[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 25, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54699-54700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26444]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for the 27G Pipeline
Replacement Project, Kern County, California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that Chevron Pipeline Company
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
[[Page 54700]]
amended (Act). The application has been assigned permit number PRT-
807634. The proposed permit would authorize the incidental take of the
endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), blunt-nosed
leopard lizard (Gambelia silus), giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens),
San Joaquin woollythreads (Lembertia congdonii), California jewelflower
(Caulanthus californicus), Kern mallow (Eremalche kernensis) and the
threatened Hoover's eriastrum (Eriastrum hooveri) and/or their habitat
during the implementation of the pipeline replacement activities. The
permit will become effective for the following currently unlisted,
covered species if they are listed under the Act: San Joaquin whipsnake
(Masticophis flagelium ruddocki), short-nosed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys
nitatoides brevinasus), San Joaquin pocket mouse (Perognathus
inoratus), Tulare grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus tulerensis),
San Joaquin LeConte's thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei macmillanorum),
western burrowing owl, (Athene cunicularia hypugea), oil nest straw
(Stylocline citroiem), forked fiddleneck (Amsinckia vernicosa) and
heart scale (Atriplex cordulata).
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 November 24, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or adequacy of the HCP,
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-807634 when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Horton or Ms. Sheila
Larsen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field Office
(address above), telephone (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 and endangered species are promulgated
at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32.
Chevron Pipeline Company proposes to replace the pipeline located
in Kern County, Sections 27, 29, 31, 32, and 33, T31S, R24E, and
Section 1, T32S, R23E, MDB&M. The pipeline construction corridor is 50
feet wide and 22,240 feet long, covering an area of approximately 25.5
acres, entirely within the sections listed above. The HCP boundary is
the same as the pipeline corridor. In the eastern half of the proposed
pipeline route, the pipeline will be installed under an existing paved
road; the western half of the pipeline route consists of an existing
pipeline right-of-way characterized by disturbed saltbush scrub
habitat. Project activities may result in take of covered species and
temporary disturbance to their habitats within the 25.5-acre project
area. The proposed project will temporarily disturb the San Joaquin kit
fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, giant kangaroo rat, San Joaquin
woollythreads, California jewelflower, Kern mallow and the threatened
Hoover's eriastrum and/or their habitat during the implementation of
the pipeline replacement activities. The HCP involves implementation of
measures to minimize effects to the environment by utilizing existing
roadways for all construction related activities, and designating
Habitat Management Lands to compensate for the natural land lost.
Chevron Pipeline Company will dedicate 28 acres of land in Chevron
Corporation's Lokern Land Bank, or another approved land bank in
consultation with the Service, for preservation in perpetuity. In
addition, direct harassment of covered species will be avoided to the
greatest extent practicable.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of three
alternatives. The no action alternative may result in the accidental
release of crude oil, which would have adverse impacts on the
surrounding habitat. The no action alternative also would likely result
in an increased amount of maintenance activity and consequently, an
increased amount of disturbance. Alternative 3 would involve similar
construction activities in a project area south of the proposed route.
The alternative route is less developed and would, therefore, have a
greater potential for take of listed or candidate species. Both
alternatives have been thoroughly reviewed and eliminated from further
consideration because they would have the potential for greater adverse
environmental impacts in both the short and long term. The Service
considers implementation of the proposed HCP in connection with a
section 10(a)(1)(B) permit to be an effective means to reconcile oil
drilling activities with the section 9 listed species take prohibition
and other conservation mandates under the Act.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) 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 NEPA regulations and 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 NEPA and permit determination will be made no sooner than 30
days from the date of this notice.
Dated: October 18, 1995.
William F. Shake,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 95-26444 Filed 10-24-95; 8:45 am]
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