[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 188 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50503-50504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24677]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Decision and Availability of Decision Documents on the 
Issuance of Permits for Incidental Take of Threatened and Endangered 
Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that a decision has been made, 
incidental take permits have been issued, and decision documents are 
available, upon request, for 11 applications for permits to 
incidentally take threatened and endangered species, pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Take would occur incidental 
to otherwise lawful land use activitities (planned urban growth and 
associated infrastructure) within the planning area of the Natural 
Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for the Central 
and Coastal Subregion of Orange County, California.

ADDRESSES: Individuals wishing copies of the Record of Decision, 
Biological/Conference Opinion, or Findings and Recommendations should 
contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Field Office, 2730 
Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gail Kobetich, Field Supervisor, 
at the

[[Page 50504]]

above address; telephone (619) 431-9440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Decision

    Based on the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat 
Conservation Plan for the Central and Coastal Subregion of Orange 
County, California, as described in the Final Environmental Impact 
Report/Environmental Impact Statement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service has adopted the Preferred Alternative and issued incidental 
take permits to the following 11 applicants, subject to certain 
conditions therein:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Issuance 
                     Name                        Permit No.      date   
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The Irvine Company............................       810191      7/10/96
Irvine Ranch Water District...................       810567      7/10/96
Orange County.................................       810569      7/10/96
Southern California Edison Company............       810572      7/10/96
Transportation Corridor Agencies..............       810574      7/10/96
University of California-Irvine...............       810575      7/10/96
Metropolitan Water District of Southern                                 
 California...................................       810579      7/10/96
Santiago Water District.......................       810580      7/10/96
Chandis Securities Company....................       810581      7/10/96
M.H. Sherman Company..........................       810582      7/10/96
Sherman Foundation............................       810583      7/10/96
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    These permits authorize the incidental take of seven species listed 
as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, of 1973, 
as amended: the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila 
californica californica), and the endangered American peregrine falcon 
(Falco peregrinus anatum), least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), 
southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailliiextimus), Arroyo toad 
(Bufo microscaphus californicus), Riverside fairy shrimp 
(Streptocephalus wootoni), and Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus 
longimembris pacificus). These permits also authorize the future 
incidental take, should it be necessary, of 37 currently unlisted 
species, effective upon listing.

Rationale for Decision

    This decision is based on a thorough review of the environmental 
consequences of the action and three alternatives. Implementation of 
the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for 
the Central and Coastal Subregion of Orange County was selected as the 
Preferred Alternative based on consideration of environmental, social, 
and economic factors. This alternative provides for the establishment 
of a comprehensive 37,378-acre reserve system for the coastal sage 
scrub ecosystem in the subregion which will be managed in perpetuity to 
provide long-term benefits to 44 species and their habitats. This 
alternative also accommodates necessary and compatible land uses within 
the subregion while avoiding significant environmental impacts. 
Implementation of this alternative is assured through an Implementation 
Agreement (legal contract) among the 11 permittees, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Game. By 
adopting the Preferred Alternative with its assurances that the Natural 
Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for the Central 
and Coastal Subregion of Orange County will be implemented, all 
practicable means to avoid or minimize the impacts of the taking have 
been adopted.
    The permits were granted only after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service determined that each permit was applied for in good faith; that 
all permit issuance criteria were met, including the requirement that 
granting the permits will not jeopardize the continued existence of the 
species; and that the permits are consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

    Dated: September 13, 1996.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 96-24677 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P