[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 48 (Monday, March 11, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 9717-9718] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-5692] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for Parkside Homes Planned Unit Development, South San Francisco, San Mateo County, California
Agency
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
Action
Notice of Availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
This notice advises the public that Parkside Homes Planned Unit Development has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application has been assigned permit number 811259. The proposed permit would authorize the incidental take of the endangered mission blue butterfly (Icaricia icaroides
missionensis) and San Bruno elfin butterfly (Callophrys mossii bayensis) and/or their habitat during the construction of a housing development. The permit would become effective for the Callippe silverspot butterfly (Speyeria callippe callippe), currently proposed for endangered status, if it is listed under the Act. The permit would be in effect for 10 years. The Service also announces the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) for the incidental take permit application, which includes the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) fully describing the proposed project and mitigation, and the accompanying Implementing Agreement (IA). This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). All comments, including names and addresses, received will become part of the official administrative record and may be made available to the public.
Dates
Written comments on the permit application, EA and IA should be received on or before April 10, 1996.
Addresses
Comments regarding the application or adequacy of the EA and IA should be addressed to Mr. Joel Medlin, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-1823, Sacramento, California 95825. Please refer to permit number PRT-811259 when submitting comments. Individuals wishing copies of the application, EA or IA for review should immediately contact the above office (916-979-2725).
For Further Information Contact
Mr. Michael Horton or Ms. Tiki Baron, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-1823, Sacramento, California 95825 (916-979-2725).
Supplementary Information
Availability of Documents
Individuals wishing copies of the documents should immediately contact the Service's Sacramento Field Office at the above referenced address, or by telephone at (916) 979-2725. Documents will also be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address.
Background
Section 9 of the Act prohibits the ``taking'' of a species listed as threatened or endangered. However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take listed species incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for threatened species are promulgated in 50 CFR 17.32; regulations governing permits for endangered species are promulgated in 50 CFR 17.22. Parkside Homes proposes to construct 156 units of moderate-cost housing on a 25.4-acre parcel in South San Francisco, San Mateo County, California. The site is located on the north side of Sign Hill and faces the south side of San Bruno Mountain. Parkside Homes seeks coverage for the removal of habitat for the mission blue butterfly, San Bruno Elfin butterfly, and Callippe silverspot butterfly on 19.53 acres of the site. Though the proposed project would remove suitable habitat for these butterfiles, the HCP involves the establishment of a 12.11- acre butterfly conservation area onsite to be maintained in perpetuity. The conservation area would include 5.87 acres of ungraded land and 6.24 acres of graded land, restored as butterfly habitat. All Sedum spathulifolium and Viola pedunculata, host plants for the San Bruno elfin butterfly and Callippe silverspot, respectively, within the grading plan would be transplanted to the conservation area. In addition, approximately 250 lupine (host plant for the mission blue butterfly) and 100 Sedum (host plant for the San Bruno elfin butterfly) would be planted in the conservation area. Other measures are specified in the HCP to minimize to potential for take during construction activities. The EA considers the environmental consequences of three alternatives. The no project alternative would result in no immediate environmental impacts. However, under this alternative a butterfly conservation area would not be established and maintained in perpetuity, and the quality of the existing habitat may decline over time as a result of invasive exotic vegetation which exists on the site. This alternative was rejected because it would deny the landowner the opportunity to develop housing on the property and no enhancement of the site for listed species would occur. Alternative 1, the proposed action, was selected because: (1) It best satisfies the needs and purpose of the proposed project; (2) it is likely to result in a relatively low level of incidental take; and (3) impacts are minimized and mitigated through the establishment of a butterfly conservation area. The third alternative involves the development of 25 single family homes on one-acre lots over the entire 25.4-acre parcel. This alternative was not selected because: (1) The level of incidental take would likely be greater than under the Preferred Alternative 1; and (2) and conservation areas established on site would be relatively small and fragmented. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The Service will evaluate the application, associated documents, and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act. If it is determined that the requirements are met, a permit will be issued for the incidental take of the listed species. The final permit decision will be made no sooner than 30 days from the date of this notice.
Dated: March 1, 1996. Thomas Dwyer, Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 96-5692 Filed 3-8-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M