[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32161-32162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15012]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Extension of the Public Comment Period--Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an Application for an 
Incidental Take Permit From Aronov Realty and Management Inc., in 
Baldwin County, AL

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 (Service) gives notice that the 
public comment period on the environmental assessment/habitat 
conservation plan for the Aronov Realty and Management Incorporated 
(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-802986. The original 
30-day comment period was to end on June 30, 1995 (Federal Register 
60:28428). In the intervening period, the Applicant has proposed 
certain additional mitigation and minimization measures to fully 
address the potential impacts to the Bon Secour National Wildlife 
Refuge and the endangered Alabama Beach mouse (ABM).

DATES: The public comment period for this proposal, which originally 
closed on June 30, 1995, is now extended until July 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, Environmental 
Assessment, or Habitat Conservation Plan may obtain a copy by writing 
the Service's Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia. 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, Environmental 
Assessment, or Habitat Conservation Plan should be submitted to the 
Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT-802986 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: Rick G. Gooch at the Atlanta, Georgia, 
Regional Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 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 (BSNWR). The sand dune systems 
[[Page 32162]] 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 on the 
Applicant's property reveal habitat occupied by ABM. The Applicant's 
property contains designated critical habitat for the ABM. Construction 
of the project 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. Further, the 
Applicant's property borders the BSNWR, and is considered Priority I 
lands for inclusion into the Perdue Unit (of BSNWR).
    The Environmental Assessment considers the environmental 
consequences of several alternatives. One action proposed is the 
issuance of the incidental take permit. This alternative provides for 
restrictions that include placing landward of the designated ABM 
critical habitat, establishment of a walkover structure across that 
scrub dune, a prohibition against housing or keeping pet cats, ABM 
competitor control and monitoring measures, scavenger-proof garbage 
containers, restoration of dune systems impacted by the construction, 
creation of a mitigation endowment for offsite acquisition of suitable 
ABM habitat, and the minimization and control of outdoor lighting. The 
Habitat Conservation Plan provides a funding source for these 
mitigation measures. Another alternative is Service acquisition of the 
property for inclusion into the BSNWR. A third alternative is no-
action, or deny the request for authorization to incidentally take the 
ABM.

    Dated: June 13, 1995.
Jerome M. Butler,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-15012 Filed 6-19-95; 8:45 am]
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