[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 116 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14760]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 17, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation 
Plan and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for 
the Proposed Spicewood at Bull Creek and Canyon Mesa Developments, 
Austin, Travis County, TX

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Richland Bull Creek Associates (Applicant) has applied to the 
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit 
pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The 
Applicant has been assigned Permit Number PRT-783564. The requested 
permit, which is for a period not to exceed 30 years, would authorize 
the incidental take of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica 
chrysoparia). The proposed take would occur as a result of construction 
of a residential development on 196 acres, in Austin, Travis County, 
Texas. The proposed development will permanently eliminate about 176 
acres of occupied and/or potential endangered species habitat.
    The Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and 
habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the incidental take application. A 
determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) will not be made before 30 days from the date of the 
publication of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 
10(c) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 
CFR 1506.6).

DATES: Written comments on the application and EA/HCP should be 
received on or before July 18, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing to the Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 
87103. Persons wishing to review the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by 
contacting Robert B. Simpson, Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 611 East Sixth Street, Suite 407, Austin, 
Texas 78701. Documents will be available by written request from the 
address below or for public inspection during normal business hours 
(8:00 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Austin Ecological 
Services Field Office (8:00 to 4:30). Written data or comments 
concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to Field 
Supervisor, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, at the address 
below. Please refer to Permit Number PRT-783564 when submitting 
comments.

Austin Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 611 East Sixth Street, Suite 407, Austin, Texas 78701.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert B. Simpson at the Austin 
Ecological Services Field Office at (512) 482-5436.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Habitat Conservation Plan has been 
developed as mitigation for the incidental taking of the golden-cheeked 
warbler. The Applicant proposes to mitigate the incidental take via 
dedicating 260 acres of occupied golden-cheeked warbler habitat as a 
permanent preserve, providing funding for the operation and management 
of the preserve lands, performing golden-cheeked warbler monitoring and 
research studies on the preserve and project lands, and avoiding 
construction activities within warbler territories during the breeding 
season. Details of the mitigation are provided in the Environmental 
Assessment and Habitat Conservation Plan for the Spicewood at Bull 
Creek and Canyon Mesa Developments. A determination of jeopardy to the 
species or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will not be made 
before 30 days from the date of publication of this notice. This notice 
is provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Act and National 
Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The Applicant 
considered four alternatives, but rejected three of them.
James A. Young,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Southwest Region (2), Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 94-14760 Filed 6-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M