[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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