[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 249-250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-078]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation
Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit for Ranching
and Related Activities on El Coronado Ranch (1,920 Acres) and
Associated Grazing Allotments (13,284 Acres)(PRT-837858), on West
Turkey Creek, Cochise County, Arizona
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The El Coronado Ranch (Applicant) has applied to the Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to
Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The Applicant
has also requested unlisted-species provisions in an Implementing
Agreement (Agreement) to cover species of concern found in the planning
area. The Applicant has been assigned permit number PRT-837858. The
requested permit, which is for a period of 25 years, would authorize
incidental take of the endangered Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea) and the
threatened Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei). The unlisted species
provision provides for the issuance of further permits for the
incidental take of species not presently listed under the Act, but
which might become listed during the term of the proposed permit. The
unlisted species covered by the Habitat Conservation Plan is the Yaqui
form of longfin dace (Agosia chrysogaster). The proposed take is on the
1,920 acres of private land and would occur from ranching and related
activities on the El Coronado Ranch, Cochise County, Arizona. The
Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation
Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application.
A determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) will not be made before 30 days from the
date of publication of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to
Section 10 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 February 4, 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 Doug Duncan, Tucson
Suboffice, Arizona
[[Page 250]]
Ecological Services Field Office, 300 West Congress, Room 4D, Tucson,
Arizona 85701 (520-670-4860), or Angie Brooks, Arizona Ecological
Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix,
Arizona 85021, (602-640-2720; Fax 602-640-2730). Documents will be
available for public inspection by written request, by appointment
only, during normal business hours (7:30 to 4:30), U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Tucson or Phoenix, Arizona. Written data or comments
concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the Field
Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona (see
address above). Please refer to permit number PRT-837858 when
submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Duncan at the above Tucson
Suboffice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species such as the Yaqui
catfish and Yaqui chub. However, the Service, under limited
circumstances, may issue permits to take threatened or endangered
wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise
lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for endangered species
are at 50 CFR 17.22.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of two
alternatives, including the proposed action. Three other alternatives
were explored, but were rejected as unworkable. The proposed action
alternative is issuance of the incidental take permit and
implementation of the HCP as submitted by the Applicant. The HCP
provides for a strategy to conserve the listed and unlisted Plan
Species and to restore watershed health in the West Turkey Creek
drainage. The HCP is designed to provide a net benefit to the Plan
Species. The HCP has stipulations for monitoring of species populations
and habitats and functioning of the HCP. The HCP also provides for
funding the mitigation measures and monitoring. The Service
specifically requests comment on the appropriateness of the ``No
Surprises'' assurances contained in this application.
Applicant: El Coronado Ranch plans to pursue ranching and related
activities on 1,920 acres of private land and 13,284 acres of leased
grazing allotments. The anticipated incidental take will occur on
ponds, ditches, and associated structures on private land. El Coronado
Ranch is located in the West Turkey Creek watershed of the Chiricahua
Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona.
Renne Lohoefener,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 98-078 Filed 1-2-98; 8:45 am]
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