[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15008]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for a Permit To Allow Incidental Take of the Endangered 
Blunt-Nosed Leopard Lizard and Threatened San Joaquin Kit Fox by the 
City of Bakersfield in Kern County, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the City of Bakersfield 
(Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application has 
been assigned permit number PRT-786634. The requested permit would 
authorize the incidental take of the endangered blunt-nosed leopard 
lizard (Gambelia silus) and the threatened San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes 
macrotis mutica) in the city of Bakersfield, Kern County, California. 
The proposed incidental take would occur as a result of construction 
activities for a sewer trunkline in blunt-nose leopard lizard and San 
Joaquin kit fox habitat.

    The Service also announces the availability of an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the proposed issuance of the incidental take 
permit. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act 
and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR Sec. 1506.6).

DATES: Written comments on the permit application and EA should be 
received on or before July 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or adequacy of the EA 
should be addressed to Mr. Joel Medlin, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Rooms E-
1803 and 1823, Sacramento, California 95825. Please refer to permit No. 
PRT-786634 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Peter Cross, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field 
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Rooms E-1803 and 1823, Sacramento, California 
95825 (916-978-4866). Individuals wishing copies of the application or 
EA for review should immediately contact the above individual.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under section 9 of the Act, ``taking'' of endangered blunt-nosed 
leopard lizards and threatened San Joaquin kit fox is prohibited. 
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to 
take endangered or threatened wildlife species if such taking is 
incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. 
Regulations governing permits for endangered and threatened species are 
in 50 CFR Secs. 17.22 and 17.32, respectively.
    The applicant proposes to implement a Habitat Conservation Plan 
(HCP) for the blunt-nose leopard lizard and San Joaquin kit fox that 
will allow construction of a sewer trunkline in the city of 
Bakersfield, Kern County, California. The permit would authorize the 
disturbance of up to 88.2 acres. The permit would be in effect for 2 
years. The application includes an HCP and Implementation Agreement.
    The applicant proposes to construct a 12 to 30-inch diameter 
underground line within a construction corridor ranging between 35 and 
75 feet in width. Construction is proposed to begin after permit 
issuance and to take about 8 to 9 months. A total of 88.2 acres will be 
subject to temporary disturbance as a result of sewer trunkline 
construction activities. Approximately 73 acres of the total disturbed 
area is considered suitable habitat for the two listed species. The 
area that will be subject to temporary disturbance includes urban, 
actively cultivated, and nonnative grasslands.
    The applicant proposes to undertake a series of on-site and off-
site mitigation measures to offset the incidental take of a small 
number of San Joaquin kit foxes and blunt-nosed leopard lizards, and 
the temporary impacts to their habitats associated with this project. 
These measures would include: (1) Offsite acquisition of 80.2 acres of 
native habitat; (2) transfer to the California Department of Fish and 
Game, or the designated trustee, funds to manage and improve these 
offsite lands; and (3) measures to reduce the potential of take of both 
species to the maximum extent possible during construction of the sewer 
trunkline.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of four 
alternatives. The alternatives include the proposed action (permit 
issuance), no-action (permit denial), incorporation into the Regional 
Section 10(a) permit for the Metropolitan Bakersfield Area, and 
modifying current sewer trunkline alignments.

    Dated: June 15, 1994.
H. Dale Hall,
Regional Director, Region 1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-15008 Filed 6-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M