83 FR 12020 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Receipt of Two Applications for Incidental Take Permits; Availability of Low-Effect Proposed Habitat Conservation Plans and Associated Documents; Polk County, FL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 53 (March 19, 2018)

Page Range		12020-12022
FR Document		2018-05592

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability for comment of two applications for incidental take permits (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The City of Winter Haven and Savi Investments, LLC each request a separate ITP for take of the federally listed sand skink and blue- tailed mole skink, incidental to construction in Polk County, Florida. We request public comments on each of the applications and accompanying habitat conservation plans (HCPs), as well as on our preliminary determination that both HCPs qualify as low effect under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make these determinations, we used environmental action statements and low-effect screening forms, which are also available for review.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 53 (Monday, March 19, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 53 (Monday, March 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12020-12022]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05592]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2017-N018; FXES11140400000-189-FF04EF2000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Receipt of Two 
Applications for Incidental Take Permits; Availability of Low-Effect 
Proposed Habitat Conservation Plans and Associated Documents; Polk 
County, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment/information.

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

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability for comment of two applications for incidental take 
permits (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act). The City of Winter Haven and Savi Investments, LLC each request 
a separate ITP for take of the federally listed sand skink and blue-
tailed mole skink, incidental to construction in Polk County, Florida. 
We request public comments on each of the applications and accompanying 
habitat conservation plans (HCPs), as well as on our preliminary 
determination that both HCPs qualify as low effect under the National 
Environmental Policy Act. To make these determinations, we used 
environmental action statements and low-effect screening forms, which 
are also available for review.

DATES: We must receive your written comments on the ITP applications 
and HCPs on or before April 18, 2018.

ADDRESSES: 
    Obtaining Documents: You may obtain a copies of the ITP 
applications and HCPs by writing to Ms. Elizabeth Landrum, South 
Florida Ecological Services Office, Attn: Permit number TE59397C-0 (for 
City of Winter Haven) and/or TE60480C-0 (for Savi

[[Page 12021]]

Investments), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1339 20th Street, Vero 
Beach, FL 32960-3559, or by email to verobeach@fws.gov and put Permit 
number TE59397C-0 (for City of Winter Haven) and/or TE60480C-0 (for 
Savi Investments) in the subject line. We also will make the ITP 
applications and HCPs available for public inspection by appointment 
during normal business hours at the South Florida Ecological Services 
Office address.
    Submitting Comments: See Submitting Comments under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Landrum, South Florida 
Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone: 772-469-4304.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), 
announce the availability for comment of two applications for 
incidental take permits (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act). The City of Winter Haven and 
Savi Investments, LLC each request a separate ITP for take of the 
federally listed sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) and the blue-tailed 
mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus), incidental to construction in 
Polk County, Florida. We request public comments on each of the 
applications and accompanying habitat conservation plans (HCPs), as 
well as on our preliminary determination that both HCPs qualify as low 
effect under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make these 
determinations, we used environmental action statements and low-effect 
screening forms, which are also available for review. The Service 
listed the both skink species as threatened in 1987 (November 6, 1987; 
52 FR 42658, effective December 7, 1987).

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA and our implementing regulations in the Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17 prohibit the ``take'' of 
fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. Take of 
listed fish or wildlife is defined under the Act as ``to 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(19)). However, 
under limited circumstances, we issue permits to authorize incidental 
take--i.e., take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the 
carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity.
    Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered and 
threatened species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, respectively. The 
Act's take prohibitions do not apply to federally listed plants on 
private lands unless such take would violate State law. In addition to 
meeting other criteria, the take authorized by an incidental take 
permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, 
wildlife, or plants.

Applicants' Proposed Projects

City of Winter Haven

    The City of Winter Haven, Florida (TE59397C-0) is requesting a 2-
year ITP for take incidental to construction of the Lake Maude 
Community Recreational Complex and associated infrastructure on a 24.7-
acre parcel in Polk County, Florida. The project site is located in 
Section 21, Township 28 South, Range 26 East of the County. The project 
would permanently alter 0.36 acres of the species' feeding, breeding, 
and sheltering habitat. The City of Winter Haven proposes to mitigate 
for impacts to the covered species by purchasing 0.72 mitigation 
credits from a Service-approved conservation bank.

Savi Investments, LLC

    Savi Investments, LLC requests a 10-year ITP for take of the 
covered species incidental to land preparation and construction of 
Madera Park Phase II, a single-family residential development, and 
associated infrastructure on a 5.7-acre parcel in Polk County, Florida. 
Savi Investments, LLC's project site is located in Section 12, Township 
25 South, Range 26 East of the County. The project would permanently 
alter 1.2 acres of the species' feeding, breeding, and sheltering 
habitat. Savi Investments, LLC proposes to purchase 2.4 mitigation 
credits from a Service-approved conservation bank to mitigate for 
impacts to the covered species.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We have made a preliminary determination that both of the 
applicants' projects, including the mitigation measures, will 
individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the 
covered species and the environment, so as to be ``low effect'' and 
qualify for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 43 CFR 46.210. Our 
preliminary determinations that issuance of the ITPs qualifies as low 
effect are based on the following three criteria: (1) Implementation of 
the projects would result in minor or negligible effects on federally 
listed, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; (2) 
Implementation of the projects would result in minor or negligible 
effects on other environmental values or resources; and (3) Impacts of 
the projects, considered together with the impacts of other past, 
present, and reasonably foreseeable similarly situated projects, would 
not result over time in significant cumulative effects to environmental 
values or resources. These preliminary determinations may be revised 
based on our review of the public comments submitted in response to 
this notice.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate each HCP and comments submitted to determine 
whether each application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the 
Act. We will also conduct an intra-Service consultation on each 
application to evaluate take of the covered species in accordance with 
section 7 of the Act. We will use the results of each consultation, in 
combination with the above findings, in our analyses of whether or not 
to issue the ITPs. If it is determined that the requirements of the Act 
are met as to either or both applications, the associated ITP will be 
issued.

Submitting Comments

    If you wish to comment on the ITP applications or HCPs, you may 
submit comments by any one of the following methods. Make sure to put 
the appropriate permit number in your email subject line or in your fax 
(i.e., City of Winter Haven/TE59397C-0 and/or Savi Investments/
TE60480C-0).
    Email: verobeach@fws.gov.
    Fax: Elizabeth Landrum, 772-562-4288.
    U.S. mail: See ADDRESSES.
    In-person drop-off: You may drop off comments or request 
information during regular business hours at the address in ADDRESSES.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comments, 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 comments that your personal identifying information be 
withheld from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able 
to do so.

Authority

    We provide this notice under Section 10 of the Endangered Species 
Act (16

[[Page 12022]]

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

Roxanna Hinzman,
Field Supervisor, South Florida Ecological Services Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-05592 Filed 3-15-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 53 / Monday, March 19, 2018 / Notices 12021

Investments), U.S. Fish and Wildlife respectively. The Act’s take prohibitions negligible effects on other
Service, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, do not apply to federally listed plants environmental values or resources; and
FL 32960–3559, or by email to on private lands unless such take would (3) Impacts of the projects, considered
verobeach@fws.gov and put Permit violate State law. In addition to meeting together with the impacts of other past,
number TE59397C–0 (for City of Winter other criteria, the take authorized by an present, and reasonably foreseeable
Haven) and/or TE60480C–0 (for Savi incidental take permit must not similarly situated projects, would not
Investments) in the subject line. We also jeopardize the existence of federally result over time in significant
will make the ITP applications and listed fish, wildlife, or plants. cumulative effects to environmental
HCPs available for public inspection by values or resources. These preliminary
Applicants’ Proposed Projects
appointment during normal business determinations may be revised based on
hours at the South Florida Ecological City of Winter Haven our review of the public comments
Services Office address. The City of Winter Haven, Florida submitted in response to this notice.
Submitting Comments: See (TE59397C–0) is requesting a 2-year ITP Next Steps
Submitting Comments under for take incidental to construction of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We will evaluate each HCP and
Lake Maude Community Recreational
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Complex and associated infrastructure comments submitted to determine
Elizabeth Landrum, South Florida on a 24.7-acre parcel in Polk County, whether each application meets the
Ecological Services Office (see Florida. The project site is located in requirements of section 10(a) of the Act.
ADDRESSES); telephone: 772–469–4304. Section 21, Township 28 South, Range We will also conduct an intra-Service
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the 26 East of the County. The project consultation on each application to
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), would permanently alter 0.36 acres of evaluate take of the covered species in
announce the availability for comment the species’ feeding, breeding, and accordance with section 7 of the Act.
of two applications for incidental take sheltering habitat. The City of Winter We will use the results of each
permits (ITP) under the Endangered Haven proposes to mitigate for impacts consultation, in combination with the
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 to the covered species by purchasing above findings, in our analyses of
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act). The City of 0.72 mitigation credits from a Service- whether or not to issue the ITPs. If it is
Winter Haven and Savi Investments, approved conservation bank. determined that the requirements of the
LLC each request a separate ITP for take Act are met as to either or both
of the federally listed sand skink Savi Investments, LLC applications, the associated ITP will be
(Neoseps reynoldsi) and the blue-tailed Savi Investments, LLC requests a 10- issued.
mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus), year ITP for take of the covered species Submitting Comments
incidental to construction in Polk incidental to land preparation and
County, Florida. We request public construction of Madera Park Phase II, a If you wish to comment on the ITP
comments on each of the applications single-family residential development, applications or HCPs, you may submit
and accompanying habitat conservation and associated infrastructure on a 5.7- comments by any one of the following
plans (HCPs), as well as on our acre parcel in Polk County, Florida. Savi methods. Make sure to put the
preliminary determination that both Investments, LLC’s project site is appropriate permit number in your
HCPs qualify as low effect under the located in Section 12, Township 25 email subject line or in your fax (i.e.,
National Environmental Policy Act. To South, Range 26 East of the County. The City of Winter Haven/TE59397C–0 and/
make these determinations, we used project would permanently alter 1.2 or Savi Investments/TE60480C–0).
environmental action statements and acres of the species’ feeding, breeding,
Email: verobeach@fws.gov.
low-effect screening forms, which are and sheltering habitat. Savi Investments,
also available for review. The Service LLC proposes to purchase 2.4 mitigation Fax: Elizabeth Landrum, 772–562–
listed the both skink species as credits from a Service-approved 4288.
threatened in 1987 (November 6, 1987; conservation bank to mitigate for U.S. mail: See ADDRESSES.
52 FR 42658, effective December 7, impacts to the covered species. In-person drop-off: You may drop off
1987). comments or request information during
Our Preliminary Determination
Background regular business hours at the address in
We have made a preliminary
ADDRESSES.
Section 9 of the ESA and our determination that both of the
implementing regulations in the Code of applicants’ projects, including the Public Availability of Comments
Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR mitigation measures, will individually
part 17 prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of fish or and cumulatively have a minor or Before including your address, phone
wildlife species listed as endangered or negligible effect on the covered species number, email address, or other
threatened. Take of listed fish or and the environment, so as to be ‘‘low personal identifying information in your
wildlife is defined under the Act as ‘‘to effect’’ and qualify for categorical comments, you should be aware that
harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, exclusion under the National your entire comment—including your
wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as personal identifying information—may
to attempt to engage in any such provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 43 CFR be made publicly available at any time.
conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532(19)). 46.210. Our preliminary determinations While you can request in your
However, under limited circumstances, that issuance of the ITPs qualifies as low comments that your personal
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

we issue permits to authorize incidental effect are based on the following three identifying information be withheld
take—i.e., take that is incidental to, and criteria: (1) Implementation of the from public review, we cannot
not the purpose of, the carrying out of projects would result in minor or guarantee that we will be able to do so.
an otherwise lawful activity. negligible effects on federally listed, Authority
Regulations governing incidental take proposed, and candidate species and
permits for endangered and threatened their habitats; (2) Implementation of the We provide this notice under Section
species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, projects would result in minor or 10 of the Endangered Species Act (16

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12022 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 53 / Monday, March 19, 2018 / Notices

U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA Salt Lake Meridian, Utah Information concerning the lease/
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). T. 42 S., R. 16 W., conveyance, including planning and
Sec. 17, lots 10 and 11; environmental documents are available
Roxanna Hinzman,
Sec. 20, lots 4 and 5. for review during business hours, 7:30
Field Supervisor, South Florida Ecological
The area described aggregate 52.15 acres. a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mountain Time,
Services Office.
[FR Doc. 2018–05592 Filed 3–15–18; 4:15 pm] This classification is in conformance Monday through Friday, at the BLM, St.
with the St. George Resource George Field Office, except during
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
Management Plan (RMP), approved in Federal holidays, or online at https://
March 1999. The parcel is identified for go.usa.gov/xRpD7.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR disposal in the RMP Record of Decision Classification Comments: Interested
(decision LD–06), and is not needed for parties may submit comments involving
Bureau of Land Management any other Federal purpose. Lease or the suitability of the land for the
conveyance is consistent with the proposed facilities. Comments on
[17XL1109AF LLUTC03000. BLM’s planning for the area and is in
L14400000FR0000; UTU–92050] classification are restricted to whether
the public’s interest. The BLM analyzed
the land is physically suited for the
the parcel in a site-specific
Notice of Realty Action: Recreation proposal, whether the use will
Environmental Assessment numbered
and Public Purposes Act maximize the future use (or uses) of the
DOI–BLM–UT–C030–2017–0002. A
Classification; Washington County, UT land, whether the use is consistent with
conveyance would be subject to the
provisions of the R&PP Act, applicable local planning and zoning, or if the use
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management,
Interior. regulations of the Secretary of the is consistent with Federal and State
Interior, and the following reservations programs. Application comments:
ACTION: Notice of Realty Action.
to the United States, terms and Interested parties may submit comments
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land conditions: regarding the specific use proposed in
Management (BLM) has examined and 1. A right-of-way reservation for the application and plan of
found suitable for classification for lease ditches or canals constructed by development and management, and
or conveyance to the City of Santa Clara, authority of the United States under the whether the BLM followed proper
Utah, under the provisions of the Act of August 30, 1890 (43 U.S.C. 945). administrative procedures in reaching
Recreation and Public Purposes (R&PP) 2. The conveyance will be subject to the decision to lease and convey under
Act, as amended, 52.15 acres of public all valid existing rights of record. the R&PP Act.
land located in Washington County, 3. All minerals are reserved to the Before including your address, phone
Utah. The City of Santa Clara proposes United States, together with the right to
number, email address, or other
to develop the land for a park. prospect for, mine, and remove the
personal identifying information in any
DATES: Written comments regarding this minerals, under applicable laws, and
regulations established by the Secretary comment, be aware that your entire
proposed classification for lease or comment including any personal
conveyance must be postmarked or of the Interior.
4. An indemnification clause identifying information may be made
received no later than May 3, 2018. publicly available at any time. Requests
Comments may be mailed, hand protecting the United States from claims
arising out of the patentee’s use, to withhold personal identifying
delivered, or faxed. The BLM will not information from public review can be
consider comments received via occupancy, or operation on the land.
5. A limited reversionary provision submitted, but the BLM cannot
telephone calls or email. Absent any
stating that the title shall revert to the guarantee that it will be able to do so.
adverse comments, this classification
will become effective May 18, 2018. United States upon a finding, after Any adverse comments will be
notice and opportunity for a hearing, reviewed by the BLM State Director or
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
that the patentee has not substantially other authorized official of the
via mail or hand delivery to the BLM, developed the lands in accordance with
St. George Field Office, Field Manager, Department of the Interior, who may
the approved plan of development on or sustain, vacate, or modify this realty
345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, UT before the date five years after the date
84790. Fax comments to 435–688–3252. action. In the absence of any adverse
of conveyance. No portion of the land comments, the classification of the land
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: shall under any circumstance revert to
Realty Specialist Teresa Burke by email, described in this Notice will become
the United States if any such portion
tsburke@blm.gov, or by telephone, 435– effective May 18, 2018.
has been used for solid waste disposal,
688–3326. Persons who use a or for any other purpose, which may The land will not be available for
telecommunications device for the deaf result in the disposal, placement, or lease or conveyance until after the
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) release of any hazardous substance. decision becomes effective.
at 1–800–877–8339 to leave a message 6. Any other reservations that the Authority: 43 CFR 2741.5
or question for the above individual. authorized officer determines
The FRS is available 24 hours a day, appropriate to ensure public access and Edwin L. Roberson,
seven days a week. You will receive a proper management of Federal lands State Director.
reply during normal business hours. and interests therein. [FR Doc. 2018–05544 Filed 3–16–18; 8:45 am]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The On publication of this Notice, the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P
following described public land in above described land will be segregated
Washington County, Utah, was from all other forms of appropriation
examined and found suitable for under the public land laws, including
classification for lease or conveyance for the general mining laws, except for
a park under the provisions of the R&PP lease, or conveyance under the R&PP
Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.), Act and leasing under the mineral
and 43 CFR 2740: leasing laws.

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Document Created: 2018-03-17 04:24:58
Document Modified: 2018-03-17 04:24:58

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 comment/information.
Dates		We must receive your written comments on the ITP applications and HCPs on or before April 18, 2018.
Contact		Ms. Elizabeth Landrum, South Florida
FR Citation		83 FR 12020

83 FR 12020 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Receipt of Two Applications for Incidental Take Permits; Availability of Low-Effect Proposed Habitat Conservation Plans and Associated Documents; Polk County, FL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 53 (March 19, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service