[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 12817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6621]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat 
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit 
for the City of Austin for the Operation and Maintenance of Barton 
Springs Pool and Adjacents Springs

SUMMARY: The City of Austin has applied to the Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to Section 
10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The applicant has been 
assigned permit number PRT--839031. The requested permit, which is for 
a period of 15 years, would authorize the incidental take of the 
endangered Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum). The proposed 
take would occur as the result of the operation and maintenance of 
Barton Springs Pool and adjacent springs in Austin, Travis County, 
Texas.
    The City of Austin has prepared an Environmental Assessment/Habitat 
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take permit application. 
A determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) will be made at least 30 days from the date 
of publication of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to 
Section 10 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 April 15, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Person wishing to review the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by 
contacting Matthew Lechner, Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 
Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0057). 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 and EA/HCP 
should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field 
Office, Austin, Texas, at the above address. Please refer to permit 
number PRT--839031 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Lechner at the above Austin 
Ecological Services Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species such as the Barton Springs salamander. 
Take means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, 
capture or collect. 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

    The City of Austin plans to maintain and operate Barton Springs 
Pool and the adjacent springs in Austin, Travis County, Texas. This 
action may cause the incidental take of less than 20 salamanders per 
year, for the 15-year term of the permit. The applicant proposes to 
minimize and mitigate for the incidental take of the Barton Springs 
salamander by placing 10 percent of the total revenues generated at 
Barton Springs Pool into a conservation fund. The fund would be used 
for enhancing habitat and for ecological and biological research on the 
Barton Springs salamander. In addition, mitigation measures are 
included in the Habitat Conservation Plan.
Don Ciccone,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 98-6621 Filed 3-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P