Proposed Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan, California; Scoping for Environmental Impact Statement

Under the National Environmental Policy Act, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, intend to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed habitat conservation plan/natural community conservation plan for the City of Bakersfield, hereafter referred to as the Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan (BHCP). The BHCP will streamline and coordinate existing processes for review and permitting of public and private activities that potentially affect covered species, while providing long-term conservation of covered species in the plan area. The draft EIS is being prepared under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, and the California Natural Community Conservation Planning Act. We announce meetings and invite comments.