Construction of a Residential Community in Lake County, FL, 58865-58866 [E7-20479]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 17, 2007 / Notices Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to establish Area Maritime Security Committees for any port area of the United States. (See 33 U.S.C. 1226; 46 U.S.C. 70112(a)(2); 33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.01; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.) The MTSA includes a provision exempting these Area Maritime Security (AMS) Committees from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92–436). The South Texas Area Maritime Security (STAMS) Committee assists the Captain of the Port(COTP)/Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC) in the review and update of the STAMS Plan for the Corpus Christi Area of Responsibility. Such matters may include, but are not limited to: Identifying critical port infrastructure and operations; Identifying risks (threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences); Determining mitigation strategies and implementation methods; Developing and describing the process to continually evaluate overall port security by considering consequences and vulnerabilities, how they may change over time, and what additional mitigation strategies can be applied; and Providing advice to, and assisting the COTP/FMSC in, reviewing and updating the STAMS Plan. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES STAMS Committee Membership Applicants should have at least 5 years of experience related to maritime or port security operations. The STAMS Committee has ten members, made up of at least one individual from the Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley, Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort and Victoria Barge Canal, Port Security Working Groups (PSWG). The Coast Guard has one vacancy. We are seeking individuals interested in representing the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort PSWG area with this solicitation. Applicants may be required to pass an appropriate security background check prior to appointment to the committee. The member’s term of office will be for 5 years; however, a member is eligible to serve an additional term of office. Members will not receive any salary or other compensation for their service on the STAMS Committee. In support of the Coast Guard’s policy on gender and ethnic diversity, we encourage qualified women and members of minority groups to apply. Request for Applications Those seeking membership are not required to submit formal applications to the local COTP/FMSC. Nevertheless, because we do have an obligation to ensure that a specific number of VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Oct 16, 2007 Jkt 214001 members have the prerequisite maritime security experience, we encourage the submission of resumes highlighting experience in the maritime and security industries. Dated: September 4, 2007. R.J. Paulison, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Corpus Christi Captain of the Port/Federal Maritime Security Coordinator. [FR Doc. E7–20497 Filed 10–16–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–15–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard [Docket No. USCG–2007–0003] Temporary Relocation of the Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) Coast Guard, DHS. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC), which was located in Arlington, VA, has temporarily relocated to Kearneysville, WV, as part of a planned effort to restructure and centralize the Mariner Licensing and Documentation (MLD) Program. This notice provides information regarding both the NMC consolidation and the relocated NMC offices. The temporary office in Kearneysville, WV, became operational on October 1, 2007. No further NMC operations are being carried out in Arlington, VA. In December 2007, the NMC will move to its permanent location in Martinsburg, WV. ADDRESSES: The NMC’s temporary address is: Commanding Officer, Coast Guard National Maritime Center, 130 East Burr Blvd., Kearneysville, WV 25430. In December, 2007, the NMC’s permanent address will be: Commanding Officer, Coast Guard National Maritime Center, 100 Forbes Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25404. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, call Mr. Jeffrey Brandt, National Maritime Center, telephone 304–724–9559. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MLD Program restructuring and centralization plan, approved in 2005, will centralize many of the simultaneous efforts of 17 independently operating Regional Examination Centers (RECs) into one Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) processing center in Martinsburg, WV. Having one MMC processing center will allow for more consistent procedures, PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 cost reduction, improved oversight, and improved mariner assistance. The NMC has been reorganized into five divisions consisting of the Operations and Oversight Division (NMC–1), Mariner Training and Assessment Division (NMC–2), Program Support Division (NMC–3), Mariner Records Division (NMC–4), and Mariner Services Division (NMC–5). We have temporarily relocated the NMC to Kearneysville, WV. On or about December 10, 2007, the NMC will relocate to its permanent address in Martinsburg, WV. Dated: October 4, 2007. Howard L. Hime, Acting Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards, United States Coast Guard. [FR Doc. E7–20493 Filed 10–16–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR SUMMARY: DATES: 58865 Fish and Wildlife Service Construction of a Residential Community in Lake County, FL Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice: Receipt of application for an incidental take permit; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) Application and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Founders Ridge, LLC (applicant) requests an ITP for a duration of 10 years under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant anticipates taking a total of approximately 32.18 acres of Florida scrub-jay (Alphelocoma coerulescens)— occupied habitat and approximately 1.85 acres of sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi)—occupied habitat incidental to the construction of a residential development consisting of 963 units and associated amenities, in Lake County, Florida (project). The applicant’s HCP describes the mitigation and minimization measures the applicant proposes to address the effects of the project to the Florida scrub-jay and sand skink. DATES: We must receive any written comments on the ITP application and HCP on or before November 16, 2007. ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the application and HCP, you may write the Field Supervisor at our Jacksonville Field Office, 6620 Southpoint Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL E:\FR\FM\17OCN1.SGM 17OCN1 58866 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 17, 2007 / Notices 32216, or make an appointment to visit during normal business hours. If you wish to comment, you may mail or hand deliver comments to the Jacksonville Field Office, or you may e-mail comments to paula_sisson@fws.gov. For more information on reviewing documents and public comments and submitting comments, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Sisson, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Jacksonville Field Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone: 904/232–2580, ext. 126. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying information may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Please reference permit number TE137074–0 for Founders Ridge, LLC in all requests or comments. Please include your name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your e-mail message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Background sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Florida Scrub-Jay The Florida scrub-jay (scrub-jay) is found exclusively in peninsular Florida and is restricted to xeric upland communities (predominately in oakdominated scrub with open canopies) of the interior and Atlantic coast sand ridges. Increasing urban and agricultural development has resulted in habitat loss and fragmentation, which have adversely affected the distribution and numbers of scrub-jays. Remaining habitat is largely degraded due to the exclusion of fire, which is needed to maintain xeric uplands in conditions suitable for scrub-jays. The total estimated population is between 7,000 and 11,000 individuals. Sand Skink The sand skink is a small fossorial lizard that occurs on the sandy ridges of interior central Florida from Marion County south to Highlands County. Biological information regarding the sand skink is limited due to the VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:05 Oct 16, 2007 Jkt 214001 secretive nature of the species. Based on the reduction in quality and acreage and the rapid development of xeric upland communities, the sand skink appears to be declining throughout most of its range. By some estimates, as much as 90 percent of the scrub ecosystem has been lost to residential development and conversion to agriculture, primarily citrus groves. Applicant’s Proposal The applicant is requesting take of approximately 32.18 acres of occupied Florida scrub-jay habitat and 1.85 acres of occupied sand skink habitat incidental to the construction of a residential community in Lake County, Florida (Parcel # 05–22–26– 000200001200 and Parcel # 06–22–26– 0001–00009000). The project encompasses about 335.4 acres and currently includes 723 single-family units and 240 multi-family townhomes, a 40-acre community park, various recreational facilities, infrastructure and landscaping. The applicant proposes to mitigate for the take of the Florida scrub-jay at a ratio of 2:1 based on Service Mitigation Guidelines. The applicant will contribute a total of $427,242.00 to the USDA Forest Service to be utilized for scrub-jay conservation pursuant to an MOU between the Service and the Forest Service. Furthermore, to mitigate for impacts to the sand skink, the applicant has proposed to restore, manage and preserve a 4.50-acre area of occupied habitat within the boundaries of the project site. As minimization for impacts to the species, clearing activities during project construction will occur outside the scrub-jay nesting season (March 1–July 15) and the sand skink breeding season (March 1–May 15) to reduce the potential for mortality. We have determined that the applicant’s proposal, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or negligible effects on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the ITP is a ‘‘loweffect’’ project and qualifies for categorical exclusions 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. A low-effect HCP is one 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. PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 We 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 we determine that the application meets those requirements, we will issue the ITP for incidental take of the scrub-jay and the sand skink. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP complies with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intraService section 7 consultation. We will use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, in the final analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ITP. Authority: We provide this notice under Section 10 of the Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: October 9, 2007. David L. Hankla, Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office. [FR Doc. E7–20479 Filed 10–16–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge, Pike and Gibson Counties, IN Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability: Draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and draft environmental assessment (EA) for Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. In this draft CCP/EA, we describe how we propose to manage the refuge for the next 15 years. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by November 30, 2007. An open house style meeting will be held during the comment period to receive comments and provide information on the draft plan. Special mailings, newspaper articles, internet postings, and other media announcements will inform people of the meetings and opportunities for written comments. ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any of the following methods. You may also drop off comments in person at Patoka River NWR. • Agency Web site: View or download a copy of the document and comment at E:\FR\FM\17OCN1.SGM 17OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58865-58866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20479]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Construction of a Residential Community in Lake County, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice: Receipt of application for an incidental take permit; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) Application and Habitat 
Conservation Plan (HCP). Founders Ridge, LLC (applicant) requests an 
ITP for a duration of 10 years under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (Act). The applicant anticipates taking a total of 
approximately 32.18 acres of Florida scrub-jay (Alphelocoma 
coerulescens)--occupied habitat and approximately 1.85 acres of sand 
skink (Neoseps reynoldsi)--occupied habitat incidental to the 
construction of a residential development consisting of 963 units and 
associated amenities, in Lake County, Florida (project). The 
applicant's HCP describes the mitigation and minimization measures the 
applicant proposes to address the effects of the project to the Florida 
scrub-jay and sand skink.

DATES: We must receive any written comments on the ITP application and 
HCP on or before November 16, 2007.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to review the application and HCP, you may write 
the Field Supervisor at our Jacksonville Field Office, 6620 Southpoint 
Drive South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL

[[Page 58866]]

32216, or make an appointment to visit during normal business hours. If 
you wish to comment, you may mail or hand deliver comments to the 
Jacksonville Field Office, or you may e-mail comments to paula_
sisson@fws.gov. For more information on reviewing documents and public 
comments and submitting comments, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Sisson, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, Jacksonville Field Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone: 904/
232-2580, ext. 126.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying 
information may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    Please reference permit number TE137074-0 for Founders Ridge, LLC 
in all requests or comments. Please include your name and return 
address in your e-mail message. If you do not receive a confirmation 
from us that we have received your e-mail message, contact us directly 
at the telephone number listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Background

Florida Scrub-Jay

    The Florida scrub-jay (scrub-jay) is found exclusively in 
peninsular Florida and is restricted to xeric upland communities 
(predominately in oak-dominated scrub with open canopies) of the 
interior and Atlantic coast sand ridges. Increasing urban and 
agricultural development has resulted in habitat loss and 
fragmentation, which have adversely affected the distribution and 
numbers of scrub-jays. Remaining habitat is largely degraded due to the 
exclusion of fire, which is needed to maintain xeric uplands in 
conditions suitable for scrub-jays. The total estimated population is 
between 7,000 and 11,000 individuals.

Sand Skink

    The sand skink is a small fossorial lizard that occurs on the sandy 
ridges of interior central Florida from Marion County south to 
Highlands County. Biological information regarding the sand skink is 
limited due to the secretive nature of the species. Based on the 
reduction in quality and acreage and the rapid development of xeric 
upland communities, the sand skink appears to be declining throughout 
most of its range. By some estimates, as much as 90 percent of the 
scrub ecosystem has been lost to residential development and conversion 
to agriculture, primarily citrus groves.

Applicant's Proposal

    The applicant is requesting take of approximately 32.18 acres of 
occupied Florida scrub-jay habitat and 1.85 acres of occupied sand 
skink habitat incidental to the construction of a residential community 
in Lake County, Florida (Parcel  05-22-26-000200001200 and 
Parcel  06-22-26-0001-00009000). The project encompasses about 
335.4 acres and currently includes 723 single-family units and 240 
multi-family townhomes, a 40-acre community park, various recreational 
facilities, infrastructure and landscaping. The applicant proposes to 
mitigate for the take of the Florida scrub-jay at a ratio of 2:1 based 
on Service Mitigation Guidelines. The applicant will contribute a total 
of $427,242.00 to the USDA Forest Service to be utilized for scrub-jay 
conservation pursuant to an MOU between the Service and the Forest 
Service. Furthermore, to mitigate for impacts to the sand skink, the 
applicant has proposed to restore, manage and preserve a 4.50-acre area 
of occupied habitat within the boundaries of the project site. As 
minimization for impacts to the species, clearing activities during 
project construction will occur outside the scrub-jay nesting season 
(March 1-July 15) and the sand skink breeding season (March 1-May 15) 
to reduce the potential for mortality.
    We have determined that the applicant's proposal, including the 
proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or 
negligible effects on the species covered in the HCP. Therefore, the 
ITP is a ``low-effect'' project and qualifies for categorical 
exclusions 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. A low-effect HCP is one 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.
    We 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 we determine that the 
application meets those requirements, we will issue the ITP for 
incidental take of the scrub-jay and the sand skink. We 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. We will use the results of this consultation, in 
combination with the above findings, in the final analysis to determine 
whether or not to issue the ITP.

    Authority: We provide this notice under Section 10 of the Act 
and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

    Dated: October 9, 2007.
David L. Hankla,
Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office.
 [FR Doc. E7-20479 Filed 10-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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