Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Mount Hermon June Beetle at the Scotts Valley Middle School, Santa Cruz County, California, 21402-21404 [2017-09281]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
21402
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Notices
Lymphatics in Health and Disease in the
Digestive System, Kidney and Urinary.
Date: June 2, 2017.
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
Place: National Institutes of Health, 6701
Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
(Telephone Conference Call).
Contact Person: Jianxin Hu, Ph.D.,
Scientific Review Officer, Center for
Scientific Review, National Institutes of
Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 2156,
Bethesda, MD 20892, 301–827–4417,
jianxinh@csr.nih.gov.
(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Nos. 93.306, Comparative Medicine;
93.333, Clinical Research, 93.306, 93.333,
93.337, 93.393–93.396, 93.837–93.844,
93.846–93.878, 93.892, 93.893, National
Institutes of Health, HHS)
Dated: May 3, 2017.
Natasha M. Copeland,
Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory
Committee Policy.
[FR Doc. 2017–09289 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
Periodically, the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) will publish a summary of
information collection requests under
OMB review, in compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35). To request a copy of these
documents, call the SAMHSA Reports
Clearance Officer on (240) 276–1243.
Proposed Project: SAMHSA Checklist
for SF–5161 (OMB No. 0930–0367)—
REVISION
The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) is requesting a revision from
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for the SF–5161—Checklist.
SAMHSA is requesting approval to only
collect information on the Checklist and
not the Narrative. The Checklist assists
applicants and recipients to ensure that
they have included all required
information necessary to process new
and continuation applications as well as
the name, title, and phone number of
the current business official and project
director responsible for carrying out the
project. Checklist information
concerning the type of application is
also needed since new, competing
continuation; noncompeting
continuation and supplemental
applications are separated and reviewed
differently. The checklist data helps to
reduce the time required to process and
review grant applications, expediting
the issuance of grant awards as well as
ensure collection of essential recipient
contact information that is not collected
elsewhere.
This data collection has been
transferred from HHS to SAMHSA.
The checklist is part of the standard
application (SF–5161) for State and
local governments and for private nonprofit and for-profit organizations when
applying for health services projects.
Below is the annualized burden table:
Number of
respondents
Response per
respondent
Average
burden per
response
(in hours)
Total
burden
(in hours)
Program Checklist ...........................................................................................
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Forms
2,669
1
.3
801
Written comments and
recommendations concerning the
proposed information collection should
be sent by June 7, 2017 to the SAMHSA
Desk Officer at the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). To
ensure timely receipt of comments, and
to avoid potential delays in OMB’s
receipt and processing of mail sent
through the U.S. Postal Service,
commenters are encouraged to submit
their comments to OMB via email to:
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov.
Although commenters are encouraged to
send their comments via email,
commenters may also fax their
comments to: 202–395–7285.
Commenters may also mail them to:
Office of Management and Budget,
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, New Executive Office Building,
Room 10102, Washington, DC 20503.
Summer King,
Statistician.
[FR Doc. 2017–09254 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162–20–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:27 May 05, 2017
Jkt 241001
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–ES–2017–N237;
FXES11130800000–178–FF08EVEN00]
Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan
for the Mount Hermon June Beetle at
the Scotts Valley Middle School, Santa
Cruz County, California
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request
for comment.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, have received an
application from the Scotts Valley
Middle School for a 10-year incidental
take permit under the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
The application addresses the potential
for ‘‘take’’ of the federally endangered
Mount Hermon June beetle likely to
occur, incidental to the construction
and renovation of buildings and
infrastructure at the existing Scotts
Valley Middle School in Scotts Valley,
Santa Cruz County, California. We
invite comments from the public on the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
application package, which includes a
low-effect habitat conservation plan for
the Mount Hermon June Beetle.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please
send your written comments by June 7,
2017.
ADDRESSES: You may download a copy
of the habitat conservation plan, draft
environmental action statement and
low-effect screening form, and related
documents 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:
Chad Mitcham, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, by U.S. mail to the Ventura
office, or by telephone at (805) 644–
1766, extension 53328.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have
received an application from the Scotts
Valley Middle School for a 10-year
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Notices
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
incidental take permit under the Act (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The application
addresses the potential for ‘‘take’’ of the
federally endangered Mount Hermon
June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) likely
to occur incidental to the construction
and renovation of buildings and
infrastructure at the existing middle
school, at 8 Bean Creek Road (APN:
022–561–03), Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz
County, California. We invite comments
from the public on the application
package, which includes the low-effect
habitat conservation plan for the Mount
Hermon June Beetle. This proposed
action has been determined to be
eligible for a categorical exclusion under
the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.).
Background
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) listed the Mount Hermon June
beetle as endangered on January 24,
1997 (62 FR 3616). Section 9 of the Act
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its
implementing regulations 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. Regulations governing
incidental take permits for threatened
and endangered species are provided at
50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively.
Issuance of an incidental take permit
must not jeopardize the existence of
federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant
species.
Take of listed plants is not prohibited
under the Act unless such take would
violate State law. As such, take of plants
cannot be authorized under an
incidental take permit. Plant species
may be included on a permit in
recognition of the conservation benefits
provided them under a habitat
conservation plan. All species,
including plants, covered by the
incidental take permit receive
assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’
regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and
17.32(b)(5)). In addition to meeting
other specific criteria, actions
undertaken through implementation of
the habitat conservation plan (HCP)
must not jeopardize the continued
existence of federally listed animal or
plant species.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:27 May 05, 2017
Jkt 241001
Applicant’s Proposal
The Scotts Valley Middle School
(hereafter, the applicant) has submitted
a low-effect HCP in support of their
application for an incidental take permit
(ITP) to address take of the Mount
Hermon June beetle that is likely to
occur as the result of direct impacts on
up to 1.479 acres (ac) (64,456 square feet
(sf)) of degraded sandhills habitat
occupied by the species. Take would be
associated with the construction and
renovation of buildings and
infrastructure on an existing parcel
legally described as Assessor Parcel
Number 022–561–03. The current site
address is 8 Bean Creek Road in Scotts
Valley, Santa Cruz County, California.
The applicant is requesting a permit for
take of Mount Hermon June beetle that
would result from ‘‘covered activities’’
that are related to the construction and
renovation of buildings and
infrastructure at the existing middle
school.
The applicant proposes to avoid,
minimize, and mitigate take of Mount
Hermon June beetle associated with the
covered activities by fully implementing
the HCP. The following measures will
be implemented: (1) Temporary fencing
and signs will be installed to clearly
delineate the boundaries of the project;
(2) if construction occurs during the
flight season (considered to be between
May and August, annually), exposed
soils will be covered with erosion
control fabric or other impervious
materials to prevent any dispersing
Mount Hermon June beetles from
burrowing into exposed soil at the
construction site; (3) employment of a
Service-approved entomologist to
capture and relocate into suitable
habitat and out of harm’s way any
Mount Hermon June beetle unearthed or
observed during construction activities;
(4) implementation of dust control
measures, such as periodically wetting
down work areas, will be used as
necessary during construction and
excavation to reduce impacts to the
Mount Hermon June beetle; and (5)
secure off-site mitigation at a ratio of 1:1
to mitigate for habitat impacts through
the acquisition of 1.479 ac (64,456 sf) of
conservation credits at the Zayante
Sandhills Conservation Bank. The
applicant will fund up to $1,012,085 to
ensure implementation of all
minimization measures, monitoring,
and reporting requirements identified in
the HCP.
In the proposed HCP, the applicant
considers two alternatives to the
proposed action: ‘‘No Action’’ and
‘‘Original Project.’’ Under the ‘‘No
Action’’ alternative, an ITP for the
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
21403
modernization project would not be
issued. Proposed improvements to the
middle school campus would not be
conducted, and the purchase of
conservation credits would not be
provided to effect recovery actions for
Mount Hermon June beetle. The ‘‘No
Action’’ alternative would not result in
necessary improvements to the middle
school campus and would not result in
a net benefit for the covered species;
therefore, the ‘‘No Action’’ alternative
has been rejected. Under the ‘‘Original
Project’’ alternative, the project
included additional improvements to
the athletic field, significantly
increasing impacts to existing suitable
habitat for the species. Under this
alternative approximately 3.973 acres of
degraded habitat for the species would
be impacted; thus, 3.973 acres of
conservation credits would be required
for purchase. Scotts Valley Middle
School concluded that expending funds
associated with mitigating impacts were
impractical; therefore, the ‘‘Original
Project’’ alternative has also been
rejected.
Our Preliminary Determination
We are requesting comments on our
preliminary determination that the
applicant’s proposal will have a minor
or negligible effect on the Mount
Hermon June beetle and that the plan
qualifies as a low-effect HCP as defined
by our Habitat Conservation Planning
Handbook. We base our determinations
on three criteria: (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 or 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. In our analysis of these criteria,
we have made a preliminary
determination that the approval of the
HCP and issuance of an ITP qualify for
categorical exclusion under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as provided by the
Department of the Interior
implementing regulations in part 46 of
title 43 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (43 CFR 46.205, 46.210, and
46.215). However, based upon our
review of public comments that we
receive in response to this notice, this
preliminary determination may be
revised.
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
21404
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Notices
Next Steps
We will evaluate the permit
application, including the plan 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 by conducting
an intra-Service Section 7 consultation.
We provide this notice under section
10(c) of the Act and the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (NEPA), NEPA’s public
involvement regulations (40 CFR
1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 1506.6). We
are requesting comments on our
determination that the applicants’
proposal will have a minor or neglible
effect on the Mount Hermon June beetle
and that the plan qualifies as a loweffect HCP as defined by our 1996
Habitat Conservation Planning
Handbook. We will evaluate the permit
application, including the plan and
comments we receive, to determine
whether the application meets the
requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of
the Act. We will use the results of our
internal Service consultation, in
combination with the above findings, in
our final analysis to determine whether
to issue the permits. If the requirements
are met, we will issue an ITP to the
applicant for the incidental take of
Mount Hermon June beetle. We will
make the final permit decision no
sooner than 30 days after the date of this
notice.
Public Comments
If you wish to comment on the permit
application, plans, and associated
documents, you may submit comments
by any one of the methods in
ADDRESSES.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD 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 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
18:27 May 05, 2017
[FR Doc. 2017–09281 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332–562 and
Investigation No. 332–563 ]
Public Review
VerDate Sep<11>2014
Dated: May 2, 2017.
Stephen P. Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife
Office, Ventura, California.
Jkt 241001
Global Digital Trade 2: The Businessto-Business Market, Key Foreign Trade
Restrictions, and U.S.
Competitiveness; and Global Digital
Trade 3: The Business-to-Consumer
Market, Key Foreign Trade
Restrictions, and U.S.
Competitiveness; Institution of
investigations
United States International
Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of two additional
investigations.
AGENCY:
In response to the request
from the U.S. Trade Representative
(USTR) dated January 13, 2017 under
section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930,
the U.S. International Trade
Commission has instituted the second
and third of three investigations on
global digital trade: investigation No.
332–562, Global Digital Trade 2: The
Business-to-Business Market, Key
Foreign Trade Restrictions, and U.S.
Competitiveness; and investigation No.
332–563, Global Digital Trade 3: The
Business-to-Consumer Market, Key
Foreign Trade Restrictions, and U.S.
Competitiveness. The Commission will
schedule a public hearing and provide
opportunity for the public to file written
submissions in connection with both
investigations, with dates and
procedures relating to both announced
in a later notice.
DATES:
October 29, 2018: Expected transmittal
of the Global Digital Trade 2 report to
the USTR.
March 29, 2019: Expected transmittal of
the Global Digital Trade 3 report to
the USTR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information relating to Global Digital
Trade 2, contact co-Project Leaders Dan
Kim (202–205–3234 or dan.kim@
usitc.gov) and Alissa Tafti (202–205–
3244 or alissa.tafti@usitc.gov); and for
information relating to Global Digital
Trade 3, contact Project Leader Ricky
Ubee (202–205–3493 or ravinder.ubee@
usitc.gov) or Deputy Project Leader
Christopher Robinson (202–205–2602 or
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
christopher.robinson@usitc.gov). For
information on the legal aspects of these
investigations, contact William Gearhart
of the Commission’s Office of the
General Counsel (202–205–3091 or
william.gearhart@usitc.gov). The media
should contact Margaret O’Laughlin,
Office of External Relations (202–205–
1819 or margaret.olaughlin@usitc.gov).
Hearing-impaired individuals may
obtain information on this matter by
contacting the Commission’s TDD
terminal at 202–205–1810. General
information concerning the Commission
may also be obtained by accessing its
Web site (https://www.usitc.gov).
Persons with mobility impairments who
will need special assistance in gaining
access to the Commission should
contact the Office of the Secretary at
202–205–2002.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: As indicated above, in
his letter on January 13, 2017, the USTR
requested that the Commission conduct
three investigations and prepare three
reports relating to global digital trade.
The Commission instituted the first of
these investigations, Global Digital
Trade 1: Market Opportunities and Key
Foreign Trade Restrictions, on February
6, 2017 and published notice of the
investigation in the Federal Register on
February 10, 2017 (82 FR 10397). The
Commission held a public hearing in
the first investigation on April 4, 2017,
and is to transmit its report in that
investigation to the USTR by August 29,
2017. For more information about the
first investigation, including deadlines
for filing briefs, statements, and other
written submissions in that
investigation, see the Commission’s
notice published in the Federal Register
and posted on the Commission’s Web
site at https://www.usitc.gov.
The Commission is now announcing
the institution of the second and third
investigations in this series. As
requested by the USTR, the
Commission’s report on the second
investigation, titled Global Digital Trade
2: The Business-to-Business Market, Key
Foreign Trade Restrictions, and U.S.
Competitiveness, will build on the first
report to:
• Provide qualitative, and to the
extent possible, quantitative analysis of
measures in key foreign markets
(identified in the first report) that affect
the ability of U.S. firms to develop and/
or supply business-to-business digital
products and services abroad; and
• Assess, using case studies or other
qualitative and quantitative methods,
the impact of these measures on the
competitiveness of U.S. firms engaged
in the sale of digital products and
E:\FR\FM\08MYN1.SGM
08MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21402-21404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09281]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-ES-2017-N237; FXES11130800000-178-FF08EVEN00]
Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Mount Hermon June
Beetle at the Scotts Valley Middle School, Santa Cruz County,
California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an
application from the Scotts Valley Middle School for a 10-year
incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of
the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle likely to occur,
incidental to the construction and renovation of buildings and
infrastructure at the existing Scotts Valley Middle School in Scotts
Valley, Santa Cruz County, California. We invite comments from the
public on the application package, which includes a low-effect habitat
conservation plan for the Mount Hermon June Beetle.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
June 7, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may download a copy of the habitat conservation plan,
draft environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, and
related documents 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: Chad Mitcham, Fish and Wildlife
Biologist, by U.S. mail to the Ventura office, or by telephone at (805)
644-1766, extension 53328.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application from the
Scotts Valley Middle School for a 10-year
[[Page 21403]]
incidental take permit under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The
application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the federally
endangered Mount Hermon June beetle (Polyphylla barbata) likely to
occur incidental to the construction and renovation of buildings and
infrastructure at the existing middle school, at 8 Bean Creek Road
(APN: 022-561-03), Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California. We
invite comments from the public on the application package, which
includes the low-effect habitat conservation plan for the Mount Hermon
June Beetle. This proposed action has been determined to be eligible
for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
Background
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) listed the Mount
Hermon June beetle as endangered on January 24, 1997 (62 FR 3616).
Section 9 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing
regulations 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. Regulations
governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species
are provided at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Issuance of an
incidental take permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally
listed fish, wildlife, or plant species.
Take of listed plants is not prohibited under the Act unless such
take would violate State law. As such, take of plants cannot be
authorized under an incidental take permit. Plant species may be
included on a permit in recognition of the conservation benefits
provided them under a habitat conservation plan. All species, including
plants, covered by the incidental take permit receive assurances under
our ``No Surprises'' regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5)).
In addition to meeting other specific criteria, actions undertaken
through implementation of the habitat conservation plan (HCP) must not
jeopardize the continued existence of federally listed animal or plant
species.
Applicant's Proposal
The Scotts Valley Middle School (hereafter, the applicant) has
submitted a low-effect HCP in support of their application for an
incidental take permit (ITP) to address take of the Mount Hermon June
beetle that is likely to occur as the result of direct impacts on up to
1.479 acres (ac) (64,456 square feet (sf)) of degraded sandhills
habitat occupied by the species. Take would be associated with the
construction and renovation of buildings and infrastructure on an
existing parcel legally described as Assessor Parcel Number 022-561-03.
The current site address is 8 Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valley, Santa
Cruz County, California. The applicant is requesting a permit for take
of Mount Hermon June beetle that would result from ``covered
activities'' that are related to the construction and renovation of
buildings and infrastructure at the existing middle school.
The applicant proposes to avoid, minimize, and mitigate take of
Mount Hermon June beetle associated with the covered activities by
fully implementing the HCP. The following measures will be implemented:
(1) Temporary fencing and signs will be installed to clearly delineate
the boundaries of the project; (2) if construction occurs during the
flight season (considered to be between May and August, annually),
exposed soils will be covered with erosion control fabric or other
impervious materials to prevent any dispersing Mount Hermon June
beetles from burrowing into exposed soil at the construction site; (3)
employment of a Service-approved entomologist to capture and relocate
into suitable habitat and out of harm's way any Mount Hermon June
beetle unearthed or observed during construction activities; (4)
implementation of dust control measures, such as periodically wetting
down work areas, will be used as necessary during construction and
excavation to reduce impacts to the Mount Hermon June beetle; and (5)
secure off-site mitigation at a ratio of 1:1 to mitigate for habitat
impacts through the acquisition of 1.479 ac (64,456 sf) of conservation
credits at the Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank. The applicant will
fund up to $1,012,085 to ensure implementation of all minimization
measures, monitoring, and reporting requirements identified in the HCP.
In the proposed HCP, the applicant considers two alternatives to
the proposed action: ``No Action'' and ``Original Project.'' Under the
``No Action'' alternative, an ITP for the modernization project would
not be issued. Proposed improvements to the middle school campus would
not be conducted, and the purchase of conservation credits would not be
provided to effect recovery actions for Mount Hermon June beetle. The
``No Action'' alternative would not result in necessary improvements to
the middle school campus and would not result in a net benefit for the
covered species; therefore, the ``No Action'' alternative has been
rejected. Under the ``Original Project'' alternative, the project
included additional improvements to the athletic field, significantly
increasing impacts to existing suitable habitat for the species. Under
this alternative approximately 3.973 acres of degraded habitat for the
species would be impacted; thus, 3.973 acres of conservation credits
would be required for purchase. Scotts Valley Middle School concluded
that expending funds associated with mitigating impacts were
impractical; therefore, the ``Original Project'' alternative has also
been rejected.
Our Preliminary Determination
We are requesting comments on our preliminary determination that
the applicant's proposal will have a minor or negligible effect on the
Mount Hermon June beetle and that the plan qualifies as a low-effect
HCP as defined by our Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook. We base
our determinations on three criteria: (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 or 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. In our analysis of these
criteria, we have made a preliminary determination that the approval of
the HCP and issuance of an ITP qualify for categorical exclusion under
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.),
as provided by the Department of the Interior implementing regulations
in part 46 of title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations (43 CFR
46.205, 46.210, and 46.215). However, based upon our review of public
comments that we receive in response to this notice, this preliminary
determination may be revised.
[[Page 21404]]
Next Steps
We will evaluate the permit application, including the plan 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 by conducting an intra-Service Section 7 consultation.
Public Review
We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act and the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), NEPA's
public involvement regulations (40 CFR 1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and
1506.6). We are requesting comments on our determination that the
applicants' proposal will have a minor or neglible effect on the Mount
Hermon June beetle and that the plan qualifies as a low-effect HCP as
defined by our 1996 Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook. We will
evaluate the permit application, including the plan and comments we
receive, to determine whether the application meets the requirements of
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will use the results of our internal
Service consultation, in combination with the above findings, in our
final analysis to determine whether to issue the permits. If the
requirements are met, we will issue an ITP to the applicant for the
incidental take of Mount Hermon June beetle. We will make the final
permit decision no sooner than 30 days after the date of this notice.
Public Comments
If you wish to comment on the permit application, plans, and
associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods
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 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
Dated: May 2, 2017.
Stephen P. Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura,
California.
[FR Doc. 2017-09281 Filed 5-5-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
