Fish and Wildlife Service May 29, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Calnev Pipeline Company LLC (applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for a 5-year incidental take permit for one covered species pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application addresses the potential for ``take'' of the endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys Merriami parvus) associated with the proposed pipeline inspection and repair projects in the City of Rialto and unincorporated San Bernardino County, California. A conservation program to minimize and mitigate for the project activities would be implemented as described in the proposed Maintenance and Operations on the Calnev 8-inch and 14-inch Pipelines, Cajon and Lytle Creek Wash, San Bernardino County, California Habitat Conservation Plan (proposed HCP), which would be implemented by the applicant. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on the preliminary determination that the proposed HCP qualifies as a ``Low- effect'' Habitat Conservation Plan, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The basis for this determination is discussed in the Environmental Action Statement (EAS) and the associated Low Effect Screening Form, which are also available for public review.