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, 16387-16388 [2021-06454]

Download as PDF 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 16388 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 58 / Monday, March 29, 2021 / Notices Section 9 of the ESA prohibits take of fish and wildlife species listed as endangered (16 U.S.C. 1538). Under the ESA, ‘‘take’’ is defined to include the following activities: ‘‘to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct’’ (16 U.S.C. 1532). Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(B)), we may issue permits to authorize take of listed fish and wildlife species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations governing incidental take permits for endangered species are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22. Issuance of an ITP also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, wildlife, or plant species, pursuant to section 7 of the ESA and 50 CFR 402.02. The permittee would receive assurances under our ‘‘No Surprises’’ regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5)). Proposed Activities The applicant has applied for a permit for incidental take of the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. The take would occur in association 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 HCP includes avoidance and minimization measures for the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander and mitigation for unavoidable loss of habitat. As mitigation, the applicant proposes to purchase credits from a Serviceapproved conservation bank. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. 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 NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Mar 26, 2021 Jkt 253001 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Stephen Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, California. [FR Doc. 2021–06454 Filed 3–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–ES–2020–0121; FXES11140300000–212] Draft Environmental Assessment and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit, Bitter Ridge Wind Farm, Jay County, Indiana Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment and information. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) have received an application from Scout Clean Energy’s Bitter Ridge Wind Farm, LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for its Bitter Ridge Wind Farm (project). The applicant requests the ITP, which would be for a 35-year period, for the take of the federally listed endangered Indiana bat and threatened northern long-eared bat incidental to the otherwise lawful activities associated with the Bitter Ridge Wind Farm. The applicant proposes a conservation program to minimize and mitigate for the unavoidable incidental take as described in their Habitat Conservation Plan. The Service requests public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s proposed HCP, and the Service’s draft environmental assessment, prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Service provides this notice to seek comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State and local governments. 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–2020–0121 at https://www.regulations.gov. Comment submission: In your comment, please specify whether your comment addresses the proposed HCP, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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–2020–0121. • By hard copy: Submit comments by U.S. mail to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R3– ES–2020–0121; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB/ 3W; Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Pruitt, Field Supervisor, Bloomington, Indiana, Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 620 South Walker Street, Bloomington, IN 47403; telephone: 812–334–4261, extension 214; or Andrew Horton, Regional HCP Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—Interior Region 3, 5600 American Blvd., West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437–1458; telephone: 612–713–5337. Individuals who are hearing impaired or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–877–8339 for TTY assistance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 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. 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. Applicant’s Proposed Project The applicant requests a 35-year ITP for take of the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and threatened northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). The applicant determined that wind farm activities on this land are reasonably certain to result in incidental take of these federally listed covered species. Activity that E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM 29MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 58 (Monday, March 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16387-16388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06454]


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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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: 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 
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: [email protected].

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).

[[Page 16388]]

Section 9 of the ESA prohibits take of fish and wildlife species listed 
as endangered (16 U.S.C. 1538). Under the ESA, ``take'' is defined to 
include the following activities: ``to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, 
shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage 
in any such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 1532). Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of 
the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(B)), we may issue permits to authorize 
take of listed fish and wildlife species that is incidental to, and not 
the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations 
governing incidental take permits for endangered species are in the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22. Issuance of an ITP 
also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, 
wildlife, or plant species, pursuant to section 7 of the ESA and 50 CFR 
402.02. The permittee would receive assurances under our ``No 
Surprises'' regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5)).

Proposed Activities

    The applicant has applied for a permit for incidental take of the 
Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander. The take 
would occur in association 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 HCP includes avoidance and minimization measures for the Santa 
Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander and mitigation 
for unavoidable loss of habitat. As mitigation, the applicant proposes 
to purchase credits from a Service-approved conservation bank.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying 
information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able 
to do so.

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 NEPA 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 
1506.6).

Stephen Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2021-06454 Filed 3-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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