Habitat Conservation Plan for the Kern County Valley Floor, Kern County, CA, 38098-38100 [E7-13528]
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38098
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 133 / Thursday, July 12, 2007 / Notices
Refuge; and (14) Group All-Terrain
Vehicle Ride on Northwest Fork Road
All-Terrain Vehicle Trail.
Alternatives: We developed four
alternatives for management of the
refuge and chose Alternative 2 as the
proposed action. We believe this
alternative will be the most effective one
to contribute to the purposes for which
the refuge was established and to the
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge
System.
Alternative 1, also called the ‘‘No
Action’’ alternative, is the baseline or
status quo of refuge programs and is
usually a continuation of current
planning objectives and management
strategies. The refuge currently manages
its impoundments very intensively by
controlling water levels and vegetation
to create optimum habitat for migrating
waterfowl. It also manages pine forests
and marshes with prescribed fire.
Waterfowl are surveyed on a routine
basis. The refuge has a visitor center,
which includes an auditorium and
indoor and outdoor classrooms, but
depends on volunteers and cooperating
agency personnel to staff and maintain
the center. With regard to public use,
each of the six priority public uses (e.g.,
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation,
wildlife photography, and
environmental education and
interpretation) is encouraged. The staff
conducts a limited number of
environmental education and
interpretation programs.
When the planning process started,
there were 7.5 full-time employees
stationed at Pocosin Lakes Refuge
dedicated to refuge management (two of
those positions have been lost recently)
and 7.5 full-time employees dedicated
to fire management.
Alternative 2, the proposed action,
would allow for moderate program
increases to address refuge priorities.
The refuge would manage its
impoundments very intensively by
controlling water levels and vegetation
to create optimum habitat for migrating
waterfowl. It would also manage pine
forests and marshes with prescribed fire
and would manage the vegetative
composition of habitats in selected
areas. Waterfowl would be surveyed on
a routine basis. The staff would develop
inventory plans for all species and
implement them in selected habitats.
The staff would develop and implement
a black bear management plan. The staff
would maintain the visitor center with
volunteers and cooperating agency
personnel supplementing refuge
personnel.
There would be 17.5 staff members
dedicated to refuge management and 7.5
staff members dedicated to fire
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16:42 Jul 11, 2007
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management. The volunteer program
would be expanded to recruit volunteers
to contribute 4,000 hours of service.
The six priority public uses would be
allowed and the staff would conduct
environmental education and
interpretation programs to meet local
needs.
Alternative 3 would allow for
substantial program increases. The
refuge would manage its impoundments
very intensively by controlling water
levels and vegetation to create optimum
habitat for migrating waterfowl. It
would also manage pine forests and
marshes with prescribed fire and would
manage the vegetative composition of
habitats on the entire refuge. Waterfowl
would be surveyed on a routine basis.
The staff would develop inventory plans
for all species and implement them over
the entire refuge. The staff would
develop and implement a black bear
management plan. The staff would
maintain the visitor center with
volunteers and cooperating agency
personnel supplementing refuge
personnel.
There would be 25 staff members
stationed at Pocosin Lakes Refuge
dedicated to refuge management and 7
staff members dedicated to fire
management. The refuge would conduct
forest management and hydrology
restoration by contract. The volunteer
program would be expanded to recruit
volunteers to contribute 10,000 hours of
service.
The six priority public uses would be
allowed and the staff would conduct
environmental education and
interpretation programs to meet local
needs and expand outreach to the
communities.
Alternative 4 would maintain the
refuge in caretaker status. The refuge
would manage its impoundments very
intensively by controlling water levels
and vegetation to create optimum
habitat for migrating waterfowl. It
would manage pine forests and marshes
with prescribed fire. Waterfowl would
be surveyed on a routine basis.
Cooperating agency personnel and
volunteers would staff and maintain the
visitor center.
There would be 4.5 staff members
stationed at Pocosin Lakes Refuge
dedicated to refuge management and 7.5
staff members dedicated to fire
management.
The six priority public uses would be
allowed; however, the staff would not
conduct any environmental education
and interpretation programs.
Authority: This notice is published under
the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997, Public
Law 105–57.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: May 25, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E7–13563 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Kern
County Valley Floor, Kern County, CA
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and notice of public meetings.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
advises the public that we intend to
gather information necessary to prepare,
in coordination with the California
Department of Fish and Game (DFG),
California Energy Commission, the
California Department of Conservation
Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal
Resources, and the County of Kern, a
joint Environmental Impact Report/
Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/
EIS) on the Kern County Valley Floor
Habitat Conservation Plan (VFHCP)
Project. The VFHCP is being prepared
under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Federal
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). The County of Kern
intends to apply for a 30-year incidental
take permit from the Service. The
permit is needed to authorize the
incidental take of threatened and
endangered species that could occur as
a result of public and private
development.
The Service provides this notice to (1)
Describe the proposed action and
possible alternatives; (2) advise other
Federal and State agencies, affected
Tribes, and the public of our intent to
prepare an EIR/EIS; (3) announce the
initiation of a public scoping period;
and (4) obtain suggestions and
information on the scope of issues to be
included in the EIR/EIS.
DATES: Written comments should be
received on or before August 13, 2007.
The public meeting will be held on
Wednesday, July 25, 2007, from 4 p.m.
to 6 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be
held at the following location:
Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at the First
Floor Public Meeting Room, Kern
County Public Services Building, 2700
M Street, Bakersfield, California 93301.
Written comments submitted to Lori
Rinek, Chief, Conservation Planning and
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 133 / Thursday, July 12, 2007 / Notices
Recovery Division, Fish and Wildlife
Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–2605,
Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may
also be sent by facsimile to 916–414–
6713.
Lori
Rinek, Chief, Conservation Planning and
Recovery Division, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office, at 916–414–6600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Reasonable Accommodation
Persons needing reasonable
accommodations in order to attend and
participate in the public meeting should
contact Lori Rinek at 916–414–6600 as
soon as possible. In order to allow
sufficient time to process requests,
please call no later than one week before
the public meeting. Information
regarding this proposed action is
available in alternative formats upon
request.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Background
Section 9 of the Act and Federal
regulations prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of
wildlife species listed as endangered or
threatened (16 U.S.C. 1538). The Act
defines the term ‘‘take’’ as: to harass,
harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,
trap, capture, or collect listed species, or
to attempt to engage in such conduct (16
U.S.C. 1532). Harm includes significant
habitat modification or degradation that
actually kills or injures listed wildlife
by significantly impairing essential
behavioral patterns, including breeding,
feeding, and sheltering [50 CFR 17.3(c)].
Pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the
Act, the Service may issue permits to
authorize ‘‘incidental take’’ of listed
species. ‘‘Incidental Take’’ is defined by
the Act as take that is incidental to, and
not the purpose of, carrying out an
otherwise lawful activity. Regulations
governing permits for threatened species
and endangered species, respectively,
are at 50 CFR 17.32 and 50 CFR 17.22.
Take of listed plant species is not
prohibited under the Act and cannot be
authorized under a section 10 permit.
We propose to include plant species on
the permit in recognition of the
conservation benefits provided to them
under a habitat conservation plan. All
species included on an incidental take
permit would receive assurances under
the Service’s ‘‘No Surprises’’ regulation
[50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5)].
Species proposed for coverage in the
HCP are species that are currently listed
as federally threatened or endangered or
have the potential to become listed
during the life of this HCP and have
some likelihood to occur within the
project area. Should any of these
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16:42 Jul 11, 2007
Jkt 211001
unlisted covered wildlife species
become listed under the Act during the
term of the permit, take authorization
for those species would become
effective upon listing. There are 14 plant
species and 11 animal species covered
by the HCP which are known to occur
within the area. Species may be added
or deleted during the course of the
development of the VFHCP based on
further analysis, new information,
agency consultation, and public
comment. Currently the following listed
plant and animal species are included
in the plan: California jewelflower
(Caulanthus californicus), Kern mallow
(Eremalche kernensis), San Joaquin
woolly-threads (Monolopia congdonii),
Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris
var. treleasei), San Joaquin adobe
sunburst (Pseudobahia peirsonii), bluntnosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila),
Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus
relictus), Tipton kangaroo rat
(Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides),
giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens),
and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpers
macrotis mutica). Unlisted species
proposed as covered species are the
following: Heartscale (Atriplex
cordulata), Bakersfield smallscale
(Atriplex tularensis), Lost Hills
crownscale (Atriplex vallicola), Slough
thistle (Crisium crassicaule), Vasek’s
clarkia (Clarkia tembloriensis ssp.
Calientensis), recurved larkspur
(Delphinium recurvatum), Hoover’s
eriastrum (Eriastrum hooveri), striped
adobe-lily (Fritillaria striata), Comanche
Point layia (Layia leucopappa),
California horned lizard (Phrynosoma
coronatium frontale), San Joaquin
whipsnake (Masticophis flagellum
ruddocki), LeConte’s thrasher
(Toxostoma lecontei), San Joaquin
antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus
nelsoni), short-nosed kangaroo rat
(Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus), and
American badger (Taxidea taxus).
A Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) was prepared in 1989 between
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
Bureau of Land Management, California
Department of Fish and Game,
California Energy Commission, and the
California Department of Conservation
Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal
Resources to establish the Kern County
Valley Floor Habitat Conservation Plan.
The proposed VFHCP utilizes a
conservation strategy that would
provide for preservation of the best
remaining natural lands while still
allowing economic growth to occur in
the area. The VFHCP area consists of
approximately 3,110 square miles
within Kern County. The boundaries are
Kings and Tulare Counties to the north,
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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38099
up to an approximate 2,000-foot
elevation contour to the south and east,
and San Luis Obispo County to the
west. The VFHCP area would be divided
into three habitat zone categories of red,
green, and white based on habitat value.
Red Zones contain the highest valued
conservation habitat and represent the
best contiguous blocks of undisturbed or
lightly disturbed habitat. Green Zones
are second highest in priority
classification and contain some
disturbance and are important for
movement of species among the Red
Zones. The White Zones contain the
least amount of valuable habitat and
least priority for conservation.
The VFHCP would result in take
authorization for otherwise lawful
actions, such as public and private
development that may incidentally take
or harm animal species or their habitats
within the VFHCP area, in exchange for
the assembly and management of a
coordinated VFHCP area. Specifically
these activities would include oil and
gas development and maintenance
projects, urban development and
infrastructure, and development and
maintenance of water delivery projects.
The VFHCP would develop a program of
take avoidance, minimization and
mitigation, with an emphasis on
preservation of the best remaining
natural lands that will support viable
populations and the continued
existence of state and federally listed
threatened or endangered species and
California Species of Special Concern.
The VFHCP creates a framework for
complying with State and Federal listed
threatened or endangered species
regulations for specified species while
accommodating future growth in the
VFHCP area. The framework established
by the VFHCP will allow for the
assembly of contiguous parcels of
habitat to provide viable habitat blocks
and assist in the conservation of species.
Environmental Impact Statement/
Report
The EIR/EIS will consider the
proposed action (i.e., the issuance of a
section 10(a)1(B) permit under the Act),
no action (no project/no section 10
permit), and a reasonable range of
alternatives. A detailed description of
the proposed action and alternatives
will be included in the EIR/EIS. The
alternatives to be considered for
analysis in the EIR/EIS may include:
modified lists of covered species, land
coverage areas, and intensity of future
development. The EIR/EIS will also
identify potentially significant impacts
on biological resources, land use, air
quality, water quality, water resources,
economics, and other environmental
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 133 / Thursday, July 12, 2007 / Notices
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
resource issues that could occur directly
or indirectly with implementation of the
proposed action and alternatives.
Different strategies for avoiding,
minimizing and mitigating the impacts
of incidental take may also be
considered.
Environmental review of the EIR/EIS
will be conducted in accordance with
the requirements of NEPA (42 U.S.C.
4321 et. seq.), its implementing
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508),
other applicable regulations, and
Service procedures for compliance with
those regulations. This notice is being
furnished in accordance with 40 CFR
1501.7 and 1508.22 to obtain
suggestions and information from other
agencies and the public on the scope of
issues and alternatives to be addressed
in the EIR/EIS. The primary purpose of
the scoping process is to identify
important issues raised by the public
related to the proposed action. Written
comments from interested parties are
invited to ensure that the full range of
issues related to the permit application
is identified. Comments will only be
accepted in written form. All comments
received, including names and
addresses, will become part of the
official administrative record and may
be made available to the public.
Our practice is to make comments,
including names, home addresses, home
phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of
respondents, available for public
review. Individual respondents may
request that we withhold their names
and/or homes addresses, etc., but if you
wish us to consider withholding this
information you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your
comments. In addition, you must
present a rationale for withholding this
information. This rationale must
demonstrate that disclosure would
constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of privacy. Unsupported
assertions will not meet this burden. In
the absence of exceptional,
documentable circumstances, this
information will be released. We will
always make submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives of or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
ACTION:
Bureau of Land Management
SUMMARY: The plats of survey described
below are scheduled to be officially
filed in the New Mexico State Office,
Bureau of Land Management, Santa Fe,
New Mexico, (30) thirty calendar days
from the date of this publication.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[WY–920–1310–01; WYW150434]
Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of
Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of proposed
reinstatement of terminated oil and gas
lease.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Under the provisions of 30
U.S.C. 188(d) and (e), and 43 CFR
3108.2–3(a) and (b)(1), the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) received a
petition for reinstatement from BP
America Production Company of oil and
gas lease WYW150434 for lands in
Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The
petition was filed on time and was
accompanied by all the rentals due
since the date the lease terminated
under the law.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bureau of Land Management, Pamela J.
Lewis, Chief, Fluid Minerals
Adjudication, at (307) 775–6176.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lessee
has agreed to the amended lease terms
for rentals and royalties at rates of $10
per acre or fraction thereof, per year and
16–2/3 percent, respectively. The lessee
has paid the required $500
administrative fee and $163 to
reimburse the Department for the cost of
this Federal Register notice. The lessee
has met all the requirements for
reinstatement of the lease as set out in
Section 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral
Lands Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C.
188), and the Bureau of Land
Management is proposing to reinstate
lease WYW150434 effective June 1,
2006, under the original terms and
conditions of the lease and the
increased rental and royalty rates cited
above. BLM has not issued a valid lease
affecting the lands.
Julie L. Weaver,
Acting Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals
Adjudication.
[FR Doc. E7–13525 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
Bureau of Land Management
[NM–952–07–1420–BJ]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Interior.
16:42 Jul 11, 2007
Jkt 211001
Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey; New
Mexico
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Bureau of Land Management,
Frm 00044
Fmt 4703
New Mexico Principal Meridian, New
Mexico
The plat representing the dependent
resurvey and survey for Townships 9
and 10 North, Range 4 East, accepted
June 20, 2007, for Group 1062 New
Mexico.
If a protest against a survey, as shown
on any of the above plats is received
prior to the date of official filing, the
filing will be stayed pending
consideration of the protest. A plat will
not be officially filed until the day after
all protests have been dismissed.
A person or party who wishes to
protest against this survey must file a
written protest with the New Mexico
State Director, Bureau of Land
Management, stating that they wish to
protest.
A statement of reasons for a protest
may be filed with the notice of protest
to the State Director, or the statement of
reasons must be filed with the State
Director within thirty days after the
protest is filed.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This
plat will be available for inspection in
the New Mexico State Office, Bureau of
Land Management, and P.O. Box 27115,
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502–0115.
Copies may be obtained from this office
upon payment of $1.10 per sheet.
Dated: July 6, 2007.
Robert A. Casias,
Chief Cadastral Surveyor, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 07–3385 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–FB–M
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Availability of Funding for Acquisition
of Civil War Battlefield Land
National Park Service,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Availability of Funding for
Acquisition of Civil War Battlefield
Land.
AGENCY:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Dated: July 6, 2007.
Ken McDermond,
Deputy Manager, California/Nevada
Operations Office, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E7–13528 Filed 7–11–07; 8:45 am]
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Notice.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Sfmt 4703
SUMMARY: The National Park Service
(NPS) announces the availability of
funds to assist States and local
communities in acquiring for permanent
protection lands, or interests in lands, at
significant Civil War battlefield sites.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 133 (Thursday, July 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38098-38100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13528]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Kern County Valley Floor, Kern
County, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) and notice of public meetings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advises the public that we intend
to gather information necessary to prepare, in coordination with the
California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), California Energy
Commission, the California Department of Conservation Division of Oil,
Gas and Geothermal Resources, and the County of Kern, a joint
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) on
the Kern County Valley Floor Habitat Conservation Plan (VFHCP) Project.
The VFHCP is being prepared under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Federal
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The County of Kern
intends to apply for a 30-year incidental take permit from the Service.
The permit is needed to authorize the incidental take of threatened and
endangered species that could occur as a result of public and private
development.
The Service provides this notice to (1) Describe the proposed
action and possible alternatives; (2) advise other Federal and State
agencies, affected Tribes, and the public of our intent to prepare an
EIR/EIS; (3) announce the initiation of a public scoping period; and
(4) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be
included in the EIR/EIS.
DATES: Written comments should be received on or before August 13,
2007. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, from
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the following location:
Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at the First Floor Public Meeting Room, Kern
County Public Services Building, 2700 M Street, Bakersfield, California
93301. Written comments submitted to Lori Rinek, Chief, Conservation
Planning and
[[Page 38099]]
Recovery Division, Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2605, Sacramento, CA 95825.
Comments may also be sent by facsimile to 916-414-6713.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Rinek, Chief, Conservation
Planning and Recovery Division, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, at
916-414-6600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Reasonable Accommodation
Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and
participate in the public meeting should contact Lori Rinek at 916-414-
6600 as soon as possible. In order to allow sufficient time to process
requests, please call no later than one week before the public meeting.
Information regarding this proposed action is available in alternative
formats upon request.
Background
Section 9 of the Act and Federal regulations prohibit the ``take''
of wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened (16 U.S.C.
1538). The Act defines the term ``take'' as: to harass, harm, pursue,
hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect listed species, or
to attempt to engage in such conduct (16 U.S.C. 1532). Harm includes
significant habitat modification or degradation that actually kills or
injures listed wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral
patterns, including breeding, feeding, and sheltering [50 CFR 17.3(c)].
Pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, the Service may issue
permits to authorize ``incidental take'' of listed species.
``Incidental Take'' is defined by the Act as take that is incidental
to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity.
Regulations governing permits for threatened species and endangered
species, respectively, are at 50 CFR 17.32 and 50 CFR 17.22.
Take of listed plant species is not prohibited under the Act and
cannot be authorized under a section 10 permit. We propose to include
plant species on the permit in recognition of the conservation benefits
provided to them under a habitat conservation plan. All species
included on an incidental take permit would receive assurances under
the Service's ``No Surprises'' regulation [50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and
17.32(b)(5)].
Species proposed for coverage in the HCP are species that are
currently listed as federally threatened or endangered or have the
potential to become listed during the life of this HCP and have some
likelihood to occur within the project area. Should any of these
unlisted covered wildlife species become listed under the Act during
the term of the permit, take authorization for those species would
become effective upon listing. There are 14 plant species and 11 animal
species covered by the HCP which are known to occur within the area.
Species may be added or deleted during the course of the development of
the VFHCP based on further analysis, new information, agency
consultation, and public comment. Currently the following listed plant
and animal species are included in the plan: California jewelflower
(Caulanthus californicus), Kern mallow (Eremalche kernensis), San
Joaquin woolly-threads (Monolopia congdonii), Bakersfield cactus
(Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei), San Joaquin adobe sunburst
(Pseudobahia peirsonii), blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila),
Buena Vista Lake shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus), Tipton kangaroo rat
(Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys
ingens), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpers macrotis mutica). Unlisted
species proposed as covered species are the following: Heartscale
(Atriplex cordulata), Bakersfield smallscale (Atriplex tularensis),
Lost Hills crownscale (Atriplex vallicola), Slough thistle (Crisium
crassicaule), Vasek's clarkia (Clarkia tembloriensis ssp.
Calientensis), recurved larkspur (Delphinium recurvatum), Hoover's
eriastrum (Eriastrum hooveri), striped adobe-lily (Fritillaria
striata), Comanche Point layia (Layia leucopappa), California horned
lizard (Phrynosoma coronatium frontale), San Joaquin whipsnake
(Masticophis flagellum ruddocki), LeConte's thrasher (Toxostoma
lecontei), San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelsoni),
short-nosed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus), and
American badger (Taxidea taxus).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was prepared in 1989 between
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management,
California Department of Fish and Game, California Energy Commission,
and the California Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas, and
Geothermal Resources to establish the Kern County Valley Floor Habitat
Conservation Plan. The proposed VFHCP utilizes a conservation strategy
that would provide for preservation of the best remaining natural lands
while still allowing economic growth to occur in the area. The VFHCP
area consists of approximately 3,110 square miles within Kern County.
The boundaries are Kings and Tulare Counties to the north, up to an
approximate 2,000-foot elevation contour to the south and east, and San
Luis Obispo County to the west. The VFHCP area would be divided into
three habitat zone categories of red, green, and white based on habitat
value. Red Zones contain the highest valued conservation habitat and
represent the best contiguous blocks of undisturbed or lightly
disturbed habitat. Green Zones are second highest in priority
classification and contain some disturbance and are important for
movement of species among the Red Zones. The White Zones contain the
least amount of valuable habitat and least priority for conservation.
The VFHCP would result in take authorization for otherwise lawful
actions, such as public and private development that may incidentally
take or harm animal species or their habitats within the VFHCP area, in
exchange for the assembly and management of a coordinated VFHCP area.
Specifically these activities would include oil and gas development and
maintenance projects, urban development and infrastructure, and
development and maintenance of water delivery projects. The VFHCP would
develop a program of take avoidance, minimization and mitigation, with
an emphasis on preservation of the best remaining natural lands that
will support viable populations and the continued existence of state
and federally listed threatened or endangered species and California
Species of Special Concern. The VFHCP creates a framework for complying
with State and Federal listed threatened or endangered species
regulations for specified species while accommodating future growth in
the VFHCP area. The framework established by the VFHCP will allow for
the assembly of contiguous parcels of habitat to provide viable habitat
blocks and assist in the conservation of species.
Environmental Impact Statement/Report
The EIR/EIS will consider the proposed action (i.e., the issuance
of a section 10(a)1(B) permit under the Act), no action (no project/no
section 10 permit), and a reasonable range of alternatives. A detailed
description of the proposed action and alternatives will be included in
the EIR/EIS. The alternatives to be considered for analysis in the EIR/
EIS may include: modified lists of covered species, land coverage
areas, and intensity of future development. The EIR/EIS will also
identify potentially significant impacts on biological resources, land
use, air quality, water quality, water resources, economics, and other
environmental
[[Page 38100]]
resource issues that could occur directly or indirectly with
implementation of the proposed action and alternatives. Different
strategies for avoiding, minimizing and mitigating the impacts of
incidental take may also be considered.
Environmental review of the EIR/EIS will be conducted in accordance
with the requirements of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.), its
implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), other applicable
regulations, and Service procedures for compliance with those
regulations. This notice is being furnished in accordance with 40 CFR
1501.7 and 1508.22 to obtain suggestions and information from other
agencies and the public on the scope of issues and alternatives to be
addressed in the EIR/EIS. The primary purpose of the scoping process is
to identify important issues raised by the public related to the
proposed action. Written comments from interested parties are invited
to ensure that the full range of issues related to the permit
application is identified. Comments will only be accepted in written
form. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become
part of the official administrative record and may be made available to
the public.
Our practice is to make comments, including names, home addresses,
home phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of respondents, available for
public review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold
their names and/or homes addresses, etc., but if you wish us to
consider withholding this information you must state this prominently
at the beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present a
rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must
demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden.
In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, this
information will be released. We will always make submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying
themselves as representatives of or officials of organizations or
businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.
Dated: July 6, 2007.
Ken McDermond,
Deputy Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. E7-13528 Filed 7-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
