[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 173 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46623-46624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22143]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for a Project Called Coquina
Palms Townhomes Project, Located in the Central Beaches Area of Brevard
County, Florida
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Joseph A. Hill (Applicant), is seeking an incidental take
permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The
permit would authorize the take of two families of the threatened
Florida scrub jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens in Brevard
County, Florida, for a period of 10 years. The proposed taking is
incidental to construction of a 71-unit townhome project, including the
necessary infrastructure, on approximately 12 acres (Project). Within
the Project, 1.7 acres are occupied by Florida scrub jays and will be
permanently altered. The Project is called Coquina Palms Townhomes, and
it is located on Wallace Avenue at the water tower site, within Section
30, Township 27 South, Range 38 East, in the central beaches area of
Brevard County, Florida.
The Service also announces the availability of an environmental
assessment and habitat conservation plan for the incidental take
application. Copies of the EA or HCP may be obtained by making a
request to the Regional Office address below. Requests must be
submitted in writing to be adequately processed. 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, EA and HCP should be
received on or before October 10, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, HCP, and EA may
obtain a copy by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office,
Atlanta, Georgia. Documents will also be available for public
inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the Regional
Office, or the Jacksonville, Florida, Field Office. Written data or
comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP should be submitted to
the Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT-806150 in such
comments.
Regional Permit Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875
Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, (telephone 404/
679-7110, fax 404/679-7081).
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint
Drive, South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216-0912, (telephone
904/232-2580, fax 904/232-2404).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn Zattau at the Jacksonville,
Florida, Field Office, or Rick G. Gooch at the Atlanta, Georgia,
Regional Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens is
geographically isolated from other subspecies of scrub jays found in
Mexico and the Western United States. The Florida scrub jay is found
almost exclusively in peninsular Florida and is restricted to scrub
habitat. The total estimated population is between 7,000 and 11,000
individuals. Due to habitat loss and degradation throughout the State
of Florida, it has been estimated that the Florida scrub jay population
has been reduced by at least half in the last 100 years. Surveys have
indicated that two families of Florida scrub jays inhabit the Project
site. Construction of the Project's infrastructure and subsequent
construction of the individual homesites will likely result in death
of, or injury to, Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens incidental to
the carrying out of these otherwise lawful activities. Habitat
alteration associated with property development will reduce the
availability of feeding, shelter, and nesting habitat.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of three
alternatives. The no action alternative may result in loss of habitat
for Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens and exposure of the Applicant
under section 9 of the Act. The second alternative is the proposed
Project that is designed with a different mitigation strategy. A third
alternative, the proposed action alternative is
[[Page 46624]]
issuance of the incidental take permit. This provides for restrictions
of construction activity, purchase of offsite habitat for the Florida
scrub jay, the establishment of an endowment fund for the offsite
acquired habitat, and donation of additional offsite habitat. The HCP
provides a funding mechanism for these mitigation measures.
Dated: August 30, 1995.
Noreen K. Clough,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-22143 Filed 9-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
