[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8300-8301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4933]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Incidental Take Permit From Sage Development
Company, LLC, Daphne, AL
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Sage Development Company, LLC, (Applicant), has applied to the
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit
pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act).
The proposed permit would authorize for a period of 30 years the
incidental take of an endangered species, the Alabama beach mouse
(Peromyscus polionotus ammobates), known to occupy a 25.7-acre tract of
land owned by the Applicant on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin
County, Alabama. The Application proposes to construct a project known
as The Dunes, which will include 3 condominium complexes, 38 single
family/duplex lots, their associated landscaped grounds and parking
areas, recreational amenities, and dune walkover structures (Project).
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
requests to the addresses below. 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 permit application, EA and HCP should be
received on or before April 3, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia.
Persons wishing to review the EA or HCP may obtain a copy by writing
the Regional Office or the Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Requests
must be writing to properly process requests. Documents will also be
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business
hours at the Regional Office, or the Field Office. Written data or
comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP should be submitted to
the Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT-811416 in such
comments.
Regional Permit Coordinator (TE), 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, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson,
Mississippi 39213 (telephone 601/965-4900, FAX 601/965-4340).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Will McDearman at the above
Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alabama beach mouse (ABM), Peromyscus
polionotus ammobates, is a subspecies of the common oldfield mouse
Peromyscus polionotus and is restricted to the dune systems of the Gulf
Coast of Alabama. The known change of ABM extends from Fort Morgan
eastward to the western terminus of Alabama Highway 182, including the
Perdue Unit on the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. The sand dune
systems inhabited by this species are not uniform; several habitat
types are distinguishable. The species inhabits primary dunes,
interdune areas, secondary dunes, and scrub dunes. The depth and area
of these habitats from the beach inland varies. Population surveys
indicate that this subspecies is usually more abundant in primary dunes
that in secondary dunes, and usually more abundant in secondary dunes
than in scrub dunes. Optimal habitat consists of dune systems with all
dune types. Though fewer ABM inhabit scrub dunes, these high dunes can
serve as refugia during devastating hurricanes that overwash, flood,
and destroy or alter secondary and frontal dunes. ABM surveys on the
Applicant's property reveal habitat occupied by ABM. The Applicant's
property contains designated critical habitat for the ABM. Construction
of the Project may result in the death of, or injury to, ABM. Habitat
alterations due to condominium placement and subsequent human
habitation of the project may reduce available habitat for food,
shelter, and reproduction.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of several
alternatives. One action proposed is the issuance of the incidental
take permit based upon submittal of the HCP as proposed. This
alternative provides for restrictions that include placing no habitable
structures seaward of the designated ABM critical habitat,
establishment of walkover structures across designated critical
habitat, a prohibition against housing or keeping pet cats, ABM
competitor control and monitoring measures, scavenger-proof garbage
containers, creation of educational and information brochures on ABM
conservation, and
[[Page 8301]]
the minimization and control of outdoor lighting. Further, the HCP
proposes to provide an endowment to acquire ABM habitat off-site or
otherwise perform some other conservation measure for the ABM. The HCP
provides a funding source for these mitigation measures. Another
alternative is consideration of a different project design that further
minimizes permanent loss of ABM habitat. A third alternative is no-
action, or deny the request for authorization to incidentally take the
ABM.
Dated: February 26, 1996.
Noreen K. Clough,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-4933 Filed 3-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
