Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink and Blue-tailed Mole-skink; Polk County, FL; Categorical Exclusion, 3243-3244 [2025-00568]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 8 / Tuesday, January 14, 2025 / Notices regulations (40 CFR 1500 through 1508 and 43 CFR part 46). Amy Lueders, Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2025–00566 Filed 1–13–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2024–0190; FXES11140400000–256–FF04EF4000] Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink and Blue-tailed Mole-skink; Polk County, FL; Categorical Exclusion Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment. AGENCY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from ADH Rollins Court, 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 (Plestiodon reynoldsi) and bluetailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus) incidental to the construction of a residential development in Polk 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 the proposed permitting action may be eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies. DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before February 13, 2025. ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: The documents this notice announces, as well as any comments and other materials that we receive, will be available for public inspection online in Docket No. FWS– R4–ES–2024–0190 at https:// www.regulations.gov. khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:42 Jan 13, 2025 Jkt 265001 3243 Submitting Comments: If you wish to submit comments on any of the documents, you may do so in writing by one of the following methods: • Online: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS–R4–ES–2024–0190. • U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS–R4– ES–2024–0190; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Begazo, by U.S. mail (see ADDRESSES), by telephone at 772–226–8134, or via email at alfredo_begazo@fws.gov. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from ADH Rollins Court, 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 sand skink (Plestiodon reynoldsi) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus) (skinks), federally listed as threatened under the ESA, incidental to the construction of a residential development in Polk County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant’s habitat conservation plan (HCP), and on the Service’s preliminary determination that this proposed ITP qualifies as low effect, and may qualify for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations (40 CFR 1501.4), the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) NEPA regulations (43 CFR part 46), and the DOI’s Departmental Manual (516 DM 8.5(C)(2)). To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. Parcels 27–27–11–735500–000140 and 27–27–11–734500–030300 within Section 11, Township 27 South, Range 27 East, Polk County, Florida. The applicant proposes to mitigate for take of skinks through the purchase 10.92 ac of conservation credits (in accordance with the Service’s 2:1 mitigation ratio guidelines) from a Service-authorized conservation bank prior to engaging in any phase of the project. Proposed 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. If you submit a The applicant requests a 5-year ITP to take skinks via the conversion of approximately 5.46 acres (ac) of occupied nesting, foraging, and sheltering skink habitat incidental to the construction of a residential development on 46 ac on Polk County PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Our Preliminary Determination The Service has made a preliminary determination that the applicant’s proposed project, including the construction of a residential development 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 human environment. Therefore, we have preliminarily determined that the proposed ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permit would be a low-effect ITP that individually or cumulatively would have a minor effect on the skinks and may qualify for application of a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA regulations, DOI’s NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. A low-effect ITP is one that would result in (1) minor or nonsignificant effects on species covered in the HCP; (2) nonsignificant effects on the human environment; and (3) impacts that, when added together with the impacts of other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions, would not result in significant cumulative effects to the human environment. Next Steps The Service will evaluate the application and the comments to determine whether to issue the requested ITP. 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 and other 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 PER11450292 to ADH Rollins Court, LLC. E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 3244 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 8 / Tuesday, January 14, 2025 / Notices comment at https:// www.regulations.gov, your entire comment, including any personal identifying information, will be posted on the website. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying information, such as your address, phone number, or email address, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Moreover, 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 The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.32) and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500 through 1508 and 43 CFR part 46). Robert L. Carey, Manager, Division of Environmental Review, Florida Ecological Services Field Office. [FR Doc. 2025–00568 Filed 1–13–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs [256A2100DD/AAKC001030/ A0A501010.999900; OMB Control Number 1035–0005] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Tribal Trust Evaluations Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) are proposing to renew an information collection. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before February 13, 2025. ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection request (ICR) should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:42 Jan 13, 2025 Jkt 265001 (OIRA) through https:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRA/ icrPublicCommentRequest?ref_ nbr=202406-1035-001 or by visiting https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain and selecting ‘‘Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments’’ and then scrolling down to the ‘‘Department of the Interior.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information about this ICR, contact Theresa Powless, Bureau of Trust Funds Administrative, Program Specialist, 4400 Masthead Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109; or by email to Theresa_Powless@btfa.gov, or by telephone at (505) 418–2541. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States. You may also view the ICR at https:// www.reginfo.gov/public/ Forward?SearchTarget=PRA& textfield=1035-0005. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal agencies with an opportunity 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. A Federal Register notice with a 60day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on November 6, 2024 (89 FR 88057). No comments were received. As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, we are again soliciting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on the proposed ICR that is described below. We are especially interested in public comment addressing the following: (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of response. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. 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 review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Abstract: As codified in 25 U.S.C. 4001 et seq., The American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 (the Reform Act) makes provisions for the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (formerly known as the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians) to administer trust fund accounts for individuals and Tribes. This collection of information is required to fulfill the mission of the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) and the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibility for evaluating all Public Law 93–638 Compact Tribes administering or managing trust programs, functions, services, and/or activities on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior. This responsibility is federally mandated pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 458cc(d) and 25 CFR 1000.350. BTFA is responsible under 25 U.S.C. 4041 for overseeing the implementation of trust reforms, trust accounting, and coordination of trust policies intrabureau-wide related to the management of Indian trust funds and assets. The BTFA, Division of Trust Evaluation and Review (DTER), formerly the Office of Trust Audit and Review (OTRA), is responsible for conducting tribal trust evaluations on Tribes performing Indian trust programs and functions pursuant to a Tribal Self-Governance Compact or Annual Funding Agreement. In addition, DTER has a congressional mandate to conduct Annual Tribal Trust Evaluations for Tribes that compact trust programs, functions, services, and/ or activities under Public Law 93–638 E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3243-3244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00568]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0190; FXES11140400000-256-FF04EF4000]


Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed 
Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink and Blue-tailed Mole-
skink; Polk County, FL; Categorical Exclusion

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt 
of an application from ADH Rollins Court, 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 
(Plestiodon reynoldsi) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius 
lividus) incidental to the construction of a residential development in 
Polk 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 the proposed 
permitting action may be eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant 
to the Council on Environmental Quality's National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) regulations, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA 
regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. To make this preliminary 
determination, we prepared a draft environmental action statement and 
low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public 
review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and 
Federal agencies.

DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before February 13, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    Obtaining Documents: The documents this notice announces, as well 
as any comments and other materials that we receive, will be available 
for public inspection online in Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0190 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 one of the following methods:
     Online: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0190.
     U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. 
FWS-R4-ES-2024-0190; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Begazo, by U.S. mail (see 
ADDRESSES), by telephone at 772-226-8134, or via email at 
[email protected]. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, 
deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 
(TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. 
Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services 
offered within their country to make international calls to the point-
of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), 
announce receipt of an application from ADH Rollins Court, 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 sand skink (Plestiodon 
reynoldsi) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus) 
(skinks), federally listed as threatened under the ESA, incidental to 
the construction of a residential development in Polk County, Florida. 
We request public comment on the application, which includes the 
applicant's habitat conservation plan (HCP), and on the Service's 
preliminary determination that this proposed ITP qualifies as low 
effect, and may qualify for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the 
Council on Environmental Quality's National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) regulations (40 CFR 1501.4), the Department of the Interior's 
(DOI) NEPA regulations (43 CFR part 46), and the DOI's Departmental 
Manual (516 DM 8.5(C)(2)). To make this preliminary determination, we 
prepared a draft environmental action statement and low-effect 
screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

Proposed Project

    The applicant requests a 5-year ITP to take skinks via the 
conversion of approximately 5.46 acres (ac) of occupied nesting, 
foraging, and sheltering skink habitat incidental to the construction 
of a residential development on 46 ac on Polk County Parcels 27-27-11-
735500-000140 and 27-27-11-734500-030300 within Section 11, Township 27 
South, Range 27 East, Polk County, Florida. The applicant proposes to 
mitigate for take of skinks through the purchase 10.92 ac of 
conservation credits (in accordance with the Service's 2:1 mitigation 
ratio guidelines) from a Service-authorized conservation bank prior to 
engaging in any phase of the project.

Our Preliminary Determination

    The Service has made a preliminary determination that the 
applicant's proposed project, including the construction of a 
residential development 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 human environment. 
Therefore, we have preliminarily determined that the proposed ESA 
section 10(a)(1)(B) permit would be a low-effect ITP that individually 
or cumulatively would have a minor effect on the skinks and may qualify 
for application of a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on 
Environmental Quality's NEPA regulations, DOI's NEPA regulations, and 
the DOI Departmental Manual. A low-effect ITP is one that would result 
in (1) minor or nonsignificant effects on species covered in the HCP; 
(2) nonsignificant effects on the human environment; and (3) impacts 
that, when added together with the impacts of other past, present, and 
reasonably foreseeable actions, would not result in significant 
cumulative effects to the human environment.

Next Steps

    The Service will evaluate the application and the comments to 
determine whether to issue the requested ITP. 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 and 
other 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 PER11450292 to ADH Rollins Court, LLC.

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. If you submit a

[[Page 3244]]

comment at https://www.regulations.gov, your entire comment, including 
any personal identifying information, will be posted on the website. If 
you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying 
information, such as your address, phone number, or email address, you 
may request at the top of your document that we withhold this 
information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we 
will be able to do so. Moreover, 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

    The Service provides this notice under section 10(c) of the 
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and its implementing 
regulations (50 CFR 17.32) and the National Environmental Policy Act 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500 
through 1508 and 43 CFR part 46).

Robert L. Carey,
Manager, Division of Environmental Review, Florida Ecological Services 
Field Office.
[FR Doc. 2025-00568 Filed 1-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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