[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13063-13064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6807]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit for the 
Coastal California Gnatcatcher Associated With Residential Development 
on the Bennett Property, City of Chula Vista, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Western Pacific Housing (applicant) has submitted an 
application with a Habitat Conservation Plan to the Fish and Wildlife 
Service for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) 
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The applicant 
proposes to develop residential housing on a 5-acre parcel in the City 
of Chula Vista, California. The proposed permit would authorize the 
incidental take of one pair of the threatened coastal California 
gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica

[[Page 13064]]

californica) known to occur on this parcel.
    The Service has determined that the Bennett Habitat Conservation 
Plan (Bennett Plan) qualifies as a low effect plan as defined by the 
Service's Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). The 
Service has further determined that approval of the Bennett Plan 
qualifies as a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental 
Policy Act, as provided by the Department of the Interior Manual (516 
DM 2, Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6, Appendix 1). This determination is 
explained in an Environmental Action Statement which is available for 
public review.

DATES: Written comments on the permit application, Bennett Plan, and 
Environmental Action Statement should be received on or before April 
16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Field 
Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, 
Carlsbad, California 92008. Comments may be sent by facsimile to (760) 
431-9624.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kim Marsden, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, at the above address or call (760) 431-9440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of Documents

    Persons may obtain a copy of the permit application, Bennett Plan, 
and Environmental Action Statement by calling the Service's Carlsbad 
Fish and Wildlife Office at the telephone number above. Documents also 
will be available for public inspection by appointment during normal 
business hours at that office (see ADDRESSES).

Background

    Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act and its implementing 
regulations prohibit the ``taking'' of threatened or endangered 
species. However, under limited circumstances the Service may issue 
permits to take endangered and/or threatened species incidental to, and 
not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing 
permits for endangered and/or threatened species are promulgated at 50 
CFR 17.22 and 17.32.
    Under the proposed action, construction activities would directly 
impact one pair of gnatcatchers by removal of 4.2 acres of foraging 
habitat on a 5-acre parcel. The parcel is bounded on three sides by 
development and on the fourth by a road. The parcel has been previously 
graded and revegetated with a mixture of plants that are native to both 
coastal and desert areas of southern California and with horticultural 
ornamentals. The revegetated scrub is similar in stature to coastal 
sage scrub but is not considered to be coastal sage scrub. The 
applicant has submitted a habitat conservation plan that describes 
consideration of alternatives to the action and provisions for 
minimization and mitigation of impacts including off-site acquisition 
of 4.2 acres of coastal sage scrub within the preserve area of the City 
of Chula Vista's Multiple Species Conservation Program. The Bennett 
Plan also provides measures to avoid direct take of the California 
gnatcatchers if vegetation clearing would occur within the normal 
California gnatcatcher breeding season.
    Two alternatives to the proposed project action were considered: 
the ``no project'' alternative and the ``partial-clearing'' 
alternative. Each of these alternatives was rejected because they would 
not meet the project purpose and were economically unfeasible.
    The Service has determined that the Bennett Plan qualifies as a 
``low-effect'' plan as defined by the Service's Habitat Conservation 
Planning Handbook (November 1996). Low-effect plans are those involving 
(1) minor or negligible effects on federally listed and candidate 
species and their habitats, and (2) minor or negligible effects on 
other environmental values or resources. The Bennett Plan qualifies as 
a low-effect plan for the following reasons:
    1. The effects of the plan are minor or negligible on federally 
listed, proposed, or candidate species and their habitats. The 
harassment of one pair of California gnatcatchers by removal of 4.2 
acres of their foraging habitat is considered a negligible effect 
because: (a) The project site has been previously graded and 
revegetated to an assemblage of plants that does not comprise a natural 
community; and (b) the removal of this vegetation will not appreciably 
reduce any food resource, or affect reproduction because there is 
foraging habitat within 50 meters of the project site in naturally-
occurring suitable habitat. In addition, the project will not affect 
any proposed or candidate species or their habitats.
    2. The effects of the project are minor or negligible on other 
environmental resources. The effects on air quality will not be 
significant because of the small size of the project site and the 
limited duration of construction. Impacts to geology and soils are 
negligible because the site has been previously graded. Impacts to 
water quality are not anticipated as a result of this project because 
it is small, surrounded by existing development, not located close to 
any body of water, and ground disturbing activities will be minimal. No 
known cultural sites exist on the site, therefore, no impacts to 
cultural resources are anticipated. No changes in land use or the 
socio-economic environment are expected to occur as a result of 
implementing the Bennett Plan because the project site is located in an 
existing housing subdivision surrounded by residential development and 
a paved road.
    3. No significant cumulative effects are expected to occur as a 
result of project implementation. The site was previously graded and 
revegetated to an unnatural assemblage of plants. The loss of 4.2 acres 
of non-coastal sage scrub vegetation on previously graded land will not 
result in significant cumulative effects to the coastal California 
gnatcatcher.
    In addition, none of the exceptions to categorical exclusions (from 
516 DM 2.3, Appendix 2) apply to the Bennett Plan. The Service 
therefore has determined that approval of the Bennett Plan qualifies as 
a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act, as 
provided by the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 2, Appendix 1 
and 516 DM 6, Appendix 1). No further National Environmental Policy Act 
documentation will therefore be prepared.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the Endangered 
Species Act. The Service will evaluate the permit application, the 
Bennett Plan, and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the 
application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Endangered 
Species Act. If it is determined that the requirements are met, a 
permit will be issued. The final permit decision will be made no sooner 
than 30 days from the date of this notice.

    Dated: March 11, 1998.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 98-6807 Filed 3-16-98; 8:45 am]
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