[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 19507] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-10065] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Extension of Comment Period for Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit for the City of Austin for the Operation and Maintenance of Barton Springs Pool and Adjacent Springs
Agency
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior
Action
Notice: extension of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice that the public comment period is extended for a Section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. The City of Austin has applied to the Service for an incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The applicant has been assigned permit number PRT-839031. The requested permit, which is for a period of 15 years, would authorize incidental take of the endangered Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum). The proposed take would occur as a result of the operation and maintenance of Barton Springs Pool and adjacent springs in Austin, Travis County, Texas. The City of Austin has prepared the Environmental Assessment/ Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application. Neither a determination of whether jeopardy to the species is likely to occur, nor a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be made before April 30, 1998. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
Dates
Written comments on the application should be received on or before April 30, 1998.
Addresses
Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Matthew Lechner, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512-490-0057). Documents will be available for public inspection by written request, by appointment only, during normal business hours (7:30 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512-490-0057). Written data or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, Austin, Texas (see address above). Please refer to permit number PRT-839031 when submitting comments.
For Further Information Contact
Matthew Lechner at the above Austin Field Office.
Supplementary Information
Section 9 of the Act prohibits the ``taking'' of threatened and endangered species such as the Barton Springs salamander. However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take threatened or endangered wildlife species when such taking is incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22. Applicant: The City of Austin plans to operate Barton Springs pool and the adjacent springs in Austin, Travis County, Texas. This action may cause the incidental take of less than 20 salamanders per year for the 15-year term of the permit. The applicant proposed to minimize and mitigate for the incidental take of the Barton Springs salamander by placing 10 percent of the total revenues generated at Barton Springs Pool into a conservation fund. The fund would be used for enhancing habitat and for ecological and biological research on the included habitat conservation plan. In addition, mitigation measures are included in the Habitat Conservation Plan.
Nancy M. Kaufman, Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 98-10065 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-01-P