[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 15, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 13985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6327]


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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 an Application for a Permit for the 
Incidental Take of the Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis) During 
Construction of One Single Family Residence on Each of 2 Lots in the 
Circle D Country Acres Subdivision and One Single Family Residence on 
0.5 Acres (Lots 953 and 954) in the Tahitian Village Subdivision, 
Bastrop County, Texas

SUMMARY: CHR Real Estate Venture/Cook Classic Homes (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-
023593-0. The requested permit, which is for a period of 5 years, would 
authorize the incidental take of the endangered Houston toad (Bufo 
houstonensis). The proposed take would occur as a result of the 
construction and occupation of a single family residence on 0.5 acres 
on each of 2 lots [Lot 9, Section 8 (1.03 acres) and Lot 50, Section 
5(1.02 acres)] and one single family residence on 0.5 acres [Lots 953 
and 954 (0.25 acres each) Block 10, Unit 2] in the Tahitian Village 
Subdivision in Bastrop 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 14, 2000.

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 Tannika Englehard, 
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 Services 
Field Office, Austin, Texas, at the above address. Please refer to 
permit number TE-023593-0 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tannika Englehard at the above Austin 
Ecological Services Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species such as the Houston toad. 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

    CHR Real Estate Venture/Cook Classic Homes plans to construct a 
single family residence on 0.5 acres on each of 2 lots [Lot 9, Section 
8 (1.03 acres) and Lot 50, Section 5 (1.02 acres)] in the Circle D 
Country Acres Subdivision and a single family residence on 0.5 acres 
[Lots 953 and 954 (0.25 acres each) Block 10, Unit 2] in the Tahitian 
Village Subdivision in Bastrop County, Texas. This action will 
eliminate less than 1.5 acres of habitat (0.5 acres or less per 
homesite) and result in indirect impacts within the lot. The applicant 
proposes to compensate for this incidental take of the Houston toad by 
providing $4,000 ($1,500 for each of the 2 homesites in Circle D 
Country Acres and $1,000 for one homesite in Tahitian Village) to the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the specific purpose of land 
acquisition and management within Houston toad habitat, as identified 
by the Service.

Nancy M. Kaufman,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-6327 Filed 3-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P