[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29146-29147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13999]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for a Permit To Authorize Incidental Take of the Threatened
Northern Spotted Owl by Ribar Timberlands, Humboldt County, California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that Ribar Timberlands of
Humboldt County, California (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant
to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). The application has been assigned permit number PRT-
828760. The requested permit would authorize the incidental take of
northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) (owls) that may
occur in or near the project area in Humboldt County, California, as a
result of the Applicant's timber-management activities. A Habitat
Conservation Plan, including an Implementing Agreement, was submitted
as part of the application in accordance with section 10(a) of the Act.
The Service specifically requests comments on the appropriateness of
the ``No Surprises'' assurances contained in this application (see
sections II.D.1 and III.K of the Implementing Agreement).
The Service also announces the availability of an Environmental
Assessment for the proposed issuance of the incidental take permit and
approval of the Habitat Conservation Plan. All comments received will
become part of the public record and may be released. 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 Environmental
Assessment should be received on or before June 30, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or Environmental
Assessment should be addressed to Mr. Bruce Halstead, Project Leader,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal California Fish and Wildlife
Office, 1125 16 Street, Room 209, Arcata, California 95521; (707) 822-
7201. Please refer to permit number PRT-828760 when submitting
comments. Individuals wishing copies of the application package or
Environmental Assessment for review should immediately contact the
office listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ken Hoffman, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, at the above address; telephone (707) 822-7201.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under section 9 of the Act and its
implementing regulations, ``taking'' of threatened and endangered
species is prohibited. However, the Service, under limited
circumstances, may issue permits to take threatened or endangered
wildlife species if such taking is incidental to, and not the purpose
of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for
threatened and endangered species are codified in 50 CFR 17.32 and
17.22, respectively.
The Applicant has requested that the Service issue an incidental
take permit and approve the Habitat Conservation Plan, authorizing
incidental take of owls that may result from their proposed timber
harvest on the 1,384-acre project
[[Page 29147]]
area in Humboldt County, California. The Applicant's proposed timber
harvest may result in the take owls, as defined in the Act and its
implementing regulations. The term of the permit and Habitat
Conservation Plan would be for 30 years.
The Applicant proposes to mitigate for potential impacts from
incidental take of owls by retaining at least one stand of viable owl
nesting habitat at all times, conducting pre-harvest owl surveys,
deferring any timber harvest which may displace an activity center
until outside the breeding season, and maintaining at least 35% of the
forested area of the property in a condition of suitable owl habitat at
all times. To minimize impacts to owls, the Habitat Conservation Plan
requires specified activities that could potentially result in take not
be conducted within a 1000-foot radius of any occupied owl nest site.
The retention of owl habitat, including at least one stand of viable
nesting habitat would ensure the availability of owl habitat in the
future.
The Environmental Assessment considers the environmental
consequences of three alternatives, including a no-action alternative.
The proposed action alternative is the issuance of the permit under
section 10(a) of the Act which would authorize incidental take of the
owl. The proposed action would require the Applicant to implement their
Habitat Conservation Plan. Under the no-action alternative, the permit
would not be issued, the Habitat Conservation Plan would not be
implemented, and the Applicant would avoid the take of owls. A third
alternative is briefly considered which would defer all harvests in
perpetuity with the intent of maximizing the number of spotted owls
nesting on the property.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, and 4201-4245.
Dated: May 21, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-13999 Filed 5-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
