Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Indiana Bat; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on a Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit, 48359-48360 [2010-19721]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 10, 2010 / Notices Dated: August 3, 2010. R.E. Day, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Information Technology. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [FR Doc. 2010–19632 Filed 8–9–10; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Indiana Bat; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on a Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit Office of the Secretary AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–ES–2010–N140; 30120–1113– 0000–F6] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P sroberts on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission: Notice of Meeting Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 552b of Title 5, United States Code, that a meeting of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2010. The Commission was established pursuant to Public Law 99–647. The purpose of the Commission is to assist federal, state and local authorities in the development and implementation of an integrated resource management plan for those lands and waters within the Corridor. The meeting will convene on September 16, 2010 at 9 a.m. at Slater Mill Historic Site located at 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI for the following reasons: 1. Approval of Minutes. 2. Chairman’s Report. 3. Executive Director’s Report. 4. Financial Budget. 5. Public Input. It is anticipated that about thirty people will be able to attend the session in addition to the Commission members. Interested persons may make oral or written presentations to the Commission or file written statements. Such requests should be made prior to the meeting to: Jan H. Reitsma, Executive Director, John H. Chafee, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI 02895, Tel.: (401) 762–0250. Further information concerning this meeting may be obtained from Jan H. Reitsma, Executive Director of the Commission at the aforementioned address. Jan H. Reitsma, Executive Director, BRVNHCC. [FR Doc. 2010–19616 Filed 8–9–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–RK–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:26 Aug 09, 2010 Jkt 220001 Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) at a wind power project in Adair, Sullivan, and Putnam Counties, Missouri (Project). Construction and operation of the Project has the potential to cause the take of Indiana bat, an endangered species, protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We provide this notice to advise other agencies, tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of review under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), as well as issues to consider during the planning process. DATES: We will consider comments we receive on or before September 9, 2010. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Ms. Jane Ledwin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite A, Columbia, MO 65203. E-mail: jane_ledwin@fws.gov. Facsimile: (573) 234–2181 (Attention: Jane Ledwin). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jane Ledwin, (573) 234–2132. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–8337 for TTY assistance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Public Comments We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, tribes, industry, or any other interested party on this notice. We will consider all comments we receive in complying with the requirements of NEPA and in the development of an HCP, NEPA document, and potential ITP. PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 48359 You may submit your comments and materials considering this notice by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we use in preparing the NEPA document, will be available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Missouri Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section). You may obtain copies of this notice by mail from the Ecological Services Missouri Field Office, or on the Internet at: https://www.fws.gov/midwest/ Endangered/permits/hcp/r3hcps.html. Background The Indiana Bat was added to the list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). It is currently listed as an endangered species under the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) The population has declined as a result of pesticides, agricultural development, and loss of forest habitat affecting the summer range. Impacts to caves used for hibernation have also contributed to population declines. White-nose syndrome (Geomyces destructans), a fungus causing infected bats to rouse from hibernation early and attempt to hunt for food, is now believed to be a cause of death in Indiana bats. The range of the Indiana bat extends from eastern Vermont, western Oklahoma, southern Wisconsin, and northern Florida. Indiana bats migrate between their summer forested ranges and winter hibernacula, which typically are climatically stable caves and mines. During summer months, they forage for insects along streams, in riparian forests and floodplains, and in upland forests and low open areas. Males roost individually or in small groups throughout the range, preferring areas near hibernacula. Females, forming larger maternity colonies of 50 to 100, roost in dead or dying trees or living trees with broken and flaking bark. There are no known hibernacula in the Project area or nearby. However, maternity roosts and maternity colonies have been identified proximate to and within the Project area. The Service and the Applicant have determined that the development and operation of the Project, in proximity to summer maternity colonies and spring and fall migratory flight paths, may affect the Indiana bat and their habitat, possibly resulting in the involuntary take of Indiana bats. Shuteye, LLC continues to develop an HCP and plans to request issuance of an E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM 10AUN1 sroberts on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 48360 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 153 / Tuesday, August 10, 2010 / Notices ITP from the Service. The HCP will include the following: (1) Conservation measures for siting and constructing the Project, (2) postconstruction monitoring to gather data regarding the impact of the first phase on local Indiana bats; and (3) an Adaptive Management Plan to ensure appropriate procedures are in place which adequately modify operations to minimize and mitigate the effects the Project may have on the Indiana bat. The Project will encompass portions of Adair, Sullivan, and Putnam Counties, Missouri, near the towns of Greencastle and Green City. It will directly affect 240 acres, or 0.7 percent of approximately 36,757 acres of privately leased rural land. This area is an agricultural landscape composed predominately of pasture land, with some cultivated cropland and isolated areas of deciduous forest scattered throughout. The Project will provide as much as 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy from as many as 200 1.5-MW wind energy turbines and the related facilities (access roads, collection lines, operation and maintenance facilities (O&M), substations, and a transmission line). The Project will be constructed in two phases. Phase I involves up to 200 MWs of renewable energy and includes a 16-mile transmission line extending from the Project area east to a substation located southwest of the city of Kirksville, Missouri. Phase II consists of the balance of the Project and will not be developed until at least 1 full year of postconstruction data is obtained, and the Applicant and the Service have agreed that all reasonable measures have been taken to minimize and mitigate harm to the Indiana bat. This information will be used to determine whether adaptive management is required and to assist in the design and operation of Phase II of the Project. Turbine installation will temporarily impact a 125-to-150-foot radius surrounding a turbine, with the final footprint limited to a 25-foot radius from the turbine center. The rotor diameter of each turbine will be approximately 82.5 meters (271 feet), with the hub height expected to be at either 80 or 100 m. Assuming a 100-m hub height, the maximum height of each turbine will be 141.25 m (463 feet (ft)) when the rotor blade is at the top of its rotation. Access roads during construction will be within a 50-ft right-of-way (ROW) and will be used for moving construction equipment among the turbine locations. The access roads will be reduced to 15 feet after construction VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:03 Aug 09, 2010 Jkt 220001 and will be used for Project maintenance. Collection lines, used to transfer power from the turbines to the substations, will be buried underground and will not disturb the landscape after construction is completed. A transmission line will be constructed within a 150-ft-wide ROW. Wood Hframes, varying from 60 to 115 ft in height and spaced from 600 to 700 ft apart, will be used to support the transmission line. The Project may have up to four substations and two O&M facilities. Environmental Review The purpose of the public scoping process is to identify relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. In addition to the Indiana bat, the Service has identified the following preliminary issues: Nonavian wildlife, avian wildlife and bats, topography, geology and soils, water and wetlands resources, air quality, vegetation and land use, and cultural resources. Authority We furnish this notice under NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22). The intent of this notice is to enable us to obtain suggestions and additional information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be considered. Dated: July 26, 2010. Tom Melius, Regional Director, Region 3, Fort Snelling, MN. [FR Doc. 2010–19721 Filed 8–9–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation Nos. 731–TA–1071–1072 (Review)] Magnesium From China and Russia United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Scheduling of full five-year reviews concerning the antidumping duty orders on alloy magnesium from China and pure and alloy magnesium from Russia. AGENCY: The Commission hereby gives notice of the scheduling of full reviews pursuant to section 751(c)(5) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)(5)) (the Act) to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 orders on alloy magnesium from China and pure and alloy magnesium from Russia would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. For further information concerning the conduct of these reviews and rules of general application, consult the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A, D, E, and F (19 CFR part 207). DATES: Effective Date: July 28, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Messer (202–205–3193), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. Hearingimpaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202– 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (https:// www.usitc.gov). The public record for these reviews may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background.—On June 4, 2010, the Commission determined that responses to its notice of institution of the subject five-year reviews were such that full reviews pursuant to section 751(c)(5) of the Act should proceed (75 FR 35086, June 21, 2010). A record of the Commissioners’ votes, the Commission’s statement on adequacy, and any individual Commissioner’s statements are available from the Office of the Secretary and at the Commission’s Web site. Participation in the reviews and public service list.—Persons, including industrial users of the subject merchandise and, if the merchandise is sold at the retail level, representative consumer organizations, wishing to participate in these reviews as parties must file an entry of appearance with the Secretary to the Commission, as provided in section 201.11 of the Commission’s rules, by 45 days after publication of this notice. A party that filed a notice of appearance following publication of the Commission’s notice of institution of the reviews need not file an additional notice of appearance. The Secretary will maintain a public service list containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their E:\FR\FM\10AUN1.SGM 10AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48359-48360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19721]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2010-N140; 30120-1113-0000-F6]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Indiana Bat; 
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on a 
Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental Take Permit

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposed Habitat 
Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the 
Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) at a wind power project in Adair, 
Sullivan, and Putnam Counties, Missouri (Project). Construction and 
operation of the Project has the potential to cause the take of Indiana 
bat, an endangered species, protected by the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA). We provide this notice to advise other agencies, tribes, and the 
public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on 
the scope of review under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), as 
well as issues to consider during the planning process.

DATES: We will consider comments we receive on or before September 9, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
    U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Ms. Jane Ledwin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 101 Park DeVille Drive, Suite A, Columbia, MO 65203.
    E-mail: jane_ledwin@fws.gov.
    Facsimile: (573) 234-2181 (Attention: Jane Ledwin).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jane Ledwin, (573) 234-2132. 
Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the 
Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8337 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Comments

    We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the 
public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific 
community, tribes, industry, or any other interested party on this 
notice. We will consider all comments we receive in complying with the 
requirements of NEPA and in the development of an HCP, NEPA document, 
and potential ITP.
    You may submit your comments and materials considering this notice 
by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we use in preparing the NEPA document, will be available 
for public inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Missouri Field 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section).
    You may obtain copies of this notice by mail from the Ecological 
Services Missouri Field Office, or on the Internet at: https://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/permits/hcp/r3hcps.html.

Background

    The Indiana Bat was added to the list of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and Plants on March 11, 1967 (32 FR 4001). It is currently 
listed as an endangered species under the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
The population has declined as a result of pesticides, agricultural 
development, and loss of forest habitat affecting the summer range. 
Impacts to caves used for hibernation have also contributed to 
population declines. White-nose syndrome (Geomyces destructans), a 
fungus causing infected bats to rouse from hibernation early and 
attempt to hunt for food, is now believed to be a cause of death in 
Indiana bats.
    The range of the Indiana bat extends from eastern Vermont, western 
Oklahoma, southern Wisconsin, and northern Florida. Indiana bats 
migrate between their summer forested ranges and winter hibernacula, 
which typically are climatically stable caves and mines. During summer 
months, they forage for insects along streams, in riparian forests and 
floodplains, and in upland forests and low open areas. Males roost 
individually or in small groups throughout the range, preferring areas 
near hibernacula. Females, forming larger maternity colonies of 50 to 
100, roost in dead or dying trees or living trees with broken and 
flaking bark.
    There are no known hibernacula in the Project area or nearby. 
However, maternity roosts and maternity colonies have been identified 
proximate to and within the Project area. The Service and the Applicant 
have determined that the development and operation of the Project, in 
proximity to summer maternity colonies and spring and fall migratory 
flight paths, may affect the Indiana bat and their habitat, possibly 
resulting in the involuntary take of Indiana bats.
    Shuteye, LLC continues to develop an HCP and plans to request 
issuance of an

[[Page 48360]]

ITP from the Service. The HCP will include the following: (1) 
Conservation measures for siting and constructing the Project, (2) 
postconstruction monitoring to gather data regarding the impact of the 
first phase on local Indiana bats; and (3) an Adaptive Management Plan 
to ensure appropriate procedures are in place which adequately modify 
operations to minimize and mitigate the effects the Project may have on 
the Indiana bat.
    The Project will encompass portions of Adair, Sullivan, and Putnam 
Counties, Missouri, near the towns of Greencastle and Green City. It 
will directly affect 240 acres, or 0.7 percent of approximately 36,757 
acres of privately leased rural land. This area is an agricultural 
landscape composed predominately of pasture land, with some cultivated 
cropland and isolated areas of deciduous forest scattered throughout.
    The Project will provide as much as 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable 
energy from as many as 200 1.5-MW wind energy turbines and the related 
facilities (access roads, collection lines, operation and maintenance 
facilities (O&M), substations, and a transmission line). The Project 
will be constructed in two phases. Phase I involves up to 200 MWs of 
renewable energy and includes a 16-mile transmission line extending 
from the Project area east to a substation located southwest of the 
city of Kirksville, Missouri.
    Phase II consists of the balance of the Project and will not be 
developed until at least 1 full year of postconstruction data is 
obtained, and the Applicant and the Service have agreed that all 
reasonable measures have been taken to minimize and mitigate harm to 
the Indiana bat. This information will be used to determine whether 
adaptive management is required and to assist in the design and 
operation of Phase II of the Project.
    Turbine installation will temporarily impact a 125-to-150-foot 
radius surrounding a turbine, with the final footprint limited to a 25-
foot radius from the turbine center. The rotor diameter of each turbine 
will be approximately 82.5 meters (271 feet), with the hub height 
expected to be at either 80 or 100 m. Assuming a 100-m hub height, the 
maximum height of each turbine will be 141.25 m (463 feet (ft)) when 
the rotor blade is at the top of its rotation.
    Access roads during construction will be within a 50-ft right-of-
way (ROW) and will be used for moving construction equipment among the 
turbine locations. The access roads will be reduced to 15 feet after 
construction and will be used for Project maintenance.
    Collection lines, used to transfer power from the turbines to the 
substations, will be buried underground and will not disturb the 
landscape after construction is completed. A transmission line will be 
constructed within a 150-ft-wide ROW. Wood H-frames, varying from 60 to 
115 ft in height and spaced from 600 to 700 ft apart, will be used to 
support the transmission line. The Project may have up to four 
substations and two O&M facilities.

Environmental Review

    The purpose of the public scoping process is to identify relevant 
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, 
including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. 
In addition to the Indiana bat, the Service has identified the 
following preliminary issues: Nonavian wildlife, avian wildlife and 
bats, topography, geology and soils, water and wetlands resources, air 
quality, vegetation and land use, and cultural resources.

Authority

    We furnish this notice under NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1501.7 and 
1508.22). The intent of this notice is to enable us to obtain 
suggestions and additional information from other agencies and the 
public on the scope of issues to be considered.

    Dated: July 26, 2010.
Tom Melius,
Regional Director, Region 3, Fort Snelling, MN.
[FR Doc. 2010-19721 Filed 8-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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