Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Reestablishment of the California Red-Legged Frog in the Santa Monica Mountains, California, 68555-68557 [2015-28200]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 214 / Thursday, November 5, 2015 / Notices (Sarracenia oreophila), Alabama canebrake pitcher-plant (Saracenia ruba spp. Alabamensis), and mountain sweet pitcher-plant (Sarracenia rubra ssp. Jonesii) from Europe for the purpose of scientific research. Applicant: Toledo Zoological Gardens, Toledo, OH; PRT–68848B The applicant requests a permit to import a captive-bred female snow leopard (Uncia uncia) from Helsinki Zoo, Helsinki, Finland for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 1-year period. Multiple Applicants The following applicants each request a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. Applicant: Ronald Urbanczyk, Spring Branch, TX; PRT–77410B Applicant: Toledo Zoological Gardens, Toledo, OH; PRT68850B Applicant: Mark Dietz, Wichita, KS; PRT–75358B The applicant requests a permit to import a captive-bred male snow leopard (Uncia uncia) from Stiftelsen Nordens Ark, Hunnebostrand, Sweden for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. Applicant: Justin Trial, Albany, TX; PRT–74769B Applicant: Eduardo Guzman, Fernandina Beach, FL; PRT–66728B The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species to enhance species propagation or survival: Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra). This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period. Applicant: Gordon Ambrosek, Apache, OK; PRT–73572B Applicant: Billy Marlow, Ruleville, MS; PRT–74317B Brenda Tapia, Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority. [FR Doc. 2015–28189 Filed 11–4–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4313–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Applicant: Christopher Ton, East Norriton, PA; PRT–56809B Fish and Wildlife Service The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species to enhance species propagation or survival: Red siskin (Carduelis cucullata). This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period. [FWS–R8–ES–2015–N176; FXES11130800000–156–FF08EVEN00] jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The applicant requests a permit to import partial skeletons and teeth of eastern gorillas (Gorilla beringei) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) from the wild archived by the Rwandan government for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period. Applicant: Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA; PRT–71659B The applicant requests a permit to import two male and eight female captive-bred pronghorn peninsular (Antilocapra americana peninsularis) for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification 15:06 Nov 04, 2015 Jkt 238001 The documents are available on our Web site, at https:// www.fws.gov/ventura. A limited number of printed copies are available by request. You may request the documents or submit comments by any of the following methods. • Email: fw8SHASAMO@fws.gov. Include ‘‘SAMO SHA’’ in the subject line of the message. • U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office; 2493 Portola Road, Suite B; Ventura, CA 93003. • Fax: Attn: Field Supervisor, (805) 644–3958. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Morrissette, Senior Biologist, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, at the address above or by telephone at (805) 644– 1766. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application for an enhancement of survival permit for the threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) under the Act. This permit application includes a proposed safe harbor agreement (agreement) between the applicant and the Service. The agreement and permit application are available for public comment. ADDRESSES: Availability of Documents You may obtain copies of the documents for review by using one of the methods in ADDRESSES, or by contacting the individual named in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Applicant: The George Washington University, Washington, DC; PRT– 69115B VerDate Sep<11>2014 68555 Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Reestablishment of the California Red-Legged Frog in the Santa Monica Mountains, California Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of permit application. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received, from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Angeles District (applicant), an application for an enhancement of survival permit for the federally threatened California red-legged frog, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This permit application includes a proposed safe harbor agreement (agreement) between the applicant and the Service. The agreement and permit application are available for public comment. DATES: To ensure we are able to consider your comments, please send them to us by December 7, 2015. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 section. You also may make an appointment to view the documents at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES) during normal business hours. Background Under a safe harbor agreement, participating landowners voluntarily undertake management activities on their property to benefit species listed under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Safe harbor agreements, and the subsequent permits that are issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act, encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation efforts for listed species by assuring property owners that they will not be subjected to increased land use restrictions as a result of efforts to attract or increase the numbers or distribution of a listed species on their property. Application requirements and issuance criteria for permits through safe harbor agreements are found in 50 CFR 17.22(c) and 17.32(c). Proposed Agreement We have worked with the applicant to develop this proposed agreement for the E:\FR\FM\05NON1.SGM 05NON1 jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 68556 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 214 / Thursday, November 5, 2015 / Notices conservation of the California red-legged frog on the properties subject to the agreement (enrolled properties), which are owned and managed by the applicant. The four enrolled properties are: (1) Point Mugu State Park, La Jolla Canyon Watershed, Ventura County; (2) Leo Carrillo State Park, Arroyo Sequit Watershed, Los Angeles County; (3) Malibu Creek State Park, Monte Nido Watershed, Los Angeles County; and (4) Topanga State Park, Temescal Creek, Santa Monica Watershed, Los Angeles County. The area of each enrolled property follows: The area of La Jolla Canyon Watershed within Point Mugu State Park is 2,790 acres; the area of Arroyo Sequit Watershed within Leo Carrillo State Park is 1,803 acres; the area of Monte Nido Watershed within Malibu Creek State Park is 5,420 acres; and the area of Temescal Creek, Santa Monica Watershed within Topanga State Park is 6,917 acres. The total combined area of the enrolled properties is 16,930 acres. The enrolled properties occur within the historic range of the California red-legged frog. Within the 16,930 acres of land comprising the enrolled properties, approximately 135 acres contain suitable habitat for the California red-legged frog. California red-legged frogs will be translocated and reestablished into suitable habitat at the enrolled properties according to a written agreement between the applicant and Service. Under this written agreement, the existing habitat for the California red-legged frog will be managed for the species, and additional habitat for the species may be created in the future. We expect that the activities proposed in the agreement will result in the reestablishment of the California red-legged frog in suitable habitat that will be maintained and remain relatively undisturbed, thus resulting in a net conservation benefit for the species. The agreement provides for the translocation and reestablishment of the California red-legged frog at the enrolled properties, and the management of its suitable habitat. The proposed duration of the agreement and term of the enhancement of survival permit is 50 years. The agreement fully describes the proposed management activities to be undertaken by the applicant and the net conservation benefits expected to be gained for the California red-legged frog. What Would Happen Upon Approval of Agreement Upon approval of this agreement and satisfactory completion of all other applicable legal requirements, and consistent with the Service’s Safe Harbor Policy, published in the Federal VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Nov 04, 2015 Jkt 238001 Register on June 17, 1999 (64 FR 32717), the Service would issue a permit to the applicant authorizing take of the California red-legged frog incidental to the implementation of the management activities specified in the agreement, including translocation and reestablishment of California red-legged frogs to the enrolled properties, incidental to other lawful uses of the enrolled property, including normal, routine land management activities and recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, camping, and picnicking; incidental to monitoring and surveying activities; and incidental to the return to pre-agreement conditions (baseline). Management activities included in the agreement will provide for the translocation and reestablishment of the California red-legged frog and management of its habitat within the enrolled properties. The objective of such activities is to reestablish selfsustaining populations of the California red-legged frog within its historic range in the suitable habitat at the enrolled properties. Take of California red-legged frogs in the form of capture would occur during translocation activities, thereby necessitating take authority under the permit. Take incidental to activities associated with the management of California red-legged frog habitat is unlikely; however, it is possible that in the course of such activities or other lawful activities on the enrolled property, the applicant could incidentally take individual California red-legged frogs, thereby necessitating take authority under the permit. Baseline conditions at the enrolled properties, as described in the agreement, have been established, consisting of two elements, the current area of suitable habitat for the California red-legged frog and the elevated presence of California red-legged frog populations. Under the agreement, an elevated baseline for the California redlegged frog populations means that, in anticipation that translocation and reestablishment of the California redlegged frog is successful, the populations of California red-legged frogs would remain at the enrolled properties at the end of the agreement term where there currently are no California red-legged frog populations and under other circumstances the baseline for the species presence could be zero. The elevated baseline has been established to aid in reaching recovery objectives for the California red-legged frog by implementing recovery activities with the intent to create and maintain self-sustaining populations of California red-legged frogs at the enrolled PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 properties post-translocation. The applicant must maintain baseline on the enrolled properties in order to receive coverage regarding incidental take of California red-legged frogs. The agreement and requested permit would allow the applicant to return the enrolled property to baseline conditions for habitat, and to the elevated baseline for the California red-legged frog populations, after the end of the term of the agreement and prior to the expiration of the 50-year permit, if so desired by the applicant. Public Review and Comments The Service has made a preliminary determination that the proposed agreement and permit application are eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). We explain the basis for this determination in an Environmental Action Statement, which also is available for public review. Individuals wishing copies of the permit application, copies of our draft Environmental Action Statement, and copies of the agreement, including a map of the proposed permit area, should contact the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES). If you wish to comment on the permit application or the agreement, you may submit your comments to one of the addresses listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document. Comments and materials received, including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for public review, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address in the ADDRESSES section above and will become part of the public record, under section 10(c) of the Act. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Next Steps We will evaluate this permit application, associated documents, and comments we receive to determine whether the permit application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act and NEPA regulations. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will sign the proposed agreement and issue an enhancement of E:\FR\FM\05NON1.SGM 05NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 214 / Thursday, November 5, 2015 / Notices survival permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the applicant for take of the California red-legged frog incidental to otherwise lawful activities in accordance with the terms of the agreement. We will not make our final decision until after the end of the 30day comment period and will fully consider all comments we receive during the comment period. The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) of the Act and under implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6). Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office. [FR Doc. 2015–28200 Filed 11–4–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4313–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. Geological Survey [GX.16.GG00.99600.00] Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Interior. ACTION: Notice of an extension of an information collection (1028–0051). AGENCY: We (the U.S. Geological Survey) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this IC. This collection is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2016. DATES: You must submit comments on or before January 4, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS 807, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); (703) 648–7197 (fax); or gs-info_collections@usgs.gov (email). Please reference ‘Information Collection 1028–0051, Earthquake Hazards Program Research and Monitoring’ in all correspondence. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Lemersal, Earthquake Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 905, Reston, VA 20192 (mail); 703–648–6716 (phone); or Lemersal@usgs.gov (email). You may also find information about this ICR at www.reginfo.gov. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Nov 04, 2015 Jkt 238001 68557 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: III. Request for Comments I. Abstract Research and monitoring findings are essential to fulfilling USGS’s responsibility under the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act to develop earthquake hazard assessments and recording earthquake activity nationwide. Residents, emergency responders, and engineers rely on the USGS for this accurate and scientifically sound information. The Earthquake Hazards Program funds external investigators to carry out these important activities. In response to our Program Announcements investigators submit proposals for research and monitoring activities on earthquake hazard assessments, earthquake causes and effects, and earthquake monitoring. This information is used as the basis for selection and award of projects meeting the USGS’s Earthquake Hazards Program objectives. Final reports of research and monitoring findings are required for each funded proposal; annual progress reports are required for awards of a two- to five-year duration. Final reports are made available to the public at the Web site https:// earthquake.usgs.gov/research/external/. We are soliciting comments as to: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the agency to perform its duties, including whether the information is useful; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) how to minimize the burden on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Please note that the comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of public record. Before including your personal mailing address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personally identifiable information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personally identifiable information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. II. Data OMB Control Number: 1028–0051. Form Number: N/A. Title: Earthquake Hazards Program Research and Monitoring. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Research scientists, engineers, and the general public. Respondent’s Obligation: None. Participation is voluntary, but necessary to receive benefits. Frequency of Collection: Annually and once every three to five years. Estimated Total Number of Annual Responses: 370 (250 applications and narratives and 120 annual and final reports). Estimated Time per Response: 45 hours per proposal application response and 9 hours per final or annual progress report. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 12,330 (11,250 hours per application and 1,080 hours per final or annual progress report). Estimated Reporting and Recordkeeping ‘‘Non-Hour Cost’’ Burden: There are no ‘‘non-hour cost’’ burdens associated with this IC. Public Disclosure Statement: The PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) provides that an agency may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number and current expiration date. William Leith, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards. PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2015–28236 Filed 11–4–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4338–11–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO120200 L16300000.NU0000] Notice of Proposed Supplementary Rules for Public Lands in New Mexico Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Proposed supplementary rules. AGENCY: The New Mexico State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to establish supplementary rules within public lands in New Mexico. DATES: Interested parties may submit written comments regarding the proposed supplementary rules until January 4, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, hand-delivery, or electronic mail. Mail: Office of Law Enforcement, BLM, New Mexico State Office, P.O. Box 27115 Santa Fe, NM 87502–0115. Hand-delivery: 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05NON1.SGM 05NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68555-68557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-28200]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2015-N176; FXES11130800000-156-FF08EVEN00]


Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement for the Reestablishment of the 
California Red-Legged Frog in the Santa Monica Mountains, California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of permit application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
received, from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, 
Angeles District (applicant), an application for an enhancement of 
survival permit for the federally threatened California red-legged 
frog, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This 
permit application includes a proposed safe harbor agreement 
(agreement) between the applicant and the Service. The agreement and 
permit application are available for public comment.

DATES: To ensure we are able to consider your comments, please send 
them to us by December 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The documents are available on our Web site, at https://www.fws.gov/ventura. A limited number of printed copies are available 
by request. You may request the documents or submit comments by any of 
the following methods.
     Email: fw8SHASAMO@fws.gov. Include ``SAMO SHA'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor; U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service; Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office; 2493 Portola Road, Suite B; 
Ventura, CA 93003.
     Fax: Attn: Field Supervisor, (805) 644-3958.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Morrissette, Senior Biologist, 
Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, at the address above or by telephone 
at (805) 644-1766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application for an 
enhancement of survival permit for the threatened California red-legged 
frog (Rana draytonii) under the Act. This permit application includes a 
proposed safe harbor agreement (agreement) between the applicant and 
the Service. The agreement and permit application are available for 
public comment.

Availability of Documents

    You may obtain copies of the documents for review by using one of 
the methods in ADDRESSES, or by contacting the individual named in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. You also may make an 
appointment to view the documents at the Ventura Fish and Wildlife 
Office (see ADDRESSES) during normal business hours.

Background

    Under a safe harbor agreement, participating landowners voluntarily 
undertake management activities on their property to benefit species 
listed under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Safe harbor agreements, 
and the subsequent permits that are issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of 
the Act, encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to 
implement conservation efforts for listed species by assuring property 
owners that they will not be subjected to increased land use 
restrictions as a result of efforts to attract or increase the numbers 
or distribution of a listed species on their property. Application 
requirements and issuance criteria for permits through safe harbor 
agreements are found in 50 CFR 17.22(c) and 17.32(c).

Proposed Agreement

    We have worked with the applicant to develop this proposed 
agreement for the

[[Page 68556]]

conservation of the California red-legged frog on the properties 
subject to the agreement (enrolled properties), which are owned and 
managed by the applicant. The four enrolled properties are: (1) Point 
Mugu State Park, La Jolla Canyon Watershed, Ventura County; (2) Leo 
Carrillo State Park, Arroyo Sequit Watershed, Los Angeles County; (3) 
Malibu Creek State Park, Monte Nido Watershed, Los Angeles County; and 
(4) Topanga State Park, Temescal Creek, Santa Monica Watershed, Los 
Angeles County. The area of each enrolled property follows: The area of 
La Jolla Canyon Watershed within Point Mugu State Park is 2,790 acres; 
the area of Arroyo Sequit Watershed within Leo Carrillo State Park is 
1,803 acres; the area of Monte Nido Watershed within Malibu Creek State 
Park is 5,420 acres; and the area of Temescal Creek, Santa Monica 
Watershed within Topanga State Park is 6,917 acres. The total combined 
area of the enrolled properties is 16,930 acres. The enrolled 
properties occur within the historic range of the California red-legged 
frog. Within the 16,930 acres of land comprising the enrolled 
properties, approximately 135 acres contain suitable habitat for the 
California red-legged frog. California red-legged frogs will be 
translocated and reestablished into suitable habitat at the enrolled 
properties according to a written agreement between the applicant and 
Service. Under this written agreement, the existing habitat for the 
California red-legged frog will be managed for the species, and 
additional habitat for the species may be created in the future. We 
expect that the activities proposed in the agreement will result in the 
reestablishment of the California red-legged frog in suitable habitat 
that will be maintained and remain relatively undisturbed, thus 
resulting in a net conservation benefit for the species.
    The agreement provides for the translocation and reestablishment of 
the California red-legged frog at the enrolled properties, and the 
management of its suitable habitat. The proposed duration of the 
agreement and term of the enhancement of survival permit is 50 years. 
The agreement fully describes the proposed management activities to be 
undertaken by the applicant and the net conservation benefits expected 
to be gained for the California red-legged frog.

What Would Happen Upon Approval of Agreement

    Upon approval of this agreement and satisfactory completion of all 
other applicable legal requirements, and consistent with the Service's 
Safe Harbor Policy, published in the Federal Register on June 17, 1999 
(64 FR 32717), the Service would issue a permit to the applicant 
authorizing take of the California red-legged frog incidental to the 
implementation of the management activities specified in the agreement, 
including translocation and reestablishment of California red-legged 
frogs to the enrolled properties, incidental to other lawful uses of 
the enrolled property, including normal, routine land management 
activities and recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, 
bicycling, camping, and picnicking; incidental to monitoring and 
surveying activities; and incidental to the return to pre-agreement 
conditions (baseline).
    Management activities included in the agreement will provide for 
the translocation and reestablishment of the California red-legged frog 
and management of its habitat within the enrolled properties. The 
objective of such activities is to reestablish self-sustaining 
populations of the California red-legged frog within its historic range 
in the suitable habitat at the enrolled properties. Take of California 
red-legged frogs in the form of capture would occur during 
translocation activities, thereby necessitating take authority under 
the permit. Take incidental to activities associated with the 
management of California red-legged frog habitat is unlikely; however, 
it is possible that in the course of such activities or other lawful 
activities on the enrolled property, the applicant could incidentally 
take individual California red-legged frogs, thereby necessitating take 
authority under the permit.
    Baseline conditions at the enrolled properties, as described in the 
agreement, have been established, consisting of two elements, the 
current area of suitable habitat for the California red-legged frog and 
the elevated presence of California red-legged frog populations. Under 
the agreement, an elevated baseline for the California red-legged frog 
populations means that, in anticipation that translocation and 
reestablishment of the California red-legged frog is successful, the 
populations of California red-legged frogs would remain at the enrolled 
properties at the end of the agreement term where there currently are 
no California red-legged frog populations and under other circumstances 
the baseline for the species presence could be zero. The elevated 
baseline has been established to aid in reaching recovery objectives 
for the California red-legged frog by implementing recovery activities 
with the intent to create and maintain self-sustaining populations of 
California red-legged frogs at the enrolled properties post-
translocation. The applicant must maintain baseline on the enrolled 
properties in order to receive coverage regarding incidental take of 
California red-legged frogs. The agreement and requested permit would 
allow the applicant to return the enrolled property to baseline 
conditions for habitat, and to the elevated baseline for the California 
red-legged frog populations, after the end of the term of the agreement 
and prior to the expiration of the 50-year permit, if so desired by the 
applicant.

Public Review and Comments

    The Service has made a preliminary determination that the proposed 
agreement and permit application are eligible for categorical exclusion 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.). We explain the basis for this determination in an 
Environmental Action Statement, which also is available for public 
review.
    Individuals wishing copies of the permit application, copies of our 
draft Environmental Action Statement, and copies of the agreement, 
including a map of the proposed permit area, should contact the Ventura 
Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES).
    If you wish to comment on the permit application or the agreement, 
you may submit your comments to one of the addresses listed in the 
ADDRESSES section of this document. Comments and materials received, 
including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for 
public review, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
address in the ADDRESSES section above and will become part of the 
public record, under section 10(c) of the Act.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate this permit application, associated documents, and 
comments we receive to determine whether the permit application meets 
the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act and NEPA regulations. If 
we determine that the requirements are met, we will sign the proposed 
agreement and issue an enhancement of

[[Page 68557]]

survival permit under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the applicant 
for take of the California red-legged frog incidental to otherwise 
lawful activities in accordance with the terms of the agreement. We 
will not make our final decision until after the end of the 30-day 
comment period and will fully consider all comments we receive during 
the comment period.
    The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) of the Act and 
under implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6).

Stephen P. Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office.
[FR Doc. 2015-28200 Filed 11-4-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4313-15-P
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