[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 12817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6621]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit
for the City of Austin for the Operation and Maintenance of Barton
Springs Pool and Adjacents Springs
SUMMARY: The City of Austin has applied to the Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to Section
10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The applicant has been
assigned permit number PRT--839031. The requested permit, which is for
a period of 15 years, would authorize the incidental take of the
endangered Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum). The proposed
take would occur as the result of the operation and maintenance of
Barton Springs Pool and adjacent springs in Austin, Travis County,
Texas.
The City of Austin has prepared an Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take permit application.
A determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) will be made at least 30 days from the date
of publication of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to
Section 10 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 April 15, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Person wishing to review the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by
contacting Matthew Lechner, Ecological Services Field Office, 10711
Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0057). Documents
will be available for public inspection by written request, by
appointment only, during normal business hours (8:00 to 4:30) U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas.
Written data or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP
should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field
Office, Austin, Texas, at the above address. Please refer to permit
number PRT--839031 when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Lechner at the above Austin
Ecological Services Field Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of endangered species such as the Barton Springs salamander.
Take means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap,
capture or collect. However, the Service, under limited circumstances,
may issue permits to take endangered wildlife species incidental to,
and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations
governing permits for endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.
Applicant
The City of Austin plans to maintain and operate Barton Springs
Pool and the adjacent springs in Austin, Travis County, Texas. This
action may cause the incidental take of less than 20 salamanders per
year, for the 15-year term of the permit. The applicant proposes to
minimize and mitigate for the incidental take of the Barton Springs
salamander by placing 10 percent of the total revenues generated at
Barton Springs Pool into a conservation fund. The fund would be used
for enhancing habitat and for ecological and biological research on the
Barton Springs salamander. In addition, mitigation measures are
included in the Habitat Conservation Plan.
Don Ciccone,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 98-6621 Filed 3-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P
