[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30677]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for a Development Called
Coconut Pointe II, in Brevard County, Florida
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Coconut Pointe, Incorporated, (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 (Act).
The proposed permit would authorize the incidental take of a threatened
species, the Florida scrub jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens,
incidental to construction of a 11.29 acre residential development
consisting of 38 single family residences and associated
infrastructure. The subdivision will be known as Coconute Pointe II
(Project), and is located on the west side of State Road A1A, south of
an existing development known as Outdoor Resorts and north of an
existing development known as The Hamptons, in the city of Melbourne
Beach, Brevard County, Florida.
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. The Service is soliciting
data on Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens in order to assist in the
requirement of the intra-Service consultation. 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 Finding 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 January 13, 1995.
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-797088 in such
comments.
Assistant Regional Director, 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: Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens is
geographically isolated from other subspecies of scrub jays found in
Mexico and the Western United States. The Florida scrub jay is found
almost exclusively in peninsular Florida and is restricted to scrub
habitat. The total estimated population is between 7,000 and 11,000
individuals. Due to habitat loss and degradation throughout the State
of Florida, it has been estimated that the Florida scrub jay population
has been reduced by at least half in the last 100 years. Surveys have
indicated that one family of Florida scrub jays inhabits the Project
site. Construction of the Project's infrastructure and subsequent
construction of the individual homesites will likely result in death
of, or injury to, Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens incidental to
the carrying out of these otherwise lawful activities. Habitat
alteration associated with property development will reduce the
availability of feeding, shelter, and nesting habitat.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of three
alternatives. The no action alternative may result in loss of habitat
for Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens and exposure of the Applicant
under Section 9 of the Act. A third alternative is the proposed Project
with management of surrounding County-owned lands as mitigation for the
Project's impacts. The proposed action alternative is issuance of the
incidental take permit. This provides for restrictions of construction
activity, purchase of off-site habitat for the Florida scrub jay, the
establishment of an endowment fund for the off-site acquired habitat,
and the creation of an annual assessment on lot owners of the Project
to fund future land management needs of the acquired off-site habitat.
The HCP provides a funding mechanism for these mitigation measures.
Dated: December 5, 1994.
Jerome M. Butler,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-30677 Filed 12-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
