81 FR 89970 - Renewing an Expired Golden-Cheeked Warbler Incidental Take Permit in Travis County, Texas

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 239 (December 13, 2016)

Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, intend to reissue an expired golden- cheeked warbler (GCWA) incidental take permit (ITP) in Travis County, Texas. The ITP, which would be in effect for 10 years from the issuance date, if granted, would reauthorize GCWA incidental take. We will not accept comments on the previously approved Environmental Assessment/ Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89970-89971]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29817]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2016-N172; FXES11140200000-178-FF02ENEH00]


Renewing an Expired Golden-Cheeked Warbler Incidental Take Permit 
in Travis County, Texas

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments on the 
application.

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SUMMARY: Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, we, the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, intend to reissue an expired golden-
cheeked warbler (GCWA) incidental take permit (ITP) in Travis County, 
Texas. The ITP, which would be in effect for 10 years from the issuance 
date, if granted, would reauthorize GCWA incidental take. We will not 
accept comments on the previously approved Environmental Assessment/
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received or 
postmarked on or before January 12, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You may obtain copies of the final 
EA/HCP by the following means:
     Internet: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/.
     In-Person: The following locations, by appointment and 
written request only, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
    [cir] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue SW., Room 
6034, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
    [cir] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, 
Austin, TX 78758.
     U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet 
Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758.
    The ITP application is available by mail from the Regional 
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attention: HCP Permits, P.O. 
Box 1306, Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87103.
    Comment submission: You may submit written comments by one of the 
following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Please note that your 
request is in reference to the Aaron Ross Permit (TE010556-2).
     Hard copy: Via U.S. mail to Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Austin 
Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, 
TX 78758-4460; or via fax to 512-490-0974. Please note that your 
request is in reference to the Aaron Ross Permit (TE 010556-2).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, by 
U.S. mail at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, 
Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; or via telephone at (512) 490-0057.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, intend to reissue an expired golden-cheeked warbler (GCWA) 
incidental take permit (ITP) for single-family residence construction 
on a 0.75-acre site located on City Park Road, Travis County, Texas. 
Aaron Ross (applicant) has applied for an ITP (TE010556-2) under the 
Act, section 10(a)(1)(B). On July 21, 1999, we issued a GCWA incidental 
take permit to James Hunt. The permit (TE010556-0) duration was 5 years 
and expired on July 21, 2004. On June 5, 2006, we renewed that permit 
through April 19, 2011. The ITP reissuance Mr. Ross requested would be 
in effect for 10 years from the issuance date, if granted, and would 
reauthorize GCWA incidental take. Previous Federal Register notices 
related to this action are at 64 FR 26771 (May 17, 1999) and 71 FR 7561 
(February 13, 2006).

Proposed Action

    The proposed action involves our reissuing an ITP for single-family 
residence construction and occupation. The ITP would cover GCWA 
``take'' associated with developing a 0.75-acre site located on 10.39 
acres.
    The requested permit term is 10 years. To meet section 10(a)(1)(B) 
ITP requirements, the applicant proposes to implement the previously 
approved Hunt HCP. The HCP describes the conservation measures to 
minimize and mitigate for the proposed GCWA incidental take to the 
maximum extent practicable, and ensures that incidental take will not 
appreciably reduce the species' survival and recovery likelihood in the 
wild. The applicant will mitigate for the proposed impacts to GCWA 
habitat by perpetually protecting, managing, and monitoring 
approximately 9.4 acres under a Travis County conservation easement.

Public Availability of Comments

    Written comments we receive become part of the public record 
associated with this action. 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 request in your comment that we withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee we will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations 
or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public disclosure in their entirety.

[[Page 89971]]

Authority

    We provide this notice under the Act, section 10(c), and its 
implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32) and the National 
Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 
1506.6).

Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-29817 Filed 12-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P