[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 11690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5824]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Reopening of
Comment Period for Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit
for Ranching and Related Activities on El Coronado Ranch (PRT-837858),
Cochise County, Arizona
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice: reopening of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice
that the public comment period is reopened for an application for an
incidental take permit under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered
Species Act. The El Coronado Ranch (Applicant) has also requested
unlisted-species provisions in an Implementing Agreement to cover a
species of concern found in the planning area. The Applicant has been
assigned permit number PRT-837858. The requested permit, which is for a
period of 25 years, would authorize incidental take of the endangered
Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea) and the threatened Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus
pricei). The unlisted species provision covers the issuance of permits
for the incidental take of the Yaqui form of longfin dace (Agosia
chrysogaster), a species not presently listed under the Act, but which
might become listed during the term of the proposed permit. The
proposed take is on the 1,920 acres of private land and would occur
from ranching and related activities on the El Coronado Ranch, Cochise
County, Arizona.
The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application. A
public comment period on the EA/HCP was open from January 5, 1998,
through February 4, 1998. However, the Service determines that there is
significant public interest in this proposed action, and finds good
cause to reopen the comment period for 15 days following the date of
this publication. Thus, a determination of whether jeopardy to the
species is likely to occur, or a Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI), will not be made before 15 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 should be received on or
before March 25, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing to the Regional Director, 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 Doug Duncan, Tucson
Suboffice, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 300 West Congress,
Room 4D, Tucson, Arizona 85701 (520-670-4860), or Angie Brooks, Arizona
Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103,
Phoenix, Arizona 85021, (602-640-2720; Fax 602-640-2730). Documents
will be available for public inspection by written request, by
appointment only, during normal business hours (7:30 to 4:30), at the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tucson or Phoenix offices listed above.
Written data or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP should
be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office,
Phoenix, Arizona (see address above). Please refer to permit number
PRT-837858 when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Duncan at the above Tucson
Suboffice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species such as the Yaqui
catfish and Yaqui Chub. However, the Service, under limited
circumstances, may issue permits to take threatened or endangered
wildlife species when such taking is incidental to, and not the purpose
of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for
endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of two
alternatives, including the proposed action. Three other alternatives
were explored, but were rejected as unworkable. The proposed action
alternative is issuance of the incidental take permit and
implementation of the HCP as submitted by the Applicant. The other
alternative is to take no action. The HCP provides for a strategy to
conserve the listed and unlisted species and to restore watershed
health in the West Turkey Creek drainage. The HCP is designed to
provide a net benefit to the species. The HCP has stipulations for
monitoring of species populations and habitats and functioning of the
HCP. The HCP also provides for funding the mitigation measures and
monitoring.
Applicant
El Coronado Ranch plans to pursue ranching and related activities
on 1.920 acres of private land and 13,284 acres of leased grazing
allotments. The anticipated incidental take will occur on ponds,
ditches, and associated structures on private land. El Coronado Ranch
is located in the West Turkey Creek watershed of the Chiricahua
Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona.
Dated: February 23, 1998.
Renne Lohoefener,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 98-5824 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
