[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18420-18421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8820]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Species Permit Application

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of receipt and notice of availability.

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    Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for a Permit to Allow Incidental Take of the Threatened 
Coastal California Gnatcatcher by Palos Verdes Land Holdings Company 
and Zuckerman Building Company on the Ocean Trails Property in Los 
Angeles County, California.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has received an 
application from the Palos Verdes Land Holding Company and Zuckerman 
Building Company (applicants) of Laguna Beach, California, for an 
incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The permit would 
authorize take of the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher 
(Polioptila californica californica) for 10 years on the Ocean Trails 
property in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California. The taking 
would be incidental to the lawful grading, construction, and operation 
of a proposed golf course/residential project. Pursuant to Section 
10(a)(2)(A), the applicants have submitted a Habitat Conservation Plan 
(HCP) and Implementing Agreement (IA) with the permit application. 
Issuance of a section 10(a)(1)(B) permit constitutes a Federal action 
that must be analyzed pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969. Accordingly, the Service has prepared an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) on the effects of the proposed issuance of the permit. 
This notice advises the public that the application, HCP, IA, and EA 
are available for review.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before May 11, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Mr. Gail Kobetich, Field 
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, 
Carlsbad, California 92008. Comments may be sent by facsimile to (619) 
431-9618. Please refer to permit No. PRT-799348 when submitting 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda Dawes, Biologist, at the 
above address, or telephone (619) 431-9440. Individuals wishing copies 
of the application and documents for review [[Page 18421]] should 
immediately contact the above office. Documents also will be available 
for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours 
(8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under section 9 of the Act and its 
implementing regulations, ``taking'' of the coastal California 
gnatcatcher, a threatened species, is prohibited. Under limited 
circumstances, however, the Service 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 applicants desire a permit to incidentally take 2 pairs of 
California gnatcatchers and approximately 17 acres of coastal sage 
scrub, disturbed coastal sage scrub, coastal bluff scrub, and disturbed 
coastal bluff scrub within a 261-acre project area. The applicants also 
desire unlisted species agreements for the coastal cactus wren 
(Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus cousei) and 6 sensitive plant species: 
aphanisma (Aphanisma blitoides), ocean locoweed (Astragalus trichopodus 
var. trichopodus), south coast saltscale (Atriplex pacifica), Catalina 
mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae), seaside calandrinia (Calandrinia 
maritima), and bright green dudleya (Dudleya virens). Should these 
species be listed as threatened or endangered, the applicants will 
submit the HCP and IA in support of a permit amendment.
    The proposed action includes 79 single family homes and an 18-hole 
public golf course. Measures to minimize and mitigate impacts include 
phased grading, revegetation, conservation easements, a coastal bluff/
open-space preserve, removal of non-native plants, cowbird and predator 
trapping, and perpetual funding for habitat management.
    The EA considers the environmental effects of the proposed action 
and 2 alternatives: a reduced project/reduced HCP alternative, and a no 
action/no take alternative. The no action and reduced project 
alternatives were not selected because neither provide the substantial 
long-term conservation benefits to the gnatcatcher and other candidate 
and sensitive species that would be provided under the proposed action.
    The proposed action would result in a net gain of 61.4 acres of 
coastal sage scrub (29.7 acres on-site, 31.7 acres off-site) and 2.9 
acres of coastal bluff (on-site) in dedicated preserves. Under the 
proposed action, the enhancement and permanent protection of coastal 
sage scrub habitat would provide substantial long-term conservation 
benefits to the gnatcatcher. The proposed action also would provide 
substantial permanent conservation benefits to the cactus wren and 6 
sensitive plant species, 3 of which are Federal category 2 candidates 
for listing.

    Dated: April 5, 1995.
David L. McMullen,

Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.

[FR Doc. 95-8820 Filed 4-10-95; 8:45 am]

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