[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 173 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46623-46624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22143]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for a Project Called Coquina 
Palms Townhomes Project, Located in the Central Beaches Area of Brevard 
County, Florida

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Joseph A. Hill (Applicant), is seeking an incidental take 
permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to section 
10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The 
permit would authorize the take of two families of the threatened 
Florida scrub jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens in Brevard 
County, Florida, for a period of 10 years. The proposed taking is 
incidental to construction of a 71-unit townhome project, including the 
necessary infrastructure, on approximately 12 acres (Project). Within 
the Project, 1.7 acres are occupied by Florida scrub jays and will be 
permanently altered. The Project is called Coquina Palms Townhomes, and 
it is located on Wallace Avenue at the water tower site, within Section 
30, Township 27 South, Range 38 East, in the central beaches area of 
Brevard County, Florida.
    The Service also announces the availability of an environmental 
assessment and habitat conservation plan for the incidental take 
application. Copies of the EA or HCP may be obtained by making a 
request to the Regional Office address below. Requests must be 
submitted in writing to be adequately processed. 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 October 10, 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. Documents will also be available for public 
inspection by appointment during normal business hours at the Regional 
Office, or the Jacksonville, Florida, Field Office. Written data or 
comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP should be submitted to 
the Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT-806150 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 404/679-7081).
    Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6620 Southpoint 
Drive, South, Suite 310, Jacksonville, Florida 32216-0912, (telephone 
904/232-2580, fax 904/232-2404).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dawn Zattau at the Jacksonville, 
Florida, Field Office, or Rick G. Gooch at the Atlanta, Georgia, 
Regional Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens is 
geographically isolated from other subspecies of scrub jays found in 
Mexico and the Western United States. The Florida scrub jay is found 
almost exclusively in peninsular Florida and is restricted to scrub 
habitat. The total estimated population is between 7,000 and 11,000 
individuals. Due to habitat loss and degradation throughout the State 
of Florida, it has been estimated that the Florida scrub jay population 
has been reduced by at least half in the last 100 years. Surveys have 
indicated that two families of Florida scrub jays inhabit the Project 
site. Construction of the Project's infrastructure and subsequent 
construction of the individual homesites will likely result in death 
of, or injury to, Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens incidental to 
the carrying out of these otherwise lawful activities. Habitat 
alteration associated with property development will reduce the 
availability of feeding, shelter, and nesting habitat.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of three 
alternatives. The no action alternative may result in loss of habitat 
for Aphelocoma coerulescens coerulescens and exposure of the Applicant 
under section 9 of the Act. The second alternative is the proposed 
Project that is designed with a different mitigation strategy. A third 
alternative, the proposed action alternative is 

[[Page 46624]]
issuance of the incidental take permit. This provides for restrictions 
of construction activity, purchase of offsite habitat for the Florida 
scrub jay, the establishment of an endowment fund for the offsite 
acquired habitat, and donation of additional offsite habitat. The HCP 
provides a funding mechanism for these mitigation measures.

    Dated: August 30, 1995.
Noreen K. Clough,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-22143 Filed 9-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P