Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Alabama Beach Mouse, Baldwin County, AL; Categorical Exclusion, 14238-14239 [2020-04958]

Download as PDF lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES 14238 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 11, 2020 / Notices information on monthly rent and size of units from landlord tax filings. HUD Response: There is no other data on gross rents paid that is consistently collected on a nationwide basis, available to HUD, that is more current than the data we receive through the ACS. Proprietary rental data cannot be used as the basis for the FMR calculations because it is not consistently available for all areas and is not collected in such a way that it is statistically representative of the rental markets it covers. Some of these sources focus on rents for major apartment projects only. Additionally, rents for single family homes, which are at least 30 percent of the rental market in major metropolitan areas and a greater portion in rural areas, are typically compiled from internet-based ads, or the small subset of professionally managed singlefamily rental units and generally are not representative of the entire rental stock of single family homes. Online listings of rents are similar to newspaper ads which have been excluded as a source of rent data for FMRs since the mid1980s due to a directive issued by HUD’s Inspector General because they do not constitute a statistically representative sample of the rental market for an area. HUD can only exclude rent control units if it has some basis for determining the scope of rents in an area that are governed by rent control. The Federal Government invests a substantial amount of resources in collecting socio-economic data through the American Community Survey (ACS). Furthermore, the Census Bureau has statutory advantages in compelling responses to the ACS and receives significantly higher response rates than HUD could achieve if it was to undertake its own survey program. The IRS is prohibited by law from releasing taxpayer information such as rental income, even to other Federal agencies. Comment: HUD should use the 2017 American Community Survey data to compare the gross rent by FMR area to the FY 2017 FMRs to determine accuracy of FMRs and report back to the industry. HUD Response: HUD undertook an analysis such as this and reported the results in a recent report to Congress. Please see the section labeled ‘‘Accuracy of FMRs’’ in HUD’s report ‘‘Proposals To Update the Fair Market Rent Formula’’, page 3, available at https:// www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/ files/pdf/Proposals-To-Update-the-FairMarket-Rent-Formula.pdf. Between 2009 and 2016 for areas with sufficiently large ACS recent mover rental unit samples, the ACS-measured VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:37 Mar 10, 2020 Jkt 250001 40th percentile gross rents were within 90 to 110 percent of the published FMRs in 83.4 to 94.3 percent of cases. These results do not adjust for more recent improvements in the FMR estimation method. III. Environmental Impact This Notice involves establishment of a rate and does not constitute a development decision affecting the physical condition of specific project areas or building sites. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6), this Notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). Dated: March 5, 2020. Todd M. Richardson, General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development and Research. [FR Doc. 2020–04996 Filed 3–10–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–ES–2019–N029; FXES11130400000EA–123–FF04EF1000] Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Alabama Beach Mouse, Baldwin County, AL; Categorical Exclusion Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment and information. AGENCY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Michael McKoy (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed Alabama beach mouse incidental to construction in Baldwin County, Alabama. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service’s preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ‘‘low-effect,’’ categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before April 10, 2020. ADDRESSES: Obtaining documents: Documents are available for public SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 inspection by appointment during regular business hours at either of the following locations or by email: • Atlanta Regional Office, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345. • Alabama Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1208 Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526. • Email a request to William_Lynn@ fws.gov, please reference TE46613D–0 in the subject line. Submitting comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the documents, you may do so in writing by either of the following methods. Please reference TE46613D–0 in all comments. U.S. mail: You may mail comments to either of the Fish and Wildlife Service Offices listed above. Hand-delivery: You may hand-deliver comments to either of the Fish and Wildlife Service Offices listed above. Email: You may email comments to david_dell@fws.gov. Please include your name and email address in your email. If you do not receive an email from us confirming that we have received your message, contact us directly at either telephone number in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Dell, Regional HCP and Safe Harbors Coordinator, at the Atlanta Regional Office (see ADDRESSES), or by telephone at 404–679–7313, or Mr. William Lynn, Project Manager, at the Alabama Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES), or by telephone at 251– 441–5868. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce receipt of an application from Michael McKoy (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applicant requests to take the federally listed Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates; ABM) incidental to the construction of a single-family home (project) in Baldwin County, Alabama. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) and the Service’s preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ‘‘low-effect,’’ categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 11, 2020 / Notices Project The applicant requests a 50-year ITP to take Alabama beach mice incidental to the conversion of approximately 0.18 acres of occupied Alabama beach mouse habitat to construct a single-family home on a 0.74-acre lot in Baldwin County, Alabama. The applicant proposes to implement standard ABM minimization and mitigation measures to mitigate for take of the species. The standard mitigation and minimization measures include reducing the construction footprint to the maximum extent possible, installing sea turtlefriendly exterior lighting and tinted windows, planting landscaping with native vegetation, and constructing a driveway with materials that will not disperse in a storm surge. The applicant will utilize refuse control measures during construction, as well as restore ABM habitat after tropical storms, and future residents also would be required implement such measures. Free-roaming cats and the use of exterior rodenticide also would be prohibited on the parcel. Prior to engaging in any project activities, the applicant will contribute an in-lieu fee of $2.30-per-square-foot of impacts to the Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust. The fee will be utilized by the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge to monitor the ABM or enhance the species’ habitat within the refuge. negligible effects on other environmental values or resources; and, (3) impacts that, when considered together with the impacts of other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable similarly situated projects, would not over time result in significant cumulative effects to environmental values or resources. Next Steps The Service will evaluate the application and the 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 to evaluate the effects of the proposed take. After considering the preceding findings, we will determine whether the permit issuance criteria of section 10(a)(l)(B) of the ESA have been met. If met, the Service will issue ITP number TE46613D–0 to the applicant Michael McKoy. Authority The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) (16 U.S.C. 1539(c)) of the ESA and NEPA regulation 40 CFR 1506.6. William J. Pearson, Field Supervisor, Alabama Field Office. [FR Doc. 2020–04958 Filed 3–10–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P Public Availability of Comments 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 may request that we withhold your information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES Our Preliminary Determination The Service has made a preliminary determination that the applicant’s project, including land clearing, infrastructure building, landscaping, and proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the Alabama beach mouse and the environment. Therefore, we have preliminarily concluded that the ITP for this project would qualify for categorical exclusion as well as that the HCP is low effect under our NEPA regulations at 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A low-effect HCP is one that would result in (1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; (2) minor or VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:37 Mar 10, 2020 Jkt 250001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–ES–2020–N030; FXES11140400000–178–FF04E00000] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Incidental Take Permit Application, Habitat Conservation Plan for the Alabama Beach Mouse, Gulf Shores, AL; Categorical Exclusion Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments and information. AGENCY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from the City of Gulf Shores, Alabama (applicant), to modify incidental take permit TE84363C–0 (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The ITP authorizes take of the federally listed Alabama beach mouse incidental to construction in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s proposed modified habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service’s preliminary determination that the HCP qualifies as ‘‘low-effect,’’ SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14239 categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before April 10, 2020. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: Documents are available for public inspection by appointment during regular business hours at either of the following locations: • Atlanta Regional Office, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345. • Alabama Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1208 Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526. • Email a request to William_Lynn@ fws.gov, please reference TE84363C–1 in the subject line. Submitting Comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the documents, you may do so in writing by either of the following methods. Please reference TE84363C–1 in all comments. U.S. Mail: You may mail comments to either of the Fish and Wildlife Service Offices listed above. Hand-Delivery: You may hand-deliver comments to either of the Fish and Wildlife Service Offices listed above. Email: You may email comments to david_dell@fws.gov. Please include your name and email address in your email. If you do not receive an email from us confirming that we have received your message, contact us directly at either telephone number in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Dell, Regional HCP and Safe Harbors Coordinator, at the Atlanta Regional Office (see ADDRESSES) or by telephone at 404–679–7313 or William Lynn, Project Manager, at the Alabama Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES) or by telephone at 251–441– 5868. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), please call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce receipt of an application from the City of Gulf Shores, Alabama (applicant), to modify an existing 50-year incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applicant requests to take the federally listed Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates) incidental to the construction of a parking lot with associated facilities (project) in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The ITP modification would reduce the amount of take from E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14238-14239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04958]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2019-N029; FXES11130400000EA-123-FF04EF1000]


Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed 
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Alabama Beach Mouse, Baldwin County, 
AL; Categorical Exclusion

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment and information.

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

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt 
of an application from Michael McKoy (applicant) for an incidental take 
permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests 
the ITP to take the federally listed Alabama beach mouse incidental to 
construction in Baldwin County, Alabama. We request public comment on 
the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat 
conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination 
that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, 
under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this 
determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-
effect screening form, both of which are also available for public 
review.

DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before April 10, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Obtaining documents: Documents are available for public 
inspection by appointment during regular business hours at either of 
the following locations or by email:
     Atlanta Regional Office, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345.
     Alabama Ecological Services Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1208 Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526.
     Email a request to [email protected], please reference 
TE46613D-0 in the subject line.
    Submitting comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the 
documents, you may do so in writing by either of the following methods. 
Please reference TE46613D-0 in all comments.
    U.S. mail: You may mail comments to either of the Fish and Wildlife 
Service Offices listed above.
    Hand-delivery: You may hand-deliver comments to either of the Fish 
and Wildlife Service Offices listed above.
    Email: You may email comments to [email protected]. Please include 
your name and email address in your email. If you do not receive an 
email from us confirming that we have received your message, contact us 
directly at either telephone number in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Dell, Regional HCP and Safe 
Harbors Coordinator, at the Atlanta Regional Office (see ADDRESSES), or 
by telephone at 404-679-7313, or Mr. William Lynn, Project Manager, at 
the Alabama Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES), or by telephone 
at 251-441-5868. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD), please call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce 
receipt of an application from Michael McKoy (applicant) for an 
incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The applicant requests to 
take the federally listed Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus 
ammobates; ABM) incidental to the construction of a single-family home 
(project) in Baldwin County, Alabama. We request public comment on the 
application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat 
conservation plan (HCP) and the Service's preliminary determination 
that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4231 et 
seq.) To make this determination, we used our environmental action 
statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also 
available for public review.

[[Page 14239]]

Project

    The applicant requests a 50-year ITP to take Alabama beach mice 
incidental to the conversion of approximately 0.18 acres of occupied 
Alabama beach mouse habitat to construct a single-family home on a 
0.74-acre lot in Baldwin County, Alabama. The applicant proposes to 
implement standard ABM minimization and mitigation measures to mitigate 
for take of the species. The standard mitigation and minimization 
measures include reducing the construction footprint to the maximum 
extent possible, installing sea turtle-friendly exterior lighting and 
tinted windows, planting landscaping with native vegetation, and 
constructing a driveway with materials that will not disperse in a 
storm surge. The applicant will utilize refuse control measures during 
construction, as well as restore ABM habitat after tropical storms, and 
future residents also would be required implement such measures. Free-
roaming cats and the use of exterior rodenticide also would be 
prohibited on the parcel. Prior to engaging in any project activities, 
the applicant will contribute an in-lieu fee of $2.30-per-square-foot 
of impacts to the Alabama Coastal Heritage Trust. The fee will be 
utilized by the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge to monitor the ABM 
or enhance the species' habitat within the refuge.

Public Availability of Comments

    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 may request that we 
withhold your information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to 
do so.

Our Preliminary Determination

    The Service has made a preliminary determination that the 
applicant's project, including land clearing, infrastructure building, 
landscaping, and proposed mitigation and minimization measures, would 
individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the 
Alabama beach mouse and the environment. Therefore, we have 
preliminarily concluded that the ITP for this project would qualify for 
categorical exclusion as well as that the HCP is low effect under our 
NEPA regulations at 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A low-effect HCP is one 
that would result in (1) minor or negligible effects on federally 
listed, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; (2) minor 
or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources; and, 
(3) impacts that, when considered together with the impacts of other 
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable similarly situated projects, 
would not over time result in significant cumulative effects to 
environmental values or resources.

Next Steps

    The Service will evaluate the application and the 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 
to evaluate the effects of the proposed take. After considering the 
preceding findings, we will determine whether the permit issuance 
criteria of section 10(a)(l)(B) of the ESA have been met. If met, the 
Service will issue ITP number TE46613D-0 to the applicant Michael 
McKoy.

Authority

    The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) (16 U.S.C. 
1539(c)) of the ESA and NEPA regulation 40 CFR 1506.6.

William J. Pearson,
Field Supervisor, Alabama Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2020-04958 Filed 3-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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