[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6381-6382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3654]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for a Permit To Authorize Incidental Take of the Threatened
Northern Spotted Owl by the Scofield Corporation, Near Leavenworth,
Chelan County, Washington
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Scofield Corporation
of Chelan, Washington (Applicant) 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 amended
(Act). The application has been assigned permit number PRT-811110. The
requested permit would authorize the incidental take of northern
spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) (owls) that may occur in or
near the planning area in Chelan County, Washington, as a result of the
Applicant's timber-management activities. A Habitat Conservation Plan
(HCP) was submitted as part of the application in accordance with
section 10(a) of the Act.
The Service announces the availability of an Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the proposed issuance of the incidental take permit
and approval of the HCP. All comments received will become part of the
public record and may be released. 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 and EA should be
received on or before March 21, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or EA should be addressed
to Curt Smitch, Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Pacific Northwest Habitat Conservation Plan Program, 3773
Martin Way East, Building C--Suite 101, Olympia, Washington 98501;
(360) 534-9330. Please refer to permit number PRT-
[[Page 6382]]
811110 when submitting comments. Individuals wishing copies of the
application or EA for review should immediately contact the office
listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Hansen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, at the office listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations,
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species is prohibited. However,
the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take
threatened or endangered wildlife species if such taking is incidental
to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations
governing permits for threatened and endangered species are in 50 CFR
17.32 and 17.22, respectively.
The Applicant proposes to implement a HCP for the owl that will
allow timber harvest on the 40-acre project area. The Applicant's
proposed timber harvest may result in the take, as defined in the Act
and its implementing regulations, of the owl. The permit would be in
effect for one year. The terms of the HCP, which include conservation
benefits for the owl, would be in effect into perpetuity.
The Applicant proposes to mitigate for potential impacts from
incidental take of the owl by retaining a buffer of intact habitat,
implementing a selective timber harvest, and placing a perpetual deed
restriction on the property permanently prohibiting further timber
harvest or tree removal. This would ensure the retention of some owl
habitat and approximately 72 percent of the total number of trees after
harvest. The retention of habitat and trees, and the deed restriction
would ensure the availability of owl habitat in the future. The harvest
method and timing would further minimize impacts to owls. If possible,
all trees would be felled in winter or early spring which would
minimally disturb owls and other wildlife. Harvesting while there is
still snow on the ground would prevent potential ground disturbance by
the felled trees. In addition, all felled trees would be removed by
helicopter, thus precluding the need for road construction into the
project area, and minimizing impacts to owl habitat and the ground.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of the proposed
action and no-action alternatives. The proposed action alternative is
the issuance of a permit under section 10(a) of the Act that would
authorize incidental take of the owl. The proposed action would require
the Applicant to implement their HCP. Under the no-action alternative,
the permit would not be issued, and the Applicant would avoid the take
of owls by delaying harvest until: (1) the owl site center is moved
such that the project area is outside the territorial circle, or (2)
the owl territorial circle has been changed to historic status after 3
consecutive years of protocol owl surveys have resulted in no owl
detections, or (3) regulatory release is provided, such as a 4(d)
special rule under the Act providing an exemption for small landowners,
or (4) forests on surrounding U.S. Forest Service or other land
regenerates or develops to provide greater than 40 percent owl habitat
within the 1.8 mile radius owl circle.
Dated: February 13, 1996.
(Notice: Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of
an Application for a Permit Under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the
Endangered Species Act by the Scofield Corporation.)
H. Dale Hall,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 96-3654 Filed 2-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
