Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL; Categorical Exclusion, 16389-16390 [2021-06353]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 58 / Monday, March 29, 2021 / Notices could result in incidental take if Indiana bats and northern long eared bats is the operation of 52 wind turbines currently being constructed in Jay County, Indiana, consisting of approximately 22,170 acres of private land. The estimated level of take from the project is 69 Indiana bats and 45 northern longeared bats over the 35-year project duration. The proposed conservation strategy in the applicant’s proposed HCP is designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the impacts of the covered activity on the covered species. The biological goals and objectives are to minimize potential take of Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats through on-site minimization measures and to provide habitat conservation measures for Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats to offset any impacts from operations of the project. On-site minimization measures include feathering turbine blades up to 3.0 meters per second (m/s) during winter and spring (October 16–May 15), up to 5.0 m/s during fall (August 1–October 15), and up to 5.0 m/s at 39 turbines with risk and 3.0 m/s at the remaining turbines during summer (May 16–July 31). Minimization measures will be implemented nightly from 1⁄2 hour before sunset to 1⁄2 hour after sunrise when the temperature is above 10 °C. To offset the impacts of the taking of Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats, the applicant proposes to protect known maternity colony habitat for both covered species and staging/swarming habitat for Indiana bats. The Service requests public comments on the permit application, which includes a proposed HCP, and an EA prepared in accordance with NEPA. The applicants’ HCP describes the activities that will be undertaken to implement forestry activities, as well as the mitigation and minimization measures proposed to address the impacts to the covered species. Pursuant to NEPA, the EA analyzes the impacts the ITP issuance would have on the covered species and the environment. National Environmental Policy Act The issuance of an ITP is a Federal action that triggers the need for compliance with NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). We prepared a draft EA that analyzes the environmental impacts on the human environment resulting from three alternatives: A no-action alternative, the applicant’s proposed action, and a more restrictive alternative consisting of feathering at a rate of wind speed that results in less impacts to bats. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Mar 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 Next Steps The Service will evaluate the permit application and the comments received to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the ESA. 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 above 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 the requested ITP to the applicant. Request for Public Comments The Service invites comments and suggestions from all interested parties during a 30-day public comment period (see DATES). In particular, information and comments regarding the following topics are requested: 1. The direct, indirect, or cumulative effects that implementation of any alternative could have on the human environment; 2. Whether or not the significance of the impact on various aspects of the human environment has been adequately analyzed; and 3. Any other information pertinent to evaluating the effects of the proposed action on the human environment. Because this permit application was sufficiently complete prior to the effective date of the new NEPA regulations, we are exercising our discretion to conduct our NEPA analysis under the regulations in effect prior to September 14, 2020. Availability of Public Comments You may submit comments by one of the methods shown under ADDRESSES. We will post on https://regulations.gov all public comments and information received electronically or via hardcopy. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record associated with this action. 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 request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety. PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16389 Authority We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22) and the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6 (2019); 43 CFR part 46). Lori Nordstrom, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services. [FR Doc. 2021–06402 Filed 3–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2021–0019; FXES11140400000–212–FF04EF4000] Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL; 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 BB Groves, LLC (applicant) (Serenade at Ovation) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink incidental to construction in Orange County, Florida. 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 28, 2021. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may obtain copies of the documents online in Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2021–0019 at https://www.regulations.gov. Submitting Comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the documents, you may do so in writing by any of the following methods: • Online: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS–R4–ES– 2021–0019. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1 16390 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 58 / Monday, March 29, 2021 / Notices • U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R4– ES–2021–0019; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. Erin M. Gawera, by telephone at 904–731– 3121 or via email at erin_gawera@ fws.gov. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 for TTY assistance. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce receipt of an application from BB Groves, LLC (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 the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) incidental to the construction of a housing development (project) in Orange County, Florida. 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, which are also available for public review. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Project BB Groves, LLC requests a 5-year ITP to take sand skinks by converting approximately 10.10 acres (ac) of occupied sand skink foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to the construction of a housing development located on a 165.55-ac parcel in Section 30, Township 24 South, Range 27 East, on Parcel ID number 30–24–27–0000– 00–003, in Orange County, Florida. The applicant proposes to mitigate for take of the sand skinks by purchasing 20.20 credits from the Lake Wales Ridge Conservation Bank or another Serviceapproved conservation bank. The Service would require the applicant to make this purchase prior to engaging in activities associated with the project. 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 personal VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Mar 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 identifying 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 the proposed mitigation measure, would individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on sand skinks and the environment. Therefore, we have preliminarily concluded that the ITP for this project would qualify for categorical exclusion and that the HCP is low effect under our NEPA regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 46.305. 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 result in significant cumulative effects to environmental values or resources over time. 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)(1)(B) of the ESA have been met. If met, the Service will issue ITP number PER0002629 to BB Groves, LLC. Authority The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.32) and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 46.305). Jay Herrington, Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office. [FR Doc. 2021–06353 Filed 3–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs [DT64101000.DSB4A0000.T7AC00.24IA; OMB CONTROL NUMBER 1035–0005] Agency Information Collection Activities; Tribal Trust Evaluations for Compact Tribes Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (formerly known as the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), we, the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA, formerly known as the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians) are proposing to renew an information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before May 28, 2021. ADDRESSES: Send your comments on this information collection request (ICR) by mail to Nina Alexander, Bureau of Trust Funds Administration Director of Federal Information Resources, 4400 Masthead NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109; or by email to Nina_Alexander@ btfa.gov. Please reference Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number 1035–0005 in the subject line of your comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Nina Alexander by email at Nina_Alexander@btfa.gov or by telephone at 505–273–1620. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the PRA and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information collections require approval under the PRA. We may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public’s reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 58 (Monday, March 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16389-16390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06353]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-0019; FXES11140400000-212-FF04EF4000]


Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed 
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL; 
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 BB Groves, LLC (applicant) (Serenade at Ovation) 
for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. 
The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink 
incidental to construction in Orange County, Florida. 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 28, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: 
    Obtaining Documents: You may obtain copies of the documents online 
in Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-0019 at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Submitting Comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the 
documents, you may do so in writing by any of the following methods:
     Online: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2021-0019.

[[Page 16390]]

     U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. 
FWS-R4-ES-2021-0019; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin M. Gawera, by telephone at 904-
731-3121 or via email at [email protected]. Individuals who are 
hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-
877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce 
receipt of an application from BB Groves, LLC (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 the 
ITP to take the federally listed sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) 
incidental to the construction of a housing development (project) in 
Orange County, Florida. 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, which are also available for public review.

Project

    BB Groves, LLC requests a 5-year ITP to take sand skinks by 
converting approximately 10.10 acres (ac) of occupied sand skink 
foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to the construction of a 
housing development located on a 165.55-ac parcel in Section 30, 
Township 24 South, Range 27 East, on Parcel ID number 30-24-27-0000-00-
003, in Orange County, Florida. The applicant proposes to mitigate for 
take of the sand skinks by purchasing 20.20 credits from the Lake Wales 
Ridge Conservation Bank or another Service-approved conservation bank. 
The Service would require the applicant to make this purchase prior to 
engaging in activities associated with the project.

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 personal identifying 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 the proposed mitigation measure, would individually 
and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on sand skinks and 
the environment. Therefore, we have preliminarily concluded that the 
ITP for this project would qualify for categorical exclusion and that 
the HCP is low effect under our NEPA regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6 and 
43 CFR 46.305. 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 result in 
significant cumulative effects to environmental values or resources 
over time.

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)(1)(B) of the ESA have been met. If met, the 
Service will issue ITP number PER0002629 to BB Groves, LLC.

Authority

    The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.32) 
and NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 
CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 46.305).

Jay Herrington,
Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2021-06353 Filed 3-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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