81_FR_44446 81 FR 44316 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Long-Term Habitat Conservation Plan, Kauai, Hawaii

81 FR 44316 - Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Long-Term Habitat Conservation Plan, Kauai, Hawaii

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 130 (July 7, 2016)

Page Range44316-44319
FR Document2016-16077

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to evaluate the impacts of several alternatives relating to the requested issuance of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) that would authorize take of listed species caused by activities covered under the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Long-term Habitat Conservation Plan (KIUC LTHCP). We also provide this notice to announce a public scoping period.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44316-44319]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16077]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-ES-2016-N102; FXES11120100000-167-FF01E00000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Long-Term Habitat 
Conservation Plan, Kauai, Hawaii

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement of public scoping meeting; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to evaluate the 
impacts of several alternatives relating to the requested issuance of 
an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to the 
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) that would authorize take of 
listed species caused by activities covered under the Kauai Island 
Utility Cooperative Long-term Habitat Conservation Plan (KIUC LTHCP). 
We also provide this notice to announce a public scoping period.

DATES: The public scoping period begins with the publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register and will continue through September 6, 
2016. The Service will consider all comments on the scope of the DEIS 
analysis that are received or postmarked by this date. Comments 
received or postmarked after this date will be considered to the extent 
practicable. The Service will also hold one public scoping open house, 
at the following time and location during the scoping period:
     July 20, 2016--Kauai Community College, 3-1901 Kaumualii 
Highway, Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766, 5 to 7 p.m.
    The scoping meeting will provide the public an opportunity to ask 
questions, discuss issues with Service and State staff regarding the 
DEIS, and provide written comments.

ADDRESSES: To request further information or submit written comments, 
please use one of the following methods:
     U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana 
Boulevard, Room 3-122, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850. Include ``KIUC HCP and 
scoping EIS'' in the subject line of your request or comment.
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``KIUC HCP and 
scoping EIS'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: 808-792-9580, Attn: Field Supervisor. Include ``KIUC 
HCP and scoping EIS'' in the subject line of the message.
     Internet: You may obtain copies of this notice on the 
Internet at https://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/, or from the Service's 
Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office in Honolulu, Hawaii (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section).
    We request that you send comments by only one of the methods 
described above. See the Public Availability of Comments section below 
for more information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lasha-Lynn Salbosa, by telephone at 
808-792-9442, or by email at [email protected]. Hearing or 
speech impaired individuals may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service at 800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), intend to prepare a draft environmental impact statement 
(DEIS) to evaluate the impacts of several alternatives relating to the 
requested issuance of an Endangered Species Act (ESA) Incidental Take 
Permit (ITP) to the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) that would 
authorize take of listed species caused by activities covered under the 
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Long-term Habitat Conservation Plan 
(KIUC LTHCP). We also provide this notice to announce a public scoping 
period.
    The KIUC LTHCP is being prepared by KIUC to address the effects of 
its generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity on listed 
species within the plan area, which covers the full geographic extent 
of the Island of Kauai, Hawaii. KIUC anticipates requesting incidental 
take coverage for the endangered Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma 
sandwichensis), threatened Newell's shearwater (Puffinus newelli), and 
a species proposed for listing as endangered, the band-rumped storm-
petrel (Oceanodroma castro). These species are collectively referred to 
as the ``Covered Species.'' The activities covered under the KIUC LTHCP 
(``Covered Activities'') include construction of certain planned 
facilities; power line construction, reconfiguration, or 
undergrounding; installation and operation of streetlight fixtures at 
the request of State, County, or private entities; the operation and 
maintenance of all existing and planned KIUC facilities and 
infrastructure; and activities associated with the management of 
certain lands to mitigate for the take of Covered Species.
    This notice was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) (NEPA), and its implementing regulations in the Code of 
Federal Regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6, and pursuant to section 10(c) of 
the ESA. We intend to prepare a DEIS to evaluate the impacts of several 
alternatives related to the potential issuance of an ITP under the KIUC 
LTHCP. KIUC intends to request a permit term of 30 years. The primary 
purpose of the scoping process is for the public and other agencies to 
assist in developing the DEIS by identifying important issues and 
identifying alternatives that should be considered.

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA prohibits ``take'' of fish and wildlife 
species listed as endangered under section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1538 and 16 
U.S.C. 1533, respectively). The ESA implementing regulations extend, 
under certain circumstances, the prohibition of take to threatened 
species (50 CFR 17.31). Under section 3 of the ESA, the term ``take'' 
means to ``harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,

[[Page 44317]]

trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct'' 
(16 U.S.C. 1532(19)). The term ``harm'' is defined by regulation as 
``an act which actually kills or injures wildlife. Such act may include 
significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills 
or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral 
patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering'' (50 CFR 17.3). 
The term ``harass'' is defined in the regulations as ``an intentional 
or negligent act or omission which creates the likelihood of injury to 
wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt 
normal behavioral patterns which include, but are not limited to, 
breeding, feeding, or sheltering'' (50 CFR 17.3).
    Under section 10(a) of the ESA, the Service may issue permits to 
authorize incidental take of listed fish and wildlife species. 
``Incidental take'' is defined by the ESA as take that is incidental 
to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. 
Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA contains provisions for issuing ITPs to 
non-Federal entities for the take of endangered and threatened species, 
provided the following criteria are met:
     The taking will be incidental;
     The applicant will, to the maximum extent practicable, 
minimize and mitigate the impact of such taking;
     The applicant will develop a proposed HCP and ensure that 
adequate funding for the plan will be provided;
     The taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of 
the survival and recovery of the species in the wild; and
     The applicant will carry out any other measures that the 
Service may require as being necessary or appropriate for the purposes 
of the HCP.
    Regulations governing permits for endangered and threatened species 
are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32.

KIUC Short-Term HCP

    In 2011, the KIUC Short-Term Habitat Conservation Plan (STHCP) was 
approved by the Service, and KIUC received an ITP for the Covered 
Species (i.e., the Newell's shearwater, Hawaiian petrel, and the band-
rumped storm petrel). The Covered Species are subject to injury or 
mortality as a result of colliding with KIUC-owned power lines and 
utility infrastructure, and injury or mortality as a result of 
attraction to nighttime lighting from KIUC-owned and operated 
streetlights and facilities. The ITP authorized an annual take amount 
of 162 Newell's shearwaters, two Hawaiian petrels, and two band-rumped 
storm petrels over a 5-year period, as a result of attraction to, or 
collision with, KIUC facilities. In total, the ITP authorized a 
combined take amount of 830 sub-adults or adults of the Covered 
Species.
    Current estimates of the Newell's shearwater population, of which 
90 percent nest on Kauai, range from 16,200 to 24,300, based on at-sea 
population estimates from 1998 through 2011 (Joyce 2013), and projected 
under various annual levels of decline (Griesemer and Holmes 2011). The 
Newell's shearwater rangewide population has experienced an over 75 
percent decline from 1993 through 2009 (Day et al. 2003; Holmes et al. 
2009). The Hawaiian petrel population nests on several of the 
southeastern Hawaiian Islands, including Hawaii and Maui, with the 
total population estimated at 20,000 individuals (Spear et al. 1995). 
The majority of the breeding population nests on Kauai (Ainley et al. 
1997). An updated assessment of the Hawaiian petrel population on Kauai 
is under way (A. Raine, personal communication, September 30, 2015). 
Seabird colony monitoring data reflect significant threats from feral 
pig, cat, barn owl, and rat predation, as well as habitat degradation 
from invasive plants. Combined with the take caused by power line 
collisions and light attraction, these threat factors have resulted in 
the extirpation of at least three breeding colonies of these species on 
Kauai since 2011 (Holmes and Troy 2008).
    The 2011 STHCP established a comprehensive monitoring and research 
program designed to further evaluate the impact of the power line 
system on seabird populations and to provide key biological data to 
more adequately inform a longer term HCP and take authorization. To 
this end, KIUC provides funding to the Kauai Endangered Seabird 
Recovery Project (KESRP), a project of the University of Hawaii's 
Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, to monitor seabird colonies and 
develop approaches to assess seabird-power line collisions. Due to the 
remote location of many power lines on Kauai and the nocturnal behavior 
of seabirds, in 2012 KESRP developed an acoustic song-meter monitoring 
system to detect seabird collisions. This acoustic system became the 
foundation for KIUC's Underline Monitoring Program (UMP) and has been 
accepted and is funded by KIUC.
    During the course of implementation of the KIUC STHCP, KESRP 
observed a total of 28 seabird power line collisions using night vision 
equipment. Of the 28 seabird power line collisions observed, only one 
of these collision events definitively resulted in an immediate 
grounded bird within the observer's field of view. Additionally, about 
25 deceased Newell's shearwaters have been opportunistically found from 
2011 through 2015, associated with KIUC power lines or lights. The 
acoustic system, which is able to monitor the power lines for seabird 
collisions more extensively than human observers can, has detected a 
minimum of 1,012 and 1,002 seabird collision events in 2014 and 2015, 
respectively (KIUC STHCP 2014 and 2015 UMP Reports). Since 2012, KESRP, 
in collaboration with KIUC, has identified all high and medium risk 
power line spans that pose a threat to the Covered Species. These high 
and medium risk lines are continually monitored every year, and those 
data are used to plan and test for effective minimization measures, 
including reconfiguring lines or installing bird diverters. While the 
acoustic system has been successful in detecting seabird power line 
collisions, only a subset of the power line system can be monitored and 
therefore collisions outside of the monitored areas must be estimated. 
Moreover, while a minimum of 1,002 seabird collision events have been 
detected in 2015, the fate of the birds that collided with these lines 
is unknown. Based on KESRP field observations, it is certain that some 
portion of these collisions results in immediate grounding or 
mortality, and that some additional proportion results in harm or 
injury, or potential mortality sometime after the collision event. 
Previous scientific studies based on waterfowl and their interactions 
with power lines have estimated that this subsequent mortality after 
the collision event could range from 20 percent to 74 percent of total 
detected collisions (Bevanger 1995; Bevanger 1999; Beaulaurier 1981; 
and Shaw et al. 2010).
    The STHCP has been successful in guiding measures that KIUC has 
implemented to mitigate the effects of its existing facilities on the 
Covered Species; increasing knowledge related to the impact of KIUC's 
power line system on seabird populations; providing key biological data 
concerning the Covered Species; and improving our understanding of the 
effectiveness of conservation measures to more adequately inform a 
longer term habitat conservation plan and take authorization.
    In 2015, KIUC spent $2.32 million to implement the conservation 
program under the STHCP. Sixty-two percent of this budget funded 
seabird colony management (i.e., predator control and monitoring). 
Under the STHCP, KIUC is funding a total of 851 acres of seabird colony 
management (i.e., predator

[[Page 44318]]

control) at three sites within the State's Hono o Na Pali Natural Area 
Reserve, and a larger location within the National Tropical Botanical 
Garden's Upper Limahuli Preserve. The remaining budget funds the 
retrieval and rehabilitation of seabirds on Kauai, and the KIUC 
Underline Monitoring Program, which includes testing and installation 
of avian deterrent devices. KIUC has undergrounded or reconfigured 25 
percent of their identified high collision-risk power lines since 2011. 
KIUC continues to use the underline monitoring data to direct 
minimization actions, including reconfiguring or undergrounding power 
lines, and installing bird deterrent devices to minimize impacts from 
high collision-risk power lines. Although KIUC's current mitigation and 
minimization programs are meaningful, these efforts are likely not 
commensurate with the actual level of take occurring.
    The STHCP expiration date was in May 2016. On April 12, 2016, we 
received an application for renewal of that permit pending preparation 
of the LTHCP.

Proposed Long-Term Habitat Conservation Plan

    The KIUC LTHCP is being prepared by KIUC to cover the generation, 
transmission, and distribution of electricity within the plan area, 
which covers the full geographic extent of the Island of Kauai, Hawaii. 
KIUC intends to submit the LTHCP as part of the its application for a 
Federal ITP and a State incidental take license, in accordance with 
respective Federal and State permit issuance criteria. KIUC intends to 
develop the LTHCP in coordination with the Service, Hawaii Department 
of Land and Natural Resources-Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Kauai 
Endangered Seabird Recovery Project, Kauai Seabird Habitat Conservation 
Program, Kauai Humane Society, and the National Tropical Botanical 
Garden.
    In response to the Service's recommendation in 2011, KIUC was 
participating in the planning for a State-sponsored islandwide HCP (the 
``Kauai Seabird Habitat Conservation Program'' or ``KSHCP'') which was 
intended to address take of the Covered Species from attraction to, or 
collision with various lights and power lines on the island of Kauai, 
due to activities by numerous entities in addition to KIUC. However, in 
November 2015, the State, in consultation with the Service, decided to 
limit the KSHCP planning effort just to light attraction take. As a 
result of this decision to limit the KSHCP to light attraction take, 
KIUC is now seeking long-term incidental take authorization through its 
own separate KIUC LTHCP.
    Covered Species and Activities: The Covered Species addressed in 
the LTHCP will be the same as those addressed in the STHCP: The 
endangered Hawaiian petrel, threatened Newell's shearwater, and the 
band-rumped storm-petrel, a species proposed for listing as endangered. 
As noted above, the Covered Species are subject to collisions with 
power lines and other infrastructure while flying at night between 
their nesting colonies and at-sea foraging areas. The Covered Species, 
particularly fledglings, are also affected by and attracted to bright 
nighttime lights. Disoriented birds are commonly observed circling 
repeatedly around exterior light sources until they fall exhausted to 
the ground or collide with structures.
    The KIUC LTHCP and ITP will address the incidental take of the 
Covered Species caused by Covered Activities that are described and 
analyzed in the LTHCP. In accordance with the requirements of section 
10(a)(2)(A) of the ESA, the LTHCP will also address: The impacts to the 
Covered Species caused by the taking; the steps KIUC will take to 
minimize and mitigate those impacts; the funding that will be available 
to implement those steps; what alternative actions to the taking that 
KIUC considered and the reasons why such alternatives are not being 
utilized; and other measures that the Service may require as being 
necessary or appropriate for purposes of the plan.
    The KIUC intends to utilize new information generated through 
implementation of the STHCP to develop a long-term HCP addressing the 
Covered Species in support of its request for a 30-year ITP. It is 
anticipated that KIUC will request authorization for the lethal take of 
approximately 100 to 1,000 individuals annually of the Covered Species 
combined. A more specific total combined amount of take, and a more 
specific amount of take for each Covered Species that KIUC will request 
will be described in the LTHCP.
    KIUC's existing facilities include over 1,400 miles of electrical 
transmission and distribution lines, two fossil fuel-fired generating 
stations, two hydroelectric stations, two 12-megawatt solar energy 
parks, twelve substations, and approximately 3,500 streetlights. 
Covered Activities under the KIUC LTHCP are expected to include: (1) 
KIUC operations, including actions necessary to construct, operate, 
maintain and repair all existing and certain planned KIUC facilities 
and infrastructure; (2) minimization measures, including installation 
of bird deterrents, undergrounding power lines, line reconfiguring, 
line removal, relocating facilities, and line rerouting; and (3) 
mitigation measures, including construction and maintenance of 
predator-proof fenced enclosures, invasive predator reduction efforts, 
and seabird colony monitoring and habitat management activities to 
create or enhance seabird breeding habitat. The KIUC LTHCP is also 
expected to include the following as Covered Activities: 600 new 
streetlights; approximately 15 miles of new transmission lines (much of 
it on already constructed poles or underground); approximately 15 miles 
per year of line improvements, re-configured, or undergrounded 
distribution lines; the closure of one substation and the construction 
of 3 or more new facilities, including the Aepo Substation, 
Hanahanapuni Switching Station, and the Kilohana Switching station. 
Additional substations may also be built for renewable projects that 
cannot be integrated into the existing facilities due to their 
location, capacity, or operation constraints.
    Minimization and Mitigation Measures: The KIUC LTHCP is expected to 
include a comprehensive minimization program that will be based on the 
results of extensive underline monitoring conducted under the STHCP. 
These minimization measures would be designed to reduce the amount of 
Covered Species collisions with power lines in areas known to have a 
high risk of seabird-line collisions. These minimization measures are 
likely to include installation of bird deterrents and line 
reconfiguring.
    The KIUC LTHCP is expected to include a variety of conservation 
measures to mitigate unavoidable impacts to the Covered Species. One 
set of measures is intended to improve the breeding success of the 
Covered Species. These measures are likely to include: the installation 
and maintenance of predator-proof fencing at two or more locations 
encompassing at least several hundred acres of existing Covered Species 
breeding colonies in northern, interior areas of Kauai; post-fencing 
efforts to greatly reduce or eliminate predator populations from within 
the fenced areas; efforts to reduce predator populations at other 
locations; and one or more social attraction projects to create new 
breeding areas within appropriate habitat for the Covered Species. 
Other mitigation measures are expected to include: continued 
implementation of

[[Page 44319]]

the Save Our Shearwaters program which retrieves downed seabirds and 
releases them back to the wild following evaluation and any necessary 
rehabilitation; surveys to identify the location of additional breeding 
colonies of the Covered Species on Kauai; and research to evaluate 
methods of improving Covered Species breeding success through habitat 
and predator management.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement

    NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) requires that Federal agencies 
conduct an environmental analysis of their proposed actions to 
determine if the actions may significantly affect the human 
environment. Based on 40 CFR 1508.27 and 40 CFR 1508.2, we have 
determined that the proposed KIUC LTHCP and ITP may have significant 
effects on the human environment. Therefore, before deciding whether to 
issue an ITP, we will prepare a DEIS to analyze the environmental 
impacts associated with that action.
    The DEIS will consider the impacts of the issuance of an ESA 
section 10(a)(1)(B) permit on the human environment. The DEIS will also 
include an analysis of a reasonable range of alternatives. Such 
alternatives may include, but are not limited to, variations in: The 
permit term or permit structure; the level of take allowed; the level, 
location, or type of minimization, mitigation, or monitoring provided 
under the HCP; the scope of Covered Activities; the list of Covered 
Species; or a combination of these factors. Other alternatives could 
include undergrounding, reconfiguring or taking other measures to 
minimize the take at all five power line segments that accounted for 72 
percent of all seabird collisions in 2014, expanding existing predator 
control areas to maximize seabird protection, and the addition of one 
or more seabird colony management sites in the Upper Manoa Valley. 
Additionally, a No Action Alternative will be included. Under the No 
Action Alternative, the Service would not issue an ITP, and KIUC would 
be obligated to avoid incidental take of federally-listed species or 
risk violation of Federal and State law.
    The DEIS will identify and describe direct, indirect, and 
cumulative impacts on biological resources, land use, air quality, 
water quality, water resources, socioeconomics, climate, and other 
environmental resources that could occur with the implementation of the 
proposed action and alternatives. The Service will also identify 
measures, consistent with NEPA and other relevant considerations of 
national policy, to avoid or minimize any significant effects of the 
proposed action on the quality of the human environment. Following 
completion of the environmental review, the Service will publish a 
notice of availability and a request for comment on the DEIS, which 
will include a draft of the proposed KIUC LTHCP.

Request for Information

    We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the 
public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific 
community, Native Hawaiian organizations or entities, industry, or any 
other interested party on this notice. We will consider these comments 
in developing the DEIS. We seek specific comments on:
    1. Biological information and relevant data concerning the Covered 
Species;
    2. Additional information concerning the range, distribution, 
population size, and population trends of the Covered Species;
    3. Potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that 
implementation of the proposed Covered Activities and mitigation/
minimization measures could have on the Covered Species; and other 
endangered or threatened species, and their communities or habitats; 
and other aspects of the human environment;
    4. Whether there are connected, similar, or reasonably foreseeable 
cumulative actions;
    5. Other possible alternatives to the proposed permit action that 
the Service should consider, including additional or alternative 
mitigation and minimization measures;
    6. Other current or planned activities in the subject area and 
their possible impacts on Covered Species;
    7. The presence of archaeological sites, buildings and structures, 
historic events, sacred and traditional areas, and other historic 
preservation concerns, which are required to be considered in project 
planning by the National Historic Preservation Act; and
    8. Identification of any other environmental issues that should be 
considered with regard to the proposed KIUC LTHCP and permit action.

Public Availability of Comments

    You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods 
listed above in the ADDRESSES section. Before including your address, 
phone number, or other personal identifying information in your 
comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including your 
personal identifying information--might be made publicly available at 
any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we use in preparing the DEIS, will be available for 
public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the 
Service's Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section).

Scoping Meeting

    See DATES section above for the date and time of the public scoping 
meeting. The primary purpose of the meeting and the public comment 
period is to provide the public with a general understanding of the 
background of the proposed action and to solicit suggestions and 
information on the scope of issues and alternatives we should consider 
when preparing the DEIS. Written comments will be accepted at the 
meeting. Comments can also be submitted by the methods listed in the 
ADDRESSES section. Once the DEIS and proposed KIUC LTHCP are complete 
and made available for review, there will be additional opportunity for 
public comment on the content of these documents.
    Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and 
participate in the public scoping meeting should contact the Service's 
Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office using one of the methods 
listed above in ADDRESSES as soon as possible. In order to allow 
sufficient time to process requests, please make contact no later than 
one week before the public meeting. Information regarding this proposed 
action is available in alternative formats upon request.

Authority

    We provide this notice in accordance with the requirements of 
section 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and per NEPA 
regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 40 CFR 1506.5 and 1508.22).

Theresa Rabot,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 2016-16077 Filed 7-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P



                                                44316                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2016 / Notices

                                                B. Solicitation of Public Comment                        LTHCP). We also provide this notice to                Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC)
                                                   This notice is soliciting comments                    announce a public scoping period.                     that would authorize take of listed
                                                from members of the public and affected                  DATES: The public scoping period begins               species caused by activities covered
                                                parties concerning the collection of                     with the publication of this notice in the            under the Kauai Island Utility
                                                information described in Section A on                    Federal Register and will continue                    Cooperative Long-term Habitat
                                                the following:                                           through September 6, 2016. The Service                Conservation Plan (KIUC LTHCP). We
                                                   (1) Whether the proposed collection                   will consider all comments on the scope               also provide this notice to announce a
                                                of information is necessary for the                      of the DEIS analysis that are received or             public scoping period.
                                                proper performance of the functions of                   postmarked by this date. Comments                        The KIUC LTHCP is being prepared
                                                the agency, including whether the                        received or postmarked after this date                by KIUC to address the effects of its
                                                information will have practical utility;                 will be considered to the extent                      generation, transmission, and
                                                   (2) The accuracy of the agency’s                      practicable. The Service will also hold               distribution of electricity on listed
                                                estimate of the burden of the proposed                   one public scoping open house, at the                 species within the plan area, which
                                                collection of information;                               following time and location during the                covers the full geographic extent of the
                                                   (3) Ways to enhance the quality,                      scoping period:                                       Island of Kauai, Hawaii. KIUC
                                                utility, and clarity of the information to                  • July 20, 2016—Kauai Community                    anticipates requesting incidental take
                                                be collected; and                                        College, 3–1901 Kaumualii Highway,                    coverage for the endangered Hawaiian
                                                   (4) Ways to minimize the burden of                    Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766, 5 to 7 p.m.                   petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis),
                                                the collection of information on those                      The scoping meeting will provide the               threatened Newell’s shearwater
                                                who are to respond; including through                    public an opportunity to ask questions,               (Puffinus newelli), and a species
                                                the use of appropriate automated                         discuss issues with Service and State                 proposed for listing as endangered, the
                                                collection techniques or other forms of                  staff regarding the DEIS, and provide                 band-rumped storm-petrel
                                                information technology, e.g., permitting                 written comments.                                     (Oceanodroma castro). These species
                                                electronic submission of responses.                      ADDRESSES: To request further
                                                                                                                                                               are collectively referred to as the
                                                   HUD encourages interested parties to                  information or submit written                         ‘‘Covered Species.’’ The activities
                                                submit comment in response to these                      comments, please use one of the                       covered under the KIUC LTHCP
                                                questions.                                               following methods:                                    (‘‘Covered Activities’’) include
                                                                                                            • U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor, U.S.                construction of certain planned
                                                  Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork                                                                     facilities; power line construction,
                                                Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.             Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific
                                                                                                         Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300                 reconfiguration, or undergrounding;
                                                  Dated: June 30, 2016.                                                                                        installation and operation of streetlight
                                                                                                         Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3–122,
                                                Colette Pollard,                                         Honolulu, Hawaii 96850. Include ‘‘KIUC                fixtures at the request of State, County,
                                                Department Reports Management Officer,                   HCP and scoping EIS’’ in the subject                  or private entities; the operation and
                                                Office of the Chief Information Officer.                 line of your request or comment.                      maintenance of all existing and planned
                                                [FR Doc. 2016–16116 Filed 7–6–16; 8:45 am]                  • Email: KIUCLongTermhcp@fws.gov.                  KIUC facilities and infrastructure; and
                                                BILLING CODE 4210–67–P                                   Include ‘‘KIUC HCP and scoping EIS’’ in               activities associated with the
                                                                                                         the subject line of the message.                      management of certain lands to mitigate
                                                                                                            • Fax: 808–792–9580, Attn: Field                   for the take of Covered Species.
                                                DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                               Supervisor. Include ‘‘KIUC HCP and                       This notice was prepared pursuant to
                                                                                                         scoping EIS’’ in the subject line of the              the requirements of the National
                                                Fish and Wildlife Service                                message.                                              Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
                                                                                                            • Internet: You may obtain copies of               amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
                                                [FWS–R1–ES–2016–N102;                                                                                          (NEPA), and its implementing
                                                FXES11120100000–167–FF01E00000]                          this notice on the Internet at https://
                                                                                                         www.fws.gov/pacificislands/, or from                  regulations in the Code of Federal
                                                Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft                      the Service’s Pacific Islands Fish and                Regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6, and
                                                Environmental Impact Statement for                       Wildlife Office in Honolulu, Hawaii (see              pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. We
                                                                                                                                                               intend to prepare a DEIS to evaluate the
                                                the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
                                                                                                         section).                                             impacts of several alternatives related to
                                                Long-Term Habitat Conservation Plan,
                                                                                                           We request that you send comments                   the potential issuance of an ITP under
                                                Kauai, Hawaii
                                                                                                         by only one of the methods described                  the KIUC LTHCP. KIUC intends to
                                                AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,                     above. See the Public Availability of                 request a permit term of 30 years. The
                                                Interior.                                                Comments section below for more                       primary purpose of the scoping process
                                                ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement                   information.                                          is for the public and other agencies to
                                                of public scoping meeting; request for                                                                         assist in developing the DEIS by
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      identifying important issues and
                                                comments.
                                                                                                         Lasha-Lynn Salbosa, by telephone at                   identifying alternatives that should be
                                                SUMMARY:   We, the U.S. Fish and                         808–792–9442, or by email at Lasha-                   considered.
                                                Wildlife Service (Service), intend to                    Lynn_Salbosa@fws.gov. Hearing or
                                                prepare a draft environmental impact                     speech impaired individuals may call                  Background
                                                statement (DEIS) to evaluate the impacts                 the Federal Information Relay Service at                Section 9 of the ESA prohibits ‘‘take’’
                                                of several alternatives relating to the                  800–877–8339 for TTY assistance.                      of fish and wildlife species listed as
                                                requested issuance of an Endangered                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the                    endangered under section 4 (16 U.S.C.
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                                                Species Act (ESA) Incidental Take                        U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),             1538 and 16 U.S.C. 1533, respectively).
                                                Permit (ITP) to the Kauai Island Utility                 intend to prepare a draft environmental               The ESA implementing regulations
                                                Cooperative (KIUC) that would                            impact statement (DEIS) to evaluate the               extend, under certain circumstances, the
                                                authorize take of listed species caused                  impacts of several alternatives relating              prohibition of take to threatened species
                                                by activities covered under the Kauai                    to the requested issuance of an                       (50 CFR 17.31). Under section 3 of the
                                                Island Utility Cooperative Long-term                     Endangered Species Act (ESA)                          ESA, the term ‘‘take’’ means to ‘‘harass,
                                                Habitat Conservation Plan (KIUC                          Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to the                   harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2016 / Notices                                           44317

                                                trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to                 collision with, KIUC facilities. In total,            grounded bird within the observer’s
                                                engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C.                  the ITP authorized a combined take                    field of view. Additionally, about 25
                                                1532(19)). The term ‘‘harm’’ is defined                  amount of 830 sub-adults or adults of                 deceased Newell’s shearwaters have
                                                by regulation as ‘‘an act which actually                 the Covered Species.                                  been opportunistically found from 2011
                                                kills or injures wildlife. Such act may                     Current estimates of the Newell’s                  through 2015, associated with KIUC
                                                include significant habitat modification                 shearwater population, of which 90                    power lines or lights. The acoustic
                                                or degradation where it actually kills or                percent nest on Kauai, range from                     system, which is able to monitor the
                                                injures wildlife by significantly                        16,200 to 24,300, based on at-sea                     power lines for seabird collisions more
                                                impairing essential behavioral patterns,                 population estimates from 1998 through                extensively than human observers can,
                                                including breeding, feeding, or                          2011 (Joyce 2013), and projected under                has detected a minimum of 1,012 and
                                                sheltering’’ (50 CFR 17.3). The term                     various annual levels of decline                      1,002 seabird collision events in 2014
                                                ‘‘harass’’ is defined in the regulations as              (Griesemer and Holmes 2011). The                      and 2015, respectively (KIUC STHCP
                                                ‘‘an intentional or negligent act or                     Newell’s shearwater rangewide                         2014 and 2015 UMP Reports). Since
                                                omission which creates the likelihood of                 population has experienced an over 75                 2012, KESRP, in collaboration with
                                                injury to wildlife by annoying it to such                percent decline from 1993 through 2009                KIUC, has identified all high and
                                                an extent as to significantly disrupt                    (Day et al. 2003; Holmes et al. 2009).                medium risk power line spans that pose
                                                normal behavioral patterns which                         The Hawaiian petrel population nests                  a threat to the Covered Species. These
                                                include, but are not limited to, breeding,               on several of the southeastern Hawaiian               high and medium risk lines are
                                                feeding, or sheltering’’ (50 CFR 17.3).                  Islands, including Hawaii and Maui,                   continually monitored every year, and
                                                   Under section 10(a) of the ESA, the                   with the total population estimated at                those data are used to plan and test for
                                                Service may issue permits to authorize                   20,000 individuals (Spear et al. 1995).               effective minimization measures,
                                                incidental take of listed fish and                       The majority of the breeding population               including reconfiguring lines or
                                                wildlife species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is                 nests on Kauai (Ainley et al. 1997). An               installing bird diverters. While the
                                                defined by the ESA as take that is                       updated assessment of the Hawaiian                    acoustic system has been successful in
                                                incidental to, and not the purpose of,                   petrel population on Kauai is under way               detecting seabird power line collisions,
                                                carrying out an otherwise lawful                         (A. Raine, personal communication,                    only a subset of the power line system
                                                activity. Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA                 September 30, 2015). Seabird colony                   can be monitored and therefore
                                                contains provisions for issuing ITPs to                  monitoring data reflect significant                   collisions outside of the monitored areas
                                                non-Federal entities for the take of                     threats from feral pig, cat, barn owl, and            must be estimated. Moreover, while a
                                                endangered and threatened species,                       rat predation, as well as habitat                     minimum of 1,002 seabird collision
                                                provided the following criteria are met:                 degradation from invasive plants.                     events have been detected in 2015, the
                                                   • The taking will be incidental;                      Combined with the take caused by                      fate of the birds that collided with these
                                                   • The applicant will, to the maximum                  power line collisions and light                       lines is unknown. Based on KESRP field
                                                extent practicable, minimize and                         attraction, these threat factors have                 observations, it is certain that some
                                                mitigate the impact of such taking;                      resulted in the extirpation of at least               portion of these collisions results in
                                                   • The applicant will develop a                        three breeding colonies of these species              immediate grounding or mortality, and
                                                proposed HCP and ensure that adequate                    on Kauai since 2011 (Holmes and Troy                  that some additional proportion results
                                                funding for the plan will be provided;                   2008).                                                in harm or injury, or potential mortality
                                                   • The taking will not appreciably                        The 2011 STHCP established a                       sometime after the collision event.
                                                reduce the likelihood of the survival                    comprehensive monitoring and research                 Previous scientific studies based on
                                                and recovery of the species in the wild;                 program designed to further evaluate the              waterfowl and their interactions with
                                                and                                                      impact of the power line system on                    power lines have estimated that this
                                                   • The applicant will carry out any                    seabird populations and to provide key                subsequent mortality after the collision
                                                other measures that the Service may                      biological data to more adequately                    event could range from 20 percent to 74
                                                require as being necessary or                            inform a longer term HCP and take                     percent of total detected collisions
                                                appropriate for the purposes of the HCP.                 authorization. To this end, KIUC                      (Bevanger 1995; Bevanger 1999;
                                                   Regulations governing permits for                     provides funding to the Kauai                         Beaulaurier 1981; and Shaw et al. 2010).
                                                endangered and threatened species are                    Endangered Seabird Recovery Project                      The STHCP has been successful in
                                                at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32.                               (KESRP), a project of the University of               guiding measures that KIUC has
                                                                                                         Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies                  implemented to mitigate the effects of
                                                KIUC Short-Term HCP
                                                                                                         Unit, to monitor seabird colonies and                 its existing facilities on the Covered
                                                   In 2011, the KIUC Short-Term Habitat                  develop approaches to assess seabird-                 Species; increasing knowledge related to
                                                Conservation Plan (STHCP) was                            power line collisions. Due to the remote              the impact of KIUC’s power line system
                                                approved by the Service, and KIUC                        location of many power lines on Kauai                 on seabird populations; providing key
                                                received an ITP for the Covered Species                  and the nocturnal behavior of seabirds,               biological data concerning the Covered
                                                (i.e., the Newell’s shearwater, Hawaiian                 in 2012 KESRP developed an acoustic                   Species; and improving our
                                                petrel, and the band-rumped storm                        song-meter monitoring system to detect                understanding of the effectiveness of
                                                petrel). The Covered Species are subject                 seabird collisions. This acoustic system              conservation measures to more
                                                to injury or mortality as a result of                    became the foundation for KIUC’s                      adequately inform a longer term habitat
                                                colliding with KIUC-owned power lines                    Underline Monitoring Program (UMP)                    conservation plan and take
                                                and utility infrastructure, and injury or                and has been accepted and is funded by                authorization.
                                                mortality as a result of attraction to                   KIUC.                                                    In 2015, KIUC spent $2.32 million to
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                                                nighttime lighting from KIUC-owned                          During the course of implementation                implement the conservation program
                                                and operated streetlights and facilities.                of the KIUC STHCP, KESRP observed a                   under the STHCP. Sixty-two percent of
                                                The ITP authorized an annual take                        total of 28 seabird power line collisions             this budget funded seabird colony
                                                amount of 162 Newell’s shearwaters,                      using night vision equipment. Of the 28               management (i.e., predator control and
                                                two Hawaiian petrels, and two band-                      seabird power line collisions observed,               monitoring). Under the STHCP, KIUC is
                                                rumped storm petrels over a 5-year                       only one of these collision events                    funding a total of 851 acres of seabird
                                                period, as a result of attraction to, or                 definitively resulted in an immediate                 colony management (i.e., predator


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                                                44318                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2016 / Notices

                                                control) at three sites within the State’s               now seeking long-term incidental take                 certain planned KIUC facilities and
                                                Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve,                     authorization through its own separate                infrastructure; (2) minimization
                                                and a larger location within the National                KIUC LTHCP.                                           measures, including installation of bird
                                                Tropical Botanical Garden’s Upper                           Covered Species and Activities: The                deterrents, undergrounding power lines,
                                                Limahuli Preserve. The remaining                         Covered Species addressed in the                      line reconfiguring, line removal,
                                                budget funds the retrieval and                           LTHCP will be the same as those                       relocating facilities, and line rerouting;
                                                rehabilitation of seabirds on Kauai, and                 addressed in the STHCP: The                           and (3) mitigation measures, including
                                                the KIUC Underline Monitoring                            endangered Hawaiian petrel, threatened                construction and maintenance of
                                                Program, which includes testing and                      Newell’s shearwater, and the band-                    predator-proof fenced enclosures,
                                                installation of avian deterrent devices.                 rumped storm-petrel, a species                        invasive predator reduction efforts, and
                                                KIUC has undergrounded or                                proposed for listing as endangered. As                seabird colony monitoring and habitat
                                                reconfigured 25 percent of their                         noted above, the Covered Species are                  management activities to create or
                                                identified high collision-risk power                     subject to collisions with power lines                enhance seabird breeding habitat. The
                                                lines since 2011. KIUC continues to use                  and other infrastructure while flying at              KIUC LTHCP is also expected to include
                                                the underline monitoring data to direct                  night between their nesting colonies and              the following as Covered Activities: 600
                                                minimization actions, including                          at-sea foraging areas. The Covered                    new streetlights; approximately 15 miles
                                                reconfiguring or undergrounding power                    Species, particularly fledglings, are also            of new transmission lines (much of it on
                                                lines, and installing bird deterrent                     affected by and attracted to bright                   already constructed poles or
                                                devices to minimize impacts from high                    nighttime lights. Disoriented birds are               underground); approximately 15 miles
                                                collision-risk power lines. Although                     commonly observed circling repeatedly                 per year of line improvements, re-
                                                KIUC’s current mitigation and                            around exterior light sources until they              configured, or undergrounded
                                                minimization programs are meaningful,                    fall exhausted to the ground or collide               distribution lines; the closure of one
                                                these efforts are likely not                             with structures.                                      substation and the construction of 3 or
                                                commensurate with the actual level of                       The KIUC LTHCP and ITP will                        more new facilities, including the Aepo
                                                take occurring.                                          address the incidental take of the                    Substation, Hanahanapuni Switching
                                                   The STHCP expiration date was in                      Covered Species caused by Covered                     Station, and the Kilohana Switching
                                                May 2016. On April 12, 2016, we                          Activities that are described and                     station. Additional substations may also
                                                received an application for renewal of                   analyzed in the LTHCP. In accordance                  be built for renewable projects that
                                                that permit pending preparation of the                   with the requirements of section                      cannot be integrated into the existing
                                                LTHCP.                                                   10(a)(2)(A) of the ESA, the LTHCP will                facilities due to their location, capacity,
                                                                                                         also address: The impacts to the                      or operation constraints.
                                                Proposed Long-Term Habitat                               Covered Species caused by the taking;                    Minimization and Mitigation
                                                Conservation Plan                                        the steps KIUC will take to minimize                  Measures: The KIUC LTHCP is expected
                                                   The KIUC LTHCP is being prepared                      and mitigate those impacts; the funding               to include a comprehensive
                                                by KIUC to cover the generation,                         that will be available to implement                   minimization program that will be
                                                transmission, and distribution of                        those steps; what alternative actions to              based on the results of extensive
                                                electricity within the plan area, which                  the taking that KIUC considered and the               underline monitoring conducted under
                                                covers the full geographic extent of the                 reasons why such alternatives are not                 the STHCP. These minimization
                                                Island of Kauai, Hawaii. KIUC intends                    being utilized; and other measures that               measures would be designed to reduce
                                                to submit the LTHCP as part of the its                   the Service may require as being                      the amount of Covered Species
                                                application for a Federal ITP and a State                necessary or appropriate for purposes of              collisions with power lines in areas
                                                incidental take license, in accordance                   the plan.                                             known to have a high risk of seabird-
                                                with respective Federal and State permit                    The KIUC intends to utilize new                    line collisions. These minimization
                                                issuance criteria. KIUC intends to                       information generated through                         measures are likely to include
                                                develop the LTHCP in coordination                        implementation of the STHCP to                        installation of bird deterrents and line
                                                with the Service, Hawaii Department of                   develop a long-term HCP addressing the                reconfiguring.
                                                Land and Natural Resources-Division of                   Covered Species in support of its                        The KIUC LTHCP is expected to
                                                Forestry and Wildlife, Kauai                             request for a 30-year ITP. It is                      include a variety of conservation
                                                Endangered Seabird Recovery Project,                     anticipated that KIUC will request                    measures to mitigate unavoidable
                                                Kauai Seabird Habitat Conservation                       authorization for the lethal take of                  impacts to the Covered Species. One set
                                                Program, Kauai Humane Society, and                       approximately 100 to 1,000 individuals                of measures is intended to improve the
                                                the National Tropical Botanical Garden.                  annually of the Covered Species                       breeding success of the Covered
                                                   In response to the Service’s                          combined. A more specific total                       Species. These measures are likely to
                                                recommendation in 2011, KIUC was                         combined amount of take, and a more                   include: the installation and
                                                participating in the planning for a State-               specific amount of take for each Covered              maintenance of predator-proof fencing
                                                sponsored islandwide HCP (the ‘‘Kauai                    Species that KIUC will request will be                at two or more locations encompassing
                                                Seabird Habitat Conservation Program’’                   described in the LTHCP.                               at least several hundred acres of existing
                                                or ‘‘KSHCP’’) which was intended to                         KIUC’s existing facilities include over            Covered Species breeding colonies in
                                                address take of the Covered Species                      1,400 miles of electrical transmission                northern, interior areas of Kauai; post-
                                                from attraction to, or collision with                    and distribution lines, two fossil fuel-              fencing efforts to greatly reduce or
                                                various lights and power lines on the                    fired generating stations, two                        eliminate predator populations from
                                                island of Kauai, due to activities by                    hydroelectric stations, two 12-megawatt               within the fenced areas; efforts to
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                                                numerous entities in addition to KIUC.                   solar energy parks, twelve substations,               reduce predator populations at other
                                                However, in November 2015, the State,                    and approximately 3,500 streetlights.                 locations; and one or more social
                                                in consultation with the Service,                        Covered Activities under the KIUC                     attraction projects to create new
                                                decided to limit the KSHCP planning                      LTHCP are expected to include: (1)                    breeding areas within appropriate
                                                effort just to light attraction take. As a               KIUC operations, including actions                    habitat for the Covered Species. Other
                                                result of this decision to limit the                     necessary to construct, operate,                      mitigation measures are expected to
                                                KSHCP to light attraction take, KIUC is                  maintain and repair all existing and                  include: continued implementation of


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2016 / Notices                                                 44319

                                                the Save Our Shearwaters program                         policy, to avoid or minimize any                      publicly available at any time. While
                                                which retrieves downed seabirds and                      significant effects of the proposed action            you can ask us in your comment to
                                                releases them back to the wild following                 on the quality of the human                           withhold your personal identifying
                                                evaluation and any necessary                             environment. Following completion of                  information from public review, we
                                                rehabilitation; surveys to identify the                  the environmental review, the Service                 cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                                location of additional breeding colonies                 will publish a notice of availability and             do so.
                                                of the Covered Species on Kauai; and                     a request for comment on the DEIS,
                                                research to evaluate methods of                                                                                  Comments and materials we receive,
                                                                                                         which will include a draft of the
                                                improving Covered Species breeding                       proposed KIUC LTHCP.                                  as well as supporting documentation we
                                                success through habitat and predator                                                                           use in preparing the DEIS, will be
                                                management.                                              Request for Information                               available for public inspection by
                                                                                                            We request data, comments, new                     appointment, during normal business
                                                Draft Environmental Impact Statement                                                                           hours, at the Service’s Pacific Islands
                                                                                                         information, or suggestions from the
                                                   NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) requires                public, other concerned governmental                  Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR
                                                that Federal agencies conduct an                         agencies, the scientific community,                   FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section).
                                                environmental analysis of their                          Native Hawaiian organizations or
                                                proposed actions to determine if the                                                                           Scoping Meeting
                                                                                                         entities, industry, or any other
                                                actions may significantly affect the                     interested party on this notice. We will                 See DATES section above for the date
                                                human environment. Based on 40 CFR                       consider these comments in developing                 and time of the public scoping meeting.
                                                1508.27 and 40 CFR 1508.2, we have                       the DEIS. We seek specific comments
                                                determined that the proposed KIUC                                                                              The primary purpose of the meeting and
                                                                                                         on:                                                   the public comment period is to provide
                                                LTHCP and ITP may have significant                          1. Biological information and relevant
                                                effects on the human environment.                                                                              the public with a general understanding
                                                                                                         data concerning the Covered Species;
                                                Therefore, before deciding whether to                       2. Additional information concerning               of the background of the proposed
                                                issue an ITP, we will prepare a DEIS to                  the range, distribution, population size,             action and to solicit suggestions and
                                                analyze the environmental impacts                        and population trends of the Covered                  information on the scope of issues and
                                                associated with that action.                             Species;                                              alternatives we should consider when
                                                   The DEIS will consider the impacts of                    3. Potential direct, indirect, and                 preparing the DEIS. Written comments
                                                the issuance of an ESA section                           cumulative impacts that                               will be accepted at the meeting.
                                                10(a)(1)(B) permit on the human                          implementation of the proposed                        Comments can also be submitted by the
                                                environment. The DEIS will also                          Covered Activities and mitigation/                    methods listed in the ADDRESSES
                                                include an analysis of a reasonable                      minimization measures could have on                   section. Once the DEIS and proposed
                                                range of alternatives. Such alternatives                 the Covered Species; and other                        KIUC LTHCP are complete and made
                                                may include, but are not limited to,                     endangered or threatened species, and                 available for review, there will be
                                                variations in: The permit term or permit                 their communities or habitats; and other              additional opportunity for public
                                                structure; the level of take allowed; the                aspects of the human environment;                     comment on the content of these
                                                level, location, or type of minimization,                   4. Whether there are connected,                    documents.
                                                mitigation, or monitoring provided                       similar, or reasonably foreseeable
                                                under the HCP; the scope of Covered                                                                               Persons needing reasonable
                                                                                                         cumulative actions;
                                                Activities; the list of Covered Species; or                 5. Other possible alternatives to the              accommodations in order to attend and
                                                a combination of these factors. Other                    proposed permit action that the Service               participate in the public scoping
                                                alternatives could include                               should consider, including additional or              meeting should contact the Service’s
                                                undergrounding, reconfiguring or taking                  alternative mitigation and minimization               Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office
                                                other measures to minimize the take at                   measures;                                             using one of the methods listed above in
                                                all five power line segments that                           6. Other current or planned activities             ADDRESSES as soon as possible. In order
                                                accounted for 72 percent of all seabird                  in the subject area and their possible                to allow sufficient time to process
                                                collisions in 2014, expanding existing                   impacts on Covered Species;                           requests, please make contact no later
                                                predator control areas to maximize                          7. The presence of archaeological                  than one week before the public
                                                seabird protection, and the addition of                  sites, buildings and structures, historic             meeting. Information regarding this
                                                one or more seabird colony management                    events, sacred and traditional areas, and             proposed action is available in
                                                sites in the Upper Manoa Valley.                         other historic preservation concerns,                 alternative formats upon request.
                                                Additionally, a No Action Alternative                    which are required to be considered in
                                                will be included. Under the No Action                    project planning by the National                      Authority
                                                Alternative, the Service would not issue                 Historic Preservation Act; and
                                                an ITP, and KIUC would be obligated to                      8. Identification of any other                       We provide this notice in accordance
                                                avoid incidental take of federally-listed                environmental issues that should be                   with the requirements of section 10 of
                                                species or risk violation of Federal and                 considered with regard to the proposed                the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and per
                                                State law.                                               KIUC LTHCP and permit action.                         NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 40
                                                   The DEIS will identify and describe                                                                         CFR 1506.5 and 1508.22).
                                                direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts                 Public Availability of Comments
                                                                                                                                                               Theresa Rabot,
                                                on biological resources, land use, air                     You may submit your comments and
                                                quality, water quality, water resources,                 materials by one of the methods listed                Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S.
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                                                                                                                                                               Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon.
                                                socioeconomics, climate, and other                       above in the ADDRESSES section. Before
                                                environmental resources that could                       including your address, phone number,                 [FR Doc. 2016–16077 Filed 7–6–16; 8:45 am]
                                                occur with the implementation of the                     or other personal identifying                         BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
                                                proposed action and alternatives. The                    information in your comment, you
                                                Service will also identify measures,                     should be aware that your entire
                                                consistent with NEPA and other                           comment—including your personal
                                                relevant considerations of national                      identifying information—might be made


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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:54:31
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:54:31
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 intent; announcement of public scoping meeting; request for comments.
DatesThe public scoping period begins with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register and will continue through September 6, 2016. The Service will consider all comments on the scope of the DEIS analysis that are received or postmarked by this date. Comments received or postmarked after this date will be considered to the extent practicable. The Service will also hold one public scoping open house, at the following time and location during the scoping period:
ContactLasha-Lynn Salbosa, by telephone at 808-792-9442, or by email at [email protected] Hearing or speech impaired individuals may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.
FR Citation81 FR 44316 

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