP is consistent with the Covered Species' recovery plans, where they exist. A final permit decision will be made no sooner than 30 days after the publication of this notice of availability and completion of the record of decision. Reviewing Documents You may obtain copies of the final EIS, draft ROD, and final HCP by going to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/. Alternatively, you may obtain a compact disk with electronic copies of these documents by writing to Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road Suite 200, Austin TX 78758; by calling (512) 490-0057; or by faxing (512) 490-0974. Copies of the final EIS and final HCP are also available for public inspection and review at the following locations (by appointment only):Department of the Interior, Natural Resources Library, 1849 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20240. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue SW., Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87102. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758. Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87103. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32), and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR part 1506.6). Benjamin N. Tuggle, Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [FR Doc. 2015-31844 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![79090 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices
layering review and determined that the SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and (Covered Species): Two birds—golden-
project-based voucher assistance is in Wildlife Service, under the National cheeked warbler (Setophaga
accordance with HUD subsidy layering Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [=Dendroica] chrysoparia, GCWA) and
requirements.
(NEPA), make available the final black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla,
Granted By: Lourdes Castro Ramı́rez,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for environmental impact statement (EIS) BCVI), and seven karst invertebrates
Public and Indian Housing. and draft record of decision (ROD) (collectively the Covered Karst
Date Granted: August 12, 2015. analyzing the impacts of the issuance of Invertebrates)—R. infernalis (no
Reason Waived: This waiver was granted to an incidental take permit for common name), Rhadine exilis (no
facilitate the start of construction for this implementation of the final Southern common name) Helotes mold beetle
veterans project and to avoid the recapture of Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation (Batrisodes venyivi), Government
funds awarded. The LHA was permitted to Plan (SEP HCP). Our decision is to issue Canyon Bat Cave spider (Neoleptoneta
execute an Agreement prior to the
a 30-year incidental take permit for microps), Madla cave meshweaver
completion of a subsidy layering review, but
no vertical construction could begin until implementation of the SEP HCP (Cicurina madla), Government Canyon
this review was completed. preferred alternative (described below), Bat Cave meshweaver (C. venii). The
Contact: Becky Primeaux, Housing which authorizes incidental take of term of the permit is 30 years (2015–
Voucher Management and Operations animal species listed pursuant to the 2045).
Division, Office of Public Housing and Endangered Species Act of 1973, as The Applicants will implement
Voucher Programs, Office of Public and amended. As part of the SEP HCP, minimization and mitigation measures
Indian Housing, Department of Housing and measures will be implemented to avoid, to offset impacts to the Covered Species
Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW., according to their SEP HCP. The
minimize, and mitigate impacts to offset
Room 4216, Washington, DC 20410,
telephone (202) 708–0477. impacts to the affected species. minimization and mitigation measures
DATES: We will finalize the ROD and a include, but are not limited to:
• Regulation: 24 CFR 985.101(a).
Project/Activity: Beckville Housing permit no sooner than 30 days after Restricting activities to avoid the two
Authority (BHA), Beckville, TX. publication of this notice. bird’s breeding seasons, implementing
Nature of Requirement: HUD’s regulation ADDRESSES: You may obtain copies of oak wilt prevention techniques,
at 24 CFR 985.101(a) states a PHA must the final documents by going to http:// conducting extensive karst invertebrate
submit the HUD-required Section Eight www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ surveys prior to any activity in karst
Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) zones, preserving habitat in perpetuity
certification form within 60 calendar days AustinTexas/. Alternatively, you may
obtain a compact disk with electronic for all Covered Species, and managing
after the end of its fiscal year. and monitoring preserves in perpetuity.
Granted By: Lourdes Castro Ramı́rez, copies of these documents by writing to
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, Background
Public and Indian Housing. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711
Date Granted: July 20, 2015. The Applicants have applied for an
Burnet Road Suite 200, Austin, TX
Reason Waived: This waiver was granted incidental take permit (TE48571B–0,
78758; by calling (512) 490–0057; or by
because for the BHA’s fiscal year ending ITP) under the Act, that would
faxing (512) 490–0974. For additional
September 30, 2014. The executive director authorize incidental take of nine
was not appointed to serve until the latter information about where to review
Covered Species in all, or portions, of
part of November 2014 and did not receive documents, see ‘‘Reviewing
seven Texas counties, and would be in
rights to enter data into IMS/PIC prior to the Documents’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY
effect for a period of 30 years. The
deadline. At the time of the appointment, no INFORMATION.
proposed incidental take of the Covered
one else had rights to transmit SEMAP FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
certifications. Species would occur from lawful, non-
Contact: Becky Primeaux, Housing Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. federal activities including: Public or
Voucher Management and Operations Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet private land development projects;
Division, Office of Public Housing and Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758 or construction, maintenance, and/or
Voucher Programs, Office of Public and (512) 490–0057. improvement of roads, bridges, and
Indian Housing, Department of Housing and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the other transportation infrastructure; and
Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW., Service, announce the availability of the installation and/or maintenance of
Room 4216, Washington, DC, 20410,
final EIS and draft ROD, which we utility infrastructure (Covered
telephone (202) 708–0477.
developed in compliance with the Activities). The SEP HCP includes a
[FR Doc. 2015–31874 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am] agency decision-making requirements of 7-county area: Bandera, Bexar, Blanco,
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P the NEPA, as well as the final SEP HCP Comal, Kendall, Kerr, and Medina
as submitted by the City of San Antonio counties. Incidental take coverage will:
and Bexar County, Texas (Applicants). (1) Only be offered to Participants in the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR All alternatives have been described in jurisdictions of Bexar County and the
detail, evaluated, and analyzed in our City of San Antonio, including current
Fish and Wildlife Service November 2015 final EIS. The ROD and future portions of the City’s extra-
[FWS–R2–ES–2015–N187; documents the rationale for our territorial jurisdiction (except where the
FXES11120200000F2–167–FF02ENEH00] decision. City of San Antonio is within Comal
Based on our review of the County and (2) be provided within any
Final Environmental Impact Statement alternatives and their environmental SEP HCP preserves located in
and Draft Record of Decision on the consequences as described in our final 7-county plan area. The final EIS
Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
EIS, we have selected the Proposed SEP considers the direct, indirect, and
Conservation Plan for Incidental Take HCP Alternative. The proposed action is cumulative effects of implementation of
of Nine Federally Listed Species in to issue to the Applicants an incidental the HCP, including the measures that
Central Texas take permit (ITP) under section will be implemented to minimize and
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species mitigate such impacts to the maximum
Department of the Interior. Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 extent practicable.
et seq., Act), that authorizes incidental The Secretary of the Interior has
ACTION: Notice of availability.
take of nine endangered species delegated to the Service the authority to
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![79092 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices
that determination based on the criteria mitigation of impacts, as well as steps Authority
summarized below. to monitor the effects of the HCP and We provide this notice under section
1. The taking will be incidental. We ensure success. Annual monitoring, as 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
find that take will be incidental to well as coordination and reporting and its implementing regulations (50
otherwise lawful activities, including: mechanisms, have been designed to CFR 17.22 and 17.32), and the National
public or private land development ensure that changes in the conservation Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
projects; construction, maintenance, measures can be implemented if 4321 et seq.) and its implementing
and/or improvement of roads, bridges, proposed measures prove ineffective regulations (40 CFR part 1506.6).
and other transportation infrastructure; (adaptive management).
and installation and/or maintenance of We have determined that the Benjamin N. Tuggle,
utility infrastructure. Proposed SEP HCP Alternative best Regional Director, Southwest Region,
2. The applicants will, to the balances the protection and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
maximum extent practicable, minimize management of habitat for Covered [FR Doc. 2015–31844 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am]
and mitigate the impacts of such
Species while providing an efficient BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
takings. The Applicant’s have
means for compliance with the Act for
developed and are committed to
the Covered Species in the permit area.
implementing a wide variety of DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Considerations used in this decision
conservation measures intended to
include whether (1) mitigation will
minimize and mitigate the impacts of Bureau of Land Management
benefit the Covered Species, (2)
incidental taking that may result from
adaptive management of the [LLWO35000.L14300000.FR0000]
the Covered Activities.
3. The applicants will develop an HCP conservation measures will ensure that
the goals and objectives of the HCP are Renewal of Approved Information
and ensure that adequate funding for
realized, (3) conservation measures will Collection; OMB Control No. 1004–
the HCP will be provided. The
protect and enhance habitat, (4) 0029
Applicants have developed an HCP,
which includes a detailed estimate of mitigation measures for the Covered
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
the costs of implementing the SEP HCP Species will fully offset anticipated
Interior.
(see Chapter 11of the HCP). The funding impacts to species and provide recovery
opportunities, and (5) the HCP is ACTION: 30-day notice and request for
necessary to pay for implementing the comments.
SEP HCP will come mostly from consistent with the Covered Species’
participation fees and public funding recovery plans, where they exist. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
sources. A final permit decision will be made Management (BLM) has submitted an
4. The taking will not appreciably no sooner than 30 days after the information collection request to the
reduce the likelihood of survival and publication of this notice of availability Office of Management and Budget
recovery of any listed species in the and completion of the record of (OMB) to continue the collection of
wild. As the federal action agency decision. information from applicants for a land
considering whether to issue an ITP to patent under the Color-of-Title Act. This
Reviewing Documents
the Applicants, we have reviewed the request is for an extension without
proposed action under section 7 of the You may obtain copies of the final change of OMB control number 1004–
Act. Our biological opinion, dated EIS, draft ROD, and final HCP by going 0029.
November 20, 2015, concluded that to http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/
issuance of the ITP will not jeopardize DATES: The OMB is required to respond
AustinTexas/. Alternatively, you may
the continued existence of the Covered to this information collection request
obtain a compact disk with electronic
Species in the wild. No areas designated within 60 days but may respond after 30
copies of these documents by writing to
as critical habitat will be adversely days. For maximum consideration,
Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor,
modified. The biological opinion also written comments should be received
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711
analyzes other listed species within the on or before January 19, 2016.
Burnet Road Suite 200, Austin TX
planning area and concludes that the 78758; by calling (512) 490–0057; or by ADDRESSES: Please submit comments
direct and indirect effect of the issuance faxing (512) 490–0974. Copies of the directly to the Desk Officer for the
of the ITP will not appreciably reduce final EIS and final HCP are also Department of the Interior, OMB Control
the likelihood of survival and recovery available for public inspection and ID: 1004–0029, Office of Management
of other listed species or destroy or review at the following locations (by and Budget, Office of Information and
adversely modify any designated critical appointment only): Regulatory Affairs, fax 202–395–5806,
habitat. or by electronic mail at oira_
• Department of the Interior, Natural
5. The applicants agree to implement submission@omb.eop.gov. Please
Resources Library, 1849 C St. NW.,
other measures that the Service requires provide a copy of your comments to the
Washington, DC 20240.
as being necessary or appropriate for BLM. You may do so via mail, fax, or
the purposes of the HCP. We have • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 electronic mail.
assisted the Applicants in the Gold Avenue SW., Room 6034, Mail: U.S. Department of the Interior,
development of the SEP HCP, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C
commented on draft documents, • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Street NW., Room 2134LM, Attention:
10711 Burnet Road Suite 200, Austin,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
participated in numerous meetings, and Jean Sonneman, Washington, DC 20240.
worked closely with them throughout TX 78758. Fax: to Jean Sonneman at 202–245–
the development of the HCP, so Persons wishing to review the 0050.
conservation of Covered Species would application may obtain a copy by Electronic mail: Jean_Sonneman@
be assured and recovery would not be writing to the Regional Director, U.S. blm.gov.
precluded by the Covered Activities. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box Please indicate ‘‘Attn: 1004–0029’’
The SEP HCP incorporates our 1306, Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM regardless of the form of your
recommendations for minimization and 87103. comments.
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 01:39:00
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 01:39:00
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability. | |
| Dates | We will finalize the ROD and a permit no sooner than 30 days after publication of this notice. | |
| Contact | Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758 or (512) 490-0057. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 79090 |
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