Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan for Western Butte County, CA: Environmental Impact Statement, 74500-74504 [2012-30182]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 241 / Friday, December 14, 2012 / Notices
(2) FWS Form 3–2327 (Designated
Hunter Permit Application, Permit, and
Report).
(3) FWS Form 3–2328 (Federal
Subsistence Fishing Application,
Permit, and Report).
(4) FWS Form 3–2378 (Designated
Fishing Permit Application, Permit, and
Report).
(5) FWS Form 3–2379 (Federal
Subsistence Customary Trade
Recordkeeping Form).
We use the information collected to
evaluate:
• Eligibility of applicant.
• Subsistence harvest success.
• Effectiveness of season lengths,
harvest quotas, and harvest restrictions.
• Hunting patterns and practices.
• Hunter use.
The Federal Subsistence Board uses
the harvest data, along with other
information, to set future season dates
and bag limits for Federal subsistence
resource users. These seasons and bag
limits are set to meet the needs of
subsistence hunters without adversely
impacting the health of existing animal
populations.
Also included in this ICR are three
forms associated with recruitment and
selection of members for regional
advisory councils.
(1) FWS Form 2321 (Federal
Subsistence Regional Advisory Council
Membership Application/Nomination).
(2) FWS Form 2322 (Regional
Advisory Council Candidate Interview).
(3) FWS Form 2323 (Regional
Advisory Council Reference/Key
Contact Interview).
The member selection process begins
with the information that we collect on
the application. Ten interagency review
panels interview all applicants and
nominees, their references, and regional
key contacts. These contacts are all
based on the information that the
applicant provides on the application
form. The information that we collect
through the application form and
subsequent interviews is the basis of the
Federal Subsistence Board’s
recommendations to the Secretaries of
the Interior and Agriculture for
appointment and reappointment of
council members.
In addition to the above forms, our
regulations at 50 CFR 100 and 36 CFR
242 contain requirements for the
collection of information. We collect
nonform information on:
(1) Repeal of Federal subsistence rules
and regulations (50 CFR 100.14 and 36
CFR 242.14).
(2) Proposed changes to Federal
subsistence regulations (50 CFR 100.18
and 36 CFR 242.18).
(3) Special action requests (50 CFR
100.19 and 36 CFR 242.19).
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(4) Requests for reconsideration (50
CFR 100.20 and 36 CFR 242.20).
(5) Requests for permits and reports,
such as traditional religious/cultural/
educational permits, fishwheel permits,
fyke net permits, and under-ice permits
(50 CFR 100.25–27 and 36 CFR 242.25–
27).
Comments: On July 9, 2012, we
published in the Federal Register (77
FR 40372) a notice of our intent to
request that OMB renew approval for
this information collection. In that
notice, we solicited comments for 60
days, ending on September 7, 2012. We
did not receive any comments in
response to that notice.
We again invite comments concerning
this information collection on:
• Whether or not the collection of
information is necessary, including
whether or not the information will
have practical utility;
• The accuracy of our estimate of the
burden for this collection of
information;
• Ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and
• Ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on
respondents.
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. Before including your
address, phone number, email 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 OMB in your comment to
withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that it will be done.
Dated: December 6, 2012.
Tina A. Campbell,
Chief, Division of Policy and Directives
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2012–30175 Filed 12–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Notice of intent; notice of public
scoping meeting; request for comments.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a draft environmental impact
statement (EIS) under the National
Environmental Policy Act for the
proposed Habitat Conservation Plan/
Natural Community Conservation Plan
for Western Butte County, hereafter
referred to as the Butte Regional
Conservation Plan (BRCP). This
document is being prepared under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended, and the California Natural
Community Conservation Planning Act.
The BRCP addresses State and Federal
endangered species compliance
requirements for the county of Butte and
the cities of Oroville, Chico, Biggs, and
Gridley (local agencies); the Butte
County Association of Governments
(BCAG); the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans); the Western
Canal Water District; the Biggs West
Gridley Water District, Butte Water
District; and Richvale Irrigation District;
and the BRCP implementing entity that
will be established to implement the
BRCP (permit applicants) for activities
and projects in the BRCP plan area that
they conduct or approve. The permit
applicants intend to apply for a 50-year
incidental take permit from the Service.
This permit is needed to authorize the
incidental take of threatened and
endangered species that could result
from activities covered under the BCRP.
We announce meetings and invite
comments.
To ensure consideration, please
send your written comments by January
28, 2013. Two public scoping meetings
will be held on January 9th, 2013, the
first from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Oroville City
Council Chambers, located at 1735
Montgomery Street Oroville, CA 95965;
and the second from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
at the Butte County Association of
Governments, at 2580 Sierra Sunrise
Terrace Suite 100, Chico, CA 95928.
DATES:
To request further
information or submit written
comments, please use one of the
following methods, and note that your
information request or comment is in
reference to the Butte Regional
Conservation Plan (BRCP):
• U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W–
2605, Sacramento, CA 95825.
• In-Person Drop-Off, Viewing, or
Pickup: Call 916–414–6600 to make an
appointment during regular business
hours to drop off comments or view
ADDRESSES:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–ES–2012–N226; FF08ESMF00–
FXES11120800000–134]
Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan/
Natural Community Conservation Plan
for Western Butte County, CA:
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 241 / Friday, December 14, 2012 / Notices
Project Summary
the Service, and NMFS. In 2010,
Western Canal Water District, Biggs
West Gridley Water District, Butte Water
District, Richvale Irrigation District and
Caltrans became additional signatories
to the planning agreement. The
planning agreement set out the initial
scope of the program and defined the
roles and responsibilities of the parties
in the development of the BRCP. The
planning agreement has helped guide
the BRCP planning process and to
define the initial scope of the effort.
BCAG served as the lead in coordination
of the process and preparation of the
BRCP.
The BRCP’s conservation strategy
proposes to provide a regional approach
for the long-term conservation of
covered species (see Covered Species,
below) and natural communities within
the BRCP plan area while allowing for
compatible future land use and
development under county and city
general plan updates and the regional
transportation plans. The BRCP
identifies and addresses the covered
activities carried out by the permittees
that may result in take of covered
species within the BRCP plan area.
The proposed BRCP is intended to be
consistent with and support compliance
with other Federal and State wildlife
and related laws and regulations, other
local conservation planning efforts, and
the city and county general plans. The
BRCP was developed in coordination
with the development of city and
county general plans in the BRCP plan
area, with feedback loops between the
BRCP and general plan processes. These
feedback loops identified opportunities
and constraints and allowed for
improvements in the general plans
regarding the avoidance and
minimization of impacts on biological
resources and the development of open
space and conservation elements that
dovetail with the BRCP.
The proposed BRCP is designed to
streamline and coordinate existing
processes for review and permitting of
public and private activities that
potentially affect protected species. To
meet this goal, the BRCP will propose a
conservation strategy that includes
measures to ensure that impacts on
covered species and habitats related to
covered activities are avoided,
minimized, or mitigated, as appropriate.
Covered activities encompass the range
of existing and future activities that are
associated with much of the regional
economy (see Covered Activities,
below).
In 2007, the BRCP planning
agreement was entered into and by and
among the local agencies, BCAG, CDFG,
Background
Section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.) and Federal regulations prohibit
received comments at the above U.S.
mail address.
• Fax: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
916–414–6713, Attn.: Mike Thomas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Thomas, Chief, Conservation
Planning Division, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office, or Eric Tattersall,
Deputy Assistant Field Supervisor, by
phone at 916–414–6600 or by U.S. mail
at the above address. If you use a
telecommunications device for the deaf,
please call the Federal Information
Relay Service at 800–877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
publish this notice under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.;
NEPA), and its implementing
regulations in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 40 CFR 1506.6, as
well as in compliance with section 10(c)
of the Endangered Species Act (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act). We intend to
prepare a draft EIS to evaluate the
impacts of several alternatives related to
the potential issuance of an Incidental
Take Permit to the applicants, as well as
impacts of the implementation of the
supporting proposed Butte Regional
Conservation Plan. The EIS will be a
joint EIS/Environmental Impact Report
(EIR), for which the Service, BCAG, the
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS), and the California Department
of Fish and Game (CDFG), intend to
gather information necessary for
preparation.
The BRCP is a comprehensive,
regional plan designed to provide longterm conservation and management of
natural communities, sensitive species,
and the habitats upon which those
species depend, while accommodating
other important uses of the land. It will
serve as a habitat conservation plan
pursuant to the federal Endangered
Species Act (Act), and a natural
community conservation plan (NCCP)
under the California Natural
Community Conservation Planning Act
(NCCPA).
The Service will serve as the
administrative lead for all actions
related to this Federal Register notice
for the EIS component of the EIS/EIR.
The BCAG will serve as the State lead
agency under the California
Environmental Quality Act for the EIR
component. BCAG, in accordance with
the California Environmental Quality
Act, is publishing a similar notice.
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the ‘‘take’’ of wildlife species listed as
endangered or threatened. 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, 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 an otherwise
lawful activity. Service regulations
governing permits for threatened species
and endangered species, respectively,
are promulgated in 50 CFR 17.22 and
17.32.
Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act contains
provisions for issuing such incidental
take permits to non-Federal entities for
the take of endangered and threatened
species, provided the following criteria
are met:
• The taking will be incidental;
• The applicants will, to the
maximum extent practicable, minimize
and mitigate the impact of such taking;
• The applicants will develop a
proposed HCP and ensure that adequate
funding for the plan will be provided;
• The taking will not appreciably
reduce the likelihood of the survival
and recovery of the species in the wild;
and
• The applicants will carry out any
other measures that the Service may
require as being necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of the HCP.
Thus, the purpose of issuing an ITP is
to allow the applicants, under their
respective regional authority, to
authorize development while
conserving the covered species and their
habitats. Implementation of a
multispecies HCP, rather than a speciesby-species or project-by-project
approach, can maximize the benefits of
conservation measures for covered
species and eliminate expensive and
time-consuming efforts associated with
processing individual ITPs for each
project within the applicants’ proposed
Plan Area. The Service expects that the
applicants will request ITP coverage for
a period of 50 years.
Plan Area
The boundary of the BRCP plan area
(or permit area) is based on political,
ecological, and hydrologic factors. The
BRCP plan area includes approximately
564,270 acres, including the western
lowlands and foothills of Butte County.
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The BRCP plan area is bounded on the
west by county boundaries with
Tehama, Glenn, and Colusa Counties;
bounded on the south by boundaries
with Sutter and Yuba Counties;
bounded on the north by the boundary
with Tehama County; and bounded on
the east by the upper extent of
landscape dominated by oak woodland
natural communities. Specifically, the
eastern oak woodland boundary is
defined by a line below which landcover types dominated by oak trees
comprise more than one half of the land
cover present, plus a small portion of
the City of Chico that extends above the
oak zone.
Covered Activities
The proposed section 10 incidental
take permit may allow take of covered
wildlife species resulting from covered
activities on non-Federal land in the
proposed BRCP plan area. BCAG and
local partners intend to request
incidental take authorization for
covered species that could be affected
by activities identified in the BRCP. The
activities within the BRCP plan area for
which incidental take permit coverage is
requested include construction and
maintenance of facilities and
infrastructure, both public and private,
that are consistent with local general
plans and local, State and Federal laws.
The following is a summary of covered
activities as proposed in the BRCP.
Activities are grouped geographically
(within Urban Permit Areas, outside
urban permit areas, and within the
system of conservation lands
established in the BRCP), and are
further grouped into activities that
result in permanent development, and
activities involving maintenance of
existing or new facilities that are
expected to occur over time during the
permit duration. This following list is
not intended to be exhaustive; rather, it
provides an overview of the types of
activities that would be expected to
occur.
1. Activities within Urban Permit
Areas (UPAs) are areas within the BRCP
plan area for which the cities and
County anticipate urban development
under their respective general plan
updates.
a. Permanent Development: Covered
activities within UPAs as a result of new
construction and improvements to
existing facilities are covered, including
the following types of activities:
residential, commercial, public
facilities, and industrial construction;
recreational activity–related
construction; transportation facilities
construction; pipeline installation;
utility services (above and below
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ground); waste and wastewater
management activities; flood control
and stormwater management activities;
and in-water permanent development
projects.
b. Recurring Maintenance: Covered
activities within UPAs include
maintenance of existing and new
facilities that results in temporary
impacts, including the following types
of activities: recreational activities;
transportation facilities maintenance;
pipeline maintenance; utility services;
waste and wastewater facilities
management activities; flood control
and stormwater management activities;
vegetation management; bridge and
drainage structure maintenance; inwater recurring maintenance activities;
and irrigation and drainage canal
activities (Western Canal Water District,
Biggs West Gridley Water District, Butte
Water District, and Richvale Irrigation
District).
2. Activities outside UPAs are areas of
the county within the BRCP plan area
and located outside of the UPAs.
Covered activities include linear
utilities, transportation construction and
maintenance projects, and agricultural
support services projects. Outside UPAs
do not include areas that become part of
BRCP conservation lands.
a. Permanent Development: Covered
activities of outside UPAs include new
construction and improvements to
existing facilities, including the
following types of activities: waste
management and wastewater facilities;
rerouting of canals (Western Canal
Water District, Biggs West Gridley Water
District, Butte Water District, and
Richvale Irrigation District);
transportation facilities construction;
BCAG Regional Transportation Plan and
Caltrans projects; county rural bridge
replacement projects; Butte County rural
intersection improvement projects;
Butte County rural roadway
improvement projects; in-water
permanent development projects; and
agricultural services.
b. Recurring Maintenance: Covered
activities of outside UPAs include
maintenance of existing and new
facilities, including the following types
of activities: waste and wastewater
management activities; irrigation and
drainage canal activities (Western Canal
Water District, Biggs West Gridley Water
District, Butte Water District, and
Richvale Irrigation District);
transportation facilities maintenance;
flood control and stormwater
management activities; vegetation
management; in-water maintenance
activities; and bridge and drainage
structure maintenance.
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3. Conservation Lands include the
system of conservation lands
established under the BRCP.
Conservation actions will be
implemented by the BRCP on
conservation lands, including the
following types of activities: habitat
management; habitat restoration and
enhancement; habitat and species
monitoring; directed studies; general
maintenance of conservation lands and
facilities; avoidance and minimization
measures; and species population
enhancement measures.
Covered Species
Covered Species are those species
addressed in the proposed BRCP for
which conservation actions will be
implemented and for which the permit
applicants will seek incidental take
authorizations for a period of up to 50
years. Proposed covered species are
expected to include threatened and
endangered species listed under the Act,
species listed under the California
Endangered Species Act, and currently
unlisted species. Species proposed for
coverage in the BRCP are species that
are currently listed as federally
threatened or endangered or have the
potential to become listed during the
life of this BRCP and have some
likelihood to occur within the BRCP
plan area. The BRCP is currently
expected to address 41 listed and nonlisted wildlife and plant species. The
list of proposed covered species may
change as the planning process
progresses; species may be added or
removed as more is learned about the
nature of covered activities and their
impact within the BRCP plan area.
The following federally listed
threatened and endangered wildlife
species are proposed to be covered by
the BRCP: The threatened Central Valley
steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss),
endangered Sacramento River winterrun Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus
tshawytscha), threatened Central Valley
spring-run Chinook salmon
(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha),
threatened green sturgeon (Acipenser
medirostris), threatened Valley
elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus
californicus dimorphus), endangered
vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus
packardi), endangered conservancy
fairy shrimp (Branchinecta conservatio),
threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp
(Branchinecta lynchi), and threatened
giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas).
The following unlisted wildlife
species are proposed to be covered by
the BRCP: tricolored blackbird (Agelaius
tricolor), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria
virens), bank swallow (Riparia riparia),
Western burrowing owl (Athene
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cunicularia hypugea), western yellowbilled cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus
occidentalis), greater sandhill crane
(Grus canadensis tabida), California
black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis
coturniculus), American peregrine
falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum),
Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni),
white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), bald
eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus),
Blainville’s horned lizard (Phrynosoma
blainvillii), Western pond turtle
(Actinemys marmorata), foothill yellowlegged frog (Rana boylii), Western
spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii),
Central Valley fall/late fall-run Chinook
salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha),
Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys
macrolepidotus), and river lamprey
(Lampetra ayresii).
Take of listed plant species is not
prohibited on non-Federal land under
the Act, and cannot be authorized under
a section 10 permit. However, the
permit applicants propose to include
plant species on the permit in
recognition of the conservation benefits
provided for them under an HCP. For
the purposes of the plan, certain plant
species are further included to meet
regulatory obligations under section 7 of
the Act and the California Endangered
Species Act. The Applicant would
receive assurances under the Service’s
‘‘No Surprises’’ regulations found in 50
CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5) for all
species on the incidental take permit.
The following federally listed plant
species are proposed to be included in
the BRCP in recognition of the
conservation benefits provided for them
under the BRCP and the assurances
permit holders would receive if they are
included on a permit: the threatened
Hoover’s spurge (Chamaesyce hooveri),
endangered Butte County meadowfoam
(Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica),
endangered hairy Orcutt grass (Orcuttia
pilosa), threatened slender Orcutt grass
(Orcuttia tenuis), and endangered
Greene’s tuctoria (Tuctoria greenei). The
following unlisted plant species are also
proposed to be included in the BRCP:
Ferris’ milkvetch (Astragalus tener var.
ferrisiae), lesser saltscale (Atriplex
minuscule), Ahart’s dwarf rush (Juncus
leiospermus var. ahartii), Red Bluff
dwarf rush (Juncus leiospermus var.
leiospermus), veiny monardella
(Monardella douglasii ssp. venosa),
Ahart’s paronychia (Paronychia ahartii),
California beaked-rush (Rhynchospora
californica) Butte County checkerbloom
(Sidalcea robusta), and Butte County
golden clover (Trifolium jokerstii).
Environmental Impact Statement
Before deciding whether to issue the
requested Federal incidental take
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permit, the Service will prepare a draft
EIS, in order to analyze the
environmental impacts associated with
issuance of the incidental take permit.
In the EIS, the Service will consider the
following alternatives: (1) The proposed
action, which includes the issuance of
take authorizations consistent with the
proposed BRCP under section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act; (2) no action (no
permit issuance); and (3) a reasonable
range of additional alternatives. The
EIS/EIR will include a detailed analysis
of the impacts of the proposed action
and alternatives. The range of
alternatives could include variations in
impacts, conservation, permit duration,
covered species, covered activities,
permit area, or a combination of these
elements.
The EIS/EIR will identify and analyze
potentially significant direct, indirect,
and cumulative impacts of our
authorization of incidental take (permit
issuance) and the implementation of the
proposed BRCP on biological resources,
land uses, utilities, air quality, water
resources, cultural resources,
socioeconomics and environmental
justice, recreation, aesthetics, climate
change and greenhouse gases, and other
environmental issues that could occur
with implementation of each
alternative. The Service will use all
practicable means, consistent with
NEPA and other relevant considerations
of national policy, to avoid or minimize
significant effects of our actions on the
quality of the human environment.
Following completion of the
environmental review, the Service will
publish a notice of availability and a
request for comment on the draft EIS/
EIR and the applicants’ permit
application, which will include the
proposed HCP.
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
these comments in developing a draft
EIS/EIR and in the development of an
HCP and ITP. We particularly seek
comments on the following:
1. Biological information concerning
the species;
2. Relevant data concerning the
species;
3. Additional information concerning
the range, distribution, population size,
and population trends of the species;
4. Current or planned activities in the
subject area and their possible impacts
on the species;
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5. The presence of archeological sites,
buildings and structures, historic
events, sacred and traditional areas, and
other historic preservation concerns,
which are required to be considered in
project planning by the National
Historic Preservation Act; and
6. Identification of any other
environmental issues that should be
considered with regard to the proposed
development and permit action.
You may submit your comments and
materials 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 EIS/EIR document,
will be available for public inspection
by appointment, during normal business
hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m.) at the Service’s Sacramento
address (see ADDRESSES).
Scoping Meetings
See DATES for the dates and times of
our public meetings. The purpose of
scoping meetings is to provide the
public with a general understanding of
the background of the proposed HCP
and activities it would cover, alternative
proposals under consideration for the
draft EIS, and the Service’s role and
steps to be taken to develop the draft
EIS for the proposed HCP.
The primary purpose of these
meetings and public comment period is
to solicit suggestions and information
on the scope of issues and alternatives
for the Service to consider when
drafting the EIS. Written comments will
be accepted at the meetings. Comments
can also be submitted by methods listed
in the ADDRESSES section. Once the draft
EIS and proposed HCP are complete and
made available for review, there will be
additional opportunity for public
comment on the content of these
documents through additional public
comment periods.
Meeting Location Accommodations
Persons needing reasonable
accommodations in order to attend and
participate in the public meetings
should contact Mike Thomas 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.
Authority
We provide this notice under section
10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
and per NEPA Regulations (40 CFR
1501.7, 40 CFR 1506.6, and 1508.22).
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Dated: December 10, 2012
Alexandra Pitts,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2012–30182 Filed 12–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–ES–2012–N204; FF08E00000–
FXES11120800000F2–123–F2]
Proposed Low-Effect Habitat
Conservation Plan for the State-Route
99/Cartmill Avenue Interchange
Improvements Project, City of Tulare,
Tulare County, CA
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
Notice of availability; request
for comment.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), have received
an application from the City of Tulare,
Tulare County, California (applicant),
for a 5-year incidental take permit for
two species under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
The application addresses the potential
for ‘‘take’’ of two listed animals, the
vernal pool fairy shrimp and the San
Joaquin kit fox. The applicant would
implement a conservation strategy
program to avoid, minimize, and
mitigate effects of the project’s covered
activities, as described in the applicant’s
low-effect habitat conservation plan
(HCP). We request comments on the
applicant’s application and plan, and
our preliminary determination that the
plan qualifies as a ‘‘low-effect’’ habitat
conservation plan, eligible for a
categorical exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (NEPA). We discuss our basis
for this determination in our
environmental action statement (EAS),
also available for public review.
DATES: We must receive written
comments on or before January 14,
2013.
To request further
information or submit written
comments, please use one of the
following methods, and note that your
information request or comment is in
reference to the Low-Effect Habitat
Conservation Plan for the State Route
99/Cartmill Avenue Interchange
Improvements Project, City of Tulare,
Tulare County, California:
• U.S. Mail: Nina Bicknese,
Conservation Planning Division, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with
ADDRESSES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:41 Dec 13, 2012
Jkt 229001
Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage
Way, W–2605, Sacramento, CA 95825.
• In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or
Pickup: Call (916) 414–6600 to make an
appointment during regular business
hours to drop off comments or view
received comments at the address
shown above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mike Thomas, Chief, Conservation
Planning Division, or Eric Tattersall,
Deputy Assistant Field Supervisor, at
the address shown above or at (916)
414–6600 (telephone). If you use a
telecommunications device for the deaf,
please call the Federal Information
Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Documents
You may obtain copies of the permit
application, HCP, and EAS from the
individuals in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. Copies of these documents are
also available for public inspection, by
appointment, during regular business
hours, at the Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES).
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, or other personal identifying
information in your comment, you
should be aware that your entire
comment—including your personal
identifying information—might 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.
Background Information
Section 9 of the Act prohibits taking
of fish and wildlife species listed as
endangered or threatened under section
4 of the Act. Under the Act, the term
‘‘take’’ means to harass, harm, pursue,
hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture,
or collect, or to attempt to engage in any
such conduct. The term ‘‘harm’’ is
defined in the regulations as significant
habitat modification or degradation that
results in death or injury of listed
species by significantly impairing
essential behavioral patterns, including
breeding, feeding, or sheltering (50 CFR
17.3). The term ‘‘harass’’ is defined in
the regulations as to carry out actions
that create the likelihood of injury to
listed species to such an extent as to
significantly disrupt normal behavioral
patterns, which include, but are not
limited to, breeding, feeding, or
sheltering (50 CFR 17.3).
However, under specified
circumstances, the Service may issue
permits that allow the take of federally
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
listed species, provided that the take
that occurs is incidental to, but not the
purpose of, an otherwise lawful activity.
Regulations governing permits for
endangered and threatened species are
at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, respectively.
Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act contains
provisions for issuing such incidental
take permits to non-Federal entities for
the take of endangered and threatened
species, provided the following criteria
are met:
1. The taking will be incidental;
2. The applicants will, to the
maximum extent practicable, minimize
and mitigate the impact of such taking;
3. The applicants will develop a
proposed HCP and ensure that adequate
funding for the HCP will be provided;
4. The taking will not appreciably
reduce the likelihood of the survival
and recovery of the species in the wild;
and
5. The applicants will carry out any
other measures that the Service may
require as being necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of the HCP.
The applicant seeks an incidental take
permit for proposed covered activities
within a 219-acre permit area
surrounding the intersection of State
Route 99 and Cartmill Avenue within
the City of Tulare, Tulare County,
California. The HCP does not include
any unlisted animal species or unlisted
plant species. The following two
federally listed species will be included
as covered species in the applicant’s
proposed HCP:
• San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis
mutica) (endangered)
• Vernal pool fairy shrimp
(Branchinecta lynchi) (threatened)
For these covered species, the
applicants would seek incidental take
authorization. All species included in
the incidental take permit would receive
assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’
regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and
17.32(b)(5)).
Activities proposed for coverage
under the proposed incidental take
permit (covered-activities) would be
otherwise lawful activities that could
occur consistent with the HCP, to
include, but not be limited to:
• Widen and improve sections of
existing roadway.
• Remove the existing Cartmill
Avenue overpass, remove associated
roadways and associated highway
ramps, and dispose of those materials.
• Store equipment and supplies in a
designated staging area.
• Construct a new Cartmill Avenue
overpass, including a temporary
structure (falsework). Construct new
roadways and new highway ramps
associated with the new overpass.
E:\FR\FM\14DEN1.SGM
14DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 241 (Friday, December 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74500-74504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30182]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-ES-2012-N226; FF08ESMF00-FXES11120800000-134]
Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation
Plan for Western Butte County, CA: Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of public scoping meeting; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National
Environmental Policy Act for the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan/
Natural Community Conservation Plan for Western Butte County, hereafter
referred to as the Butte Regional Conservation Plan (BRCP). This
document is being prepared under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended, and the California Natural Community Conservation Planning
Act. The BRCP addresses State and Federal endangered species compliance
requirements for the county of Butte and the cities of Oroville, Chico,
Biggs, and Gridley (local agencies); the Butte County Association of
Governments (BCAG); the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans); the Western Canal Water District; the Biggs West Gridley
Water District, Butte Water District; and Richvale Irrigation District;
and the BRCP implementing entity that will be established to implement
the BRCP (permit applicants) for activities and projects in the BRCP
plan area that they conduct or approve. The permit applicants intend to
apply for a 50-year incidental take permit from the Service. This
permit is needed to authorize the incidental take of threatened and
endangered species that could result from activities covered under the
BCRP. We announce meetings and invite comments.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
January 28, 2013. Two public scoping meetings will be held on January
9th, 2013, the first from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Oroville City Council
Chambers, located at 1735 Montgomery Street Oroville, CA 95965; and the
second from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Butte County Association of
Governments, at 2580 Sierra Sunrise Terrace Suite 100, Chico, CA 95928.
ADDRESSES: To request further information or submit written comments,
please use one of the following methods, and note that your information
request or comment is in reference to the Butte Regional Conservation
Plan (BRCP):
U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish
and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605, Sacramento, CA
95825.
In-Person Drop-Off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 916-414-6600
to make an appointment during regular business hours to drop off
comments or view
[[Page 74501]]
received comments at the above U.S. mail address.
Fax: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 916-414-6713, Attn.:
Mike Thomas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Thomas, Chief, Conservation
Planning Division, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, or Eric
Tattersall, Deputy Assistant Field Supervisor, by phone at 916-414-6600
or by U.S. mail at the above address. If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf, please call the Federal Information Relay Service
at 800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), publish this notice under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; NEPA), and its
implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 40
CFR 1506.6, as well as in compliance with section 10(c) of the
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; Act). We intend to
prepare a draft EIS to evaluate the impacts of several alternatives
related to the potential issuance of an Incidental Take Permit to the
applicants, as well as impacts of the implementation of the supporting
proposed Butte Regional Conservation Plan. The EIS will be a joint EIS/
Environmental Impact Report (EIR), for which the Service, BCAG, the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the California Department
of Fish and Game (CDFG), intend to gather information necessary for
preparation.
The BRCP is a comprehensive, regional plan designed to provide
long-term conservation and management of natural communities, sensitive
species, and the habitats upon which those species depend, while
accommodating other important uses of the land. It will serve as a
habitat conservation plan pursuant to the federal Endangered Species
Act (Act), and a natural community conservation plan (NCCP) under the
California Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (NCCPA).
The Service will serve as the administrative lead for all actions
related to this Federal Register notice for the EIS component of the
EIS/EIR. The BCAG will serve as the State lead agency under the
California Environmental Quality Act for the EIR component. BCAG, in
accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, is publishing
a similar notice.
Project Summary
In 2007, the BRCP planning agreement was entered into and by and
among the local agencies, BCAG, CDFG, the Service, and NMFS. In 2010,
Western Canal Water District, Biggs West Gridley Water District, Butte
Water District, Richvale Irrigation District and Caltrans became
additional signatories to the planning agreement. The planning
agreement set out the initial scope of the program and defined the
roles and responsibilities of the parties in the development of the
BRCP. The planning agreement has helped guide the BRCP planning process
and to define the initial scope of the effort. BCAG served as the lead
in coordination of the process and preparation of the BRCP.
The BRCP's conservation strategy proposes to provide a regional
approach for the long-term conservation of covered species (see Covered
Species, below) and natural communities within the BRCP plan area while
allowing for compatible future land use and development under county
and city general plan updates and the regional transportation plans.
The BRCP identifies and addresses the covered activities carried out by
the permittees that may result in take of covered species within the
BRCP plan area.
The proposed BRCP is intended to be consistent with and support
compliance with other Federal and State wildlife and related laws and
regulations, other local conservation planning efforts, and the city
and county general plans. The BRCP was developed in coordination with
the development of city and county general plans in the BRCP plan area,
with feedback loops between the BRCP and general plan processes. These
feedback loops identified opportunities and constraints and allowed for
improvements in the general plans regarding the avoidance and
minimization of impacts on biological resources and the development of
open space and conservation elements that dovetail with the BRCP.
The proposed BRCP is designed to streamline and coordinate existing
processes for review and permitting of public and private activities
that potentially affect protected species. To meet this goal, the BRCP
will propose a conservation strategy that includes measures to ensure
that impacts on covered species and habitats related to covered
activities are avoided, minimized, or mitigated, as appropriate.
Covered activities encompass the range of existing and future
activities that are associated with much of the regional economy (see
Covered Activities, below).
Background
Section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and Federal
regulations prohibit the ``take'' of wildlife species listed as
endangered or threatened. 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, 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 an
otherwise lawful activity. Service regulations governing permits for
threatened species and endangered species, respectively, are
promulgated in 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32.
Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act contains provisions for issuing such
incidental take permits to non-Federal entities for the take of
endangered and threatened species, provided the following criteria are
met:
The taking will be incidental;
The applicants will, to the maximum extent practicable,
minimize and mitigate the impact of such taking;
The applicants will develop a proposed HCP and ensure that
adequate funding for the plan will be provided;
The taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of
the survival and recovery of the species in the wild; and
The applicants will carry out any other measures that the
Service may require as being necessary or appropriate for the purposes
of the HCP.
Thus, the purpose of issuing an ITP is to allow the applicants,
under their respective regional authority, to authorize development
while conserving the covered species and their habitats. Implementation
of a multispecies HCP, rather than a species-by-species or project-by-
project approach, can maximize the benefits of conservation measures
for covered species and eliminate expensive and time-consuming efforts
associated with processing individual ITPs for each project within the
applicants' proposed Plan Area. The Service expects that the applicants
will request ITP coverage for a period of 50 years.
Plan Area
The boundary of the BRCP plan area (or permit area) is based on
political, ecological, and hydrologic factors. The BRCP plan area
includes approximately 564,270 acres, including the western lowlands
and foothills of Butte County.
[[Page 74502]]
The BRCP plan area is bounded on the west by county boundaries with
Tehama, Glenn, and Colusa Counties; bounded on the south by boundaries
with Sutter and Yuba Counties; bounded on the north by the boundary
with Tehama County; and bounded on the east by the upper extent of
landscape dominated by oak woodland natural communities. Specifically,
the eastern oak woodland boundary is defined by a line below which
land-cover types dominated by oak trees comprise more than one half of
the land cover present, plus a small portion of the City of Chico that
extends above the oak zone.
Covered Activities
The proposed section 10 incidental take permit may allow take of
covered wildlife species resulting from covered activities on non-
Federal land in the proposed BRCP plan area. BCAG and local partners
intend to request incidental take authorization for covered species
that could be affected by activities identified in the BRCP. The
activities within the BRCP plan area for which incidental take permit
coverage is requested include construction and maintenance of
facilities and infrastructure, both public and private, that are
consistent with local general plans and local, State and Federal laws.
The following is a summary of covered activities as proposed in the
BRCP. Activities are grouped geographically (within Urban Permit Areas,
outside urban permit areas, and within the system of conservation lands
established in the BRCP), and are further grouped into activities that
result in permanent development, and activities involving maintenance
of existing or new facilities that are expected to occur over time
during the permit duration. This following list is not intended to be
exhaustive; rather, it provides an overview of the types of activities
that would be expected to occur.
1. Activities within Urban Permit Areas (UPAs) are areas within the
BRCP plan area for which the cities and County anticipate urban
development under their respective general plan updates.
a. Permanent Development: Covered activities within UPAs as a
result of new construction and improvements to existing facilities are
covered, including the following types of activities: residential,
commercial, public facilities, and industrial construction;
recreational activity-related construction; transportation facilities
construction; pipeline installation; utility services (above and below
ground); waste and wastewater management activities; flood control and
stormwater management activities; and in-water permanent development
projects.
b. Recurring Maintenance: Covered activities within UPAs include
maintenance of existing and new facilities that results in temporary
impacts, including the following types of activities: recreational
activities; transportation facilities maintenance; pipeline
maintenance; utility services; waste and wastewater facilities
management activities; flood control and stormwater management
activities; vegetation management; bridge and drainage structure
maintenance; in-water recurring maintenance activities; and irrigation
and drainage canal activities (Western Canal Water District, Biggs West
Gridley Water District, Butte Water District, and Richvale Irrigation
District).
2. Activities outside UPAs are areas of the county within the BRCP
plan area and located outside of the UPAs. Covered activities include
linear utilities, transportation construction and maintenance projects,
and agricultural support services projects. Outside UPAs do not include
areas that become part of BRCP conservation lands.
a. Permanent Development: Covered activities of outside UPAs
include new construction and improvements to existing facilities,
including the following types of activities: waste management and
wastewater facilities; rerouting of canals (Western Canal Water
District, Biggs West Gridley Water District, Butte Water District, and
Richvale Irrigation District); transportation facilities construction;
BCAG Regional Transportation Plan and Caltrans projects; county rural
bridge replacement projects; Butte County rural intersection
improvement projects; Butte County rural roadway improvement projects;
in-water permanent development projects; and agricultural services.
b. Recurring Maintenance: Covered activities of outside UPAs
include maintenance of existing and new facilities, including the
following types of activities: waste and wastewater management
activities; irrigation and drainage canal activities (Western Canal
Water District, Biggs West Gridley Water District, Butte Water
District, and Richvale Irrigation District); transportation facilities
maintenance; flood control and stormwater management activities;
vegetation management; in-water maintenance activities; and bridge and
drainage structure maintenance.
3. Conservation Lands include the system of conservation lands
established under the BRCP. Conservation actions will be implemented by
the BRCP on conservation lands, including the following types of
activities: habitat management; habitat restoration and enhancement;
habitat and species monitoring; directed studies; general maintenance
of conservation lands and facilities; avoidance and minimization
measures; and species population enhancement measures.
Covered Species
Covered Species are those species addressed in the proposed BRCP
for which conservation actions will be implemented and for which the
permit applicants will seek incidental take authorizations for a period
of up to 50 years. Proposed covered species are expected to include
threatened and endangered species listed under the Act, species listed
under the California Endangered Species Act, and currently unlisted
species. Species proposed for coverage in the BRCP are species that are
currently listed as federally threatened or endangered or have the
potential to become listed during the life of this BRCP and have some
likelihood to occur within the BRCP plan area. The BRCP is currently
expected to address 41 listed and non-listed wildlife and plant
species. The list of proposed covered species may change as the
planning process progresses; species may be added or removed as more is
learned about the nature of covered activities and their impact within
the BRCP plan area.
The following federally listed threatened and endangered wildlife
species are proposed to be covered by the BRCP: The threatened Central
Valley steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), endangered Sacramento River
winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), threatened
Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha),
threatened green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris), threatened Valley
elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus),
endangered vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi), endangered
conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta conservatio), threatened vernal
pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi), and threatened giant garter
snake (Thamnophis gigas).
The following unlisted wildlife species are proposed to be covered
by the BRCP: tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), yellow-breasted
chat (Icteria virens), bank swallow (Riparia riparia), Western
burrowing owl (Athene
[[Page 74503]]
cunicularia hypugea), western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus
occidentalis), greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida),
California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus), American
peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum), Swainson's hawk (Buteo
swainsoni), white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), bald eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus), Blainville's horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii),
Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), foothill yellow-legged frog
(Rana boylii), Western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii), Central Valley
fall/late fall-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha),
Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus), and river lamprey
(Lampetra ayresii).
Take of listed plant species is not prohibited on non-Federal land
under the Act, and cannot be authorized under a section 10 permit.
However, the permit applicants propose to include plant species on the
permit in recognition of the conservation benefits provided for them
under an HCP. For the purposes of the plan, certain plant species are
further included to meet regulatory obligations under section 7 of the
Act and the California Endangered Species Act. The Applicant would
receive assurances under the Service's ``No Surprises'' regulations
found in 50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5) for all species on the
incidental take permit. The following federally listed plant species
are proposed to be included in the BRCP in recognition of the
conservation benefits provided for them under the BRCP and the
assurances permit holders would receive if they are included on a
permit: the threatened Hoover's spurge (Chamaesyce hooveri), endangered
Butte County meadowfoam (Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica),
endangered hairy Orcutt grass (Orcuttia pilosa), threatened slender
Orcutt grass (Orcuttia tenuis), and endangered Greene's tuctoria
(Tuctoria greenei). The following unlisted plant species are also
proposed to be included in the BRCP: Ferris' milkvetch (Astragalus
tener var. ferrisiae), lesser saltscale (Atriplex minuscule), Ahart's
dwarf rush (Juncus leiospermus var. ahartii), Red Bluff dwarf rush
(Juncus leiospermus var. leiospermus), veiny monardella (Monardella
douglasii ssp. venosa), Ahart's paronychia (Paronychia ahartii),
California beaked-rush (Rhynchospora californica) Butte County
checkerbloom (Sidalcea robusta), and Butte County golden clover
(Trifolium jokerstii).
Environmental Impact Statement
Before deciding whether to issue the requested Federal incidental
take permit, the Service will prepare a draft EIS, in order to analyze
the environmental impacts associated with issuance of the incidental
take permit. In the EIS, the Service will consider the following
alternatives: (1) The proposed action, which includes the issuance of
take authorizations consistent with the proposed BRCP under section
10(a)(1)(B) of the Act; (2) no action (no permit issuance); and (3) a
reasonable range of additional alternatives. The EIS/EIR will include a
detailed analysis of the impacts of the proposed action and
alternatives. The range of alternatives could include variations in
impacts, conservation, permit duration, covered species, covered
activities, permit area, or a combination of these elements.
The EIS/EIR will identify and analyze potentially significant
direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of our authorization of
incidental take (permit issuance) and the implementation of the
proposed BRCP on biological resources, land uses, utilities, air
quality, water resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics and
environmental justice, recreation, aesthetics, climate change and
greenhouse gases, and other environmental issues that could occur with
implementation of each alternative. The Service will use all
practicable means, consistent with NEPA and other relevant
considerations of national policy, to avoid or minimize significant
effects of our actions on the quality of the human environment.
Following completion of the environmental review, the Service will
publish a notice of availability and a request for comment on the draft
EIS/EIR and the applicants' permit application, which will include the
proposed HCP.
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 these comments in developing a draft EIS/EIR
and in the development of an HCP and ITP. We particularly seek comments
on the following:
1. Biological information concerning the species;
2. Relevant data concerning the species;
3. Additional information concerning the range, distribution,
population size, and population trends of the species;
4. Current or planned activities in the subject area and their
possible impacts on the species;
5. The presence of archeological sites, buildings and structures,
historic events, sacred and traditional areas, and other historic
preservation concerns, which are required to be considered in project
planning by the National Historic Preservation Act; and
6. Identification of any other environmental issues that should be
considered with regard to the proposed development and permit action.
You may submit your comments and materials 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 EIS/EIR document, will be
available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business
hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Service's
Sacramento address (see ADDRESSES).
Scoping Meetings
See DATES for the dates and times of our public meetings. The
purpose of scoping meetings is to provide the public with a general
understanding of the background of the proposed HCP and activities it
would cover, alternative proposals under consideration for the draft
EIS, and the Service's role and steps to be taken to develop the draft
EIS for the proposed HCP.
The primary purpose of these meetings and public comment period is
to solicit suggestions and information on the scope of issues and
alternatives for the Service to consider when drafting the EIS. Written
comments will be accepted at the meetings. Comments can also be
submitted by methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. Once the draft
EIS and proposed HCP are complete and made available for review, there
will be additional opportunity for public comment on the content of
these documents through additional public comment periods.
Meeting Location Accommodations
Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and
participate in the public meetings should contact Mike Thomas 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.
Authority
We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.) and per NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 40 CFR 1506.6, and
1508.22).
[[Page 74504]]
Dated: December 10, 2012
Alexandra Pitts,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. 2012-30182 Filed 12-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
