Habitat Conservation Plan for the California Tiger Salamander; Categorical Exclusion, Santa Barbara County, California, 16278-16279 [2019-07723]

Download as PDF 16278 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2019 / Notices ITP for take of the federally listed sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) incidental to construction. We request public comment on the application, which includes the proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), as well as on our preliminary determination that the HCP qualifies as ‘‘low-effect’’ under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, which are also available for review. The applicant requests a 5-year ITP to take sand skink incidental to the conversion of approximately 7.74 acres of occupied sand skink foraging and sheltering habitat for construction of a housing, commercial, and institutional development on a 1,680-acre project site. The site is located on parcels number 292126000100003000, 322126000100000101, 322126000100001800, 042226000200000300, 042226000300000600, 092226010502100000, 092226010501400001, 092226010503900000, and 092226010503900002 within Sections 28, 29, 32 & 33, Township 21 South, Range 26 East, and Sections 4, 5 & 9, Township 22 South, Range 26 East, Lake County, Florida. The project includes clearing, infrastructure building, and landscaping associated with construction. To mitigate for take under the ITP, the applicant proposes purchase 15.48 credits within the Lake Wales Ridge Conservation Bank or another Service-approved sand skink bank prior to the commencement of construction activities. jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Public Availability of Comments All comments, whether received electronically or via hard copy, will be posted on https://regulations.gov and become part of the decision record associated with this action. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made available to the public. While you can request that we withhold your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Our Preliminary Determination We have determined that the applicant’s proposal, including the proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would have minor or negligible effects on the sand skinks and the environment. Therefore, we have VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Apr 17, 2019 Jkt 247001 preliminarily determined that the ITP for this project would be ‘‘low effect’’ and qualify for categorical exclusion under NEPA. 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 The Service will evaluate the ITP application and comments received to determine whether to issue the requested permit. We will also conduct an intra-Service consultation pursuant to section 7 of the ESA. After considering the above findings, we will determine whether the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA have been met. If met, the Service will issue ITP no. TE13200D–0 to the applicant for incidental take of the sand skink. Authority The Service provides this notice under section 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539) and NEPA regulation 40 CFR 1506.6. Richard Rauschenberger, Acting Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2019–07768 Filed 4–17–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2018–N030; FXES11140800000–190–FF08EVEN00] Habitat Conservation Plan for the California Tiger Salamander; Categorical Exclusion, Santa Barbara County, California 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 from Mr. Mario Martinez for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit, if issued, would authorize take of the federally endangered California tiger salamander (Santa Barbara County distinct population segment) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the applicant’s draft habitat conservation plan. We invite public comment. SUMMARY: Written comments should be received on or before May 20, 2019. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may download a copy of the draft habitat conservation plan and draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement at https://www.fws.gov/ ventura/, or you may request copies of the documents by U.S. mail (below) or by phone (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Submitting Written Comments: Please send us your written comments using one of the following methods: • U.S. Mail: Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003. • Email: rachel_henry@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Henry, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, by phone at 805–677–3312, via the Federal Relay Service at 1–800– 877–8339 for TTY assistance, or at the Ventura address (see ADDRESSES). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applicant has developed a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the project that includes measures to mitigate and minimize impacts to the federally endangered Santa Barbara County distinct population segment (DPS) of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense). The permit would authorize take of the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the 2650 East Clark Avenue HCP. We invite public comment on draft HCP, draft low-effect screening form, and environmental action statement. Background The Service listed the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander as endangered on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 57242). Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the take of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is defined under the ESA to include the following activities: ‘‘[T]o 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 ESA, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. ‘‘Incidental take’’ is defined by the ESA as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out of an otherwise lawful E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 75 / Thursday, April 18, 2019 / Notices activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened and endangered species are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Issuance of an incidental take permit also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species. The permittees would receive assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’ regulations ((50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 17.32(b)(5)) regarding conservation activities for the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. Applicant’s Proposed Activities The applicant has applied for a permit for incidental take of the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. Take is likely to occur in association with activities necessary to develop the covered lands that involves land-clearing, ripping, plowing, other soil cultivation techniques, and construction of structures and hardscape features. The covered area includes approximately 12 acres of suitable upland habitat for the California tiger salamander. The covered area has no designated critical habitat for the California tiger salamander. The HCP includes avoidance and minimization measures for the California tiger salamander and mitigation for unavoidable loss of suitable upland habitat through the funding of an appropriate mitigation project through a Service-approved third party mitigation and conservation account. jbell on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES Our Preliminary Determination The Service made a preliminary determination that issuance of the incidental take permit is neither a major Federal action that will significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), nor will it individually or cumulatively have more than a negligible effect on the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. The Service considers the effects of the taking of the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander to be minor because the affected area is small and of low habitat quality. Therefore, based on this preliminary determination, the permit qualifies for a categorical exclusion under NEPA. Public Comments If you wish to comment on the permit application, draft HCP, and associated documents, you may submit comments by one of the methods in ADDRESSES. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:37 Apr 17, 2019 Jkt 247001 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 ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Stephen Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2019–07723 Filed 4–17–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLAK940000.L14100000.BX0000. 19X.LXSS001L0100] Filing of Plats of Survey: Alaska Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of official filing. AGENCY: The plats of survey of lands described in this notice are scheduled to be officially filed in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Alaska State Office, Anchorage, Alaska. These surveys were executed at the request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the BLM, and are necessary for the management of these lands. DATES: The BLM must receive protests by May 20, 2019. ADDRESSES: You may buy a copy of the plats from the BLM Alaska Public Information Center, 222 W 7th Avenue, Mailstop 13, Anchorage, AK 99513. Please use this address when filing written protests. You may also view the plats at the BLM Alaska Public Information Center, Fitzgerald Federal Building, 222 W 8th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, at no cost. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas N. Haywood, Chief, Branch of Cadastral Survey, Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management, 222 W 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99513; 907– 271–5481; dhaywood@blm.gov. People who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to contact the BLM during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16279 day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The lands surveyed are: U.S. Survey No. 6295, accepted April 1, 2019, situated within: Seward Meridian, Alaska T. 9 S, R. 31 W U.S. Survey No. 14472, accepted March 7, 2019, situated within: Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska T. 18 S, R. 4 W U.S. Survey No. 14473, accepted March 7, 2019, situated within: Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska T. 19 S, R. 1 W U.S. Survey No. 14496, accepted April 2, 2019, situated within: Copper River Meridian, Alaska T. 72 S, R. 92 E U.S. Survey No. 14498, accepted March 8, 2019, situated within: Seward Meridian, Alaska T. 8 S, R. 47 W Seward Meridian, Alaska T. 17 N, R. 43 W, accepted March 21, 2019 T. 28 N, R. 22 W, accepted March 5, 2019 Kateel River Meridian, Alaska T. 9 S, R. 11 W, accepted April 2, 2019 T. 9 S, R. 10 W, accepted April 2, 2019 T. 10 S, R. 10 W, accepted April 2, 2019 Fairbanks Meridian, Alaska T. 18 S, R. 8 W, March 8, 2019 A person or party who wishes to protest one or more plats of survey identified above must file a written notice of protest with the State Director for the BLM in Alaska. The notice of protest must identify the plat(s) of survey that the person or party wishes to protest. You must file the notice of protest before the scheduled date of official filing for the plat(s) of survey being protested. The BLM will not consider any notice of protest filed after the scheduled date of official filing. A notice of protest is considered filed on the date it is received by the State Director for the BLM in Alaska during regular business hours; if received after regular business hours, a notice of protest will be considered filed the next business day. A written statement of reasons in support of a protest, if not filed with the notice of protest, must be filed with the State Director for the BLM in Alaska within 30 calendar days after the notice of protest is filed. If a notice of protest against a plat of survey is received prior to the scheduled date of official filing, the official filing of the plat of survey E:\FR\FM\18APN1.SGM 18APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16278-16279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07723]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2018-N030; FXES11140800000-190-FF08EVEN00]


Habitat Conservation Plan for the California Tiger Salamander; 
Categorical Exclusion, Santa Barbara County, California

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 from Mr. Mario Martinez for an incidental take 
permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The 
permit, if issued, would authorize take of the federally endangered 
California tiger salamander (Santa Barbara County distinct population 
segment) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the 
applicant's draft habitat conservation plan. We invite public comment.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before May 20, 2019.

ADDRESSES: 
    Obtaining Documents: You may download a copy of the draft habitat 
conservation plan and draft low-effect screening form and environmental 
action statement at https://www.fws.gov/ventura/, or you may request 
copies of the documents by U.S. mail (below) or by phone (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Submitting Written Comments: Please send us your written comments 
using one of the following methods:
     U.S. Mail: Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura 
Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola 
Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003.
     Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Henry, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, by phone at 805-677-3312, via the Federal Relay Service at 
1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance, or at the Ventura address (see 
ADDRESSES).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have received an application for an 
incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the 
Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The 
applicant has developed a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the 
project that includes measures to mitigate and minimize impacts to the 
federally endangered Santa Barbara County distinct population segment 
(DPS) of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense). The 
permit would authorize take of the Santa Barbara County DPS of the 
California tiger salamander incidental to otherwise lawful activities 
associated with the 2650 East Clark Avenue HCP. We invite public 
comment on draft HCP, draft low-effect screening form, and 
environmental action statement.

Background

    The Service listed the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California 
tiger salamander as endangered on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 57242). 
Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the take 
of fish or wildlife species listed as endangered or threatened. 
``Take'' is defined under the ESA to include the following activities: 
``[T]o 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 ESA, we may issue 
permits to authorize incidental take of listed species. ``Incidental 
take'' is defined by the ESA as take that is incidental to, and not the 
purpose of, carrying out of an otherwise lawful

[[Page 16279]]

activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for threatened 
and endangered species are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 
50 CFR 17.32 and 17.22, respectively. Issuance of an incidental take 
permit also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, 
wildlife, or plant species. The permittees would receive assurances 
under our ``No Surprises'' regulations ((50 CFR 17.22(b)(5) and 
17.32(b)(5)) regarding conservation activities for the Santa Barbara 
County DPS of the California tiger salamander.

Applicant's Proposed Activities

    The applicant has applied for a permit for incidental take of the 
Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. Take is 
likely to occur in association with activities necessary to develop the 
covered lands that involves land-clearing, ripping, plowing, other soil 
cultivation techniques, and construction of structures and hardscape 
features. The covered area includes approximately 12 acres of suitable 
upland habitat for the California tiger salamander. The covered area 
has no designated critical habitat for the California tiger salamander. 
The HCP includes avoidance and minimization measures for the California 
tiger salamander and mitigation for unavoidable loss of suitable upland 
habitat through the funding of an appropriate mitigation project 
through a Service-approved third party mitigation and conservation 
account.

Our Preliminary Determination

    The Service made a preliminary determination that issuance of the 
incidental take permit is neither a major Federal action that will 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the 
meaning of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), nor will 
it individually or cumulatively have more than a negligible effect on 
the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. The 
Service considers the effects of the taking of the Santa Barbara County 
DPS of the California tiger salamander to be minor because the affected 
area is small and of low habitat quality. Therefore, based on this 
preliminary determination, the permit qualifies for a categorical 
exclusion under NEPA.

Public Comments

    If you wish to comment on the permit application, draft HCP, and 
associated documents, you may submit comments by one of the methods in 
ADDRESSES.
    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 ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

Stephen Henry,
 Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2019-07723 Filed 4-17-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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