Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL, 14666-14667 [2018-06940]

Download as PDF 14666 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 66 / Thursday, April 5, 2018 / Notices Column A rate PHA Column B rate Column A rate PHA Column B rate DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Fish and Wildlife Service VA030 ....................... VA031 ....................... VA032 ....................... VA034 ....................... VA035 ....................... VA036 ....................... VA037 ....................... VA038 ....................... VA039 ....................... VA040 ....................... VA041 ....................... VA042 ....................... VA044 ....................... VA046 ....................... VA901 ....................... VQ901 ....................... VT001 ....................... VT002 ....................... VT003 ....................... VT004 ....................... VT005 ....................... VT006 ....................... VT008 ....................... VT009 ....................... VT901 ....................... 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VerDate Sep<11>2014 54.52 60.17 60.17 54.52 111.97 77.03 54.66 54.52 75.94 54.52 75.94 60.17 55.71 111.97 68.89 97.78 92.70 80.03 82.78 81.95 76.73 92.70 76.73 77.55 92.70 97.82 97.82 86.40 81.48 83.06 97.82 66.60 80.90 97.82 75.46 75.61 62.83 64.88 81.48 66.60 75.46 95.73 92.86 86.40 97.82 78.46 89.26 83.06 75.14 81.58 84.90 77.26 68.86 65.04 64.11 71.36 61.34 54.36 53.48 87.93 53.48 53.98 53.48 53.48 53.48 87.93 59.49 53.98 54.36 54.36 53.48 64.11 53.48 18:33 Apr 04, 2018 50.89 56.16 56.16 50.89 104.51 71.89 51.00 50.89 70.88 50.89 70.88 56.16 51.99 104.51 64.29 91.26 86.52 74.69 77.26 76.49 71.61 86.52 71.61 72.38 86.52 91.28 91.28 80.64 76.04 77.54 91.28 62.16 75.49 91.28 70.42 70.56 58.64 60.56 76.04 62.16 70.42 89.33 86.66 80.64 91.28 73.22 83.30 77.54 70.14 76.14 79.24 72.10 64.26 60.71 59.85 66.61 57.25 50.73 49.91 82.07 49.91 50.39 49.91 49.91 49.91 82.07 55.53 50.39 50.73 50.73 49.91 59.85 49.91 Jkt 244001 WI091 ....................... WI096 ....................... WI127 ....................... WI131 ....................... WI142 ....................... WI160 ....................... WI166 ....................... WI183 ....................... WI186 ....................... WI193 ....................... WI195 ....................... WI201 ....................... WI203 ....................... WI204 ....................... WI205 ....................... WI206 ....................... WI208 ....................... WI213 ....................... WI214 ....................... WI218 ....................... WI219 ....................... WI221 ....................... WI222 ....................... WI230 ....................... WI231 ....................... WI233 ....................... WI237 ....................... WI241 ....................... WI242 ....................... WI244 ....................... WI245 ....................... WI246 ....................... WI248 ....................... WI256 ....................... WI901 ....................... WV001 ...................... WV003 ...................... WV004 ...................... WV005 ...................... WV006 ...................... WV009 ...................... WV010 ...................... WV015 ...................... WV016 ...................... WV017 ...................... WV018 ...................... WV027 ...................... WV034 ...................... WV035 ...................... WV037 ...................... WV039 ...................... WV042 ...................... WV045 ...................... WV046 ...................... WY002 ...................... WY003 ...................... WY004 ...................... WY013 ...................... 53.48 53.48 53.48 53.48 64.11 53.48 53.48 58.57 53.74 53.48 66.30 64.11 59.49 54.36 53.48 53.48 53.48 53.98 71.36 64.11 59.49 53.48 53.48 53.48 53.48 53.48 54.48 53.48 53.48 58.71 53.48 54.23 53.48 53.48 53.48 72.30 57.33 59.61 57.22 60.26 60.90 62.12 57.22 60.56 57.22 57.22 58.41 57.22 58.41 59.61 57.22 57.22 57.22 57.22 83.29 68.07 100.36 68.07 49.91 49.91 49.91 49.91 59.85 49.91 49.91 54.66 50.15 49.91 61.87 59.85 55.53 50.73 49.91 49.91 49.91 50.39 66.61 59.85 55.53 49.91 49.91 49.91 49.91 49.91 50.85 49.91 49.91 54.79 49.91 50.60 49.91 49.91 49.91 67.48 53.51 55.63 53.40 56.24 56.84 57.98 53.40 56.52 53.40 53.40 54.52 53.40 54.52 55.63 53.40 53.40 53.40 53.40 77.75 63.53 93.68 63.53 [FR Doc. 2018–06984 Filed 4–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FWS–R4–ES–2017–N176; FXES11130400000EA–123–FF04EF1000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Availability of Proposed Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc., is requesting a 5-year ITP for take of the sand skink, which is federally listed as a threatened species. We request public comments on the permit application and accompanying proposed habitat conservation plan as well as on our preliminary determination that the plan qualifies as low effect under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, which are also available for review. DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by May 7, 2018. ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments and request copies of the application, habitat conservation plan, environmental action statement, or loweffect screening form by any one of the following methods: Email: northflorida@fws.gov. Use ‘‘Attn: Permit number TE59063C–0’’ as your subject line. Fax: Field Supervisor, (904) 731– 3191, ‘‘Attn: Permit number TE59063C–0.’’ U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Ecological Services Field Office, Attn: Permit number TE59063C–0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256. In-person: You may deliver comments during regular business hours at the office address listed above under U.S. Mail. You may inspect the application, habitat conservation plan, environmental action statement, or loweffect screening form by appointment during normal business hours at the same address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731–3121; email: erin_gawera@fws.gov. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05APN1.SGM 05APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 66 / Thursday, April 5, 2018 / Notices SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and our implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17 prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. Take of listed fish or wildlife is defined under the ESA as ‘‘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(19)). However, under limited circumstances, we issue permits to authorize incidental take—i.e., take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered and threatened wildlife species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, respectively. In addition to meeting other criteria, the take authorized by an incidental take permit must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plants. amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Applicant’s Proposal Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. (the Applicant), is requesting an incidental take permit (ITP) to take sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) through the permanent destruction of approximately 3.6 acres (ac) of occupied foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to construction of a residential development in Orange County, Florida. Included with the permit application is a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP). The 126.94-ac HCP project site is located on parcel number 05–23–27– 0000–00–002, within sections 5 and 6, Townships 23 South, Range 27 East in Orange County. The project activities also include the clearing, infrastructure building, and landscaping associated with residential construction. The sand skink will likely be subjected to take in the forms of injury, mortality, and/or loss of habitat. The Applicant proposes to mitigate for take of the species by purchasing 7.2 mitigation credits within the Sebring Scrub Conservation Bank or another Service-approved sand skink conservation bank. Our Preliminary Determination We have determined that the Applicant’s proposed plan, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or negligible effects on the covered species and the environment so as to be ‘‘low effect’’ and qualify for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Apr 04, 2018 Jkt 244001 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A low-effect HCP is one involving (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate species and their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources. Next Steps We will evaluate the HCP and comments we receive to determine whether the ITP application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the ESA. We will also conduct an intraService consultation to evaluate take of the sand skink in accordance with section 7 of the ESA. We will use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, in our analysis of whether or not to issue the ITP. If the requirements are met, we will issue ITP number TE59063C–0 to the Applicant. Public Comments If you wish to comment on the permit application, HCP, or associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods listed above 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 review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the ESA and NEPA regulation 40 CFR 1506.6. Jay B. Herrington, Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2018–06940 Filed 4–4–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14667 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–R–2017–N124; FXRS282108E8PD0–178–F2013227943] South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, Phase 2, Eden Landing Ecological Reserve; Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments; announcement of meeting. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California State Coastal Conservancy, announce the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project at the Eden Landing Ecological Reserve in Alameda County, California. The DEIS/ EIR, which we prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes and analyzes the alternatives identified for Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before May 21, 2018. A public meeting will be held on May 8, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (see ADDRESSES). Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and participate in the public meeting should contact Ariel Ambruster, by email at aambrust@ccp.csus.edu or by phone at 510–528–5006, at least 1 week in advance of the meeting to allow time to process the request. ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You may obtain copies of the document in the following places: • Internet: https:// www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/ phase2/. • In-Person: Æ San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Headquarters, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94555. Æ The following libraries: D California State University, East Bay Library, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward, CA 94542. D Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538. D Hayward Public Library, Central Library, 835 C St., Hayward, CA 94541. D Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05APN1.SGM 05APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14666-14667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06940]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2017-N176; FXES11130400000EA-123-FF04EF1000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Availability of Proposed Low-
Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
received an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Meritage Homes of Florida, 
Inc., is requesting a 5-year ITP for take of the sand skink, which is 
federally listed as a threatened species. We request public comments on 
the permit application and accompanying proposed habitat conservation 
plan as well as on our preliminary determination that the plan 
qualifies as low effect under the National Environmental Policy Act. To 
make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and 
low-effect screening form, which are also available for review.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
May 7, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments and request copies of the 
application, habitat conservation plan, environmental action statement, 
or low-effect screening form by any one of the following methods:
    Email: [email protected]. Use ``Attn: Permit number TE59063C-0'' 
as your subject line.
    Fax: Field Supervisor, (904) 731-3191, ``Attn: Permit number 
TE59063C-0.''
    U.S. mail: Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Ecological Services Field 
Office, Attn: Permit number TE59063C-0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
    In-person: You may deliver comments during regular business hours 
at the office address listed above under U.S. Mail. You may inspect the 
application, habitat conservation plan, environmental action statement, 
or low-effect screening form by appointment during normal business 
hours at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin M. Gawera, telephone: (904) 731-
3121; email: [email protected].

[[Page 14667]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and our implementing regulations in the Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17 prohibit the ``take'' of 
fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. Take of 
listed fish or wildlife is defined under the ESA as ``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(19)). However, 
under limited circumstances, we issue permits to authorize incidental 
take--i.e., take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the 
carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity.
    Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered and 
threatened wildlife species are at 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32, 
respectively. In addition to meeting other criteria, the take 
authorized by an incidental take permit must not jeopardize the 
existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plants.

Applicant's Proposal

    Meritage Homes of Florida, Inc. (the Applicant), is requesting an 
incidental take permit (ITP) to take sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) 
through the permanent destruction of approximately 3.6 acres (ac) of 
occupied foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to construction of 
a residential development in Orange County, Florida. Included with the 
permit application is a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP). The 
126.94-ac HCP project site is located on parcel number 05-23-27-0000-
00-002, within sections 5 and 6, Townships 23 South, Range 27 East in 
Orange County. The project activities also include the clearing, 
infrastructure building, and landscaping associated with residential 
construction. The sand skink will likely be subjected to take in the 
forms of injury, mortality, and/or loss of habitat. The Applicant 
proposes to mitigate for take of the species by purchasing 7.2 
mitigation credits within the Sebring Scrub Conservation Bank or 
another Service-approved sand skink conservation bank.

Our Preliminary Determination

    We have determined that the Applicant's proposed plan, including 
the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or 
negligible effects on the covered species and the environment so as to 
be ``low effect'' and qualify for categorical exclusion under the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as 
provided by 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A low-effect HCP is one involving 
(1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed or candidate 
species and their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on 
other environmental values or resources.

Next Steps

    We will evaluate the HCP and comments we receive to determine 
whether the ITP application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of 
the ESA. We will also conduct an intra-Service consultation to evaluate 
take of the sand skink in accordance with section 7 of the ESA. We will 
use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above 
findings, in our analysis of whether or not to issue the ITP. If the 
requirements are met, we will issue ITP number TE59063C-0 to the 
Applicant.

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the permit application, HCP, or 
associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods 
listed above 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 review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10 of the ESA and NEPA 
regulation 40 CFR 1506.6.

Jay B. Herrington,
Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2018-06940 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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