Habitat Conservation Plan for the Operation, Repair, Maintenance, and Replacement of State Water Pipeline and Facilities From the Polonio Pass Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma, Santa Barbara County, California, 252-253 [2015-33148]

Download as PDF 252 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Notices We invite comments from the public on the draft HCP and our NEPA compliance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2016–N240; FXES11120800000–145–FF08EVEN00] Habitat Conservation Plan for the Operation, Repair, Maintenance, and Replacement of State Water Pipeline and Facilities From the Polonio Pass Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma, Santa Barbara County, California Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Central Coastal Water Authority (CCWA) for a 30-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and federally threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) that may occur incidental to the operations and maintenance of an existing potable water delivery system from near Polonio Pass in northeastern San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara. We invite comments from the public on the application for an incidental take permit, which includes the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). This proposed action has been determined to be eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by February 4, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the draft HCP and draft environmental action statement and low-effect screening form on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies of the documents by U.S. mail or phone (see below). Please address written comments to Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. You may alternatively send comments by facsimile to (805) 644– 3958. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Julie M. Vanderwier, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above address, or by calling (805) 644–1766, extension 222. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 Background Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) prohibit the take of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is defined under the Act to include the following activities: ‘‘to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532). However, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. The Act defines ‘‘incidental take’’ as take that is not the purpose of carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides those regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22. Issuance of an incidental take permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species. The Applicant’s Proposed Project Measures to minimize the amount and severity of take proposed by the applicant are discussed in detail in section 2.10 of the draft HCP. Mitigation for unavoidable take of California redlegged frog and California tiger salamander includes the purchase of credits in the Palo Prieto Conservation Bank in San Luis Obispo County, with an additional credit for California tiger salamander purchased in the La Purisima Conservation Bank in Santa Barbara County. Mitigation for San Joaquin kit fox was provided at the time of project construction as part of its compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and its terms memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding between applicant and the California Department of Fish and Game (now California Department of Fish and Wildlife). The mitigation requirements were included in the project description of our biological opinion 1–8–93–F–20. As such, no additional mitigation is deemed necessary for San Joaquin kit fox. The draft HCP provides for, and discusses, five alternatives to the proposed project: No Project, No Action, Maintenance Alternative, Minimum Conservation, and Maximum Conservation. These are discussed in detail in section 9 of the HCP. Our Preliminary Determination We are requesting comments on our preliminary determination that the HCP PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 qualifies for processing as a low-effect HCP as defined by our Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). Three criteria form the basis for our determination: (1) Implementation of the proposed project as described in the HCP would result in minor or negligible effects on federally listed, proposed, and/or candidate species and their habitats; (2) implementation of the HCP would result in minor negligible effects on other environmental values or resources; and (3) HCP impacts, considered together with those of other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects, would not result in cumulatively significant effects. It is our preliminary determination that HCP approval and ITP issuance qualify for categorical exclusion under the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as provided by the Department of Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 2 and 516 DM 8); however, we may revise our determination based upon review of public comments received in response to this notice. Next Steps We will evaluate the permit application, including the HCP, and comments we receive to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the ITP would comply with section 7(a)(2) of the Act regarding jeopardy for federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species by conducting an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the Act. Public Review We are requesting comments on our determination that the applicant’s proposal will have a minor or negligible effect on the San Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog, and California tiger salamander and that the plan qualifies as a low-effect HCP. We will evaluate the permit application, including the HCP and comments we receive, to make a final determination regarding whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will use the results of our intra-Service consultation, in combination with the above findings, in our final analysis to determine whether to issue the ITP. If all permit issuance requirements are met, we will issue the permit to the applicant to authorize incidental take of San Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog, and California tiger salamander. We will make the final permit decision no sooner than 30 days after the date of this notice. E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM 05JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Notices by contacting the individual listed below in the Addresses section of this notice. Public Comments If you wish to comment on the HCP and associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods provided in ADDRESSES. Public Availability of Comments 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 view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act and the NEPA public involvement regulations (40 CFR 1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 1506.6). Dated: December 29, 2015. Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2015–33148 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Proposed Collection, Comment Request ACTION: Notice. The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c) (2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the ‘‘Veterans Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS),’’ to be conducted in August 2016, August 2017, and August 2018. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 Jan 04, 2016 Jkt 238001 Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the Addresses section of this notice on or before March 7, 2016. DATES: Send comments to Erin Good, BLS Clearance Officer, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20212. Written comments also may be transmitted by fax to 202–691–5111 (this is not a toll free number). ADDRESSES: Erin Good, BLS Clearance Officer, 202–691– 7763 (this is not a toll free number). (See Addresses section.) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The CPS has been the principal source of official Government statistics on employment and unemployment since 1940 (75 years). Collection of labor force data through the CPS is necessary to meet the requirements in Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1 and 2. The Veterans Supplement provides information on the labor force status of veterans with a service-connected disability, combat veterans, past or present National Guard and Reserve members, and recently discharged veterans. Also, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam veterans are identified by location of service. Data are provided by period of service and a range of demographic characteristics. The supplement also provides information on veterans’ participation in various transition and employment and training programs. The data collected through this supplement will be used by the Veterans Employment and Training Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine policies that better meet the needs of our Nation’s veteran population. II. Current Action Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the Veterans Supplement to the CPS. An extension without change of a currently approved collection is needed to continue to provide the Nation with timely information about the labor force status of veterans with a serviceconnected disability, combat veterans, past or present National Guard and Reserve members, recently discharged veterans, and veterans who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Vietnam. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 253 III. Desired Focus of Comments The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility. • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used. • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved collection. Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Title: Veterans Supplement to the CPS. OMB Number: 1220–0102. Affected Public: Households. Total Respondents: 9,000. Frequency: Annually. Total Responses: 9,000. Average Time per Response: Approximately 2 minutes. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 300 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): $0. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record. Signed at Washington, DC, this 29th day of December 2015. Kimberly D. Hill, Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics. [FR Doc. 2015–33143 Filed 1–4–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–24–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Proposed Collection, Comment Request ACTION: E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM Notice. 05JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 252-253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33148]



[[Page 252]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2016-N240; FXES11120800000-145-FF08EVEN00]


Habitat Conservation Plan for the Operation, Repair, Maintenance, 
and Replacement of State Water Pipeline and Facilities From the Polonio 
Pass Water Treatment Plant, San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma, 
Santa Barbara County, California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
received an application from Central Coastal Water Authority (CCWA) for 
a 30-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for 
``take'' of the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes 
macrotis mutica) and federally threatened California red-legged frog 
(Rana draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma 
californiense) that may occur incidental to the operations and 
maintenance of an existing potable water delivery system from near 
Polonio Pass in northeastern San Luis Obispo County to Lake Cachuma in 
Santa Barbara. We invite comments from the public on the application 
for an incidental take permit, which includes the Habitat Conservation 
Plan (HCP). This proposed action has been determined to be eligible for 
a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA).

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
February 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the draft HCP and draft 
environmental action statement and low-effect screening form on the 
Internet at https://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies of 
the documents by U.S. mail or phone (see below). Please address written 
comments to Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and 
Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, 
Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. You may alternatively send comments by 
facsimile to (805) 644-3958.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie M. Vanderwier, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, at the above address, or by calling (805) 644-1766, 
extension 222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We invite comments from the public on the 
draft HCP and our NEPA compliance.

Background

    Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) prohibit the take of fish or wildlife species listed as 
endangered or threatened. ``Take'' is defined under the Act to include 
the following activities: ``to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, 
wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any 
such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 1532). However, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of 
the Act, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed 
species. The Act defines ``incidental take'' as take that is not the 
purpose of carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. The Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) provides those regulations governing 
incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species at 50 CFR 
17.32 and 17.22. Issuance of an incidental take permit must not 
jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant 
species.

The Applicant's Proposed Project

    Measures to minimize the amount and severity of take proposed by 
the applicant are discussed in detail in section 2.10 of the draft HCP. 
Mitigation for unavoidable take of California red-legged frog and 
California tiger salamander includes the purchase of credits in the 
Palo Prieto Conservation Bank in San Luis Obispo County, with an 
additional credit for California tiger salamander purchased in the La 
Purisima Conservation Bank in Santa Barbara County. Mitigation for San 
Joaquin kit fox was provided at the time of project construction as 
part of its compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act 
and its terms memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding between 
applicant and the California Department of Fish and Game (now 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife). The mitigation 
requirements were included in the project description of our biological 
opinion 1-8-93-F-20. As such, no additional mitigation is deemed 
necessary for San Joaquin kit fox.
    The draft HCP provides for, and discusses, five alternatives to the 
proposed project: No Project, No Action, Maintenance Alternative, 
Minimum Conservation, and Maximum Conservation. These are discussed in 
detail in section 9 of the HCP.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We are requesting comments on our preliminary determination that 
the HCP qualifies for processing as a low-effect HCP as defined by our 
Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). Three criteria 
form the basis for our determination: (1) Implementation of the 
proposed project as described in the HCP would result in minor or 
negligible effects on federally listed, proposed, and/or candidate 
species and their habitats; (2) implementation of the HCP would result 
in minor negligible effects on other environmental values or resources; 
and (3) HCP impacts, considered together with those of other past, 
present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects, would not result 
in cumulatively significant effects. It is our preliminary 
determination that HCP approval and ITP issuance qualify for 
categorical exclusion under the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as 
provided by the Department of Interior Manual (516 DM 2 Appendix 2 and 
516 DM 8); however, we may revise our determination based upon review 
of public comments received in response to this notice.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate the permit application, including the HCP, and 
comments we receive to determine whether the application meets the 
requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will also evaluate 
whether issuance of the ITP would comply with section 7(a)(2) of the 
Act regarding jeopardy for federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant 
species by conducting an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 
7(a)(2) of the Act.

Public Review

    We are requesting comments on our determination that the 
applicant's proposal will have a minor or negligible effect on the San 
Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog, and California tiger 
salamander and that the plan qualifies as a low-effect HCP. We will 
evaluate the permit application, including the HCP and comments we 
receive, to make a final determination regarding whether the 
application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. 
We will use the results of our intra-Service consultation, in 
combination with the above findings, in our final analysis to determine 
whether to issue the ITP. If all permit issuance requirements are met, 
we will issue the permit to the applicant to authorize incidental take 
of San Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog, and California 
tiger salamander. We will make the final permit decision no sooner than 
30 days after the date of this notice.

[[Page 253]]

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the HCP and associated documents, you may 
submit comments by any one of the methods provided in ADDRESSES.

Public Availability of Comments

    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 view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able 
to do so.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act and the NEPA 
public involvement regulations (40 CFR 1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 
1506.6).

    Dated: December 29, 2015.
Stephen P. Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2015-33148 Filed 1-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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