[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31184-31185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12244]


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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 2.0-
Acre Lot 102, Section 1, in the Circle D Country Acres Subdivision, 
Bastrop County, Texas

SUMMARY: Brandon and Letty Pettit (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 
Applicant has been assigned permit number TE-025656-0. 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 of the 2.0-acre 
Lot 102, Section 1, in the Circle D Country Acres 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 and EA/HCP should be 
received on or before June 15, 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-025656-0 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

    Brandon and Letty Pettit plan to construct a single family 
residence on 0.5 acres of the 2.0-acre Lot 102, Section 1, in the 
Circle D Country Acres Subdivision in Bastrop County, Texas. This 
action will eliminate less than 1 acre of habitat and result in 
indirect

[[Page 31185]]

impacts within the lot. The applicants propose 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.

Frank S. Shoemaker, Jr.,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-12244 Filed 5-15-00; 8:45 am]
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