[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8300-8301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4933]



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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 From Sage Development 
Company, LLC, Daphne, AL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Sage Development Company, LLC, (Applicant), has applied to the 
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit 
pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). 
The proposed permit would authorize for a period of 30 years the 
incidental take of an endangered species, the Alabama beach mouse 
(Peromyscus polionotus ammobates), known to occupy a 25.7-acre tract of 
land owned by the Applicant on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, Baldwin 
County, Alabama. The Application proposes to construct a project known 
as The Dunes, which will include 3 condominium complexes, 38 single 
family/duplex lots, their associated landscaped grounds and parking 
areas, recreational amenities, and dune walkover structures (Project).
    The Service also announces the availability of an environmental 
assessment (EA) and habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the incidental 
take application. Copies of the EA or HCP may be obtained by making 
requests to the addresses below. This notice is provided pursuant to 
Section 10 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 April 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia. 
Persons wishing to review the EA or HCP may obtain a copy by writing 
the Regional Office or the Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Requests 
must be writing to properly process requests. 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, EA, or HCP should be submitted to 
the Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT-811416 in such 
comments.
    Regional Permit Coordinator (TE), 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, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, 
Mississippi 39213 (telephone 601/965-4900, FAX 601/965-4340).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Will McDearman at the above 
Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alabama beach mouse (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 change 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. The sand dune 
systems 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 
that 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 condominium placement and subsequent human 
habitation of the project may reduce available habitat for food, 
shelter, and reproduction.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of several 
alternatives. One action proposed is the issuance of the incidental 
take permit based upon submittal of the HCP as proposed. This 
alternative provides for restrictions that include placing no habitable 
structures seaward of the designated ABM critical habitat, 
establishment of walkover structures across designated critical 
habitat, a prohibition against housing or keeping pet cats, ABM 
competitor control and monitoring measures, scavenger-proof garbage 
containers, creation of educational and information brochures on ABM 
conservation, and 

[[Page 8301]]
the minimization and control of outdoor lighting. Further, the HCP 
proposes to provide an endowment to acquire ABM habitat off-site or 
otherwise perform some other conservation measure for the ABM. The HCP 
provides a funding source for these mitigation measures. Another 
alternative is consideration of a different project design that further 
minimizes permanent loss of ABM habitat. A third alternative is no-
action, or deny the request for authorization to incidentally take the 
ABM.

    Dated: February 26, 1996.
Noreen K. Clough,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-4933 Filed 3-1-96; 8:45 am]
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