[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 6590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3002]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[I.D. 020200D]


Availability of the Record of Decision for the Proposed 
Modification of a Habitat Conservation Plan With Respect to a Permit 
Allowing Incidental Take of Threatened and Endangered Species for Plum 
Creek Timber Company Lands in the Interstate-90 Corridor of King and 
Kittitas Counties, Washington

AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce; Fish and Wildlife Service 
(FWS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that NMFS and FWS (the 
Services) have decided to approve a request by Plum Creek Timber 
Company (Plum Creek) to modify the Plum Creek Cascades Habitat 
Conservation Plan (HCP) incidental take permit (PRT-808398), issued 
pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended, by incorporating the results of the Interstate-90 Land 
Exchange Act (I-90LXA). The public is also notified that the Record of 
Decision for this action is available upon request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Individuals wishing copies of the 
Record of Decision, or other supporting documents regarding this 
action, should contact William Vogel; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 
510 Desmond Drive; Suite 102; Lacey, Washington 98503; telephone (360) 
753-9440.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Plum Creek has requested modification of the HCP to accommodate the 
new land-base resulting from enactment of the I-90LXA. The Services' 
decision is to adopt the Preferred Alternative, as described in the 
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS). This 
decision is based on a thorough review of the alternatives and their 
environmental consequences. By adopting the Preferred Alternative with 
its assurances that the mitigation program and enforcement measures be 
implemented, all practicable means to avoid or minimize harm have been 
adopted.
    The Proposed HCP Modification, as described in the proposed 
Modification Document and analyzed in the FSEIS, provides the most 
comprehensive package of conservation prescriptions and activities of 
all of the alternatives. None of the other alternatives provide as 
integrated and comprehensive a package of habitat conservation as the 
Proposed HCP Modification. The Proposed HCP Modification accommodates 
the new land-base and applies the prescriptive conservation measures to 
the newly acquired lands within the HCP Planning Area.

    Dated: December 23, 1999.
William B. Zimmerman,
Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, 
Oregon.

    Dated: February 4, 2000.
Wanda L. Cain,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3002 Filed 2-9-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F