Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan for Oncor Electric Delivery Facilities in 100 Texas Counties, 41808-41810 [2011-17811]

Download as PDF 41808 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 136 / Friday, July 15, 2011 / Notices the homeless. Today’s Notice is for the purpose of announcing that no additional properties have been determined suitable or unsuitable this week. Dated July 7, 2011. Mark R. Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs. [FR Doc. 2011–17500 Filed 7–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of the Secretary Regional Tribal Consultations on Implementation of Indian Land Consolidation Program Under Cobell Settlement Office of the Secretary, Interior. Notice of Regional Tribal Consultation Meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: The Office of the Secretary is announcing that it will conduct a series of regional consultation meetings with Indian tribes to obtain oral and written comments concerning the implementation of the Indian Land Consolidation Program (ILCP) under the terms of the Cobell Settlement. The initial regional consultation meeting in SUMMARY: Billings, Montana, was announced by a previous notice in the Federal Register. This notice announces five additional regional consultation meetings. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for details. DATES: The first regional tribal consultation meeting will take place on Friday, July 15, 2011, in Billings, Montana. Additional regional consultations will take place on Thursday, August 18, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Friday, September 16, 2011, in Seattle, Washington; Tuesday, September 27, 2011, in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Thursday, September 29, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona; and Thursday, October 6, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Comments for all aforementioned consultations must be received by October 15, 2011. ADDRESSES: Michele F. Singer, Director, Office of Regulatory Affairs and Collaborative Action, Office of the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs, 1001 Indian School Road, NW., Suite 312, Albuquerque, NM 87104. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele F. Singer, telephone (505) 563– 3805; fax (505) 563–3811 or access additional details for each consultation via the DOI Cobell website at www.doi.gov/cobell. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ ILCP purchases fractionated interests of individually owned trust or restricted fee lands and transfers those consolidated interests into tribal ownership pursuant to the Indian Land Consolidation Act, 25 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. The Indian Claims Resolution Act of 2010, Public Law 111–291, makes available $1.9 billion, the majority of which will be used by the Secretary to operate the ILCP with the purpose addressing the problem of fractionation. The Act requires consultation with Indian tribes to identify fractional interests within the respective jurisdictions of the Indian tribes that the Department may want to consider purchasing. Information and statistics regarding the issue of land fractionation will be distributed to the federally-recognized Indian tribes prior to the consultations. The information will also be made available to attendees on the day of each consultation. II. Meeting Details The Office of the Secretary will hold a series of regional tribal consultation meetings on the following schedule: Date Time Location Friday, July 15, 2011 ........................................................ 8 a.m.–4 p.m ...................... Thursday, August 18, 2011 .............................................. Friday, September 16, 2011 ............................................. Tuesday, September 27, 2011 ......................................... Thursday, September 29, 2011 ........................................ Thursday, October 6, 2011 ............................................... 8 8 8 8 8 Holiday Inn Grand Montana Hotel & Convention Center 5500 Midland Road Billings, MT 59101, (406) 248– 7701, www.billingsholidayinn.com. Minneapolis, MN—venue to be determined. Seattle, WA—venue to be determined. Albuquerque, NM—venue to be determined. Phoenix, AZ—venue to be determined. Oklahoma City, OK—venue to be determined. Written comments will be accepted through October 15, 2011, and may be sent to the official listed in the ADDRESSES section above. Dated: July 12, 2011. David J. Hayes, Deputy Secretary of the Interior. [FR Doc. 2011–17847 Filed 7–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P a.m.–4 a.m.–4 a.m.–4 a.m.–4 a.m.–4 p.m p.m p.m p.m p.m ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R2–ES–2011–N084; 20124–1112– 0000–F2] Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan for Oncor Electric Delivery Facilities in 100 Texas Counties Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of documents and announcement of public hearings. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft environmental impact statement and the draft Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC habitat SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:55 Jul 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 conservation plan, under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Oncor has applied for an incidental take permit (TE–40918A–0) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, to authorize incidental take of 11 Federally listed species (covered species) in 100 Texas counties. Comment period: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or before close of business (4:30 p.m. CDT) October 13, 2011. Public meetings: Nine public meetings, located throughout Oncor’s proposed 100-county permit area, will be held between August 1, 2011, and September 28, 2011. Exact meeting locations and times will be announced in local newspapers, on the Austin Ecological Services Office Web site (https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ DATES: E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM 15JYN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 136 / Friday, July 15, 2011 / Notices AustinTexas/), and on Oncor’s Web site (www.oncor-eis-hcp.com) at least 2 weeks prior to each meeting. ADDRESSES: To find out how to obtain documents for review and where to submit comments, see Reviewing Documents and Submitting Comments in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, by U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758, or by phone at (512) 490–0057. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), this notice advises the public that: (1) We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have gathered the information necessary to determine impacts and formulate alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement (dEIS) related to the potential issuance of an incidental take permit (ITP) to Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Applicant; Oncor), and (2) That the Applicant has developed a draft habitat conservation plan (dHCP) which describes the measures Oncor has agreed to undertake to minimize and mitigate the effects of incidental take of Federally listed species to the maximum extent practicable, pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act). Oncor has applied for an ITP (TE– 40918A–0) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. The requested ITP, which would be in effect for a period of 30 years if granted, would authorize incidental take of the following 11 Federally listed species (covered species): Large-fruited sand-verbena (Abronia macrocarpa), Texas poppymallow (Callirhoe scabriuscula), Navasota ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes parksii), Pecos sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus), American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis), whooping crane (Grus americana), golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), blackcapped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), redcockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), and Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus). The proposed incidental take would occur in 100 Texas counties that comprise the Applicant’s service area, excluding Williamson and Travis counties, and with the addition of Runnels County, and would result from activities associated with maintenance and repair of existing electric facilities and installation and operation of new facilities. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:55 Jul 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 Background Our initial notice of intent to prepare an EIS and hold public scoping meetings published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2009 (74 FR 48285). A summary of comments provided during the 2009 scoping period, which included meetings held at nine locations throughout the proposed 100-county permit area, is available at https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ AustinTexas/. The dHCP for maintenance and construction activities for Oncor and the conservation program described in the dHCP were developed through a collaborative effort between the Service, the Applicant, and the Applicant’s consultants, and also through outreach to potential interest groups, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders. The Austin Ecological Services Office Web site (https://www.fws.gov/ southwest/es/AustinTexas/) contains information on meetings, documents, and the status of the process. Alternatives We are considering three alternatives as part of this process: The no action alternative, the applicant’s preferred alternative, and a project-by-project alternative: 1. No Action—No ITP would be issued. This alternative would require the Applicant to avoid activities within the proposed permit area that would, or potentially would, result in incidental take of any Federally listed species. The Applicant would continue to perform those activities that would not, or would not be expected to, result in violation of the Act. 2. Preferred Alternative—Issuance of an ITP by the Service for covered activities in the 100-county permit area, pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. This is the Applicant’s preferred alternative. The activities that would be covered by the ITP are general activities associated with new construction, maintenance, and emergency response and restoration, including stormwater discharges from construction sites, equipment access, and surveying. Construction activities covered for new facilities include new overhead transmission and distribution lines, new support facilities such as substations and switching stations, underground electric installation, and second-circuit addition on existing structures. Maintenance activities would include vegetation management within rights of way, expansion of existing support facilities, line upgrades, insulator replacement, and maintenance of underground electric facilities. The PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 41809 requested ITP will cover the 100-county permit area. The requested term of the permit is 30 years. To meet the requirements of a section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP, the Applicant has developed and will implement the dHCP, which describes the conservation measures the Applicant has agreed to undertake to minimize and mitigate for incidental take of the covered species to the maximum extent practicable. As described in the HCP, the Applicant anticipates that incidental take would not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and recovery of these species in the wild. 3. Project-Based Consultation— Project-by-project consultations or ITPs. This alternative would require Oncor to seek authorization on a project-byproject basis to address incidental take resulting from their actions, as needed, through section 7 or under section 10(a)(1)(B). Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations prohibit the ‘‘taking’’ of threatened and endangered species. However, under limited circumstances, we may issue permits to take listed wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Reviewing Documents and Submitting Comments You may obtain copies of the dEIS and dHCP by going to https:// www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ AustinTexas/. Alternatively, you may obtain compact disks with electronic copies of these documents by writing to Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; calling (512) 490–0057; or faxing (512) 490–0974. A limited number of printed copies of the dEIS and dHCP are also available, by request, from Mr. Zerrenner. Copies of the dEIS and dHCP are also available for public inspection and review at the following locations (by appointment only at government offices): —Department of the Interior, Natural Resources Library, 1849 C. St., NW., Washington, DC 20240. —U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue, SW., Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87102. —U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758. Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87103. E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM 15JYN1 41810 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 136 / Friday, July 15, 2011 / Notices Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Adam Zerrenner (see above). We will also accept written and oral comments at any of the nine public meetings (see DATES). Public Availability of Comments Written comments we receive become part of the public record associated with this action. 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 request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will not consider anonymous comments. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety. Authority: We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Joy E. Nicholopoulos, Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [FR Doc. 2011–17811 Filed 7–14–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2011–N147; 1112–0000– 81440–F2] Francis Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail, Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, CA Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Catherine M. and Ronald L. Francis (applicants) for a 5year incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the Federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail (Helminthoglypta walkeriana) incidental to the mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:55 Jul 14, 2011 Jkt 223001 construction and occupation of a singlefamily residence on a legal singlefamily-zoned parcel in the unincorporated community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California. The applicants would implement a conservation program to minimize and mitigate project activities as described in their low-effect habitat conservation plan. We invite comments from the public on the application, which includes the Francis Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail (HCP) that has been determined to be eligible for a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by August 15, 2011. ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the HCP, draft Environmental Action Statement, Low-Effect Screening Form, and related documents on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request documents by U.S. mail or phone (see below). Please address written comments to Diane K. Noda, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. You may alternatively send comments by facsimile to (805) 644–3958. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie M. Vanderwier, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above address or by calling (805) 644–1766. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Morro shoulderband (= banded dune) snail was listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered on December 15, 1994 (59 FR 64613). Section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is defined under the Act to include the following activities: ‘‘[T]o harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532); however, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we 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 of an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are, respectively, in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22. Issuance of an incidental take permit PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 also must not jeopardize the existence of Federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species. However, take of listed plants is not prohibited under the Act unless such take would violate State law. As such, take of plants cannot be authorized under an incidental take permit. Plant species may be included on a permit in recognition of the conservation benefits provided them under a habitat conservation plan. All species included in the incidental take permit would receive assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’ regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(55) and 17.32(b)(5)). In addition to meeting other criteria, actions undertaken through implementation of the HCP must not jeopardize the continued existence of Federally listed plant or animal species. The applicants seek an incidental take permit for direct impacts to up to 0.57 acres (24,829 square feet) of highly disturbed coastal dune scrub and maritime chaparral occupied by Morro shoulderband snail in association with the construction and occupation of a single-family residence on an existing legal parcel. The project is proposed for a parcel legally described as Assessor Parcel Number 074–323–031 and located on the corner of Via Vistosa Drive and Bayview Heights Road in the southwestern portion of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California. The applicants are requesting a permit for take of Morro shoulderband snail that would result from ‘‘Covered Activities’’ that include the construction and occupation of a single-family residence and associated landscaping/ infrastructure. The applicants propose to minimize and mitigate take of Morro shoulderband snail associated with the covered activities by fully implementing the plan. The following measures will be implemented to minimize the effects of the taking: (1) Pre-construction and concurrent construction monitoring surveys for Morro shoulderband snail will be conducted within the 0.57-acre parcel; (2) all identified individuals of Morro shoulderband snail will be relocated by an individual in possession of a current valid recovery permit for the species to a receptor site out of harm’s way; (3) installation of protective fencing; and (4) development and presentation of a contractor and employee training program for Morro shoulderband snail. To mitigate for unavoidable take, the applicants will contribute $9,300 to an Impact-Directed Environmental Account held and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. These funds will be used to implement recovery tasks E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM 15JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 136 (Friday, July 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41808-41810]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17811]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2011-N084; 20124-1112-0000-F2]


Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Habitat 
Conservation Plan for Oncor Electric Delivery Facilities in 100 Texas 
Counties

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of documents and announcement of public 
hearings.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability of the draft environmental impact statement and the draft 
Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC habitat conservation plan, under 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Oncor has applied for an 
incidental take permit (TE-40918A-0) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended, to authorize incidental take of 11 Federally 
listed species (covered species) in 100 Texas counties.

DATES: Comment period: To ensure consideration, we must receive written 
comments on or before close of business (4:30 p.m. CDT) October 13, 
2011.
    Public meetings: Nine public meetings, located throughout Oncor's 
proposed 100-county permit area, will be held between August 1, 2011, 
and September 28, 2011. Exact meeting locations and times will be 
announced in local newspapers, on the Austin Ecological Services Office 
Web site (https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/

[[Page 41809]]

AustinTexas/), and on Oncor's Web site (www.oncor-eis-hcp.com) at least 
2 weeks prior to each meeting.

ADDRESSES: To find out how to obtain documents for review and where to 
submit comments, see Reviewing Documents and Submitting Comments in 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, 
by U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, 
Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758, or by phone at (512) 490-0057.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (NEPA), this notice advises the public that:
    (1) We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have gathered 
the information necessary to determine impacts and formulate 
alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement (dEIS) 
related to the potential issuance of an incidental take permit (ITP) to 
Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Applicant; Oncor), and
    (2) That the Applicant has developed a draft habitat conservation 
plan (dHCP) which describes the measures Oncor has agreed to undertake 
to minimize and mitigate the effects of incidental take of Federally 
listed species to the maximum extent practicable, pursuant to section 
10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act).
    Oncor has applied for an ITP (TE-40918A-0) under section 
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. The requested ITP, which would be in effect for 
a period of 30 years if granted, would authorize incidental take of the 
following 11 Federally listed species (covered species): Large-fruited 
sand-verbena (Abronia macrocarpa), Texas poppy-mallow (Callirhoe 
scabriuscula), Navasota ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes parksii), Pecos 
sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus), American burying beetle (Nicrophorus 
americanus), Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis), whooping crane (Grus 
americana), golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), black-
capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides 
borealis), and Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus). The 
proposed incidental take would occur in 100 Texas counties that 
comprise the Applicant's service area, excluding Williamson and Travis 
counties, and with the addition of Runnels County, and would result 
from activities associated with maintenance and repair of existing 
electric facilities and installation and operation of new facilities.

Background

    Our initial notice of intent to prepare an EIS and hold public 
scoping meetings published in the Federal Register on September 22, 
2009 (74 FR 48285). A summary of comments provided during the 2009 
scoping period, which included meetings held at nine locations 
throughout the proposed 100-county permit area, is available at https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/.
    The dHCP for maintenance and construction activities for Oncor and 
the conservation program described in the dHCP were developed through a 
collaborative effort between the Service, the Applicant, and the 
Applicant's consultants, and also through outreach to potential 
interest groups, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders.
    The Austin Ecological Services Office Web site (https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/) contains information on meetings, documents, 
and the status of the process.

Alternatives

    We are considering three alternatives as part of this process: The 
no action alternative, the applicant's preferred alternative, and a 
project-by-project alternative:
    1. No Action--No ITP would be issued. This alternative would 
require the Applicant to avoid activities within the proposed permit 
area that would, or potentially would, result in incidental take of any 
Federally listed species. The Applicant would continue to perform those 
activities that would not, or would not be expected to, result in 
violation of the Act.
    2. Preferred Alternative--Issuance of an ITP by the Service for 
covered activities in the 100-county permit area, pursuant to section 
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. This is the Applicant's preferred alternative. 
The activities that would be covered by the ITP are general activities 
associated with new construction, maintenance, and emergency response 
and restoration, including stormwater discharges from construction 
sites, equipment access, and surveying. Construction activities covered 
for new facilities include new overhead transmission and distribution 
lines, new support facilities such as substations and switching 
stations, underground electric installation, and second-circuit 
addition on existing structures. Maintenance activities would include 
vegetation management within rights of way, expansion of existing 
support facilities, line upgrades, insulator replacement, and 
maintenance of underground electric facilities. The requested ITP will 
cover the 100-county permit area. The requested term of the permit is 
30 years.
    To meet the requirements of a section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP, the 
Applicant has developed and will implement the dHCP, which describes 
the conservation measures the Applicant has agreed to undertake to 
minimize and mitigate for incidental take of the covered species to the 
maximum extent practicable. As described in the HCP, the Applicant 
anticipates that incidental take would not appreciably reduce the 
likelihood of the survival and recovery of these species in the wild.
    3. Project-Based Consultation--Project-by-project consultations or 
ITPs. This alternative would require Oncor to seek authorization on a 
project-by-project basis to address incidental take resulting from 
their actions, as needed, through section 7 or under section 
10(a)(1)(B).
    Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations prohibit the 
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species. However, under limited 
circumstances, we may issue permits to take listed wildlife species 
incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities.

Reviewing Documents and Submitting Comments

    You may obtain copies of the dEIS and dHCP by going to https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/AustinTexas/. Alternatively, you may obtain 
compact disks with electronic copies of these documents by writing to 
Mr. Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; calling (512) 490-0057; 
or faxing (512) 490-0974. A limited number of printed copies of the 
dEIS and dHCP are also available, by request, from Mr. Zerrenner. 
Copies of the dEIS and dHCP are also available for public inspection 
and review at the following locations (by appointment only at 
government offices):

--Department of the Interior, Natural Resources Library, 1849 C. St., 
NW., Washington, DC 20240.
--U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue, SW., Room 6034, 
Albuquerque, NM 87102.
--U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, 
TX 78758.
    Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy by 
writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. 
Box 1306, Room 6034, Albuquerque, NM 87103.

[[Page 41810]]

    Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Adam Zerrenner (see 
above). We will also accept written and oral comments at any of the 
nine public meetings (see DATES).

Public Availability of Comments

    Written comments we receive become part of the public record 
associated with this action. 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 request in your comment that we withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will not consider anonymous 
comments. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from 
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of 
organizations or businesses, will be made available for public 
disclosure in their entirety.

    Authority: We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 
17.22) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing 
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 2011-17811 Filed 7-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.