[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 10401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4542]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Extension of the Public Comment Period--Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an Application for an 
Incidental Take Permit from Mr. D. Gregory Luce, in Baldwin County, 
Alabama

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of the public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice that the pubilc 
comment period on the environmental assessment/habitat conservation 
plan for Mr. D. Gregory Luce's (Applicant) application for an 
incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered 
Species Act (Act) is being extended. The Applicant has been assigned 
permit number PRT-797979. The original 30-day comment period closed on 
February 8, 1995 (Federal Register 60:2400-2401). During the original 
comment period, numerous public commentors requested an extension to 
more fully address the potential impacts to the Bon Secour National 
Wildlife Refuge.

DATES: The public comment period for this proposal, which originally 
closed on February 8, 1995, is now extended until March 10, 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 404/679-7280)
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 oldfield mouse 
Peromyscus polionotus and is restricted to the dune systems of the Gulf 
Coast of Alabama. The known 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: February 16, 1995.
Noreen K. Clough,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-4542 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]
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