[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 120 (Friday, June 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 33725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13518]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2021-N163; FXES11140800000-212-FF08EVEN00]


Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Categorical Exclusion 
for the Vintage Ranch Project; Santa Barbara County, California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft 
categorical exclusion screening form for activities described in an 
application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of a 
listed species incidental to construction of a residential development 
in the community of Orcutt within Santa Barbara County, California. The 
applicants developed the draft HCP in support of their application for 
an ITP. The Service prepared a draft categorical exclusion screening 
form in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to 
evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment 
resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicants. We invite public 
comment on these documents.

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before July 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To obtain documents: You may download a copy of the draft 
HCP and categorical exclusion screening form at http://www.fws.gov/ventura/, available in ``Latest News Stories'' under the ``News Room'' 
tab, or you may request copies of the documents by sending U.S. mail to 
our Ventura office (address below), or by phone (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).
    To submit written comments: Please send us your written comments by 
one of the following methods:
     U.S. mail: Stephen P. Henry, Field Supervisor, Ventura 
Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola 
Road, Suite B, Ventura, CA 93003.
     Email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Henry, Biologist, by email, via 
the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance, or by 
mail to the Ventura Fish and Wildlife office (by mail; see ADDRESSES).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation 
plan (HCP), and associated draft categorical exclusion screening form, 
submitted by Vintage Ranch Orcutt, LLC (applicant) with an application 
for an ITP. The permit would authorize take of the federally endangered 
Santa Barbara County distinct population segment (DPS) of the 
California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) incidental to 
activities described in the HCP for the construction of an 
approximately 15-acre residential development within a 33-acre lot in 
the community of Orcutt within Santa Barbara County, California. The 
applicant developed a draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP 
under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The Service prepared a draft 
categorical exclusion screening form in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to 
evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment 
resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicants. We invite public 
comment on these documents.

Background

    The Service listed the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California 
tiger salamander as endangered on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 57242). 
Section 9 of the ESA prohibits take of fish and wildlife species listed 
as endangered (16 U.S.C. 1538). Under the ESA, ``take'' is defined to 
include the following activities: ``to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, 
shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage 
in any such conduct'' (16 U.S.C. 1532). Under section 10(a)(1)(B) of 
the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(B)), we may issue permits to authorize 
take of listed fish and wildlife species that is incidental to, and not 
the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity. Regulations 
governing incidental take permits for endangered species are in the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17.22. Issuance of an ITP 
also must not jeopardize the existence of federally listed fish, 
wildlife, or plant species, pursuant to section 7 of the ESA and 50 CFR 
402.02. The permittee would receive assurances under our ``No 
Surprises'' regulations (50 CFR 17.22(b)(5)).

Applicants' Proposed Activities

    The applicant has applied for a 20-year term permit for incidental 
take of the Santa Barbara County DPS of the California tiger 
salamander. The take would occur in association with the construction 
of a residential development and associated activities such as 
vegetation removal, site grubbing, and grading for proposed 
development. The proposed development and all associated disturbance 
areas would be sited on approximately 15 acres of a 33-acre property.
    The HCP includes avoidance and minimization measures for the Santa 
Barbara County DPS of the California tiger salamander and mitigation 
for unavoidable loss of habitat. As mitigation for habitat loss, the 
applicant proposes to purchase credits from a Service-approved 
mitigation bank.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying 
information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public view, we cannot guarantee that we will be able 
to do so.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22) and NEPA 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 
1506.6).

Stephen Henry,
Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, Ventura, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2021-13518 Filed 6-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P