[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48965-48966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23752]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Environmental Assessment; Texas
ACTION: Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit
for Construction of One Single Family Residence on 8.0 acres on Bullick
Bluff (Tax parcel #01-5947-011600007), Austin, Travis County, Texas.
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SUMMARY: Jane Marie Hurst (applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to
Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The applicant has
been assigned permit number PRT-818874. The requested permit, which is
for a period of 5 years, would authorize the incidental take of the
endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica
[[Page 48966]]
chrysoparia). The proposed take would occur as a result of the
construction of one single family residence on 8.0 acres on Bullick
Bluff (Tax parcel #01-5947-011600007), Austin, Travis County, Texas.
This action will eliminate less than one-half acre and indirectly
impact less than one-half additional acre of golden-cheeked warbler
habitat. The applicant proposes to compensate for this loss of golden-
cheeked warbler habitat by placing $1,500 into the City of Austin
Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Fund to acquire/manage lands for the
conservation of the golden-cheeked warbler.
The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application.
Alternatives to this action were rejected because selling or not
developing the subject property with federally listed species present
is not economically feasible. A determination of whether jeopardy to
the species will occur or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
will not be made before 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).
DATES: Written comments on the application should be received by
October 17, 1996.
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 Joseph E. Johnston or Mary
Orms, Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200,
Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0063). Documents will be available for
public inspection by written request, by appointment only, during
normal business hours (8:00 to 4:30) at the above Austin address.
Written data or comments concerning the application(s) and EA/HCPs
should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, at the Austin Ecological
Services Field Office at the above address. Please refer to permit
number PRT-818874 when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph E. Johnston or Mary Orms at the above Austin Ecological Service
Field Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler.
However, the 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
Lynn B. Starnes,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 96-23752 Filed 9-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-M
