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]

Download as PDF 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 PO 00000 Frm 00056 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]


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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
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