Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Receipt of an Application for Incidental Take Permits for the Tacoma Water Department, Green River Watershed, Habitat Conservation Plan, King County, Washington

This notice advises the public that the City of Tacoma, Public Utilities, Water Division (Tacoma Water), has submitted an application to NMFS and FWS (the Services) for incidental take permits (Permits) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). As required by section 10(a)(2)(B) of the Act, Tacoma Water has also prepared a habitat conservation plan (Plan) designed to minimize and mitigate any such take of endangered or threatened species. The Permit application is related to water storage and withdrawal from the Green River, and forest management activities in the Green River Watershed, located in south King County, Washington. The proposed Permits would authorize the take of the following endangered or threatened species incidental to otherwise lawful management activities: gray wolf (Canis lupus); bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus); marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus); northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis); grizzly bear (Ursus arctos); bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus); and, Puget Sound chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Tacoma Water is also seeking coverage for 25 currently unlisted species (including anadromous and resident fish) under specific provisions of the Permits, should these species be listed in the future. The duration of the proposed Permits and Plan is 50 years. The Permit application includes the proposed Plan; and a proposed Implementing Agreement. The Services also announce the availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Permit application. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Act, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The Services are furnishing this notice in order to allow other agencies and the public an opportunity to review and comment on these documents. All comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act.