[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67887-67888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33848]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit for
the Meadowlark Estates Project in San Diego County, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: SunCal Companies has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service
for a permit to incidentally take the threatened coastal California
gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) under the authority of
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
The permit would authorize the incidental take of one pair of
gnatcatchers and 12.3 acres of its habitat in the City of San Marcos,
San Diego County, California in conjunction with urban development. As
part of its permit application, SunCal Companies has prepared a Habitat
Conservation Plan (Plan). This notice announces the availability of the
Plan and an Environmental Assessment, and describes the proposed action
and possible alternatives, solicits written comments, and identifies
the Service official to whom questions and comments concerning the
Service's proposed action to issue the permit may be directed.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered
Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR
1506.6). All comments received, including names and addresses, will
become part of the official administrative record and may be made
available to the public.
DATES: Written comments on the Plan and Environmental Assessment should
be received by the Service on or before January 29, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the permit application or adequacy of the
Environmental Assessment should be addressed to the Field Supervisor,
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad,
California 92008. Written comments may be sent by facsimile to
telephone (760) 431-9618.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Julie Vanderwier, Fish and
Wildlife Biologist, at the above Carlsbad address; telephone (760) 431-
9440. Individuals wishing copies of the permit application or
Environmental Assessment for review should immediately contact the
above office. Documents will also be available for public inspection by
appointment during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday at the above Carlsbad address.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act and
Federal regulation prohibit the ``taking'' of a species listed as
endangered or threatened. However, the Service, under limited
circumstances, may issue permits to ``incidentally take'' listed
species, which is take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of,
otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for
threatened species are promulgated in 50 CFR 17.32; regulations
governing permits for endangered species are promulgated in 50 CFR
17.22.
The Service has under consideration the approval of the Plan and
issuance of an Endangered Species Act incidental take permit for the
Meadowlark Estates project, a 198.1-acre residential development, in
the City of San Marcos, San Diego County, California. The Plan was
prepared by HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc., and addresses the loss
of 12.3 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat for up to one pair
of coastal California gnatcatchers as a result of constructing 220
single-family estates and 62 single-family homes on approximately 125
acres. Mitigation measures in the Plan include on-site preservation of
Diegan coastal sage scrub and other native plant communities,
restoration of orchards and manufactured slopes by hydroseeding with
coastal sage scrub plant species, and off-site acquisition of 16.35
acres of land in a key location within a regional open space corridor.
A Negative Declaration, prepared pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act, was certified for this project by the City
of San Marcos City Council on May 14, 1996.
The Plan and Environmental Assessment consider six alternatives
including the Plan Alternative, a No Action Alternative and
alternatives of larger and lesser scope, four of which were selected
for detailed analysis.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered
Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The Service will evaluate the application,
associated documents, and submitted comments to determine whether the
application meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act regulations and section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act. If it
is determined that the requirements are met, a permit will be issued
for the incidental take of the
[[Page 67888]]
listed species. The final permit decision will be made no sooner than
30 days from the date of this notice.
Dated: December 22, 1997.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-33848 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
