[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9443-9444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5135]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Preparation of a Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Impact Statement on a Permit To Incidentally Take Threatened and 
Endangered Species in Association With the Clark County Multiple 
Species Conservation Plan in Clark County, NV

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent and public scoping meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has been notified 
by Clark County (County), Nevada, that the County, and certain cities 
within the County, intend to prepare a Clark County Multiple Species 
Conservation Plan (Multi-Species Conservation Plan) to conserve species 
and their habitats throughout the County. The Multi-Species 
Conservation Plan would be prepared pursuant to the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed Multi-Species Conservation 
Plan would identify those actions necessary to maintain the viability 
of natural habitats in the County for approximately 225 species 
residing in those habitats, including five species listed as endangered 
(Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus; Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, 
Empidonax trailli extimus; Moapa Dace, Moapa coriacea; Woundfin, 
Plagopterus argentissimus; Virgin River Chub, Gila seminuda ssp.). The 
Multi-Species Conservation Plan would treat all of the approximately 75 
proposed covered species as listed and all covered species would be 
subject to the standards set forth in section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, 
and 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.32. In addressing the habitat needs of the 
covered species the Multi-Species Conservation Plan would benefit other 
species utilizing the same habitats. In addition, the Multi-Species 
Conservation Plan would establish a process to assure the maintenance 
of the viability of natural habitats for approximately 150 other 
species and to eventually extend coverage to those species. It would 
function as a multiple species conservation plan that could establish 
the basis for maintaining the viability of the remaining natural 
ecosystems throughout the County.
    If the Multi-Species Conservation Plan is approved by the Service, 
the Service would authorize incidental take of the listed species 
covered by the plan through the issuance of a section 10(a)(1)(B) 
permit. The Multi-Species Conservation Plan, coupled with an 
Implementation Agreement which includes prelisting provisions, would 
form the basis for an incidental take permit for additional species if 
these species become listed.

DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 
11, 1997, in the Cafeteria at the Clark County Government Center, 500 
S. Grand Central Parkway, 6th Floor, Las Vegas, Nevada 89155-8270, to 
identify potential issues and alternatives for the Clark County 
Multiple Species Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.
    Interested persons are encouraged to attend the public meeting to 
identify and discuss issues and alternatives that should be addressed 
in the Environmental Impact Statement. The proposed agenda for the 
public scoping meeting includes a summary of the proposed action, 
status of and threats to subject species, tentative issues, concerns, 
opportunities, and alternatives. Identified issues of concern include 
effects of plan implementation on the fish and wildlife resources of 
Clark County, land use and activities on public and private lands, 
growth, and social and economic health of the County.
    Persons attending the Scoping Meeting will have an opportunity to 
present their comments and suggestions regarding the scope of issues to 
be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement. Submittal of 
independent written comments is encouraged.
    Written comments related to the scope and content of the Multi-
Species Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement should be 
received by the Service at the address below by April 2, 1997.


[[Page 9444]]


ADDRESSES: Information, comments, or questions related to the 
preparation of the Multi-Species Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Impact Statement should be submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
State Supervisor, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Suite 125C, Reno Nevada 89502-
5055.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Persons wishing to review background 
material may obtain it by contacting the Clark County Desert 
Conservation Plan Administrator, Clark County Government Center, 500 S. 
Grand Central Parkway, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 558270, Las Vegas, Nevada 
89155-8270. Documents also will be available for public inspection by 
appointment during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-
Friday) at the above address or by telephone (702-455-3536).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 11, 1995, the Service issued a 
10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit effective August 1, 1995, to Clark 
County, the Cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, 
Henderson, Mesquite, and the Nevada Department of Transportation for 
the Clark County Desert Conservation Plan (Desert Conservation Plan), a 
habitat conservation plan for the Mojave Desert Tortoise, a species 
listed as threatened by the Service in 1990. The Desert Conservation 
Plan provides for conservation measures for the desert tortoise in the 
County and for incidental take consistent with the long-term viability 
of the species in this portion of its range.
    The Desert Conservation Plan includes provisions for a proactive 
approach to conservation planning for multiple species in the County. 
The specified intent of this approach was to reduce the likelihood of 
future listing of plants and wildlife as threatened or endangered. 
While the proposed Multi-Species Conservation Plan is the direct 
outgrowth of provisions of the Desert Conservation Plan, it will not 
replace or modify the approved Desert Conservation Plan. The Multi-
Species Conservation Plan will provide stand-alone conservation 
measures for species included in the plan. Implementation of the 
conservation measures in the Multi-Species Conservation Plan is 
anticipated to be a cooperative effort among the County, the Cities of 
Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, and Mesquite, the 
Service, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National 
Park Service, Nevada Division of Wildlife, and other Federal and State 
land managers and regulators.
    Environmental review of the Multi-Species Conservation Plan will be 
conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), 
other appropriate regulations, and Service procedures for compliance 
with those regulations. This notice is being furnished in accordance 
with section 1501.7 of the National Environmental Policy Act to obtain 
suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the 
scope of issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement.

    Dated: February 24, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon
[FR Doc. 97-5135 Filed 2-28-97; 8:45 am]
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