[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 26049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11965]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for a Timber Harvest 
Operation by Red Oak Timber Company in Vernon Parish, Louisiana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Red Oak Timber Company, (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 up to six endangered 
red-cockaded woodpecker, Picoides borealis, in Vernon Parish, 
Louisiana, for a period of 6 months. The proposed taking is incidental 
to otherwise lawful timber harvesting on 137 acres (Project). The 
entire site is considered occupied by red-cockaded woodpecker and will 
be permanently altered.
    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 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 June 15, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, HCP, and EA may 
obtain a copy by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office, 
Atlanta, Georgia. Requests must be in writing to be processed. 
Documents will also be available for public inspection by appoint- ment 
during normal business hours at the Regional Office, or the Jackson, 
Mississippi, Field Office. Written data or comments concerning the 
application, EA, or HCP should be sub- mitted to the Regional Office. 
Please reference permit under PRT-800149 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 404/679-7280).
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View 
Parkway, Jackson, Mississippi 39213, (telephone 601/965-4900, fax 601/
965-4340).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Will McDearman at the Jackson, 
Mississippi, Field Office, or Rick G. Gooch at the Atlanta, Georgia, 
Regional Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Picoides borealis is a non-migratory 
resident of mature pine forests of the Southeastern United States. 
All Picoides borealis in the State of Louisiana are considered part 
of the Louisiana coastal plain population. The two family groups of 
Picoides borealis on the Applicant's property are considered to be 
part of the Vernon district's population of the Kisatchie National 
Forest. Populations on the Kisatchie and adjoining Fort Polk have 
increased in the last several years due to improvements in timber 
management and overall species management directives.

    For purposes of mitigation and minimization of the impacts to the 
species, the Applicant's HCP proposes to translocate adult and subadult 
Picoides borealis from the project site to the Fort Polk military 
installation, and conducting habitat enhancement procedures on 
Kisatchie National Forest lands.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of three 
alternatives, including the no action, sale of existing timber rights 
and/or the project for other lawful purposes, and the proposed action.

    Dated: May 9, 1995.
Judy L. Jones,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-11965 Filed 5-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P