Draft Environmental Assessment and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit, Habitat Conservation Plan for the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly, Blanding's Turtle, Spotted Turtle, Leafy Prairie Clover, and Lakeside Daisy, Will County, Illinois, 16385-16387 [2021-06401]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 58 / Monday, March 29, 2021 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–ES–2021–0020; FXES11140400000–212–FF04EF4000] Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink and Blue-Tailed Mole Skink; Osceola County, FL; 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 Lennar Homes LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink and bluetailed mole skink incidental to the construction of a residential development in Osceola County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and on 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–2021–0020 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– 2021–0020. • U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R4– ES–2021–0020; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alfredo Begazo, by telephone at (772) 469–4234 or via email at alfredo_ begazo@fws.gov. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339 for TTY assistance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, announce SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Mar 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 receipt of an application from Lennar Homes LLC 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) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregious lividus) (skinks) incidental to the construction a residential development in Osceola County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s proposed HCP, and on 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. 4321 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. Project The applicant requests a 10-year ITP to take skinks through the conversion of approximately 6.94 acres of occupied skink foraging and sheltering habitat incidental to the construction of a residential development on a 25.01-acre parcel in Section 14, Township 25 South, Range 27 East, Osceola County, Florida. The applicant proposes to mitigate for take of the skinks by purchasing credits equivalent to 13.88 acres of skink-occupied habitat from a Service-approved conservation bank. The Service would require the applicant to purchase the credits prior to engaging in any phase of 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 the construction of single-family homes, paved roads and driveways, parking and green areas, storm water ponds, and associated infrastructure (e.g., electric, water, and sewer lines) would individually and cumulatively have a minor or negligible effect on the skinks and the environment. Therefore, we have preliminarily concluded that the ITP for this project would qualify for categorical exclusion and that the HCP would be PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16385 low effect under our NEPA regulations at 43 CFR 46.205 and 46.210. A loweffect 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 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 matters, 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 PER0002540 to Lennar Homes LLC for incidental take of skinks. 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. Roxanna Hinzman, Field Supervisor, South Florida Ecological Services Office. [FR Doc. 2021–06352 Filed 3–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–ES–2021–0005; FXES11140300000–212] Draft Environmental Assessment and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit, Habitat Conservation Plan for the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly, Blanding’s Turtle, Spotted Turtle, Leafy Prairie Clover, and Lakeside Daisy, Will County, Illinois Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment and information. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Hanson Aggregates Midwest, Inc. d/b/a Hanson Material SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1 16386 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 58 / Monday, March 29, 2021 / Notices Service (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. We make available for public comment the applicant’s habitat conservation plan (HCP) for continued limestone surface mining, submitted in support of the ITP application, for the Hine’s emerald dragonfly, Blanding’s turtle, spotted turtle, leafy prairie clover, and Lakeside Daisy (covered species). If approved, the ITP would be for a 30-year period and would authorize the incidental take of an endangered species, the Hine’s emerald dragonfly, and species petitioned for Federal listing that are listed as endangered by the State of Illinois, the Blanding’s turtle and spotted turtle. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment, which has been prepared in response to the permit application in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. We request public comment on the application and associated documents. DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before April 28, 2021. ADDRESSES: Document availability: Electronic copies of the documents this notice announces, along with public comments received, will be available online in Docket No. FWS–R3–ES–2021–0005 at https://www.regulations.gov. Comment submission: In your comment, please specify whether your comment addresses the proposed HCP, draft EA, or any combination of the aforementioned documents, or other supporting documents. You may submit written comments by one of the following methods: • Online: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for and submit comments on Docket No. FWS–R3–ES–2021–0005. • U.S. mail: Send comments to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R3–ES–2021–0005; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB/3W; Falls Church, VA 22041– 3803. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louise Clemency, Field Supervisor, Chicago Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 230 S Dearborn, Suite 2938, Chicago, IL 60604–1507; telephone: 1–312–485– 9337. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 for TTY assistance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Hanson Aggregates Midwest, Inc. d/b/a VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Mar 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 Hanson Material Service (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), for its habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the Hine’s emerald dragonfly, Blanding’s turtle, spotted turtle, leafy prairie clover, and lakeside daisy (project or HCP). The applicant’s mining operation is located in Will County, Illinois and would consists of 49.6 acres of impacts to covered species habitat. The applicant has prepared a habitat conservation plan that describes their continued limestone surface mining operation and measures that the applicant would implement to avoid, minimize, and mitigate incidental take of the Hine’s emerald dragonfly, Blanding’s turtle, and spotted turtle. The HCP proposes to restore, enhance, and maintain 354 acres of covered species habitat on the 519 acres of land that will be protected in perpetuity by a deed restriction that may be converted to a conservation easement if a qualified entity agrees to hold the protected acreage. If approved, the ITP would be for a 30-year period and would authorize the incidental take of an endangered species, the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), and species petitioned for Federal listing that are listed as endangered by the State of Illinois, the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). The applicant has prepared a HCP that describes the actions and measures that the applicant would implement to avoid, minimize, and mitigate incidental take of the Hine’s emerald dragonfly, Blanding’s turtle, and spotted turtle, and impacts to leafy prairie clover and lakeside daisy. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA), which has been prepared in response to the permit application in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). We request public comment on the application and associated documents. Background Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the ‘‘take’’ of animal species listed as endangered or threatened. Take is defined under the ESA as to ‘‘harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect ‘‘listed animal species,’’ or to attempt to engage in such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1538). However, under section 10(a) 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, PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 carrying out an otherwise lawful activity (16 U.S.C. 1539). Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered and threatened species, respectively, are found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 17.22 and 50 CFR 17.32. Impacts to plants do not fall under the definition of ‘‘take,’’ therefore, the Service cannot authorize incidental take of plants. However, the Service cannot issue an ITP that would jeopardize the continued existence or adversely modify the designated critical habitat of any listed species, including plants, so addressing listed plants in the HCP may be prudent. Applicant’s Proposed Project The applicant requests a 30-year ITP to take the federally endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), and species petitioned for Federal listing that are listed as endangered by the State of Illinois: The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). The applicant determined that take is reasonably certain to occur incidental to operation of expanded limestone surface mining located in Will County and consisting of 187 acres of surface mining that will have direct impacts to 49.6 acres of covered species habitat. The proposed conservation strategy in the applicant’s proposed HCP is designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the impacts of the surface mining expansion on the covered species. The biological goals and objectives are to minimize potential take of Hine’s emerald dragonflies, Blanding’s turtles, and spotted turtles through on-site minimization measures and to provide habitat conservation measures for Hine’s emerald dragonflies, Blanding’s turtles, and spotted turtles to offset any impacts from operations of the project. The estimated level of take from the project is 49.6 acres of Hine’s emerald dragonfly adult critical habitat, three adult Hine’s emerald dragonflies, 12 Blanding’s turtles, and two spotted turtles over the 30-year ITP duration. To offset the impacts of the taking of Hine’s emerald dragonflies, Blanding’s turtles, and spotted turtles, the applicant proposes to avoid potential groundwater-related impacts from quarry dewatering, by instituting operational avoidance measures during the mining process, and implement species habitat maintenance, enhancement or restoration on 354 acres. Additionally, 519 acres of land will be permanently protected by a deed restriction and may be converted to a conservation easement if a qualified entity agrees to hold the protected acreage. E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 58 / Monday, March 29, 2021 / Notices National Environmental Policy Act The issuance of an ITP is a Federal action that triggers the need for compliance with NEPA. 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 an early planning mitigation alternative. 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 on the proposed HCP, draft EA and supporting documents during a 30-day public comment period (see DATES). In particular, information and comments regarding the following topics are requested: 1. The 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 including the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly, Blanding’s Turtle, and the spotted turtle. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Mar 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 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. 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; 43 CFR part 46). Lori Nordstrom, Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services. [FR Doc. 2021–06401 Filed 3–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–ES–2020–N132; FXES11140800000–201–FF08EVEN00] Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Categorical Exclusion for the Santa Barbara County Distinct Population Segment of the California Tiger Salamander; Santa Maria Public Airport District Santa Maria Airport Commercial Center Project, 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, announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft categorical exclusion (CatEx) for activities associated with an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of the Santa Barbara County distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander incidental to activities associated with construction near the Santa Maria Airport in Santa Barbara County, California. The applicant developed the draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16387 applicant. We invite public comment on these documents. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before April 28, 2021. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: You may download a copy of the draft HCP and draft CatEx 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: joseph_brandt@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Brandt, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, by email (see ADDRESSES), via phone at (805) 677–3324, via the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877– 8339 for TTY assistance, or by mail (see ADDRESSES). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement for activities associated with an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The ITP would authorize take of the Santa Barbara County distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) incidental to activities associated with the construction of commercial urban developed uses over an 28-acre project site near the Santa Maria Airport in Santa Barbara County, California. The site would be fully developed with urban uses and a water detention basin. The applicant developed the draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicant. We invite public comment on all of these documents. Background The Service listed the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander as endangered on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 57242). E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 58 (Monday, March 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16385-16387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06401]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2021-0005; FXES11140300000-212]


Draft Environmental Assessment and Proposed Habitat Conservation 
Plan; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit, Habitat 
Conservation Plan for the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly, Blanding's Turtle, 
Spotted Turtle, Leafy Prairie Clover, and Lakeside Daisy, Will County, 
Illinois

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an 
application from Hanson Aggregates Midwest, Inc. d/b/a Hanson Material

[[Page 16386]]

Service (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the 
Endangered Species Act. We make available for public comment the 
applicant's habitat conservation plan (HCP) for continued limestone 
surface mining, submitted in support of the ITP application, for the 
Hine's emerald dragonfly, Blanding's turtle, spotted turtle, leafy 
prairie clover, and Lakeside Daisy (covered species). If approved, the 
ITP would be for a 30-year period and would authorize the incidental 
take of an endangered species, the Hine's emerald dragonfly, and 
species petitioned for Federal listing that are listed as endangered by 
the State of Illinois, the Blanding's turtle and spotted turtle. We 
also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment, 
which has been prepared in response to the permit application in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act. We request public comment on the application and associated 
documents.

DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 
April 28, 2021.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: Electronic copies of the documents this 
notice announces, along with public comments received, will be 
available online in Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2021-0005 at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Comment submission: In your comment, please specify whether your 
comment addresses the proposed HCP, draft EA, or any combination of the 
aforementioned documents, or other supporting documents. You may submit 
written comments by one of the following methods:
     Online: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for and submit 
comments on Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2021-0005.
     U.S. mail: Send comments to Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2021-0005; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 
5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB/3W; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Louise Clemency, Field Supervisor, 
Chicago Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 230 S Dearborn, Suite 2938, Chicago, IL 60604-1507; telephone: 
1-312-485-9337.
    Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call 
the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), have received an application from Hanson Aggregates Midwest, 
Inc. d/b/a Hanson Material Service (applicant) for an incidental take 
permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), for its habitat conservation plan (HCP) for 
the Hine's emerald dragonfly, Blanding's turtle, spotted turtle, leafy 
prairie clover, and lakeside daisy (project or HCP). The applicant's 
mining operation is located in Will County, Illinois and would consists 
of 49.6 acres of impacts to covered species habitat. The applicant has 
prepared a habitat conservation plan that describes their continued 
limestone surface mining operation and measures that the applicant 
would implement to avoid, minimize, and mitigate incidental take of the 
Hine's emerald dragonfly, Blanding's turtle, and spotted turtle. The 
HCP proposes to restore, enhance, and maintain 354 acres of covered 
species habitat on the 519 acres of land that will be protected in 
perpetuity by a deed restriction that may be converted to a 
conservation easement if a qualified entity agrees to hold the 
protected acreage. If approved, the ITP would be for a 30-year period 
and would authorize the incidental take of an endangered species, the 
Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), and species petitioned 
for Federal listing that are listed as endangered by the State of 
Illinois, the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and spotted 
turtle (Clemmys guttata). The applicant has prepared a HCP that 
describes the actions and measures that the applicant would implement 
to avoid, minimize, and mitigate incidental take of the Hine's emerald 
dragonfly, Blanding's turtle, and spotted turtle, and impacts to leafy 
prairie clover and lakeside daisy. We also announce the availability of 
a draft environmental assessment (EA), which has been prepared in 
response to the permit application in accordance with the requirements 
of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.). We request public comment on the application and associated 
documents.

Background

    Section 9 of the ESA and its implementing regulations prohibit the 
``take'' of animal species listed as endangered or threatened. Take is 
defined under the ESA as to ``harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, 
kill, trap, capture, or collect ``listed animal species,'' or to 
attempt to engage in such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 1538). However, under 
section 10(a) 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 an 
otherwise lawful activity (16 U.S.C. 1539). Regulations governing 
incidental take permits for endangered and threatened species, 
respectively, are found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 
17.22 and 50 CFR 17.32. Impacts to plants do not fall under the 
definition of ``take,'' therefore, the Service cannot authorize 
incidental take of plants. However, the Service cannot issue an ITP 
that would jeopardize the continued existence or adversely modify the 
designated critical habitat of any listed species, including plants, so 
addressing listed plants in the HCP may be prudent.

Applicant's Proposed Project

    The applicant requests a 30-year ITP to take the federally 
endangered Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), and species 
petitioned for Federal listing that are listed as endangered by the 
State of Illinois: The Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and 
spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). The applicant determined that take is 
reasonably certain to occur incidental to operation of expanded 
limestone surface mining located in Will County and consisting of 187 
acres of surface mining that will have direct impacts to 49.6 acres of 
covered species habitat. The proposed conservation strategy in the 
applicant's proposed HCP is designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate 
the impacts of the surface mining expansion on the covered species. The 
biological goals and objectives are to minimize potential take of 
Hine's emerald dragonflies, Blanding's turtles, and spotted turtles 
through on-site minimization measures and to provide habitat 
conservation measures for Hine's emerald dragonflies, Blanding's 
turtles, and spotted turtles to offset any impacts from operations of 
the project. The estimated level of take from the project is 49.6 acres 
of Hine's emerald dragonfly adult critical habitat, three adult Hine's 
emerald dragonflies, 12 Blanding's turtles, and two spotted turtles 
over the 30-year ITP duration. To offset the impacts of the taking of 
Hine's emerald dragonflies, Blanding's turtles, and spotted turtles, 
the applicant proposes to avoid potential groundwater-related impacts 
from quarry dewatering, by instituting operational avoidance measures 
during the mining process, and implement species habitat maintenance, 
enhancement or restoration on 354 acres. Additionally, 519 acres of 
land will be permanently protected by a deed restriction and may be 
converted to a conservation easement if a qualified entity agrees to 
hold the protected acreage.

[[Page 16387]]

National Environmental Policy Act

    The issuance of an ITP is a Federal action that triggers the need 
for compliance with NEPA. 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 an early planning mitigation alternative.

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 on the proposed HCP, draft EA and supporting documents during a 
30-day public comment period (see DATES). In particular, information 
and comments regarding the following topics are requested:
    1. The 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 including the Hine's Emerald 
Dragonfly, Blanding's Turtle, and the spotted turtle.

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.

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; 43 CFR part 46).

Lori Nordstrom,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services.
[FR Doc. 2021-06401 Filed 3-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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