Fish and Wildlife Service August 12, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice advises the public and other agencies of the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA)/Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take Permit (ITP) application for review and comment. The draft EA/HCP and ITP application were submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) by Predevelopment LTD proposing residential development of a 6.45-acre property on Long Point, Kelleys Island, Erie County, Ohio. Federally threatened Lake Erie watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon insularum) occupy the project area, and it has been determined that the proposed actions will result in incidental take of this species. Predevelopment LTD submitted an ITP application to the Service for incidental take pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended (Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq.). The submission of the ITP application requires the development of an HCP by the applicant detailing measures to be taken to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to Lake Erie Watersnakes. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).