[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 88 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25228-25229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12111]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement/ Environmental Impact Report on the Natural Community 
Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for the South Subregion of 
Orange County, CA; and Announcement of Public Scoping Meeting

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a 
joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report 
(Impact Statement/Report) for an anticipated incidental take permit 
application from the Environmental Management Agency, County of Orange 
(County), California. The Service has been notified by the County that 
they intend to prepare a Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat 
Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan) to conserve coastal sage scrub 
and adjacent habitats in the South Subregion of Orange County. 
Interested persons are encouraged to attend a public scoping meeting to 
identify and discuss issues and alternatives that should be addressed 
in the Conservation Plan and in the Impact Statement/Report. This 
notice is provided as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act regulations.

DATES: A joint public scoping meeting will be held on May 14, 1998, 
from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Written comments related to the scope and 
content of the Conservation Plan and Impact Statement/Report should be 
received by the Service at the Carlsbad address below by June 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at San Clemente High School, 
Little Theater, 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, California 92673. Oral 
and written comments will be taken at the meeting. Written comments 
also may be mailed to Mr. Jim Bartel, Assistant Field Supervisor, 
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, 
California 92008; or sent by facsimile to (760) 431-9624.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Bradley, Fish and Wildlife 
Biologist, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Carlsbad, California; 
telephone (760) 431-9440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of Documents

    Background material may be obtained by contacting the County 
Environmental Management Agency, Planning and Zoning Administrator, 300 
N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, California 92702. Documents also will be 
available for public inspection by appointment during normal business 
hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday), at the Service's 
Carlsbad office (see ADDRESSES).

Background

    The County intends to prepare a Conservation Plan pursuant to the 
State of California's Natural Community Conservation Planning Act of 
1991 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The purpose of 
the statewide Natural Community Conservation Planning Program is to 
provide for subregional and regional protection of natural diversity, 
while allowing compatible and appropriate development within the 
Natural Community Conservation Planning subregion. This program intends 
that these goals be achieved through the development and implementation 
of Natural Community Conservation Plans. The program is designed to 
provide an alternative to single-species conservation efforts by 
formulating natural community-based habitat protection programs on a 
regional basis to protect the numerous species inhabiting each of the 
targeted communities. The Natural Community Conservation Planning 
process is sponsored jointly by the California Resources Agency and 
California Department of Fish and Game, and is conducted in cooperation 
with the Service pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between Fish 
and Game and the Service dated December 4, 1991.
    The proposed Conservation Plan would identify those actions 
necessary to maintain the viability of the remaining coastal sage scrub 
habitat for the three ``target species'' residing in coastal sage scrub 
habitats in accordance with the State's Conservation Guidelines. The 
target species are the threatened California gnatcatcher (Polioptila 
californica californica), cactus wren (Campylorhynchus 
brunneicapillus), and orange-throated whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorus 
hyperythrus beldingi). The Conservation Plan would treat the three 
target species as listed species and would be subject to the standards 
set forth in section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act, and 50 
CFR 17.32(b) and 17.22(b). In addressing the habitat needs of the three 
target species, the Conservation Plan would benefit other species that 
may be addressed as species receiving regulatory coverage pursuant to 
the provisions of the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act and 
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act. The Natural 
Community Conservation Plan would function as a multiple species 
conservation plan that could establish the basis for maintaining the 
viability of the remaining coastal sage scrub

[[Page 25229]]

ecosystem and other habitats at the community level.
    If the Conservation Plan is approved by the Service, the Service 
would authorize incidental take of the coastal California gnatcatcher 
through the special section 4(d) rule (60 FR 36010) via the Service's 
issued written concurrence that the Conservation Plan meets the 
standards set forth in 50 CFR 17.32(b)(2). In addition, the Service, at 
the request of the County, would simultaneously issue an Endangered 
Species Act section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. The Conservation Plan, coupled 
with an implementation agreement, likely would form the basis for 
issuing an incidental take permit for the cactus wren and orange-
throated whiptail lizard, and any additional species proposed for 
regulatory coverage should these species subsequently be listed.
    The proposed agenda for the facilitated public meeting includes a 
summary of the proposed action, status of and threats to subject 
species, tentative issues, concerns, opportunities and alternatives. 
Attendees of the scoping meeting will have an opportunity to discuss 
the specific coastal sage scrub conservation goals and conservation 
planning alternatives and other aspects of the proposed Conservation 
Plan and related Impact Statement/Report. Submittal of independent 
written comments is encouraged.
    This notice is provided as required by the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (16 USC 1531 et seq., 50 CFR 17.22), and National 
Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1501.7) regulations.

    Dated: May 1, 1998.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 98-12111 Filed 5-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P