82 FR 47571 - Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit; Draft Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the California Tiger Salamander; La Purisima Golf Course Solar Array Project, Santa Barbara County, California
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 196 (October 12, 2017)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 196 (October 12, 2017)
| Page Range | 47571-47572 | |
| FR Document | 2017-22092 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 47571-47572] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-22092] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R8-ES-2017-N121; FXES11130800000-178-FF08EVEN00] Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit; Draft Low- Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the California Tiger Salamander; La Purisima Golf Course Solar Array Project, Santa Barbara County, California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Protek Investments, LLC for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit would authorize take of the federally endangered California tiger salamander (Santa Barbara distinct population segment), incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the La Purisima Golf Course Solar Array Project draft low-effect habitat conservation plan. We invite public comment. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before November 13, 2017. ADDRESSES: To obtain documents: You may download a copy of the draft habitat conservation plan and draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement at http://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies of the documents by sending U.S. mail to our Ventura office, or by phone (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). To submit written comments: Please send us your written comments using one of the following methods:U.S. mail: Send your comments to: Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. Facsimile: Fax your comments to 805-644-3958. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Henry, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, 805-677-3312 (phone), or at the Ventura address in ADDRESSES. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from Protek Investments, LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; ESA). The applicant has agreed to follow all of the conditions in the draft habitat conservation plan for the project. The permit would authorize take of the Santa Barbara distinct population segment of the federally endangered California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the draft La Purisima Golf Course Solar Array Project Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). We invite public comment on the application, the draft HCP, draft low-effect screening form, and environmental action statement. Background The Santa Barbara distinct population segment (DPS) of the California tiger salamander was listed by the Service as endangered on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 57242). Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the ``take'' of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. ``Take'' is defined under the ESA to include the following activities: ``[T]o harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 1532); however, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. ``Incidental take'' is defined by the ESA as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Under the [[Page 47572]] ESA, protections for federally listed plants differ from the protections afforded to federally listed animals. Issuance of an incidental take permit also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species. All species included in the incidental take permit would receive assurances under our ``No Surprises'' regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5)). Applicant's Proposed Activities The applicant has applied for a permit for incidental take of the California tiger salamander. The potential take will occur in association with activities necessary for the implementation of the installation of a 3 acre solar array project. The site includes suitable upland habitat for the California tiger salamander. The HCP includes avoidance and minimization measures for the covered species. As mitigation for unavoidable loss of occupied upland habitat the applicant is supporting recovery goals for the California tiger salamander by facilitating and funding survey work to detect the presence of invasive barred tiger salamanders in the area. Our Preliminary Determination The Service has made a preliminary determination that issuance of the incidental take permit is neither a major Federal action that will significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA), nor will it individually or cumulatively have more than a negligible effect on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the permit qualifies for a categorical exclusion under NEPA. Public Comments If you wish to comment on the permit application, draft HCP, and associated documents, you may submit comments by one of the methods in ADDRESSES. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: October 4, 2017. Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2017-22092 Filed 10-11-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Notices 47571
Canada, for the purpose of enhancing of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We effect screening form and environmental
the propagation or survival of the will not consider comments sent by action statement at http://www.fws.gov/
species. This notification covers a single email or fax or to an address not listed ventura/, or you may request copies of
export conducted by the applicant. in ADDRESSES. the documents by sending U.S. mail to
Applicant: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & If you submit a comment via our Ventura office, or by phone (see FOR
Aquarium, Omaha, NE; PRT–15139C regulations.gov, your entire comment, FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
The applicant requests a permit to including any personal identifying To submit written comments: Please
import biological samples collected information, will be posted on the Web send us your written comments using
from live, wild animals of the various site. If you submit a hardcopy comment one of the following methods:
genera: Allocebus, Avahi, Cheirogaleus, that includes personal identifying • U.S. mail: Send your comments to:
Daubentonia, Eulemur, Hapalemur, information, you may request at the top Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor,
Indri, Lemur, Lepilemur, Microcebus, of your document that we withhold this Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S.
Mirza, Phaner, Prolemur, Propithecus, information from public review. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola
and Varecia, for the purposes of However, we cannot guarantee that we Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003.
scientific research. This notification will be able to do so. • Facsimile: Fax your comments to
covers activities to be conducted by the We will post all hardcopy comments 805–644–3958.
applicant over a 5-year period. on regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Applicant: Jack Phillips, Gladewater, VI. Authority Rachel Henry, Fish and Wildlife
TX; PRT–67438A Biologist, 805–677–3312 (phone), or at
The authority for this action is the the Ventura address in ADDRESSES.
The applicant requests a renewal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
permit to cull red lechwe (Kobus leche) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
for the purpose of enhancing the received an application from Protek
propagation and survival of the species. Joyce Russell, Investments, LLC (applicant) for an
This notification covers activities to be Government Information Specialist, Branch incidental take permit under the
conducted by the applicant over a 5- of Permits, Division of Management Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
year period. Authority. amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; ESA).
[FR Doc. 2017–21977 Filed 10–11–17; 8:45 am] The applicant has agreed to follow all of
Museum Applicant BILLING CODE 4333–15–P the conditions in the draft habitat
Applicant: American Museum of conservation plan for the project. The
Natural History, New York, NY; PRT– permit would authorize take of the
761887 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Santa Barbara distinct population
The applicant requests a renewal segment of the federally endangered
Fish and Wildlife Service California tiger salamander (Ambystoma
permit to export and reimport nonliving
museum specimens of endangered and [FWS–R8–ES–2017–N121; californiense) incidental to otherwise
threatened species previously FXES11130800000–178–FF08EVEN00] lawful activities associated with the
accessioned into the applicant’s draft La Purisima Golf Course Solar
collection for scientific research. This Receipt of Application for Incidental Array Project Habitat Conservation Plan
notification covers activities to be Take Permit; Draft Low-Effect Habitat (HCP). We invite public comment on the
conducted by the applicant over a 5- Conservation Plan for the California application, the draft HCP, draft low-
year period. Tiger Salamander; La Purisima Golf effect screening form, and
Course Solar Array Project, Santa environmental action statement.
Trophy Applicant Barbara County, California
Background
Applicant: David A. Gitilitz, Aspen, CO; AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
PRT–40731C The Santa Barbara distinct population
Interior. segment (DPS) of the California tiger
The applicant requests a permit to ACTION: Notice of availability; request
import a sport-hunted trophy of a male salamander was listed by the Service as
for comments. endangered on September 21, 2000 (65
bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus
pygargus) culled from a captive herd SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and FR 57242). Section 9 of the ESA and its
maintained under the management Wildlife Service (Service), have received implementing regulations prohibit the
program of the Republic of South Africa, an application from Protek Investments, ‘‘take’’ of fish or wildlife species listed
for the purpose of enhancing the LLC for an incidental take permit under as endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is
propagation or survival of the species. the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as defined under the ESA to include the
This notification covers a single import amended. The permit would authorize following activities: ‘‘[T]o harass, harm,
conducted by the applicant. take of the federally endangered pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap,
California tiger salamander (Santa capture, or collect, or to attempt to
IV. Next Steps engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C.
Barbara distinct population segment),
If the Service decides to issue permits incidental to otherwise lawful activities 1532); however, under section
to any of the applicants listed in this associated with the La Purisima Golf 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, we may issue
notice, we will publish a notice in the Course Solar Array Project draft low- permits to authorize incidental take of
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register. You may locate the effect habitat conservation plan. We listed species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is
Federal Register notice announcing the invite public comment. defined by the ESA as take that is
permit issuance date by searching incidental to, and not the purpose of,
DATES: Written comments should be
regulations.gov under the permit carrying out of an otherwise lawful
received on or before November 13, activity. Regulations governing
number listed in this document.
2017. incidental take permits for threatened
V. Public Comments ADDRESSES: To obtain documents: You and endangered species are in the Code
You may submit your comments and may download a copy of the draft of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR
materials concerning this notice by one habitat conservation plan and draft low- 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Under the
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![47572 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Notices
ESA, protections for federally listed Authority FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
plants differ from the protections We provide this notice under section Rachel Henry, Fish and Wildlife
afforded to federally listed animals. 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) Biologist, 805–677–3312 (phone), or at
Issuance of an incidental take permit and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). the Ventura address in ADDRESSES.
also must not jeopardize the existence of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have
federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant Dated: October 4, 2017. received an application from John
species. All species included in the Stephen P. Henry, Scardino of Highlands at Double R, LLC
incidental take permit would receive Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife (applicant) for an incidental take permit
assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’ Office, Ventura, California. under the Endangered Species Act of
regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and [FR Doc. 2017–22092 Filed 10–11–17; 8:45 am] 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
17.32(b)(5)). BILLING CODE 4333–15–P seq.; ESA). The applicant has agreed to
follow all of the conditions in the draft
Applicant’s Proposed Activities habitat conservation plan for the project.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The permit would authorize take of the
The applicant has applied for a permit
for incidental take of the California tiger Santa Barbara distinct population
Fish and Wildlife Service segment of the federally endangered
salamander. The potential take will
occur in association with activities [FWS–R8–ES–2017–N134; California tiger salamander (Ambystoma
necessary for the implementation of the FXES11130800000–178–FF08EVEN00] californiense) incidental to otherwise
installation of a 3 acre solar array lawful activities associated with the
project. The site includes suitable Receipt of Application for Incidental draft Rice Ranch Development Habitat
upland habitat for the California tiger Take Permit; Draft Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). We invite
salamander. The HCP includes Conservation Plan for the California public comment on the application, the
avoidance and minimization measures Tiger Salamander; Rice Ranch draft HCP, draft low-effect screening
for the covered species. As mitigation Development Project, Santa Barbara form, and environmental action
for unavoidable loss of occupied upland County, California statement.
habitat the applicant is supporting AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Background
recovery goals for the California tiger Interior. The Santa Barbara distinct population
salamander by facilitating and funding segment (DPS) of the California tiger
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
survey work to detect the presence of salamander was listed by the Service as
invasive barred tiger salamanders in the for comments.
endangered on September 21, 2000 (65
area. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and FR 57242). Section 9 of the ESA and its
Our Preliminary Determination Wildlife Service (Service), have received implementing regulations prohibit the
an application from John Scardino of ‘‘take’’ of fish or wildlife species listed
The Service has made a preliminary Highlands at Double R, LLC for an as endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is
determination that issuance of the incidental take permit under the defined under the ESA to include the
incidental take permit is neither a major Endangered Species Act of 1973, as following activities: ‘‘[T]o harass, harm,
Federal action that will significantly amended. The permit would authorize pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap,
affect the quality of the human take of the federally endangered capture, or collect, or to attempt to
environment within the meaning of California tiger salamander (Santa engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C.
section 102(2)(C) of the National Barbara distinct population segment), 1532); however, under section
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. incidental to otherwise lawful activities 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, we may issue
4321 et seq.; NEPA), nor will it associated with the Rice Ranch permits to authorize incidental take of
individually or cumulatively have more Development Project draft low-effect listed species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is
than a negligible effect on the species habitat conservation plan. We invite defined by the ESA as take that is
covered in the HCP. Therefore, the public comment. incidental to, and not the purpose of,
permit qualifies for a categorical DATES: Written comments should be carrying out of an otherwise lawful
exclusion under NEPA. received on or before November 13, activity. Regulations governing
2017. incidental take permits for threatened
Public Comments and endangered species are in the Code
ADDRESSES: To obtain documents: You of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR
If you wish to comment on the permit may download a copy of the draft
application, draft HCP, and associated 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Under the
habitat conservation plan and draft low- ESA, protections for federally listed
documents, you may submit comments effect screening form and environmental plants differ from the protections
by one of the methods in ADDRESSES. action statement at http://www.fws.gov/ afforded to federally listed animals.
Public Availability of Comments ventura/, or you may request copies of Issuance of an incidental take permit
the documents by sending U.S. mail to also must not jeopardize the existence of
Before including your address, phone our Ventura office, or by phone (see FOR federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant
number, email address, or other FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). species. The permittee would receive
personal identifying information in your To submit written comments: Please assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
comment, you should be aware that send us your written comments using regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and
your entire comment, including your one of the following methods: 17.32(b)(5)) regarding conservation
personal identifying information, may • U.S. mail: Send your comments to: activities for the California tiger
be made publicly available at any time. Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, salamander.
While you can ask us in your comment Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S.
to withhold your personal identifying Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Applicant’s Proposed Activities
information from public view, we Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. The applicant has applied for a permit
cannot guarantee that we will be able to • Facsimile: Fax your comments to for incidental take of the California tiger
do so. 805–644–3958. salamander. The potential take will
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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:04:49
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:04:49
| 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 | Written comments should be received on or before November 13, 2017. | |
| Contact | Rachel Henry, Fish and Wildlife | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 47571 |
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