[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26979]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 1, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation
Plan and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for
the Proposed Wallace Tract Subdivision Development, Austin, Travis
County, TX
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Highway 71 Properties (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 been assigned Permit Number PRT-782991. The requested permit, which
is for a period not to exceed 30 years, would authorize the incidental
take of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia).
The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and
operation of a residential development on 73.3 acres in Austin, Travis
County, Texas.
The Service has prepared an 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(c) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40
CFR 1506.6).
DATES: Written comments on the application and/or EA/HCP should be
received on or before December 1, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing to the Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services,
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 Alma Barrera, Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 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
(8:00 to 4:00) at the Southwest Regional Office, Division of Endangered
Species/Permits, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103, or the Ecological
Services Field Office (9 to 4:30), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758. Written data or
comments concerning the application and/or EA/HCP should be submitted
to the Acting Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office,
Austin, Texas (see ADDRESSES above). Please refer to Permit Number PRT-
782991 when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alma Barrera at the above Austin Ecological Services Field Office
address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler.
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to
take endangered wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of,
otherwise lawful activities. Regulations government permits for
endangered species at 50 CFR 17.22.
The Applicant plans to build a residential subdivision located
approximately 11.5 miles southwest of Austin, Travis County, Texas. An
Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan has been prepared
for the construction of the 73.3 acre residential subdivision. As
mitigation for the incidental taking of the golden-cheeked warbler, the
Applicant proposes to preserve approximately 9.5 acres of open space as
conservation and greenbelt easement, acquire and donate 14 acres of
preserve lands, provide operating and maintenance funds for preserved
lands, minimize impacts to warbler habitat, avoid direct impacts during
breeding/nesting season, seek ecologically sensitive chemical
alternatives, preservation of undeveloped areas, and environmental
monitoring.
The Applicant considered five alternatives but rejected four of
them because they were not economically viable.
James A. Young,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 94-26979 Filed 10-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
