[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6381-6382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3654]



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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for a Permit To Authorize Incidental Take of the Threatened 
Northern Spotted Owl by the Scofield Corporation, Near Leavenworth, 
Chelan County, Washington

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Scofield Corporation 
of Chelan, Washington (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-811110. The 
requested permit would authorize the incidental take of northern 
spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) (owls) that may occur in or 
near the planning area in Chelan County, Washington, as a result of the 
Applicant's timber-management activities. A Habitat Conservation Plan 
(HCP) was submitted as part of the application in accordance with 
section 10(a) of the Act.
    The Service announces the availability of an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the proposed issuance of the incidental take permit 
and approval of the HCP. All comments received will become part of the 
public record and may be released. 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 March 21, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or EA should be addressed 
to Curt Smitch, Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Pacific Northwest Habitat Conservation Plan Program, 3773 
Martin Way East, Building C--Suite 101, Olympia, Washington 98501; 
(360) 534-9330. Please refer to permit number PRT-

[[Page 6382]]
811110 when submitting comments. Individuals wishing copies of the 
application or EA for review should immediately contact the office 
listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Hansen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, at the office listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations, 
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species is prohibited. However, 
the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take 
threatened or endangered wildlife species if such taking is incidental 
to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations 
governing permits for threatened and endangered species are in 50 CFR 
17.32 and 17.22, respectively.
    The Applicant proposes to implement a HCP for the owl that will 
allow timber harvest on the 40-acre project area. The Applicant's 
proposed timber harvest may result in the take, as defined in the Act 
and its implementing regulations, of the owl. The permit would be in 
effect for one year. The terms of the HCP, which include conservation 
benefits for the owl, would be in effect into perpetuity.
    The Applicant proposes to mitigate for potential impacts from 
incidental take of the owl by retaining a buffer of intact habitat, 
implementing a selective timber harvest, and placing a perpetual deed 
restriction on the property permanently prohibiting further timber 
harvest or tree removal. This would ensure the retention of some owl 
habitat and approximately 72 percent of the total number of trees after 
harvest. The retention of habitat and trees, and the deed restriction 
would ensure the availability of owl habitat in the future. The harvest 
method and timing would further minimize impacts to owls. If possible, 
all trees would be felled in winter or early spring which would 
minimally disturb owls and other wildlife. Harvesting while there is 
still snow on the ground would prevent potential ground disturbance by 
the felled trees. In addition, all felled trees would be removed by 
helicopter, thus precluding the need for road construction into the 
project area, and minimizing impacts to owl habitat and the ground.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of the proposed 
action and no-action alternatives. The proposed action alternative is 
the issuance of a permit under section 10(a) of the Act that would 
authorize incidental take of the owl. The proposed action would require 
the Applicant to implement their HCP. Under the no-action alternative, 
the permit would not be issued, and the Applicant would avoid the take 
of owls by delaying harvest until: (1) the owl site center is moved 
such that the project area is outside the territorial circle, or (2) 
the owl territorial circle has been changed to historic status after 3 
consecutive years of protocol owl surveys have resulted in no owl 
detections, or (3) regulatory release is provided, such as a 4(d) 
special rule under the Act providing an exemption for small landowners, 
or (4) forests on surrounding U.S. Forest Service or other land 
regenerates or develops to provide greater than 40 percent owl habitat 
within the 1.8 mile radius owl circle.

    Dated: February 13, 1996.

(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 by the Scofield Corporation.)
H. Dale Hall,
Acting Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 96-3654 Filed 2-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P