[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 136 (Monday, July 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36432-36433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17424]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for Threatened and Endangered
Species and an Agreement for Several Unlisted Species by the Regli
Estate, Humboldt County, California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of document availability; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Regli Estate
(Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The application has
been assigned permit number PRT-803749. The proposed permit would
authorize the incidental take of the threatened northern spotted owl
(Strix occidentalis caurina, owl) and marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus
marmoratus, murrelet), and the endangered bald eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus) and American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum,
falcon) during proposed timber harvest activities, in accordance with
the Applicant's Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The Applicant also has
requested to enter into an Implementing Agreement (IA) with the Service
to conserve eight currently unlisted species. The IA contains
provisions for amending the proposed permit to include these currently
unlisted species should they subsequently become listed under the Act.
The Service also announces the availability of an Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the proposed issuance of the incidental take permit
and approval of the HCP and IA. All comments received, including names
and addresses, will become part of the official administrative record
and may be made available to the public. 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 and EA should be
received on or before August 16, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or adequacy of the EA
should be addressed to Mr. Joel Medlin, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-
1823, Sacramento, California 95825. Individuals wishing copies of the
application or EA for review should immediately contact the above
office (916-979-2725). Please refer to permit number PRT-803749 when
submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Michael Horton, at the office
listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Under section 9 of the Act, and its implementing regulations, the
``taking'' of species listed as threatened or endangered is prohibited.
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to
take listed wildlife species if such taking is incidental to, and not
the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing
permits are promulgated at 50 CFR 17.32 for threatened species, and 50
CFR 17.22 for endangered species.
The Applicant is proposing to harvest approximately 113 acres of
timber from their 480-acre ownership in Humboldt County, California.
The harvest areas contain second-growth white fir (Aibes concolor),
Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and redwood (Sequoia sempervirens),
approximately 40 years old, with a component of coastal hardwoods. The
proposed timber harvest would remove suitable owl habitat and is likely
to result in the take, as defined in the Act and its implementing
regulations. Although the Applicant has applied for a permit to
authorize incidental take of murrelets, bald eagles, and falcons,
suitable habitat for these species does not occur on the property, and
take is unlikely. The Applicant has requested an IA with the Service to
cover other species that are not currently listed, but are addressed by
the HCP. These species include: northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis),
Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica), marten (Martes americana),
California red tree vole (Arborimus pomo), northern red-legged frog
(Rana aurora aurora), tailed frog (Ascaphus truei), Del Norte
salamander (Plethodon elongatus), and torrent salamander (Rhyacotriton
variegatus). Effects of the proposed action on these currently unlisted
species are analyzed in the HCP and EA. The permit and HCP would be in
effect for 20 years. The application includes the HCP and IA.
The proposed harvest may result in take of one pair of owls due to
removal of suitable owl nesting and roosting habitat. Under the HCP,
impacts would
[[Page 36433]]
be mitigated by implementing selective harvest techniques that would
maintain owl foraging habitat in all harvested areas, protecting an 80-
acre core nesting area for one of the two owl pairs known to exist in
the HCP area, and planting conifer species on approximately 80 acres of
currently unforested habitat within the HCP area which would result in
a net increase in forested habitat over time. In addition, take of owls
would be minimized using seasonal protection measures specified in the
HCP.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of five
alternatives, including the proposed action and no action alternatives.
The Proposed Action alternative is issuance of the permit for the
listed species and approval of the IA for the currently unlisted
species. The No Action alternative would result in no immediate timber
harvest. The ``No-take'' Harvest alternative would limit harvest to a
level that would not take owls. The Delayed Operations alternative
considered the delay of harvest activities until the State of
California completes its California Board of Forestry Conservation
Plan. The Maximum Timber Harvest alternative involves the
implementation of clear-cutting activities in a manner that would not
maintain either of the two owl territories on the property.
Dated: July 7, 1995.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 1 Portland, Oregon.
(Notice: Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of
an Application for a Permit Under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the
Endangered Species Act.)
[FR Doc. 95-17424 Filed 7-14-95; 8:45 am]
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