[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29052]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for a Development in Walton 
County, FL, Called Stallworth Preserve

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Stallworth Preserve Owners Association (Applicant), is seeking 
an incidental take permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), 
pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
(Act) as amended. The permit would authorize the take of the endangered 
Choctawhatchee beach mouse Peromyscus poliontus allophrys, in Walton 
County, Florida for a period of 10 years. The proposed taking is 
incidental to a planned residential development on an 7 acre tract of 
land owned by the Applicant. The tract is located just southwest of 
County Road 30A in south Walton County. The Service also announces the 
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and habitat 
conservation plan (HCP) for the incidental take application. Copies of 
the EA or HCP may be obtained by making a request to the Regional 
Office address below. This notice also advises the public that the 
Service has made a preliminary determination that issuing the 
incidental take permit is not a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of 
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended. The Findings of No Significant Impact is based on information 
contained in the EA and HCP. The final determination will be made no 
sooner than 30 days from the date 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 permit application, EA and HCP should be 
received on or before December 27, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, HCP, and EA may 
obtain a copy by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office, 
Atlanta, Georgia. Documents will also be available for public 
inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the Regional 
Office, or the Jacksonville, Florida, Field Office. Written data or 
comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP should be submitted to 
the Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT-796769 in such 
comments.
    Regional Permit Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 
Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, (telephone 404/
679-7110, fax 404/679-7081).
    Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint 
Drive, South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216-0912, (telephone 
904/232-2580, fax 904/232-2404).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn Zattau at the Jacksonville, 
Florida, Field Office, or Rick G. Gooch at the Atlanta, Georgia, 
Regional Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse (CBM), 
Peromyscus polionotus allophrys, is a subspecies of the common old 
field mouse Peromyscus polionotus and is restricted to the dune systems 
of the Gulf Coast of Florida. The known current range of CBM extends 
from Choctawhatchee Bay to St. Andrew Bay. The sand dune systems 
inhabited by this species are not uniform; several habitat types are 
distinguishable. The depth of the habitat from the beach inland varies 
depending on the configuration of the sand dune system and the 
vegetation. Generally, these habitat zones are considered as primary 
dune (dunes immediately fronting the beach) supporting sea oats and 
other widely scattered grasses, and interdune area consisting of other 
grasses, and sedges, and a secondary dune zone supporting small trees 
and shrubs. The Applicant proposes to construct a planned unit 
development on approximately 7 acres, a portion of which is CBM 
habitat. A portion of the Applicant's property is within 152.5 meters 
(500 feet) inland from the mean high tide line of the Gulf of Mexico, 
designated critical habitat of the CBM (See Code of Federal Regulations 
Title 50, Sec. 17.95(a)). Initial construction of roads and utilities 
and subsequent development of individual homesites may result in death 
of or injury to CBM incidental to the carrying out of these otherwise 
lawful activities. Habitat alternation associated with property 
development may reduce the availability of feeding, shelter, and 
nesting habitat.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of three 
alternatives, including acceptance of the HCP as submitted, no action, 
or public purchase of the subject property.

    Dated: November 17, 1994.
Jerome M. Butler,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-29052 Filed 11-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M