81_FR_254 81 FR 252 - Habitat Conservation Plan for the Operation, Repair, Maintenance, and Replacement of State Water Pipeline and Facilities From the Polonio Pass Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma, Santa Barbara County, California

81 FR 252 - Habitat Conservation Plan for the Operation, Repair, Maintenance, and Replacement of State Water Pipeline and Facilities From the Polonio Pass Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma, Santa Barbara County, California

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 2 (January 5, 2016)

Page Range252-253
FR Document2015-33148

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Central Coastal Water Authority (CCWA) for a 30-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and federally threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) that may occur incidental to the operations and maintenance of an existing potable water delivery system from near Polonio Pass in northeastern San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara. We invite comments from the public on the application for an incidental take permit, which includes the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). This proposed action has been determined to be eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA).

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 252-253]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33148]



[[Page 252]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2016-N240; FXES11120800000-145-FF08EVEN00]


Habitat Conservation Plan for the Operation, Repair, Maintenance, 
and Replacement of State Water Pipeline and Facilities From the Polonio 
Pass Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma, 
Santa Barbara County, California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
received an application from Central Coastal Water Authority (CCWA) for 
a 30-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for 
``take'' of the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes 
macrotis mutica) and federally threatened California red-legged frog 
(Rana draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma 
californiense) that may occur incidental to the operations and 
maintenance of an existing potable water delivery system from near 
Polonio Pass in northeastern San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma in 
Santa Barbara. We invite comments from the public on the application 
for an incidental take permit, which includes the Habitat Conservation 
Plan (HCP). This proposed action has been determined to be eligible for 
a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA).

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
February 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the draft HCP and draft 
environmental action statement and low-effect screening form on the 
Internet at http://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies of 
the documents by U.S. mail or phone (see below). Please address written 
comments to Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and 
Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, 
Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. You may alternatively send comments by 
facsimile to (805) 644-3958.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie M. Vanderwier, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, at the above address, or by calling (805) 644-1766, 
extension 222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We invite comments from the public on the 
draft HCP and our NEPA compliance.

Background

    Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) prohibit the take of fish or wildlife species listed as 
endangered or threatened. ``Take'' is defined under the Act to include 
the following activities: ``to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, 
wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any 
such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 1532). However, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of 
the Act, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed 
species. The Act defines ``incidental take'' as take that is not the 
purpose of carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. The Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) provides those regulations governing 
incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species at 50 CFR 
17.32 and 17.22. Issuance of an incidental take permit must not 
jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant 
species.

The Applicant's Proposed Project

    Measures to minimize the amount and severity of take proposed by 
the applicant are discussed in detail in section 2.10 of the draft HCP. 
Mitigation for unavoidable take of California red-legged frog and 
California tiger salamander includes the purchase of credits in the 
Palo Prieto Conservation Bank in San Luis Obispo County, with an 
additional credit for California tiger salamander purchased in the La 
Purisima Conservation Bank in Santa Barbara County. Mitigation for San 
Joaquin kit fox was provided at the time of project construction as 
part of its compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act 
and its terms memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding between 
applicant and the California Department of Fish and Game (now 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife). The mitigation 
requirements were included in the project description of our biological 
opinion 1-8-93-F-20. As such, no additional mitigation is deemed 
necessary for San Joaquin kit fox.
    The draft HCP provides for, and discusses, five alternatives to the 
proposed project: No Project, No Action, Maintenance Alternative, 
Minimum Conservation, and Maximum Conservation. These are discussed in 
detail in section 9 of the HCP.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We are requesting comments on our preliminary determination that 
the HCP qualifies for processing as a low-effect HCP as defined by our 
Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). Three criteria 
form the basis for our determination: (1) Implementation of the 
proposed project as described in the HCP would result in minor or 
negligible effects on federally listed, proposed, and/or candidate 
species and their habitats; (2) implementation of the HCP would result 
in minor negligible effects on other environmental values or resources; 
and (3) HCP impacts, considered together with those of other past, 
present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects, would not result 
in cumulatively significant effects. It is our preliminary 
determination that HCP approval and ITP issuance qualify for 
categorical exclusion under the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as 
provided by the Department of Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 2 and 
516 DM 8); however, we may revise our determination based upon review 
of public comments received in response to this notice.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate the permit application, including the HCP, and 
comments we receive to determine whether the application meets the 
requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will also evaluate 
whether issuance of the ITP would comply with section 7(a)(2) of the 
Act regarding jeopardy for federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant 
species by conducting an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 
7(a)(2) of the Act.

Public Review

    We are requesting comments on our determination that the 
applicant's proposal will have a minor or negligible effect on the San 
Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog, and California tiger 
salamander and that the plan qualifies as a low-effect HCP. We will 
evaluate the permit application, including the HCP and comments we 
receive, to make a final determination regarding whether the 
application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. 
We will use the results of our intra-Service consultation, in 
combination with the above findings, in our final analysis to determine 
whether to issue the ITP. If all permit issuance requirements are met, 
we will issue the permit to the applicant to authorize incidental take 
of San Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog, and California 
tiger salamander. We will make the final permit decision no sooner than 
30 days after the date of this notice.

[[Page 253]]

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the HCP and associated documents, you may 
submit comments by any one of the methods provided 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. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able 
to do so.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act and the NEPA 
public involvement regulations (40 CFR 1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 
1506.6).

    Dated: December 29, 2015.
Stephen P. Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2015-33148 Filed 1-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

252 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We invite qualifies for processing as a low-effect comments from the public on the draft HCP as defined by our Habitat Fish and Wildlife Service HCP and our NEPA compliance. Conservation Planning Handbook [FWS–R8–ES–2016–N240; (November 1996). Three criteria form Background FXES11120800000–145–FF08EVEN00] the basis for our determination: (1) Section 9 of the Act and its Implementation of the proposed project Habitat Conservation Plan for the implementing regulations (16 U.S.C. as described in the HCP would result in Operation, Repair, Maintenance, and 1531 et seq.) prohibit the take of fish or minor or negligible effects on federally Replacement of State Water Pipeline wildlife species listed as endangered or listed, proposed, and/or candidate and Facilities From the Polonio Pass threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is defined under the species and their habitats; (2) Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Act to include the following activities: implementation of the HCP would result Obispo County to Lake Cachuma, ‘‘to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, in minor negligible effects on other Santa Barbara County, California wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or environmental values or resources; and to attempt to engage in any such (3) HCP impacts, considered together AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532). However, with those of other past, present, and Interior. under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we reasonably foreseeable future projects, ACTION: Notice of availability; request may issue permits to authorize would not result in cumulatively for comment. incidental take of listed species. The Act significant effects. It is our preliminary defines ‘‘incidental take’’ as take that is determination that HCP approval and SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and not the purpose of carrying out of an ITP issuance qualify for categorical Wildlife Service (Service), have received otherwise lawful activity. The Code of exclusion under the NEPA (42 U.S.C. an application from Central Coastal Federal Regulations (CFR) provides 4321 et seq.), as provided by the Water Authority (CCWA) for a 30-year those regulations governing incidental Department of Interior Manual (516 DM incidental take permit (ITP) under the take permits for threatened and 2 Appendix 2 and 516 DM 8); however, Endangered Species Act of 1973, as endangered species at 50 CFR 17.32 and we may revise our determination based amended (Act). The application 17.22. Issuance of an incidental take upon review of public comments addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the permit must not jeopardize the received in response to this notice. federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox existence of federally listed fish, (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and federally wildlife, or plant species. Next Steps threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and California tiger The Applicant’s Proposed Project We will evaluate the permit salamander (Ambystoma californiense) Measures to minimize the amount and application, including the HCP, and that may occur incidental to the severity of take proposed by the comments we receive to determine operations and maintenance of an applicant are discussed in detail in whether the application meets the existing potable water delivery system section 2.10 of the draft HCP. Mitigation requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of from near Polonio Pass in northeastern for unavoidable take of California red- the Act. We will also evaluate whether San Luis Obispo County to Lake legged frog and California tiger issuance of the ITP would comply with Cachuma in Santa Barbara. We invite salamander includes the purchase of section 7(a)(2) of the Act regarding comments from the public on the credits in the Palo Prieto Conservation jeopardy for federally listed fish, application for an incidental take Bank in San Luis Obispo County, with wildlife, or plant species by conducting permit, which includes the Habitat an additional credit for California tiger an intra-Service consultation pursuant Conservation Plan (HCP). This proposed salamander purchased in the La to section 7(a)(2) of the Act. action has been determined to be Purisima Conservation Bank in Santa Public Review eligible for a categorical exclusion under Barbara County. Mitigation for San the National Environmental Policy Act Joaquin kit fox was provided at the time We are requesting comments on our of 1969, as amended (NEPA). of project construction as part of its determination that the applicant’s compliance with the California proposal will have a minor or negligible DATES: To ensure consideration, please Environmental Quality Act and its terms effect on the San Joaquin kit fox, send your written comments by memorialized in a Memorandum of California red-legged frog, and February 4, 2016. Understanding between applicant and California tiger salamander and that the ADDRESSES: You may download a copy plan qualifies as a low-effect HCP. We of the draft HCP and draft the California Department of Fish and Game (now California Department of will evaluate the permit application, environmental action statement and including the HCP and comments we low-effect screening form on the Fish and Wildlife). The mitigation requirements were included in the receive, to make a final determination Internet at http://www.fws.gov/ventura/, regarding whether the application meets or you may request copies of the project description of our biological opinion 1–8–93–F–20. As such, no the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) documents by U.S. mail or phone (see of the Act. We will use the results of our below). Please address written additional mitigation is deemed necessary for San Joaquin kit fox. intra-Service consultation, in comments to Stephen P. Henry, Field combination with the above findings, in Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife The draft HCP provides for, and discusses, five alternatives to the our final analysis to determine whether Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to issue the ITP. If all permit issuance asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA proposed project: No Project, No Action, Maintenance Alternative, Minimum requirements are met, we will issue the 93003. You may alternatively send permit to the applicant to authorize comments by facsimile to (805) 644– Conservation, and Maximum Conservation. These are discussed in incidental take of San Joaquin kit fox, 3958. California red-legged frog, and detail in section 9 of the HCP. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie California tiger salamander. We will M. Vanderwier, Fish and Wildlife Our Preliminary Determination make the final permit decision no Biologist, at the above address, or by We are requesting comments on our sooner than 30 days after the date of this calling (805) 644–1766, extension 222. preliminary determination that the HCP notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Notices 253 Public Comments by contacting the individual listed III. Desired Focus of Comments If you wish to comment on the HCP below in the Addresses section of this The Bureau of Labor Statistics is and associated documents, you may notice. particularly interested in comments submit comments by any one of the DATES: Written comments must be that: methods provided in ADDRESSES. submitted to the office listed in the • Evaluate whether the proposed Addresses section of this notice on or collection of information is necessary Public Availability of Comments before March 7, 2016. for the proper performance of the Before including your address, phone functions of the agency, including number, email address, or other ADDRESSES: Send comments to Erin whether the information will have personal identifying information in your Good, BLS Clearance Officer, Division practical utility. comment, you should be aware that of Management Systems, Bureau of • Evaluate the accuracy of the your entire comment, including your Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 2 agency’s estimate of the burden of the personal identifying information, may Massachusetts Avenue NE., proposed collection of information, be made publicly available at any time. Washington, DC 20212. Written including the validity of the While you can ask us in your comment comments also may be transmitted by methodology and assumptions used. to withhold your personal identifying fax to 202–691–5111 (this is not a toll • Enhance the quality, utility, and information from public view, we free number). clarity of the information to be cannot guarantee that we will be able to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin collected. do so. Good, BLS Clearance Officer, 202–691– • Minimize the burden of the 7763 (this is not a toll free number). (See collection of information on those who Authority Addresses section.) are to respond, including through the We provide this notice under section use of appropriate automated, 10(c) of the Act and the NEPA public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: electronic, mechanical, or other involvement regulations (40 CFR technological collection techniques or 1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 1506.6). I. Background other forms of information technology, Dated: December 29, 2015. The CPS has been the principal e.g., permitting electronic submissions Stephen P. Henry, source of official Government statistics of responses. Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife on employment and unemployment Type of Review: Extension without Office, Ventura, California. since 1940 (75 years). Collection of labor change of a currently approved [FR Doc. 2015–33148 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am] force data through the CPS is necessary collection. to meet the requirements in Title 29, Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics. BILLING CODE 4310–55–P United States Code, Sections 1 and 2. Title: Veterans Supplement to the The Veterans Supplement provides CPS. information on the labor force status of OMB Number: 1220–0102. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Affected Public: Households. veterans with a service-connected Total Respondents: 9,000. Bureau of Labor Statistics disability, combat veterans, past or Frequency: Annually. present National Guard and Reserve Total Responses: 9,000. Proposed Collection, Comment members, and recently discharged Average Time per Response: Request veterans. Also, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Approximately 2 minutes. Vietnam veterans are identified by Estimated Total Burden Hours: 300 ACTION: Notice. location of service. Data are provided by hours. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as period of service and a range of Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): part of its continuing effort to reduce demographic characteristics. The $0. paperwork and respondent burden, supplement also provides information Total Burden Cost (operating/ conducts a pre-clearance consultation on veterans’ participation in various maintenance): $0. program to provide the general public transition and employment and training Comments submitted in response to and Federal agencies with an programs. The data collected through this notice will be summarized and/or opportunity to comment on proposed this supplement will be used by the included in the request for Office of and/or continuing collections of Veterans Employment and Training Management and Budget approval of the information in accordance with the Service and the Department of Veterans information collection request; they also Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 Affairs to determine policies that better will become a matter of public record. (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c) (2)(A)]. This meet the needs of our Nation’s veteran Signed at Washington, DC, this 29th day of program helps to ensure that requested population. December 2015. data can be provided in the desired II. Current Action Kimberly D. Hill, format, reporting burden (time and Chief, Division of Management Systems, financial resources) is minimized, Office of Management and Budget Bureau of Labor Statistics. collection instruments are clearly clearance is being sought for the [FR Doc. 2015–33143 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am] understood, and the impact of collection Veterans Supplement to the CPS. An BILLING CODE 4510–24–P requirements on respondents can be extension without change of a currently properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor approved collection is needed to asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments continue to provide the Nation with DEPARTMENT OF LABOR concerning the proposed extension of timely information about the labor force the ‘‘Veterans Supplement to the status of veterans with a service- Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey (CPS),’’ to be connected disability, combat veterans, conducted in August 2016, August past or present National Guard and Proposed Collection, Comment 2017, and August 2018. Reserve members, recently discharged Request A copy of the proposed information veterans, and veterans who have served ACTION: Notice. collection request (ICR) can be obtained in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Vietnam. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1


Document Created: 2016-01-05 01:46:52
Document Modified: 2016-01-05 01:46:52
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability; request for comment.
DatesTo ensure consideration, please send your written comments by February 4, 2016.
ContactJulie M. Vanderwier, Fish and Wildlife
FR Citation81 FR 252 
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