[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27721]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period on an Environmental 
Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan for an Incidental Take Permit for 
the Proposed Barton Creek Development, Austin, Travis County, Texas

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice that the 
public comment period on the environmental assessment/habitat 
conservation plan for F.M. Properties Operating Co., Inc's application 
for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a) of the 
Endangered Species Act is being extended. The Applicant has been 
assigned permit number PRT-782833. During the public comment period, 
the Austin Ecological Services Field Office moved causing delays in 
some recipients obtaining the environmental assessment/habitat 
conservation plan for review.

DATES: The comment period for this proposal, which originally closed 
November 7, 1994, is now extended until November 18, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing 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 Joe Johnston, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin 
Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 E. Burnet Road, Suite 200, 
Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0057). Documents will be available for 
public inspection, by written request and by appointment only, during 
normal business hours (8:00 to 4:30). Written data or comments 
concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the Acting 
Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, Austin, Texas at 
above address. Please refer to permit number PRT-782833 when submitting 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Joe Johnston at the above Austin Field Office address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species, like the golden-cheeked warbler. 
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to 
take endangered wildlife species if such taking is incidental to, and 
not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing 
permits for endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.
    The Applicant plans to build a Residential-Resort and commercial 
development located just west of Capital of Texas Highway 360, south of 
FM 2244, and north of Highway 290, Austin, Travis County, Texas. The 
development will occupy approximately 4,684 acres. These activities 
will permanently eliminate about 1,036 acres of the 3,830 acres of 
occupied and/or suitable warbler habitat. The Applicant proposes to 
mitigate the incidental take via acquisition and donation of 3,923 
acres of land, provision of operating and maintenance funds for these 
preserve lands, minimize impacts to warbler habitat, avoidance of 
direct impacts to warblers, preservation of undeveloped areas, and 
environmental monitoring. The Applicant considered four alternatives 
but rejected three of them because they were not economically viable.
Lynn B. Starnes,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-27721 Filed 11-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M