[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 13436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6572]



[[Page 13436]]

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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 Construction of One Single Family Residence on 0.75 acre of the 5 
acres owned by Fred P. Stein on Walnut Springs Road in Williamson 
County, TX.

SUMMARY: Mr. Fred Stein (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. 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 TE-007891-0. The requested permit, which is 
for a period of 5 years, would authorize the incidental take of the 
endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). The proposed 
take would occur as a result of the construction of one single family 
residence on Walnut Springs Road in Williamson County, Texas.
    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 April 19, 1999.

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 Christina Longacre, 
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 Field Office, 
Austin, Texas at the above address. Please refer to permit number TE-
007891-0 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Longacre at the above Austin 
Ecological Service Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler. 
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: Mr. Fred Stein plans to construct a single family 
residence on Walnut Springs Road in Williamson County, Texas. This 
action will eliminate less than one acre of habitat and indirectly 
impact less than four additional acres of golden-cheeked warbler 
habitat. The applicant proposes to compensate for this incidental take 
of golden-cheeked warbler habitat by donating $1,500 into the Balcones 
Canyonlands Preserve to acquire/manage lands for the conservation of 
the golden-cheeked warbler.
    Alternatives to this action were rejected because not developing 
the subject property with federally listed species present was not 
economically feasible and alteration of the project design would not 
decrease the impacts.
Geoffery L. Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 99-6572 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P