81 FR 94409 - City of San Diego Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report/Statement; San Diego County, California
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)
| Page Range | 94409-94411 | |
| FR Document | 2016-31037 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 94409-94411] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-31037] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R8-ES-2016-N181]; [FXES11140800000-178-FF08E00000] City of San Diego Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report/Statement; San Diego County, California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft environmental impact report/statement (EIS/ EIR), which evaluates the impacts of, and alternatives to, the proposed City of San Diego Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan (VPHCP). The VPHCP was submitted by the City of San Diego in support of an application under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for a permit authorizing the incidental take of federally listed covered species resulting from covered activities. We request review and comment on the VPHCP and the draft EIS/EIR from local, State, and Federal agencies; Tribes; and the public. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by February 21, 2017. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents:Internet: You may obtain copies of the draft EIR/EIS and draft VPHCP on the City's Web site at https://www.sandiego.gov/planning/programs/mscp/vphcp. U.S. Mail: A limited number of CD-ROM and printed copies of the draft EIR/EIS and draft VPHCP are available, by request, from the Field Supervisor, by mail at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, CA 92008; by phone at (760) 431- 9440; or by fax at (760) 431-9624. Please note that your request is in reference to the City of San Diego VPHCP. In-Person: Copies of the draft EIR/EIS and draft VPHCP are also available for public inspection and review at the following locations, by appointment and written request only, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: [cir] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, CA 92008. [cir] Department of the Interior, Natural Resources Library, 1849 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20240. Submitting Comments: You may submit written comments by one of the following methods: [[Page 94410]] [cir] U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, CA 92008. [cir] Fax: Field Supervisor, 760-431-9624. [cir] Email: [email protected]; please include ``Vernal Pool HCP'' in the subject line. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: G. Mendel Stewart, by mail at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, CA 92008; or by phone at (760) 431-9440. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft environmental impact report/statement (EIR/EIS), which evaluates the impacts of, and alternatives to, the proposed City of San Diego Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan (VPHCP). The VPHCP was submitted by the City of San Diego (City) in support of an application under section 10 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), for a permit authorizing the incidental take of federally listed covered species resulting from covered activities. The proposed VPHCP plan area encompasses 206,124 acres in the southwestern portion of San Diego County, within the State of California. Introduction Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), this notice advises the public of the availability for public review of the VPHCP EIR/EIS, which evaluates the impacts of, and alternatives to, the proposed City of San Diego VPHCP for incidental take of federally listed covered species resulting from covered activities within the Plan area. This document has been prepared as a joint EIR/EIS due to the combined local, State, and Federal discretionary actions and permits associated with the VPHCP. Co-lead agencies are the City, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the Service, pursuant to NEPA, as further described in the draft EIR/EIS. The proposed Federal action is issuance of an incidental take permit (ITP) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA to the City of San Diego. With this notice, we continue the HCP process, which started through a notice in the Federal Register on December 20, 2011 (76 FR 78942), in which we announced the preparation of the HCP and NEPA document. Background Section 9 of the ESA prohibits ``take'' of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered under section 4 (16 U.S.C. 1538, 1533, respectively). The ESA implementing regulations extend, under certain circumstances, the prohibition of take to threatened species (50 CFR 17.31). Regulations governing permits for endangered and threatened species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32. For more about the HCP program, go to http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/hcp.pdf. 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 an 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 Secretary may require as being necessary or appropriate for the purposes of the HCP. The purpose of issuing an ITP to the City would be to permit incidental take of the covered species resulting from local development authorized by the City and conditioned on the City's minimization and mitigation of the impacts of such take in accordance with an approved VPHCP. Implementation of the VPHCP is intended to maximize the benefits of conservation measures for covered species and eliminate expensive and time-consuming efforts associated with processing individual ITPs for each project within the City's proposed plan area. The proposed VPHCP includes measures intended to minimize and mitigate the impacts of the taking to the maximum extent practicable from residential, commercial, and other development activities within the proposed plan area. The proposed VPHCP is a conservation plan for seven threatened and endangered vernal pool species that do not currently have Federal coverage under the City of San Diego's Multiple Species Conservation Program Subarea Plan (MSCP SAP) and the species' associated vernal pool habitat. The VPHCP would complement the City's existing MSCP SAP by conserving additional lands. The VPHCP will conserve vernal pool resources within the existing City of San Diego's Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA). The species covered include the San Diego fairy shrimp, Riverside fairy shrimp, San Diego button celery, spreading navarretia, San Diego mesa mint, California Orcutt grass, and Otay mesa mint. The VPHCP would provide a comprehensive approach to the protection and management of the vernal pool preserve areas within the 206,124-acre plan area. Alternatives We are considering three alternatives as part of this process: No Action Alternative: No ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permit would be issued to the City. Instead, activities involving take of the covered species would require individual permits or ESA section 7 consultations if a Federal nexus exists under the current ESA regulations; for non- Federal projects that lack a Federal nexus, take activities would require individual ITPs under section 10 of the ESA. Proposed Action Alternative: This alternative is issuance of an ITP by the Service for covered species in the HCP plan area, with a duration of 30 years. Incidental take authorized by the requested ITP would result from covered activities. The covered activities under the VPHCP are expected to include residential, commercial, and industrial development; airport operation; road and utility maintenance and construction; trail use; and vernal pool restoration and enhancement. Once fully implemented, the VPHCP would expand the City's existing Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA) by adding approximately 275 acres of lands with valuable vernal pool resources. The VPHCP would conserve an additional 8 vernal pool complexes and an additional 226 pools, totaling 2.8 acres of basin area or 9 percent more vernal pool habitat than what is currently conserved within the MHPA. Once adopted, vernal pool lands within the MHPA would be subject to the provisions of the VPHCP, in addition to the City's MSCP SAP and other existing land use and biological resource plans, policies, and regulations. Expanded Conservation Alternative: Once fully implemented, the Expanded Conservation Alternative would expand the City's existing MHPA by adding approximately 508 acres of lands with valuable vernal pool resources. The Expanded Conservation Alternative would conserve an additional 9 vernal pool complexes within the Plan Area and conserve an additional 277 pools (11 percent more vernal pool habitat), [[Page 94411]] totaling 3.3 acres of basin area, beyond what is currently conserved within the MHPA. All other aspects of the Expanded Conservation Alternative would be the same as the Proposed Action Alternative. Request for Comments Consistent with section 10(c) of the ESA, we invite your submission of written data, views, or arguments with respect to the City's permit application, VPHCP, and permitting decision. 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 may request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will not consider anonymous comments. 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. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: December 19, 2016. Alexandra Pitts, Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 2016-31037 Filed 12-22-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 247 / Friday, December 23, 2016 / Notices 94409
purpose of this notice is to allow for an 50080–CAH,SF–425; SF–1199a; SF– DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
additional 30 days of public comment. LLL; and FM–1006.
DATES: Comments Due Date: January 23, Description of the need for the Fish and Wildlife Service
2017. information and proposed use: This [FWS–R8–ES–2016–N181];
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are submission is to permit the continued [FXES11140800000–178–FF08E00000]
invited to submit comments regarding processing of all Sections 202 and 811
this proposal. Comments should refer to capital advance projects that have not City of San Diego Vernal Pool Habitat
the proposal by name and/or OMB yet been finally closed. The submission Conservation Plan and Draft
Control Number and should be sent to: includes processing of the application Environmental Impact Report/
HUD Desk Officer, Office of for firm commitment to final closing of Statement; San Diego County,
Management and Budget, New California
the capital advance. It is needed to
Executive Office Building, Washington, assist HUD in determining the Owner’s AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
DC 20503; fax: 202–395–5806. Email: eligibility and capacity to finalize the Interior.
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov development of a housing project under ACTION: Notice of availability; request
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the Section 202 and Section 811 Capital for public comment.
Colette Pollard, Reports Management Advance Programs.
Officer, QMAC, Department of Housing SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Respondents: (i.e., affected public): Wildlife Service, announce the
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street,
Multifamily HUD-sponsored property availability of a draft environmental
SW., Washington, DC 20410; email
owners. impact report/statement (EIS/EIR),
Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@
hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400. Estimated Number of Respondents: which evaluates the impacts of, and
This is not a toll-free number. Persons 195. alternatives to, the proposed City of San
with hearing or speech impairments Estimated Number of Responses: Diego Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation
may access this number through TTY by 7,809.75. Plan (VPHCP). The VPHCP was
calling the toll-free Federal Relay submitted by the City of San Diego in
Frequency of Response: 40.05. support of an application under the
Service at (800) 877–8339.
Copies of available documents Average Hours per Response: 1.07. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
submitted to OMB may be obtained Total Estimated Burden: 8,356.43. amended, for a permit authorizing the
from Ms. Pollard. incidental take of federally listed
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
B. Solicitation of Public Comment covered species resulting from covered
notice informs the public that HUD is activities. We request review and
This notice is soliciting comments
seeking approval from OMB for the comment on the VPHCP and the draft
from members of the public and affected EIS/EIR from local, State, and Federal
information collection described in parties concerning the collection of
Section A. agencies; Tribes; and the public.
information described in Section A on
The Federal Register notice that DATES: To ensure consideration, please
the following:
solicited public comment on the send your written comments by
information collection for a period of 60 (1) Whether the proposed collection February 21, 2017.
days was published on October 12, 2016 of information is necessary for the ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents:
at 81 FR 70436. proper performance of the functions of • Internet: You may obtain copies of
the agency, including whether the the draft EIR/EIS and draft VPHCP on
A. Overview of Information Collection information will have practical utility; the City’s Web site at https://
Title of Information Collection: (2) The accuracy of the agency’s www.sandiego.gov/planning/programs/
Section 202 Housing for the Elderly and estimate of the burden of the proposed mscp/vphcp.
Section 811 Housing for the Disabled. collection of information; • U.S. Mail: A limited number of CD–
OMB Approval Number: 2502–0470. ROM and printed copies of the draft
Type of Request: Extension of a (3) Ways to enhance the quality, EIR/EIS and draft VPHCP are available,
currently approved collection. utility, and clarity of the information to by request, from the Field Supervisor,
Form Number: HUD-: 2328;2453.1– be collected; and by mail at the Carlsbad Fish and
CA; 2530; 2554; 2880; 935.2; 9832; (4) Ways to minimize the burden of Wildlife Office, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite
9839–A; 9839–B; 9839–C; 51994; the collection of information on those 250, Carlsbad, CA 92008; by phone at
90163–CA; 90163.1–CA; 90164–CA; who are to respond: including through (760) 431–9440; or by fax at (760) 431–
90165–CA; 90166–CA; 90166a–CA; the use of appropriate automated 9624. Please note that your request is in
90167–CA; 90169–CA; 90169.1–CA; collection techniques or other forms of reference to the City of San Diego
90170–CA; 90171–CA; 90172–A–CA; information technology, e.g., permitting VPHCP.
90172–B–CA; 90173–A–CA; 90173–B– electronic submission of responses. • In-Person: Copies of the draft EIR/
CA; 90173–C–CA; 90175–CA; 90175.1– EIS and draft VPHCP are also available
CA; 90176–CA; 90177–CA; 90178–CA; HUD encourages interested parties to
for public inspection and review at the
90179–CA; 91732–A–CA; 92013; 92013– submit comment in response to these
following locations, by appointment and
SUPP; 92264; 92330; 92330–A; 92329; questions.
written request only, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
92331; 92403.1; 92403–CA; 92408–M; Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Æ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
92412–CA,92433–CA; 92434–CA;
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35. 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad,
92435–CA; 92437; 92442–CA; 92442–A– Dated: December 15, 2016. CA 92008.
CA; 92443–CA; 92448; 92450–CA; Æ Department of the Interior, Natural
92452; 92452a; 92452–CA; 92457; Colette Pollard,
Resources Library, 1849 C St. NW.,
92458; 92464; 92466–CA; 92466.1–CA; Department Reports Management Officer, Washington, DC 20240.
92476–A; 92476–A–CA; 92485; 92580– Office of the Chief Information Officer. Submitting Comments: You may
CA; 93432–CA; 93479; 93480–CA; [FR Doc. 2016–30918 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am] submit written comments by one of the
93481; 93566–CA; 93566.1–CA; 27054; BILLING CODE 4210–67–P following methods:
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 247 / Friday, December 23, 2016 / Notices 94411
totaling 3.3 acres of basin area, beyond meet via teleconference to select North protection, restoration, and/or
what is currently conserved within the American Wetlands Conservation Act enhancement of wetlands and
MHPA. All other aspects of the U.S. small grant proposals for reporting associated uplands habitats for the
Expanded Conservation Alternative to the Migratory Bird Conservation benefit of all wetlands-associated
would be the same as the Proposed Commission. This teleconference is migratory birds. Project proposal due
Action Alternative. open to the public, and interested dates, application instructions, and
persons may present oral or written eligibility requirements are available on
Request for Comments
statements. the NAWCA Web site at www.fws.gov/
Consistent with section 10(c) of the birds/grants/north-american-wetland-
DATES: Teleconference: The
ESA, we invite your submission of conservation-act.php.
teleconference is scheduled for February
written data, views, or arguments with
22, 2017, at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Public Input
respect to the City’s permit application,
Time.
VPHCP, and permitting decision. Attendance: Because this is a Submitting Written Information or
Public Availability of Comments teleconference, there is no meeting Questions
Written comments we receive become venue. Individuals wishing to Interested members of the public may
part of the public record associated with participate in the teleconference should submit relevant information or
this action. Before including your contact the Council Coordinator for the questions to be considered during the
address, phone number, email address, call-in information (see FOR FURTHER public meetings. If you wish to submit
INFORMATION CONTACT) no later than a written statement so information may
or other personal identifying
information in your comment, you February 17, 2017. be made available to the Council for
Presenting Information During the their consideration prior to the
should be aware that your entire
Teleconference: If you are interested in meetings, you must contact the Council
comment—including your personal
presenting information, contact the Coordinator by the date in DATES.
identifying information—may be made
Council Coordinator no later than Written statements must be supplied to
publicly available at any time. While
February 17, 2017. the Council Coordinator in both of the
you may request in your comment that Submitting Information: To submit
we withhold your personal identifying following formats: One hard copy with
written information or questions before original signature, and one electronic
information from public review, we the Council meeting for consideration
cannot guarantee that we will be able to copy via email (acceptable file formats
during the meeting, contact the Council are Adobe Acrobat PDF, MS Word, MS
do so. We will not consider anonymous Coordinator no later than February 17,
comments. All submissions from PowerPoint, or rich text file).
2017.
organizations or businesses, and from Giving an Oral Presentation
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of Sarah Mott, Council Coordinator, by Individuals or groups requesting to
organizations or businesses, will be phone at 703–358–1784; by email at make an oral presentation at the
made available for public disclosure in dbhc@fws.gov; or by U.S. mail at U.S. meetings will be limited to 2 minutes
their entirety. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 per speaker, with no more than a total
Leesburg Pike MS: MB, Falls Church, of 30 minutes for all speakers. Interested
Authority VA 22041. Persons who use a parties should contact the Council
We provide this notice under section telecommunications device for the deaf Coordinator by the date in DATES, in
10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (TDD) may call the Federal Relay writing (preferably via email; see FOR
and its implementing regulations (50 Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), to be
CFR 17.22) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 during normal business hours. Also, placed on the public speaker list for
et seq.) and its implementing FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days either of these meetings. Nonregistered
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). a week, to leave a message or question. public speakers will not be considered
You will receive a reply during normal during the Council meeting. Registered
Dated: December 19, 2016.
business hours. speakers who wish to expand upon their
Alexandra Pitts,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: oral statements, or those who had
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
About the Council wished to speak but could not be
Region, Sacramento, California.
accommodated on the agenda, are
[FR Doc. 2016–31037 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am] In accordance with the North invited to submit written statements to
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P American Wetlands Conservation Act the Council within 30 days following
(Pub. L. 101–233, 103 Stat. 1968, the meeting.
December 13, 1989, as amended;
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NAWCA), the State-private-Federal Meeting Minutes
North American Wetlands Conservation Summary minutes of the Council
Fish and Wildlife Service
Council (Council) meets to consider meeting will be maintained by the
[FWS–HQ–MB–2016–N225; 91100–3740– wetland acquisition, restoration, Council Coordinator at the address
GRNT 7C] enhancement, and management projects under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
for recommendation to, and final CONTACT. Meeting notes will be
Announcement of Public Meetings via funding approval by, the Migratory Bird available by contacting the Council
Teleconference: North American Conservation Commission
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Coordinator within 30 days following
Wetlands Conservation Council (Commission). NAWCA provides the meeting. Personal copies may be
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, matching grants to organizations and purchased for the cost of duplication.
Interior. individuals who have developed
partnerships to carry out wetlands Jerome Ford,
ACTION: Notice of meetings.
conservation projects in the United Assistant Director, Migratory Birds.
SUMMARY: The North American States, Canada, and Mexico. These [FR Doc. 2016–31026 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am]
Wetlands Conservation Council will projects must involve long-term BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
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Document Created: 2016-12-23 12:29:26
Document Modified: 2016-12-23 12:29:26
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability; request for public comment. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by February 21, 2017. | |
| Contact | G. Mendel Stewart, by mail at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, CA 92008; or by phone at (760) 431-9440. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 94409 |
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