[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20159-20160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09432]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R1-ES-2019-N031; FXES11140100000-190-FF01E00000]


Capitol Boulevard Infrastructure Improvements Habitat 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Olympia 
Subspecies of the Mazama Pocket Gopher, Thurston County, Washington; 
Reopening of the Public Comment Period

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; reopening of the public comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
announcing a new deadline for submittal of public comments on draft 
documents prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service received 
an application from the City of Tumwater Public Works Department for an 
incidental take permit pursuant to the ESA. The applicant has requested 
a permit that would authorize ``take'' of the threatened Olympia pocket 
gopher incidental to construction of safety and infrastructure 
improvements in Thurston County, Washington. The application includes a 
HCP that describes the actions the applicant will take to minimize and 
mitigate the impacts of the taking on the covered species. A Federal 
Register notice of availability for the HCP and the draft environmental 
assessment (EA) addressing the HCP was published on December 26, 2018. 
As a result of the U.S. government partial lapse in appropriations, the 
website cited in the notice was not updated during the

[[Page 20160]]

entire comment period. In response, we are allowing additional time for 
public input on these draft documents. If you submitted a comment 
already, you need not resubmit it.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please submit written comments by May 
23, 2019.

ADDRESSES: To request further information or submit written comments, 
please use one of the following methods:
     Internet: You may view or download copies of the HCP and 
draft EA and obtain additional information on the internet at http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/.
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Tumwater Capitol 
Boulevard Safety and Infrastructure Improvements HCP/EA'' in the 
subject line of the message.
     U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-
2019-N031; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Washington Fish and Wildlife 
Office; 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102; Lacey, WA 98503.
     In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 360-753-5823 
to make an appointment (necessary for viewing or picking up documents 
only) during regular business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Romanski, Conservation Planning 
and Hydropower Branch Manager, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see 
ADDRESSES); 360-753-5823 (telephone). If you use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf, please call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are announcing a new deadline for 
submittal of public comments on two draft documents prepared in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) and section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). A Federal Register notice of 
availability for a draft environmental assessment (EA) addressing a 
habitat conservation plan (HCP) being developed by the City of Tumwater 
Public Works Department in support of its application for an ESA 
incidental take permit was published on December 26, 2018 (83 FR 
66292). Public comments on these documents were due by January 25, 
2019. However, due to a partial lapse in Federal budget appropriations, 
the draft HCP and EA were not made available to the public on the 
website referenced in the notice of availability. Consequently, we are 
reopening the public comment period for an additional 15 calendar days. 
Reopening the comment period will allow the public an opportunity to 
review the proposed HCP and EA, which are now available on the 
referenced website, which is http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/. We invite the 
public to review and comment on both documents. The notice of 
availability contains additional background information, which is not 
repeated here.

Authority

    We provide this notice in accordance with the requirements of 
section 10 of the ESA and NEPA and their implementing regulations (50 
CFR 17.22 and 40 CFR 1506.6, respectively).

Mary M. Abrams,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-09432 Filed 5-7-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P