[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29436]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 30, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Endangered and Threatened Species Permit Application

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    In the matter of: Availability of an Environmental Assessment 
and Receipt of an Application for a Permit to Allow Incidental Take 
of the Threatened Northern Spotted Owl by Weyerhaueser Company on 
its Millicoma Tree Farm in Coos and Douglas Counties, Oregon.

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that Weyerhaueser Company 
(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-796822. The requested permit would 
authorize the incidental take of the threatened northern spotted owl 
(Strix occidentalis caurina) on the Millicoma Tree Farm in Coos and 
Douglas Counties, Oregon. The proposed incidental take would occur as a 
result of timber harvest activities in northern spotted owl 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 1506.6).

DATES: Written comments on the permit application and EA should be 
received on or before December 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or EA should be addressed 
to Mr. Curt Smitch, Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific 
Northwest Habitat Conservation Plan Program, 3773 Martin Way East, 
Building C--Suite 101, Olympia, Washington 98501. Please refer to 
permit No. PRT-796822 when submitting comments. Individuals wishing 
copies of the application or EA for review should immediately contact 
the above office (206-534-9330).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Bown, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Portland Field Office, 2600 S.E. 98th Ave., Suite 100, 
Portland, Oregon 97266 (503-231-6179).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations, 
``taking'' of the northern spotted owl, a threatened species, is 
prohibited. However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may 
issue permits to take threatened wildlife species if such taking is 
incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. 
Regulations governing permits for threatened species are in 50 CFR 
17.32.
    The Applicant proposes to implement a Habitat Conservation Plan 
(HCP) for the spotted owl that will allow timber harvest on portions of 
approximately 209,000 acres of the Applicant's land in Coos and Douglas 
Counties, Oregon. The Applicant's proposed timber harvest may result in 
the take, as defined in the Act and its implementing regulations, of 
any owls in the harvest area. The HCP and permit would be in effect for 
50 years with the possibility of extending the permit with 10 year 
extensions, for a total of an additional 30 years, given certain 
biological and economic criteria are met. The application includes an 
HCP and Implementation Agreement.
    The Applicant proposes to mitigate for the incidental take by 
maintaining at least 40 percent of the tree farm in dispersal habitat 
with limitations on gap size between habitat blocks; retaining 1,592 
acres of existing forest habitat for 20 years to enhance the dispersal 
landscape and productive capability at 4 known spotted owl sites; 
retaining 371 acres of existing forest habitat adjacent to 4 known 
spotted owl sites on Federal lands near the tree farm for 20 years; 
protecting at least 70 acres of nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat 
around all occupied sites. The Applicant will minimize take by 
prohibiting timber harvest and road construction within 0.25 miles of 
active spotted owl nests during the active breeding season, March 1 
through September 30 each year.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of four 
alternatives, including the proposed action and no-take alternatives. 
The proposed action is the issuance of a permit under section 10(a) of 
the Act that would authorize incidental take of spotted owls on the 
Applicant's private landholding of the 209,000-acre permit area, and 
require implementation of the Habitat Conservation Plan. Under the no-
take alternative, the applicant would avoid incidental take of spotted 
owls and the permit would not be issued. The third alternative is to 
manage the tree farm for dispersal habitat without retaining any 
nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat. The fourth alternative is to 
manage the tree farm for dispersal habitat, and simultaneously avoid 
the incidental take of selected spotted own pairs.

    Dated: November 23, 1994.
Bill Shake,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-29436 Filed 11-29-94; 8:45 am]
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