01-19696. Receipt of a Permit Application (Scarpato) for Incidental Take of the Golden-Cheeked Warbler

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of availability.

SUMMARY:

Thomas V. Scarpato and Janet E. Neyland-Scarpato (Applicants) have applied for an incidental take permit (TE-042733-0) pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The requested permit would authorize the incidental take of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler. The proposed take would occur as the result of the construction of one single family residence on Lot 11, Two Coves Drive, Austin, Travis County, Texas.

DATES:

Written comments on the application should be received on or before September 6, 2001.

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 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 (8:00 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas. Written data or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas, at the above address. Please refer to permit number TE-042733-0 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Scott Rowin at the above U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section 9 of the Act prohibits the “taking” of endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take endangered wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.

The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application. A determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will not be made until at least 30 days from the date of publication of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

Applicants: Thomas V. Scarpato and Janet E. Neyland-Scarpato plan to construct a single family residence, within 10 years, on Lot 11, 8110 Two Coves Drive, Austin, Travis County, Texas. This action will eliminate less than one acre of habitat and indirectly impact less than four additional acres of golden-cheeked warbler habitat. The applicants propose to compensate for this incidental take of golden-cheeked warbler habitat by donating $1,500 into the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve to acquire/manage lands for the conservation of the golden-cheeked warbler.

Bryan Arroyo,

Regional Director, Region 2.