Extension of Pacific Gas and Electric Safe Harbor Agreement for Interior Dune Species Located in Antioch Dunes in Contra Costa County, CA, 24960-24961 [2015-10299]
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24960
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 84 / Friday, May 1, 2015 / Notices
Dated: October 27, 2014.
Mike Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo
langei), Antioch Dunes evening
primrose (Oenothera deltoides ssp.
howellii), and Contra Costa wallflower
(Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum)
(collectively referred to as the Covered
Species). No changes are proposed to
the Agreement other than extending the
Enhancement of Survival Permit and
associated Agreement for an additional
5 years.
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of Documents
Editorial Note: This document was
received for publication by the Office of
Federal Register on April 28, 2015.
[FR Doc. 2015–10298 Filed 4–30–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
[FWS–R8–ES–2015–N068; 81420–1113–
0000–F3]
Extension of Pacific Gas and Electric
Safe Harbor Agreement for Interior
Dune Species Located in Antioch
Dunes in Contra Costa County, CA
AGENCY:
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of
application.
This notice advises the public
that Pacific Gas and Electric (Applicant)
has applied to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) for a 5-year
extension of their existing Enhancement
of Survival permit under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). The Safe Harbor
Agreement (Agreement) is between the
Applicant and the Service for the
federally endangered Lange’s metalmark
butterfly, Antioch Dunes evening
primrose, and Contra Costa wallflower.
No changes are proposed to the
Agreement other than extending the
Enhancement of Survival Permit and
associated Agreement for an additional
5 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please
send your written comments by June 1,
2015.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Rick
Kuyper, via U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way,
W–2605, Sacramento, CA 95825, or via
facsimile to (916) 414–6713.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Rick Kuyper, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES);
telephone: (916) 414–6600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice advises the public that Pacific
Gas and Electric (Applicant) has applied
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) for a 5-year extension of their
existing Enhancement of Survival
permit under the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Safe
Harbor Agreement (Agreement) is
between the Applicant and the Service
for the federally endangered Lange’s
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:14 Apr 30, 2015
Jkt 235001
You may obtain a copy of the
Agreement by contacting the individual
named above. You may also make an
appointment to view the document at
the above address during normal
business hours.
Background
Under a Safe Harbor Agreement,
participating landowners voluntarily
undertake management activities on
their property to enhance, restore, or
maintain habitat benefiting species
listed under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.). Safe Harbor Agreements, and the
subsequent enhancement of survival
permits that are issued pursuant to
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act, encourage
private and other non-Federal property
owners to implement conservation
efforts for listed species by assuring
property owners that they will not be
subjected to increased property use
restrictions as a result of their efforts to
attract listed species to their property, or
to increase the numbers or distribution
of listed species already on their
property. Application requirements and
issuance criteria for enhancement of
survival permits through Safe Harbor
Agreements are found in 50 CFR
17.22(c) and 17.32(c). These permits
allow any necessary future incidental
take of covered species above the
mutually agreed-upon baseline
conditions for those species in
accordance with the terms and
conditions of the permits and
accompanying agreements.
Existing Agreement
Description
The Agreement covers two 6-acre
parcels (Enrolled Property) that are
located along the south shore of the San
Joaquin River in Contra Costa County,
California. The two parcels are located
adjacent to, and on either side of, the
14-acre Sardis Unit of the Antioch
Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
(Refuge). Two transmission towers are
located on the Enrolled Property—one
115 kV tower on the west parcel and
one 230 kV tower on the east parcel.
The Applicant relies on graveled and
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
dirt access roads to reach all of its
facilities on the Enrolled Property. Each
tower has an established work area that
is utilized for maintenance and
operation activities.
Purpose
The purpose of this Agreement is for
the Service and the Applicant to
collaborate and implement conservation
measures for the Covered Species. The
Applicant has restored and maintained
suitable habitat within the Enrolled
Property within the Antioch Dunes
system, as specified in the Agreement.
Restoration actions have primarily
involved controlling invasive plant
species. The Applicant has allowed the
Service to conduct native plant
restoration activities as specified in the
Agreement. The restoration activities
have resulted in an increase in host
plants for the Lange’s metalmark
butterfly throughout the Enrolled
Property, thus resulting in a net
conservation benefit for this species.
Additionally, the restoration activities
have decreased threats to the Contra
Costa wallflower and the Antioch Dunes
evening primrose by reducing the
amount of invasive, nonnative plants
that outcompete the federally
endangered plants. The Agreement also
contains a monitoring component that
provides information on the success of
weed eradication and assists the Refuge
in early detection of new invasive plant
species. Results of these monitoring
efforts are provided to the Service by the
Applicant in annual reports.
Proposed Extension of Existing
Agreement
No changes are proposed to the
Agreement other than extending the
Enhancement of Survival Permit and
associated Agreement for an additional
5 years. The proposed extension of the
Enhancement of Survival permit and
Agreement would authorize the
incidental taking of the Covered Species
associated with the restoration,
enhancement, and maintenance of
suitable habitat for the Covered Species;
routine activities associated with
maintenance and operation of the two
transmission towers; and the potential
future return of the Enrolled Property to
baseline conditions.
Consistent with the Service’s Safe
Harbor Policy (64 FR 32717), the Service
would issue a 5-year extension of the
Enhancement of Survival Permit to the
Applicant. This permit will authorize
the Applicant to take the Covered
Species incidental to the
implementation of the management
activities specified in the Agreement,
incidental to other lawful uses of the
E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM
01MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 84 / Friday, May 1, 2015 / Notices
property including normal, routine land
management activities, and incidental to
return to baseline conditions if desired.
Although take of listed plant species is
not prohibited under the Act, and
therefore cannot be authorized under an
enhancement of survival permit, plant
species may be included on a permit in
recognition of the net conservation
benefit provided to them under a safe
harbor agreement. An applicant would
receive assurances under our ‘‘No
Surprises’’ regulations (50 CFR
17.22(c)(5) and 17.32(c)(5)) for all
species included in the Enhancement of
Survival permit. In addition to meeting
other criteria, actions to be performed
under an Enhancement of Survival
permit must not jeopardize the
existence of federally listed fish,
wildlife, or plants.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Public Review and Comments
Individuals wishing to view the
Agreement, including a map of the
proposed permit area, should contact
the office and personnel listed in the
ADDRESSES section above.
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.
The Service will evaluate this permit
application, associated documents, and
comments submitted thereon to
determine whether the permit
application meets the requirements of
section 10(a) of the Act and National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
regulations. If the Service determines
that the requirements are met, we will
issue a 5-year extension for the
enhancement of survival permit under
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the
Applicant for take of the Covered
Species incidental to otherwise lawful
activities in accordance with the terms
of the Agreement. The Service will not
make our final decision until after the
end of the 30-day comment period and
will fully consider all comments
received during the comment period.
Authority
The Service provides this notice
pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:14 Apr 30, 2015
Jkt 235001
pursuant to implementing regulations
for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6).
Jennifer M. Norris,
Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2015–10299 Filed 4–30–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–HQ–IA–2015–N082;
FXIA16710900000–156–FF09A30000]
Endangered Species; Marine
Mammals; Receipt of Applications for
Permit
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications
for permit.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, invite the public to
comment on the following applications
to conduct certain activities with
endangered species, marine mammals,
or both. With some exceptions, the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and
Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA) prohibit activities with listed
species unless Federal authorization is
acquired that allows such activities.
DATES: We must receive comments or
requests for documents on or before
June 1, 2015. We must receive requests
for marine mammal permit public
hearings, in writing, at the address
shown in the ADDRESSES section by June
1, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Brenda Tapia, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of
Management Authority, Branch of
Permits, MS: IA, 5275 Leesburg Pike,
Falls Church, VA 22041; fax (703) 358–
2281; or email DMAFR@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brenda Tapia, (703) 358–2104
(telephone); (703) 358–2281 (fax);
DMAFR@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Public Comment Procedures
A. How do I request copies of
applications or comment on submitted
applications?
Send your request for copies of
applications or comments and materials
concerning any of the applications to
the contact listed under ADDRESSES.
Please include the Federal Register
notice publication date, the PRTnumber, and the name of the applicant
in your request or submission. We will
not consider requests or comments sent
PO 00000
Frm 00070
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
24961
to an email or address not listed under
If you provide an email
address in your request for copies of
applications, we will attempt to respond
to your request electronically.
Please make your requests or
comments as specific as possible. Please
confine your comments to issues for
which we seek comments in this notice,
and explain the basis for your
comments. Include sufficient
information with your comments to
allow us to authenticate any scientific or
commercial data you include.
The comments and recommendations
that will be most useful and likely to
influence agency decisions are: (1)
Those supported by quantitative
information or studies; and (2) Those
that include citations to, and analyses
of, the applicable laws and regulations.
We will not consider or include in our
administrative record comments we
receive after the close of the comment
period (see DATES) or comments
delivered to an address other than those
listed above (see ADDRESSES).
ADDRESSES.
B. May I review comments submitted by
others?
Comments, including names and
street addresses of respondents, will be
available for public review at the street
address listed under ADDRESSES. The
public may review documents and other
information applicants have sent in
support of the application unless our
allowing viewing would violate the
Privacy Act or Freedom of Information
Act. 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.
II. Background
To help us carry out our conservation
responsibilities for affected species, and
in consideration of section 10(a)(1)(A) of
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and
the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et
seq.), along with Executive Order 13576,
‘‘Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and
Accountable Government,’’ and the
President’s Memorandum for the Heads
of Executive Departments and Agencies
of January 21, 2009—Transparency and
Open Government (74 FR 4685; January
26, 2009), which call on all Federal
agencies to promote openness and
E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM
01MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24960-24961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10299]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-ES-2015-N068; 81420-1113-0000-F3]
Extension of Pacific Gas and Electric Safe Harbor Agreement for
Interior Dune Species Located in Antioch Dunes in Contra Costa County,
CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that Pacific Gas and Electric
(Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
for a 5-year extension of their existing Enhancement of Survival permit
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Safe
Harbor Agreement (Agreement) is between the Applicant and the Service
for the federally endangered Lange's metalmark butterfly, Antioch Dunes
evening primrose, and Contra Costa wallflower. No changes are proposed
to the Agreement other than extending the Enhancement of Survival
Permit and associated Agreement for an additional 5 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
June 1, 2015.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Mr. Rick Kuyper, via U.S. mail at U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage
Way, W-2605, Sacramento, CA 95825, or via facsimile to (916) 414-6713.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Kuyper, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES); telephone: (916) 414-6600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice advises the public that Pacific
Gas and Electric (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) for a 5-year extension of their existing Enhancement
of Survival permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(Act). The Safe Harbor Agreement (Agreement) is between the Applicant
and the Service for the federally endangered Lange's metalmark
butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei), Antioch Dunes evening primrose
(Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii), and Contra Costa wallflower
(Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum) (collectively referred to as the
Covered Species). No changes are proposed to the Agreement other than
extending the Enhancement of Survival Permit and associated Agreement
for an additional 5 years.
Availability of Documents
You may obtain a copy of the Agreement by contacting the individual
named above. You may also make an appointment to view the document at
the above address during normal business hours.
Background
Under a Safe Harbor Agreement, participating landowners voluntarily
undertake management activities on their property to enhance, restore,
or maintain habitat benefiting species listed under the Act (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.). Safe Harbor Agreements, and the subsequent enhancement
of survival permits that are issued pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of
the Act, encourage private and other non-Federal property owners to
implement conservation efforts for listed species by assuring property
owners that they will not be subjected to increased property use
restrictions as a result of their efforts to attract listed species to
their property, or to increase the numbers or distribution of listed
species already on their property. Application requirements and
issuance criteria for enhancement of survival permits through Safe
Harbor Agreements are found in 50 CFR 17.22(c) and 17.32(c). These
permits allow any necessary future incidental take of covered species
above the mutually agreed-upon baseline conditions for those species in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the permits and
accompanying agreements.
Existing Agreement
Description
The Agreement covers two 6-acre parcels (Enrolled Property) that
are located along the south shore of the San Joaquin River in Contra
Costa County, California. The two parcels are located adjacent to, and
on either side of, the 14-acre Sardis Unit of the Antioch Dunes
National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). Two transmission towers are located
on the Enrolled Property--one 115 kV tower on the west parcel and one
230 kV tower on the east parcel. The Applicant relies on graveled and
dirt access roads to reach all of its facilities on the Enrolled
Property. Each tower has an established work area that is utilized for
maintenance and operation activities.
Purpose
The purpose of this Agreement is for the Service and the Applicant
to collaborate and implement conservation measures for the Covered
Species. The Applicant has restored and maintained suitable habitat
within the Enrolled Property within the Antioch Dunes system, as
specified in the Agreement. Restoration actions have primarily involved
controlling invasive plant species. The Applicant has allowed the
Service to conduct native plant restoration activities as specified in
the Agreement. The restoration activities have resulted in an increase
in host plants for the Lange's metalmark butterfly throughout the
Enrolled Property, thus resulting in a net conservation benefit for
this species. Additionally, the restoration activities have decreased
threats to the Contra Costa wallflower and the Antioch Dunes evening
primrose by reducing the amount of invasive, nonnative plants that
outcompete the federally endangered plants. The Agreement also contains
a monitoring component that provides information on the success of weed
eradication and assists the Refuge in early detection of new invasive
plant species. Results of these monitoring efforts are provided to the
Service by the Applicant in annual reports.
Proposed Extension of Existing Agreement
No changes are proposed to the Agreement other than extending the
Enhancement of Survival Permit and associated Agreement for an
additional 5 years. The proposed extension of the Enhancement of
Survival permit and Agreement would authorize the incidental taking of
the Covered Species associated with the restoration, enhancement, and
maintenance of suitable habitat for the Covered Species; routine
activities associated with maintenance and operation of the two
transmission towers; and the potential future return of the Enrolled
Property to baseline conditions.
Consistent with the Service's Safe Harbor Policy (64 FR 32717), the
Service would issue a 5-year extension of the Enhancement of Survival
Permit to the Applicant. This permit will authorize the Applicant to
take the Covered Species incidental to the implementation of the
management activities specified in the Agreement, incidental to other
lawful uses of the
[[Page 24961]]
property including normal, routine land management activities, and
incidental to return to baseline conditions if desired. Although take
of listed plant species is not prohibited under the Act, and therefore
cannot be authorized under an enhancement of survival permit, plant
species may be included on a permit in recognition of the net
conservation benefit provided to them under a safe harbor agreement. An
applicant would receive assurances under our ``No Surprises''
regulations (50 CFR 17.22(c)(5) and 17.32(c)(5)) for all species
included in the Enhancement of Survival permit. In addition to meeting
other criteria, actions to be performed under an Enhancement of
Survival permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed
fish, wildlife, or plants.
Public Review and Comments
Individuals wishing to view the Agreement, including a map of the
proposed permit area, should contact the office and personnel listed in
the ADDRESSES section above.
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.
The Service will evaluate this permit application, associated
documents, and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the
permit application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act
and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. If the
Service determines that the requirements are met, we will issue a 5-
year extension for the enhancement of survival permit under section
10(a)(1)(A) of the Act to the Applicant for take of the Covered Species
incidental to otherwise lawful activities in accordance with the terms
of the Agreement. The Service will not make our final decision until
after the end of the 30-day comment period and will fully consider all
comments received during the comment period.
Authority
The Service provides this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the
Act and pursuant to implementing regulations for NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6).
Jennifer M. Norris,
Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. 2015-10299 Filed 4-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
