[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 67 (Thursday, April 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 18121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8437]


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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 0.5 Acres of the 4.55 
Acres of Adjacent Lots 27 and 28 of the Pine Forest Subdivision, Unit 
9, Block 2 and Lots 562 and 564 in the Tahitian Village Subdivision, 
Unit 2, Block 5, Bastrop County, TX

SUMMARY: Ray Don Tilley (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-023965-0. 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 one single 
family residence on 0.5 acres of the 4.55 acres of adjacent Lots 27 and 
28 of the Pine Forest Subdivision, Unit 9, Block 2 and Lots 562 and 564 
of the Tahitian Village Subdivision, Unit 2, Block 5, 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 May 8, 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 Scott Rowin, 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 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-
023965-0 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Rowin 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: Ray Don Tilley plans to construct a single family 
residence on 0.5 acres of the 4.55 acres of adjacent Lots 27 and 28 of 
the Pine Forest Subdivision, Unit 9, Block 2 and Lots 562 and 564 of 
the Tahitian Village Subdivision, Unit 2, Block 5, Bastrop County, 
Texas. This action will eliminate 0.5 acres or less and result in 
indirect impacts within the lot. The applicant proposes to compensate 
for this incidental take of the Houston toad by providing $1,500 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.

Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-8437 Filed 4-5-00; 8:45 am]
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