[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52741-52742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25967]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of
Availability and Opening of Comment Period for an Environmental
Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for
Incidental Take Permit for the 160-Acre Lazy K Bar Ranch in Pima
County, AZ
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, DOI.
ACTION: Notice: Issuance of an incidental take permit for a Habitat
Conservation Plan (HCP).
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice
of the availability of an EA/HCP for the Lazy K Bar Ranch in Pima
County, Arizona. LKB, LLC (Applicant) has applied to the Service for an
incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the
Endangered Species Act (Act). The Applicant has been assigned permit
number TE 2796-0. The requested permit, which is in perpetuity, would
authorize incidental take in the form of habitat loss and harassment of
the endangered cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum
cactorum). The proposed take on 160-acres of private land would occur
from resort/guest ranch and/or residential land uses on the Lazy K Bar
Ranch, Pima County, Arizona.
The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application. A
determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) will not be made until 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 November 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review
the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Tom Gatz, Acting Field
Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal
Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021, (602-640-2720; Fax 602-
640-2730). 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, Phoenix, Arizona. Written data
or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted
to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, Phoenix,
Arizona (see address above). Please refer to permit number TE 2796-0
when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Gatz or Angela Brooks at the above
Arizona Ecological Services Field Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species such as the cactus
ferruginous pygmy-owl. However, the Service, under limited
circumstances, may issue permits to take threatened or 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.
The EA considers the environmental consequences of two
alternatives, including the proposed action. Two other alternatives
were explored, but were rejected as unworkable. The proposed action
alternative is issuance of the incidental take permit and
implementation of the HCP as submitted by the Applicant. The HCP
provides conservation measures to minimize take and conserve Plan
Species habitats within the project area. The HCP also provides funding
for monitoring of Plan Species populations and habitats and for its
implementation.
APPLICANT: LKB, LLC proposes to purchase the Lazy K Bar Ranch from its
current owner and develop 50 residential lots on the 160-acre . The
anticipated incidental take will be limited to harassment of up to two
adult cactus ferruginous pygmy-owls (and their young) that may be
associated with any construction activities within the subject property
and loss of approximately 31 acres of potential habitat from proposed
residential development. The Lazy K Bar Ranch is located in Pima
County, northwest of Tucson, Arizona.
[[Page 52742]]
Dated: September 22, 1998.
Geoffrey J. Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 98-25967 Filed 9-30-98; 8:45 am]
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