[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 101 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12847]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 26, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Amendment to the Permit Allowing Incidental Take of
the Threatened Desert Tortoise by Clark County and the Cities of Las
Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City, NV
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that Clark County and the
cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City,
Nevada (Applicants) have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) for an amendment to their existing permit (PRT 756260)
authorizing incidental take of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii)
pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (Act). The proposed amendment would extend the term of the
existing permit one year, to July 31, 1995 and allow disturbance of
8,000 additional acres within the existing permit area. The number of
desert tortoises taken would not increase above what is currently
authorized under the existing permit, which is up to 3,710 tortoises.
The permit application is accompanied by amendments to the Habitat
Conservation Plan (HCP) and Implementation Agreement (IA).
The Service also announces the availability of an Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the proposed amendment to the permit. 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 permit application and EA should be
received on or before June 27, 1994.
ADDRESS: Comments regarding the application or adequacy of the EA
should be addressed to Mr. David Harlow, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Reno Field Office, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Building C,
room 125, Reno, Nevada 89502. Please refer to permit no. PRT-756260
when submitting comment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Sheryl Barrett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Reno Field Office,
4600 Kietzke Lane, Building C, room 125, Reno, Nevada 89502 (702-784-
5227). Individuals wishing copies of the application or EA for review
should immediately contact the above individual. Documents will be
available for public inspection, by appointment, and during normal
business hours at the Reno Field Office (address given above).
Documents will also be available for review at the reference desks of
all public libraries in Clark County, Nevada.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under section 9 of the Act, and implementing regulations,
``taking'' of desert tortoises a threatened species, is prohibited.
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to
take threatened wildlife species if such taking is incidental to, and
not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing
permits for threatened species are in 50 CFR 17.32.
The Applicants propose to amend their existing permit, and have
proposed amendments to the HCP and IA for their permit, which
authorizes incidental take of desert tortoises in the Las Vegas Valley
and Boulder City. The existing permit was issued July 24, 1991, and
authorizes the incidental take of up to 3,710 desert tortoises on
22,352 acres of desert tortoise habitat, within the specified permit
area. As of December 1993, 701 desert tortoises have been taken
pursuant to the existing permit and approximately 15,383 acres of
tortoise habitat have been developed. By the time the existing permit
expires, disturbance of all or nearly all of the 22,352 acres of
habitat authorized by the existing permit is expected to occur, but the
number of tortoises expected to be taken is well below 3,710. To
minimize and monitor the incidental take authorized under the existing
permit, the Applicants have implemented procedures to survey and remove
tortoises located on development properties; placed these tortoises in
research, education, and adoption programs; implemented audit
procedures; and conducted a public information program. To mitigate for
impacts to the desert tortoise authorized by the existing permit, the
Applicants have implemented a tortoise habitat conservation program in
Clark County. As of December 1993, the Applicants have preserved
approximately 330,000 acres of habitat for the long-term management of
desert tortoises in the Piute-Eldorado Desert Wildlife Management Area.
The Applicants will conserve an additional 70,000 acres of desert
tortoise habitat prior to the expiration date of the existing permit.
The conserved habitat is located primarily on land administered by the
Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. Management
actions, including increased law enforcement, above and beyond what is
legally required of the Federal land managers, are funded by the
Applicants through a $550-per-acre mitigation fee on development
projects covered by the existing permit.
To minimize and mitigate the impacts of the additional 8,000 acres
of desert tortoise habitat proposed to be developed under the permit
amendment, the applicants propose to amend the existing HCP by: (1)
Assessing a $550-per-acre mitigation fee on the additional 8,000 acres
of habitat disturbance; (2) adding an additional $100,000 to the
research monies established under the existing permit; (3) adding
$100,000 to the public education fund established under the existing
permit; (4) increasing the current $3,125,000 trust fund for income to
manage and monitor conserved habitat by $1,000,000; and (5) adding
approximately 140,000 acres of conserved habitat to the tortoise
management area established under the existing permit.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of three
alternatives, including amendment of the permit as proposed, extension
of the permit with no additional habitat disturbance, and no action.
(Notice: Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt
of an Application for a Section 10(a) Permit of the Endangered
Species Act.)
Dated: May 17, 1994.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12847 Filed 5-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
