[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 94 (Monday, May 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26771-26772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12314]


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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 Two Single Family Residences, Each on 0.75 Acres of 
the 20.5 Acres on City Park Road in Travis County, TX

SUMMARY: John and Jim Hunt (Applicants) have 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 Applicants 
have been assigned permit number TE-010556-0. 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 construction of two single 
family residences on City Park Road, Austin, Travis County, Texas.
    The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat 
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take applications. 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

[[Page 26772]]

National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).

DATES: Written comments on the application should be received on or 
before June 16, 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 (512/490-0063). 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 Field 
Office, Austin, Texas at the above address. Please refer to permit 
number TE-010556-0 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Longacre at the above Austin 
Ecological Services 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.

Applicants

    Jim and John Hunt plan to construct two single family residences on 
City Park Road Austin, Travis County, Texas. This action will eliminate 
less than two acres of habitat and indirectly impact less than eight 
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 per home into the Balcones 
Canyonlands Preserve to acquire/manage lands for the conservation of 
the golden-cheeked warbler and place the remaining balance of the 
property in a conservation easement in perpetuity.
    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 
increase the impacts on the listed species and surrounding environment.
Geoffery Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 99-12314 Filed 5-14-99; 8:45 am]
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