Notice of Availability of Draft Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit; Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC, 45841-45842 [2014-18590]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 151 / Wednesday, August 6, 2014 / Notices Slender chub (Erimystax cahni) Relict darter (Etheostoma chienense) Tuxedo darter (Etheostoma lemniscatum) Marbled darter (Etheostoma marmorpinnum) Duskytail darter (Etheostoma percnurum) Citico darter (Etheostoma sitikuense) Snail darter (Percina tanasi) Diamond darter (Crystallaria cincotta) Cumberland darter (Etheostoma susanae) Palezone shiner (Notropis albizonatus) Blackside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis) Permit Application Number: TE48833A Applicant: Brian Carver, Tennessee Tech University The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture, handle, radiotag, and release) the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and gray bat (M. grisescens) in the State of Tennessee. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. Permit Application Number: TE07730A Applicant: Kiersten Fuchs, Redwing Ecological Services, Inc. The applicant requests a permit amendment to add the rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica), fluted kidneyshell mussel (Ptychobranchus subtentum), and the slabside pearlymussel (Pleuronaia dolabelloides) to their permit. The requested amendment would also add personnel to their permit. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Permit Application Number: TE38085B Applicant: Keith A. Johnson, Mountain State Biosurveys, LLC The applicant requests a permit to take (survey, capture and release; nondestructive sampling) the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and Missouri. Proposed activities are for the recovery an enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. Permit Application Number: TE2373A Applicant: Virgil Brack, Environmental Solutions and Innovations The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (survey, capture and release; non-destructive sampling) the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:14 Aug 05, 2014 Jkt 232001 Rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica) in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and Missouri. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. Permit Application Number: TE73584A Applicant: Brian Anderson, Illinois Natural History Survey The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (survey, capture and release; non-destructive sampling) the scaleshell mussel (Leptodea leptodon), rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica), and spectaclecase mussel (Cumberlandia monodonta) in the State of Illinois. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. Permit Application Number: TE06801A Applicant: Neil Bossart, Pittsburgh Wildlife and Environmental, Inc. The applicant requests a permit amendment to add personnel to their permit. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. Permit Application Number: TE40160B Applicant: Daniel J. Call, Environmental Research and Information Analysts, LLC The applicant requests a permit to take (survey, capture and release; nondestructive sampling) the fat pocketbook mussel (Potamilus capax), Higgin’s eye pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsii), scaleshell mussel (Leptodea leptodon), sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus), spectaclecase mussel (Cumberlandia monodonta), and winged mapleleaf mussel (Quadrula fragosa) in the Upper Mississippi River in the State of Illinois. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. Permit Application Number: TE02344A Applicant: Donald C. Fortenbery, Mainstream Commercial Divers, Inc. The applicant requests a permit amendment to add the rabbitsfoot mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica), finelined pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis altilis), southern clubshell mussel (Pleurobema decisum), and triangular kidneyshell mussel (Ptychobranchus greenii) to their permit. The requested amendment PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45841 would also add personnel to the permit. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild. Request for Public Comments We seek public review and comments on these permit applications. Please refer to the permit number when you submit comments. Comments and materials we receive are available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section. 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 us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: July 30, 2014. Lynn M. Lewis, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 2014–18589 Filed 8–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–ES–2014–N122; FXES11120300000–145–FF03E00000] Notice of Availability of Draft Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit; Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an incidental take permit (ITP) application, draft habitat conservation plan (HCP), and a draft Implementing Agreement (IA) from Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC (applicant), located in Ford and Iroquois Counties, Illinois. If approved, the ITP would authorize incidental take of two species of bats (covered species): the Indiana bat, a federally endangered species, and northern long-eared bat, proposed for Federal listing under the ESA. In accordance with the NEPA, the Service has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in response to the permit application. We SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1 45842 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 151 / Wednesday, August 6, 2014 / Notices invite public comment on the ITP application, draft HCP, draft IA, and draft EA. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments on or before September 22, 2014. ADDRESSES: Send written comments via U.S. mail to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rock Island Field Office, 1511 47th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265; by facsimile to 309–757–5807; or by electronic mail to RockIsland@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amber Schorg, 309–757–5800, extension 222. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction Pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC (applicant), located in Ford and Iroquois Counties, Illinois, for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the ESA. If approved, the ITP would authorize incidental take of two species of bats (covered species): the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), a species proposed for Federal listing under the ESA. The application includes a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and a draft Implementing Agreement (IA). Those documents describe the actions and measures the applicant will take to minimize, mitigate, and monitor take of covered species, and the assurances the applicant will provide should the ITP be issued. In accordance with the NEPA, the Service has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in response to the ITP application. We invite public comment on the application, draft HCP, draft IA, and draft EA. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of animal species listed as endangered or threatened. Take is defined under the ESA as to ‘‘harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect listed animal species, or to attempt to engage in such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1538). However, under section 10(a) of the ESA, the Service may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is defined by the ESA as take that is incidental to, and not the VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:14 Aug 05, 2014 Jkt 232001 purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Requested Permit The applicant is seeking a permit for incidental take of three individual Indiana bats and two individual northern long-eared bats (hereafter, ‘‘covered species’’) per year; such take may result from operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of an existing 94turbine wind facility over a 43-year period. The ITP would also cover potential impacts associated with species mitigation, which would include gating and stabilization of highpriority Indiana bat hibernacula, and protection, restoration, enhancement, and long-term management of summer habitat for both species. While the exact location of land proposed as summer habitat mitigation has yet to be finalized, it is likely to occur in Alexander, Champaign, Ford, Hardin, and/or Vermillion Counties, Illinois. Before the Service can issue a permit to the applicant, it must first confirm that: • Take will be incidental to an otherwise lawful activity. • The applicant will, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize and mitigate the impacts of such taking. • The applicant will 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 overall species in the wild. • Other measures required by the Service in the plan will be met, and there are assurances that the plan will be implemented. Request for Comments The Service invites comments and suggestions from all interested parties on the draft documents associated with the permit application. In particular, comments and suggestions regarding whether the draft HCP sufficiently minimizes and mitigates potential impacts associated with take of covered species and any additional information pertinent to evaluation of NEPA alternatives and impacts associated with the proposed federal action, would be appreciated. Public Availability of Comments Written comments we receive become part of the public record associated with this action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that the entire comment, including your personal PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 identifying information, may be made 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. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22), and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6; 43 CFR Part 46). Dated: June 25, 2014. Lynn Lewis, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 2014–18590 Filed 8–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAZ910000.14X.L12100000.XP0000.6100. 241A] State of Arizona Resource Advisory Council Meeting Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet in Phoenix, Arizona, as indicated below. DATES: The Arizona RAC Business meeting will take place September 10, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the BLM Arizona State Office located at One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona 85004. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorothea Boothe, Arizona RAC Coordinator at the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Office, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona 85004–4427, 602– 417–9504. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 151 (Wednesday, August 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45841-45842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18590]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2014-N122; FXES11120300000-145-FF03E00000]


Notice of Availability of Draft Habitat Conservation Plan; 
Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit; Pioneer Trail Wind 
Farm, LLC

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), have received an incidental take permit (ITP) application, 
draft habitat conservation plan (HCP), and a draft Implementing 
Agreement (IA) from Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, LLC (applicant), located 
in Ford and Iroquois Counties, Illinois. If approved, the ITP would 
authorize incidental take of two species of bats (covered species): the 
Indiana bat, a federally endangered species, and northern long-eared 
bat, proposed for Federal listing under the ESA. In accordance with the 
NEPA, the Service has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
response to the permit application. We

[[Page 45842]]

invite public comment on the ITP application, draft HCP, draft IA, and 
draft EA.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments on or 
before September 22, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments via U.S. mail to the Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rock Island Field Office, 1511 47th 
Avenue, Moline, IL 61265; by facsimile to 309-757-5807; or by 
electronic mail to RockIsland@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amber Schorg, 309-757-5800, extension 
222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    Pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), have received an application from Pioneer Trail Wind Farm, 
LLC (applicant), located in Ford and Iroquois Counties, Illinois, for 
an incidental take permit (ITP) under the ESA. If approved, the ITP 
would authorize incidental take of two species of bats (covered 
species): the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and 
northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), a species proposed 
for Federal listing under the ESA. The application includes a draft 
habitat conservation plan (HCP) and a draft Implementing Agreement 
(IA). Those documents describe the actions and measures the applicant 
will take to minimize, mitigate, and monitor take of covered species, 
and the assurances the applicant will provide should the ITP be issued. 
In accordance with the NEPA, the Service has prepared a draft 
Environmental Assessment (EA) in response to the ITP application. We 
invite public comment on the application, draft HCP, draft IA, and 
draft EA.

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the 
``take'' of animal species listed as endangered or threatened. Take is 
defined under the ESA as to ``harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, 
kill, trap, capture, or collect listed animal species, or to attempt to 
engage in such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 1538). However, under section 10(a) 
of the ESA, the Service may issue permits to authorize incidental take 
of listed species. ``Incidental take'' is defined by the ESA as take 
that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an 
otherwise lawful activity.

Requested Permit

    The applicant is seeking a permit for incidental take of three 
individual Indiana bats and two individual northern long-eared bats 
(hereafter, ``covered species'') per year; such take may result from 
operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of an existing 94-turbine 
wind facility over a 43-year period. The ITP would also cover potential 
impacts associated with species mitigation, which would include gating 
and stabilization of high-priority Indiana bat hibernacula, and 
protection, restoration, enhancement, and long-term management of 
summer habitat for both species. While the exact location of land 
proposed as summer habitat mitigation has yet to be finalized, it is 
likely to occur in Alexander, Champaign, Ford, Hardin, and/or 
Vermillion Counties, Illinois.
    Before the Service can issue a permit to the applicant, it must 
first confirm that:
     Take will be incidental to an otherwise lawful activity.
     The applicant will, to the maximum extent practicable, 
minimize and mitigate the impacts of such taking.
     The applicant will 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 overall species in the wild.
     Other measures required by the Service in the plan will be 
met, and there are assurances that the plan will be implemented.

Request for Comments

    The Service invites comments and suggestions from all interested 
parties on the draft documents associated with the permit application. 
In particular, comments and suggestions regarding whether the draft HCP 
sufficiently minimizes and mitigates potential impacts associated with 
take of covered species and any additional information pertinent to 
evaluation of NEPA alternatives and impacts associated with the 
proposed federal action, would be appreciated.

Public Availability of Comments

    Written comments we receive become part of the public record 
associated with this action. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that the entire comment, including 
your personal identifying information, may be made 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.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22), and NEPA 
(42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 
1506.6; 43 CFR Part 46).

    Dated: June 25, 2014.
Lynn Lewis,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-18590 Filed 8-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.