83_FR_14732 83 FR 14666 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL

83 FR 14666 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 66 (April 5, 2018)

Page Range14666-14667
FR Document2018-06940

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc., is requesting a 5-year ITP for take of the sand skink, which is federally listed as a threatened species. We request public comments on the permit application and accompanying proposed habitat conservation plan as well as on our preliminary determination that the plan qualifies as low effect under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, which are also available for review.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14666-14667]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06940]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2017-N176; FXES11130400000EA-123-FF04EF1000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Availability of Proposed Low-
Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
received an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Meritage Homes of Florida, 
Inc., is requesting a 5-year ITP for take of the sand skink, which is 
federally listed as a threatened species. We request public comments on 
the permit application and accompanying proposed habitat conservation 
plan as well as on our preliminary determination that the plan 
qualifies as low effect under the National Environmental Policy Act. To 
make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and 
low-effect screening form, which are also available for review.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
May 7, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments and request copies of the 
application, habitat conservation plan, environmental action statement, 
or low-effect screening form by any one of the following methods:
    Email: [email protected]. Use ``Attn: Permit number TE59063C-0'' 
as your subject line.
    Fax: Field Supervisor, (904) 731-3191, ``Attn: Permit number 
TE59063C-0.''
    U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Ecological Services Field 
Office, Attn: Permit number TE59063C-0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
    In-person: You may deliver comments during regular business hours 
at the office address listed above under U.S. Mail. You may inspect the 
application, habitat conservation plan, environmental action statement, 
or low-effect screening form by appointment during normal business 
hours at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731-
3121; email: [email protected].

[[Page 14667]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 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 ESA 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 wildlife species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, 
respectively. 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.

Applicant's Proposal

    Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. (the Applicant), is requesting an 
incidental take permit (ITP) to take sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) 
through the permanent destruction of approximately 3.6 acres (ac) of 
occupied foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to construction of 
a residential development in Orange County, Florida. Included with the 
permit application is a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP). The 
126.94-ac HCP project site is located on parcel number 05-23-27-0000-
00-002, within sections 5 and 6, Townships 23 South, Range 27 East in 
Orange County. The project activities also include the clearing, 
infrastructure building, and landscaping associated with residential 
construction. The sand skink will likely be subjected to take in the 
forms of injury, mortality, and/or loss of habitat. The Applicant 
proposes to mitigate for take of the species by purchasing 7.2 
mitigation credits within the Sebring Scrub Conservation Bank or 
another Service-approved sand skink conservation bank.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We have determined that the Applicant's proposed plan, including 
the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or 
negligible effects 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; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as 
provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A low-effect HCP is one involving 
(1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate 
species and their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on 
other environmental values or resources.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate the HCP and comments we receive to determine 
whether the ITP application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of 
the ESA. We will also conduct an intra-Service consultation to evaluate 
take of the sand skink in accordance with section 7 of the ESA. We will 
use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above 
findings, in our analysis of whether or not to issue the ITP. If the 
requirements are met, we will issue ITP number TE59063C-0 to the 
Applicant.

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the permit application, HCP, or 
associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods 
listed above 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 review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10 of the ESA and NEPA 
regulation 40 CFR 1506.6.

Jay B. Herrington,
Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2018-06940 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

14666 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 66 / Thursday, April 5, 2018 / Notices Column Column Column Column DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PHA PHA A rate B rate A rate B rate Fish and Wildlife Service VA030 ....................... 54.52 50.89 WI091 ....................... 53.48 49.91 VA031 ....................... 60.17 56.16 WI096 ....................... 53.48 49.91 [FWS–R4–ES–2017–N176; VA032 ....................... 60.17 56.16 FXES11130400000EA–123–FF04EF1000] WI127 ....................... 53.48 49.91 VA034 ....................... 54.52 50.89 WI131 ....................... 53.48 49.91 VA035 ....................... 111.97 104.51 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; WI142 ....................... 64.11 59.85 VA036 ....................... 77.03 71.89 Availability of Proposed Low-Effect WI160 ....................... 53.48 49.91 VA037 ....................... 54.66 51.00 Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand VA038 ....................... 54.52 50.89 WI166 ....................... 53.48 49.91 Skink, Orange County, FL VA039 ....................... 75.94 70.88 WI183 ....................... 58.57 54.66 VA040 ....................... 54.52 50.89 WI186 ....................... 53.74 50.15 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, VA041 ....................... 75.94 70.88 WI193 ....................... 53.48 49.91 Interior. VA042 ....................... 60.17 56.16 WI195 ....................... 66.30 61.87 ACTION: Notice of availability; request VA044 ....................... 55.71 51.99 WI201 ....................... 64.11 59.85 VA046 ....................... 111.97 104.51 for comments. WI203 ....................... 59.49 55.53 VA901 ....................... 68.89 64.29 WI204 ....................... 54.36 50.73 SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and VQ901 ....................... 97.78 91.26 WI205 ....................... 53.48 49.91 VT001 ....................... 92.70 86.52 Wildlife Service (Service), have received WI206 ....................... 53.48 49.91 an application for an incidental take VT002 ....................... 80.03 74.69 VT003 ....................... 82.78 77.26 WI208 ....................... 53.48 49.91 permit (ITP) under the Endangered VT004 ....................... 81.95 76.49 WI213 ....................... 53.98 50.39 Species Act of 1973, as amended. VT005 ....................... 76.73 71.61 WI214 ....................... 71.36 66.61 Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc., is VT006 ....................... 92.70 86.52 WI218 ....................... 64.11 59.85 requesting a 5-year ITP for take of the VT008 ....................... 76.73 71.61 WI219 ....................... 59.49 55.53 sand skink, which is federally listed as VT009 ....................... 77.55 72.38 WI221 ....................... 53.48 49.91 a threatened species. We request public VT901 ....................... 92.70 86.52 WI222 ....................... 53.48 49.91 WA001 ...................... 97.82 91.28 comments on the permit application WI230 ....................... 53.48 49.91 and accompanying proposed habitat WA002 ...................... 97.82 91.28 WI231 ....................... 53.48 49.91 WA003 ...................... 86.40 80.64 conservation plan as well as on our WI233 ....................... 53.48 49.91 preliminary determination that the plan WA004 ...................... 81.48 76.04 WA005 ...................... 83.06 77.54 WI237 ....................... 54.48 50.85 qualifies as low effect under the WA006 ...................... 97.82 91.28 WI241 ....................... 53.48 49.91 National Environmental Policy Act. To WA007 ...................... 66.60 62.16 WI242 ....................... 53.48 49.91 make this determination, we used our WA008 ...................... 80.90 75.49 WI244 ....................... 58.71 54.79 environmental action statement and WA011 ...................... 97.82 91.28 WI245 ....................... 53.48 49.91 WA012 ...................... 75.46 70.42 low-effect screening form, which are WI246 ....................... 54.23 50.60 WA013 ...................... 75.61 70.56 also available for review. WI248 ....................... 53.48 49.91 WA014 ...................... 62.83 58.64 WI256 ....................... 53.48 49.91 DATES: To ensure consideration, please WA017 ...................... 64.88 60.56 WI901 ....................... 53.48 49.91 send your written comments by May 7, WA018 ...................... 81.48 76.04 2018. WV001 ...................... 72.30 67.48 WA020 ...................... 66.60 62.16 WA021 ...................... 75.46 70.42 WV003 ...................... 57.33 53.51 ADDRESSES: You may submit written WA024 ...................... 95.73 89.33 WV004 ...................... 59.61 55.63 comments and request copies of the WA025 ...................... 92.86 86.66 WV005 ...................... 57.22 53.40 application, habitat conservation plan, WA036 ...................... 86.40 80.64 WV006 ...................... 60.26 56.24 environmental action statement, or low- WA039 ...................... 97.82 91.28 WV009 ...................... 60.90 56.84 effect screening form by any one of the WA042 ...................... 78.46 73.22 WV010 ...................... 62.12 57.98 following methods: WA049 ...................... 89.26 83.30 WV015 ...................... 57.22 53.40 Email: northflorida@fws.gov. Use WA054 ...................... 83.06 77.54 WV016 ...................... 60.56 56.52 ‘‘Attn: Permit number TE59063C–0’’ as WA055 ...................... 75.14 70.14 WV017 ...................... 57.22 53.40 your subject line. WA057 ...................... 81.58 76.14 WV018 ...................... 57.22 53.40 WA061 ...................... 84.90 79.24 Fax: Field Supervisor, (904) 731– WV027 ...................... 58.41 54.52 3191, ‘‘Attn: Permit number WA064 ...................... 77.26 72.10 WA071 ...................... 68.86 64.26 WV034 ...................... 57.22 53.40 TE59063C–0.’’ WI001 ....................... 65.04 60.71 WV035 ...................... 58.41 54.52 U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, WI002 ....................... 64.11 59.85 WV037 ...................... 59.61 55.63 Jacksonville Ecological Services Field WI003 ....................... 71.36 66.61 WV039 ...................... 57.22 53.40 Office, Attn: Permit number WI006 ....................... 61.34 57.25 WV042 ...................... 57.22 53.40 TE59063C–0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife WI011 ....................... 54.36 50.73 WV045 ...................... 57.22 53.40 Service, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite WI019 ....................... 53.48 49.91 WV046 ...................... 57.22 53.40 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256. WI020 ....................... 87.93 82.07 WY002 ...................... 83.29 77.75 WI031 ....................... 53.48 49.91 In-person: You may deliver comments WY003 ...................... 68.07 63.53 during regular business hours at the WI043 ....................... 53.98 50.39 WY004 ...................... 100.36 93.68 WI045 ....................... 53.48 49.91 office address listed above under U.S. WY013 ...................... 68.07 63.53 WI047 ....................... 53.48 49.91 Mail. You may inspect the application, WI048 ....................... 53.48 49.91 [FR Doc. 2018–06984 Filed 4–4–18; 8:45 am] habitat conservation plan, WI060 ....................... 87.93 82.07 amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES environmental action statement, or low- WI064 ....................... 59.49 55.53 BILLING CODE 4210–67–P effect screening form by appointment WI065 ....................... 53.98 50.39 during normal business hours at the WI068 ....................... 54.36 50.73 same address. WI069 ....................... 54.36 50.73 WI070 ....................... 53.48 49.91 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin WI083 ....................... 64.11 59.85 M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731–3121; WI085 ....................... 53.48 49.91 email: erin_gawera@fws.gov. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Apr 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05APN1.SGM 05APN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 66 / Thursday, April 5, 2018 / Notices 14667 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as provided by 43 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Background CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A low-effect HCP is one involving (1) minor or Fish and Wildlife Service Section 9 of the Endangered Species negligible effects on federally listed or [FWS–R8–R–2017–N124; Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 candidate species and their habitats, FXRS282108E8PD0–178–F2013227943] U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and our and (2) minor or negligible effects on implementing regulations in the Code of South Bay Salt Pond Restoration other environmental values or Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR Project, Phase 2, Eden Landing resources. part 17 prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of fish or Ecological Reserve; Draft wildlife species listed as endangered or Next Steps Environmental Impact Statement/ threatened. Take of listed fish or Environmental Impact Report wildlife is defined under the ESA as ‘‘to We will evaluate the HCP and harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, comments we receive to determine AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or whether the ITP application meets the Interior. to attempt to engage in any such requirements of section 10(a) of the ACTION: Notice of availability; request conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532(19)). ESA. We will also conduct an intra- for public comments; announcement of However, under limited circumstances, Service consultation to evaluate take of meeting. we issue permits to authorize incidental the sand skink in accordance with take—i.e., take that is incidental to, and SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and section 7 of the ESA. We will use the not the purpose of, the carrying out of Wildlife Service, in coordination with results of this consultation, in an otherwise lawful activity. the California Department of Fish and combination with the above findings, in Regulations governing incidental take Wildlife and the California State Coastal our analysis of whether or not to issue Conservancy, announce the availability permits for endangered and threatened the ITP. If the requirements are met, we wildlife species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and of a Draft Environmental Impact will issue ITP number TE59063C–0 to Statement/Environmental Impact Report 17.32, respectively. In addition to the Applicant. (DEIS/EIR) for Phase 2 of the South Bay meeting other criteria, the take authorized by an incidental take permit Public Comments Salt Pond Restoration Project at the must not jeopardize the existence of Eden Landing Ecological Reserve in federally listed fish, wildlife, or plants. If you wish to comment on the permit Alameda County, California. The DEIS/ application, HCP, or associated EIR, which we prepared in accordance Applicant’s Proposal documents, you may submit comments with the National Environmental Policy Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. (the by any one of the methods listed above Act of 1969, describes and analyzes the Applicant), is requesting an incidental in ADDRESSES. alternatives identified for Phase 2 of the take permit (ITP) to take sand skink South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. (Neoseps reynoldsi) through the Public Availability of Comments DATES: We will accept comments permanent destruction of approximately received or postmarked on or before Before including your address, phone 3.6 acres (ac) of occupied foraging and May 21, 2018. A public meeting will be number, email address, or other sheltering habitat incidental to held on May 8, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 8 personal identifying information in your construction of a residential p.m. (see ADDRESSES). development in Orange County, Florida. comment, you should be aware that Persons needing reasonable Included with the permit application is your entire comment—including your accommodations in order to attend and a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP). personal identifying information—may participate in the public meeting should The 126.94-ac HCP project site is be made publicly available at any time. contact Ariel Ambruster, by email at located on parcel number 05–23–27– While you can ask us in your comment aambrust@ccp.csus.edu or by phone at 0000–00–002, within sections 5 and 6, to withhold your personal identifying 510–528–5006, at least 1 week in Townships 23 South, Range 27 East in information from public review, we advance of the meeting to allow time to Orange County. The project activities cannot guarantee that we will be able to process the request. also include the clearing, infrastructure do so. ADDRESSES: building, and landscaping associated Document Availability: You may Authority with residential construction. The sand obtain copies of the document in the skink will likely be subjected to take in We provide this notice under section following places: the forms of injury, mortality, and/or 10 of the ESA and NEPA regulation 40 • Internet: http:// loss of habitat. The Applicant proposes CFR 1506.6. www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/ to mitigate for take of the species by phase2/. purchasing 7.2 mitigation credits within Jay B. Herrington, • In-Person: the Sebring Scrub Conservation Bank or Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, Æ San Francisco Bay National another Service-approved sand skink Southeast Region. Wildlife Refuge Complex Headquarters, conservation bank. [FR Doc. 2018–06940 Filed 4–4–18; 8:45 am] 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94555. Æ The following libraries: Our Preliminary Determination BILLING CODE 4333–15–P D California State University, East Bay We have determined that the Library, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Applicant’s proposed plan, including Hayward, CA 94542. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES the proposed mitigation and D Fremont Main Library, 2400 minimization measures, would have Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538. minor or negligible effects on the D Hayward Public Library, Central covered species and the environment so Library, 835 C St., Hayward, CA 94541. as to be ‘‘low effect’’ and qualify for D Natural Resources Library, U.S. categorical exclusion under the National Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 NW, Washington, DC 20240. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Apr 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\05APN1.SGM 05APN1


Document Created: 2018-11-01 09:13:05
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 09:13:05
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability; request for comments.
DatesTo ensure consideration, please send your written comments by May 7, 2018.
ContactErin M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731- 3121; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 14666 
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