[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 63 (Monday, April 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14332-14333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7630]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation 
Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit for 
Construction of Park 22, a 32-Acre Commercial Development on RR 2222 in 
Travis County, Texas

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Park 22 Joint Venture has applied to the Fish and Wildlife 
Service for an incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a) of the 
Endangered Species Act. The applicant has been assigned permit number 
PRT-807192. The requested permit, which is for a period of 30 years, 
would authorize the incidental take of the endangered golden-cheeked 
warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). The proposed take would occur as a 
result of the construction of a commercial development on RR 2222 in 
Travis County, Texas.
    The Fish and Wildlife Service has prepared the Environmental 
Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take 
application. A determination of whether jeopardy to the species will 
result from issuance of this permit, or a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) will not be made before 30 days from the date of 
publication of this notice. The 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 application should be received on or 
before May 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review 
the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Joseph E. Johnston or Sybil 
Vosler, Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, 
Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0063). Documents will be available for 
public inspection during normal business hours (8:00 to 4:30), U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas. Written data or comments 
concerning the application and EA/HCPs should be submitted to the Field 
Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, Austin, Texas (see 
address above). Please refer to permit number PRT-807192 when 
submitting comments.


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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph E. Johnston or Sybil Vosler at 
the above Austin Ecological Service Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler. 
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to 
take endangered wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of, 
otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for 
endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.

Applicant

    Park 22 Joint Venture plans to construct a commercial development 
in Travis County, Texas. This action will eliminate less than 12 acres 
of golden-cheeked warbler habitat and indirectly impacts less than 22 
additional acres of habitat. The applicant proposes to compensate for 
this incidental take of golden-cheeked warbler habitat by purchasing 
approximately 45 acres of golden-cheeked warbler habitat located within 
the same watershed or adjacent habitat in Travis County, through an 
accepted conservation entity and providing for the maintenance of the 
acquired habitat.
    Alternatives to this action were rejected because selling or not 
developing the subject property with Federally-listed species present 
was not economically feasible.
Nancy M. Kaufman,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 96-7630 Filed 3-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P