[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 159 (Thursday, August 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42439-42440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20813]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Species Permit Application,
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for the Federally Threatened
Coastal California Gnatcatcher for the Old Town Temecula Redevelopment
Project, Riverside County, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has under
consideration a proposal to issue a 30-year permit under Section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act)
that would authorize incidental taking of the threatened coastal
California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica;
gnatcatcher). The applicant for this incidental take permit is the
Temecula Entertainment Valley, Inc. The application is accompanied by a
proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the gnatcatcher, and
Implementing Agreement. In response to the permit application and the
accompanying proposal, an Environmental Assessment has been prepared
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and is available. The
application has been assigned permit number PRT-817719.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10 of the Act and the
National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The
Service will evaluate the application, associated documents, and
comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act regulations
and section 10(a) of the Act. If it is determined that the requirements
are met, a permit will be issued for the incidental take of the
gnatcatcher. The final National Environmental Policy Act and permit
determination will be made no sooner than 30 days from the date of this
notice. This notice describes the currently proposed action and
alternatives, and solicits comments on the issues and alternatives
raised in the Environmental Assessment. All coments, including names
and addresses, received will become part of the official administrative
record and may be available to the public.
DATES: Written comments related to the Service's Environmental
Assessment and the applicants permit application, Habitat Conservation
Plan, and Implementing Agreement, should be received by the Service on
or before September 16, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Information, comments, or questions regarding the
Environmental Assessment, permit application, Habitat Conservation
Plan, and Implementing Agreement should be submitted to Mr. Gail
Kobetich, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker
Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008. Written comments also may be
sent by facsimile to (619) 431-9618. Please refer to permit number PRT-
817719 when submitting comments. Individuals wishing copies of the
application, Environmental Assessment or Implementing Agreement for
review should immediately contact the above office. Documents will also
be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal
business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Pete Sorenson, Assistant Field
Supervisor, Endangered Species, at the above address, (619) 431-9440.
[[Page 42440]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service listed the coastal California
gnatcatcher as threatened, on March 25, 1993 (58 FR 16742). As a
threatened species, the gnatcatcher is protected pursuant to section 9
of the Act against ``take,'' that is, no one may harass, harm, pursue,
hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect the species, or
attempt to engage in such conduct (16 USC 1538). However, under certain
circumstances, the Service may issue permits to take threatened
wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise
lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for endangered species
are at 50 CFR 17.22.
Background
Temecula Entertainment Valley, Inc., proposes to construct the
Westside Specific Plan portion of the Old Town Temecula Redevelopment
Project consisting of a Wild West Arena, Hotel, Western Bypass road,
and associated facilities located in the City of Temecula, western
Riverside County. The proposed project is partially located in
undeveloped areas that are known to support two breeding pairs of
gnatcatchers. Construction of the Project would result in the permanent
loss of 35.5 acres of occupied gnatcatcher habitat.
Temecula Entertainment Valley, Inc., proposes to compensate for
this incidental take by preserving and providing for the management of
29 acres of gnatcatcher habitat wihin an 80.1 acre parcel to be set
aside as open space adjacent to the proposed project site. In addition,
the applicant proposes to acquire and provide a management endowment
for off-site mitigation containing approximately 60 acres of
gnatcatcher habitat within a 120 acre parcel adjacent to the
Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve (Reserve) east of
the proposed project site. The Reserve Management Committee has
tentatively agreed to manage the site consistent with existing
management activities on the Reserve using the management endowment
provided by the applicant.
Temecula Entertainment Valley, Inc., considered four alternatives,
including the proposed project. These alternatives included a reduced
project alternative, a different location alternative, and the no
action alternative. The reduced action alternative would reduce the
impact to gnatcatcher habitat; however, it would still require a 10(a)
permit and accompanying mitigation. The different location alternative
would not impact gnatcatcher on the proposed project site; however, if
selected it would require a substantial change in the proposed traffic
circulation pattern within the City of Temecula. Selection of the no
action alternative would reduce the impacts on gnatcatchers on the
proposed project site in the short term. Selection of the no action
alternative limits the applicants goal of providing for preservation of
historic values and balancing job/housing ratio's in Temecula.
This notice is provided pursuant to section 10 of the Act and
National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The
Service will evaluate the application, associated documents, and
comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets
the requirements of National Environmental Policy Act regulations and
section 10(a) of the Act. If it is determined that the requirements are
met, a permit will be issued for the incidental take of the listed
species. The final permit decision will be made following a review of
all comments received in response to this notice.
Dated: August 8, 1996.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 96-20813 Filed 8-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
