E7-4031. Draft Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan; Issuance of a Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit for Incidental Take of the Houston toad in Bastrop County, Texas (Combs Lot 1)

AGENCY:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of availability; receipt of application.

SUMMARY:

Lee Combs (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE-140983-0) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of five years, would authorize incidental take of the Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and occupation of commercial development on Lot 1, a 0.75-acre property located on Highway 71 in the Tahitian Village Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas. We invite public comment.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or before April 6, 2007.

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, Room 4102, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review the draft EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Scott Rowin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 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 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Service's Austin office. Written data or comments concerning the application and draft EA/HCP should be submitted to the Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758. Please refer to permit number TE-140983-0 when submitting comments. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become a part of the official administrative record and may be made available to the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Clayton Napier at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Austin office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0057) or by e-mail, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Applicant has applied to the Service for a Section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit for a period of five years in order to gain authorization for incidental take of the Houston toad.

Section 9 of the Act prohibits the “taking” of endangered species such as the Houston toad. However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take endangered wildlife species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities.

We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22), and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

Applicant: The Applicant is proposing general commercial development and construction activities on Lot 1, a 0.75-acre property located on Highway 71 in the Tahitian Village Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas. This action will eliminate up to 0.75 acres of Houston toad habitat and result in indirect impacts within the lot. The Applicant proposes to compensate for incidental take of the Houston toad by providing $2,250.00 to the Houston Toad Conservation Fund at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the specific purpose of land acquisition and management within Houston toad habitat.

David Yazzie,

Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.