82 FR 18155 - Threatened Wildlife; Incidental Take Permit Application and Environmental Assessment for Road Construction Activities; Hernando and Citrus Counties, FL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 72 (April 17, 2017)

Page Range		18155-18156
FR Document		2017-07676

Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the receipt and availability of a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) and accompanying documents for activities associated with the construction of the Suncoast Parkway 2, a four-lane limited-access toll facility (project) in Citrus and Hernando Counties, Florida. If issued, the permit would authorize take of the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (indigo snake) and the Federal candidate gopher tortoise incidental to project construction. We invite the public to comment on these documents.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 72 (Monday, April 17, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 72 (Monday, April 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18155-18156]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07676]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2017-N019; FXES11140400000-178-FF04E00000]


Threatened Wildlife; Incidental Take Permit Application and 
Environmental Assessment for Road Construction Activities; Hernando and 
Citrus Counties, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), 
we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the receipt and 
availability of a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) and 
accompanying documents for activities associated with the construction 
of the Suncoast Parkway 2, a four-lane limited-access toll facility 
(project) in Citrus and Hernando Counties, Florida. If issued, the 
permit would authorize take of the federally threatened eastern indigo 
snake (indigo snake) and the Federal candidate gopher tortoise 
incidental to project construction. We invite the public to comment on 
these documents.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
May 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: Documents are available for public 
inspection by appointment during regular business hours at either of 
the following locations:
     Atlanta Regional Office, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345.
     North Florida Ecological Services Office, Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 
32256-7517.
    Submitting Comments: Submit comments by one of the following 
methods. Please reference TE97201B-0 in all comments. For additional 
guidance, please see Public Comments under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    U.S. mail: You may mail comments to the Fish and Wildlife Service's 
Atlanta Regional Office.
    Hand-delivery: You may hand-deliver comments to the Atlanta or the 
Jacksonville Office.
    Email: You may email comments to [email protected]. Please include 
your name and return address in your email message. If you do not 
receive a confirmation from us that we have received your email 
message, contact us directly at either telephone number in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Dell, Regional HCP 
Coordinator, (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404-679-7313; or Jay 
Herrington, Field Supervisor, at the North Florida Ecological Services 
Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 904-731-3191. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal 
Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
receipt and availability of a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), 
accompanying incidental take permit (ITP) application, and 
environmental assessment (EA) related to an application from Florida's 
Turnpike Enterprise (applicant), a unit of the Florida Department of 
Transportation (FDOT), for a permit associated with construction of the 
Suncoast Parkway 2, a limited-access toll facility (project) in 
Hernando and Citrus Counties, Florida. We invite the public to comment 
on these documents.
    The applicant's proposed HCP describes the mitigation and 
minimization measures proposed to address the impacts resulting from 
take of the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon courais cooperi) and 
gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), the covered species, incidental 
to the project. Per the

[[Page 18156]]

National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA), the 
EA analyzes the take of the covered species and the environment. The 
applicant requests a 10-year ITP under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, 
as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Environmental Assessment

    The EA assesses the likely environmental impacts associated with 
the project, including the environmental consequences of the no-action 
alternative and the proposed action alternative. The proposed action 
alternative is issuance of the ITP and implementation of the HCP as 
submitted by the applicant. The applicant anticipates direct impacts to 
approximately 700 acres of indigo snake and gopher tortoise suitable 
habitat incidental to project construction.

Habitat Conservation Plan

    The minimization and mitigation measures proposed in the HCP 
include an extensive network of wildlife fencing and crossings to 
improve habitat connectivity and minimize wildlife mortality associated 
with the roadway; multiple safety features to support implementation of 
the Florida Forest Service (FFS) Resource Management Plan; various 
avoidance and minimization measures to reduce direct and indirect 
impacts to the covered species; a monetary contribution to the Friends 
of the Florida State Forests, Inc. for land management activities; and 
the purchase of high-quality, regionally significant mitigation parcels 
approved by the FFS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 
Commission (FWC) prior to the completion of the project. Upon 
acquisition, each mitigation parcel would be transferred to the State 
of Florida for management by FFS or FWC. In accordance with FWC 
permitting guidelines, gopher tortoises within the approximately 1,300-
acre proposed project area will be relocated prior to construction 
activities, and therefore are not expected to be subject to take via 
injury, mortality, or harassment during project construction.

Public Comments

    We specifically request information, views, and opinions from the 
public on our proposed Federal action, including but not limited to 
identification of any other aspects of the human environment not 
already identified in the EA pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
at 40 CFR 1506.6. Further, we specifically solicit information 
regarding the adequacy of the HCP per 50 CFR parts 13 and 17.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Covered Area

    Indigo snakes and gopher tortoises historically occurred in 
longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) sandhill habitats found throughout the 
proposed project area. The area encompassed by the HCP and ITP 
application consists of public, private, and applicant-owned lands 
currently occupied by the species or suitable for occupancy by 
restoration as indigo snake and gopher tortoise habitat.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate the ITP application, including the HCP, and any 
comments we receive to determine whether the application meets the 
requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will also conduct an 
intra-Service section 7 consultation to evaluate whether to issue the 
requested section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP. We will use the results of this 
consultation, in combination with the above findings, in our final 
analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ITP. If we determine 
that the requirements are met, we will issue the ITP for the incidental 
take of the eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

    Dated: February 15, 2017.
Mike Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2017-07676 Filed 4-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 72 / Monday, April 17, 2017 / Notices 18155

Management and Budget for review and deficiencies, and capabilities in current ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents:
clearance in accordance with the programs and the ability to provide Documents are available for public
requirements of the Paperwork enhancements consistent with the inspection by appointment during
Reduction Act of 1995. The submission purpose of the program and guidance regular business hours at either of the
will describe the nature of the provided by FEMA. FEMA uses the following locations:
information collection, the categories of information to provide details, • Atlanta Regional Office, Ecological
respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., timelines, and milestones on proposed Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
the time, effort and resources used by projects. 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA
respondents to respond) and cost, and Affected Public: State, Local, 30345.
the actual data collection instruments Territorial, or Tribal Government. • North Florida Ecological Services
FEMA will use. Estimated Number of Respondents: Office, Fish and Wildlife Service, 7915
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
58. Baymeadows Way, Suite 200,
Estimated Total Annual Burden Jacksonville, FL 32256–7517.
or before May 17, 2017.
Hours: 174 hours. Submitting Comments: Submit
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments Estimated Cost: The estimated annual
on the proposed information collection comments by one of the following
cost to respondents for the hour burden methods. Please reference TE97201B–0
to the Office of Information and is $9,008.26. There are no annual costs
Regulatory Affairs, Office of in all comments. For additional
to respondents operations and guidance, please see Public Comments
Management and Budget. Comments maintenance costs for technical
should be addressed to the Desk Officer under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
services. There is no annual start-up or U.S. mail: You may mail comments to
for the Department of Homeland capital costs. The cost to the Federal
Security, Federal Emergency the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Atlanta
Government is $415,206. Regional Office.
Management Agency, and sent via
electronic mail to oira.submission@ Dated: April 5, 2017. Hand-delivery: You may hand-deliver
omb.eop.gov. Tammi Hines, comments to the Atlanta or the
Records Management Program Chief (Acting), Jacksonville Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mission Support, Federal Emergency Email: You may email comments to
Requests for additional information or Management Agency, Department of david_dell@fws.gov. Please include your
copies of the information collection Homeland Security. name and return address in your email
should be made to Director, Records [FR Doc. 2017–07613 Filed 4–14–17; 8:45 am] message. If you do not receive a
Management Division, 500 C Street, BILLING CODE 9111–46–P confirmation from us that we have
SW., Washington, DC 20472–3100, or received your email message, contact us
email address FEMA-Information- directly at either telephone number in
Collections-Management@fema.dhs.gov. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
proposed information collection Fish and Wildlife Service David Dell, Regional HCP Coordinator,
previously published in the Federal (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404–679–
[FWS–R4–ES–2017–N019;
Register on February 2, 2017 at 82 FR FXES11140400000–178–FF04E00000] 7313; or Jay Herrington, Field
9071 with a 60 day public comment Supervisor, at the North Florida
period. FEMA received one request for Threatened Wildlife; Incidental Take Ecological Services Office (see
a copy of the proposed information Permit Application and Environmental ADDRESSES), telephone: 904–731–3191.
collection by the public. The Agency Assessment for Road Construction If you use a telecommunications device
responded to this comment and Activities; Hernando and Citrus for the deaf (TDD), please call the
provided the most up-to-date copy of Counties, FL Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339.
the proposed information collection to
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
the requester. The purpose of this notice
Interior. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
is to notify the public that FEMA will
ACTION: Notice of availability; request amended (Act), we, the U.S. Fish and
submit the information collection
for comments. Wildlife Service, announce the receipt
abstracted below to the Office of
and availability of a proposed habitat
Management and Budget for review and SUMMARY: Under the Endangered conservation plan (HCP), accompanying
clearance. Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), incidental take permit (ITP) application,
Collection of Information we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and environmental assessment (EA)
Title: FEMA Preparedness Grants: announce the receipt and availability of related to an application from Florida’s
Emergency Management Performance a proposed habitat conservation plan Turnpike Enterprise (applicant), a unit
Grant (EMPG). (HCP) and accompanying documents for of the Florida Department of
Type of Information Collection: activities associated with the Transportation (FDOT), for a permit
Extension, without change, of a construction of the Suncoast Parkway 2, associated with construction of the
currently approved information a four-lane limited-access toll facility Suncoast Parkway 2, a limited-access
collection. (project) in Citrus and Hernando toll facility (project) in Hernando and
OMB Number: 1660–0126. Counties, Florida. If issued, the permit Citrus Counties, Florida. We invite the
Form Titles and Numbers: None. would authorize take of the federally public to comment on these documents.
Abstract: The Emergency threatened eastern indigo snake (indigo The applicant’s proposed HCP
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

Management Performance Grants snake) and the Federal candidate gopher describes the mitigation and
(EMPG) Program assists State and local tortoise incidental to project minimization measures proposed to
governments in enhancing and construction. We invite the public to address the impacts resulting from take
sustaining all-hazards emergency comment on these documents. of the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon
management capabilities. The EMPG DATES: To ensure consideration, please courais cooperi) and gopher tortoise
Work Plan narrative must demonstrate send your written comments by May 17, (Gopherus polyphemus), the covered
how proposed projects address gaps, 2017. species, incidental to the project. Per the

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18156 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 72 / Monday, April 17, 2017 / Notices

National Environmental Policy Act (42 adequacy of the HCP per 50 CFR parts DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA), the EA 13 and 17.
analyzes the take of the covered species Fish and Wildlife Service
Before including your address, phone
and the environment. The applicant number, email address, or other [FWS–R3–ES–2017–N030;
requests a 10-year ITP under section FX3ES11130300000–178–FF03E00000]
personal identifying information in your
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, as amended (16
comment, you should be aware that
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
your entire comment—including your
Environmental Assessment and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status
personal identifying information—may
Reviews of Eight Endangered Animal
The EA assesses the likely be made publicly available at any time. Species
environmental impacts associated with While you can ask us in your comment
the project, including the environmental to withhold your personal identifying AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
consequences of the no-action information from public review, we Interior.
alternative and the proposed action cannot guarantee that we will be able to ACTION: Notice of initiation of reviews;
alternative. The proposed action do so. request for information.
alternative is issuance of the ITP and
implementation of the HCP as submitted Covered Area SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
by the applicant. The applicant Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year
Indigo snakes and gopher tortoises status reviews under the Endangered
anticipates direct impacts to
historically occurred in longleaf pine Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act),
approximately 700 acres of indigo snake
(Pinus palustris) sandhill habitats found for eight animal species. A 5-year status
and gopher tortoise suitable habitat
incidental to project construction. throughout the proposed project area. review is based on the best scientific
The area encompassed by the HCP and and commercial data available at the
Habitat Conservation Plan ITP application consists of public, time of the review; therefore, we are
The minimization and mitigation private, and applicant-owned lands requesting submission of any such
measures proposed in the HCP include currently occupied by the species or information that has become available
an extensive network of wildlife fencing suitable for occupancy by restoration as since the last review for the species.
and crossings to improve habitat indigo snake and gopher tortoise DATES: To ensure consideration, please
connectivity and minimize wildlife habitat. send your written information by June
mortality associated with the roadway; 16, 2017. However, we will continue to
multiple safety features to support Next Steps
accept new information about any listed
implementation of the Florida Forest We will evaluate the ITP application, species at any time.
Service (FFS) Resource Management including the HCP, and any comments ADDRESSES: For instructions on how to
Plan; various avoidance and
we receive to determine whether the submit information for each species, see
minimization measures to reduce direct
application meets the requirements of the table in the SUPPLEMENTARY
and indirect impacts to the covered
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will INFORMATION section.
species; a monetary contribution to the
Friends of the Florida State Forests, Inc. also conduct an intra-Service section 7 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
for land management activities; and the consultation to evaluate whether to request information, contact the
purchase of high-quality, regionally issue the requested section 10(a)(1)(B) appropriate person in the table in the
significant mitigation parcels approved ITP. We will use the results of this SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
by the FFS and the Florida Fish and consultation, in combination with the Individuals who are hearing impaired or
Wildlife Conservation Commission above findings, in our final analysis to speech impaired may call the Federal
(FWC) prior to the completion of the determine whether or not to issue the Relay Service at 800–877–8339 for TTY
project. Upon acquisition, each ITP. If we determine that the assistance.
mitigation parcel would be transferred requirements are met, we will issue the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are
to the State of Florida for management ITP for the incidental take of the eastern initiating 5-year status reviews under
by FFS or FWC. In accordance with indigo snake and gopher tortoise. the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
FWC permitting guidelines, gopher amended (Act), for eight animal species
tortoises within the approximately Authority listed as endangered: Iowa Pleistocene
1,300-acre proposed project area will be We provide this notice under section snail (Discus macclintocki), Karner blue
relocated prior to construction 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis),
activities, and therefore are not expected Kirtland’s warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii
and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
to be subject to take via injury, [=Dendroica kirtlandii]), Ozark
mortality, or harassment during project Dated: February 15, 2017. hellbender (Cryptobranchus
construction. Mike Oetker, alleganiensis bishop), rayed bean
Acting Regional Director. (Villosa fabalis), sheepnose
Public Comments (Plethobasus cyphyus), snuffbox
[FR Doc. 2017–07676 Filed 4–14–17; 8:45 am]
We specifically request information, (Epioblasma triquetra), and
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
views, and opinions from the public on spectaclecase (Cumberlandia
our proposed Federal action, including monodonta).
but not limited to identification of any
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES

other aspects of the human environment Why do we conduct 5-year reviews?
not already identified in the EA Under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.),
pursuant to the National Environmental we maintain Lists of Endangered and
Policy Act (NEPA) regulations in the Threatened Wildlife and Plants (which
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40 we collectively refer to as the List) in
CFR 1506.6. Further, we specifically the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at
solicit information regarding the 50 CFR 17.11 (for animals) and 17.12

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Document Created: 2018-08-25 11:27:10
Document Modified: 2018-08-25 11:27:10

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 comments.
Dates		To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by May 17, 2017.
Contact		Mr. David Dell, Regional HCP
FR Citation		82 FR 18155

82 FR 18155 - Threatened Wildlife; Incidental Take Permit Application and Environmental Assessment for Road Construction Activities; Hernando and Citrus Counties, FL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 72 (April 17, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service