83 FR 26303 - Two Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plans and Categorical Exclusions for Pacific Gas and Electric Company Gas Pipeline Vegetation Management, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, California
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 109 (June 6, 2018)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 109 (June 6, 2018)
| Page Range | 26303-26304 | |
| FR Document | 2018-12133 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 6, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 26303-26304] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-12133] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R8-ES-2018-N047; FXES11130800000-189-FF08EVEN00] Two Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plans and Categorical Exclusions for Pacific Gas and Electric Company Gas Pipeline Vegetation Management, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, California AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received two applications from Pacific Gas and Electric Company for two 20-year incidental take permits under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The applications address the potential for ``take'' of the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and Santa Cruz long- toed salamander, as well as the federally threatened California red- legged frog, that is likely to occur incidental to the removal of vegetation along two natural gas pipelines that traverse Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, California. We invite comments from the public on the application packages, which include two low-effect habitat conservation plans. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by July 6, 2018. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may download copies of the habitat conservation plans, draft environmental action statements, low-effect screening forms, and related documents on the internet at http://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies by U.S. mail to our Ventura office (below) or by phone (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Submitting Comments: Please address written 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. You alternatively may send comments by facsimile to (805) 644-3958. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chad Mitcham, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, by U.S. mail to the Ventura office, or by telephone at (805) 677-3328. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received two applications from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for two 20-year incidental take permits (ITPs) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applications address the potential for ``take'' of the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) and Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum), and the federally threatened California red- legged frog (Rana draytonii) likely to occur incidental to the initial removal and ongoing periodic management of vegetation that occurs over and along two separate natural gas pipelines. The first proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), referred to in this document as the Sandhills HCP, concerns the natural gas pipeline located along Graham Hill Road, Santa Cruz County, California, and occurs within habitat for the Mount Hermon June beetle. The second HCP, referred to as the North Coast HCP, concerns a natural gas pipeline that traverses portions of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties and occurs within habitat of the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander and California red-legged frog. We invite comments from the public on the application packages, which include two proposed low-effect HCPs. The proposed actions have been determined to be eligible for categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as amended. Background 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: ``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); 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 as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity (50 CFR 17.3). Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are provided at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Issuance of an incidental take permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species. Applicant's Proposal PG&E (hereafter, the applicant) has submitted two low-effect HCPs in support of their applications for incidental take permits (ITPs) to address take of the Mount Hermon June beetle, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and the California red-legged frog. The Sandhills HCP addresses take of the Mount Hermon June beetle that is likely to occur as the result of direct impacts on up to 2.9 acres (ac) of habitat that is occupied by the species. The North [[Page 26304]] Coast HCP addresses take that is likely to occur as the result of direct impacts on up to 4.472 ac of Santa Cruz long-toed salamander habitat and up to 6.997 ac of California red-legged frog habitat, occupied by the species. Take for both HCPs would be associated with the initial removal of vegetation and twenty years of periodic vegetation management along two natural gas pipelines. The Sandhills HCP is located in Santa Cruz County, while the North Coast HCP is located in both Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. The applicant is requesting permits for take of the Mount Hermon June beetle (Sandhills HCP), and the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and California red- legged frog (North Coast HCP) that would result from ``covered activities'' that are related to the removal of vegetation. The applicant proposes to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the Mount Hermon June beetle associated with the covered activities by fully implementing the Sandhills HCP. The following measures will be implemented: (1) Vegetation management will take place outside of the flight season (May 1 through August 31) of the Mount Hermon June beetle; (2) a biological monitor will be present during all work activities to identify appropriate access and work areas to minimize impacts to sandhills habitat; (3) if any life stage of the Mount Hermon June beetle is encountered during work activities, work will cease and a Service-approved biologist will be notified and the individual(s) will be relocated to suitable habitat not affected by work activities; (4) all cut stumps will be left intact to reduce ground disturbance; (5) all workers will participate in awareness training to inform them about the Mount Hermon June beetle and associated conservation measures to be followed; and (6) permanently protect habitat for the Mount Hermon June beetle through the purchase of 2.9 ac of conservation credits at the Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank. The applicant will fund up to $795,735 to ensure implementation of all minimization measures, monitoring, and reporting requirements identified in the HCP. The applicant proposes to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander and California red-legged frog associated with the covered activities by fully implementing the North Coast HCP. The following measures will be implemented: (1) All workers will participate in awareness training to inform them about the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander and California red-legged frog and associated conservation measures to be followed; (2) vegetation management activities will take place between April 15 and September 15, to minimize impacts to the species; (3) impacts to small mammal burrows will be avoided to the maximum extent practicable; (4) a qualified biologist will monitor all vegetation removal activities to ensure compliance with required avoidance and minimization measures; (5) if a Santa Cruz long-toed salamander or California red-legged frog is encountered in an area to be impacted, work in that area will cease until the animal moves from the area or a Service-approved biologist captures and relocates the individual outside of the work area; (6) permanently protect habitat for the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander through the dedication of a 7.2-ac conservation easement at the Tucker Property in Santa Cruz County; and (7) provide $342,432 to fund the creation, management and monitoring of 1.75 ac of California red-legged frog aquatic breeding habitat at Yellowbank Creek, near the town of Davenport in Santa Cruz County. The applicant will fund up to $1,424,432 to ensure implementation of all minimization measures, monitoring, and reporting requirements identified in the HCP. In each of the two proposed HCPs, the applicant considers two alternatives to the proposed action: ``No Action'' and ``Original Project.'' Under the ``No Action'' alternative, an ITP for the proposed project would not be issued. The proposed conservation strategies would not be provided to effect recovery actions for the impacted species. The ``No Action'' alternative would not achieve vegetation management guidelines for PG&E infrastructure and would not result in benefits for the covered species; therefore, for each of the proposed HCPs, the applicant has rejected the ``No Action'' alternative. Under each of the two ``Original Project'' alternatives, the applicant would remove considerably more habitat along the subject natural gas pipeline, resulting in greater impacts to the covered species. Through coordination with the Service, PG&E revised the projects in a way that could still achieve desired vegetation management goals, while reducing impacts to the covered species. Therefore, the applicant has also rejected both of the ``Original Project'' alternatives. Our Preliminary Determination The Service has made preliminary determinations that issuance of both incidental take permits 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 NEPA, nor that it will, individually or cumulatively, have more than a negligible effect on the Mount Hermon June beetle, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and California red-legged frog. Therefore, in accordance with these preliminary determinations, both permits qualify for a categorical exclusion under NEPA. 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 can 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. 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 the ESA, section 10(c) (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: May 25, 2018. Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2018-12133 Filed 6-5-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2018 / Notices 26303
Permit applica- Applicant Species/numbers Location Activity Type of take Permit action
tion No.
TE 84861C–0 .... Power South Energy Choctaw bean (Villosa Alabama ...................... Presence/absence sur- Remove from the sub- New.
Cooperative, Anda- choctawensis), fuzzy veys. strate, handle, iden-
lusia, AL. pigtoe (Pleurobema tify, return to sub-
strodeanum), narrow strate, and salvage
pigtoe (Fusconaia relic shells.
escambia), southern
kidneyshell
(Ptychobranchus
jonesi), and southern
sandshell (Hamiota
australis).
TE 61981B–3 .... The Peregrine Fund, Puerto Rican sharp- Puerto Rico .................. Captive propagation Collect eggs and Amendment.
Boise, ID. shinned hawk and reintroduction. nestlings for captive
(Accipiter striatus propagation.
venator).
Authority: We provide this notice under Obtaining Documents: You may Monterey Counties and occurs within
the authority of section 10(c) of the ESA. download copies of the habitat habitat of the Santa Cruz long-toed
Aaron Valenta, conservation plans, draft environmental salamander and California red-legged
Acting Assistant Regional Director, Ecological
action statements, low-effect screening frog. We invite comments from the
Services, Southeast Region. forms, and related documents on the public on the application packages,
internet at http://www.fws.gov/ventura/, which include two proposed low-effect
[FR Doc. 2018–12134 Filed 6–5–18; 8:45 am]
or you may request copies by U.S. mail HCPs. The proposed actions have been
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
to our Ventura office (below) or by determined to be eligible for categorical
phone (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION exclusions under the National
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CONTACT). Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Submitting Comments: Please address (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as
Fish and Wildlife Service written comments to Stephen P. Henry, amended.
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Background
[FWS–R8–ES–2018–N047; Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
FXES11130800000–189–FF08EVEN00] Section 9 of the ESA and its
Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B,
Ventura, CA 93003. You alternatively implementing regulations prohibit the
Two Low-Effect Habitat Conservation take of fish or wildlife species listed as
Plans and Categorical Exclusions for may send comments by facsimile to
(805) 644–3958. endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is
Pacific Gas and Electric Company Gas defined under the ESA to include the
Pipeline Vegetation Management, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chad Mitcham, Fish and Wildlife following activities: ‘‘to harass, harm,
Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap,
California Biologist, by U.S. mail to the Ventura
office, or by telephone at (805) 677– capture, or collect, or to attempt to
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 3328. engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C.
Interior. 1532); however, under section
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, we may issue
ACTION: Notice of availability; request received two applications from Pacific permits to authorize incidental take of
for comment. Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for listed species. ‘‘Incidental Take’’ is
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and two 20-year incidental take permits defined as take that is incidental to, and
Wildlife Service, have received two (ITPs) under the Endangered Species not the purpose of, the carrying out of
applications from Pacific Gas and Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 an otherwise lawful activity (50 CFR
Electric Company for two 20-year U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applications 17.3). Regulations governing incidental
incidental take permits under the address the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the take permits for threatened and
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as federally endangered Mount Hermon endangered species are provided at 50
amended (ESA). The applications June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) and CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively.
address the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander Issuance of an incidental take permit
federally endangered Mount Hermon (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum), must not jeopardize the existence of
June beetle and Santa Cruz long-toed and the federally threatened California federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant
salamander, as well as the federally red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) likely species.
threatened California red-legged frog, to occur incidental to the initial removal
and ongoing periodic management of Applicant’s Proposal
that is likely to occur incidental to the
removal of vegetation along two natural vegetation that occurs over and along PG&E (hereafter, the applicant) has
gas pipelines that traverse Santa Cruz two separate natural gas pipelines. The submitted two low-effect HCPs in
and Monterey Counties, California. We first proposed habitat conservation plan support of their applications for
invite comments from the public on the (HCP), referred to in this document as incidental take permits (ITPs) to address
application packages, which include the Sandhills HCP, concerns the natural take of the Mount Hermon June beetle,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
two low-effect habitat conservation gas pipeline located along Graham Hill Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and
plans. Road, Santa Cruz County, California, the California red-legged frog. The
and occurs within habitat for the Mount Sandhills HCP addresses take of the
DATES: To ensure consideration, please Hermon June beetle. The second HCP, Mount Hermon June beetle that is likely
send your written comments by July 6, referred to as the North Coast HCP, to occur as the result of direct impacts
2018. concerns a natural gas pipeline that on up to 2.9 acres (ac) of habitat that is
ADDRESSES: traverses portions of Santa Cruz and occupied by the species. The North
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![26304 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 6, 2018 / Notices
Coast HCP addresses take that is likely management activities will take place of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA, nor that it
to occur as the result of direct impacts between April 15 and September 15, to will, individually or cumulatively, have
on up to 4.472 ac of Santa Cruz long- minimize impacts to the species; (3) more than a negligible effect on the
toed salamander habitat and up to 6.997 impacts to small mammal burrows will Mount Hermon June beetle, Santa Cruz
ac of California red-legged frog habitat, be avoided to the maximum extent long-toed salamander, and California
occupied by the species. Take for both practicable; (4) a qualified biologist will red-legged frog. Therefore, in
HCPs would be associated with the monitor all vegetation removal activities accordance with these preliminary
initial removal of vegetation and twenty to ensure compliance with required determinations, both permits qualify for
years of periodic vegetation avoidance and minimization measures; a categorical exclusion under NEPA.
management along two natural gas (5) if a Santa Cruz long-toed salamander
pipelines. The Sandhills HCP is located or California red-legged frog is Public Availability of Comments
in Santa Cruz County, while the North encountered in an area to be impacted, Written comments we receive become
Coast HCP is located in both Santa Cruz work in that area will cease until the part of the public record associated with
and Monterey Counties. The applicant animal moves from the area or a this action. Before including your
is requesting permits for take of the Service-approved biologist captures and address, phone number, email address,
Mount Hermon June beetle (Sandhills relocates the individual outside of the or other personal identifying
HCP), and the Santa Cruz long-toed work area; (6) permanently protect information in your comment, you
salamander, and California red-legged habitat for the Santa Cruz long-toed should be aware that your entire
frog (North Coast HCP) that would result salamander through the dedication of a comment—including your personal
from ‘‘covered activities’’ that are 7.2-ac conservation easement at the identifying information—may be made
related to the removal of vegetation. Tucker Property in Santa Cruz County; publicly available at any time. While
The applicant proposes to avoid, and (7) provide $342,432 to fund the you can request in your comment that
minimize, and mitigate impacts to the creation, management and monitoring of we withhold your personal identifying
Mount Hermon June beetle associated 1.75 ac of California red-legged frog information from public review, we
with the covered activities by fully aquatic breeding habitat at Yellowbank cannot guarantee that we will be able to
implementing the Sandhills HCP. The Creek, near the town of Davenport in do so. All submissions from
following measures will be Santa Cruz County. The applicant will organizations or businesses, and from
implemented: (1) Vegetation fund up to $1,424,432 to ensure individuals identifying themselves as
management will take place outside of implementation of all minimization representatives or officials of
the flight season (May 1 through August measures, monitoring, and reporting organizations or businesses, will be
31) of the Mount Hermon June beetle; requirements identified in the HCP. made available for public disclosure in
(2) a biological monitor will be present In each of the two proposed HCPs, the their entirety.
during all work activities to identify applicant considers two alternatives to
appropriate access and work areas to the proposed action: ‘‘No Action’’ and Authority
minimize impacts to sandhills habitat; ‘‘Original Project.’’ Under the ‘‘No We provide this notice under the
(3) if any life stage of the Mount Hermon Action’’ alternative, an ITP for the ESA, section 10(c) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
June beetle is encountered during work proposed project would not be issued. seq.) and its implementing regulations
activities, work will cease and a Service- The proposed conservation strategies (50 CFR 17.22) and NEPA (42 U.S.C.
approved biologist will be notified and would not be provided to effect recovery 4321 et seq.) and its implementing
the individual(s) will be relocated to actions for the impacted species. The regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
suitable habitat not affected by work ‘‘No Action’’ alternative would not
Dated: May 25, 2018.
activities; (4) all cut stumps will be left achieve vegetation management
intact to reduce ground disturbance; (5) guidelines for PG&E infrastructure and Stephen P. Henry,
all workers will participate in awareness would not result in benefits for the Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife
training to inform them about the Mount covered species; therefore, for each of Office, Ventura, California.
Hermon June beetle and associated the proposed HCPs, the applicant has [FR Doc. 2018–12133 Filed 6–5–18; 8:45 am]
conservation measures to be followed; rejected the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative. BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
and (6) permanently protect habitat for Under each of the two ‘‘Original
the Mount Hermon June beetle through Project’’ alternatives, the applicant
the purchase of 2.9 ac of conservation would remove considerably more DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
credits at the Zayante Sandhills habitat along the subject natural gas
Conservation Bank. The applicant will pipeline, resulting in greater impacts to Office of the Secretary
fund up to $795,735 to ensure the covered species. Through
[RR04073000/XXXR4081X3/
implementation of all minimization coordination with the Service, PG&E
RX.05940913.7000000]
measures, monitoring, and reporting revised the projects in a way that could
requirements identified in the HCP. still achieve desired vegetation Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive
The applicant proposes to avoid, management goals, while reducing Management Work Group; Request for
minimize, and mitigate impacts to the impacts to the covered species. Nominations
Santa Cruz long-toed salamander and Therefore, the applicant has also
California red-legged frog associated rejected both of the ‘‘Original Project’’ AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
with the covered activities by fully alternatives. ACTION:Notice and request for
implementing the North Coast HCP. The nominations.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
following measures will be Our Preliminary Determination
implemented: (1) All workers will The Service has made preliminary SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the
participate in awareness training to determinations that issuance of both Interior proposes to appoint members to
inform them about the Santa Cruz long- incidental take permits is neither a the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive
toed salamander and California red- major Federal action that will Management Work Group (AMWG). The
legged frog and associated conservation significantly affect the quality of the Secretary of the Interior, acting as
measures to be followed; (2) vegetation human environment within the meaning administrative lead, is requesting
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Document Created: 2018-06-06 00:53:42
Document Modified: 2018-06-06 00:53:42
| 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. | |
| Dates | To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by July 6, 2018. | |
| Contact | Chad Mitcham, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, by U.S. mail to the Ventura office, or by telephone at (805) 677-3328. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 26303 |
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