[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]
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