[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 140 (Friday, July 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 37761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18399]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application to Amend Incidental Take
Permit PRT-782829 to Allow Construction and Operation of a Residential
and Commercial Development on Davenport Ranch in Austin, Travis County,
Texas
SUMMARY: Davenport Limited (applicant) has applied to the Fish Wildlife
Service (Service) to amend incidental take permit PRT-782829 pursuant
to Section 10(a)(1)(b) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The
requested amendment, 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
development of 185 residential lots and 2 commercial lots with
associated streets and utilities on roughly 209 acres of a 272-acre
parcel in Davenport Ranch located in Austin, Travis County, Texas.
The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the amendment. A determination of
whether jeopardy to the species is likely to result, or a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI), will not be made before 30 days from the
date of publication of this notice.
This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10(a) 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 August 19, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing 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 Mary Orms, Ecological Services
Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512/
490-0063). Documents will be available for public inspection by written
request, by appointment only, during normal business hours (8:00 to
4:30) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas. Written data or
comments concerning the application(s) and EA/HCPs should be submitted
to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Field Office, Austin, Texas (see
ADDRESSES above). Please refer to permit number PRT-782829 when
submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Orms at the above Austin Ecological Services 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 or
amend issued permits to take endangered wildlife species when such
taking is incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful
activities. Regulations governing permits for endangered species are at
50 CFR 17.22.
Applicant
Davenport Limited plans to construct 185 residential lots and two
commercial lots on a 272-acre parcel in Davenport Ranch. The
construction will be located on the south end of approximately 112
acres of habitat and will impact two warbler territories. The applicant
proposes to compensate for this loss of golden-cheeked warbler habitat
by purchasing 55 acres of the 128-acre Vaughn Tract located north of
F.M. 2769, roughly 1.6 miles west of its intersection with Bullick
Hollow Road, within the Cypress Creek macrosite preserve area of the
Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan are, in Travis County. The land
will be donated to the Lower Colorado River Authority and funding will
be provided for operation and 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. 96-18399 Filed 7-18-96; 8:45 am]
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