[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 19507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10065]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Extension of
Comment Period for 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 Adjacent Springs
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior
ACTION: Notice: extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice
that the public comment period is extended for a Section 10(a)(1)(B)
permit. The City of Austin has applied to the Service for an incidental
take permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) 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 incidental take of the endangered Barton Springs salamander
(Eurycea sosorum). The proposed take would occur as a result of the
operation and maintenance of Barton Springs Pool and adjacent springs
in Austin, Travis County, Texas.
The City of Austin has prepared the Environmental Assessment/
Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application.
Neither a determination of whether jeopardy to the species is likely to
occur, nor a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be made
before April 30, 1998. 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 April 30, 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 Matthew Lechner, Austin
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 (7:30 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Austin Ecological Services Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200,
Austin, Texas 78758 (512-490-0057). Written data or comments concerning
the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the Field Supervisor,
Ecological Services Field Office, Austin, Texas (see address above).
Please refer to permit number PRT-839031 when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Lechner at the above Austin
Field Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species such as the Barton
Springs salamander. 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.
Applicant: The City of Austin plans to 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 proposed 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 included
habitat conservation plan. In addition, mitigation measures are
included in the Habitat Conservation Plan.
Nancy M. Kaufman,
Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10065 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-01-P
