Proposed Holland Properties Safe Harbor Agreement, Orange County, FL, 65541-65542 [E6-18827]

Download as PDF cprice-sewell on PRODPC62 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 8, 2006 / Notices (see ADDRESSES). You may also comment via the internet to erin_gawera@fws.gov. Please include your name and return address in your internet message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your internet message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed above (FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Finally, you may hand deliver comments to the Service office listed under ADDRESSES. Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home address from the administrative record. We will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law. There may also be other circumstances in which we would withhold from the administrative record a respondent’s identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. We will not, however, consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Commercial construction for Marsol Development Corporation will take place within Section 31, Township 26 South, Range 37 East, Port St. Johns, Brevard County, Florida, on the southeast corner of Wickham Road and Summer Brook Drive. This parcel is within locations where scrub-jays were sighted during surveys for this species during the period 1999–2003. The project encompasses about 9.0 acres, of which there is 7.5 acres of scrub-jay foraging, sheltering, and possibly nesting habitat. The footprint of the commercial park, infrastructure, and landscaping preclude retention of scrub-jay habitat. In order to minimize take on site, the Applicant agrees to avoid construction during the nesting season if active nests are found on site, but no other on-site minimization measures are proposed to reduce take of scrub-jays. The Applicant proposes to mitigate for the loss of 7.5 acres of scrub-jay habitat by purchasing a minimum of 15 acres of occupied scrub-jay habitat within property in holdings mapped within the Valkaria portion of the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) Coastal Scrub Ecosystem. In addition, $1,200 per acre will be provided for management of this land. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:11 Nov 07, 2006 Jkt 211001 The Service has determined that the Applicant’s proposal, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, will have a minor or negligible effect on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the ITP is a ‘‘loweffect’’ project and qualifies as a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as provided by the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6 Appendix 1). This preliminary information may be revised based on our review of public comments that we receive in response to this notice. Low-effect HCPs are those involving (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species and their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. The Service will evaluate the HCP and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). If it is determined that those requirements are met, the ITP will be issued for the incidental take of the Florida scrub-jay. The Service will also evaluate whether issuance of the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP complies with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. The results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, will be used in the final analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ITP. Authority: This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: October 17, 2006. David L. Hankla, Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office. [FR Doc. E6–18822 Filed 11–7–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Proposed Holland Properties Safe Harbor Agreement, Orange County, FL Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice advises the public that Holland Properties Inc. (Applicant), has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1539 et seq.). The permit application includes a proposed Safe Harbor Agreement PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 65541 (Agreement) for the endangered redcockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (Woodpecker) for a period of 30 years. We (the Service) announce the opening of a 30-day comment period and request comments from the public on the Applicant’s enhancement of survival permit application and the accompanying proposed Agreement. All comments we receive, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be released to the public. For further information and instructions on reviewing and commenting on this application, see the ADDRESSES section, below. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 8, 2006. ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the information available by contacting the Service’s Regional Safe Harbor Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, or Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint Drive S., Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216. Alternatively, you may set up an appointment to view these documents at either location during normal business hours. Written data or comments should be submitted to the Atlanta, Georgia, Regional Office. Requests for the documentation must be in writing to be processed, and comments must be written to be considered. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Gooch (telephone: 404/679–7124; facsimile: 404/679–7081), or Ms. Annie Dziergowski (telephone: 904/232–2580; facsimile: 904/232–2404). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under a safe harbor agreement, a participating property owner voluntarily undertakes management activities on its property to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat benefiting species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Agreements encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement conservation efforts for listed species by assuring them they will not be subjected to increased property use restrictions if their efforts attract listed species to their property or increase the numbers of listed species already on their property. Application requirements and issuance criteria for enhancement of survival permits through safe harbor agreements are found in 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32. We have worked with the Applicant to design conservation measures intended to benefit the Woodpecker on about 3,863 acres of pine-dominated forest in southern Orange County. Under the Agreement, the Applicant E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1 cprice-sewell on PRODPC62 with NOTICES 65542 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 8, 2006 / Notices will undertake the following actions: (1) Implement a prescribed fire program designed to maintain and enhance pine stand characteristics suitable for the Woodpecker; (2) implement forest management actions to enhance existing pine stocking densities and reduce hardwood canopies; (3) enhance future pine stocking densities by planting; (4) enhance existing Woodpecker clusters through construction of artificial cavities; (5) create potential new cluster sites using artificial cavity inserts; and (6) translocate individual Woodpeckers within the enrolled property to enhance pair-bond formation and establish new groups. The Applicant’s property currently supports seven clusters of Woodpeckers. Conservation measures proposed by the Applicant will enhance existing habitat conditions and contribute to the continued survival of the seven Woodpecker clusters currently residing on the property. In addition, the Applicant intends to similarly manage unoccupied habitat in a similar manner that will create suitable habitat for Woodpeckers. The Applicant anticipates that the proposed conservation measures will lead to additional groups of Woodpeckers inhabiting the enrolled property. Without the proposed Agreement, it would not be possible for the Applicant to undertake the proposed conservation measures and receive regulatory assurances from the Service through the Endangered Species Act. Consistent with the Service’s Safe Harbor policy and implementing regulations, we propose to issue a permit to the Applicant authorizing the incidental take of Woodpeckers, that occur on the enrolled lands through lawful activities on the enrolled land, as long as baseline conditions are maintained and terms of the Agreement are implemented. Future activities of the Applicant could result in a return to the baseline condition, but the Applicant has indicated that a return to baseline condition is not anticipated. This Notice also advises the public that the Service has made a preliminary determination that issuance of the enhancement of survival permit will not result in significant impacts to the human environment and is, therefore, categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4331 et seq.) (NEPA), pursuant to 516 Departmental Manual 2, Appendix 1 and 516 Departmental Manual 6, Appendix 1. This Notice is provided pursuant to Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. The Service VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:11 Nov 07, 2006 Jkt 211001 specifically requests information, views, and opinions from the public. We will evaluate the proposed Agreement, associated documents, and comments submitted by the public to determine whether the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act and NEPA regulations have been met. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will issue an enhancement of survival permit under Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act to the Applicant in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and specific terms and conditions of the authorizing permit. We will not make our final decision until the end of the 30-day comment period and will fully consider all comments received during the comment period. Dated: October 18, 2006. Jeffrey M. Fleming, Southeast Region, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E6–18827 Filed 11–7–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Twinkle_Thompson-Seitts@blm.gov (email). The Secretary of the Interior established the Council in February 2006 (71 FR 11220, March 6, 2006). The Council’s mission is to provide advice and guidance to the Federal Government through the Department of the Interior on how to increase public awareness of: (1) The importance of wildlife resources, (2) the social and economic benefits of recreational hunting, and (3) wildlife conservation efforts that benefit recreational hunting and wildlife resources. The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture signed an amended charter for the Council in June 2006 and July 2006, respectively. The revised charter states that the Council will provide advice and guidance to the Federal Government through the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. The Council will hold a meeting on the dates shown in the DATES section at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section. The meeting will include a session for the public to comment. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Meeting Announcement: Sporting Conservation Council Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meeting. Dated: November 2, 2006. Phyllis T. Seitts, Designated Federal Officer, Sporting Conservation Council. [FR Doc. E6–18913 Filed 11–7–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Sporting Conservation Council (Council). This meeting is designed to review wildlife conservation endeavors that benefit recreational hunting and wildlife resources and that encourage partnerships among the public, the sporting conservation community, wildlife conservation groups, and State and Federal governments. This meeting is open to the public, and will include a session for the public to comment. DATES: We will hold the meeting on November 28, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on November 29, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on November 29, we will host a public comment session. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Riviera Room at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Marina, 707 North Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis T. Seitts, 9828 North 31st Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85051–2517; 602–906–5603 (phone); or PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AK–910–1310PP–ARAC] Notice of Public Meeting, Alaska Resource Advisory Council Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska Resource Advisory Council will meet as indicated below. DATES: The meeting will be held December 13–14, 2006, at the University of Alaska—Anchorage campus, Library Building, Third Floor, Anchorage, Alaska. The December 13 meeting starts at 1 p.m. in Room 302A. The December 14 meeting begins at 8 a.m. in Room 307 with a public comment period starting at 1 p.m. E:\FR\FM\08NON1.SGM 08NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65541-65542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18827]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Proposed Holland Properties Safe Harbor Agreement, Orange County, 
FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

    This notice advises the public that Holland Properties Inc. 
(Applicant), has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for 
an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1539 et seq.). The permit application includes a proposed Safe 
Harbor Agreement (Agreement) for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker 
(Picoides borealis) (Woodpecker) for a period of 30 years.
    We (the Service) announce the opening of a 30-day comment period 
and request comments from the public on the Applicant's enhancement of 
survival permit application and the accompanying proposed Agreement. 
All comments we receive, including names and addresses, will become 
part of the administrative record and may be released to the public. 
For further information and instructions on reviewing and commenting on 
this application, see the ADDRESSES section, below.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 8, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the information available by 
contacting the Service's Regional Safe Harbor Coordinator, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30345, or Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
6620 Southpoint Drive S., Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216. 
Alternatively, you may set up an appointment to view these documents at 
either location during normal business hours. Written data or comments 
should be submitted to the Atlanta, Georgia, Regional Office. Requests 
for the documentation must be in writing to be processed, and comments 
must be written to be considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Gooch (telephone: 404/679-
7124; facsimile: 404/679-7081), or Ms. Annie Dziergowski (telephone: 
904/232-2580; facsimile: 904/232-2404).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under a safe harbor agreement, a 
participating property owner voluntarily undertakes management 
activities on its property to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat 
benefiting species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Agreements 
encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to implement 
conservation efforts for listed species by assuring them they will not 
be subjected to increased property use restrictions if their efforts 
attract listed species to their property or increase the numbers of 
listed species already on their property. Application requirements and 
issuance criteria for enhancement of survival permits through safe 
harbor agreements are found in 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32.
    We have worked with the Applicant to design conservation measures 
intended to benefit the Woodpecker on about 3,863 acres of pine-
dominated forest in southern Orange County. Under the Agreement, the 
Applicant

[[Page 65542]]

will undertake the following actions: (1) Implement a prescribed fire 
program designed to maintain and enhance pine stand characteristics 
suitable for the Woodpecker; (2) implement forest management actions to 
enhance existing pine stocking densities and reduce hardwood canopies; 
(3) enhance future pine stocking densities by planting; (4) enhance 
existing Woodpecker clusters through construction of artificial 
cavities; (5) create potential new cluster sites using artificial 
cavity inserts; and (6) translocate individual Woodpeckers within the 
enrolled property to enhance pair-bond formation and establish new 
groups.
    The Applicant's property currently supports seven clusters of 
Woodpeckers. Conservation measures proposed by the Applicant will 
enhance existing habitat conditions and contribute to the continued 
survival of the seven Woodpecker clusters currently residing on the 
property. In addition, the Applicant intends to similarly manage 
unoccupied habitat in a similar manner that will create suitable 
habitat for Woodpeckers. The Applicant anticipates that the proposed 
conservation measures will lead to additional groups of Woodpeckers 
inhabiting the enrolled property. Without the proposed Agreement, it 
would not be possible for the Applicant to undertake the proposed 
conservation measures and receive regulatory assurances from the 
Service through the Endangered Species Act.
    Consistent with the Service's Safe Harbor policy and implementing 
regulations, we propose to issue a permit to the Applicant authorizing 
the incidental take of Woodpeckers, that occur on the enrolled lands 
through lawful activities on the enrolled land, as long as baseline 
conditions are maintained and terms of the Agreement are implemented. 
Future activities of the Applicant could result in a return to the 
baseline condition, but the Applicant has indicated that a return to 
baseline condition is not anticipated.
    This Notice also advises the public that the Service has made a 
preliminary determination that issuance of the enhancement of survival 
permit will not result in significant impacts to the human environment 
and is, therefore, categorically excluded from review under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4331 
et seq.) (NEPA), pursuant to 516 Departmental Manual 2, Appendix 1 and 
516 Departmental Manual 6, Appendix 1. This Notice is provided pursuant 
to Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. The Service specifically 
requests information, views, and opinions from the public.
    We will evaluate the proposed Agreement, associated documents, and 
comments submitted by the public to determine whether the requirements 
of Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act and NEPA regulations 
have been met. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will 
issue an enhancement of survival permit under Section 10(a)(1)(A) of 
the Endangered Species Act to the Applicant in accordance with the 
terms of the Agreement and specific terms and conditions of the 
authorizing permit. We will not make our final decision until the end 
of the 30-day comment period and will fully consider all comments 
received during the comment period.

    Dated: October 18, 2006.
Jeffrey M. Fleming,
Southeast Region, Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E6-18827 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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