[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 48 (Monday, March 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9717-9718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5692]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for an Incidental Take Permit for Parkside Homes Planned 
Unit Development, South San Francisco, San Mateo County, California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that Parkside Homes Planned 
Unit Development 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 811259. The proposed permit 
would authorize the incidental take of the endangered mission blue 
butterfly (Icaricia icaroides 

[[Page 9718]]
missionensis) and San Bruno elfin butterfly (Callophrys mossii 
bayensis) and/or their habitat during the construction of a housing 
development. The permit would become effective for the Callippe 
silverspot butterfly (Speyeria callippe callippe), currently proposed 
for endangered status, if it is listed under the Act. The permit would 
be in effect for 10 years.
    The Service also announces the availability of an environmental 
assessment (EA) for the incidental take permit application, which 
includes the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) fully describing 
the proposed project and mitigation, and the accompanying Implementing 
Agreement (IA). This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of 
the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 
1506.6). All comments, including names and addresses, received will 
become part of the official administrative record and may be made 
available to the public.

DATES: Written comments on the permit application, EA and IA should be 
received on or before April 10, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or adequacy of the EA and 
IA 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. Please refer to permit number 
PRT-811259 when submitting comments. Individuals wishing copies of the 
application, EA or IA for review should immediately contact the above 
office (916-979-2725).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Michael Horton or Ms. Tiki Baron, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Sacramento Field Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-1823, Sacramento, 
California 95825 (916-979-2725).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of Documents

    Individuals wishing copies of the documents should immediately 
contact the Service's Sacramento Field Office at the above referenced 
address, or by telephone at (916) 979-2725. Documents will also be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the above address.

Background

    Section 9 of the Act prohibits the ``taking'' of a species listed 
as threatened or endangered. However, the Service, under limited 
circumstances, may issue permits to take listed species incidental to, 
and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations 
governing permits for threatened species are promulgated in 50 CFR 
17.32; regulations governing permits for endangered species are 
promulgated in 50 CFR 17.22.
    Parkside Homes proposes to construct 156 units of moderate-cost 
housing on a 25.4-acre parcel in South San Francisco, San Mateo County, 
California. The site is located on the north side of Sign Hill and 
faces the south side of San Bruno Mountain. Parkside Homes seeks 
coverage for the removal of habitat for the mission blue butterfly, San 
Bruno Elfin butterfly, and Callippe silverspot butterfly on 19.53 acres 
of the site. Though the proposed project would remove suitable habitat 
for these butterfiles, the HCP involves the establishment of a 12.11-
acre butterfly conservation area onsite to be maintained in perpetuity. 
The conservation area would include 5.87 acres of ungraded land and 
6.24 acres of graded land, restored as butterfly habitat. All Sedum 
spathulifolium and Viola pedunculata, host plants for the San Bruno 
elfin butterfly and Callippe silverspot, respectively, within the 
grading plan would be transplanted to the conservation area. In 
addition, approximately 250 lupine (host plant for the mission blue 
butterfly) and 100 Sedum (host plant for the San Bruno elfin butterfly) 
would be planted in the conservation area. Other measures are specified 
in the HCP to minimize to potential for take during construction 
activities.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of three 
alternatives. The no project alternative would result in no immediate 
environmental impacts. However, under this alternative a butterfly 
conservation area would not be established and maintained in 
perpetuity, and the quality of the existing habitat may decline over 
time as a result of invasive exotic vegetation which exists on the 
site. This alternative was rejected because it would deny the landowner 
the opportunity to develop housing on the property and no enhancement 
of the site for listed species would occur. Alternative 1, the proposed 
action, was selected because: (1) It best satisfies the needs and 
purpose of the proposed project; (2) it is likely to result in a 
relatively low level of incidental take; and (3) impacts are minimized 
and mitigated through the establishment of a butterfly conservation 
area. The third alternative involves the development of 25 single 
family homes on one-acre lots over the entire 25.4-acre parcel. This 
alternative was not selected because: (1) The level of incidental take 
would likely be greater than under the Preferred Alternative 1; and (2) 
and conservation areas established on site would be relatively small 
and fragmented.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Act and 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (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 section 10(a) of the Act. If it 
is determined that the requirements are met, a permit will be issued 
for the incidental take of the listed species. The final permit 
decision will be made no sooner than 30 days from the date of this 
notice.

    Dated: March 1, 1996.
Thomas Dwyer,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 96-5692 Filed 3-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M