[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 71 (Friday, April 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19868-19869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7690]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2008-N0071; 20124-1113-0000-F2]


Draft Safe Harbor Agreement and Application for an Enhancement of 
Survival Permit for the Beautiful Shiner, Chiricahua Leopard Frog, 
Huachuca Water Umbel, Yaqui Catfish, Yaqui Chub, and Yaqui Topminnow in 
Cochise County, Arizona

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Alysa F. Bennett, 99 Bar Ranch Limited Liability Limited 
Partnership, and Mr. Josiah and Mrs. Valer Austin, owners of the Bar 
Boot Ranch (Applicants), have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit (TE-160629-
0)pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act), 
as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of 50 years, 
would authorize incidental take of the threatened beautiful shiner 
(Cyprinella formosa), threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Rana 
chiricahuensis), endangered Huachuca water umbel (Lilaeopsis 
schaffneriana var. recurva), threatened Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus 
pricei), endangered Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea), and endangered Yaqui 
topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis) as a result of 
conservation actions, on-going livestock operations, recreation, land 
treatments, and other existing land-

[[Page 19869]]

use activities. We invite public comment.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or 
before June 10, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, draft Safe Harbor 
Agreement (SHA), or other related documents may obtain a copy by 
written or telephone request to the Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, San Bernardino/Leslie Canyon National Wildlife 
Refuges, P.O. Box 3509, Douglas, Arizona 85608 (520-364-2104). 
Electronic copies of these documents will also be available for review 
on the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office Web site, http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/. The application and documents 
related to application will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment only, during normal business hours (7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) 
at the San Bernardino/Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges office. 
Comments concerning the application, draft SHA, or other related 
documents should be submitted in writing to the Refuge Manager, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernardino/Leslie Canyon National 
Wildlife Refuges, P.O. Box 3509, Douglas, Arizona 85608. Please refer 
to permit number TE-160629-0 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marty Tuegel at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service Tucson office, 201 N. Bonita Avenue, Suite 141, 
Tucson, Arizona, 85745 (520-670-6150) ext. 232, or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Applicants plan to implement watershed 
improvements that are expected to improve soil stability and hydrologic 
function in the Leslie Canyon Watershed above the Leslie Canyon 
National Wildlife Refuge. These watershed improvements, will enhance 
and maintain existing habitat, create additional habitats, and 
reestablish populations of the beautiful shiner, Chiricahua leopard 
frog, Huachuca water umbel, Yaqui catfish, Yaqui chub, and Yaqui 
topminnow on the Applicants'private lands (approximately 9,050 mi\2\ 
[23,440 km\2\]) in Cochise County, Arizona. The SHA is expected to 
provide a net conservation benefit to the beautiful shiner, Chiricahua 
leopard frog, Huachuca water umbel, Yaqui catfish, Yaqui chub, and 
Yaqui topminnow.
    The draft SHA and permit application are eligible for categorical 
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, based 
upon completion of a draft Environmental Assessment.
    Section 9 of the Act prohibits the ``taking'' of threatened or 
endangered species. However, the Service, under limited circumstances, 
may issue permits to take threatened and 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).

Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
 [FR Doc. E8-7690 Filed 4-10-08; 8:45 am]
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