[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42710-42711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17451]


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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 1.0-
acre Lot 1 in the Royal Pines Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas 
(Schena)

SUMMARY: Sherry Schena (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Service) for an

[[Page 42711]]

incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered 
Species Act (Act). The Applicant has been assigned permit number TE-
029608-0. 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 1.0-acre Lot 1 in the Royal Pines Subdivision, 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 August 10, 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, Room 4102, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons 
wishing to review the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Tannika 
Engelhard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 
200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0057). 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, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas, at the above address. 
Please refer to permit number TE-029608-0 (Schena) when submitting 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tannika Engelhard at the above U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service Office, Austin, Texas.

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: Sherry Schena plans to construct a single family 
residence on 0.5 acres of the 1.0-acre Lot 1 in the Royal Pines 
Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas. This action will eliminate 0.5 
acres or less of Houston toad habitat 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 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.

Dom Ciccone,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-17451 Filed 7-10-00; 8:45 am]
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