[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29052]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 25, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for a Development in Walton
County, FL, Called Stallworth Preserve
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Stallworth Preserve Owners Association (Applicant), is seeking
an incidental take permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
(Act) as amended. The permit would authorize the take of the endangered
Choctawhatchee beach mouse Peromyscus poliontus allophrys, in Walton
County, Florida for a period of 10 years. The proposed taking is
incidental to a planned residential development on an 7 acre tract of
land owned by the Applicant. The tract is located just southwest of
County Road 30A in south Walton County. The Service also announces the
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and habitat
conservation plan (HCP) for the incidental take application. Copies of
the EA or HCP may be obtained by making a request to the Regional
Office address below. This notice also advises the public that the
Service has made a preliminary determination that issuing the
incidental take permit is not a major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended. The Findings of No Significant Impact is based on information
contained in the EA and HCP. The final determination will be made no
sooner than 30 days from the date 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 permit application, EA and HCP should be
received on or before December 27, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, HCP, and EA may
obtain a copy by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office,
Atlanta, Georgia. Documents will also be available for public
inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the Regional
Office, or the Jacksonville, Florida, Field Office. Written data or
comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP should be submitted to
the Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT-796769 in such
comments.
Regional Permit Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875
Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, (telephone 404/
679-7110, fax 404/679-7081).
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint
Drive, South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216-0912, (telephone
904/232-2580, fax 904/232-2404).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn Zattau at the Jacksonville,
Florida, Field Office, or Rick G. Gooch at the Atlanta, Georgia,
Regional Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse (CBM),
Peromyscus polionotus allophrys, is a subspecies of the common old
field mouse Peromyscus polionotus and is restricted to the dune systems
of the Gulf Coast of Florida. The known current range of CBM extends
from Choctawhatchee Bay to St. Andrew Bay. The sand dune systems
inhabited by this species are not uniform; several habitat types are
distinguishable. The depth of the habitat from the beach inland varies
depending on the configuration of the sand dune system and the
vegetation. Generally, these habitat zones are considered as primary
dune (dunes immediately fronting the beach) supporting sea oats and
other widely scattered grasses, and interdune area consisting of other
grasses, and sedges, and a secondary dune zone supporting small trees
and shrubs. The Applicant proposes to construct a planned unit
development on approximately 7 acres, a portion of which is CBM
habitat. A portion of the Applicant's property is within 152.5 meters
(500 feet) inland from the mean high tide line of the Gulf of Mexico,
designated critical habitat of the CBM (See Code of Federal Regulations
Title 50, Sec. 17.95(a)). Initial construction of roads and utilities
and subsequent development of individual homesites may result in death
of or injury to CBM incidental to the carrying out of these otherwise
lawful activities. Habitat alternation associated with property
development may reduce the availability of feeding, shelter, and
nesting habitat.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of three
alternatives, including acceptance of the HCP as submitted, no action,
or public purchase of the subject property.
Dated: November 17, 1994.
Jerome M. Butler,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-29052 Filed 11-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
