[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 214 (Monday, November 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56064-56065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27418]



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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 the San Diego Gas & 
Electric Subregional Natural Community Conservation Plan in Southern 
California.

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) has applied for 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 application includes an implementing agreement 
(IA) and a habitat conservation plan/subregional natural community 
conservation plan (HCP/NCCP) covering the SDG&E service area in 
southern California. The proposed taking of threatened and endangered 
species would be incidental to the installation, maintenance, and 
operation of SDG&E facilities.
    The proposed permit would authorize take of 11 animal species 
listed as endangered and 2 animal species listed as threatened for a 
period of 25 years with options for renewal. SDG&E has requested the 
issuance of permits (immediately or when a species is listed) under 
section 10(a) of the Act that would authorize incidental take, in 
accordance with the terms of the HCP/NCCP, of the 110 sensitive species 
listed in the HCP/NCCP. The Service proposes to finalize covered 
species agreements and offer assurances for 13 listed animal species, 5 
listed plants, and 92 unlisted plants and animals, including 7 plants 
and 2 animals proposed for Federal listing as endangered or threatened 
and 7 plants that are category 1 candidates for Federal listing.
    SDG&E requests coverage for impacts on up to 400 acres of natural 
areas containing covered species. However, based on data from past 
projects, SDG&E estimates a total of 124 acres of both temporary and 
permanent grading disturbances over the next 25 years.
    To avoid or minimize potential impacts, SDG&E has developed 
operational protocols for workers in the field. To compensate for 
unavoidable impacts, SDG&E would: (1) Provide certain fee-owned rights-
of-way to be available for use by wildlife, (2) establish a 
conservation bank of approximately 240 acres that may be replenished as 
needed, and (3) develop restoration protocols for temporary impacts.
    The HCP/NCCP and associated Environmental Assessment (EA) are 
programmatic in scope. Site-specific impacts of new construction 
projects would be reviewed in the future per requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental 
Quality Act.
    This notice advises the public of the availability of the permit 
application, HCP/NCCP, IA, and programmatic EA. Comments are requested 
on these documents which were prepared by the permit applicant and 
their consultants. All comments received, including names and 
addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be 
made available to the public. This notice is provided pursuant to 
section 10(c) of the Act and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
    The Service will evaluate the application, associated documents, 
and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application 
meets the requirements of NEPA regulations and section 10(a) of the 
Act. If it is determined that the requirements are met, an incidental 
take permit will be issued.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before December 6, 
1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Gail C. Kobetich, Field 
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2730 Loker Avenue West, 
Carlsbad, California 92008. Written comments also may be sent by 
facsimile to (619) 431-9618.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sherry Barrett, Endangered Species 
Division Chief, or Jacalyn Fleming, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the 
above address, (619-431-9440).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of Documents

    Persons may obtain copies of the HCP/NCCP, IA, and EA by calling 
the above telephone number. These documents will be available for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours (8 am 
to 5 pm, Monday through Friday) at the above address.

Background

    Under section 9 of the Act, and implementing regulations, taking of 
federally listed threatened or endangered species is prohibited. 

[[Page 56065]]
Taking, in part, is defined as harm or harassment of federally listed 
species, including under certain circumstances, the destruction of 
habitat. Under limited circumstances, the Service may issue section 
10(a)(1)(B) permits to take listed species if such taking is incidental 
to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations 
governing permits for listed species are found at Title 50 Code of 
Federal Regulations 17.22 and 17.32.
    SDG&E has applied for a 25-year permit, with options for renewal, 
to authorize incidental take associated with the installation, 
maintenance and operation of its facilities which are or will be 
necessary to provide natural gas, electricity and other services to its 
customers. These actions include the installation of overhead and 
underground facilities, substations, and regulator stations, including 
other ground disturbance such as building and maintaining access roads, 
geotechnical testing, emergency repairs, and clearing for fire control. 
SDG&E operations and facilities cross city and county jurisdictional 
boundaries in San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties, California. 
The HCP/NCCP details specific project actions that may lead to 
incidental take of species and specific actions that will mitigate 
those takings. These impacts and mitigation measures are further 
addressed in the HCP/NCCP, IA, and EA.
    The alternatives under consideration include: (1) The proposed 
action, (2) no action, and (3) compliance with local jurisdiction's 
subarea plans. Only the proposed action conserves both listed and 
unlisted species, restricts the use and development of certain SDG&E 
fee-owned rights-of-way for wildlife and preservation, and addresses 
all SDG&E activities over the entire service area.
    All agencies and individuals are urged to provide comments and 
suggestions regarding the EA, IA, and the consistency of the SDG&E HCP/
NCCP with regional conservation planning efforts. All comments received 
by the closing date will be considered in finalizing NEPA compliance 
and permit issuance or denial.

    Dated: October 30, 1995.
Thomas Dwyer,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 95-27418 Filed 11-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P