[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31200-31201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8451]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Draft Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan; 
Issuance of a Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit for Incidental Take of the 
Houston Toad in Bastrop County, TX (George Stokes)

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: George Stokes (Applicant) has applied to the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (TE-126322-0) 
pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 
1973, as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of five 
years, would authorize incidental take of the Houston toad (Bufo 
houstonensis). The proposed take would occur as a result of the 
construction and occupation of a single family residence, guest home, 
and associated structures on a 14.049-acre (5.68-hectare) property 
located on Park Road 1-C, Bastrop County, Texas. We invite the public 
to review and comment on the permit application and associated draft 
Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or 
before July 31, 2006.

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 draft EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting 
Scott Rowin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet

[[Page 31201]]

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 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the 
Service's Austin office. Written data or comments concerning the 
application and draft EA/HCP should be submitted to the Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, 
Texas 78758. Please refer to permit number TE-126322-0 when submitting 
comments. All comments received, including names and addresses, will 
become a part of the official administrative record and may be made 
available to the public.
    FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clayton Napier at U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service Austin office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, 
Texas 78758, (512) 490-0057 or by e-mail, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Applicant has applied to the Service for 
a section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit for a period of five years 
in order to authorize incidental take of the Houston toad.
    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.
    We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22), and the 
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and its 
implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
    Applicant: The Applicant plans to construct a single family 
residence, guest home, and associated structures on a 14.049-acre 
property located on Park 1-C, Bastrop County, Texas. This action will 
eliminate 0.5 acres of Houston toad habitat and result in indirect 
impacts within the lot. The Applicant proposes to compensate for 
incidental take of the Houston toad by providing $2,000.00 to the 
Houston Toad Conservation Fund at the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation for the specific purpose of land acquisition and management 
within Houston toad habitat.

Richard McDonald,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E6-8451 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P