[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2400-2401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-422]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for an Incidental Take Permit from Mr. D. Gregory Luce, in 
Baldwin County, AL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Mr. D. Gregory Luce (Applicant), has applied to the Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to 
Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The proposed 
permit would authorize for a period of 20 years the incidental take of 
an endangered species, the Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus 
ammobates), known to occupy lands owned by the Applicant in Gulf 
Shores, Baldwin County, Alabama. The Application proposed to construct 
and use a single family residence on a 1.21-acre privately owned lot 
within the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. The lot is located 
approximately 7.5 miles west of Gulf Shores, Alabama, at Pine Beach, 
near the western end of Little Lagoon, between the lagoon and the Gulf 
shoreline.
    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 
requests to the addresses below. The Service is soliciting data on 
Peromyscus polionotus ammobates in [[Page 2401]] order to assist in the 
requirement of the intra-Service consultation. 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 Finding 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 February 8, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia. 
Persons wishing to review the EA or HCP may obtain a copy by writing 
the Regional Office or the Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. 
Documents will also be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the Regional Office, or the Field 
Office. Written data or comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP 
should be submitted to the Regional Office. Please reference permit 
under PRT-797979 in such comments.
    Regional Permit Coordinator (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
1875 Century Boulevard, suite 210, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, (telephone 
404/679-7110, FAX 404/679-7081).
    Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View 
Parkway, suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 39213 (telephone 601/965-4900, 
FAX 601/965-4340).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Will McDearman at the above Jackson, 
Mississippi, Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alabama beach mouse (ABM), Peromyscus 
polionotus ammobates, is a subspecies of the common old-field mouse 
Peromyscus polionotus and is restricted to the dune systems of the Gulf 
Coast of Alabama. The know current range of ABM extends from Fort 
Morgan eastward to the western terminus of Alabama Highway 182, 
including the Perdue Unit on the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. 
The sand dune systems inhabited by this species are not uniform; 
several habitat types are distinguishable. The species inhabits primary 
dunes, interdune areas, secondary dunes, and scrub dunes. The depth and 
area of these habitats from the beach inland varies. Population surveys 
indicate that this subspecies is usually more abundant in primary dunes 
than in secondary dunes, and usually more abundant in secondary dunes 
than in scrub dunes. Optimal habitat consists of dune systems with all 
dune types. Though fewer ABM inhabit scrub dunes, these high dunes can 
serve as refugia during devastating hurricanes that overwash, flood, 
and destroy or alter secondary and frontal dunes. ABM surveys have not 
been conducted on the Applicant's property. The ABM occupied adjacent 
and nearby dunes of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Suitable 
habitat in the form of secondary and scrub dunes exist on the 
Applicant's property. These habitats are likely to be occupied by ABM. 
None of the Applicant's property resides in designated critical habitat 
for the ABM. Construction of the single family residence on about 0.1-
0.2 acres of the Applicant's property may result in the death of, or 
injury to, ABM. Habitat alterations due to house placement and its 
subsequent use may reduce available habitat for food, shelter, and 
reproduction.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of three 
alternatives. The proposed action alternative is the issuance of the 
incidental take permit. This provided for restrictions that include 
house placement landward of the frontal crest of the scrub dune line, 
establishment of a walkover structure across that scrub dune, a 
prohibition against housing or keeping pet cats, scavenger-proof 
garbage containers, no landscaping, and the minimization and control of 
outdoor lighting. The HCP provides a funding source for these 
mitigation measures.

    Dated: December 30, 1994.
John T. Brown,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-422 Filed 1-6-95; 8:45 am]
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