Habitat Conservation Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail; Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, Community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California, 21374-21376 [2016-08238]

Download as PDF 21374 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices Anyone wishing to employ this entity to conduct laboratory analyses and gauger services should request and receive written assurances from the entity that it is accredited or approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct the specific test or gauger service requested. Alternatively, inquiries regarding the specific test or gauger service this entity is accredited or approved to perform may be directed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling (202) 344–1060. The inquiry may also be sent to CBPGaugersLabs@cbp.dhs.gov. Please reference the Web site listed below for a complete listing of CBP approved gaugers and accredited laboratories. https://www.cbp.gov/about/labsscientific/commercial-gaugers-andlaboratories. Dated: April 1, 2016. Ira S. Reese, Executive Director, Laboratories and Scientific Services Directorate. [FR Doc. 2016–08213 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R6–ES–2015–N189; 60120–1113– 0000–C2] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. Notice of document availability for review and comment. ACTION: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability of a draft recovery plan for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. This species is federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The Service solicits review and comment from the public on this draft plan. DATES: Comments on the draft recovery plan must be received on or before June 10, 2016. ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft revised recovery plan are available by request from the Colorado Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PO Box 25486–DFC, Denver, CO 80225; telephone 303–236–4773. Submit comments on the draft recovery plan to the Field Supervisor at this same address. An electronic copy of the draft recovery plan is available at https:// mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Apr 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 www.fws.gov/endangered/species/ recovery-plans.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Field Supervisor, at the above address, or telephone 303–236–4773. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Restoring an endangered or threatened animal or plant to the point where it is again a secure, selfsustaining member of its ecosystem is a primary goal of the Service’s endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, the Service prepares recovery plans for the federally listed species native to the United States where a plan will promote the conservation of the species. Recovery plans describe site-specific actions necessary for the conservation of the species; establish objective, measurable criteria which, when met, would result in a determination that the species no longer needs the protection of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and provide estimates of the time and cost for implementing the needed recovery measures. The ESA requires recovery plans for listed species unless such a plan would not promote the conservation of a particular species. Section 4(f) of the ESA, as amended in 1988, requires that public notice and opportunity for public review and comment be provided during recovery plan development. The Service will consider all information received during a public comment period when preparing each new or revised recovery plan for approval. The Service and other Federal agencies also will take these comments into consideration in the course of implementing approved recovery plans. It is our policy to request peer review of recovery plans. We will summarize and respond to the issues raised by the public and peer reviewers in an appendix to the approved recovery plan. The Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), found in foothills riparian habitat from southeastern Wyoming to south central Colorado, was listed as a threatened subspecies under the ESA, effective June 12, 1998 (May 13, 1998; 63 FR 26517). At the time of listing, the subspecies was threatened by habitat alteration, degradation, loss, and fragmentation resulting from urban development, flood control, water development, agriculture, and other human land uses. No range-wide population estimates exist for the subspecies. Numerous surveys conducted in the last decade lead us to believe that there are adequate numbers PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and distributions of Preble’s meadow jumping mouse populations present today to allow recovery of the subspecies; however, many of these populations face continued threats to their persistence. The recovery strategy is based upon the assumption that if specific criteria are met for certain existing populations, the Preble’s mouse can be recovered. These criteria require that populations are maintained in designated habitats distributed throughout the existing range, the populations and habitats are secure from decline due to existing threats listed above, the populations are self-sustaining and persistent, a longterm management plan and cooperative agreement is completed, and there is effective public involvement. Request for Public Comments The Service solicits public comments on the draft recovery plan. All comments received by the date specified in DATES will be considered prior to approval of the plan. Written comments and materials regarding the plan should be addressed to the Field Supervisor (see ADDRESSES section). Comments and materials received will be available, by appointment, for public inspection during normal business hours at the above address. Authority The authority for this action is section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). Dated: February 25, 2016. Matt Hogan, Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. 2016–08241 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2016–N065; FXES1 1120800000–156–FF08EVEN00] Habitat Conservation Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail; Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, Community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo 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 Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) for a 15-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices amended. The application addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail likely to result incidental to the removal of nonnative vegetation, restoration of native coastal dune scrub habitat, construction and ongoing uses of a coastal access trail, and routine maintenance of preserve lands on approximately 31 acres known as Sweet Springs Nature Reserve in the unincorporated community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California. We invite comments from the public on the application package, which includes a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement, which constitutes our proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by May 11, 2016. DATES: You may download a copy of the draft HCP and draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement on the internet at https://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies of the documents by U.S. mail to our Ventura office, or by phone (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 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. ADDRESSES: Julie M. Vanderwier, Senior Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the Ventura office address or by phone at (805) 644–1766. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: We have received an application from the MCAS for an ITP pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The application addresses take of the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail (Helminthoglypta walkeriana) likely to occur incidental to operation and maintenance of the existing preserve, habitat enhancement and restoration, enhanced public use, and invasive nonnative tree trimming/ removal within three existing legal parcels that total approximately 31 acres collectively known as Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. The requested permit term is 15 years and the permit would be subject to renewal. We invite comments from the public on the application package. Issuance of an ITP pursuant to this HCP has been mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:37 Apr 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 determined to be eligible for a categorical exclusion under NEPA. Background The Morro shoulderband snail was listed as endangered on December 15, 1994 (59 FR 64613). 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. Under the Act, ‘‘take’’ is defined 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). Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we may issue permits to authorize take of listed species if it is incidental to other lawful activities and not the purpose of carrying out that activity. The Code of Federal Regulations 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 any federally listed fish, wildlife or plant species. The Applicant’s Proposed Project As the owner and manager of Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, MCAS proposes to implement the following under required regulatory authorization: (1) Provide public access to Sweet Springs Nature Preserve; (2) conduct surveys for, capture, and move Morro shoulderband snails out of harm’s way; (3) conduct habitat enhancement activities (e.g., non-native species removal, planting and seeding native plant species, irrigation) in the eastern parcel of the preserve; (4) install access improvements (including Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant parking) and other amenities in the eastern parcel of the preserve; (5) maintain, replace, and enhance existing facilities throughout the preserve; (6) maintain and irrigate restored/enhanced vegetation as needed to ensure success; (6) construct, improve, and maintain trails; (7) trim and/or remove nonnative trees; and (8) limit/direct foot traffic to trails and identified areas consistent with the stewardship agreement by which MCAS was deeded the property from the California Coastal Conservancy. The draft HCP contains two alternatives to the proposed action: ‘‘No Action’’ and ‘‘Alternate Design.’’ Under the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative, the Service would not issue an ITP, and trail and overlook construction, installation of fencing, and habitat restoration would not occur. Unauthorized neighborhood uses of the parcels that could cause take PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21375 of Morro shoulderband snail would continue. MCAS would not be able to open this portion of Sweet Springs Nature Preserve to the public due to inadequate access. Failure to open the preserve would contravene the terms of the agreement by which MCAS was deeded the property. Repossession of the property by the California Coastal Conservancy could interrupt stewardship of the parcel, and habitat degradation would be expected to result. For these reasons and because the proposed action results in a net benefit for the Morro shoulderband snail, the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative has been rejected. The ‘‘Alternate Design’’ alternative is similar to the proposed action, except that it eliminates approximately 450 linear feet of trail and would include a slightly smaller lookout. Access to the main trail from the existing trail on the central preserve would be reduced to just one connecting trail. This alternative would remove the small loop that is proposed near the middle of the main trail and replace it with a wider path. The location of the lookout would not change but the footprint would be reduced by approximately 40 percent. Selection of this alternative would provide less public benefit than the proposed project and be less efficient at directing human traffic away from existing habitat occupied by Morro shoulderband snail. For these reasons, the ‘‘Alternate Design’’ alternative has also been rejected. Our Preliminary Determination We have determined that the applicant’s proposal will have a minor or negligible effect on the Morro shoulderband snail and that the HCP qualifies for processing as a low-effect plan consistent with our Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). Three criteria form the basis for our determination: (1) 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 the Interior implementing regulations in part 46 of E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1 21376 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Notices title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (43 CFR 46.205, 46.210, and 46.215). However, we may revise our determination based upon review of public comments received in response to this notice. Dated: April 4, 2016. Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2016–08238 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Next Steps We will evaluate the permit application, including the draft HCP and comments we receive, to determine whether it 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 7of the Act by conducting an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 7(a)(2). Public Review Public Comments If you wish to comment on the permit application, HCP, and associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods provided in ADDRESSES. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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). 18:37 Apr 08, 2016 Bureau of Indian Affairs [167 A2100DD/AAKC001030/ A0A501010.999900] Supplemental Notice of Intent To Revise the Osage County Oil and Gas Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Osage County, Oklahoma Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: We request comments from the public regarding our preliminary determination that the applicant’s proposal will have a minor or negligible effect on the Morro shoulderband snail and that the HCP qualifies for processing as a low-effect. We will evaluate comments received and make a final determination regarding whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will incorporate 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 of our requirements are met, we will issue the ITP to the applicant. Permit issuance would not occur less than 30 days from the date of this notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Jkt 238001 This Supplemental Notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as Lead Agency will be revising the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Osage County Oil and Gas program. The BIA will work with cooperating agencies and others to gather additional information and work to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This Supplemental Notice announces an additional public scoping meeting to identify potential issues and content for inclusion in the EIS. The BIA solicits written comments and oral comments at the public meeting on the range of reasonable alternatives for implementing the proposed action and issues to be addressed in the revised Draft EIS, such as information regarding the level of oil and gas development in Osage County or possible mitigation measures for environmental and socioeconomic impacts of that development. DATES: Written comments on the scope and implementation of the proposal must arrive by Friday, May 8, 2016. A public scoping meeting will be held at the Wah Zha Zhi Cultural Center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 28, 2016. The date and location of the public meeting, including any changes, will be announced at least 15 days in advance through notices in the following local newspapers: Hominy News Progress, Pawhuska Journal Capital, Skiatook, and Tulsa World and will be posted on the following Internet location: https:// www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/ RegionalOffices/EasternOklahoma/ WeAre/Osage/OSAGEOilGasEIS/ index.htm. SUMMARY: You may mail, email, hand deliver, or fax written comments to Ms. Jeannine Hale, BIA Eastern Oklahoma ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Regional Office, P.O. Box 8002, Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402–8002; fax (918) 781–4667; email: osagecountyoilandgaseis@bia.gov. The April 28, 2016, public scoping meeting will be held at the Wah Zha Zhi Cultural Center, 1449 Main Street, Pawhuska, Oklahoma. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeannine Hale, Division of Environmental and Cultural Resources, BIA Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office, P.O. Box 8002, Muskogee, Oklahoma 74402–8002, (918) 781–4660. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BIA previously released a programmatic Osage County Oil and Gas DEIS in November 2015. After the public comment period, the BIA determined that the Osage DEIS should be revised in order to address comments received and take into consideration additional information. This Supplemental Notice advises interested parties that the proposed Federal action(s) is the BIA approval of leases and permits for oil and gas mining activities located in the Osage Mineral Estate. The Osage Mineral Estate is held in trust, and the BIA approves oil and gas leases, applications for permits to drill, and other site-specific permit applications under the authority of the 1906 Osage Allotment Act, as amended and 25 CFR part 226. The BIA, under delegation of the Secretary of the Interior, is responsible for administering the development of oil and gas resources in Osage County for the benefit of the Osage. The Federal actions, including approvals of leases and issuance of permits, are needed for the BIA to fulfill a portion of its trust responsibility to the Osage and to facilitate the development of the mineral estate. The BIA may use the EIS to support a decision under the National Environmental Policy Act. Directions for Submitting Public Comments: Please include your name, return address, and the caption ‘‘Osage County Oil and Gas Environmental Impact Statement’’ on the first page of any written comments you submit. You may also submit comments at the public scoping meeting. Public Comment Availability: Written comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the BIA, 813 Grandview, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21374-21376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08238]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2016-N065; FXES11120800000-156-FF08EVEN00]


Habitat Conservation Plan for the Morro Shoulderband Snail; Sweet 
Springs Nature Preserve, Community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo 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 Morro Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) for a 
15-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as

[[Page 21375]]

amended. The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the 
federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail likely to result 
incidental to the removal of nonnative vegetation, restoration of 
native coastal dune scrub habitat, construction and ongoing uses of a 
coastal access trail, and routine maintenance of preserve lands on 
approximately 31 acres known as Sweet Springs Nature Reserve in the 
unincorporated community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, 
California. We invite comments from the public on the application 
package, which includes a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and 
draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement, 
which constitutes our proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
compliance.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
May 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the draft HCP and draft low-
effect screening form and environmental action statement on the 
internet at https://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request copies of 
the documents by U.S. mail to our Ventura office, or by phone (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 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, Senior Fish and 
Wildlife Biologist, at the Ventura office address or by phone at (805) 
644-1766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from the 
MCAS for an ITP pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered 
Species Act (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The application addresses 
take of the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail 
(Helminthoglypta walkeriana) likely to occur incidental to operation 
and maintenance of the existing preserve, habitat enhancement and 
restoration, enhanced public use, and invasive nonnative tree trimming/
removal within three existing legal parcels that total approximately 31 
acres collectively known as Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. The 
requested permit term is 15 years and the permit would be subject to 
renewal. We invite comments from the public on the application package. 
Issuance of an ITP pursuant to this HCP has been determined to be 
eligible for a categorical exclusion under NEPA.

Background

    The Morro shoulderband snail was listed as endangered on December 
15, 1994 (59 FR 64613). 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. Under the Act, 
``take'' is defined 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). Under 
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we may issue permits to authorize take 
of listed species if it is incidental to other lawful activities and 
not the purpose of carrying out that activity. The Code of Federal 
Regulations 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 any federally listed fish, wildlife or plant species.

The Applicant's Proposed Project

    As the owner and manager of Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, MCAS 
proposes to implement the following under required regulatory 
authorization: (1) Provide public access to Sweet Springs Nature 
Preserve; (2) conduct surveys for, capture, and move Morro shoulderband 
snails out of harm's way; (3) conduct habitat enhancement activities 
(e.g., non-native species removal, planting and seeding native plant 
species, irrigation) in the eastern parcel of the preserve; (4) install 
access improvements (including Americans with Disabilities Act-
compliant parking) and other amenities in the eastern parcel of the 
preserve; (5) maintain, replace, and enhance existing facilities 
throughout the preserve; (6) maintain and irrigate restored/enhanced 
vegetation as needed to ensure success; (6) construct, improve, and 
maintain trails; (7) trim and/or remove nonnative trees; and (8) limit/
direct foot traffic to trails and identified areas consistent with the 
stewardship agreement by which MCAS was deeded the property from the 
California Coastal Conservancy.
    The draft HCP contains two alternatives to the proposed action: 
``No Action'' and ``Alternate Design.'' Under the ``No Action'' 
alternative, the Service would not issue an ITP, and trail and overlook 
construction, installation of fencing, and habitat restoration would 
not occur. Unauthorized neighborhood uses of the parcels that could 
cause take of Morro shoulderband snail would continue. MCAS would not 
be able to open this portion of Sweet Springs Nature Preserve to the 
public due to inadequate access. Failure to open the preserve would 
contravene the terms of the agreement by which MCAS was deeded the 
property. Repossession of the property by the California Coastal 
Conservancy could interrupt stewardship of the parcel, and habitat 
degradation would be expected to result. For these reasons and because 
the proposed action results in a net benefit for the Morro shoulderband 
snail, the ``No Action'' alternative has been rejected.
    The ``Alternate Design'' alternative is similar to the proposed 
action, except that it eliminates approximately 450 linear feet of 
trail and would include a slightly smaller lookout. Access to the main 
trail from the existing trail on the central preserve would be reduced 
to just one connecting trail. This alternative would remove the small 
loop that is proposed near the middle of the main trail and replace it 
with a wider path. The location of the lookout would not change but the 
footprint would be reduced by approximately 40 percent. Selection of 
this alternative would provide less public benefit than the proposed 
project and be less efficient at directing human traffic away from 
existing habitat occupied by Morro shoulderband snail. For these 
reasons, the ``Alternate Design'' alternative has also been rejected.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We have determined that the applicant's proposal will have a minor 
or negligible effect on the Morro shoulderband snail and that the HCP 
qualifies for processing as a low-effect plan consistent with our 
Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). Three criteria 
form the basis for our determination: (1) 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 the Interior implementing regulations in part 46 of

[[Page 21376]]

title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (43 CFR 46.205, 46.210, and 
46.215). 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 draft HCP 
and comments we receive, to determine whether it 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 7of the Act by conducting 
an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 7(a)(2).

Public Review

    We request comments from the public regarding our preliminary 
determination that the applicant's proposal will have a minor or 
negligible effect on the Morro shoulderband snail and that the HCP 
qualifies for processing as a low-effect. We will evaluate comments 
received and make a final determination regarding whether the 
application meets the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. 
We will incorporate 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 of our requirements are met, we will 
issue the ITP to the applicant. Permit issuance would not occur less 
than 30 days from the date of this notice.

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the permit application, 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: April 4, 2016.
Stephen P. Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2016-08238 Filed 4-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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