Notice of Scoping Meeting and Notice of Intent to Prepare a Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Barton Springs Ecosystem in the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer, 46186-46187 [05-15804]
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46186
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 9, 2005 / Notices
in conjunction with surveys throughout
the range of each species in Southern
California for the purpose of enhancing
their survival.
Permit No. TE–004939
Applicant: Gordon Pratt, Riverside,
California.
The permittee requests an amendment
to take (survey by pursuit, capture,
handle, remove from the wild, captively
propagate, and release to the wild) the
El Segundo blue butterfly (Euphilotes
battiudes allyni) and the Smith’s blue
butterfly (Euphilotes enoptes smithi) in
conjunction with surveys and
propagation activities throughout the
range of each species in California for
the purpose of enhancing their survival.
We solicit public review and
comment on each of these recovery
permit applications.
Dated: July 27, 2005.
Robert Williams,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada
Operations Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 05–15707 Filed 8–8–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Emergency Exemption: Issuance of
Permit for Endangered Species
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
Notice of emergency issuance of
permit for endangered species.
ACTION:
Tanzania for the purpose of scientific
research. This action was authorized
under Section 10(c) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The Service
determined that an emergency affecting
the health and life of the chimpanzees
at the Mahale Mountains National Park
in Kigoma, Tanzania, existed and that
no reasonable alternative was available
to the applicant for the following
reasons.
Virginia Polytechinic Institute and
State University requested a permit to
import biological samples (bodily
tissues and organs, hair, saliva, and
other body parts) from the forest floor
and from deceased animals found in the
Mahle Mountains National Park in
Tanzania for emergency and ongoing
health and disease evaluation purposes.
Samples will be utilized exclusively for
diagnostic and scientific purposes. The
specimens will be used to run
diagnostics tests to determine the cause
of death of several animals that have
died during an ongoing disease outbreak
at the National Park within the past
several weeks. The necessary diagnostic
testing is not available in Africa. The
results of health and disease testing
from these chimpanzees will help
determine why the animals are sick and
what caused the outbreak in order to
develop interventions to help prevent
reoccurrence.
Dated: July 29, 2005.
Monica Farris,
Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits,
Division of Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 05–15712 Filed 8–8–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
SUMMARY:
The following permit was
issued.
Documents and other
information submitted for this
application are available for review,
subject to the requirements of the
Privacy Act and Freedom of Information
Act, by any party who submits a written
request for a copy of such documents to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division
of Management Authority, 4401 North
Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington,
Virginia 22203, telephone 703/358–2104
or fax 703/358–2281.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Division of Management Authority,
telephone 703/358–2104.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July
28, 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) issued a permit (PRT–
108841) to the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University (CVM
Phase 2), Blacksburg, Virginia, to import
biological samples from wild
chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in
ADDRESSES:
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:52 Aug 08, 2005
Jkt 205001
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Scoping Meeting and Notice
of Intent to Prepare a Habitat
Conservation Plan and Environmental
Impact Statement for the Barton
Springs Ecosystem in the Barton
Springs Segment of the Edwards
Aquifer
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct
scoping meetings and prepare a Habitat
Conservation Plan (HCP) and
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this
notice advises the public that the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
intends to prepare a draft EIS for an
anticipated incidental take permit
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
application, including an HCP, by the
Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer
Conservation District (District) of
Austin, Texas. The proposed
application is for an Incidental Take
Permit for the District’s management of
underground water through permits
authorizing withdrawals from the
Barton Springs segment of the Edwards
Aquifer. Such withdrawals directly
affect the flow of Barton Springs, which
are four hydraulically connected spring
outlets constituting the major discharge
points for the Barton Springs segment of
the Edwards Aquifer. The District is
evaluating the need for a permit for the
endangered Barton Springs salamander
(Eurycea sosorum) and the Austin blind
salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis), a
candidate for listing. Additionally, the
District may prepare an HCP that
includes measures to minimize and
mitigate any taking of species incidental
to the permitted withdrawal of
groundwater from the Barton Springs
segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written
comments from all interested parties
concerning the scope of the analysis
must be received on or before
September 12, 2005. A public scoping
meeting for receipt of comments will be
held at 5 p.m. on August 23, 2005, at the
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in
Austin, Texas. The draft EIS is expected
April 2007.
ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for
information should be sent to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, ATTN: Carrie
Thompson, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite
200, Austin, Texas 78758; telephone
(512) 490–0057 x230; facsimile (512)
490–0974. Comments and materials
received will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.) at the Austin Ecological Services
Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200,
Austin, Texas. Questions regarding the
HCP should be directed to Timothy
Riley, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer
Conservation District, 1124 Regal Row,
Austin, Texas 78748, telephone (512)
282–8441.
Applicant: The District, a political
subdivision of the State of Texas, is
charged with the duty to manage,
conserve, preserve, and protect the
Barton Springs segment of the Edwards
Aquifer. The District issues permits for
the drilling of wells and the production
of groundwater for purposes that are not
exempt from regulation under the Texas
law requiring the District-issued
permits.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice is provided as required by the
NEPA, its implementing regulations (40
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 152 / Tuesday, August 9, 2005 / Notices
CFR 1500–1508) and related applicable
Federal laws, Executive Orders, and
regulations.
Background: The Barton Springs
Ecosystem is dependent upon adequate
spring flow from the Barton Springs
segment of the Edwards Aquifer to
support endangered species. Cessation
of spring flow in the Barton Springs
Ecosystem may result in ‘‘take’’ of listed
species and an appreciable reduction in
the likelihood of survival and recovery
of listed species. Due to the growing
water use anticipated in the Barton
Springs segment of the Edwards
Aquifer, a comprehensive management
plan may be necessary to assure the
sustained spring flow in the Barton
Springs Ecosystem.
The Service proposes to prepare a
draft EIS to evaluate the impacts of
alternatives associated with issuing an
incidental take permit under section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Section
9 of the Act prohibits the taking of
Federally listed species, unless
authorized under the provisions of
Section 7 or 10 of the Act. The term
‘‘take’’ under the Act includes actions
that may directly kill or injure listed
species, actions that significantly
disrupt normal behavioral patterns such
as feeding and breeding, and actions
that detrimentally modify habitat to the
extent that harms individuals of the
species.
Section 10(a)(1)(B) allows the Service
to permit taking of listed species,
provided that taking is incidental to an
otherwise legal activity, and that it will
not jeopardize a listed species. The
applicant must submit an HCP as part
of the incidental take permit
application.
Proposed Action: The District will
consider adoption of an HCP consistent
with the Service’s Barton Springs
Salamander (Draft) Recovery Plan
(January 2005) and with Sections 9 and
10 of the Act. The District’s proposed
HCP will consider a comprehensive
approach to protect Federally listed
species and their habitats that may be
affected by groundwater withdrawals
from the aquifer. Activities proposed for
consideration under the Permit may
include management and permitting of
certain water withdrawals from the
Edwards Aquifer within the jurisdiction
of the District, and habitat conservation
measures to mitigate impacts of changes
in flows of Barton Springs.
Comments Requested: The Service is
soliciting information and comments on
the scope of issues to be addressed in
the draft EIS. The NEPA process is
intended to aid public officials to make
decisions based on the understanding of
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:52 Aug 08, 2005
Jkt 205001
environmental consequences and take
actions that protect, restore, and
enhance the human environment. NEPA
scoping procedures are intended to
ensure that information on the proposed
action, alternatives, and impacts are
solicited from the public and that all
information is available to public
officials and citizens before planning
decisions are made. Accurate scientific
analysis, expert agency comments, and
public scrutiny are essential to
implementing NEPA. NEPA documents
concentrate on the issues that are
significant to the action in question. The
Service invites the public to submit
information and comments either in
writing or at the scheduled meeting. The
Austin meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m.
on August 23, 2005, at the Lady Bird
Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La
Crosse Avenue in Travis County, Texas.
The Service requests that comments be
as specific as possible.
Major environmental and species
concerns in this scoping process include
the direct, indirect, and cumulative
impacts that implementation of the
proposal could have on endangered and
candidate listed species, other
environmental resources, and the
quality of the human environment.
Other relevant issues include effects of
aquifer and water withdrawal levels on
Barton Springs flows, effect of various
aquifer water use management options,
and alternative water supply options on
the environments affected by those
options.
The Service is gathering information
necessary for the preparation of an EIS.
Information regarding the following
topics would assist the Service in
assessing the impacts of the proposed
issuance of an incidental take permit
under the provisions of an HCP: The
hydrogeology of the Barton Springs
segment of the Edwards Aquifer and the
effects of aquifer levels on spring flows
at Barton Springs as they relate to the
habitat needs of Federally listed species;
potential water conservation measures
and strategies to reduce the withdrawal
demands on the Edwards Aquifer and
their negative effects on spring flows;
alternate water supplies and their
potential effect on reducing Edwards
Aquifer water withdrawals and
maintaining spring flows; effects of
aquifer level management and spring
flow changes on the quality of the
issues; the impact of no action; or
suggestions that would be relevant
toward the Service’s review and
development of alternatives.
In addition to considering impacts on
listed species and their habitat, the EIS
must include information on impacts
from the proposal and alternatives to the
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46187
proposal on other components of the
human environment. These other
components include such things as air
and water quality, cultural resources,
other fish and wildlife species, social
resources, and economic resources.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2,
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 05–15804 Filed 8–8–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[WY–100–05–1310–DB]
Notice of Availability of Supplemental
Air Quality Information for the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
Jonah Infill Drilling Project, Pinedale,
Wyoming
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of
supplemental information and its public
review period
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) announces the
availability of supplemental air quality
analyses and information prepared for
the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the Jonah Infill
Drilling Project (JIDP), Sublette County,
Wyoming. The supplemental
information will be available to the
public for a 60-day review and comment
period.
DATES: The supplemental air quality
information will be available for review
for 60 calendar days starting on the date
this notice is published in the Federal
Register. The BLM can best use your
comments within this 60-day review
period.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the supplemental
air quality information is available for
public inspection during regular
business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday) at the
following BLM office locations:
• Bureau of Land Management,
Wyoming State Office, 5353
Yellowstone Road, Cheyenne,
Wyoming.
• Bureau of Land Management,
Pinedale Field Office, 432 East Mill
Street, Pinedale, Wyoming.
The document may be available
electronically on the following Web site:
https://www.wy.blm.gov/nepa/
nepadocs.htm. If you wish to review the
information electronically, please check
with the Pinedale Field Office as to the
availability of BLM Internet documents.
E:\FR\FM\09AUN1.SGM
09AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46186-46187]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15804]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Scoping Meeting and Notice of Intent to Prepare a
Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the
Barton Springs Ecosystem in the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards
Aquifer
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct scoping meetings and prepare a
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), this
notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) intends to prepare a draft EIS for an anticipated incidental
take permit application, including an HCP, by the Barton Springs
Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (District) of Austin, Texas. The
proposed application is for an Incidental Take Permit for the
District's management of underground water through permits authorizing
withdrawals from the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
Such withdrawals directly affect the flow of Barton Springs, which are
four hydraulically connected spring outlets constituting the major
discharge points for the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer.
The District is evaluating the need for a permit for the endangered
Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum) and the Austin blind
salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis), a candidate for listing.
Additionally, the District may prepare an HCP that includes measures to
minimize and mitigate any taking of species incidental to the permitted
withdrawal of groundwater from the Barton Springs segment of the
Edwards Aquifer.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments from all interested
parties concerning the scope of the analysis must be received on or
before September 12, 2005. A public scoping meeting for receipt of
comments will be held at 5 p.m. on August 23, 2005, at the Lady Bird
Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas. The draft EIS is expected
April 2007.
ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for information should be sent to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ATTN: Carrie Thompson, 10711 Burnet
Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758; telephone (512) 490-0057 x230;
facsimile (512) 490-0974. Comments and materials received will be
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business
hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Austin Ecological Services Office,
10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas. Questions regarding the
HCP should be directed to Timothy Riley, Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer
Conservation District, 1124 Regal Row, Austin, Texas 78748, telephone
(512) 282-8441.
Applicant: The District, a political subdivision of the State of
Texas, is charged with the duty to manage, conserve, preserve, and
protect the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. The District
issues permits for the drilling of wells and the production of
groundwater for purposes that are not exempt from regulation under the
Texas law requiring the District-issued permits.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is provided as required by the
NEPA, its implementing regulations (40
[[Page 46187]]
CFR 1500-1508) and related applicable Federal laws, Executive Orders,
and regulations.
Background: The Barton Springs Ecosystem is dependent upon adequate
spring flow from the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer to
support endangered species. Cessation of spring flow in the Barton
Springs Ecosystem may result in ``take'' of listed species and an
appreciable reduction in the likelihood of survival and recovery of
listed species. Due to the growing water use anticipated in the Barton
Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, a comprehensive management plan
may be necessary to assure the sustained spring flow in the Barton
Springs Ecosystem.
The Service proposes to prepare a draft EIS to evaluate the impacts
of alternatives associated with issuing an incidental take permit under
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(Act). Section 9 of the Act prohibits the taking of Federally listed
species, unless authorized under the provisions of Section 7 or 10 of
the Act. The term ``take'' under the Act includes actions that may
directly kill or injure listed species, actions that significantly
disrupt normal behavioral patterns such as feeding and breeding, and
actions that detrimentally modify habitat to the extent that harms
individuals of the species.
Section 10(a)(1)(B) allows the Service to permit taking of listed
species, provided that taking is incidental to an otherwise legal
activity, and that it will not jeopardize a listed species. The
applicant must submit an HCP as part of the incidental take permit
application.
Proposed Action: The District will consider adoption of an HCP
consistent with the Service's Barton Springs Salamander (Draft)
Recovery Plan (January 2005) and with Sections 9 and 10 of the Act. The
District's proposed HCP will consider a comprehensive approach to
protect Federally listed species and their habitats that may be
affected by groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer. Activities
proposed for consideration under the Permit may include management and
permitting of certain water withdrawals from the Edwards Aquifer within
the jurisdiction of the District, and habitat conservation measures to
mitigate impacts of changes in flows of Barton Springs.
Comments Requested: The Service is soliciting information and
comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the draft EIS. The
NEPA process is intended to aid public officials to make decisions
based on the understanding of environmental consequences and take
actions that protect, restore, and enhance the human environment. NEPA
scoping procedures are intended to ensure that information on the
proposed action, alternatives, and impacts are solicited from the
public and that all information is available to public officials and
citizens before planning decisions are made. Accurate scientific
analysis, expert agency comments, and public scrutiny are essential to
implementing NEPA. NEPA documents concentrate on the issues that are
significant to the action in question. The Service invites the public
to submit information and comments either in writing or at the
scheduled meeting. The Austin meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on August
23, 2005, at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse
Avenue in Travis County, Texas. The Service requests that comments be
as specific as possible.
Major environmental and species concerns in this scoping process
include the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that
implementation of the proposal could have on endangered and candidate
listed species, other environmental resources, and the quality of the
human environment. Other relevant issues include effects of aquifer and
water withdrawal levels on Barton Springs flows, effect of various
aquifer water use management options, and alternative water supply
options on the environments affected by those options.
The Service is gathering information necessary for the preparation
of an EIS. Information regarding the following topics would assist the
Service in assessing the impacts of the proposed issuance of an
incidental take permit under the provisions of an HCP: The hydrogeology
of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer and the effects of
aquifer levels on spring flows at Barton Springs as they relate to the
habitat needs of Federally listed species; potential water conservation
measures and strategies to reduce the withdrawal demands on the Edwards
Aquifer and their negative effects on spring flows; alternate water
supplies and their potential effect on reducing Edwards Aquifer water
withdrawals and maintaining spring flows; effects of aquifer level
management and spring flow changes on the quality of the issues; the
impact of no action; or suggestions that would be relevant toward the
Service's review and development of alternatives.
In addition to considering impacts on listed species and their
habitat, the EIS must include information on impacts from the proposal
and alternatives to the proposal on other components of the human
environment. These other components include such things as air and
water quality, cultural resources, other fish and wildlife species,
social resources, and economic resources.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 05-15804 Filed 8-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P
