[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 42711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17452]


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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 4.877-
acre Reserve Lot, Block 1, Phase III in the Pine Forest Subdivision, 
Bastrop County, Texas (Russo)

SUMMARY: Joseph and Sylvia Russo II (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 
Applicants have been assigned permit number TE-029605-0. 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 4.877-
acre Reserve Lot, Block 1, Phase III in the Pine Forest 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 Dianne 
Lee, 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-029605-0 (Russo) when submitting 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dianne Lee 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: Joseph and Sylvia Russo II plan to construct a single 
family residence on 0.5 acres of the 4.877-acre Reserve Lot, Block 1, 
Phase III in the Pine Forest 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 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.

Dom Ciccone,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-17452 Filed 7-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P