Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Endangered Smith's Blue Butterfly for Repair of Five Bridges, Point Sur State Historic Park, Monterey County, California

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) have received an application from the Monterey District of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR, applicant) for a 10-year incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed permit would authorize take of the federally endangered Smith's blue butterfly (Euphilotes enoptes smithi) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the repair and reconstruction of five existing timber bridges located along the access roads to the Point Sur Light Station and Lighthouse at the Point Sur State Historic Park (PSSHP). The Service's proposed action is the issuance of a permit to the CDPR for a low-effect habitat conservation plan (HCP) for incidental take of Smith's blue butterfly. We are requesting comments on the applicant's permit application and on our preliminary determination that the proposed HCP qualifies as a low-effect HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The basis for this determination is discussed in the Environmental Action Statement (EAS) and the associated low-effect screening form, which are available for public review, along with the draft HCP.