[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 38191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18827]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


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

ACTION: Second Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: This is the second issuance of this draft document. The 
Service has decided that new information incorporated into this 
document was significant enough to warrant an additional public comment 
period. 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 Service 
and the City of Austin have 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 not be made before at least 30 days 
from the date of publication of this notice. This notice is provided 
pursuant to Section 10(c) 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 August 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Persons 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) at the 
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 will 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.

    Dated: July 6, 1998.
Frank Shoemaker,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 98-18827 Filed 7-14-98; 8:45 am]
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