[Federal Register: March 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 45)]
[Notices]               
[Page 11485-11490]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09mr99-114]


[[Page 11485]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 981208299-8299-01]
RIN 1018-ZA03

 
Notice of Availability of a Draft Addendum to the Final Handbook 
for Habitat Conservation Planning and Incidental Take Permitting 
Process

AGENCIES: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior, and National Marine 
Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of document availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries 
Service (the Services) are publishing for comment a Draft Addendum to 
the final Handbook for Habitat Conservation Planning and Incidental 
Take Permitting Process (5-point policy guidance), which is included 
entirely within this notice. The purpose of the Draft Addendum is to 
provide additional clarifying guidance to the Services for conducting 
the incidental take permit program under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the 
Endangered Species Act including developing habitat conservation plans 
(HCPs). It also provides clarifying guidance to those who are applying 
for an incidental take permit. We believe the draft guidance will 
promote efficiency and nationwide consistency within and between the 
Services and improve the HCP program.

DATES: The Services must receive comments on or before May 10, 1999. We 
must receive your comments by this date for them to be considered 
during preparation of a final Addendum.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments regarding this Draft Addendum to the 
Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 
North Fairfax Drive, Room 452, Arlington, Virginia 22203 (facsimile 
703/358-1735); or to the Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 
20910 (facsimile 301/713-0376). Comments received will be available for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
above addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. LaVerne Smith, Chief, Division of 
Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (telephone 703/358-
2171, facsimile 703/358-1735), or Kevin Collins, Chief, Endangered 
Species Division, National Marine Fisheries Service (telephone 301/713-
1401, facsimile 301/713-0376) at the above addresses.